Chapter 3 – A Marriage of Thorns

The palace bells rang three times.

Their deep echoes rolled across the kingdom, carried by the evening wind.

To the people outside the palace walls, it was the sound of celebration.

Inside...

It sounded like a countdown.

---

The Prince's Chamber

Taehyung stood before a tall bronze mirror while attendants draped layers of ceremonial robes over his shoulders.

The fabric was heavy—black silk embroidered with gold phoenixes and white lilies, the royal colors of Haneul. A golden sash rested at his waist, and an intricate jade clasp fastened his collar.

One maid carefully adjusted his hair.

"You look magnificent, Your Highness."

Taehyung smiled politely.

"Do I?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"You look every bit a prince."

He looked at his own reflection.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

"...I don't recognize myself."

The maid lowered her eyes, unsure how to respond.

Another servant entered in haste.

"The ceremony will begin in half an hour."

Taehyung dismissed the attendants with a gentle nod.

"I'll be there shortly."

When the doors closed, silence settled over the room.

He walked toward the open balcony.

Below, hundreds of lanterns illuminated the palace gardens. Musicians tuned their instruments, and nobles laughed together as though tonight were a joyous celebration.

Taehyung rested his hands on the cold marble railing.

"They're celebrating peace," he thought.

"Not knowing it's being bought with two unwilling hearts."

---

The Guest Wing

Jungkook was sharpening his sword.

The rhythmic scrape of metal against whetstone filled the room.

General Min watched from nearby.

"You'll ruin the blade if you keep sharpening it."

Jungkook didn't stop.

"It helps me think."

General Min sighed.

"You've hardly spoken since the throne room."

"What is there to say?"

"They deceived us."

"They did."

"And yet..."

Jungkook paused.

"...the prince."

General Min raised an eyebrow.

"What about him?"

"He didn't lie."

The general remained silent.

Jungkook continued.

"He looked just as trapped as I was."

He remembered Taehyung's calm voice.

"I didn't ask for this either."

There had been no manipulation.

No false tears.

Only honesty.

That unsettled Jungkook more than any scheme could have.

---

The Royal Hall

The ministers gathered around King Kim.

"Your Majesty," one whispered, "if Prince Jungkook refuses at the altar..."

The king's expression darkened.

"Then we will lose everything."

Another minister added,

"The Jeon Empire may see this as an insult."

The king closed his eyes briefly.

"I know."

He wasn't just afraid for the treaty.

He was afraid for his son.

---

The Corridor

Taehyung walked alone toward the ceremonial hall.

His footsteps echoed softly against polished marble.

As he turned a corner...

He stopped.

Someone stood at the opposite end of the corridor.

Jungkook.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Only the flickering candles between them danced.

Jungkook broke the silence first.

"So..."

"This is what they dressed you in."

Taehyung glanced down at his robes.

"I didn't choose them."

"I assumed as much."

Another silence.

The air between them remained tense, but no longer hostile enough to explode.

Taehyung spoke quietly.

"You don't have to go through with this."

Jungkook looked directly at him.

"If I leave..."

"...your kingdom falls."

Taehyung didn't deny it.

"And if I stay..."

"...mine loses face."

Neither answer was acceptable.

For the first time, they both realized something.

Neither was the enemy.

They were simply standing on opposite sides of the same trap.

---

The Ceremony

The palace chapel shimmered beneath hundreds of candles.

White flowers lined the aisle.

Nobles from both kingdoms filled every seat.

Soft music echoed through the vast chamber.

When Jungkook entered, everyone rose.

Moments later...

Taehyung appeared at the opposite end.

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.

"That's the prince?"

"He's beautiful..."

"But... he's not the princess..."

The whispers reached Jungkook's ears.

He clenched his jaw.

Not because they spoke about Taehyung.

Because they were treating him like a spectacle.

Taehyung walked steadily down the aisle, refusing to acknowledge the stares.

When he reached the altar, he stood beside Jungkook.

Close enough to hear his breathing.

Neither looked at the other.

---

The High Priest raised his hands.

"Today, two royal houses shall become one."

His voice echoed through the hall.

"Do both parties enter this union of their own will?"

Silence.

The question lingered in the air like a cruel joke.

Taehyung slowly lifted his eyes.

"No."

Gasps erupted throughout the hall.

The priest froze.

Jungkook turned sharply toward him.

Taehyung's voice remained calm.

"I do not enter this marriage by choice."

The hall fell deathly quiet.

After a long pause, Jungkook spoke.

"...Neither do I."

More whispers.

Some nobles looked horrified.

Others looked strangely relieved by their honesty.

The High Priest hesitated before continuing.

"Though unwilling..."

"...do you accept this union for the peace of your kingdoms?"

Taehyung closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"...I do."

Jungkook looked at him.

Then, with visible reluctance...

"...I do."

The priest nodded solemnly.

"Then before the heavens..."

"...I declare you bound by the same crown."

The ceremonial bells rang.

The treaty was sealed.

But no smiles appeared on the faces of the two princes.

---

Later That Night

The celebrations continued in the grand ballroom.

Music filled the palace.

Wine flowed freely.

Nobles toasted the new alliance.

Far away from the laughter...

Taehyung slipped quietly into the palace gardens.

The cool night air carried the scent of jasmine.

He finally allowed himself to breathe.

"You ran away from your own wedding too?"

A familiar voice came from behind him.

He turned.

Jungkook stood a few steps away, his ceremonial cloak draped loosely over one shoulder.

"I didn't run."

Taehyung replied softly.

"I escaped the noise."

Jungkook looked toward the glowing palace windows.

"...Good choice."

For the first time since they had met...

They stood together in complete silence.

Not as enemies.

Not as friends.

Just two strangers sharing the weight of a decision neither had made.

Neither noticed the shadow watching them from behind the garden hedges.

A cloaked figure tightened their grip on a hidden dagger.

"They've survived the wedding..."

The stranger whispered.

"...They won't survive what's coming next."

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