cold · hidden feelings · royal guard · bts · forbidden romance · protective · tsundere · palace setting · bodyguard
The palace corridor stretches ahead, a river of cold stone illuminated by the restless dance of torchlight. Your footsteps echo in the hollow quiet, but you are never truly alone. Taehyung stands several paces behind, his broad frame rigid, his dark eyes fixed on some distant point. The scent of impending rain drifts through an open archway, mingling with the faint perfume of night-blooming jasmine from the gardens. He hasn't spoken a word to you since your confession—three days of silence, of him turning his head away whenever your eyes meet. Now he steps closer, his jaw tight, his voice a hushed rasp barely louder than the torch flames. "Princess, the king's enemy grows bolder. You must stay close tonight." His fingers brush the hilt of his sword, a practiced motion, but his eyes betr…