5
The palace was buzzing with activity as usual, but there was a distinct shift in the air today. Jungkook walked through the corridors, his steps purposeful yet heavy. Beside him was Princess Eunha, who had been rescued from the kidnappers on the outskirts of the kingdom. Eunha was grateful, but there was something else in her gaze as she walked beside him — something soft, something intentional.
It had been a year since he and Tae had parted ways, a year since their hearts had broken and been rebuilt in silence. Jungkook had tried to bury his feelings, to be present for Tae from a distance.
As they reached the royal chambers, Tae was already there, standing in front of a set of maps, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was alone, just as Jungkook had expected. The sight of her still held the same power over him — the quiet strength she exuded, the way her presence commanded respect. Yet the distance between them remained as vast as ever.
Tae looked up as they entered, her eyes quickly scanning the two of them. Her expression was calm, polite, but there was a quiet tension in her posture, something Jungkook couldn't ignore.
kim taehyung ( tae)
Welcome,
Tae greeted the princess, her voice smooth and composed.
kim taehyung ( tae)
We are honored to offer you shelter. You are safe here in Kim Kingdom. We will contact your family immediately and see to it that they are informed of your whereabouts.
Princess Eunha bowed deeply, her gratitude evident in her posture.
princess eunha
Thank you, Your Majesty. I owe you everything.
Tae nodded, her expression softening slightly.
kim taehyung ( tae)
You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need, Princess. We will ensure your comfort until your family arrives.
With a brief glance at Jungkook, Tae turned to a nearby maid.
kim taehyung ( tae)
Prepare a room for the princess, please. Make sure she has everything she needs.
The maid nodded quickly, gesturing for Eunha to follow. As the princess moved to follow her, she paused and turned back toward Jungkook. There was a glimmer in her eyes, something Tae caught immediately — an undeniable connection. Eunha looked at Jungkook with gratitude, yes, but also something more — an admiration that Tae couldn’t ignore.
princess eunha
Thank you again, Jungkook,
Eunha said softly, her voice carrying a depth of emotion.
Jungkook simply nodded, his usual silent demeanor in full force. He didn’t say a word, and his eyes, though soft, didn’t hold any warmth for Eunha the way Tae had seen. He was distant, detached, his gaze flickering quickly between Eunha and Tae, before he returned his focus to the task at hand.
Tae felt an unfamiliar sting in her chest, and before she could stop herself, her eyes narrowed slightly.
kim taehyung ( tae)
💭Was there something more between them?
But the moment was gone just as quickly as it had come. Eunha followed the maid down the hall, and Tae’s gaze shifted to Jungkook, who was still standing beside her. Her heart felt heavy, the weight of the year that had passed between them, the unspoken tension that remained.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, in the quiet of the corridor, Tae finally broke the silence.
kim taehyung ( tae)
Minister Jungkook,
She said, her tone firm, but her heart was uncertain,
kim taehyung ( tae)
Please take some time to rest. You’ve been away for a long while.
Jungkook didn’t reply immediately. He simply nodded and gave her a small, almost imperceptible glance before turning to leave. His silence was deafening, the space between them filled with everything they hadn't said, all the things they had left unsaid in the year since their lives had taken separate paths.
Tae stood in the hallway for a long moment, her eyes lingering on his retreating form. The air felt colder now, the unease still lingering. She couldn’t shake the nagging thought —something had shifted between her and Jungkook. But she couldn’t tell what it was.
Jungkook watched as Eunha was escorted away by the maid, the princess’s grateful gaze still fresh in his mind. He hadn’t missed the way she had looked at him — it wasn’t just thanks. No, it was something else, something lingering, something that didn’t feel as innocent as it should.
And yet, his heart was elsewhere. His heart was with Tae.
For the last year, he had remained silent, kept his distance from her. He had given her the space she had asked for, respected her wishes, even though every day without her had felt like an eternity. Seeing Tae again today had only confirmed what he already knew — he had never stopped loving her.
He didn’t care that his love was unspoken, or that he had never been able to tell her the truth. He didn’t need her to love him back. He just needed her to be safe, to be happy, to be the queen she had become. The kingdom was thriving, her people were beginning to heal, and he was content to watch from the shadows.
But seeing Eunha look at him, seeing her soft admiration — that was different. Eunha’s feelings for him were clear. He wasn’t blind to it. But no matter how much she looked at him, no matter how much gratitude or admiration she held in her gaze, Jungkook’s heart was set on one person only.
And she was the one who had pushed him away.
Tae couldn’t shake the feeling that had settled in her chest. The way Eunha had looked at Jungkook, the warmth in her eyes — there was something there, something that had stirred in Tae’s heart and made her doubt her own feelings. Why did it bother her? It wasn’t jealousy, she told herself. But then why did it feel like a wedge had been driven deeper between her and Jungkook?
Her heart was conflicted, but the truth was, she had no right to feel anything about it. She had let him go, she had made the choice. And yet, seeing them together… it hurt in ways she hadn’t expected.
She exhaled slowly, pushing away the thoughts that clouded her mind. She had a kingdom to govern, a future to build. And if Jungkook wasn’t a part of that future, so be it.
But even as she walked away, her mind lingered on that one moment, the look in Eunha’s eyes as she spoke to Jungkook. Something about it felt unfinished, and **Tae wasn’t sure if she was ready to confront it**.
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