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Chapter 33: My Greatest Ruin

Sunghoon hesitated, but Taehyung merely arched a brow. "Or perchance you wish to test my mercy further?"

Jungkook leaned against the table, watching with interest. "I would not recommend that," he mused. "He is already in a most generous mood."

Sunghoon gritted his teeth but, seeing no escape, lowered his head, kneeling fully into the wet dirt beneath him.

Taehyung leaned down slightly, tilting his head as he watched Sunghoon kneel in the mud, his once-proud posture now humbled beneath the weight of his own misdeeds. His smirk did not fade.

"A fitting sight indeed," he murmured, his voice rich with amusement yet laced with warning. "You spat venom upon the name of my beloved, so now you shall taste the filth of your own making."

Jungkook crossed his arms, watching Sunghoon's trembling form. His lips twitched, but there was no humor in his gaze—only quiet satisfaction. "If only you had swallowed your words instead of spewing them forth like a fool. This might have been avoided."

Sunghoon clenched his fists, his pride warring with his exhaustion, but he dared not speak. The weight of Taehyung's presence, the knowing gazes of the knights standing behind him—Jimin, Yoongi, Jin, and even Minjun—left him with no ground to stand upon.

Taehyung turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Jungkook. His voice softened, dripping with adoration. "And you, my love?"

Jungkook raised a brow. "What of me?"

Taehyung smirked. "Are you satisfied?"

Jungkook let out a thoughtful hum, tapping a finger against his chin. Then, with deliberate steps, he approached Sunghoon, crouching beside him, mirroring Taehyung's earlier position. His voice was gentle, deceptively kind.

"Do you regret?"

Sunghoon's jaw tightened, but he gave a sharp nod. "Yes"

Jungkook leaned in, his lips curving in a slow, knowing smile. "Liar."

Sunghoon's breath hitched.

Jungkook sighed, rising to his feet and dusting off his hands. "But no matter. I have no wish to waste breath on a man who would sully another's honor while lacking his own."

He turned away, stepping lightly back to Taehyung's side. He did not look at Sunghoon again.

Taehyung, however, did.

"Rise," he commanded, his voice an undeniable force.

Sunghoon staggered to his feet, dirt and mud clinging to his soaked garments. He did not dare look Taehyung in the eyes.

Taehyung tilted his head. "You are lucky," he mused. "Had I less control, I might have had you dragged through the streets for your insolence."

Sunghoon stiffened.

Taehyung smiled, slow and sharp. "But I am feeling merciful."

A beat of silence. Then:

"You will leave."

Sunghoon blinked. "W-what?"

"You will leave," Taehyung repeated, his voice smooth but unyielding. "Return from whence you came. Do not let me find you here again."

Sunghoon's fists clenched. "You cannot banish me—I am of royal blood!"

Taehyung arched a brow. "Are you?" he mused. "Then why do I find myself unimpressed?"

Jimin snorted. Yoongi smirked. Jin simply shook his head.

Sunghoon swallowed his anger, his pride, his very breath, and bowed his head slightly. "As you wish... Your Majesty."