The palace garden was stunning, almost like something out of a dream. Flowers bloomed in every color, fountains trickled softly, and birds filled the warm air with gentle melodies. Taehyung stood at the center of it all, perfectly composed as always, but his thoughts were far from calm. He'd sent a letter to Jungkook earlier in the day, and now, as the hours stretched on, the wait was getting under his skin in a way he wasn't used to.

"Your Majesty," a smooth, deliberate voice broke through his thoughts. Taehyung turned to see Count Lee and his wife approaching, their smiles warm but their eyes sharp.

"Your Majesty, what an honor it is to have a moment of your time," the countess said with a bow that felt more rehearsed than sincere. Her voice was sugary sweet, but there was no mistaking the sharp edge beneath it. "We've been hoping to introduce you to my niece, Lee Hwayoung."

At her gesture, a young woman stepped forward. She looked like she'd walked straight out of a fairytale-long, glossy dark hair, a dress that shimmered like moonlight, and a face that could stop anyone in their tracks. Hwayoung curtsied gracefully, her movements measured and deliberate.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and steady.

Taehyung nodded politely, his face giving away nothing. "The pleasure is mine," he said, though there wasn't much weight to the words.

The countess smiled, clearly encouraged. "Hwayoung has been so looking forward to this meeting. She's a devoted admirer of the empire's history-and of your incredible leadership, of course."

Hwayoung's cheeks turned the kind of delicate pink that seemed more calculated than genuine. "Your strength and wisdom inspire us all, Your Majesty," she said, her voice bordering on reverent.

Taehyung managed a faint smile, polite but impersonal, the kind that came out automatically in situations like this. His eyes, though, were already wandering past her, scanning the garden as if searching for something-or someone.

The countess pressed on, determined. "Perhaps His Majesty would enjoy speaking with Hwayoung further? She's well-versed in diplomacy and has quite the mind for political strategy."

"Your Majesty," another voice interrupted, low and smooth, with a quiet tension that seemed to ripple through the garden.

Taehyung turned, and for a moment, something in his expression shifted. Jungkook stood a few steps away, his presence cutting through the scene like the crack of lightning in a calm sky. He looked striking, dressed in an outfit that balanced elegance and edge, all sharp lines and flowing fabric.

"Jungkook," Taehyung said, his voice softer now, his focus completely stolen.

Jungkook stopped, his gaze flicking to Hwayoung briefly before settling on Taehyung. "I didn't mean to interrupt," he said smoothly, his tone light and easy. "Please, continue your conversation."

Hwayoung's practiced smile faltered just a little, the tension in her eyes betraying her unease.

The countess, ever the diplomat, quickly recovered. "Ah, you must be Grand Duke Jeon's son, Jungkook," she said with a polite nod. "You've arrived at just the right time. I was introducing my niece, Hwayoung, to His Majesty."

Jungkook's gaze lingered on Hwayoung for a beat, taking in her poised exterior and the crack in her confidence. Then his eyes shifted back to Taehyung, and the weight of his stare was impossible to miss.

His chest tightened, his heart hammering a little too hard. This was what he was supposed to do. Hwayoung was the heroine. Taehyung was the hero. They were meant to fall in love and live happily ever after.

"She seems lovely," Jungkook said lightly, his tone almost too casual. "Perhaps you should talk to her more, Taehyung. After all, it's not every day you meet someone who admires you so deeply."

Taehyung's frown deepened, confusion crossing his features. "Why would I-" he began, only to be smoothly interrupted.

"Really," Jungkook interjected, his smile bright and calculated. "You should. I wouldn't want to keep you from someone so... suitable."

The words hung heavy in the air, sharper than they sounded. Taehyung's jaw tensed, and for a moment, he didn't move. Finally, his gaze flicked back to Hwayoung, his shoulders stiffening. "Of course," he said at last, though the words sounded reluctant, like they were dragged out of him.

Jungkook strategically retreated, gesturing toward Hwayoung with a small, practiced smile. "I'll leave you to it, then," he said, setting his plan in motion with calculated precision.

Taehyung turned back to Hwayoung, though his interest in the conversation hadn't miraculously grown. She smiled politely, her gaze flickering toward Jungkook, who had retreated a few steps and was now crouched in the garden, a kitten batting at his outstretched fingers.

"Your Majesty," Hwayoung began, her tone smooth and measured, though her eyes briefly darted back to the scene behind him, "I wanted to ask about your views on the recent trade negotiations with the Kingdom of Vernacle. I find the balance of power in such discussions fascinating."

Taehyung's jaw tightened, his teeth clicking together briefly before he forced himself to respond. "It's a delicate matter," he said, his voice level, though his gaze strayed to Jungkook. The younger man was now holding a particularly feisty kitten in his lap, laughing softly as it clawed at the ends of his shirt. Taehyung cleared his throat and added, "...requiring careful consideration of all parties involved."

Hwayoung nodded eagerly, launching into a detailed inquiry about the intricacies of foreign diplomacy. Her words washed over Taehyung like the droning of bees, low and persistent, while his attention slipped through the cracks. Jungkook had stood now, a soft bloom of pink in his hands as he twirled it idly, his expression serene as he admired the petals. Taehyung couldn't help but follow the tilt of his head, the way the sunlight caught the warm honey tones of his skin, the faint curve of his lips-

"Your Majesty?"

Taehyung blinked, jerking his focus back to Hwayoung. "Yes," he said briskly, even though he hadn't caught a word of her question. He shifted in his place, feigning contemplation as he grasped for an answer. "It's important to maintain... flexibility in negotiations while ensuring the best interests of our kingdom remain secure."

Hwayoung's smile tightened ever so slightly, a flicker of something calculating passing across her face. She glanced toward Jungkook, who had now crouched down again, his hands tangled in the lush greenery as a kitten rubbed against his knee.

"I see," Hwayoung said, her tone sharp but polite. "It seems your fiance is quite fond of your gardens. It must be comforting to have someone who appreciates such quiet beauty by your side."

Taehyung's gaze snapped to hers, narrowing. "He has an eye for detail," he said evenly, though there was a note of warning in his voice that even he couldn't mask.

Hwayoung inclined her head, her smile returning, but this time it felt like a mask, polished and unyielding. "A quality every ruler should value. Particularly someone with his... lineage."

Taehyung said nothing, his attention already drifting back to Jungkook. The boy had picked another flower, holding it up to the kitten, who sniffed at it curiously before batting it away. Jungkook's soft laugh reached Taehyung even from this distance, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to blur.

Hwayoung continued to speak, her voice a steady hum in the background, but Taehyung barely heard her. All he could think was how annoyingly easy it was for Jungkook to command his focus-far more than trade negotiations, royal court politics, or anything Hwayoung might have to say.

Finally, Taehyung's patience wore thin. He took a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders betraying his growing irritation. "Thank you for your insights, Lady Hwayoung," he said curtly, his voice cold, his gaze already shifting away from her. "I appreciate your perspective."

Hwayoung blinked, momentarily taken aback by the abruptness of his dismissal. Her lips parted, as if to protest or press further, but she seemed to think better of it. "Of course, Your Majesty. It was an honor," she said, her voice smooth but carrying a thin edge of confusion.

Taehyung didn't spare her another glance, his focus now entirely fixed on Jungkook. He had no interest in pretending any longer, no interest in the dance of diplomacy when his thoughts were already elsewhere. Without waiting for any formalities, he turned on his heel and strode toward the gardens, his boots clicking sharply against the cobblestones. Every step brought him closer to the one person who seemed to matter more than all the political games being played.

When he reached Jungkook, Taehyung stopped just in front of him, his expression hard, though there was something else-something raw lurking beneath his calm exterior. "Are you satisfied?" he asked quietly, his voice strained with irritation, as though he'd been holding back more than just words.

Jungkook's lips twitched into something that could have been a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. There was an air of feigned innocence about him, but Taehyung knew it was just a mask, hiding the unease simmering beneath. "Didn't she impress you, Your Majesty?" Jungkook asked, his tone light but underlined with tension. "She seems like the perfect match."

Taehyung's gaze darkened instantly, a flash of something fierce flickering in his eyes. His jaw clenched as he took a step closer, narrowing the space between them until it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them. "Stop that," he muttered, his voice low and hard.

"Stop what?" Jungkook asked, his voice faltering just the slightest bit, as if trying to maintain control of a situation he was quickly losing grip on. His eyes flickered with something-perhaps guilt, perhaps fear, but it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by a false calm.

"Trying to push me toward her," Taehyung said, his voice deliberate and steady, though his words cut through the air like a blade. He watched Jungkook's face carefully, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "If you have something to say to me, just say it."

Jungkook's breath caught, his carefully constructed walls cracking under the intensity of Taehyung's stare. For a moment, he faltered, unsure how to respond. His thoughts tangled, his heart pounding as the facade he'd so carefully built around his intentions began to crumble.

"I thought..." Jungkook began, his voice softer now, a shadow of uncertainty creeping into his words. "I thought it would be better if you... found someone who suited you."

Taehyung's expression softened, but his gaze remained piercing. There was no anger now, but something deeper, something far more dangerous. His tone, when he spoke, was quiet, measured-deliberate. "You don't get to decide what suits me, Jungkook."

The words hung in the air, heavy and final, pressing down on both of them like an invisible weight. Jungkook's breath caught again, his chest tightening as the full impact of Taehyung's words hit him. For a brief moment, his carefully crafted resolve cracked completely, and he found himself vulnerable in a way he never had been before.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words didn't come.

Taehyung took a step back, his eyes never leaving Jungkook. "You think you know what's best for me, but you don't. Don't make that mistake again."

Looking at the unease on Jungkook's face, Taehyung felt a pang of something unfamiliar twist in his chest. Today had been meant to be special-a break from the weight of royal duty, a chance to be something other than a King and his betrothed. Seokjin had called it a "date," or whatever. He had planned a simple walk, followed by dinner under the moonlight, and then, perhaps, escorting Jungkook home. A quiet evening, just the two of them. He'd never done anything like it before, but he had been willing to try.

But the Lee family and their endless expectations had ruined everything. Now Jungkook looked uncomfortable, and Taehyung was left standing there, as if he couldn't get anything right. Why can't I ever win?

A heavy sigh escaped Taehyung, and he turned his gaze to the sky. The evening light had begun to soften, the golden hour slipping into dusk. The weight of the moment, the failure of his good intentions, pressed down on him. But then, quietly, he asked, "Do you want to watch the sunset with me?"

Jungkook nodded his assent, his boba eyes wider than usual. Taehyung led him further into the garden, where the wide expanse of blooming flowers faded into a more tranquil section. A small stream wound its way through the greenery, the gentle rush of water soothing in the stillness. At the edge of the path, there was a bench, carved from smooth wood, offering a perfect view of the sky as it shifted from gold to soft pink.

Taehyung sat first, motioning for Jungkook to join him. They sat side by side, their bodies close enough that they could feel each other's presence, but not so close that it would be considered an intrusion. The silence between them wasn't strained or awkward. It was a quiet understanding, as if words were unnecessary for the moment.

As the sun dipped lower, Jungkook closed his eyes, his body relaxing in the peaceful warmth of the evening. Taehyung couldn't help but watch him, his heart fluttering unexpectedly. The fading sunlight bathed Jungkook's face in soft pinks and purples, highlighting the delicate curve of his jaw and the soft line of his nose. In that moment, Taehyung realized something that struck him with surprising force-Jungkook was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

No, not just beautiful. He was... breathtaking. In that instant, Taehyung couldn't imagine anyone more perfect. Not just in the kingdom, but in the entire world.

A soft chuckle escaped him, the absurdity of his own thoughts catching him off guard. When did I start thinking this way about him?

The chuckle seemed to stir Jungkook from his peaceful reverie. He blinked awake, his eyes wide, and his hand shot up to his mouth, checking for any sign of drool. Taehyung smiled softly at the sight, the faintest warmth in his chest. "Let's have dinner," he said gently, his voice quieter now, almost tender.

Jungkook gave him a sheepish smile, still half-dazed from his nap. "I... I must've drifted off," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"It's okay," Taehyung replied, chuckling. "You looked peaceful."

Jungkook's cheeks flushed slightly, and he shifted, standing up as Taehyung rose with him. As they walked toward the area where the meal had been prepared, the tension between them had faded, replaced by a shared, comfortable silence. For the first time that evening, everything felt right.