Chapter 12: Your love? It’s a weakness, Max.

Liaa keeps glancing at Jungkook.

Liaa: You… You handled those smugglers quite well.

Jungkook: (with a smirk) It's my duty, Princess. Though, if I may say, you were impressively calm for someone being attacked.

Liaa: I wasn't calm- I was numb and scared! Besides, I didn't expect… you to be this skilled. Or…this-

Jungkook: (raising an eyebrow) This what?

While the horse was walking through the forest, his foot tripped His balance was shaken. Both of them moved a little. He gripped Liaa's waist tightly to prevent her from falling. He held her with one hand and was tending the horse with the other hand. Their bodies were very close and clinging.

Jungkook: You were talking about something.

looking away, cheeks flushing

Liaa: Nothing. Forget it.

Jungkook: (chuckling) Is that how princesses say thank you nowadays? If I'd known, I might've let one or two of those bandits stick around.

narrowing her eyes

Jungkook: (grinning) I wouldn't. But I must admit, your brother warned me you'd be difficult to deal with.

Liaa: Namjoon has a big mouth. What else did he say?

Jungkook: Ohh, nothing much. Just that you're stubborn, impossible to impress, and-

Liaa: (cutting him off) Okay, okay! I get it!

(I won't leave you brother)

They arrived at LaLa Kingdom. Namjoon knew all the news. He was worried about his sister but jungkook was with her so he was calm. Namjoon was happy. Lia and Jungkook finally meet. Destiny brought them together.

As soon as Liaa arrives at the So Land palace, Namjoon, the king, comes to greet them.

Namjoon: (grinning) My dear sister! How was your journey? And…ah, Jungkook, you look alive. That's a good sign.

He was making fun of her because she didn't like Jungkook. Liaa came walking briskly taking namjoon aside.

Namjoon: Ben just take care of Jungkook, I'll be here in a little while..

Liaa: (scowling) Why didn't you tell me Jungkook was this…handsome?!

Namjoon: (feigning innocence) Handsome? I told you he's a great warrior, a perfect gentleman, and the future king of Kami. Isn't that enough?

Liaa: (grumbling) You could've mentioned he looks like a prince from a fairytale!

Namjoon: (laughing) I see someone's finally paying attention. So, you've changed your mind about the marriage proposal?

Liaa: Wha- No! That's not what I meant!

Namjoon: Too bad. I was already planning the wedding. If you don't like this marriage then I will cancel it (he said while leaving the room)

Liaa: (shoving him lightly) Stop it, Namjoon! You're impossible! Ohh god..

Namjoon and Jungkook meet in the royal study.

Namjoon: (pouring wine) So, how was the journey with my sister? Has she scared you off yet?

Jungkook: Not at all. She's…spirited. But I can handle it.

Namjoon: (leaning back in his chair) Good. You'll need that spirit as king. Speaking of which, your coronation is soon. Are you ready for it?

Jungkook: As ready as I can be. Though I assume part of that includes convincing Liaa to…accept the arrangement.

Namjoon: (grinning) Oh, don't worry about Liaa. She's stubborn, but once she sees how perfect you are, she won't stand a chance.

Jungkook: (with a teasing smirk) Perfect, huh? High praise from a king.

Namjoon: Don't let it go to your head. Just make sure you keep her safe and happy. And if you manage to get her to stop calling me 'impossible,' I might even thank you.

Jungkook: I'll consider it my first royal duty.

Namjoon: (raising his glass) To the future king of Kami..( Jungkook did the same)

Namjoon's laughter echoing in the room and Jungkook shaking his head, already thinking of how he'll manage the feisty princess.

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The soft rays of the morning sun seep through the curtains. Taehyung stirs awake, his eyes landing on Y/N sleeping peacefully beside him. A small smile tugs at his lips as he admires her serene face, her hair slightly tousled from the night before. He leans closer and places a gentle kiss on her cheek, savoring the moment before slipping out of bed.

Taehyung: (whispering) How did I get so lucky?

He heads to the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the quiet room. A few minutes later, he emerges, a towel draped around his shoulders, his damp hair glistening. His gaze returns to Y/N, still curled up in the sheets. Unable to resist, he walks over and shakes his head, sprinkling cool droplets of water onto her face.

Taehyung: Wake up, love.

Y/N stirs, her eyes fluttering open to see Taehyung standing over her, a mischievous grin on his face. She smiles warmly and pulls him into a hug, burying her face in his chest.

Y/N (softly): Good morning. I could get used to this.

Taehyung: Ummhmm. Now, do you want to freshen up? I'll get the ointment ready.

Y/N nods, reluctantly letting go of him as she heads to the bathroom. Once she's done, Taehyung sits beside her, carefully applying ointment and wrapping a bandage around her injured leg. I want to tell you once again that there is nothing wrong with you in all this.

Taehyung: (gently smile) There we go. All set. Let's make today just as special.

She smiles, touched by his care, and nods in agreement.

Later in the day, Taehyung meets Jin in the royal garden. Jin, stands near a fountain, arms crossed as he gives Taehyung a knowing look.

Jin: (raising an eyebrow) So... care to explain what happened last night?

Taehyung: (scratching his neck, smiling sheepishly) Uh... we just... connected on a deeper level?

Jin: (sighing, but smirking) Connected, huh? You better treat her right, Taehyung. That's my little sister you're talking about.

Taehyung: I promise, hyung. She means everything to me.

Jin: Good. But if you keep being this naughty, I might just ban you from her chambers.

Jin: Now, about Jungkook's coronation. The preparations are almost complete. We need to finalize the guest list and security arrangements.

Taehyung: I'll handle the guest list. Jungkook deserves the best for his day.

Jin: Agreed. And about your marriage with Y/N… we'll announce it at the coronation. It's time the kingdom knows.

Taehyung smiles, excitement bubbling within him. The two continue planning, their bond as brothers-in-law strengthening with every word.

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In the Garden, The evening air was cool as the sun began to set, casting golden light across the sprawling royal garden. The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the earthy fragrance of fresh grass. Jungkook and Liaa walked side by side, though a noticeable distance kept between them. She couldn't deny the way her heart raced every time she caught a glimpse of his strong profile his jawline sharp, his posture regal, the weight of his future responsibilities evident in every step he took.

Jungkook: (glancing at Liaa, his voice calm but deliberate) I trust the journey here was comfortable, Princess?

Liaa (not meeting his gaze, her eyes focused ahead): It was... I've never been to such a place before. It's far different from the life I knew. But it is beautiful.

Jungkook: (stopping and turning toward her, his expression softening slightly) Yes, it is. But not as beautiful as the woman standing before me.

Liaa (shocked, she looks up at him): "You flatter me, Your Highness."

Jungkook: Flattery would be too easy, Princess. What I say is the truth. (He steps closer, the air between them thick with tension.) There is no one like you. Not in my kingdom, not in the world.

Liaa's breath caught, her pulse quickening as he closed the space between them, his gaze unwavering and intense. The regal distance he once maintained seemed to melt away as he stood before her, a man rather than a prince in that moment.

Jungkook: (his voice low, like a command but with a gentleness she hadn't expected) Why do you look away when I speak to you? Do you not trust my words?

Liaa: (meeting his eyes now, her own heart racing, her tone a little more hesitant) I... I don't know what to say. You are a prince- soon a king- and I am just a princess of a fallen kingdom. What place could I possibly have beside you?

Jungkook: (his expression hardens for a moment, before he steps even closer, his voice firm, yet vulnerable) A king is not bound by the walls of his palace, Princess. A king's heart is shaped by the people he chooses to protect and trust. And trust, my dear, is not given lightly. I trust you.

Liaa (staring at him, the weight of his words sinking in): But I am not the woman you think I am.

Jungkook (brushing a strand of her hair from her face, his fingers grazing her skin in a brief, tender touch): Perhaps not. But I am learning more of who you are with every moment I spend by your side. The way you think, the way you speak, the way you fight for what you believe in- it is unlike anyone else I have ever met.

There was a flicker of something in his eyes, something far deeper than just admiration. Liaa could see it now- he wasn't just speaking because of his duty as a prince, but because he genuinely saw something in her that moved him. But the truth is that Jungkook knows Liaa from a long time ago. She was a very pampered naughty loving princess. When his father died, all the burden fell on namjoon. Namjoon was big enough to understand everything but he was not big enough to see the kingdom. The mother was shocked by the sudden death of the king. So Liaa was the person who comforted Namjoon and his mother. It's not that she doesn't listen to Namjoon, but getting married and leaving her mother, was difficult.

Liaa (her voice softer now, almost a whisper): I didn't ask for any of this. My life has always been about survival, about doing what I must to protect those I love. But now...(she looking up at him) Now, I find myself caught in the world of kings and warriors.

Jungkook: And yet, in this world, you have a place beside me. You always will, whether as my equal or as someone who inspires me to become better than I am.

Liaa's heart stuttered in her chest. Her thoughts were clouded, her emotions tangled with doubt and desire. She was so used to relying on herself, to being self-sufficient. But Jungkook, with his quiet confidence and commanding presence, was breaking down the walls she had spent years building.

Liaa: You don't fear me, do you? Not even for a moment?

Jungkook: (smiling faintly) Fear has no place between us, Princess. Only respect... and maybe something more.

The silence between them thickened, neither of them daring to speak further for fear that the moment might shatter. Jungkook, ever the ruler in training, knew how to carry the weight of his emotions and responsibilities. But with Liaa, something more primal stirred within him.. something that made him want to throw aside the political masks and claim what he desired most.

Jungkook (in a voice that was barely a whisper, as if testing the waters): Tell me, Princess, what is it you desire? What is it that would make you trust me completely?

Liaa's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't just a prince asking. This was a man who would be a king, who would lead his kingdom with a decisive hand, but who now sought her, not just for her position, but for who she was. The thought made her heart race faster, a confusing, powerful mix of fear and yearning.

Liaa: I desire honesty. I desire to know that you, Jungkook, are not just the future king, but someone who sees me as more than a political ally or a tool. I want to know that I matter to you, just as you are learning that I matter to you.

Jungkook: You do matter to me, Liaa. More than you can imagine.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, standing in the garden, the weight of their unspoken connection hanging in the air between them. Jungkook's hand hovered near hers, and in that small gesture, Liaa felt something stir.. a promise of what could be, of what might bloom between them, despite the rules of their world.

Jungkook: You'll see. In time, I'll prove it to you.

Liaa: Then I'll wait, Jungkook. As long as it takes.

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In the Indila Kingdom

The grand throne room of Indila, adorned with high golden pillars and blood-red banners. King Max Roy, a young man in his late twenties, sits on the edge of the massive stone throne, staring at the sprawling map of neighboring kingdoms on the marble table before him. His father, the retired but domineering former king, Lord Vexar Roy, paces the room, his dark cape trailing behind him.

Lord Vexar Roy: Do you know why I abdicated so early, Max? Why I handed you the crown when I still had the strength to rule? My son, the throne you now sit upon is not just a seat of power. It is a weapon.

King Max Roy: Because you said it was my time. My turn to lead Indila into a new age. Or was that just another one of your riddles, Father?

Lord Vexar Roy: (Chuckles darkly, leaning over the map)

You're sharp, boy. No, it wasn't a riddle. It was strategy. The world is cruel, and power does not wait for those who hesitate. I didn't step down for your glory, Max. I did it so you could be my sword-an instrument of conquest. The throne is yours, but the will behind it is still mine.

King Max Roy:(Clenching his fists on the armrests of the throne) And what is it you expect me to do, Father? Sit here and play your puppet while you pull strings from the shadows?

Lord Vexar Roy: No, my son. I expect you to stand, walk out of this castle, and march across the kingdoms of Kami, So Land, Mani, Lala, and Seop. Charm them, manipulate them, twist their leaders into allies or enemies. Win their trust, gain their secrets, and then... break them. Piece by piece. Land by land.

King Max Roy: But... why must I go? Can't we build alliances without me traveling to those places?

Lord Vexar Roy: (Standing up from the throne, his voice grows menacing.) You have no choice, Max. If you won't do it willingly, then I will make you. You will travel to these kingdoms, and you will bring them to their knees. If you fail- if you hesitate- I will make sure the girl you care for disappears from this world.

(Pauses for a moment, watching his son's reaction closely.)

You're not ready to make enemies out of all of them. But I'll push you, I'll force you. You're my only son. And if you fail, you will bear the consequences, not just for you, but for the girl you love.

Max's eyes widen in shock, and he clenches his fists, visibly struggling with his emotions.

King Max Roy: You... wouldn't... you wouldn't harm her. She's innocent. She has nothing to do with this.

Lord Vexar Roy: (Smiling coldly, his voice a quiet threat.)You think I care for innocence? My power... your power.. comes with sacrifices. If you want to rule, you must make the hard choices. Your love? It's a weakness, Max. You let it cloud your judgment.

(He approaches his son, his hand landing on Max's shoulder, but the touch feels more like a chain than affection.)

Lord Vexar Roy: I don't want to hurt her. But I will. Do you understand, Max? You go on this tour, you build those alliances, or she's gone. You think I've let your weakness slide this far out of love? No. It's all part of the game. You don't have the luxury of feeling, son. If you truly want to rule, you'll learn to let go of that sentiment.

King Max Roy: (Choking back emotion, his voice bitter and laced with anger.) You think this is about ruling? You think I want to rule like you? Cold, calculating, ruthless? I want to win those kingdoms, but not because of your threats. I have my own reasons.

Lord Vexar Roy: (Laughing darkly, his eyes cold.) Oh, I know. You want power, Max. You want control over them all- Kami, So Land, Mani, LaLa, Seop. You're no better than me. Your selfish desire for dominance will fuel your actions, just as it always has. Now... Go. You leave in the morning. No more discussion.

King Max Roy: You raised me to be strong, to lead with fire in my blood. But you also taught me that a king must care for his people. I won't be a butcher. I won't kill for the sake of your ambition.

Lord Vexar Roy: You think I don't care for you, Max? That I do this out of blind ambition? No. I do this for you. For Indila. A king must carry the weight of decisions others cannot. The world is cruel to the weak. You will see that on your tour. And when the time comes, you will understand that mercy is a luxury only fools can afford.

King Max Roy: (Quietly, almost to himself)And what if I never become the king you want me to be?

Lord Vexar Roy: (Turning away, his voice fading into a whisper)Then you will die as a failure, and Indila will die with you.

As Lord Vexar exits the throne room, the heavy doors slamming behind him, King Max sinks back into the throne. His eyes linger on the map of the five kingdoms. His father's words ring in his ears, but deep in his heart, a quiet resolve begins to form. He may carry the weight of his father's legacy, but he will carve his own path- even if it means defying the very man who made him king. He had to travel the world and muster an army and make connections. He had realized that there was going to be a big war. No one can stop it.

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