Taming The Beast - Part III

Taming the Beast - Part III

HOLY SHIT I'M BACK!

Shout out to @knjsnoona for the beautiful banner! Thank you Amelia it turned out beautiful! And as always thank you to my lovely beta Ryn @queenofthedamnit! Please enjoy guys!

Pairing: Kim Taehyung (V) X Reader

Genre: Romance, Prince!AU, Angst, Fluff, (Future Smut)

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Violence, Gender inequality, Minor Character Death, Strong language, (If I forgot anything please let me know nicely! Thank you <3)

Words: 7.6k

Summary: You were the next in line to be the head of your village, when your mother gave you to the enemy to save your people from merciless slaughter. What happens when they try to Tame a Beast?

You sat, staring out your window. Your hair was still wet, but you had put it down now. Elaine had suggested starting a bath and getting in, but you didn’t want to do it at the moment.

She sighed but acquiesced and left you alone.

You really missed home. Your heart ached at the loss of your family; your people.

You wish there was some way you could hear your mother’s voice. Feel her fingers stroking through your hair on the last night you were with her. It made you feel so alone, so utterly and heartbreakingly alone. There was nothing for you in this place.

Perhaps this is how Taehyung felt that night before you hauled him from the balcony in a frenzy. You couldn’t help but snort at the lunacy of the whole ordeal. Taehyung was dreamy eyed and pliant then.

At this luncheon, he was anything but.

Demanding things of you. Protecting that woman over you, choosing her side…

Was this the life you were expected to live? You were meant to live your life for him? To serve him? What kind of shit was that? The vows Elaine went on about seemed absolutely archaic. In your village, you worked together in the relationship. You each had your roles of course, but there was a mutual respect for each other. You lifted each other up, not tore each other down. How could anyone function like that?

You sighed and brushed your hair away from your face. It was getting long, your mother would’ve loved it. She adored putting jewels and decorating your hair. But now, all that you felt was the hole in your heart where home was supposed to be. Because right now?

You had no home.

No where you belonged.

These people would never accept you as their Queen. Even if Taehyung and his Father worked actively to make you pleasant to the citizens, there was a good chance they still wouldn’t take to you.

You’d been told before by several people here in the palace that you’re hard to swallow and people don’t like you. Maids, servants, people who were supposed to be underneath you in this weird hierarchy were looking down on you. How did that work?

What were you supposed to do?

Every corner lead to disappointment for you and for them. It was hard enough as it was to deal with the different culture and everything that came along with that. Elaine was nice enough, but it was clear she didn’t like you. She was in love with your soon to be husband. You weren’t as asleep as they had thought when they had their little conversation.

You had an inkling there was more than a friendly relationship between the two of them from the beginning. It wasn’t upsetting, you were glad they had found someone but… He’d broken it off, claiming loyalty to you.

Where was that loyalty in front of that court? Where was that protective nature?

This must be an act, right?

Something he puts on in front of her?

Or is it the opposite? He only feels comfortable to show his true self to her because of their background…

Whatever it was, this two sided coin was spinning. And when it falls, you fear you may suffer the consequences…

A soft knock came to your door, startling you back to the present.

Elaine popped her head in.

“Are you ready for that bath now?” She asked, a towel and new clothes already in her hands.

“I’d prefer to be alone, thank you,” you said.

“His Highness the Prince insisted I have you bathe,” she urged.

“Tell him if he wants me to bathe so bad he’ll have to join me,” you gritted out. “Since everyone seems to need to supervise every little thing that I do here. Perhaps I’m bathing wrong.”

You saw Elaine tighten her grip on the bath towels and you didn’t feel an ounce of guilt run through your body. If they were so set on being snobbish, you could play that game.

“My Lady please, just come with me to the baths,” Elaine pleaded.

“No,” you argued back.

“Y/N,” a deep voice came from behind Elaine.

You raised your eyes to meet the dark onyx ones of Taehyung.

“Ah, so you do exist. I thought that after that embarrassment to your pride you’d hide from me for weeks,” you snarked.

“Y/N, just listen-”

“I think I’m done listening for today, if you’d both leave me-”

A coughing fit took over, the chill was already starting to run through you again. The water was truly going to be your end. How ironic.

You’d love playing in it as a child, now the medium was one of death.

“Just get in the bath, come along,” Taehyung urged, beginning to approach you. You saw Elaine’s eyes flare in anger, but she hid it well enough. You were surprised you hadn’t noticed before.

“If I get in the bath then the next meal you’ll have that lady apologize to me, in front of the court,” you said, with piercing eyes.

Taehyung paled.

“You know I can’t do that,” Taehyung sighed.

“You can, you just refuse to admit that they were wrong and I wasn’t. For once I can’t be blamed as the problem in a situation and it doesn’t sit well with you. What a coward you are,” you sighed.

“People who speak to his highness like that can be hanged,” Elaine yelled.

“Elaine, that’s enough! You are dismissed. This is between me and my fiance,” Taehyung said. Elaine’s eyes glazed over before she threw the clothes and fabric on the floor before storming out.

“I won’t lose him. I can’t lose him. I refuse,” she murmured to herself, walking down the hall. All she had to do was get a faulty potion. It was easy enough, she knew where the cheap apothecaries were...

But, she couldn’t do it for real. Just a fake one. Just a fake tonic, that’s all it would take.

She could start showing symptoms soon. It’d been about a month and a half since their last tryst. Elaine’s heart ached with the lost passion between them. Taehyung had been cold and distant since you’d arrived and she’d have none of it anymore.

She’d had him first.

So she’ll have him last.

Her footsteps echoed down the hallway, leaving Taehyung sighing heavily.

“You certainly know how to push all the right buttons,” Taehyung shook his head.

“I know it was her,” you whispered.

The room became deathly quiet.

Taehyung’s face paled even more.

“Y-You what?”

“I know Elaine is the woman you love,” you said, rubbing your elbows defensively.

“B-But how could you know?”

“The way she looks at you. Anyone could see she loves you, although you don’t really return her stare anymore. How sad for her,” you murmured.

“We haven’t done anything since you’ve come here. If you torture her with this-”

“Taehyung, I know we don’t really like each other, but I’m not going to cause suffering without reason. She loves you, there’s no reason to make her suffer more than she already is. I’m not heartless,” you defended.

“Then why do you make everyone believe that you are?” he asked.

“I’ve done this?” you asked, genuinely curious when you’ve made yourself seem like a heartless individual.

“Talking about death so freely, scaring people intentionally, being defiant-”

“Being ‘defiant’ as you call it, isn’t heartless. It’s holding my own, and in a place where there’s no else looking out for me but me? I think I’m well within my right to speak freely and candidly when I think it necessary,” you said.

“You’re so difficult to understand,” he sighed, rubbing his face.

“I hardly think so, I really do speak a lot of what’s on my mind, you people just don’t listen to me.”

Taehyung rubbed his face in frustration.

“You can be so unreasonable,” he said. “But I think you’re right. I don’t think we listen enough to you.”

The surprise must’ve shown on your face because Taehyung’s face broke into a soft smile.

“You’re really something else. And I think everyone should know you are, without making you apologize,” he said slowly.

“You mean I can be myself? Without having to ask for permission? Without apologizing? I can be me?” you asked, trying to keep your hopes from getting too excited.

“There’ll be certain limitations, but you can be yourself with me... I hope that’s enough for now,” he said.

You knew there would be a catch at some point. But this was a start, albeit a dangerous one. If you bore everything to Taehyung and he went and told the King or his advisors, they could manipulate you into doing everything they want...

“As long as you do the same with me. Be yourself,” you said.

“Consider it a deal.”

--

“You’ll tell him today,” the deep voice told her. She stood in the study awkwardly, rubbing her palms together.

“Yes,” Elaine said, biting her lip.

“Is there a problem, Elaine?”

Elaine couldn’t help but shudder at the ice in the tone used. She hated dealing with people like him, but there wasn’t much that could be done. If she wanted to keep Taehyung, there was little to be done but to force her hand.

His hand twirled in the air, she watched as a dark purple glow entered her chest.

Taehyung... Taehyung and her-together? That’s all she could see. All she cared about...

She took her trays and started towards the kitchen. She greeted the cooks like she usually did, a soft smile on her features. But underneath it all...

Elaine was a beautiful woman. No wonder Taehyung was so infatuated with her while growing up.

You sat on the counter of the kitchen, staring at Elaine.

Taehyung had managed to finagle you into a bath with a couple of the other maids helping. You were a bit of a menace but you couldn’t really help it. They were pulling your hair a bit. And you were certain that it was on purpose.

But something about Elaine seemed off today.

She was beautiful, yes, you’d been aware of this from the first day you’d met her. She wasn’t really mean. Petty, absolutely, but not truly mean hearted. There was a certain look to people like that, they held themselves differently than everyone else in the room. Like they had something to hide.

And for the first time since you met Elaine, she held that very same look.

So, you decided to follow her a bit.

You didn’t have much going on today anyways. This might prove to be much more interesting than anything else. Plus, she was your head maid, so you were allowed to be with her. Perhaps they’d think you were starting to get along with people.

Playing nice.

Hardly.

But as you followed her around, you noticed that her shoulders were tense. She was up to something, but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. You already knew she and Taehyung had been together, but Taehyung had said that there hadn’t been anything between them since you’d arrived.

He’d even begun to be more open with you. Even though you haven’t been allowed back at another court session, Taehyung said you’d get the opportunity to show yourself in a different light at an upcoming ball.

If you showed the people how appealing you could be when you wanted, then maybe you could get close enough to let the barrier down and truly open up.

It was getting more and more difficult to deal with these people. Looking down on you. You were a Princess in your own right from your tribe; there wasn’t a higher position for someone your age unless married.

This kind of insult would’ve been handled swiftly back home-no...

This was your home now. How ridiculous of you to forget...

Your mother would only come once you conceived to help you while giving birth and then she would leave again...

Then that would be it... You’d never see her after that...

The idea made you want to cry, but you had other things to focus on right now. Elaine headed towards a random room towards the servants quarters and she shut the door, knocking on it four times.

You hid behind a pillar to see if anyone came after that. And lo and behold, someone did.

Taehyung walked into the room carefully, looking around but not really caring much before rushing inside of the room and shutting the door with a soft click. You got closer then, leaning against the wall against the cold stone of the palace.

“Taehyung, this is serious. Quit,” you heard Taehyung whine something, but it was unclear.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to call so suddenly. You know we can’t do anything, but I can kiss you. I’m not married yet, not just yet so let me kiss you at the very least,” Taehyung complained.

“Taehyung,” Elaine said in a shaky tone. “I haven’t bled this month.”

Your heart stopped in your chest.

She hadn’t bled? How long?

“W-What do you mean you haven’t bled? What about the tonics you’re supposed to take?” Taehyung’s voice turned concerned.

“I had to buy it from a different apothecary. The one I usually purchase from wasn’t there at the market. I’m sorry Taehyung, but I’m scared, I don’t know what to do!”

Taehyung sighed.

“You have to leave,” he said.

“What?”

You could hear the confusion in Elaine’s tone. That certainly wasn’t what she was expecting him to say.

“Do you realize what this will do to the alliance? If it’s discovered I got a servant pregnant... My father will kill you. He won’t care-”

“You won’t let him, I know you’ll defend us,” she said, placing her hand on her stomach gently.”

“Elaine I can’t! I can’t even protect my soon to be wife from him, let alone you and a possible child.”

“Possible? Taehyung I haven’t bled! That’s as good as saying I’m-”

Her voice cut off quickly.

“Don’t you say it, you don’t know who could be listening. Imagine if Y/N heard this? She could call this whole thing off and then the kingdom is defenseless against the Jung empire. What will we do if she tells her family of this? How will it look?”

“You’re talking as if this is all my fault! Stand up to your father, tell him you don’t want to marry Y/N! Tell him that you’ll marry the woman who is carrying your child!”

“Can you hear yourself? This is all delusional thinking! I’ve heard women can skip bleeding if they’re stressed enough. You’ve been nothing but stressed since Y/N got here. Perhaps that is the case and not a child,” Taehyung said, trying to soothe her. But apparently all he did was agitate her.

“And what if it’s not? What if I really am pregnant Taehyung!? This is how you react? I thought you loved me, I thought that what we had-”

“You have to forget me. You really can’t keep bringing this up, Elaine. I loved you so much, I loved you until my lungs ached, but we can no longer be together. I-I long to kiss you, to tell you how much I do love you. But the more I do that, the more I hurt us both. I’m trying to build a relationship with Y/N, the future Queen. There’s nothing I can do about this, as much as it hurts me. And believe me when I tell you Elaine, to have loved you has been a great treasure to me. But now, we both must let go,” he urged. You could hear the emotion in his voice and knew this was all he could do.

“Taehyung don’t give up-please. Don’t give up on us,” she said, quietly.

“I have to give you up, as much as it hurts me,” he whispered.

“And if I am with child?”

Taehyung was silent for a moment.

“I’ll give you something, enough to give you a decent life. Something to care for you and the child for the rest of your lives. But that’s all I can do. We can’t have a bastard child in this palace, can you imagine what the court would do to them? Look at what they’re already doing to Y/N,” he said.

“But she’s a savage! In this palace! She deserves every ounce of anger and hatred thrown her way! She doesn’t belong here!” Elaine spit out.

You didn’t think that those words would sting so much coming from her, but they do. She’d always been kind to you, kind enough. You knew she didn’t particularly like you, but, those words stung just the same.

You really shouldn’t listen anymore. This was a private conversation that you were peering in on. How shameful, your mother would be disappointed.

Sighing, you pushed the door open.

Taehyung and Elaine both looked at you, tears prevalent in their eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Taehyung asked.

“I’ve been listening. I apologize, I shouldn’t have intruded. But, I was following Elaine.”

Elaine’s face turned to shock.

“H-How long? Why?” She asked.

“Originally? It was curiosity, you seemed different today. Now I know why,” you said.

“What do you want?” she asked. “I won’t get rid of it. I refuse, you can’t make me!” She cried.

“I haven’t said anything yet,” you soothed.

“Y-You’re here to take Taehyung away from me. That’s all you’ve ever been here to do. I-I won’t let you,” she said, shaking.

“Elaine calm down,” Taehyung said, rubbing her shoulders.

“You don’t see it. None of you see how much better I am than her. How perfect I would be as your bride! As your wife. I would obey you, everything you asked I would do it! Without question!”

“Perhaps that’s not the kind of bride he needs. Maybe Taehyung needs someone to question him so that he can think harder about the decisions that need to be made,” you said off handedly.

Although that wasn’t the right thing to say.

“What?”

“Y/N, stop!”

“This isn’t meant to be malicious,” you said, putting your hands up.

“Everything you do is disgusting! I’ve had to watch you and take care of you while knowing that I’d be perfect for Taehyung.”

“Elaine! That’s enough! She knows now, that means she could get you killed!”

“Taehyung, I'm not going to get her killed!” You exclaimed.

“It might not even be intentional. But now that you know who she is to me, you-you hold that power over me.”

“It’s not something I intend to hold over you, that’s wrong any way you look at it. Elaine, if you are pregnant Taehyung can figure something out where you can live comfortably. But he’s right when he says you can’t be together. If he marries you, then war will start all over again, countless will die. Plus, if you think the people will like you any more than me, you’re mistaken,” you said.

“Y/N,” Taehyung warned.

“I’m not saying this to be harmful, but you need to know this Elaine. If you truly are pregnant, I’ll protect you and your child with my life. They’ll never be discovered. But you’ll never have Taehyung. And I apologize for that,” you whispered, bowing your head slightly.

“You’re going to die if you keep saying shit like that,” Elaine said, head still staring down at the floor.

“Elaine, calm down. This can be resolved calmly and orderly. You need to focus,” Taehyung said.

“Focus-yes. Exactly,” she said, lifting her head. You saw the tinge of purple around her irises and fear struck down your chest.

“Magic. She’s been charmed, Taehyung,” you warned.

“What?” he asked, looking towards Elaine.

“Her irises are purple. It’s a charm, she’s dangerous. Be very careful with what you say,” you warned.

“Coming from you, that’s hard to swallow,” Taehyung sighed.

“You’re trying to take him away from me. It’s you, you’re the problem. I-If I get rid of you, then we can be happy. Taehyung and I can be together and be in love...”

“No Elaine, we can’t!” Taehyung shouted.

“Listen to me Taehyung. If we kill Y/N, then everything is solved. She’s gone, saying it was an accident and I’m sure her people will still back you. Then you can face the Jung empire with them and we can be together,” her voice was getting frantic.

“Elaine, that's not something you should be saying. It’s treason!” Taehyung warned.

“She’s not your wife yet, I can say what I want. And I intend to!” she growled, coming forward and digging her fingers into your flesh.

“You’re pathetic. Clinging to Taehyung like a lifeline when you know you’re alone here. There’s not one person in this palace that cares for you. You’re disgusting, lower than trash. I hate you, I hate what you’ve done to him, and what you’ve made me do, you’ve made me a murderer,” she said, brandishing a blade from her side.

“Elaine, what are you doing?!” Taehyung screamed.

“You don’t want to fight me,” you warned.

“I do, and I’m going to win,” she snarled.

“You have motivation, but I have the patience,” you explained.

She struck then, aiming for your throat. She’s charmed so she’s stronger than she’d usually be, so you took her momentum and threw her over your shoulder, having her land hard on her back.

“Y/N, Elaine!” Taehyung yelped, rushing over.

“Stay back Taehyung, she won’t stop. You don’t need to get in the crossfire. I was bred to do this,” you said, eyes narrowing and looking at Elaine with sheer venom.

“I won’t back down,” she wavered. Purple around her irises blinking out for a moment.

She was fighting it.

“Don’t expect me to,” you stated.

“Please Y/N, what if she is pregnant you need to be careful,” Taehyung said.

“I’ll do my best but she’s not going to give me an opportunity to go easy,” you said, moving right as she jabbed the knife up and almost slicing your cheek. She hauled herself off the floor in her skirts and everything, panting hard against the corset.

Corset...

If she thought she was pregnant, she would’ve taken it off.

There’s something more going on here. There's something that she isn’t saying.

It’s seconds later that she tries to land a stab to your stomach. You manage to move in time to avoid getting skewered. But it’s the fact that she’s attacking so erratically that’s throwing you off. You’re used to tactical fighting, not this kind of mess she’s putting on.

You moved out of her way yet again, but Taehyung caught her by the shoulders. “Elaine, stop this before you or Y/N get hurt!”

Taehyung had never seen Elaine act so feral. Would she do this if she really was pregnant? It seems really dangerous. Especially to someone supposedly with child. Unless…

“She’s lying Taehyung! She’s not pregnant!”

“How do you know? You’re nobody, just a random savage that they picked up to play a princess,” Elaine growled.

“I’m a Princess of the Nightcrawler Tribe and you won’t say such things to me without consequences.” With that you charged forward and hit her right in the chest, knocking the wind out of her, watching as she lay flat on the floor.

“Stay down,” Taehyung warned her. “Y/N is trained in hand to hand combat you had no chance.”

“I won’t lose, I refuse,” Elaine said, standing up and shakily holding the knife out towards you.

“What is the meaning of this?” Seokjin’s voice echoed through the room. Elaine’s charm seemed to disappear, eyes turning back to their original color. She looked at the knife in her hand and to Taehyung, then to you.

“M-My Lady, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, dropping the knife quickly.

“It’s alright-”

“It’s treason, actually Lady Y/N. Something that Miss Elaine is quite aware of,” Jimin’s voice said, appearing behind Seokjin like he’d been there the whole time.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Seokjin asked, raising a brow at Elaine, Taehyung and yourself.

“N0thing’s going on, nothing’s wrong,” Taehyung scrambled to say.

“Highness, a servant is pointing a weapon at your fiancé, I believe there is something wrong with that,” Jimin said.

“She’s not anymore so let’s just forget it happened,” you urged, coming towards Elaine.

“Please don’t, you’ll make it worse,” she whispered.

Freezing in your tracks you looked back at Jimin and Seokjin who had solemn looks on their faces.

“Miss Elaine, this is treason, you know the punishment,” Jimin said, brining his sword out.

“Please no,” Taehyung whispered.

“I-I’ll leave, you’ll never hear from me again I swear it,” she promised, kneeling on the ground, putting her head to the floor.

Jimin came forward.

The room was dead silent. No one breathed.

“That’s not the punishment for treason,” he said, taking his sword and running it through her back. Jimin pulled his sword back and sheathed it, stepping behind Seokjin once more.

“Justice has been served. We’ll alert the King of the proceedings and other members of the guard. If she was after Lady Y/N, we know there will be other’s. This wedding needs to happen soon,” Seokjin stated.

“Ack,” Elaine groaned, falling to the side, blood pooling from her stomach.

Taehyung collapsed next to her, bringing her head into his lap, staining his clothes with blood.

“The servants will be back to collect her,” Jimin stated, turning and headed out the door, Seokjin following him shortly thereafter.

You sighed and looked down, turning your back and heading towards the door.

“W-wait,” Elaine’s weak voice reached your ears. You turned and looked at Taehyung’s tear filled eyes and swallowed hard.

“Yes Elaine,” you said, coming back.

“T-There’s something you both should know. I-I wasn’t alone… I was working with someone… Someone wants you dead Lady Y/N, and they want the crown for themselves-”

“Who? Who Elaine?” You asked, trying to get the information. But she gripped onto Taehyung’s hand tighter and you knew that this was their chance. Their last chance.

“I love you Taehyung. I really do, and I’m sorry Lady Y/N, I was blinded by jealousy, and I wish you nothing but good things in your life. I apologize,” she coughed, blood staining her hands.

“I love you too Elaine, as much as I shouldn’t. I’ve loved you for so long, I’m sorry I was cruel,” he whimpered.

“It’s okay, you’re going to be okay. Lady Y/N is going to take care of you and you’re going to take care of her,” she whispered.

“But-”

“Shh now, Taehyung,” she said, holding his hand. “It’s okay. I know we were never going to be forever. That’s okay, find someone who can be your forever,” she urged.

“I-I want forever with you,” Taehyung hiccuped.

“I-I did... as well,” she whispered.

“I love you Elaine,” Taehyung cried.

“I love... you...”

Her hand dropped from his cheek and hit the floor, splattering blood across the dirt.

The dam within Taehyung broke as tears fell down his cheeks quickly, sobs wracked his body. You wanted to say something, you wanted to comfort him. But there were no words that could convey how sorry you were to him. All of them would do Elaine an injustice.

She wasn’t the bad guy...

She just got caught in the middle of a fight she never should’ve seen.

Taehyung grabbed Elaine and pulled her limp body to him, kissing her head and rocking back and forth. You could feel his pain like it was your own, your heart ached for him and for the love he’d lost.

He was utterly broken at this moment, and you had no idea how to help him put himself back together.

The sound of feet and metal carried through the hall.

Guards?

Soon there were several bodies crammed around the room. You stood to protect Taehyung while he grieved, but soon were shoved out of the way by Xavier. You landed on the ground like a rag, making your eyes widen. How did he do that so easily?

“What do you call this?” Xavier asked, staring at Taehyung’s weeping form.

“Please, leave us,” Taehyung whimpered, shedding more tears at the sight of servants entering the room.

“Reganold, remove this harlot from the Prince’s feet, someone get a bath running for him. I want that whore’s blood off of him this instant. We don’t need any more reason to make the public think you’re a weak willed man, Prince Taehyung,” Xavier grilled.

“How dare you speak to him like that,” you said, standing up and glaring at the Royal Advisor with nothing but malice. “He’s hurting. He’s allowed. He’s human.”

“He’s a prince first,” Xavier said, waving you off with a dismissive hand.

“No, he’s a person first. Prince is just a label you’ve placed on him and forced him to adhere to. He might be no better than a commoner in your eyes with his emotions, but that makes him so much stronger than you’ll ever know. A King with compassion is more powerful than anyone takes care to notice,” you growled.

“One more word Lady Y/N, and I’ll have you forcefully removed,” Xavier warned.

“Here my boy, hand her here,” Reganold said, leaning down to pick up Elaine from Taehyung’s bloodied hands.

“No, please not yet,” Taehyung pleaded.

“She’s in a better place now,” the older butler soothed, easing Elaine’s body from Taehyung’s grasp and into his own. A few other maid’s came over and started to clean Taehyung up, but he seemed to be losing his contact with reality.

“Taehyung,” you called, stepping forward.

“Grab her,” Xavier said.

“But-” however before you could protest, arms were linking yours and hauling you off your feet.

“Remove her, the Prince and I need to have a private conversation,” Xavier said, raising his chin as Taehyung’s eyes seemed to lose all their light.

“Please! Let me talk to him! Let me speak with him,” you begged,

“I have nothing,” Taehyung whispered as you were removed from the room.

Me neither, you wanted to scream back at him.

But it wasn’t as true as you’d thought.

--

Roaming the halls that night you shuddered.

A different maid had been assigned as your handler for lack of a better word, but she was almost silent when she worked, hardly speaking unless spoken to. At least Elaine would try to make conversation, even if she apparently didn’t like you as much as you had perceived.

It was cold down this hallway.

You walked past the study in this wing of the palace and saw Taehyung on the balcony yet again. But this time, he wasn’t talking.

He was staring at the stars, blankly gazing into the bright night.

Slowly, you approached him.

Placing your hands on the railing you watched him carefully. If he had noticed your approach he hadn’t acknowledged you, and you weren’t expecting him to either. He’d been a lot that day. His eyes were still red like he’d continued crying after the guards had dragged you out of the room and locked you away in your room until dinner time.

You knew Taehyung was hurting more than you could comfort right now.

But maybe someone else could.

“Queen Hiyori, my name is Y/N Y/L/N and I’m of the Night crawler tribe. I-I’m speaking with you because I’m worried about your son. Prince Taehyung,” you said, keeping your eyes trained on the moon. “He suffered a great loss today and I was hoping you could bring him some comfort. I don’t know the words to say to bring him peace, I don’t know if I ever will. But, I do know that you bring him peace when he needs it. So, please, Queen Hiyori, bring solace to his mind and love to his heart.”

Suddenly you felt strong arms pushing you against the cold stone brick of the palace.

“Shut up, just shut up!” Taehyung screamed at you.

You froze.

This wasn’t what you were expecting.

You wanted to extend an olive branch to him, something that would show him that you wouldn’t let him be alone during this. He wasn’t by himself.

You didn’t expect him to be angry.

Although, you shouldn’t be surprised.

This was his mother, you didn’t really have a right to be calling for her.

“Please… Please stop,” he begged, hands gripping tighter.

“Stop what?” You asked, wondering if you were thinking the same thing.

“Stop being so kind… Stop doing brash things, it’s dangerous. These people won’t hesitate to make you obsolete. It’s horrific the things I’ve seen. The things I’ve allowed to happen. I never should’ve fallen in love with Elaine, I never should’ve been intimate with her… But I loved her so much, how could I say no?”

Taehyung’s eyes filled with tears once more and you felt your heart lurch.

He wasn’t angry with you. Not in the slightest.

He was so utterly heartbroken that there was nothing else he could see. There was only Elaine, and the loss he’d suffered today. You were here, you could comfort him. You just needed to try.

“Taehyung,” you whispered.

“Please, I-I don’t know how much more I can take. He’s gonna kill me when he finds out that I slept with a servant. If she wasn’t already dead… I’d fear for her life,” he choked out.

“I’m here,” you breathed, slowly bringing your hands to his wrists, taking them away from your shoulders and interlocking your hands.

You weren’t good at comforting. It wasn’t really your forte. But like hell you weren’t going to try.

“Please don’t leave me,” he cried, wrapping his arms around your neck and locking them tight. You almost couldn’t breathe, his mass almost enough to overpower you, but you locked your stance and held him up, keeping him strong.

“I won’t leave you,” you said softly.

You weren’t sure why you said it. But you were certain if there was one person in this forsaken palace you could trust, it was Taehyung. Even though he could switch at the drop of a hat, you knew it was a conditioned response. He didn’t know what a stable relationship looked like, except with his mother and that ended horribly.

The same could be said with Elaine.

You let him cry into you a few moments longer before pulling him back and wiping his tears from his face gingerly. You watched as he leaned closer, and closer…

Softly you place a thumb over his lips so yours wouldn’t touch.

Taehyung pulled back quickly, almost like he was shocked at his behavior.

“I-I apologize,” he said, bowing at the waist clumsily.

“It’s alright Taehyung, but I don’t think you should think with your heart for a little while. It’s wounded, but once you heal, we can revisit this course of action,” you winked. Taehyung flushed bright pink, looking down at the ground to avoid eye contact with you.

“I-I’ll leave you to go to bed, good night Y/N… And-thank you,” he said, walking off of the balcony leaving you alone in the starlight.

You sat there for a moment, letting the moon and stars swirl above your head. You took a deep breath in, moving your hands up to your face. Running your fingers along your lips you felt the heat in your face.

Smacking your cheeks a few times you rushed inside and to your room, hoping no one saw your embarrassed features.

As you nestled into bed you tried not to think of the misunderstood Prince with the stars in his eyes.

—

“The wedding will be hosted in a fortnight,” the King announced at the table.

It had been a few days since Elaine’s death and you were shocked to say the least.

“B-But Sire we-” Xavier was cut off quickly.

“I will hear nothing of it, the sooner we solidify this allegiance the sooner we can have the night crawler troops coming to our aid in the south,” the King declared.

“Father, we hardly have had time to get to know each other. Plus, she’s not yet finished her training,” Taehyung said, trying to sway him towards a longer wait.

“Taehyung silence, you have no say in this matter any more. You think that sleeping around with the staff will make you a respectable king? You’re laughable. You must be loyal to your bride,” the King announced.

Taehyung turned bright red in shame, head turning down and focusing on his lap.

You felt anger course through you at the blatant disrespect for him, but you kept quiet, trying to avoid attention.

The court was here and you didn’t need to make any more enemies here. That one snot nosed lady was still sitting towards the King, making your blood boil, but you refrained. Something you’d learned was useful to do since coming here. But the problem was, there was nowhere for your bottled up emotions to go.

Except deeper down.

You felt like a bottle fit to burst at times, but here was not the time or place. You needed to aid Taehyung somehow, but not by throwing the usual fit.

You had to focus on what mattered. Your alliance with Regreya, Taehyung’s safety.... Your own safety to be honest.

This court business was brutal and you hardly understood half of what was happening at all times. They spoke in riddles with each other, trying to out smart one while informing the other. It was ridiculous to be honest.

Why make all these people your enemies when you could utilize each person as an asset. Why make enemies when you can make allies instead?

“Xavier, I want the preparations made. Invitations sent, this will be a glamorous affair. We will show the Jung Empire that we are stronger now than ever before. With the Night Crawlers at our side we will be nigh unstoppable,” the King smiled, something akin to a grimace that made your stomach churn with unease.

“It will be done, your majesty,” Xavier said, bowing his head low.

“And Taehyung, I expect your bride to be pregnant with an heir within the year’s end,” he said, picking up a piece of meat and shoving it in his mouth. The juices ran down his beard, making you want to be sick.

Within the year’s end? The frost would be coming in less than two months. You didn’t have a lot of time...

“Taehyung, speak when spoken to,” the King growled.

“Y-Yes, Father,” he whispered. Your head shot to Taehyung. He was just going to let the King demand a child of you two? You knew it was expected at some point, but so soon? It seemed a little rushed.

Like he was planning something.

“And if she has trouble conceiving?” Xavier asks. “Who knows what kind of things they do to young women from her upbringing. I think we should give them a little more time than the year’s end, sire,” Xavier spoke up.

“Perhaps you’re right Xavier. I wouldn’t want her to birth a lame heir, we’ll give them a year to conceive,” the King stated. “However the marriage will be consummated on the wedding night.”

“Yes, the guards and maids will confirm it,” Xavier said.

Taehyung’s face had remained red for the duration of the conversation. You just kept your mouth shut, trying not to literally burst at the seams from anger. But you felt a gentle hand on your elbow, Taehyung’s head was down, but his arm had extended to grab you. Gingerly, you grabbed his hand and held it under the table, soothing his knuckles with your thumb in a manner that felt odd, but it seemed to bring him some comfort so, you continued.

The rest of the meal was boring and you hardly tasted the food as it went in your mouth. But Taehyung’s hand held firmly in yours, and neither of you let go.

--

The wedding approached much faster than you had anticipated.

Soon, jewels were decorating your throat tightly, making your chest constrict even tighter in the corset. The boning in the damned thing was exquisite. So much so that it took your breath away. Quite literally.

They pulled this ridiculous white dress over your body, latching it on in different places. The sleeves billowed and pulled in at your shoulder, elbow and wrist, creating a puffed effect. There were several beads and lace pieces being laid at the last minute.

But then came the hair.

The ladies spared you no favors in yanking and pulling on your head as they tried to get your hair to behave to their standards. You gave them some grief, but a firm look from the head maid quieted you down.

Your hair was decorated with more finery, something that could feed people for years, and it was just sitting on your head... They laced down the pieces and slowly, in front of the mirror an ugly duckling became a swan...

At least in their eyes.

You looked almost nothing like yourself.

And they still weren’t done, they continued to paint your face with rouges and colors that complimented your skin tone, but it all seemed like a mask...

You’d prepared your vows and the whole court was going to be in attendance. You certainly hoped you hadn’t gone through all this trouble just to be ridiculed even more on this day. Today was already tough enough as it is.

You desperately wanted your mother.

She was the one supposed to put the jewelry on you, to tie your hair into a beautiful arrangement of her choosing on your head. To paint the reddest of colors on your lips.

She was supposed to make you a warrior queen...

But now, all you were was a doll.

You felt almost empty at the thought of walking down the aisle towards a man you’d barely come to know. You’d taken comfort in each other in public settings, almost making it appear as though you were in love. But Taehyung was very much still grieving the loss of Elaine and you weren’t sure how tonight would go.

But you swallowed hard and stood when asked, and made your way towards the door.

The head maid handed you off to the guard, Jimin, who had murdered Elaine. Your arm felt heavy in his as he walked you down the grand staircase.

The stone was cool to the touch, making a shiver go down your spine. Everything about today felt so wrong. So terribly wrong. It felt like you were itching in your skin and desperate to be free of this garment, of these heavy jewels.

But you kept your gate with him as he led you to two mahogany doors.

“Time to smile princess,” Jimin taunted. You wanted to scowl, to throw him off you and pummel him into the floor. But you did as he said and put the brightest smile you could make on your face as the doors opened. You gripped your flowers in your hand as the ladies carried your dress behind you.

The court stood, watching as the ‘beast’ walked down the aisle towards their beloved Prince. As they sullied their ‘kind’ for you. For the greater good.

Young girls threw flower petals along the floor before you as you walked, making you look down at the red staining the white satin traipsing along the ground.

Soon, you looked up and saw Taehyung. His collared shirt was high on his neck, almost like it was-

There, right beneath the frill was a purpling bruise.

Fury infused your being as you walked towards him.

Jimin handed you off properly, keeping your hands firmly in Taehyung's.

“You may all be seated,” the priest said.

The crowd shuffled into their seats, heads straight forward as you tried to keep your eyes trained on Taehyung.

“We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two lovers in Holy matrimony,” he began.

Taehyung’s hands were shaking terribly as he droned on about anyone wanting to stop the proceedings. You rubbed your thumb over his knuckles slowly, trying to ease his frantic heartbeat that you could feel in his palms.

“To love someone is to cherish them, no matter their flaws, no matter their misgivings. To love someone is to understand that there will be times you must obey,” the priest said.

You bit your lip, but kept your eyes glued on Taehyung.

“His Highness, Prince Taehyung, do you take Lady Y/N to be your lawfully wedded wife and in the eyes of God?”

“I-I... I do,” Taehyung stammered out.

“My Lady Y/N, do you take our highness, Prince Taehyung, to be your lawfully wedded husband and in the eyes of God?”

You looked at Taehyung and gave his hands a squeeze.

A small reassurance.

The only thing you could offer him.

“I do.”

“By the power vested in me and in the eyes of God I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride,” the priest said.

Taehyung inhaled sharply, before surging forward and kissing you boldly in front of the crowd.

Claps arose from the court, but all you could focus on was Taehyung’s sweet kiss. You slowly began to wind your hands up his arms when he pulled away quickly, taking your hand and interlocking your fingers.

“To the Regreyian Royal Family! May they be prosperous and strong!” the priest hollered.

Taehyung dragged you down the aisle towards the exit and into the feast hall.

All you could think of though, was his soft kiss, and gentle hands as the doors of the chapel shut behind you.

Taglist -

@ladyartemesia, @lolalee24, @mawwnsterr, @defenestre-me, @musicalitae, @asifihaveaclue, @midnightsora, @mylifeisafxingmess, @jeonartemis, @coolmusicnut, @daydreambrliever, @chimchoom, @getmemyfries, @nikkiordonez12, @m00nchild-02, @creamberrypies, @delightpcy, @sanislifealways

Hello i am new here, just wondering are you on hiatus? I love your stories by the way, they are new and unique, i hope they are not discontinued :(

No sweetheart I’m not on hiatus, and I’m not going anywhere for a long while.

Thank you for your kind words about my stories! That’s super sweet of you!!

(I just have really bad writers block I’m trying to get over-pray for me lol).

- Jess

How are you doing jess? I hope everything is going alright! Please eat well and sleep well, stay healthy and happy 💜💜💜

I am doing a lot better than I was, thank you for keeping me in your thoughts, I love you guys <3

hi there can you please add me to the baby talk and vegas baby tag! thank you <3

I absolutely can dearest!

- Jess

hey babe, not sure whats really going on but i hope you get better :( i will be praying for you!!! please take care of your health and mentally as well. will be here when you get back, so dont worry!!! we love you 💜💜💜

You're so sweet thank you for worrying about me. I'm working on myself and working towards happiness and self fulfillment.

Your prayers/positive energy are greatly appreciated, I love you <3

hope you are okay jess :(

I'm doing much better sweetheart <3