And the last chapter TT please comment a lot, please 🥺 I hate begging, and I did it so often for this book but I'm rlly proud of my writing here🥺

°°°

Now that the day of celebration has come to an end, a new day has risen. It was the day of the end, the end of the Scar King's reign. Because today, Min Yoongi was beheaded for his fraud and actions against the crown and the kingdom of Paekche.

The atmosphere of yesterday still didn't falter, relief washing the before mood away from Silla, and nearly every citizen of Silla arrived at their glorious captial to see the Scar King finally fall. All of them were singing together on the streets, a festival being held and the horrible meaning behind this day got forgotten, a death celebrated by so many that the horrid, gruesome act was entirely forgotten.

Only the King and the Queen seemed to be aware of what was going to happen, a life was ending today through a sword. And nothing would save Min Yoongi now. Not even the fragile love of Queen Taehyung.

°°°

Cheers filled Taehyung's ears when he and Suga stepped out of the carriage, walking together to the arena where all the punishments for the crown were carried out. Jewels decorated his hair, hands and robes once more, his face a picture of beauty but Taehyung's insides felt raw and fragile, like he was the one pierced by a sword.

The sun shone brightly over their heads, mocking Taehyung who wished for the day to not be so beautiful, take his sorrow away from their chests and fill the sky with clouds until his own tears were falling from the sky and wetting his face.

But everyone was so cheery and Taehyung understood why, he did so he forced a smile on his face when he entered the arena, an open yard in the middle of the open ceiled building, the citizens joining the example of their rulers and following inside to sit on their seats.

Taehyung got gently escorted to a Tribune, Suga by his side and guards surrounding them, shielding them away from the simple people. The king was possessively holding his precious lover close who had tears brimming in his eyes but knew it was for the best, hiding his face away from the crowd who would only get confused on why the Queen was crying for a man who has tortured and killed so many.

Taehyung shuddered when he was gently guided to the smaller throne next to Suga's, a guard holding him close as Taehyung was too exhausted to walk alone. He has spent the night crying in his husband's arms, both of them grieving for the person they were going to lose today. Knowing nothing could save the person they were crying for.

Suga was going to lose his twin and Taehyung would lose the one who captured his heart. It was not a bright day for them yet the entire kingdom celebrated to be freed from the tyranny of the Scar king, leaving only Suga to understand Taehyung's misery.

"My pretty Queen, you look so pale", Suga said worried, pressing a kiss to Taehyung's cheek when he took the spot next to him, dressed in royal colors and precious jewelry. Taehyung shot his moon a weak smile but Suga knew what was messing with him. So Suga took Taehyung's hand into his, cold flesh engulfed by warmth and his small Queen released a trembling breath. Taehyung leaned against his now husband, love filling his chest while looking at his beloved but it soon got replaced by the same sadness Suga held in his eyes.

"I know it must be done but... it hurts, my moon, it hurts", Taehyung whimpered quietly, shaking his head softly while his shoulders were trembling from his silent cries. "I know, Tae, I know the way your heart feels. I'm here to heal your pain", Suga replied gently, capturing Taehyung's chin with his fingers and bringing him in to a loving kiss. Taehyung held onto him, bringing all of his love into the kiss and Suga held him close. 

The dark haired man knew of the distress, feeling the same capturing his heart and he did not want to see his own twin die. The one holding on his hand when they were kids, who ran after him to play catch in the long halls. The one to hold a knife to his throat and yelled he was going to kill Suga. The one to steal Taehyung away but also the one who was overlooked, punished for existing.

After all the things Yoongi has done, not only to Suga himself but to their people and their family, the dark haired man still couldn't bring himself to hate his twin whose heart was filled with grief and the unreturned wish for love. 

"Until you're ready, my heart", the emperor said lovingly, looking with so much love and admiration at Taehyung that it made him tear up once again. This was the man he truly loved and he now finally had the chance to get rid of Yoongi's toxic influence over him.

A tiny nod sealed the future and Suga smiled shortly at his small Queen before turning to face the crowd, the guards and their family sitting closeby. Jungkook sat by Jimin's side once again, the man being true to his word in making Jungkook his lover and even intenting to marry him, Seokjin sitting to Jungkook's side with Namjoon and Hoseok next to him. The fight for the future has brought all of them together, made them family without blood relation and nothing could tear that apart.

Yet they also could not understand the pain.

"Bring the defeated out to the yard!"

Taehyung sobbed shortly before pressing his face into Suga's chest, helplessly clutching onto his robes. "Would you like to sit on my lap, my heart?", Suga silently asked his trembling lover who shook his head quietly. "Just hold me... like you always do", Taehyung whispered back in return.

"I will never let go of you, my heart, not even in my darkest dreams", Suga whispered before pressing a kiss to Taehyung's hair.

Yoongi got brought outside, in cuffs and messy pale hair, dirt on his face and robes ripped. A guard pushed him to the executioner who was waiting with the faithful sword. Once Yoongi came into view, the entire crowd started screaming at the hated man, some even dared to throw old fruits.

But all Yoongi saw or noticed, was the trembling form of Taehyung in Suga's arms, looking so soft and tiny while staring down at him with large teary eyes before burying his head into Suga's shoulder to cry heartbroken. Yoongi has sat in his cell, wondering if Taehyung could ever return his feelings but now that he was seeing the misery painting Taehyung's gorgeous features, he knew that Taehyung at the end did love him.

Yoongi got forced onto his knees in front of the executioner, the crowd roaring in anticipation and swallowing the cries of the Queen. The guard shoved Yoongi one more time but he did not mind, his scar prickling because the wound has healed, no knife near to refresh his wound and his promise to his twin.

The man by his side lifted his sword, the sound sharp and clear in the now silent air and only waited for Suga's signal. Once Suga drew his eyes away from his crying Queen, he nodded curtly to finally end it, eyes shortly locking with Yoongi's, the neglected twin.

When the signal came, Yoongi only smirked up to him and closed his eyes once he feels Taehyung's attention back on him.

But the deadly sword never came down.

Because the Emperor's conquest was more than just a young poet stumbling into the palace of Silla, he was the one to change the Min Twins.

THE END OF EMPEROR'S CONQUEST

~

before you freak out, yes, the ending is abrupt and yes, it's the ending. This was set for me the moment I started the book because I was mesmerized by this one scene in Daechwita of the 'twins' on the courtyard. I immediately thought of this open ending.

Did the executioner betray Suga? Did Taehyung stop the execution? Or did Suga? What happened? I want these questions to stay, not be answered. Think of your own ending because I first wanted to choose one of these endings but decided against it.

Why? Because it's more thrilling this way. Please respect my decision and don't be shy to tell me your thoughts of the book!

Thank you so much for reading and hopefully see you in another book!

I nom nom you

Elaboratae