Author's POV

Taehyung sat upon his throne, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation. The throne room, once alive with the echoes of courtly chatter, fell into a hushed reverence as the king withdrew into the recesses of his thoughts. 'How was his heart beating again?'

It's been quite some time since he and Y/N got back from Garzooka. Both were injured and exhausted as dealing with Trevor was enough adventure for the day. Y/N was transported to her room and Lilith was called immediately to treat her wounds and check up on her health. As for Taehyung, being the Dark Lord came with advantages, he could heal his own wounds on the spot if he wanted to and that's what he did after regaining his consciousness at the fight with Trevor. 

His gaze was fixed on a point beyond the grand windows, where the blood moon bathed the kingdom in its red-silvery glow. The flickering candlelight accentuated the intensity of his introspection, casting shadows that danced upon the walls like fleeting whispers.

The ornate tapestries, depicting triumphs and tribulations of generations past, blurred into the background as the king delved into the recesses of his mind. His fingers absently traced the intricate carvings on the armrest of his throne, a rhythmic motion betraying the gravity of the matter at hand.

A heavy silence enveloped the room, broken only by the distant sounds of the castle settling into the night. Jimin walked in followed by Gong Yoo and the other members and stood at a close distance, exchanging cautious glances, sensing the weight of their ruler's contemplation.

In the midst of the stillness, the king's eyes revealed the depth of his concern. Deep pools of thought reflected a mix of weariness and determination, as if wrestling with a decision that could reshape the course of the kingdom. His jaw tightened, and the pulse in his temple quickened with the rhythm of profound deliberation.

What occupied the king's mind remained was quite obvious and evident, revealed by the stoic expressions he wore as a ruler. Yet, the atmosphere bespoke a critical juncture, a pivotal moment that demanded his undivided attention. 

Gong Yoo looked up at him quietly and decided to break the silence. "Taehyung-ah, I heard about something from Jimin. Is your heart really beating again?" The king came back from his train of thoughts and answered with a simple nod. 

He couldn't blame Jimin for opening his mouth because it was a serious matter that his close people had to know about. The curse that he was born with had actually taken effect upon him and now it was broken a few hours ago. It wasn't a simple thing that both he and Jimin could keep between themselves. Taehyung knew that Gong Yoo had to know since he is his most trustworthy person who was always there for him no matter what. He was his best friend and also his family. He was the type of person who would know what was wrong with Taehyung just by looking at him.

"Are you really telling us the truth? You're not joking right?" Jin, the Lord of Beauty asked. Taehyung took his hand and brought it up to his chest. The thumping inside his chest vibrated onto his hand. Jin looked back at the others, "It's actually beating."

Excited little Jungkook smiled. "How does it feel Hyung?" Taehyung shifted his eyes from Jin to Jungkook. "It feels different from nostalgia. It's like I've missed this feeling for such a long time but it also feels weird that something is moving inside of me now."

He got up from his throne and stroked Jungkook's soft brown hair. "How are you feeling? You ok now? Does it hurt anywhere?" 

Jungkook took his hand from his head and held it in his. "I'm fine now. Even better when Jiminie told me about your heart."

Jimin stepped up to the two. "Yah, you're calling him Hyung but calling me Jiminie. Where's your respect kid." Jungkook lifted his right hand up and flexed his bicep. "It's in here."

Everyone laughed as Gong Yoo continued to analyse Taehyung's face. "I see that it's bothering you but it's a relief too Taehyung. However, this is very much close to impossible because you were cursed that if your heart ever stopped beating, it would never start again no matter what you do."

The Dark Lord looked at the older man as he nodded his head and sat back down on his throne again. Gong Yoo continued. "It felt like yesterday I when would stay up all night and look into how I could bring your heartbeat back. You were all pale and quiet. Only you know how you felt but whenever I looked at you, I felt the same hollowness that you had in your chest."

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In the royal chambers of the palace, where the group sat down to further discuss the situation and look for possible answers, Jimin found himself captivated by the presence of the maids of the palace. The gentle sway in their steps caught his attention as he continuously eyed them again and again. 

Namjoon caught him looking as he gently slapped his head. Jimin looked at the Lord of Destruction with annoyed eyes. "What?!"

"Stop looking at them like you're gonna eat them up any second now. And be thankful that I didn't slap you any harder or your skull would have cracked."

"What can I do Hyung? I am the Lord of Lust after all. It's in my characteristics, abilities and..." he looked down at himself then back up as he licked his lips, "...everywhere."

Jungkook scrunched his nose in disgust, "Ew Jiminie, control your hormones..."

Everybody laughed for a while before the air grew thick again in desperate need of finding answers for the return of the King's heartbeat. The smell of candle wax lingered in the air and the cold stone floor under their feet heightened seriousness as they quietened down and started discussing the possibilities.

"What if Taehyung's heart never stopped? What if his heartbeats were suppressed and they weren't felt because of that?" SUGA, the Lord of Elements, suggested as the members looked at him and nodded their heads considering the possibility.

Gong Yoo nodded his head but pointed out his fact from his wise years of experience. "I don't think that might have been the reason. That is impossible to happen. Taehyung is and was a very powerful person. His heartbeat is ought to be the strongest so his heartbeats cannot be pressed down by any extent."

J- Hope, the Lord of Shapeshifting, pointed out another possibility. "Guys, what if nobody wanted to give a solution since he seems scary and dangerous, weird reason but it could be possible, he holds a powerful position and back then everyone knew that he'd be the next king. It could be possible that people were just too scared or too jealous to give the solutions."

The reason seemed the most viable as everyone at the grand table nodded their heads and zoned out thinking back to all the times Taehyung went out of the palace and took a round around the Dark World. People were often seen to be scared or jealous, they weren't really sure because their heads were always down low, not wanting to hold contact with their King's green eyes. 

"Whatever the reason may be, I'll set out to look for it. It could be something really big or something really simple." Gong Yoo said as he got up and exited the royal chambers. 

"Yah Taehyung-ah, you also have to think. Maybe think back to the time when your heart first beat. Tell us what happened. Don't leave any details out because that's the only way we can find the answers." Namjoon said as he shuffled in his seat and leaned closer to the table. 

"Well, it started beating again when I passed out on the floor at Trevor's palace. We had a sword fight and it was his condition that whoever wins, can keep Y/N and whoever loses is going to lose his life. I remember that he struck me when I took a second to look back at Y/N and soon I fell to the floor because everything turned black."

J- Hope interrupted him in concern. "You got hurt? Where? Are you alright now?" Taehyung gave him a soft smile as he continued. "I'm fine Hobi, I healed myself on the spot. I have healing powers, remember?" J- Hope gave Taehyung a big smile in relief.

"After I blacked out, I heard loud painful cries, I think it was Y/N. I don't remember what happened after that but I had this very rapid feeling in my chest and the next thing you know is that my heart was beating."

Everybody looked at Taehyung with dead silence. They knew what was going on. Jin couldn't hold it anymore, he banged the table and excitement before blurting his loud voice out. "You silly man, it's Y/N who brought your heartbeat back. You heard her cries and it could have somehow caused something to happen inside you and that could have kind of jump-started your heart."

"Whaaat? Hyung, you've gone crazy. Too much k-dramas I guess." Taehyung knowingly turned into a tomato as he looked down. He knew that this didn't feel right. Y/N's a threat to the Dark World and she has powers. How can he suddenly meddle into the time wasting feelings of love. He did show Y/N that he loved her on Earth but that was all a charade, it was part of their plan. It can't be happening for real now.

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In the dark night, under the effects of the blood moon, Gong Yoo walked briskly out of the palace after their meeting to search for answers. Unbeknownst to him, a figure emerged from the shadows, clad in a hooded cloak, and swiftly followed the man. The air grew tense as the attacker lunged forward at Gong Yoo with his hands lit with fiery orange smoke, making it seem like a surprise assault on one of the Dark Lord's special people.

Gong Yoo dodged the attack and pinned the attacker's neck with his arm. He pulled his hood off to reveal his face. Jay B, the leader of Got 7, the rival of BTS and the murderer of Y/N's parents, himself stood before Gong Yoo as he huffed and flashed his orange eyes at the older man. 

"You're not from here. What are you here to do?"

"To finish the Dark Lord."

"I'll finish you before you can even get to him."

Gong Yoo raised his hand up as black smoke surrounded it. He was determined to finish Jay B there and then. Just as he brought his hand close to his face, he stopped as Jay B opened his eyes after waiting for the impact. Gong Yoo smirked and let out a small laugh.

The Got 7 leader laughed with the man and gave him a tight hug.

"Appa..."

A/N

Surprising aye? It's been so long since I've made an author's note, so here it is. 

This chapter was a little short, if you didn't already notice. Don't worry, the next one will be long like the previous one. 

So till then, read, comment and vote on my chapters. Love you all.

~Angel Misty 💜