The Royal Banquet

                                    

                                          

The grand hall of the Bora Kingdom palace was adorned with magnificent tapestries and glittering chandeliers. Nobles from neighbouring kingdoms mingled with the royal family and their courtiers, their laughter and conversation creating a lively atmosphere. King Jeon Jungkook, seated at the head of the table, surveyed the room with a keen eye. His heart was in turmoil, for his thoughts were consumed by the image of Taehyung.


Taehyung, dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, moved gracefully among the guests, serving wine and attending to the needs of the royals and their visitors. Jungkook watched her every move, his desire for her simmering beneath his composed exterior.


As the evening progressed, a group of visitors from a neighbouring kingdom arrived. Among them was a guard, a brash and overly confident man who soon caught sight of Taehyung. He began to follow her with his eyes, his intentions clear.


Jungkook's attention was drawn to the guard's leering gaze, and his jaw tightened. He forced himself to remain calm, knowing that any display of emotion could jeopardize his carefully maintained image.


But the guard was relentless. As Taehyung poured wine into his goblet, he leaned in close, his voice low and suggestive. "Such beauty for a mere maid," he whispered. "Perhaps you could find a better position, serving a man who truly appreciates you."


Taehyung stiffened, her discomfort evident. She tried to pull away, but the guard's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "Don't be shy," he said, his grip tightening. "I'm sure we could find some... private time together."


Jungkook's vision turned red with rage. He could no longer contain himself. Rising from his seat, he strode across the room, his expression dark and menacing. The hall fell silent as the king approached, all eyes turning to watch the unfolding scene.


"Unhand her," Jungkook commanded, his voice cold and deadly.


The guard looked up, startled. He released Taehyung immediately, his face paling as he realized his mistake. "Your Majesty, I..."


Before he could finish, Jungkook drew his sword, the blade gleaming under the chandelier's light. "You dare lay a hand on my servant?" he snarled, his voice trembling with fury.


"Your Majesty, please," the guard pleaded, backing away. "I didn't mean any harm."


But Jungkook's patience had run out. With a swift, brutal motion, he swung his sword, the blade cutting through the air with a deadly hiss. The guard's head rolled across the floor, blood pooling around the lifeless body.


Gasps of horror and shock filled the hall. Nobles and courtiers recoiled in fear, their eyes wide with disbelief. It was the first time in the kingdom's history that the king had lost his temper in such a violent display.


Princess Jinnie, seated beside her husband Prince Namjoon, felt a chill run down her spine. She had always known her brother to be a man of strict control and cold demeanour, but this... this was something entirely different. Her eyes flicked to Taehyung, who stood frozen in terror, and a dawning realization began to take shape.


"Namjoon," Jinnie whispered urgently, her voice trembling. "Did you see the way Jungkook looked at her?"


Namjoon nodded grimly. "I did. This is bad, Jinnie. Very bad."


Jungkook stood over the fallen guard, his chest heaving with rage. He turned to the stunned guests, his eyes blazing. "Let this be a warning," he declared, his voice echoing through the silent hall. "Anyone who disrespects my household, my kingdom, or my servants will meet the same fate."


Jinnie's heart pounded as she realized the full extent of her brother's obsession. She glanced at her husband and J-Hope, who was already moving to address the scandal that would surely spread like wildfire.


J-Hope, ever the diplomat, stepped forward to speak to the guests, attempting to calm the situation. "Please, everyone, remain calm," he said smoothly. "The king's actions, though severe, were in defence of the honour and safety of his household. Let us continue the evening with peace and respect."


As the guests began to murmur amongst themselves, Princess Jinnie felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She glanced at Queen Sohee, her sister-in-law, hoping to find some guidance in her calm demeanour. But Sohee's eyes were fixed on her husband, King Jeon Jungkook, her expression unreadable.


Jinnie reached out and gently grasped Sohee's hand. "We need to do something," she whispered urgently. "If Jungkook's obsession with Taehyung continues, it could destroy not only his marriage but his reign as king."


Sohee's gaze remained fixed on Jungkook, a flicker of sadness crossing her features. "We will handle it, Jinnie," she replied softly, her voice tinged with resignation.


Jinnie frowned, surprised by Sohee's response. "But we must act now, before it's too late," she insisted. "Jungkook's actions tonight were... extreme, to say the least. If word of this spreads, it could damage our kingdom's reputation irreparably."


Sohee turned to face Jinnie, her eyes dark with hidden knowledge. "Do you truly believe that Jinnie?" she asked, her tone deceptively calm.


Jinnie hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice faltering. "But we cannot ignore the severity of what happened tonight."


Sohee's lips curved into a sad smile. "You defend Jungkook so fiercely, Jinnie," she remarked, her words carrying a double meaning that sent a shiver down Jinnie's spine.


Jinnie's brow furrowed in confusion. "Of course, he is my brother," she replied, her voice tinged with defensiveness.


Sohee's gaze softened a hint of sadness in her eyes. "And he is my husband," she said quietly. "But we both know there are things about him that we cannot ignore."


Jinnie's heart skipped a beat, realization dawning on her. "You... you knew?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the banquet hall.


Sohee nodded, her expression grave. "I have always known," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I hoped... I prayed that it would not come to this."


Jinnie felt a surge of sympathy for her sister-in-law, realizing the burden she had carried in silence. "We cannot let this continue," she declared, her voice firm. "We must find a way to help him before it's too late."


Sohee nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Agreed," she said, her voice filled with resolve. "We will do whatever it takes to protect him, and our kingdom, from the consequences of his actions."


As the banquet continued around them, Jinnie and Sohee shared a silent vow to confront the darkness that threatened to consume their family. Together, they would face the storm that loomed on the horizon, united in their determination to save their kingdom from ruin.


Taehyung, shaken to her core, was gently led away by a sympathetic maid. Jungkook watched her go, his heart still pounding with a mix of anger and desire. His mind was a storm of emotions, but one thing was clear: no one would come between him and Taehyung. Not now, not ever.


As the banquet resumed under a tense and watchful atmosphere, the implications of the night's events hung heavy in the air. Jungkook's actions had revealed a dangerous side of his character, one driven by a dark and obsessive passion that threatened to unravel everything he had worked so hard to maintain.