moonlit bonds: kingdoms United

✨chapter 6✨

Taehyung's expression remained impassive as he surveyed the elaborate preparations, his mind reeling with the absurdity of it all. He had never desired this arranged marriage, and now, faced with the reality of sharing his bed .

Jimin, for his part, tried to mask his disappointment behind a forced smile, but his eyes betrayed the turmoil raging within him. He had always dreamed of a fairy tale romance, but now, confronted with the cold reality of his situation, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of spending his first night as a married omega alone.

As they stood in silence, a chasm of awkwardness stretched between them, neither knowing how to bridge the divide. Taehyung cleared his throat, his voice gruff as he broke the tension that hung in the air.

"Jimin," Taehyung began, his voice soft yet tinged with gravity, "there's something you need to know about a ritual that takes place in the morning."

Jimin's brows furrowed in confusion. "What ritual?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Taehyung took a deep breath, steeling himself for the explanation to come. "It's a tradition in Caspian," he explained, his words measured and careful. "In the morning, the royal maids will inspect the sheets for any signs of blood stains."

Jimin's eyes widened in realization, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as the implications of Taehyung's words sank in. "You mean..." he trailed off, unable to voice the thought aloud.

Taehyung nodded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "They will be looking for evidence of your purity."

A flush of heat crept up Jimin's neck, his cheeks burning with embarrassment at the thought of such intimate scrutiny.

As they stood facing each other, their gazes locked in a silent exchange, Taehyung's thoughts churned with a singular purpose. He couldn't bear the thought of anyone disrespecting Jimin, of casting doubt upon his omega's purity. And so, with a determined resolve, Taehyung made his decision.

Without a word, Taehyung approached the bed, his movements deliberate and sure. Jimin watched him with wide eyes, his heart pounding with anticipation, unsure of what Taehyung was planning to do.

With steady hands, Taehyung reached for the delicate flowers adorning the bedspread, taehyung scattered the flowers around the room. Jimin's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing to make sense of Taehyung's actions.

Before he could voice his question, however, Taehyung reached for a small knife tucked into his belt, the glint of metal catching the moonlight. Jimin's breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening in alarm as Taehyung made a quick, precise cut on his palm.

A thin line of blood welled up from the wound, staining Taehyung's skin crimson in the dim light . The blood is dripping onto the sheets. Jimin gasped in shock, his hands reaching out instinctively to Taehyung, concern etched on his features.

"Why did you do that?" Jimin asked, his voice trembling with worry. "Are you hurt?"

Taehyung met Jimin's gaze with a steady stare, his expression unreadable. "It's for your protection," he explained, his voice low and intense. "I don't want anyone to disrespect you because of me."

Jimin's eyes widened in understanding as Taehyung's words sank in. He felt a surge of gratitude and admiration for Taehyung, who was willing to sacrifice his own well-being for Jimin's honor.

"But... but you're hurt," Jimin protested, his voice tinged with concern. "Shouldn't we tend to your wound?"

Taehyung shook his head, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's nothing," he reassured Jimin, his tone gentle yet firm. "My wounds heal quickly. There's no need to worry."

Reluctantly, Jimin nodded, his worry easing slightly at Taehyung's reassurance. He trusted Taehyung's judgment, even if he didn't fully understand the customs of the royal court.

As the minutes passed, Taehyung's wound began to close, the skin knitting itself back together with remarkable speed. Jimin watched in awe, marveling at the power of Taehyung's true blood Alpha status.

Jimin observed Taehyung's wound closing with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty. "Wow!," he said, his voice slightly faltering as he struggled to find the right words.

Taehyung glanced at Jimin, his expression unreadable. "It's nothing special," he replied, his tone casual yet distant. "Just a typical true blood alpha trait."

Jimin nodded, unsure of how to continue the conversation. "Right," he said, his voice trailing off awkwardly. "So, um, what happens now?"

Taehyung shrugged, his gaze flickering to the bed where the flowers lay scattered. "I suppose we should try to get some rest," he suggested, his tone lacking its usual authority. "It's been a long day."

Jimin nodded again, feeling the weight of the awkwardness between them. "Yeah, of course," he agreed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "..

Word count:1437