Placing a single foot inside the throne room feels like I have entered the war ground itself.

No, there isn't any commotion but the tension-filled in the air tells me otherwise. It's like they are fighting horrendously in their thoughts or it is just me overthinking the situation.

And of course, upon my arrival everyone's eyes shifts towards my figure as I instinctively let my gown fall— in not so graceful manner but yeah, who will notice.

Everyone just did, though.

Shaking my thoughts, I slowly make my way towards father and mother who are sending me hesitant glances whose meaning I am unable to interpret. Jin on the other hand is sitting just beside us, his father and mother that are practically my uncle and aunt send numerous smiles in my direction as I slightly bow my head.

While Jin keeps his face neutral, his eyes follows my actions as I settle myself beside my mother.

As soon as I sit, the awkward and ungainly air returns in the hall as my eyes shift towards the only sane person I know. But the same person has a dull face on while constantly glancing at me now and then.

Jin never acts like that— the bubbly and lively demeanor of his is not there which only means...

No.

Nothing is wrong, Luna. Stop exaggerating.

A hoarse sound arises from my dad's throat as everyone's eyes shift towards him like predators that have finally caught the prey.

"As you all know, we are here for a peace agreement," Father starts as I internally frown.

What type of peace agreement? Am I again lacking behind?

Jin sends me a quick glare.

I got it.

"Things have been pretty intense the past few weeks, there arise several topics for constant bickering which are of no use. So I thought in this meeting, we can settle it down for once and for all."

Various sounds of agreement resonate through every corner of the hall as I gander down at my feet.

Then why am I invited here? For a witness or a peacemaker or something?

"Recently, the increase in revenues due to the use of river water has welcomed havoc in my whole kingdom," Jin's father starts while shaking his head. "If it isn't treated on time, my kingdom will fall into crisis."

"Same for mine, but the reason is different. As Ars—"

The king immediately shuts his mouth upon mumbling the very first letters of the kingdom's name. Faces shifts towards a particular direction, of course, mine too but the only thing that enters my eyes is a very, very straight body with eyes filled with nothing but darkness.

My soul internally shivers upon looking at his face that is staring in his front, lips plastered together as his demeanor remains stiff. He looks merciless, seems like he can do anything for his people. Although his expressions remain brittle, his natural beauty doesn't go unnoticed.

Perfection— that word doesn't even exist for him. If a word more than that has a meaning, then he is far from that.

Either he just felt my stare or read my mind, but everyone is doing the same yet his eyes shift towards us or particularly my family.

His dark eyes scan the two beings beside me, then finally lands on my slightly attentive figure. As soon as the chocolate orbs meet my own, my head turns at an accurate 90° angle— my action eventually resulting me to come face to face with Jin who has a frown plastered on his face.

He sends me a quick concern filled glance and stares back at the prince of Arsvargh with an intense glare.

Yeah, the prince is surely still looking at us.

Now, Jin's father produces a humming sound and shifts to the other kings.

"You can continue, Xinjiang."

The king that was previously in charge of stating his issue nods slightly, hesitation still visible in his actions yet he opens up about his problems.

Turn wise, every king gets to state their problems and troubles caused by different things— all of them now directly pointing at Kim Taehyung and his kingdom, Arsvargh.

My eyes can't help but spare a glance at him, occasionally.

He must be feeling low when everyone's stating him as the only reason for their troubles.

But his whole being remains unbothered, not even acknowledging anyone, he keeps still like a statue.

"My kingdom is basically at it's best, the only problem is the transportation around— I mean the traveling route sometimes stays shut because of heavy taxes that are being imposed on the people."

Dad states on behalf of our kingdom— Petrovce. And still, his face resembles that of a statue.

A part from me feels agitated. Does he lack some kind of obviousness or common sense? Everyone is looking at him, even a single word from his mouth can be of a lot more important but after a few seconds, everyone slumps down.

"I hoped that we can resolve the troubles but—"

But the king's voice is stopped between as a low, very deep and hypnotic voice resonates in the hall.

No doubt, everyone glances at the source, clearly shaken by the fact that he actually can speak.

My throat hitches when his facial muscles relax. A deep frown settles on his forehead as he straightens his back even more if it is possible.

"I think I need to clear one thing, first of, I am not dense."

And god knows why a wave of goosebumps crashes in me like a sea wave.

"Second, if anyone thinks that stating their troubles indirectly can help your situation in any manner, it's not intelligence but it is your foolishness."

Hell, I don't know how everyone can keep their calm because I am raging now.

"And I would like to propose," His eyes slowly shift at everyone's face and then lands on mine— a face of a princess who has her lower lip between her teeth in anticipation, her fingers keep playing with the fabric of her dress.

My actions immediately seize in between, eyes froze as well.

Never have I ever reacted in such a careless manner with any person of the opposite sex, no matter how charming and heart-fluttering their actions can be. I have always remained cold like ice, but why is this man melting that frost.

How can he even do that?

Diverting his attention towards someone else, he opens his mouth.

"I will end your troubles, but in return, I need something."

Silence.

"Yeah, state it. You have my word," My dad speaks in a confident tone, his voice not even wavering for a single second.

And as the smirk on his lips gives a slight entrance, I hold my breath to hear his next words.

"Betrothal, an assurance for a lifetime."

Silence.

Utter silence.

Because there is no other option.

Who thought he would ask for such a thing.

Marriage? That is the last and the most impossible thing. Or actually, it isn't even an option.

How can he think like that?

Alright, I have heard tons of stories when such situations have prevailed in the past, but never once I ever got to experience this right in front of me.

My head automatically turns to my right, Jin's frowning and angry face coming right in front of my eyes. Redness flashes back and forth in his expressions, but when he feels my stare on him, his demeanor softens— glancing at me with those vulnerable and concern filled eyes, yet again.

Again, making me want to scream out aloud to ask the reason.

"B- but... that's a little—"

"Inappropriate."

The second those words leave from Jin's lips, I shiver upon watching Kim Taehyung's eyes rolling towards my cousin.

And he snickers.

"This is the last thing that you should term as inappropriate, it doesn't even reach that line," As smoothly as he can, he reasons and shrugs.

Leaving everything aside, what worse is that my father has given his word which means no matter how hard or daring his wish is, even if he asks for my dad's life— he will get that.

"Alright," My eyes move towards my father who takes a deep breath. "Tomorrow, I will be organizing a big gathering where our kingdom's girls will be—"

"No."

And as soon as I lift my head, his eyes straightaway pierces through my heart.

"I want a princess."