Chapter 64 || BOUND AND TORN BY PROPHECIES

 

The Royal Festival Begins

 

For two whole days, Jungkook managed to keep the glowing mark hidden beneath layers of shawls and elegant fabrics. Every morning and night, he’d curse Taehyung under his breath for branding him like some treasured artifact. But oddly enough, Taehyung hadn’t done anything outrageous since then. No teasing, no smirks, no sneaking into his chambers — nothing. And that silence made him even more anxious.

He could feel it — something was coming.

And that something… was today.

 

The palace grounds had been transformed into a realm of celebration. Gold and crimson banners billowed in the wind, lanterns danced in the sky like captive stars, and the scent of roasted spices, sugar confections, and rare wines filled the air. Ministers, nobles, and especially princesses from kingdoms under the royals, and dignitaries from across the realm had all gathered for the occasion.

Today was the Royal Festival. And today, Prince Taehyung would officially be declared Crown Prince — the next in line to inherit the throne.

 

Taehyung stood near the royal dais, garbed in deep obsidian and gold ceremonial robes embroidered with ancient draconic runes. A dark crimson cape cascaded from his shoulders, the crest of the royal dragon family pinned at his chest in shimmering rubies. His hair was half-tied back with golden rings, and his piercing eyes swept over the crowd, unreadable and calm.

The Queen rose first, the palace growing still in reverent silence. With slow grace, she took the golden circlet — a crown forged in dragon fire, embedded with ancient gems that glowed faintly with stored magic.

The King stepped forward, dressed in a deep navy mantle lined with dragon-scale silk. His voice was strong and clear, resonating through the courtyard.

"Let all present bear witness. In honor of his achievements, discipline, and royal legacy, we now bestow upon Prince Taehyung the title of Crowned Heir to the Draconic Throne."

He placed a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, steady and proud.

The Queen lifted the crown and gently placed it upon Taehyung’s head. Magic rippled outward in a soft hum, golden light curling through the air in the shape of a dragon coiled protectively around its egg — the symbol of eternal guardianship.

 

Thunderous applause erupted through the palace. Magic flared in the skies above, creating dragons of light and swirling stars. Fireworks burst in brilliant hues. Musicians struck celebratory chords, and servants passed around rare wines and glowing fruits.

Taehyung gave a deep bow. The Queen kissed his forehead. The King clapped his back.

But all he could feel… was Jungkook’s eyes.

 

One by one, ministers introduced their daughters to him. They giggled behind fluttering fans, curtsied with grace, and each tried to impress the queen who sat beside him. With flowery voices, they boasted of their talents, magic affinities, and royal bloodlines.

Taehyung did not flinch. He didn’t smile, didn’t scoff, didn’t speak. He wore the same polite, stone-cold expression — but he didn’t walk away either. Because he could feel them. A particular pair of eyes. Burning holes into the side of his head.

Jungkook.

 

He stood near the tall pillars of the garden terrace, a glass of rose-hued juice in hand. He wore a flowing royal attire of deep sapphire and silver threads, the fabric delicate and regal. Draped across his shoulders was an artfully designed shawl that fell in layers over his collar and chest — an elegant move to hide the mark, and a very good one at that.

But Taehyung saw him. Every inch.

And he was fuming.

His mismatched eyes had turned to blades of fire as he glared at Taehyung from across the terrace. His jaw clenched, his foot tapping irritably against the marble floor. Alone now, with Nyla off playing her role as princess — dragging a flustered Yoongi around like a lovesick swan — Jungkook had no one to buffer his rage.

He burned.

His thoughts hissed inside his head, but Taehyung could hear every single one of them through the subtle tether their magic bond allowed.

 

“How dare he just stand there? Hmph. Whenever I’m with Varian, he punishes me like some over-jealous dragon, and now? Now he marks me like property and then… flirts with those thousand-year-old women?!”

“So what if they don’t look old?! They’re still like a thousand years older than him. Freaking paedophile bitches. Ugh. Look at them. Giggling. Touching his arm. Talking about ancient magic as if that’s attractive. You dusty, over-aged witches.”

“And him! Look at him. Acting like he doesn’t know that those bitches are lusting over him. Standing there all royal and smug. Hmph. Do you want to play this game? Oh, I swear if I could— I would choke him to death right there in front of the whole realm. Wouldn’t even blink.”

 

Taehyung’s jaw twitched slightly.

Not a smile.

But almost.

He could barely keep a straight face. Jungkook’s fury was so pure, so animated, so undeniably Jungkook that it nearly made him laugh. Or cry. Maybe both. Still, he kept his poker face, letting the girls chatter at him like bees around honey. But his eyes? They betrayed him for a second — they flicked toward him.

And locked.

Jungkook’s glare intensified tenfold.

 

The Queen stood beside the King now and addressed the crowd.

"Prepare yourselves for the Grand Dragon Festival, which will be held in two days. It will be a celebration of lineage, legacy, and the bond between people and dragons. As always, these two days, you all will be royal guests, and at the end of the royal ceremony, the crown prince will choose himself a partner and will be bonded to the chosen one, which will be celebrated as the grand dragon festival."

 

As cheers erupted again, Jungkook turned his gaze away, cheeks flushed with fury and something else he didn’t want to name.

 

The Royal Festival was in full swing, but the real dance — the one between fire and ice, possession and freedom — had just begun.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR NEXT CHAPTER:

https://novelreadingislife.blogspot.com/2025/05/chapter-65-bound-and-torn-by-prophecies.html

.

.

.