Chapter 14: A Dream Unraveled

The morning light filtered through the grand windows, casting a golden glow over the castle's opulent dining hall. Yn descended the staircase, her steps echoing softly. The table before her was a lavish spread of her favorite dishes, each prepared with care by Jungkook himself. She was touched by the gesture but maintained a composed exterior, not wanting to reveal the depth of her impression.

After breakfast, she wandered to the enchanted garden, a sanctuary that made her feel cherished and at peace. She admired the vibrant flowers, their colors a vivid reminder of the world's beauty, and the bunnies' playful antics brought a genuine smile to her face. A deer, with eyes as soft as the morning dew, approached her. She reached out, her hand gently stroking its head, and for a moment, she felt a connection to this peaceful realm.

Suddenly, she remembered Jungkook's message—he had something important to tell her. "Oh no, I completely forgot!" she exclaimed. With a start, she made her way to the throne room, only to be met by a demon maid who informed her of Jungkook's absence but carried his message nonetheless.

"Your Majesty, the king is presently occupied, but he instructed me to convey his message to you," the demon maid said.

"What did he want to discuss?" YN asked.

"The king has announced a grand royal party to introduce you as his soon-to-be bride," the maid informed her.

YN's heart raced with nervousness. "O-okay, I-I will speak to J-Jungkook about it," she stammered.

The maid bowed and departed, leaving YN alone with her thoughts. "A royal party... I'm just an ordinary mermaid, and this will be my first time attending such a grand event," she whispered to herself, the idea of mingling with high-level witches, devils, phantoms, and other formidable creatures filling her with dread.

As evening approached, YN sought refuge in the enchanted garden once more. She sat on a bench, opening a book to read, but her mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming party. The rustling of leaves announced Jungkook's arrival.

"Good evening, my queen," he said, his voice a deep melody that resonated with the twilight.

YN looked up, her heart skipping a beat. "Good evening, Jungkook," she replied, her voice steady despite the surprise.

Jungkook watched her for a moment, then spoke again. "I guess you already know about the party I am going to hold to introduce my beautiful soon-to-be wife," he said, reaching out to touch her cheek gently.

YN felt a blush rise to her cheeks at the touch. "Yes, I heard about it," she said, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

Jungkook nodded, understanding her unspoken words. "The party will be magnificent," he assured her, his hand reaching out to caress her cheek with a tenderness that belied his fearsome title. "And you, my queen, will outshine the very stars."

YN felt a warmth at his touch, a reassurance that, perhaps, she could find her place in this new world. "I hope to make you proud," she whispered, her resolve strengthening.

Jungkook's smile was gentle, a rare sight that softened his regal demeanor. "You already have," he said, and the promise in his eyes spoke of a future where love might just conquer all.

YN sat quietly, the book in her hands barely registering as she pondered the upcoming party. She glanced at Jungkook, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, and hesitantly broke the silence. "Hm... When is the party?"

Jungkook, pulled from his reverie, replied, "It's in a few days, but if you prefer, we can have it tomorrow."

YN shook her head quickly. "No, don't... Can we perhaps hold it in a few weeks?" she asked, her voice laced with hesitation.

"Why the delay?" Jungkook inquired, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

"It's just that... I need some time," YN explained, her voice trembling slightly. "As an ordinary mermaid, attending a royal grand party, especially a devil's party, is quite daunting. There will be so many scary creatures..."

Jungkook sighed softly and took her hand, causing an unexpected flutter in YN's heart. "There's no need to be nervous or scared," he reassured her. "This celebration is for you, as you will soon be the queen of hell."

At his words, YN felt a mix of discomfort and shyness. She stood up abruptly. "I'm going to my room," she announced.

Jungkook rose as well, his gaze lingering on her. "Okay, but join me for dinner later," he said.

YN nodded and retreated to her room. Collapsing onto the bed, she sighed deeply, staring at the stars and lost in thought. Despite her reservations, she knew resisting Jungkook was futile.

Later, at dinner, YN found Jungkook waiting. She smiled faintly and took a seat opposite him, but he gestured to the seat beside him. With a gulp, she moved closer. The table was filled with her favorite dishes—Bibimbap, tteokbokki, and Kimchi.

"Do you like the food?" Jungkook asked after a while.

YN nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, these are my favorites," she replied.

Jungkook chuckled at her eagerness. "I know," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

As they ate, YN noticed Jungkook reaching for a glass filled with a red liquid. Her eyes widened in shock. "Is that blood you're drinking?" she asked, surprised.

Jungkook, startled by her question, stuttered nervously, "No... um... it's... bloodanamilk... yes, bloodanamilk."

"Bloodanamilk?" YN echoed, still shocked.

"Yes, it's my favorite," Jungkook replied, trying to regain his composure.

YN stared at him for a moment before continuing her meal. After dinner, they decided to take a walk, Jungkook chuckling at YN's fullness.

Later that night, while the castle slept, Jungkook discussed important matters with other devils in his throne room. Afterward, he retired to his bedroom, a place where the air turned colder, and a sense of dread hung heavy.

The air grows colder, and the sense of dread deepens. The bed is an extravagant affair, with posts made of twisted black metal that claw their way towards the ceiling, ending in sharp, menacing points. The canopy above is a tapestry of darkness, woven from shadows that seem to move with a life of their own. The bedding is a rich, blood-red velvet, looking almost too pristine as if untouched for centuries. The pillows are plump and inviting, yet they give off an aura of being just a bit too perfect. On the walls, portraits hang, but these are no ordinary images. They seem to watch you, their eyes following your every move with a hunger that is palpable. The frames are adorned with thorns that seem to drip with something dark and viscous, catching the light from the flickering torches in unsettling ways. In the corner, a large mirror stands, its surface eerily calm. But as you gaze into it, the reflection is not your own. Instead, it shows the room as it might have been in another time, filled with figures draped in opulent attire, The walls, adorned with gold and encrusted with blood-red diamonds, seem to pulse with an unholy life.

 King of this dark domain, his thoughts a whirlwind of plans and emotions. He turned away from the mirror, his mind returning to YN and the party that would soon announce her as his queen. The night was deep, and the castle's secrets were many, but for now, they all rested, waiting for the dawn and the days to come.

Jungkook lay in his bed, the darkness of his room a stark contrast to the vivid dream that took hold of him. In the dream, he was an observer, invisible to the two figures frolicking through a garden that seemed to be alive with laughter and love.

The girl, her back to him, ran with a grace that reminded him of YN. Her laughter was a melody that seemed to harmonize with the rustling of the flowers around her. She was chased by a boy whose features were obscured, yet his presence was warm and familiar.

The boy caught up to her, his arms wrapping around her in a loving back hug. He whispered into her ear, his voice a tender caress, "I will never leave you, my sweetheart. I love you so much."

The girl giggled, a sound of pure joy, and turned to face him. "And I will never leave you, no matter what happens... I love you too, more than you, 'Tae' she said, her eyes sparkling with affection.

The dream shifted, the scene blurring at the edges as emotions swirled—a mix of happiness, longing, and a strange sense of foreboding. Jungkook felt an ache in his chest, a yearning for something he couldn't quite grasp.

Suddenly, the tranquility shattered. Jungkook's eyes snapped open, his body covered in sweat, his breaths coming in heavy gasps. The room was silent, the shadows still, but the echo of the dream lingered.

"Oh... It was just a dream... a really weird dream," he muttered to himself, trying to shake off the remnants of the vision that had felt all too real.

He sat up, the sheets falling away from him, and ran a hand through his hair. The images of the girl and the boy haunted him, their laughter now a haunting whisper in the quiet of the night.

"Why would I dream of Yn and....Taehyung?" he pondered aloud, the name leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The thought of YN with someone else that too his older brother, even in a dream, ignited a feeling he couldn't quite name.

Jungkook rose from the bed, his movements slow, deliberate. He needed to clear his head, to banish the dream from his thoughts. He walked to the window, the cool night air a balm to his heated skin.

The stars above were indifferent to his turmoil, their light distant and cold. Jungkook watched them, his mind a whirlwind of emotions and questions. The night was deep, and the castle's secrets were many, but for now, they all rested, waiting for the dawn and the days to come.

To be continue....