Part : 14 Dessert

                                    

                                          
The month had passed quietly since the wedding, and in that time, Taehyung had slowly begun to find his place in Goryeo. The days passed peacefully, and to his surprise, his marriage to Jungkook was not the cold, distant arrangement he had feared. The king’s respectful behavior was almost disarming. For someone who had been rumored to use and discard omegas like objects, Jungkook had done nothing to indicate that those rumors held any truth.
Instead, Taehyung had watched him with quiet curiosity, noting how Jungkook treated everyone in the palace, especially the omegas. There was always a certain distance in his interactions with them, but it was never cruel or dismissive. In fact, it was the opposite---he was careful, almost as if he was making sure not to overstep or make them uncomfortable.
It confused Taehyung at first. The image he had built of Jungkook before their marriage---a ruthless, heartless ruler who cared only for conquest and power---was slowly crumbling. Jungkook wasn’t what he had imagined. 
And yet, despite the peaceful days and Jungkook’s respectful distance, there was still a gap between them. They rarely spoke beyond necessary formalities, and while Jungkook was never unkind, he was reserved. Taehyung wasn’t sure what to make of it. 
But today, something was different. 
Today, Taehyung had decided to participate in a Jaehan's tradition that omegas cooked something sweet for their alphas after the first month of marriage. It was a custom meant to strengthen the bond between them, a gesture of care and affection. Jungkook had told him earlier that there was no need for it---that he didn’t expect Taehyung to follow such traditions. But Taehyung had insisted
He wanted to thank Jungkook.
It wasn’t something he would say out loud, of course. Jungkook wasn’t the kind of man who needed grand gestures of appreciation, nor did he expect any kind of gratitude for his behavior. But Taehyung couldn’t deny the fact that he had grown to admire the man’s quiet respect. Jungkook’s patience, his consistent kindness, had been a gift in a time when Taehyung had been prepared for war. 
So, as he stood in the palace kitchen, carefully preparing a traditional dessert, Taehyung felt a sense of calm purpose settle over him. He wanted this to be perfect, a small token of thanks for the man who had been far more understanding than he had anticipated.
By the time he finished, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of the dessert he had prepared. He took a deep breath, gathering his nerves as he picked up the tray and made his way toward the dining hall. It was a small thing, really, but it felt important to him. In his own quiet way, Taehyung wanted Jungkook to know that he appreciated the space he had been given, the respect he had received.
When he entered the dining hall, the warm glow of the room felt welcoming. Only Queen Yuna and Jungkook were seated at the table, waiting patiently. A few soldiers stood at the edges of the room, standing guard as always, but their presence was unobtrusive.
Taehyung walked forward, placing the dish in front of them with a quiet sense of accomplishment. He had done this on his own, and it felt good to offer something of his own making. 
Queen Yuna smiled warmly at him as he served the dessert, but before Taehyung could fully take in the moment, her smile faltered just slightly.
“Taehyung,” Yuna began gently, her tone soft, “I should have mentioned earlier… Jungkook doesn’t eat this particular dish.”
Taehyung froze, his heart sinking instantly. The sense of pride he had felt just moments before crumbled away, replaced by a wave of embarrassment. He had worked so hard, had tried his best to create something special, and now it seemed that his effort had been for nothing.