Episode 3
The dawn broke with gold fire across the palace roofs, and the Kingdom Street awake to witness history.
Today the Crown Prince would take his concert.
Today, the twins of prophecy would be bound.
And the palace itself seemed to breath in reverence waiting.
In the Crown Prince chamber Sun rose and prince awake by the attendants. He was not allowed to bathe himself not on this day.
The attendance came boring steaming milk into a marble basin, strewn, with rose petals and Jasmine buds.
Jeongukk
He stepped inside without hesitation, the liquid warm against his skin, the Saint heavy with sweetness. Hands scrubbed his shoulders with cloth dipped in rose water, massage fragrant oil into his arm and back, and hair.
The Crown Prince to stood tall, motionless, his gaze fixed forward as though he was marble himself. The ritual was not intulgence.it was purification. The body of a prince must be cleaned before he bound another soul to his own.
When at last he stepped out, servant wrapped him in white linen and drying every inch of him as if he were a sacred relic. His long hair usually tied for battle, was formed until it believed like black silk.
They dressed him in layers of ceremonial Robes obsidian trimmed with gold Crimson Threads stitcHed in the shape of Twin Dragons the Crown Prince hair was bound high his jaw set like stone. he looked fierce, handsome, beyond reach, and embodiment of a king.
King Jeon
my son, today you marry. remember you are not only taking a bride. your claiming your place as ruler.
Jeongukk
I know, father, and I will not falter.
at Jungkook chamber wing glowed with Lantern light, though the sun had barely risen. Jungkook stirred awake to the sound of low chants. His handmaidens already waiting bowls prepared herbs steeped.
Jungkook allowed them to lead him to the bathing Chamber. First came The turmeric paste, cool and Golden against his pale skin, smeared carefully across face neck and arms until he glowed with a sun-kissed radiance. the attendants murmur blessings with every stroke for beauty, for fertility, for harmony.
Then came the milk bath. Queen Jeon herself enter the chamber in her embroidered gown and gave the command for the ritual to begin.
Queen Jeon
let my son be bathed as a bride of Crown Prince.
Jungkook lowered himself into the basin, the milk lapping at his chest, and rose petals shifted across his skin. He sat silently and let maids do their work.
When he emerged, glowing and fragrant, Queen Jeon studied him with an expression that was both stern and awed.
Queen Jeon
Prepare the shear Robe.
The handmaidens obeyed, draping Jungkook first in a gossamer layer of translucent silk that clung delicately to his frame, whispering Over the curve of his chest and waist. Over it, they placed the ceremonial robe: Ivory embroidered with silver cranes pulse fuel along these of fail Sapphire around His middle.
Then came the jewels. a circle at of diamonds, and Jade rings for his fingers, Bracelet for his reached, anklets that chamber and he moved, is years were a don with dangling gems that got the morning light.
Jungkook
By the time the attendance finished, it scarcely recognized himself in the mirror. he looked other worldly, like a bride sculpted from moonlight.
yet, tradition demanded one final Atonement. the whale. along heavywell white cause embroidered with tiny stars was lower over his head concealing his features. it fell all the way to the flooring him. the world beyond blood into Shadows.
Queen Jeon
only your husband maylift this veil. until then, you belong to haven alone.
Jungkook
lower his head in obedience.
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