JUNGKOOK'S POV:

It was such a privilege to see her beauty up close. I have seen her before too, closer than this, she was in my arms and her body was burning against mine. But seeing her with a goddamn gun in her hands, that too, against a criminal like me was a blessing. A sight I couldn't resist and a privilege I don't know what so good I did in life to deserve.

Oh, Yesol, you will be the death of me.

My eyes bore into her brown ones, they were twinkling with tears, flaming with hatred, shining with fear and demanding for a war.

My gaze further travelled down to her neck, pausing at the hickeys, I take in the beauty of those painful bruises I gave her as a return gift.

The view flooding back the memories of last night and the after effects from our encounter. For a millisecond my head became cloudy, the shiver of arousal passing down my spine. I took a deep breath to calm my urge to mark her again.

She was such a twisted thing. One moment she's so scared that she leans on your shoulder and the other moment she's standing against you with a gun.

And I was dared to keep sane in this moment, because for some twisted reason even this dangerous play seemed quite enjoyable.

Afterall, my angel had a little bit of devil inside her.

A respectful man would've caged her for this action, but I was far from respectful. I was immoral, a sinner who had no redemption and I wasn't sorry for anything at all. She was too nice and modest for a violent man like me.

Nonetheless, despite my every flaw, I was capable of providing for her. I hope she knows how safe she is with the wrong man who was capable of giving her every right in the world.

Could he do this? Kim Seokjin.

If it were someone else, they would've chosen death than to face me as an opponent, killing me or trying to kill me was an useless attempt, she wasn't unaware of the fact and yet her challenge was something to admire.

She was a fighter and I was so proud of her.

My lips lingered on the back of her hand a moment longer before I moved her hand down to my chest so the pistol was pointed right at my heart. I was able to calculate my each beat in anticipation of her next move, the thrill of this proximity was something so out of this world.

A part of me wanted her to press the trigger and shoot me, to see if she could really kill someone, if she could really kill me? Or how would she look painted in blood while I lie at her feet, observing every drop of my crimson which just adds to her elegance before I die?

She stood rooted to the ground, her hand still against my chest, the pistol trembling slightly in her shaking hand, a mixture of power and fear running through her veins. I held her gaze, my eyes fixed on her face, drinking in every expression that passed through her features.

Even her hate was beautiful.

She quietly observed my actions, her hold on the pistol was firm, not ready to drop it down at all. She was more than just pissed, her head was already a mess of emotions with everything that happened earlier and now she was more aware of me and my moves.

She wanted to kill me, finish me off in every possible way and I knew that. But hell, does she know that I was willing to bleed? Like a devotee for a goddess.

This one twisted thought of dying by her hands and the excitement that accompanied it was enough to realise what position she held in my life. I was beyond obsessed and it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

I was willing to offer my life just to satisfy her crave for seeing me in pain, who was she? Definitely a power. A goddess. My goddess.

She had my life in her hands and she didn't even know that.

Her pulses raced like crazy, her hand was cold as ice and ringing with shivers, she was so scared yet so daring. But my princess was too good to kill someone. She was too nice to even kill a guy who, as she thinks, destroyed her life.

She wouldn't kill someone just because she hates them. Yesol would need more than just hate to vanish someone's existence.

My eyes couldn't leave her sight, I couldn't help but admire her defiant eyes and angry tears. It was annoying and intriguing how she always tried to put a strong front infront of me. I wanted her to cry, to let go of her ego and fall in my arms.

I wanted her broken so only I could collect her back.

I wanted to wipe her tears and ask her who she wanted dead, and then offer that person's detached head as a gift. All she had to do was command me.

But she didn't, as she would rather die than to ask me for something. Independent much? Ha!

I've never witnessed a woman as stubborn as her. Not infront of me atleast. And it was annoying to another level.

What was that keeping her to finally give in to me? Was it that difficult to just accept the truth, that she was mine forever and nothing could do us apart, not even death?!

Her refusal to give in to me was driving me insane. I was used to people bowing down before me, but she held her ground, defying me at every turn. It was maddening, yet at the same time, it made me want her even more.

Dear Yesol, we're like thunder and lightning, the farther you strike, the louder my heart roars for you. So darling, there's no escape. We're in a twisted relationship which promises only destruction.

I leaned in further, until the pistol was pressed hard against my heart.

She didn't even try to keep the distance maintained between us, she was too furious to care about space. I could see the storm of hatred for me in her eyes, but that little light of hesitation behind that dark storm excited me further.

The room was filled with the stench of death, the metallic tang of blood hanging heavily in the air. It was a gruesome sight, a reminder of the violence and chaos that followed me.

Yet amidst all this, what stood out the most was her innocence. She was like a beacon in the dark, her gentle soul shining through despite the horror that surrounded us.

I could sense her struggle, her hesitation to press the trigger and shoot me dead. It was all written over her face, her short breaths, the sweat beads-her defiance dripping down her forehead, evidence of her inner turmoil as her hold on the gun weakening. I knew I was getting to her.

Shoot me.

I slightly tilted my head with a predatory grin, to study her frightened eyes from a better angle, a hint of mockery in my eyes and the dark smirk on my lips as I see her struggle to press the trigger and end this twisted game but she couldn't.

Shoot me.

I know she hates me. I know I'm just making her hate me more. But I also know I could handle anything if it was coming from her.

Shoot me.

The anticipation was killing me, the thrill to see what she does was making the blood rush in my veins, driving me insane in the meantime. I was in control of the situation yet I never felt so out of control.

Shoot me.

And with a loud exhale, she dropped the gun, her hand limply falling to her side. The sound of the gun falling to the ground filling the room. I could see the emotions warring on her face, the anger slowly being replaced by resignation as she gwaked at the gun on the floor.

I smirked studying her reaction, I expected some more bloody chaos but she had surprised me. The lack of twist disappointing me, however the sudden obedience was surprisingly pleasing.

I pushed her weight over the table, my hand resting on her lower back as I stood in between her legs. She gasped meeting my eyes again, her one hand resting on my shoulder and the other in my hand.

I leaned in taking the softness of her once furious eyes. Her steady breaths, a message of her calm returning back, which was a stark contrast to the dangerous threat she became earlier.

I tenderly squeezed her hand in mine before placing my lips over her palm as I kissed it. I felt her breaths hitch and fingers twitch at my unexpected act of softness, her brows narrowing as she tried to search for the point of this whole situation.

I smiled against her soft palm reading the confusion in her eyes, still she didn't pull away, letting me kiss her hand. Our eyes never broke the bridge of attraction, between the silence of horror, our eyes spoke louder than words could.

There was something very unsettling yet special about those deep brown, siren eyes which were always so cold towards me. I hated that look yet they turned me on and turned me weak at the same time.

"Were you trying to finish me off, sweetheart?" I asked, a hint of mockery in my tone, tracing her small hand in mine.

My attempt of riling her up working as her expression hardened, her hand curling into a fist as I stroked her knuckles. My other hand moved from her waist to the edges of her robe, my fingers toying with the ribbons that held her robe together.

"Don't take my softness for weakness, Jeon..." she mumbled, her voice deep and hard, a threat to keep my mockery to myself.

The use of my last name made me chuckle, the way she said it sent a thrill through me. It sounded different coming from her lips, softer and more sultry, like a caress, like a turn on.

My eyes left her eyes for a moment as my fingers continued playing with the ribbons. Her curves coming under my attention, the scene of her breaking into the torture room flashing infront of my eyes.

The way she walked to me, the way the silk hugged her curves, her every inch a soothing kiss to your eyes but the same soothing sight making my heart burn and the rest is history.

My smirk widening when I think about the obvious after effects of flaring my jealousy. I looked back into her eyes and leaned in further to hear more.

"I will set your world on fire!" she completed, her determination something to be proud of but I've never heard anything more adorable than this before.

I chuckled, "Is that a threat, darling?" I continued toying with her ribbons, the desire to pull the ribbons was almost unbearable but I held back my urge to give into my desires just yet.

As using force was easy but making her give it to me was easier and more fun.

"Did it sound like a compliment, you bastard?!" she barked taking me by my collar.

My breaths caught up in my throat as I felt her breaths over my chin, my eyes above hers and my lips just one heartbeat away from giving into my desires and kiss the life out of her.

She didn't know how hungry I was to get a taste of those rosy lips, I was starving to taste them since day one. I had dreamt of having them against mine longer than I could admit.

But was she ready to have a taste of my insanity of desires?

She didn't know what she was asking for. She was teasing a hungry beast with his favourite meal.

The urge to lean in and take what was mine since the moment I laid eyes on her was overwhelming.

I was not able to erase the events of yesterday from my head, the second her teeth dug into my neck, I came in my pants. My mind was swirling with anger and shame, it made my blood boil how just one bite got me all soaked like a pathetic, that I wanted to fvck the hell out of her, but only I know how I handled myself after that.

I wanted her close to me, so close that her body molds into mine, as if we were two pieces of a puzzle finally finding where we belonged. I wanted to keep her so close that our ribs beg to differ, that the very air between us felt like too much of a distance.

I wanted to feel her heartbeats aligning with mine, each thud speaking in a language only we could understand.

I wanted her every inch pressed against my every inch. I wanted to feel her bare, soft skin against me, her hands tangled in my hair as she begs for more, her face buried in my neck as she moans my name. I wanted to be buried inside her warmth, to possess her, to claim her in every possible way, to make her mine and mine alone-physically, emotionally, spiritually.

To keep her close was not just a desire; it was a necessity.

But not until she craved me just as much as I craved her, both presence and body. I wanted to be the fire in her veins, the thought she couldn't shake, the obsession that consumed her every waking moment.

I wanted her to need me, to ache for me, to feel incomplete in my absence, as if the very air she breathed was poisoned without me in it.

Because unless she craved me the way I craved her-relentlessly, obsessively, I wouldn't be satisfied. I didn't just want her attention; I wanted her love, her soul to cling to mine, unable to survive without me. Only then would she truly be mine.

I'm a man whose greed knows no bounds, but for her, I would wait.

And the day she accepts me as his will be the day the world will know how violent devotion can be.

"Sure" I accepted her challenge, my hands moving to rest on either side of her, trapping her between my arms. I locked my eyes with her frame as her hold on my collar was still unbreakable, her scent making my head spin.

My eyes travelling down to the hickeys, inviting me for another feast, pulling me in like a force.

"Burn my world" I mumbled against her ears, my voice smoky to have a lasting effect on her. I traced my lips down and planted a kiss under her ear and travelled them further down, against the hickeys and kissed each mark softly.

A shiver ran down my spine as I did so, my heart raced at the proximity of her closeness. I never felt this way with no other women.

She gasped and groaned, her grip on my collar tightening but the fog of pain mixed with pleasure made even the smallest of attempts to push me away unsuccessful.

I had no plans of going further and soaking my pants again. After kissing every last mark on her neck I pulled my lips away only to find her looking into my eyes. There was so much to read about her thoughts through her eyes yet so less to understand but I loved trying to read her eyes anyway, even though it was a hurdle to see through the hate she poured only for me.

"Just know that while you do so, I will stand right behind you" I grinned proudly tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear while she continued glaring at me.

At this point, I'm beginning to think that her love language is glaring.

"Lord Jungkook" a guard knocked on the door, I felt a pang of annoyance as the guard interrupted our moment, the sound of his voice breaking the spell of tension that had engulfed us.

I turned my head to look back at the half open door and the Empress's guard next to it, his eyes at the floor. "The Empress has summoned you at her quarters" he announced sensing my gaze on him, I hummed in acknowledgement.

I felt her gaze on me before I faced her, her still glaring eyes making me grin at their cuteness. I pulled myself back from trapping her between my arms and stood straight.

"Now why don't you be a good girl and get dressed up beautifully..." I pause taking a good look at her attire, "...and more appropriately, for me?" I teased, my tall frame casting a shadow over her seated form as I stroked my index finger on her cheek.

She hissed in annoyance as I did so, my hands moving down to unbuckle the ribbons of the outer-robe of my hambok before I took it off and tucked it over her shoulders. A relief washed over me when she didn't act stubborn and wore my robe without being her true cat-self.

I turned around to leave, my mind still swimming in a mix of desire and frustration. My hand burning with her touch, feeling vacant and hollow, a force pulling me to stay and finish what we started. My lips itched with the memory of her skin, as much as I wanted to stay, I knew I had to go.

The Empress had summoned me, and I couldn't ignore a call from her. I took a deep breath as I walked down the hallway towards the Empress's quarters.

I had never been fond of the woman, and the summons only heightened my dislike, the mere thought of her igniting a spark of irritation that threatened to burn into rage. But I forced myself to school my features, crafting a mask of indifference.

I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself for whatever reason she had called me for. Though the Empress's likely reason for summoning me made a bitter scoff escape my mouth.

It was probably to humiliate me once again, to remind me of my lowly position in her eyes and in the castle. Her games were always calculated, her every move designed to pull strings and test my boundaries, however I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing even a flicker of emotion in my eyes.

The thought almost made me laugh. It was pathetic, really-how someone so outwardly powerful could be so insecure within? That too of the boy she raised herself?

It amused me, in a way, how transparent she was. Every insult, every condescending look, was just a mirror reflecting her own fears. She saw me as a threat-not because of what I was, but because what I could become to get the throne from her.

She feared me since she brought me here, in Jeon empire, feared the day I'd grow too powerful to be controlled, to slip through her grasp entirely. So she made it her mission to keep me beneath her, to remind me constantly of how lonely I was, how I had no one by my side, of how powerless I was even after being so powerful.

But little did she know, in her desperate attempts to keep me caged, she had created a beast instead? She thought she was breaking me, but all she did was sharpen my edges, harden my resolve, and fuel my hunger for freedom and power.

I wasn't the helpless boy she thought she could mold anymore. Her every act of cruelty, every reminder of my "lowly" status, had become the very foundation of my strength.

She thought she could douse the spark in me, but all she did was fan the flames. I am the wildfire now-unpredictable, uncontrollable, and destined to consume everything she holds dear.

I reached the door to the Empress's quarters and knocked softly. A moment later, a maid opened the door and ushered me inside, gesturing for me to enter. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come as I stepped into the room.

Despite my annoyance, I couldn't help but think about the woman waiting for me at my quarters. I can't wait to go back to her and be in her presence where I, even for a short while, forget everything about myself and my twisted life.

_____________________

<pov changed to Yesol's>

Yesol: hmm-mmmmm!-hmmmm!!!

(unties the cloth around her mouth) : stop struggling for once. I told you I wouldn't kill you.

Yesol: Then why did you bring me away from the castle?!

(chuckles cutely) : I just want to test Jungkook, that's it. Don't panic. Feel home.

Yesol: Are you ALL mentally challenged?! THIS IS CALLED KIDNAPPING!!

______________________

<POV shift's to Jungkook's>

"Where is she?"

This girl has a knack for running away from me. I clenched my fists, trying to steady the storm raging within me. She was gone again-just like before. And the worst part? I had only just left her.

A thousand thoughts tore through my mind, each more relentless than the last. Where could she have gone? Why did she always slip through my fingers the moment I let my guard down? It was infuriating, maddening, but beneath the anger, there was something else. A fear I couldn't admit, not even to myself.

I paced the room, the space around me feeling too small, too suffocating without her presence. She was always running, always escaping, as if I wasn't worth staying for. And yet, no matter how far she went, I always found myself chasing her.

But this time felt different. This time, the emptiness she left behind carved deeper, and the thought of losing her again gnawed at me like a beast clawing at my chest. I hated her for making me feel this way-for making me care, for making me ache, for always leaving when I thought she would stay.

Kim Yesol, you really are going to be the death of me, damnit!

"Your highness, Lord Yoongi was here to see you" the Head Eunuch said.

_________________________

A/n: Ok. Sorry 3x as the update was delayed for an unpleasant amount of time. It was because of my exams, both Nov and Dec and now I'm thinking to upload 2 chapters every month as my goal is completing this story before 2026 (I should really start writing more!)

|| VOTE || COMMENT ||