Chapter 42 || BOUND AND TORN BY PROPHECIES
A Visit from Family
The morning sun cast its golden glow over the sprawling
grounds of the Drakorian palace, illuminating the intricately carved spires and
the lush gardens blooming with vibrant flowers. The tranquil beauty of the
setting was a sharp contrast to the anticipation buzzing within the palace
walls.
Varian, the son of the twins’ second aunt, was due to arrive with his mother. The visit was both a familial and diplomatic affair, aimed at strengthening ties between the main royal family and their influential kin.
While the household prepared to welcome their distinguished guests, there was
an unspoken tension in the air—though its roots lay in places not yet fully
realized.
Jungkook adjusted the folds of his attair, a soft cream-colored fabric shirt with brown trousers, that highlighted the fiery streaks in his hair. He stood at the entrance hall alongside Queen Luria and the twins, ready to greet Varian and his mother, Lady Elira.
Jungkook’s
mismatched eyes flicked toward Nyla, who seemed genuinely excited about the
visit. Taehyung, however, stood slightly apart, his expression unreadable as
always, though his sharp gaze suggested he was evaluating every detail.
“Do you think he will talk like an old person since he is
more than a thousand years older than us?” Nyla asked, leaning slightly toward
her brother.
Taehyung shrugged, his posture exuding calm indifference. “I
suppose we’ll find out.”
Moments later, the sound of carriage wheels and the clatter of hooves echoed through the grand courtyard. The royal procession drew to a halt, and the gleaming doors of the carriage opened to reveal
Lady Elira
stepping out with effortless grace. She was an elegant woman, her silver hair
pinned into an intricate braid, and her deep green gown flowing like liquid
emeralds. Following her was Varian.
The first impression of Varian was magnetic. He was tall and
lean, his athletic build obvious even beneath the dark, fitted clothing that
spoke of both nobility and practicality. His bronze hair shone in the sunlight,
tousled in a way that seemed both deliberate and casual, and his amber eyes
carried a warmth that immediately put people at ease. His smile was easy,
confident, and disarming—a smile that could charm dragons and humans alike.
“Queen Luria,” Varian said, his voice smooth and rich. He
bowed deeply, his movements polished yet sincere. “It’s an honour to stand in
your presence once more.” Luria smiled graciously, stepping forward to clasp
his hands. “Varian, it has been far too long. And Lady Elira, as radiant as
ever.”
The pleasantries continued as Varian was introduced to Nyla
and Taehyung. Nyla greeted him warmly, their bond as cousins evident in her
delighted smile. Taehyung, on the other hand, offered a curt nod, his
expression calm but his eyes watchful.
Finally, Varian’s attention turned to Jungkook.
“And you must be the famous Jungkook,” he said, his gaze
steady but friendly. “The guardian of the royal twins and the force behind
their strength.”
Jungkook blinked, slightly taken aback by the directness of
his words. “I don’t know about all that,” he said modestly. “They’ve grown into
formidable individuals on their own.”
Varian’s smile widened. “Formidable, yes—but every strong
dragon needs an anchor. From what I hear, you’ve been that anchor.”
The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and Jungkook
found himself smiling despite the unexpected compliment. “Thank you,” he said
softly. “That means a lot.”
From the corner of his eye, Jungkook noticed Taehyung’s
posture stiffen, his hands clasped tightly behind his back as his gaze flicked
between him and Varian. His expression remained neutral, but there was a
sharpness to his eyes that hadn’t been there moments ago.
The group moved inside, and the morning unfolded with warmth and laughter. Varian’s charm was effortless—he spoke with ease about his travels and his experiences governing his father’s lands, weaving stories that entertained everyone present.
Even the palace staff found themselves lingering in the
hallways, drawn to the noble’s captivating presence.
But Taehyung remained quiet, his sharp gaze fixed on Varian
with the intensity of a predator studying its prey.
The next morning, breakfast was served in the sunlit dining
hall, a spread of fresh fruit, pastries, and steaming mugs of tea adorning the
long table. Jungkook entered late, his cheeks slightly flushed from the brisk
morning air. He had barely taken his seat when Varian, already seated, gestured
for Jungkook to join him.
“Jungkook,” he said warmly, standing to pull out her chair.
“You shouldn’t have to sit all the way over there.” Jungkook hesitated for a
moment but ultimately nodded, taking the seat beside him. “Thank you, Varian.
That’s kind of you.”
“It’s the least I can do for someone who’s clearly been
working tirelessly,” Varian said, his tone playful yet genuine. “I can’t
imagine what it’s like, trying to keep these two in line.” He gestured toward
Nyla and Taehyung, his amber eyes sparkling with humour.
Jungkook laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Oh, they’re
not so bad. Most of the time.”
Taehyung, seated across from them, tightened his grip on the
mug in his hands. His piercing gaze burned holes into Varian’s easy-going
demeanour, though he didn’t say a word. Nyla, catching the shift in her
brother’s expression, bit back a grin. She leaned over to whisper, “Careful, Taehyung.
You might shatter that cup.”
His glare shifted briefly to her, but he remained silent,
his jaw set.
As the breakfast continued, Varian engaged Jungkook in
animated conversation. He leaned slightly toward him, his voice warm and
inviting as he recounted tales of his adventures. At one point, he reached out
to lightly touch Jungkook’s arm, emphasizing a humorous point.
Jungkook’s laughter echoed through the hall, and for a
moment, Taehyung felt an unfamiliar emotion coil in his chest—sharp, hot, and
entirely unwelcome. Jealousy.
His fingers drummed against the table, his movements
calculated as he maintained his calm façade. But when Varian turned to offer Jungkook
another compliment—this time about his “remarkable resilience and unmatched
grace”—Taehyung set his mug down with a sharp clink.
“Perhaps we should focus on the agenda for the day,” Taehyung
said, his tone icy and measured. “There’s much to prepare for, after all.” The
room fell silent, the sudden shift in tone catching everyone off guard. Nyla
raised an eyebrow, amused, while Varian simply smiled, unbothered by the cold
remark.
“Of course,” Varian said smoothly, leaning back in his
chair. “Though I do hope we’ll have time for some sparring later. I’d love to
see how Jungkook handles himself in combat.” Taehyung’s eyes narrowed, the edge
in his gaze unmistakable. “Perhaps I’ll join as well. I wouldn’t want my
guardian to be at any disadvantage.”
Jungkook, sensing the underlying tension, quickly
interjected. “I think I’ll need more tea before any sparring happens.” The
light-hearted comment eased the tension slightly, but the unspoken rivalry
between the two men lingered, casting a shadow over the morning’s otherwise
pleasant atmosphere.
As breakfast concluded, Jungkook rose to leave, feeling the
weight of the morning’s interactions settling on her shoulders. He glanced back
at Taehyung, who was still seated, his gaze fixed on Varian with an intensity
that sent a shiver down his own spine.
Whatever this was, Jungkook
knew it was only the beginning.
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