believe me

The heavy atmosphere of the Rajput court shifted from festive joy to cold dread the moment a royal messenger sprinted into the private chambers of King Sisodiya.

"Your Majesty!" the messenger gasped, bowing so low his forehead brushed the cold marble floor. "The Crown Prince of the Jeon Kingdom... Jeon Jungkook is here. He has entered the palace gates, demanding an audience."

The King's breath caught. Beside him, Taehyung, who had just returned from his patrol, narrowed his eyes, his hand immediately tightening around the hilt of his sword.

"Why is he here now?" the King muttered, anxiety lining his aged face. "The wedding is days away. A Crown Prince does not cross borders unannounced unless he brings war or a demand."

"Father, let me come with you," Taehyung insisted, his protective instincts flaring. "The Jeon Kingdom is notorious for their ruthlessness. We cannot trust him."

"No, Taehyung," the King commanded, raising a hand. "He has asked to meet me alone. If I bring my finest warrior and son, it will look like we fear him or are preparing for a fight. Stay back. Keep your sister safe."

The grand audience hall was emptied of all ministers and guards, leaving only King Sisodiya sitting on his golden throne. The massive wooden doors creaked open, and Jungkook stepped inside.

He no longer wore the simple linen tunic from the temple. Today, he was the terrifying Crown Prince of the Jeon Kingdom, clad in magnificent, dark silk robes embroidered with golden dragons, a heavy ceremonial sword resting at his hip. His footsteps echoed heavily through the silent hall. He didn't bow; he merely stopped at the center of the room, looking up at the King with piercing, unreadable eyes.

"Prince Jungkook," the King spoke, forcing his voice to remain steady. "To what do we owe this unexpected honor before the wedding day?"

Jungkook offered a cold, humorless smile. He didn't waste time with sweet royal pleasantries. "I came to look at the land my future bride calls home, Your Majesty. And to deliver a simple, ultimate choice."

The King stiffened. "A choice?"

"The Jeon Kingdom is expanding," Jungkook said softly, taking a slow step forward. His voice held no anger, which made it even more terrifying-it was pure, cold calculation. "We can stand beside the Sisodiya clan as friends, bound by this marriage alliance. We can share our wealth, our ships, and our strength. Or... we can simply attack you, crush your armies, and take this kingdom by force."

The King's blood ran cold. The sheer audacity of the young prince to threaten him in his own palace was staggering, but the King knew the terrifying truth: the Jeon military was massive, and their cruelty was legendary. A war would mean the slaughter of thousands of his people.

Suppressing his fury, the King tightened his grip on his throne. "We chose peace when we agreed to give you my daughter, Prince Jungkook. We choose friendship."

"A wise decision," Jungkook replied, his expression completely unchanging.

"But," the King countered, his voice hardening, "the world knows the Jeon Kingdom's reputation. You are cruel. You conquer without mercy. You ask for friendship, but what is the proof that in the future, once my daughter is across the seas, you will not betray us and take our kingdom anyway?"

Jungkook paused. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Slowly, Jungkook unclipped a heavy, crimson jade seal from his waist-the personal crest of the Crown Prince, a token that commanded the entire Jeon military. He walked up the steps of the dais and placed it directly onto the arms of the King's throne.

"If a single Jeon soldier crosses your border with a drawn sword, you show them this," Jungkook murmured, leaning in slightly. "My word is absolute, King Sisodiya. I do not break my promises. But remember... this mercy lasts only as long as your daughter belongs to me."

With a final, sweeping turn of his robes, Jungkook walked away, leaving the King staring at the bloody-red seal with deep, lingering doubt.

Outside the hall, hidden behind a heavy silk curtain, Taehyung had heard every single word. His fists trembled with a volatile mixture of rage and fear. Jeon Jungkook was a monster. Taehyung swore right then and there that he would never let this cruel prince hurt his sister-completely unaware of the tragic twist of fate that would soon put him right into the monster's jaws.

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