J U N G K O O K'S  P O V

It had been three days since I last saw Y/N, and the absence was beginning to weigh on me more heavily than I expected. Her presence had become a part of my routine, a touch of unpredictability that I had grown accustomed to. Not seeing her around the castle was unsettling. The halls that once seemed alive with her sporadic presence now felt oddly empty and silent.

I couldn't help but think about our last interaction, the way she had looked when she excused herself. There was a tension in the air that day, a mixture of emotions I didn't fully understand. Since then, I had tried to find reasons to see her, to perhaps clear up any misunderstanding or to simply check on her well-being, but my attempts had been met with silence.

The more I reflected on her absence, the more I realized how much her presence had impacted me. It wasn't just the way she challenged me or how her curiosity often led to unexpected conversations—it was the sense of familiarity and unexpected connection that had developed. The castle felt different without her, and it wasn't just about her being physically absent. It was as if a piece of the castle's vibrant life had been missing.

I couldn't ignore the unmistakable signs that Y/N had been deliberately avoiding me ever since that day in the garden. The way she had withdrawn from my presence was glaringly obvious. It wasn't just the absence of her usual presence around the castle—it was the deliberate way she seemed to sidestep any chance of encountering me. Her avoidance was palpable and left a noticeable void in the rhythm of my days.

Reflecting on that day, I recalled the lightness of our interactions, the laughter we shared, and the sudden shift that had followed. It was as if something had clicked within her, prompting a retreat I hadn't anticipated. I wondered if I had said or done something to cause this reaction. Her demeanor had changed so abruptly that it left me unsettled and unsure.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that her avoidance wasn't just a matter of physical distance but an emotional barrier she had erected. I could sense a change in the atmosphere whenever I tried to approach her, a subtle but clear message that she preferred to remain apart. This realization frustrated me, as it was clear that something needed to be addressed.

I needed to understand what had caused this sudden shift. Was it something I had overlooked, a misstep in our interaction that had led to this avoidance? The tension between us was growing, and I knew I couldn't let it fester.

I found it almost astonishing how deeply a mere girl had managed to occupy my thoughts. It was disconcerting how much I had come to dwell on Y/N, a presence that had initially seemed so fleeting. Her absence was not just a minor inconvenience; it had become a significant void that I could not ignore.

The fact that she had managed to affect me so profoundly was both surprising and unsettling. Here I was, a king with responsibilities and duties that commanded my focus, yet I was consumed by thoughts of her. Her laughter, her candid remarks, and the way she challenged me—these were not the distractions I had anticipated.

I couldn't help but marvel at how someone who was essentially an outsider had managed to infiltrate my thoughts so thoroughly. It was both intriguing and bewildering. I had always prided myself on my ability to maintain control and focus, but Y/N had managed to breach that sense of order with an ease that was both disarming and unsettling.

Tracking down her bracelet should never have turned into such a complex and consuming affair. What began as a simple quest to recover a stolen item had evolved into an emotional puzzle that was now occupying my mind far more than I had anticipated. It was perplexing how Y/N had transformed from a mere guest with a problem into a central figure in my thoughts.

The search for the bracelet, which should have been straightforward, had instead become tangled with my growing preoccupation with her. Her presence had intruded on my thoughts in ways I hadn't expected. It was meant to be a task to address a minor inconvenience, but it had morphed into something much more significant.

Here I was, a king, grappling with the realization that the seemingly mundane task of retrieving a stolen item had led me to become so absorbed by thoughts of her. The fact that Y/N, and not the task itself, had occupied so much of my mental space was both unsettling and fascinating. It was a stark reminder of how easily personal dynamics could shift, turning even the most ordinary matters into sources of profound emotional impact.

The situation had reached a point where I could no longer remain passive. If Y/N was not going to come and visit me, then I resolved to take the initiative and seek her out myself. It was clear that her avoidance was not merely a minor oversight; it was a deliberate choice on her part. The thought of her staying away, while I remained idle, was something I could not tolerate any longer.

I decided that if she was unwilling to bridge the gap, I would close it myself. The idea of confronting her directly, of understanding what lay behind her avoidance, became paramount. Her absence had turned into an issue that demanded resolution, not just for the sake of the bracelet, but for the clarity it might bring to the growing complexities between us.

As I prepared to make my way to her quarters, I was determined not to let this matter linger unresolved. If she was going to keep her distance, then I would step forward, breaking through the barrier she had erected. It was time to address the issue head-on and discover why her presence had become such a significant aspect of my thoughts.

E N D  O F  J U N G K O O K'S   P O V

𓆩♕𓆪

Y / N'S  P O V

For the past three days, I had managed to successfully avoid Jungkook. I had retreated into my room, only emerging when absolutely necessary, and even then, I took great care to ensure our paths did not cross. Each time I caught a glimpse of him in the corridors or heard his voice, I swiftly diverted my course or hid behind a corner, determined to stay out of his way.

The avoidance was not without its own toll. I felt like I was living in a constant state of vigilance, always on edge, trying to anticipate his movements and avoid any encounters. It was a strange, almost anxious game of hide-and-seek, and I was resolute in my determination to avoid him. The more I managed to dodge him, the more I felt a strange mixture of relief and frustration.

I kept reminding myself why this was necessary—to avoid complicating the situation further and to keep my feelings in check. The less I interacted with him, the less I had to confront the confusing emotions that had begun to stir within me. If avoiding Jungkook meant maintaining my sense of control and preventing any further entanglements, then it was a price I was willing to pay.

In the past three days, as I meticulously avoided any chance encounters with Jungkook, I couldn't escape the way his presence seemed to infiltrate my thoughts. Despite my best efforts to stay out of his way, he had managed to occupy a significant portion of my mind. It was as though his absence had made him even more prominent in my thoughts, a paradox that was both frustrating and unsettling.

I began to realize that this wasn't just a fleeting distraction. There was something deeper at play, an undercurrent of emotion that I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. The way my thoughts constantly wandered back to him, the way his absence left a tangible void in my daily life—it all pointed to a complexity I hadn't anticipated.

The more I tried to ignore him, the more I found myself reflecting on our interactions, the moments we had shared, and the subtle ways in which he had affected me. It became clear that this wasn't just about avoiding a simple emotional mess; it was about grappling with something far more profound. The realization that Jungkook's presence had embedded itself so deeply into my psyche was both illuminating and disconcerting.

It was a cruel twist of fate that the king I had once resented was now the very person occupying my thoughts. Jungkook, who had initially seemed like an obstacle or a mere inconvenience, had somehow become the focal point of my mind. It was as if the universe had decided to turn my initial animosity into an intense preoccupation.

I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of it all. The disdain I had felt for him, the irritation over his authority and my situation, had slowly morphed into something far more complex. Every corner of my thoughts seemed to echo his presence, from our earlier confrontations to the more personal moments we had shared.

The realization stung. How had the king, once the embodiment of everything I found irritating and infuriating, become the one thing I couldn't stop thinking about? It was a stark contrast to the disdain I had initially felt, and it left me grappling with an emotional contradiction that was both bewildering and frustrating.

I kept reminding myself that avoiding Jungkook was the right course of action. By keeping my distance, I was not only sidestepping the awkwardness of being a third wheel in his relationship with Jasmine, but I was also sparing myself the discomfort of facing him after the incident in the garden.

Ignoring him felt like a protective barrier, one that kept me from stepping into a situation where I didn't belong. The last thing I wanted was to be caught in the middle of their relationship, adding unnecessary complications to an already complex situation. My resolve was to maintain my distance, not just for my own sanity, but also to respect the boundaries of his engagement.

Moreover, the avoidance was a way to shield myself from having to confront the awkwardness and emotional turmoil that I wasn't prepared to deal with. I wasn't sure how to face him after everything that had happened, and avoiding him seemed like the safest way to manage the situation. It was a strategy for self-preservation, allowing me to maintain some semblance of control over my emotions and my place in this strange, historical setting.

My trance was abruptly shattered by none other than the very person I had been so diligently avoiding—Jeon Jungkook. The door to my room swung open with a suddenness that made my heart race. I looked up, my gaze meeting his with a mix of surprise and dread. There he stood, framed by the doorway, his presence filling the space with an undeniable authority.

The sight of him was both jarring and strangely electrifying. His posture was commanding, yet there was a hint of something softer in his eyes, a curiosity or perhaps even concern that contrasted sharply with his usual regal demeanor. He stepped into the room with a purposeful stride, the faint sound of the door closing behind him echoing in the otherwise quiet space.

As he approached, I could feel the weight of his gaze, a sensation that seemed to pierce through the walls I had carefully constructed around myself. The very king I had been trying to avoid was now standing before me, and the intensity of the situation was almost palpable. The emotional distance I had worked so hard to maintain was crumbling, leaving me exposed to the complexities of my own feelings and the reality of our interactions.

I braced myself for whatever confrontation or conversation was to come, knowing that avoiding him had only postponed the inevitable. His intrusion into my sanctuary was a stark reminder that, despite my best efforts, I could not escape the tangled web of emotions and situations that bound us together.

"Y/N," he said, his tone clipped and authoritative. "We need to talk."

I looked up from where I was sitting, a knot of tension forming in my stomach. The calm I had been trying to cultivate shattered as I met his unwavering gaze. I forced myself to speak, though my voice wavered slightly. "Why are you here?" I asked, struggling to mask the turmoil within me.

Jungkook strode into my room with a purpose, his presence commanding and unwavering. The soft light from the candles flickered, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch in time with his steps. When he finally stopped near me, I could feel the weight of his gaze, intense and unyielding, pressing against me.

He was now just a few paces away, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that was almost disarming. "I came here myself because it's clear that this situation won't resolve on its own. So, tell me straight—why are you avoiding me?" His voice softened slightly, revealing a genuine concern behind the frustration.

"I'm not avoiding you," I said, trying to sound convincing despite the uncertainty in my voice. "I've just been... busy, that's all."

Jungkook's expression didn't change; if anything, it grew more intense. "Busy?" he echoed, his tone betraying his disbelief. "It's been three days, Y/N. And not just that—you've been avoiding my calls and the times I've summoned you. I'm not oblivious to what's happening. Clearly, you're making a deliberate effort to stay away from me. So, tell me straight, why are you avoiding me?" His voice carried a note of frustration, underscoring his desire for a clear answer.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, my mind racing to formulate a plausible explanation. "It's not that simple, Jungkook," I began, my voice betraying the hesitation I felt. "I didn't want to complicate matters further. I thought it best if I kept my distance."

Jungkook's frown deepened, his tone stern yet laced with frustration. "Complicate matters? For whom, may I ask? For you or for me? Avoiding me does nothing but prolong the discomfort. If there is a reason for this behavior, you owe it to yourself and to me to speak plainly. Ignoring the issue will not lead to a resolution." His eyes, sharp and intense, searched mine, demanding an answer that I struggled to provide.

I sighed, feeling the weight of his scrutiny pressing down on me. "It's not that I'm deliberately avoiding you," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "It's just... it's complicated. I didn't want to intrude or make things awkward, especially with everything that's going on."

Jungkook's gaze remained unwavering, his eyes searching mine with a mix of concern and confusion. "Complicated?" he repeated, as though the term was foreign to him. "I am not here to add complications to your life, Y/N. I simply wish to understand why you have been keeping your distance. There is something troubling you, and I would like to know what it is."

His directness left me momentarily at a loss for words. I struggled to articulate a response, my mind racing through various excuses and justifications that all felt inadequate. The reality was, I was grappling with emotions I hadn't anticipated, and confronting them head-on was far more daunting than I had imagined.

Jungkook's presence was both commanding and comforting as he moved closer, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. "If something is troubling you, Y/N, please tell me. It's far better to confront whatever it is directly rather than let it simmer."

I felt the weight of his gaze, his earnestness making it harder to hold back. My emotions were a tangled mess, and though part of me yearned to express what I was feeling, another part hesitated, afraid of making things more complicated than they already were.

"It's not just about me," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "It's about us and the situation we're in. I didn't want to cause any trouble or be a hindrance, especially with your obligations and your... fiancé."

Jungkook's face softened, and he took another step closer, closing the distance between us. "You are not a burden, Y/N. I understand that this is a complex situation, but if you have concerns or feelings, I want to hear them. You deserve to be heard, and I need to understand what's troubling you to address it properly."

His sincerity was a sharp contrast to the confusion inside me. Seeing him so earnest made me question my own reluctance. If he truly wanted to understand, perhaps it was time to confront my own emotions and the complexities of our situation.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. "Do you... do you believe in love, Jungkook?" I asked, my voice almost hesitant. It was a question that had been lingering in my mind for some time, and I needed to understand where he stood on something so fundamental.

Jungkook's expression shifted, a shadow of disdain crossing his features. He looked at me as if the very notion were a perplexing curiosity. "Love?" he echoed, his voice carrying a hint of derision. "Love is for the weak, Y/N. In this world, power is the only thing of true value. Love is nothing more than a fleeting illusion, a distraction from what truly matters."

His words were spoken with a cold certainty, as if he had long ago settled on this belief. "Power commands respect and establishes authority," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "It is what drives nations and influences the course of history. Love, on the other hand, is merely a transient emotion that holds no real substance in the grand scheme of things. It is a weakness that can be exploited, a folly that distracts from the pursuit of greater goals."

I felt a pang of surprise at his dismissive tone. It was as though his entire worldview had been shaped by the harsh realities of his position, leaving no room for the softer, more vulnerable aspects of human experience. His words hung heavily in the air, creating a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil I felt inside. It was clear that for Jungkook, love was not just an afterthought but an idea so alien to his understanding that it seemed almost inconceivable.

I swallowed hard, the weight of Jungkook's words settling heavily on my chest. The stark reality of his beliefs left me feeling unsettled, as if the very foundation of what I thought I understood about him had been shaken. "I've got my answer," I said quietly, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and made my way to the door. My heart was racing, and I needed to escape the oppressive atmosphere that had settled in the room. As I reached for the door handle, I heard Jungkook's voice behind me, laced with a hint of desperation. "Y/N, wait!"

I paused momentarily, my hand still on the door, but the tension was too much. I pushed open the door and stepped into the hallway. "Y/N, stop!" Jungkook's voice was now urgent, almost pleading. I kept moving, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

"Y/N, please!" he called out again, his frustration evident in his voice. I didn't turn back, my pace quickening as I walked away. The echo of his voice continued to follow me, each call growing fainter but more insistent. "Y/N!" As I turned a corner and the distance between us increased, his final words reached me, filled with a mix of bitterness and resignation.

"Fine. Do whatever you want to do."

"What do you say in your language?...Yeah"

"Fuck you, Y/N,"