"What?! There was a war last night?!" Taehyung exclaimed, his dramatic tone echoing through the courtroom. He widened his eyes in mock horror, clutching his chest as if to faint. "Why did no one inform me? I could've died before I even had the chance to fully enjoy my youth!"

The room collectively groaned, rolling their eyes at his theatrics.

"Taehyung, if you're just here to make a joke of everything, kindly leave the room!" Jimin snapped, clenching his jaw to suppress his annoyance.

"Why, PARK Jimin?" Taehyung shot back, his voice dripping with mock offense. "Are you trying to hide something? Or perhaps... hoping I'll die in battle so you can take the throne for yourself?"

"Will you both shut up?" the King bellowed, slamming his hand on the armrest of his throne. The tension in the room crackled, and Namjoon shook his head in disbelief at his brothers' antics.

"But, Aboji," Namjoon interjected, his voice carrying a hint of concern, "I don't understand why the Jeons retreated. They took back their troops mid-battle. It doesn't add up."

The King sat silently, his brows furrowed as he considered Namjoon's observation. Around the room, murmurs spread like ripples, each noble trying to make sense of the enemy's unexpected withdrawal.

"This could be a warning," one of the generals finally spoke, his voice low and grave. "A prelude to something far worse. We should tighten our kingdom's security and place our soldiers on high alert, Your Majesty."

"They are the Jeons, Your Majesty," another advisor spoke, his tone grave. "They are not a force to be underestimated."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone present. The air was thick with tension, each person silently contemplating the potential consequences of the Jeons' unpredictable retreat.

"We must act swiftly," Lord Ahn Ji Gong, the head of the council, finally broke the silence. "Princess Yesol must be wedded to the King of the West, Kim Seokjin, as soon as possible. It is the only way to secure our kingdom's future and shield it from falling into the Jeons' hands."

"Lord Ji Gong is right," the General added with a firm nod. "The Western Kingdom has a larger army and greater resources. With their alliance, we would stand a much stronger chance against any threat from the Jeons."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the court, growing louder until the nobles and advisors spoke in unison.

"This is the only way!"

The three princes exchanged uneasy glances before turning their eyes to their father, the King, who remained silent, deep in thought.

Suddenly, a court lady entered from behind, carrying a sealed letter in her hands. Bowing respectfully, she handed it to the King and quickly retreated.

The King broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his expression unreadable as his eyes scanned the contents.

"What is it about, Aboji?" Namjoon asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

The King's gaze swept over the court before his voice rang out, loud and authoritative. "This letter is from King Kim Seokjin. He orders the wedding preparations to begin immediately. The wedding will take place by the end of this month."

A ripple of murmurs and gasps filled the room. The decision was final, and the court knew it.

As Prince Kim Taehyung exited the courtroom, his steps were purposeful, his guards flanking him on either side. He made his way toward his study, the weight of the meeting still fresh on his mind.

However, just as he reached the doors, he paused abruptly, causing his guards and the nearby court ladies to exchange confused glances.

"Where was Yesol last night?" Taehyung questioned, his voice firm yet laced with concern. "Is she alright? Was she affected by the war? She wasn't hurt, was she?" His tone sharpened with urgency as he directed his questions at the court ladies who were likely to know of the princess's whereabouts.

One of the maids stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Do not worry, Prince Taehyung. We checked on Princess Yesol. She is unharmed and was resting in her chambers last night. She mentioned she had no knowledge of the war, as she was asleep."

Taehyung let out a quiet sigh of relief, nodding. "Good. Ensure her safety at all costs. The Jeons are not to be underestimated." His expression turned serious as he gave his order.

"Yes, Your Highness," the maids and guards replied in unison, bowing deeply as Taehyung entered his study and closed the doors behind him.

Inside, his concern lingered. The thought of Princess Yesol in harm's way stirred something deep within him, a protective instinct he couldn't ignore.

______________________

"Princess Yesol, please reconsider. What if King Kim Seokjin discovers this?" one of her maids pleaded, her voice tight with worry.

Yesol, undeterred, continued practicing her fencing, the clash of metal against metal ringing through the courtyard. Her movements were precise, though defiant, her face etched with determination.

"King Seokjin is not here today," she said sharply, her tone dismissive. "Stop overthinking and let me focus. You're only making it worse!" She swung her blade with conviction. "I refuse to be a useless bystander if war breaks out. I need to protect myself and those who matter to me."

"But, Princess, it's not your duty to fight!" another maid cried out, her voice trembling. "We have guards, soldiers, and loyal subjects. I would gladly lay down my life to ensure your safety!"

Yesol halted, her expression firm. "No one will die for me!" she snapped, her voice commanding. She turned to the maid, lowering her blade. "You don't understand. It's not just about being protected-it's about being capable. I won't let others sacrifice themselves while I stand by helplessly."

The maids exchanged worried glances. "But Princess," one of them whispered hesitantly, "King Seokjin specifically forbade you from training. If he learns of this-"

"Stop saying that!" Yesol interrupted, her frustration boiling over. She gritted her teeth, her grip on the sword tightening. "He won't find out unless you keep jinxing it with your constant worrying!"

Her maids fell silent, unsure of how to respond, as Yesol resumed her practice with even greater resolve. Each strike of her blade seemed to echo her inner strength, her determination unwavering despite the looming shadow of King Seokjin's wrath.

TWANG!

An arrow sliced through the air, narrowly grazing Yesol's head. The sudden, sharp sound made her flinch, sending her sprawling onto the ground, her sword clattering beside her.

"Princess!" the maids shrieked in unison, rushing to her side, their faces pale with terror.

Yesol's chest heaved, her breaths quick and shallow as the shock of what had just happened sank in. Her trembling gaze darted toward the arrow embedded in the trunk of the Gulmohar tree nearby, its feathers still quivering from the impact.

She pushed herself onto shaky knees, her fingers fumbling as she reached for the arrow. A small slip of white paper fluttered at its tip. Her heart pounded as she pulled it free, unfolding the note with cautious hands.

"My eyes are on you, little warrior!"
("我 的 目 光 注 视 着 你, 小 战 士")

The elegant strokes of Chinese characters sent a chill racing down her spine. Yesol's eyes darted in the direction the arrow had come from, but the horizon was eerily still. The silence felt heavier than ever, as if the world had frozen to watch her reaction.

Her hands shook as she clenched the note, her mind reeling. This wasn't just a threat-it was a statement of intent. Someone was watching her, following her every move, and she had no idea who they were or what they wanted.

"Princess... what does it say?" one of the maids whispered, her voice trembling.

Yesol didn't answer. She couldn't. The weight of the message and the anonymity of the sender sent a deeper fear coursing through her veins. She had always thought being a princess offered safety, but now she felt more exposed than ever.

The maids exchanged panicked glances, unsure of how to comfort her as she clutched the paper tightly. For the first time, Yesol felt a vulnerability she couldn't shake-a feeling that someone, somewhere, was closing in on her.

"Princess Yesol, you shouldn't be outside anymore. This is life-threatening. You must not leave your quarters until this matter with the Jeons is settled," the maids insisted, their voices laced with panic as they rushed to usher her inside.

Yesol's heart raced as they guided her through the halls, the fear from the arrow still gripping her. She could hear her own breath echoing in her ears, the chilling sensation of being watched creeping under her skin.

The war from last night-fought by the Jeons-had already unsettled her. The possibility of the kingdom being at risk, of lives being lost, was hard enough to bear. But now, the added terror of a stranger tracking her every move, sending threats, made everything feel even more fragile.

She tried to push away the feeling of being constantly under scrutiny, but it clung to her like a shadow.

Who was watching her? What did they want? Was it just a warning, or something worse? Yesol's thoughts spiraled out of control.

She'd never been truly afraid before. Sure, there had been dangers, but this was different-personal, targeted. The threat wasn't just political; it was a quiet, unsettling presence that she couldn't see but felt too strongly.

As they reached her quarters, Yesol looked back one last time, as if expecting someone to be lurking in the shadows. She quickly shut the door behind her, her mind racing with questions she couldn't answer.

_________________________

"How was she?" Yoongi asked Jungkook, who had just jumped down from the high wall after watching Yesol for an hour.

"Pure power," Jungkook replied with a smirk, the memories of Yesol practicing self-defense still fresh in his mind.

"Oh, so she's a secret warrior? How are her skills?" Yoongi asked, now genuinely interested-he had a thing for strong women.

"Worse than the kids in our kingdom," Jungkook scoffed, recalling Yesol's poor defense skills.

"Is she really that bad?" Yoongi's interest waned at Jungkook's answer, and he let out a disappointed sigh.

"At least someone is strong enough to fight back, or else it would've been boring," Jungkook said, climbing onto his horse.

"Kim Seokjin must've finalized the wedding orders by now, right?" Yoongi remarked.

"He already has. Coward," Jungkook sneered, mocking Seokjin.

"Then what are your plans?" Yoongi asked.

Jungkook paused for a moment, his fingers tightening around the reins of his horse as he looked out into the distance. A smirk slowly crept across his face, his thoughts clearly racing with plans. "I'll make her mine, Yoongi. She won't be some pawn for the West to claim. I'm not letting that happen."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious. "And you think she'll just fall into your hands like that? She's not some fragile princess waiting to be swept off her feet, you know."

Jungkook chuckled darkly, the sound filled with an unsettling certainty. "I'm not here to sweep her off her feet. I'm here to make her realize that her place... is by my side. Whether she likes it or not."

"Bold," Yoongi muttered, watching his friend with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "But don't underestimate Seokjin. He ain't letting go of her easily"

Jungkook glanced at him with cold eyes. "Let him come. He doesn't know what he's up against. I'll make sure Yesol sees the truth." His voice lowered with a threatening undertone, as if daring anyone to challenge his claim. "And once she does, there's no going back."

___________________________

JUNGKOOK

"Lord Jungkook, Queen Eun Ae has summoned you to her quarters immediately," the maid announced as she entered, interrupting his study of documents and maps in his study.

Jungkook shot her a sharp, serious side-eye before she exited the room. His jaw clenched at the thought of seeing her again. A decade had passed since he severed all ties with her, yet now, she was calling for him. His mind raced, wondering why after all these time, she had summoned him.

Queen Eun Ae, widow of the late King Hoseok, was the most cunning and dangerous of all in the palace. Her marriage, a political alliance designed to strengthen the ties between two kingdoms, was never one of love. In truth, she had never been loyal or respectful toward her husband. The king's untimely death, while met with feigned sorrow, secretly brought her immense satisfaction, as it freed her to reveal her true nature.

Even before Hoseok's death, Queen Eun Ae had long been drawn to Jungkook. His presence intrigued her, and once Hoseok was out of the picture, she wasted no time pursuing him. Her relationship with Jungkook quickly turned from subtle flirtation to full-fledged indulgence, fueled by desire and ambition. For Jungkook, it was a tempting offer-he had no reason to refuse when a powerful and desirable woman like Queen Eun Ae was at his beck and call.

Not until she got pregnant.

"Queen, Lord Jeon Jungkook has arrived!" the court lady announced from outside, and Jungkook, who had been waiting, stepped forward. "You may go inside, Lord Jungkook," she bowed respectfully.

Jungkook entered the room with a tense expression. "May I know the reason why you summoned me, Queen Eun Ae?" His voice was low, each word measured, though his clenched jaw and fists betrayed his irritation.

"Don't you want to meet your newborn?" Queen Eun Ae's voice dripped with sarcasm as she smiled, lounging lazily on her bed. "They'll bring her to you soon enough."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed dangerously. "That infant is not mine. Don't make me repeat it." His tone was sharp, each word edged with anger.

"Believe what you will, Jeon Jungkook," she replied, her smile widening, "but you are the father. You planted that baby in my womb."

Without warning, Jungkook stormed towards her, his hand shooting out to grip her throat. Eun Ae didn't flinch. Instead, her grin only deepened, her eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and lust.

"You should know," she murmured, her voice almost a purr, "though it was in anger, at least you touched me." She leaned into his grip, romanticizing the connection. "How long has it been already, Jungkook?"

Her words hung in the air, each one an unsettling reminder of their complicated and twisted history.

"A wh0re, aren't you?" he gritted choking her.

"A wh0re, isn't that the kind of woman you like?" she replied with a smirk as if that was the best compliment she ever received.

Jungkook scoffed in frustration, his voice laced with a cold fury. "Just reveal it already. The father of this damn newborn, Noona," he said, his words quieter but no less venomous.

After all, this was a conversation between two manipulative psychopaths, locked in their twisted power play.

"It's you. You are the father, Jeon Jungkook!" she exclaimed, her tone triumphant.

His hand moved instinctively, as if to slap her, but she caught his wrist with surprising strength, her red eyes gleaming.

"You remember that night?" she purred, a twisted smile curling on her lips. "How could you forget when I drugged you with those pills? Haha, haha," she laughed, relishing the memory. "What a beautiful night it was indeed..."

Jungkook's teeth ground together, rage building. "You think that will make me believe you?" he growled, his hand still locked in hers, trying to pull away.

"That doesn't change the fact, Jeon Jungkook," she taunted, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "My plan was simple-this child would bring us closer, and look at you now. You're already here!"

"I expected more from a woman like you, but you turned out to be a pick-me slut," Jungkook said, his voice dripping with disdain.

"The only man I seek attention from is you, Jungkook. And I'd do anything for that," Eun Ae responded, her tone sweet but laced with a dangerous edge. "And don't forget, I have plenty to my name," she added, her smile sharp and threatening.

Jungkook sneered, his eyes narrowing. "That's the sole reason for your existence, Eun Ae," he replied coldly. "Just pray those few reasons never run out, or else you know better than anyone what happens when you lose Jeon Jungkook's interest."

With that, he stormed out, leaving Eun Ae in her room, seething with both satisfaction and frustration.

As the door slammed shut, the sound of footsteps approached. The maids entered with the newborn baby, their faces bright with forced cheerfulness.

"Queen Eun Ae, your baby girl," the older lady said, smiling as she held the infant in her arms.

Eun Ae's expression soured immediately. "Throw her into any room, as far away from my ears as possible," she ordered harshly. "I wanted a boy, and instead, I wasted all my energy giving birth to this useless girl!" Her voice was full of disgust as she glared at the innocent child. "She's of no use to me anymore. Now that I've seen Jungkook, I need peace. Get out, all of you!" she snapped, sending the maids scurrying.

_________________________

"Fvck! That small mouth cries so loudly!" Jungkook cursed under his breath, his patience wearing thin as the baby's piercing wails echoed through the palace. His frustration built as he followed the cries, determined to find the source.

Without a second thought, he threw open the door to the room where the cries were the loudest. The sight that greeted him only fueled his anger-a cold, empty room with the baby abandoned on the floor, alone and wailing.

Jungkook's eyes were void of mercy, his irritation evident as he scanned the room. He rolled his eyes, his anger escalating with each passing second. Kneeling down by the baby, his brows furrowed, veins visibly pulsing as his fury intensified. He had already been annoyed by her birth, her useless mother, and now these relentless cries. His head was a mess, and the baby was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

But as soon as his gaze met the baby's innocent eyes, the crying ceased.

Jungkook blinked in bewilderment, his anger momentarily faltering.

The sudden silence caught him off guard.

The baby's doe-like eyes stared up at him-pure, untainted, and full of innocence.

For a moment, he froze, his breath catching in his throat.

Was he... melting? No. He couldn't be. He was a monster.

"Booh!" Jungkook tried to scare her, contorting his face into a fierce, exaggerated expression, hoping to make the baby cry. The action was so unlike him, a fleeting attempt to regain control, to keep the situation as distant as possible.

But instead of crying, the baby giggled. The sound was pure, innocent, and completely disarming.

Jungkook was left frozen, disbelief spreading across his face. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the little girl, her bright eyes twinkling with joy, her laughter ringing in the room like the sweetest melody.

"Booh!" he tried again, this time more fiercely, expecting the same reaction.

But once more, she laughed. She waited for him to make the face again, as if the noise itself was a game. She fed off his actions, her joy bubbling over, undeterred by his dark, intimidating demeanor.

Jungkook's expression wavered. His hard, cold exterior began to soften, just a little. His eyes, once sharp and filled with fury, started to warm. He found himself repeating the motion, the little giggles filling the room and pulling at something deep inside him that he hadn't realized was there.

For a brief moment, he found himself wanting to do more. Wanting to hear more of those sounds. Perhaps it was her innocent, doe-like eyes-eyes that mirrored his own-that softened his resolve.

She giggled and giggled at the beast.

_____________________________

<Past flashbacks>

"Hey!" A girl's voice called out to 12-year-old Jungkook from behind. Reacting instinctively, he pulled out his sword, ready to defend himself.

"Oh! Calm down, I'm just a pretty girl!" she said, raising her hands in mock surrender.

Jungkook's eyes narrowed, but he sheathed his sword, still wary. "Just walk back, princess. This area is restricted for girls like you," he said, sitting back on the grass.

She came and sat beside him, her presence unconcerned by his cold demeanor. His eyes narrowed in confusion. "How do you know I'm not from this kingdom?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Your clothes," he replied indifferently, "the girls of our kingdom don't wear such bright colors."

"Why?" she asked, intrigued.

"What place is this?" she pressed further.

Jungkook glanced at her, his suspicion growing. "You don't even know where you are? Did you run away?"

"Why would I run away?" she responded lightly. "I'm just taking a walk."

"Then just go away," he snapped, his patience thinning. "Why are you sitting here?"

She pouted, a playful challenge in her gaze. "Are all Jeons as cold as you, or is it just you?"

Jungkook's brows furrowed as he met her gaze. "How do you know I'm a Jeon?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "The tattoo on the back of your hand says so."

"If you already know about Jeons, why don't you run away from me now? Just get out of here before I lose my mind and kill you," he threatened, though the words didn't carry the usual weight of menace.

She giggled, unfazed. "Kill me then. I'm not scared of you."

Jungkook blinked in shock. "What?"

"I said what I said. You're way too pretty to scare me, boy," she teased, ruffling his hair.

Jungkook flinched in surprise. "See, lady, I'm really dangerous. Don't judge me by my looks. I can really-" he cut himself off, unable to finish the sentence with any real menace. His pout undermined his words.

She laughed again, a sound full of joy and warmth. Her giggles filled the air, completely unbothered by the cold exterior he tried so hard to project.

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. Her laughter... it was like a beacon of light in a world that had never known warmth. For the first time, something inside him shifted.

Jungkook fell in love with those giggles.

___________________________

<Present>

Jungkook smiled softly as he pulled himself back from the memory, a rare flicker of warmth in his otherwise hardened expression.

"Areum," he whispered, stroking his knuckles gently across the baby's soft face, the name slipping from his lips almost like a prayer.

His arms, so strong and accustomed to wielding power, now cradled her delicate form.

"Areum," he repeated, his voice softer now. "Do you like that name?"

The baby giggled, a sound so innocent it made his heart lurch. He couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. "So, that small brain actually understands, huh?"

She closed her eyes and smiled, a contented little sigh escaping her lips. In that moment, it struck him-she had been crying for milk earlier, yet now, she seemed to be content, her needs soothed by something deeper than just food.

In a strange, almost unexplainable way, this little girl-this unexpected presence-was filling the void that had haunted him for so long. He wasn't sure what had changed, but something inside him had shifted, just a little.

For the first time, he wasn't the cold monster. He wasn't the villain. In her tiny, innocent giggles, he was someone else. Someone he cannot quite accept, someone....human?

______________________

"Maid?!" Jungkook's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

Five maids stood frozen in place, fear evident in their eyes as they quickly shuffled to the door.

"How can we help you, Lord Jungkook?" they asked in unison, their voices trembling.

"She's hungry. Take her to the queen. Tell her that Jeon Jungkook's orders are to feed her. Understood?" His tone was final, demanding, and they nodded hurriedly before bowing and leaving with Areum in tow.

Inside the queen's chambers, the moment Jungkook's command was repeated, Eun Ae scoffed. "What? Jungkook told to feed this child?" Her voice dripped with disbelief and disdain.

She glanced down at Areum in her arms, her expression twisted with contempt. "What did he even see in this little useless life to accept her so suddenly?" She spoke aloud, as though trying to convince herself, glaring at the baby who had no awareness of the coldness directed her way.

But as Eun Ae stared down at the infant, a dark, cunning smile slowly spread across her face. She was scheming, her mind calculating how this child could work in her favor.

"Well... I don't think you're useless anymore, little one," she murmured, her tone laced with malice. "Seems like my hard work of keeping you for nine months actually paid off." Her voice lowered, becoming almost sweet, as she leaned closer to the baby. "You help me get Jeon Jungkook, and I'll help you live," she promised, her gaze cold but hungry with ambition.

The baby, still oblivious, rested peacefully in her arms, unaware of the dangerous promise being whispered in the shadows.

As Eun Ae's smirk widened, she brought Areum to her breast, the sound of her own satisfaction echoing in the quiet room.

________________________

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