ep 3
The great hall of Aldareth was a cathedral of light — chandeliers dripping in crystal, golden archways carved with ancestral hymns, guards lining the walls like statues.
But beneath all the grandeur, the air was cold.
Crown Prince Taehyung sat at the long obsidian table, posture regal, expression unreadable. Clothed in deep crimson and black, his fingers rested loosely around the stem of his wineglass — more poised than comfortable. His mother’s gaze pressed against the side of his face like an invisible blade.
Opposite him, the seat meant for Jeon Jungkook, the Emperor of Noxentis, remained empty.
Until the doors opened.
The silence was a sharp intake of breath. Everyone turned.
He stepped in like a shadow come to life — dark hair tousled, a thin silver circlet resting low on his brow. His cloak dragged behind him like smoke, his boots tapping softly against the marble floor as though the palace itself bowed beneath him.
And his eyes — gods, those eyes — locked with Taehyung’s as if they’d known each other in another life.
And hated each other there, too.
Jungkook sat without waiting for permission
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
Charming place
He said, lips barely twitching.
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
Smells like roses and repression
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
Perhaps in your kingdom, manners rot faster than corpses.
A flicker — amusement? annoyance? — passed through Jungkook’s face
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
In my kingdom, we don’t pretend venom is wine.
Kim Namjoon, the king, cleared his throat.
Kim Namjoon ( Dominant alpha)
let's begin
Dishes were brought in like art — silver platters of glazed venison, rare fruits, and seared herbs. Goblets were filled. Plates shimmered with heat.
A maid stepped forward to serve the next course.
Small. Fragile. Familiar.
Jimin.
His golden hair was half-shadowed by candlelight, soft eyes lowered in submission. No title. No seat at the table. Just the boy who spoke to roses when no one else listened.
He bowed low, setting Jungkook’s plate with careful grace.
But Jungkook didn’t even look at him.
Taehyung did.
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
Careful
Taehyung muttered, voice low, only for Jungkook to hear
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
You're dripping contempt on your plate
Jungkook leaned back, lazily resting his chin on his hand.
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
It’s not contempt. It’s indifference. You’re mistaking my silence for care
Taehyung’s smile was cold
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
You should pray I never mistake anything.
The room had grown stiff. Jin’s fingers twitched against his goblet, but he said nothing. Namjoon’s stare flicked between the two alphas like a lion watching wolves circle.
Jimin still stood there, silent as a ghost, waiting for someone — anyone — to excuse him. But no one did.
Not even his brother.
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
I heard your Empire burns its own orphans for warmth
Taehyung said smoothly, cutting into his meat without blinking.
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
I heard your Kingdom keeps its weaker sons as servent
Jungkook answered, eyes flicking to Jimin — not with cruelty. But with something colder.
Apathy.
Taehyung’s fork paused.
Kim Taehyung ( dominant alpha)
You don’t believe in love, do you?
The prince asked, voice a little too soft.
Jungkook smiled.
A cruel, slow smile — the kind that could end wars or start them.
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
No
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
I don't have luxury of believing in frictions
And then, as if bored, he finally turned his gaze to Jimin.
Jeon Jungkook ( enigma)
You can go , maid
It wasn’t a dismissal. It was an erasure.
Jimin bowed quickly and disappeared like mist.
But the silence he left behind screamed louder than any war horn.
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