chapter six : The forbidden dance

                                    

                                          

The grand ballroom of the castle shimmered with gold and silver as nobles from across the kingdom gathered for the annual royal ball. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floor, while the orchestra played a delicate, haunting melody. The atmosphere was one of opulence and celebration, yet for Taehyung, it was suffocating.
Standing by the edge of the ballroom, he watched as lords and ladies twirled in the center, their laughter and whispered conversations filling the air. Taehyung had never been part of these grand events before. As a servant, he was meant to remain in the background, unseen and unnoticed. But tonight was different.
Tonight, he was at Jungkook's side.
Taehyung fidgeted with the cuffs of his formal attire, feeling out of place amidst the grandeur. His heart raced as he glanced across the room at Jungkook, who stood in deep conversation with a group of advisors. The king was regal as always, his posture perfect, his expression unreadable. But every now and then, Jungkook's eyes would flicker toward Taehyung, a silent acknowledgment of their unspoken connection.
"Why am I here?" Taehyung muttered to himself, feeling the weight of the curious gazes from the guests. Whispers followed him wherever he went tonight, murmurs of confusion and intrigue. Who was this mysterious boy standing so close to the king?
Jungkook had insisted Taehyung attend the ball, despite his protests. "You're not just a servant anymore," Jungkook had told him earlier that day. "You're part of something bigger now."
But Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong.
As the music swelled, Jungkook excused himself from his advisors and made his way toward Taehyung. The crowd parted as the king approached, their eyes following his every move.
Taehyung's breath caught in his throat as Jungkook stopped in front of him, offering his hand. "Dance with me," the king said softly, his voice just loud enough for Taehyung to hear.
Taehyung's eyes widened in shock. "What? I— I can't..."
Jungkook's gaze was steady, his hand still extended. "You can. And you will."
The weight of the moment pressed down on Taehyung. This was more than just a dance. It was a statement—a public declaration of their bond, something that had been kept hidden until now. Taehyung hesitated, aware of the dozens of eyes watching them, the whispers growing louder.
But then he saw the determination in Jungkook's eyes, the silent promise that he wouldn't let Taehyung face this alone. With a deep breath, Taehyung took the king's hand.
The ballroom fell silent as they stepped onto the dance floor. The music softened, the crowd watching in stunned silence as Jungkook led Taehyung into a graceful waltz. For a moment, it was as if the world had stopped, the two of them moving in perfect harmony.
Taehyung's heart pounded in his chest as Jungkook pulled him closer, their bodies moving in sync. The warmth of Jungkook's hand on his waist, the steady rhythm of their steps—it was intoxicating, overwhelming. Taehyung felt a surge of emotions he couldn't quite place. Was it fear? Excitement? Something deeper?
As they danced, Taehyung became acutely aware of the murmurs around them. He could feel the weight of judgment, the questioning looks, the disapproval. But Jungkook didn't seem to care. He held Taehyung close, his focus entirely on him, as if they were the only two people in the room.
"You don't have to worry about them," Jungkook whispered, his voice soothing. "I'm with you."
Taehyung's chest tightened. The dance was more than just a display of power or defiance. It was an intimate moment between them, a moment that made Taehyung realize just how much Jungkook cared. But with that realization came fear—fear of what this could mean for them, for their future.
As the dance came to an end, the room erupted in applause, though it felt more forced than genuine. Taehyung could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken questions hanging over them like a storm cloud. He pulled away from Jungkook slightly, unsure of what to say, unsure of what came next.
Before he could speak, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "Your Majesty, a word, if you please."
It was one of the high-ranking nobles, his expression cold and disapproving. Others began to gather around, their faces a mixture of confusion and concern. The unspoken question hung in the air: Why had the king chosen to dance with a servant?
Jungkook straightened, his expression hardening. "If you have something to say, say it."
The noble hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "Your... choice of partner, Your Majesty. It's... unexpected."
The crowd murmured in agreement, their eyes darting between Jungkook and Taehyung.
Jungkook's gaze darkened, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension. "Taehyung is not just a servant. He is more than that, and I will not tolerate any disrespect toward him."
The room fell silent again, the weight of Jungkook's words sinking in. Taehyung stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen Jungkook like this—so protective, so fierce.
The noble, clearly taken aback, nodded quickly and stepped back. The tension in the room slowly began to dissipate, though the whispers didn't entirely fade.
Jungkook turned to Taehyung, his expression softening. "Come with me."
Without another word, he led Taehyung out of the ballroom, away from the prying eyes and judgmental whispers. They walked in silence through the dimly lit corridors of the castle until they reached a secluded balcony overlooking the gardens.
Taehyung leaned against the railing, his mind racing. "Why did you do that?" he asked quietly.
Jungkook stood beside him, gazing out at the night sky. "Because it needed to be done. You're not just some servant, Taehyung. You're important to me. And I'm not going to hide that."
Taehyung's heart ached at the sincerity in Jungkook's voice, but it was also overwhelming. "But what about the kingdom? The people? They won't understand..."
Jungkook turned to him, his eyes intense. "Let them talk. Let them judge. What matters is that I trust you, and I believe in you."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the world pressing down on them. But in that quiet moment, Taehyung realized something—no matter how complicated things became, no matter how much the world judged them, their bond was real.
And nothing could change that.