They say the power of true love exceeds everything else.

Prince Taehyung pitied the efforts of the princess. His belief swayed to rely more on rebellion than a discussion.

She should've declined or run away.

It made no sense to him why she would come here and hope to receive his help only to get herself in danger.

King Seokjin had arrived at the Black Palace after receiving another letter from King Namjoon that her sister was being held captive for trespassing the walls of the King's Palace.

The other two trespassers were also tied down and kept as prisoners, her companions, Yoongi and Hoseok.

When Taehyung returned to his chamber, the King asked for his presence in the great hall.

Upon reaching the said place, his eyes instantly captured the honey, brown-haired woman standing alongside Seokjin.

He bowed to their guests, still keeping his eyes on the princess. Her crimson red gown and lips were vibrantly demanding everyone's attention in addition to her glowing face.

She looked distraught and a little raged. She acknowledged his presence too by running a scrutinizing gaze from his top to bottom, possibly trying to memorize him to avoid making the same mistake again of confusing someone else.

"Your Majesty, the princess of White Kingdom has committed a grave crime by trespassing into my palace," Namjoon stated.

"I apologize on behalf of the Princess for her disgraceful actions," Seokjin stepped forward, "I hope this doesn't impact our intentions of establishing a common ground between our Kingdoms."

Namjoon gestured for everyone to take a seat, "The four kingdoms don't share a history of being on good terms with each other. However, in the recent stir, as everyone should be aware, it wasn't the Black Kingdom that harmed the White Kingdom. The enemy planned to cause bloodshed between us. Whether it was the Crimson Kingdom or the Silver Kingdom, we don't know for sure, but I see it beneficial for us to ally against them. Therefore, I brought up the topic of marriage. First, to form a promise between us and second to announce a threat to the other kingdoms."

"Although I successfully understand where you are coming from, I want the princess and prince to agree to this as well," Seokjin stated.

The prince and princess were allowed to talk to each other alone and decide their fate.

Now, they stood in the same garden they were in last night. "I saw you climbing the walls, you seemed well-practiced," Taehyung remarked.

Inhee grimaced at the memory of last night. "I wouldn't have done that if I knew I'd meet the King instead of you. It was one of my fears to be held hostage at the Black Palace."

Prince's lips established a boxy smile, "My brother shouldn't fear you when you are quite fierce and strong."

She nodded, "that is also true. However, the fear of having someone's teeth stung into my skin has grown over me. You know, the fangs as the rumors suggest?"

"Is that how you think of us?" He laughed, "We don't have fangs, thorns, and spikes as the stories people tell."

"Those stories also state that the princes and the king are otherworldly handsome."

"I guess the stories aren't so untrue after all?" He asked, staring into her eyes, towering over her height.

"Otherworldly would be an exaggeration, but I did find the King quite charming," Blood rushed to her cheeks as she admitted the fact.

"Of course, he is," he stepped closer, "what about me?"

"Not very far behind," she shyly said, trying to avoid his eyes.

"I've heard you're very daring and bold, that you were eyeing Prince Jimin like a cat ready to scratch his face," he said, revealing his adorable smile.

Her eyes widened in fury. "Is that what he said? He's such-"

He laughed, throwing his head back, startling her, as she found it quite childish

"You are the first girl who's not madly in love with him."

"I wouldn't even consider that," she said, still with a frown kissing her features.

"What about me, would you consider that?" The prince asked, reeling them back to the topic of why they gathered.

Her heart skipped a beat, perhaps a few. She wanted to think, seriously consider everything, but before she could, a quiet, "yes," slipped off her lips.

The prince locked his eyes with her once again. "Then Princess Lee Inhee will you marry me?"

This time, without any thoughts, she said, "Yes. I will."

Either this or a bloodshed she'd be the sole reason for. Not like she had interests in any other, so why turn down a good-looking prince?

When they both presented in front of the kings and the others. Namjoon asked Taehyung for his approval, to which Taehyung said, "Your wish is my command, Your Majesty."

Seokjin exhaled his defeat and asked, "Inhee, do you oppose this proposition?"

Jimin's stare was on Inhee as he was sitting beside the King, expecting her to ignite in anger and that's what Hoseok and Yoongi expected while they were on their knees, with hands and feet tied up.

"I don't," she said. Everybody was seemingly shocked except for Namjoon who nonchalantly carried this matter further.

"I would like if a promise is taken now in the form of engagement-" he stated.

Seokjin anxiously interjected, "That would require a lot of preparations and most importantly rings. We can agree on a later date to complete this ceremony."

"There's no need for grand preparation and if rings are your concern then I can easily arrange the best ones in the Black Kingdom for this engagement," Namjoon assured.

Seokjin struggled to agree with this and seeing the look on his face, Inhee stepped in, "We are grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty. We shall proceed with this ceremony."

Taehyung couldn't read the lines on her face or the tone of her voice.

Why was she willingly agreeing to this now, when only the night before she climbed the walls of their palace to voice her frustration?

However, it mattered very little to Taehyung whether the engagement happened now or a few days later, with her or with someone else.

The rings were brought in by the guards, and Inhee's eyes locked with Prince Taehyung for only a moment before she rose to her feet.

Taehyung took her hand in his and slipped the Black diamond ring on her third finger. Her hand was easily half the size of his own.

She put the ring on his hand, a white diamond.

Cheers were heard from the officials and maids present in the great hall.

On what seemed like a happy occasion, a messenger hurriedly entered the hall's gates, making his way in front of Namjoon.

He said, "Your Majesty, our ships which were stationed in the southern seas were abducted. We are suspecting the Silver Kingdom. They have imprisoned our 200 men, and we were informed that they also captured two ships of the White Kingdom, approximately 350 men."

Seokjin and Namjoon were now furious. "They are declaring their intentions. We should begin taking measures for a possible war," Seokjin stated.

"Your Majesty, how about we first seek the true enemy behind this?" Inhee suggested, "Can you please pass the order to free my friends? They can give us more information on this."

Jung Hoseok and Min Yoongi were called up to stand in front of His Majesty and provide whatever they knew on this matter.

"I'm a swordsmith, Your Majesty, I hear the talks of the people in my workshop. I did hear that the Silver Kingdom is looking forward to declaring war with both our Kingdoms, but rumors have it that the Crimson Kingdom is behind this planning, that they are creating misunderstandings in the three lands," Hoseok explained.

Namjoon gestured for Yoongi to speak. "Your Majesty, I work as a messenger for the four lands, due to this I'm always aware of the upcoming events everywhere. As per my knowledge, the Silver Kingdom holds grudges against our Kingdoms for defeating their old emperor in the 3rd war of the lands."

The generals and the officials hummed in agreement with Yoongi.

"We can't advance to attack the Silver King's territory based on the words of a mere messenger, whose stance we don't know. He could very well be working for our enemy," Jimin spoke. Silence enveloped following his statement, nobody dared to oppose.

Namjoon nodded in agreement. "We will send our men to the Silver Kingdom tomorrow to determine if they are our enemy or ally."

"Your Majesty, I suggest instead of sending our knights Prince Taehyung and I shall go for a thorough inspection. I have a suspicion that I doubt our knights could catch on. Therefore, I'd like to go there myself and clarify it," Jimin suggested.

Momentary puzzlement crossed Seokjin's face. "If the matter is as serious as the prince claims, then I would send Prince Jungkook on my kingdom's behalf."

Namjoon spoke through his concern, "Only that I fear they will have the upper hand if they try to make hostages of our princes. Nobody at the Silver Palace should know what they look like, hence they will go undercover, as the knights with their general."

Seokjin nodded in agreement. "Your Majesty, we will take our leave now. I'd like to request you release the other two transgressors, as they proved our aid in this quest.

Inhee hopefully met eyes with Namjoon who then agreed to let them go, but with a warning that if they ever did the same again they'd face deathly consequences.

_______

"What is the suspicion you spoke of? I couldn't deny your request earlier, but I still believe it is quite a great risk to take," Namjoon asked Jimin who was sitting on the chair opposite him.

Except for the servant who stood by the wall to do the serving, only the two princes and the king were present in the dining hall, sitting by the table. Namjoon and Jimin were deep in discussion as Taehyung sat alone, his attention fixed on the fork in his hand.

"I have heard of rumors that the Silver Kingdom's king has been visiting the Crimson Kingdom quite often these days. Isn't that strange? The same place where his father died. I hope you do recall how tragic his death was," Jimin said, gaining a nod from Namjoon, "moreover, the king has fallen ill so suddenly. I doubt it has anything to do with the cold weather of their land."

"Are you suggesting he is under a controlling spell?" Namjoon furrowed his brows, "that existed ages ago."

Taehyung looked up from his plate but still resorted to silence.

"But it did exist." Jimin reasoned, "Our knights won't be able to tell the difference without the royal powers, hence I will go there myself."

"If something goes wrong, I will regret this tremendously. Putting you both at risk is not worth this quest," Namjoon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose upon noticing the look on Jimin's face. He wasn't going to back down, it was clear.

"You don't have to worry. I will look after him," Taehyung said, putting his fork down and abruptly standing up from the table.

"Not only him, I fear for your safety as well," Namjoon said, but Taehyung only bowed and left the table. "Is he not satisfied with the engagement?"

"Perhaps, offend because you held his betrothed captive? " Jimin mumbled in question, looking at the back of his cousin walking out of the hall.

Namjoon sighed once again. "I already have too many concerns greying my charming black hair. Would you mind talking to him?"

Jimin chuckled. "Anything to protect your charming hair."