The figure smiled, seeming to enjoy their unease. "Excellent. The cult leader will be pleased. Follow me."

Queen Y/N nodded, her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Lead the way."

As they followed the figure through the winding ruins, Jungkook leaned in close. "I don't like this. It feels like a trap."

King Taehyung's eyes scanned their surroundings. "Stay alert. We don't know what we're up against."

As they followed the figure through the winding ruins, Queen Y/N asked, "Who is this cult leader we're meeting?"

The figure hesitated before responding, "His name is Xandros. He's a powerful sorcerer from a neighboring land."

King Taehyung's eyes narrowed. "What does he want with us?"

The figure shrugged. "I don't know, but he's been seeking an audience with you for months."

Jungkook's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "I don't like this. It feels like a trap."

Queen Y/N placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "We'll be cautious. Let's hear what Xandros has to say."

The figure stopped before a large stone door, adorned with ancient symbols. "We're here. Xandros awaits."

As they entered the chamber, a tall, dark-haired man with piercing eyes turned to face them. "Welcome, Your Majesties. I've been expecting you."

Xandros's gaze swept over them, his eyes lingering on Queen Y/N. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

King Taehyung stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "What do you want, Xandros?"

Xandros smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you know. I want the one thing you're trying to protect."

Queen Y/N's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Xandros?"

Xandros chuckled. "Don't play dumb, Your Majesty. I know all about the ancient artifact hidden within the palace walls. And I want it."

King Taehyung's face darkened. "You'll never get it. It's well protected."

Xandros shrugged. "We'll see about that. I have ways of getting what I want. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Jungkook stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're not taking anything from us. Least of all our queen."

Xandros's gaze locked onto Jungkook. "Ah, the loyal guard. How sweet. But you're no match for me, boy."

Queen Y/N placed a hand on Jungkook's arm, restraining him. "Let's not be hasty. We need to know what we're up against."

Xandros smiled. "Wise decision, Your Majesty. Let's talk... for now."

Xandros gestured to a nearby table, where a map of the palace was spread out. "As you know, the artifact is hidden within the palace walls. But what you don't know is that I have a way to locate it."

King Taehyung's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think you can succeed where others have failed?"

Xandros smiled. "Let's just say I have my ways. And I'm willing to share the artifact's power with you... for a price."

Queen Y/N raised an eyebrow. "What kind of price?"

Xandros leaned forward, his eyes glinting with intensity. "A small favor, really. Just a tiny bit of loyalty. And perhaps... a certain person's cooperation."

Jungkook's eyes flashed with suspicion. "Who are you talking about?"

Xandros's gaze locked onto Queen Y/N. "Why, the queen herself, of course. I think she'll find my proposal... enlightening."

Queen Y/N's face remained calm, but her eyes sparkled with warning. "I'm listening."

Xandros smiled, seeming to savor the moment. "Excellent. Then let's begin our little... negotiation."

Xandros leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "You see, Your Majesty, I've been searching for this artifact for a very long time. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get it."

Queen Y/N raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you plan to do with it?"

Xandros's smile grew wider. "Oh, I think you know. I plan to use its power to change the course of history. And I'm willing to share that power with you... if you cooperate."

King Taehyung snorted. "You expect us to believe you'll just share it with us? After all the trouble you've caused?"

Xandros chuckled. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, Your Majesty. I haven't caused any trouble... yet. But I will, if I don't get what I want."

Jungkook's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "We're not afraid of you."

Xandros's gaze locked onto Jungkook. "We'll see about that. You see, I have something you want. Something that will make you willing to do whatever I say."

Queen Y/N's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Xandros smiled. "Oh, just a little insurance policy I've taken out. You see, I have someone who's very dear to you... and I'm willing to use them to get what I want."

Queen Y/N's eyes widened in alarm. "Who do you have?"

Xandros leaned forward, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Someone very close to you, Your Majesty. Someone who will make you willing to do whatever I say."

King Taehyung's face darkened. "If you've harmed one hair on their head..."

Xandros held up a hand, chuckling. "Oh, no, no, no. I haven't harmed them... yet. But I will, if you don't cooperate."

Jungkook's eyes flashed with anger. "Tell us who it is, Xandros."

Xandros smiled, seeming to savor the moment. "Ah, but that would spoil all the fun. Let's just say... you'll find out soon enough."

Queen Y/N's face set in determination. "We'll never give you what you want, Xandros. No matter what you do."

Xandros shrugged. "We'll see about that. You see, I've planned for every eventuality. And I always get what I want."

Suddenly, a commotion echoed from outside the room, followed by the sound of footsteps. Xandros's smile grew wider.

"Ah, right on cue. It seems our little insurance policy has arrived."

The doors to the room burst open, and a figure was dragged in, struggling against their captors. Queen Y/N's eyes widened in horror as she saw who it was.

"Minister Jin!" she exclaimed, rushing forward.

Minister Jin's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of fear and determination. "Your Majesty, don't..."

Xandros chuckled. "Ah, Minister Jin. So glad you could join us. You see, I knew that taking someone close to the queen would ensure her cooperation."

King Taehyung's face darkened. "Let him go, Xandros. This has nothing to do with him."

Xandros shrugged. "Oh, but it has everything to do with him. You see, Minister Jin here has been hiding a little secret. One that could change the course of history."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Xandros smiled. "Ah, but that would spoil all the fun. Let's just say... Minister Jin has a certain connection to the artifact. One that makes him very valuable to me."

Queen Y/N's eyes locked onto Minister Jin's, filled with a mix of confusion and concern. "Jin, what is he talking about?"

Minister Jin's eyes dropped, his face filled with shame. "I... I didn't want to tell you, Your Majesty. I was trying to protect you."

Xandros chuckled. "Ah, but now the cat's out of the bag. And Minister Jin here will do exactly as I say... or face the consequences."

Queen Y/N's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from Minister Jin, Xandros?"

Xandros leaned forward, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Oh, I think you know. I want him to use his... unique connection to the artifact to help me unlock its secrets."

Minister Jin's face went white. "I'll never do it, Xandros. I'll never help you."

Xandros chuckled. "Oh, I think you will. You see, I have something that belongs to you. Something that will make you do exactly as I say."

Minister Jin's eyes widened in horror. "No... you wouldn't dare."

Xandros smiled. "Oh, but I would. And I have. You see, I've taken something very precious from you. Something that will make you willing to do anything to get it back."

King Taehyung's face darkened. "What have you done, Xandros?"

Xandros leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Oh, I think you'll find out soon enough. But for now... let's just say that Minister Jin has a new motivation to cooperate."

Jungkook's eyes flashed with anger. "We'll never let you get away with this, Xandros."

Xandros chuckled. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. But for now... let's focus on the task at hand. Minister Jin, please... come here."

Minister Jin hesitated, then slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on Xandros with a mix of fear and determination.