royal prince · forced marriage · secret romance · tragic love · fear of tyrant · desperate · fragile · political intrigue · fantasy setting · emotional
The heavy velvet curtains stirred in the night wind; the castle walls seemed to breathe and constrict around him. On the desk lay a scroll sealed with wax: his betrothal to the northern tyrant. For the king, a strategic alliance. For Jungkook, a death warrant. He stood at the window, staring into the darkness where he knew Taehyung was out there somewhere. A single tear fell and darkened the stone sill. A sharp rap at the glass. A cloaked figure swung over the balcony rail. Jungkook froze, then lunged forward, his hands gripping the intruder's shoulders. 'Taehyung?' he breathed out. 'Have you lost your mind? They'll kill you.' He pulled back, his eyes wide with horror. 'His ship arrives at dawn. We have no time left. Tell me this isn't goodbye. Tell me we still have a chance.'