VOWS OF A BEAUTIFUL LIE (TaeKook)
Prologue
Taehyung has worn many masks in his life, busboy, delivery runner, makeup artist, cleaner
He never imagined the lace of a wedding veil would scratch like a noose around his neck
Outside the bridal room, the soft notes of the wedding match echoed faintly, growing louder heavier, like war drums. The cathedral was flooded with aristocrats, military brass, and media elite, all gathered to witness the union of two powerful lineages; the Lee and the Jeons
And Taehyung, in her place, was ready to lie to the world
He adjusted the silk gloves covering his calloused hands and stared at his reflection. Slim frame, sharp cheekbones, soft eyes, the result of years surviving on charm and shadows. A boy too delicate for a man, too weary for a boy
Lee jee eun had run away days before the ceremony. Panicking. Trapped in political marriage
Lady Lee jee eun/Tae's BFF
Please Taehyung, they will ruin us if I vanish. You are the only one who can do this... they have never met me
He didn't say yes out of friendship
He said yes because he didn't have a home. Because hunger taught him that dignity was luxury. Because for once someone needed him
Now he had to marry General Jeon Jungkook, a man he had never met, whose face had only seen on news reports, son of a military dynasty. Cold as iron
Taehyung clutched the bouquet tightly
Kim Taehyung/MC
" One step... just one step through those cathedral doors "
One beautiful lie to save them all
And maybe... destroy himself
the bride in silk and silence
The perfume in the bridal suite was too sweet. It made Tae's headache
He stood perfectly in front of the floor length mirror, barely breathing, trying not to wrinkle the ivory silk gown clinging to his frame like a second skin. His ribs ached from the corset. The heels pinched his toes. The veil- veiled more than just his face, it hides the truth, wrapped it in luxury and lace
Behind him, a maid buzzed nervously, adjusting his train, smoothing the veil, murmuring complements
？？？
Maid: you look like a dream, miss Lee
Taehyung flinched at the name
The real miss Lee was probably halfway across the Atlantic by now, on a yacht her parents secretly arranged. Far away from the marriage altar, from the general groom with the steel gray stare and chest full of medals
He only blamed himself for saying yes
The door creaked open, a woman entered, elegant, razor Sharp, dressed in navy blue silk and pearls. Lady Lee Ji Yeon
Lady Ji Yeon eyes scanned him critically, pausing on the faint stubble he had carefully shaved and powdered over
Lee Ji Yeon/ Ji eun mom
You will pass*she said flatly, stepping closer*
Lee Ji Yeon/ Ji eun mom
But remember, one mistake, and we all fall. If Jeon Jungkook find out that you are not Ji eun *she trailed off a smile tight* your life will be the least of your concern
Taehyung didn't flinch. He knew threats. Hunger had taught him worse
Kim Taehyung/MC
I understand
He said softly, his voice higher than usual, practiced, even and sweet
Lee Ji Yeon/ Ji eun mom
*nods in satisfaction* Good, you only have to be her, long enough to sign the papers. Once you are married we will stage an illness. A slow one. Quiet. The national will pity you, and the Jeons will have no reason to dig
Taehyung stomach twisted. He wasn't just a bride
He was a placeholder. A lie built to die
Lee Ji Yeon/ Ji eun mom
Now*glanced at her diamond watch* time to meet your husband
The cathedral was cold, despite the summer sun streaming through the stained-glass. At the altar general Jeon Jungkook stood like a statue, tall, broad, sharp as a drawn blade. His uniform was pristine. Every medal polished. Every emotion buried
He didn't believe in fair tales. This was an alliance, not wedding
Behind him, guests whispered: political leaders, press vultures, military elites. But Jungkook kept his eyes forward, spine straight, jaw tight.
The heavy cathedral doors creaked open
Small. Delicate. Fragile in ivory and lace. Head bowed, veil heavy over her surface
Taehyung walked slowly down the aisle, one step at a time. His heart pounded so loudly he was sure it echoed through the stained-glass. He couldn't see Jungkook clearly, only his silhouette, tall and unyielding like tower
His fingers trembled around the bouquet. Every step screamed liar. Every breath was borrowed time
When he reached the altar, Jungkook offered a hand
Taehyung took it. His gloved fingers brushed the cold metal of Jungkook's medals
Jeon Jungkook/ML
You are trembling*said quietly*
Kim Taehyung/MC
*forced smile* nerves*he whispered, pitching his voice light and feminine*
Jungkook turned to face him fully
And for a split second... His gray eyes softened
Jeon Jungkook/ML
Don't be afraid* he said surprising Taehyung*
But of what might happen... If he ever looked too close
The lie that was sealed
The cathedral doors slowly shut behind Taehyung with heavy thud that felt like the sealing of the tomb
Candles flickered along the grand marble aisle, casting soft golden glows across the vervet draped pews. Guests were seated in silence, holding their breath, watching what they believed to be the perfect union between nobility and military union
Only Taehyung knew the truth
His footsteps echoed, every heel click a reminder that this wasn't his life. The veil pressed against his cheeks, warm from his shallow breathing. His gown swept behind him in waves of silk, heavier with every step he took toward a man who didn't know he was marrying a ghost
General Jeon Jungkook turned toward him at the altar. Taehyung only dared to meet his gaze for a second
Steel gray eyes, cold controlled, but searching. Like a soldier always looking for an enemy, even in beauty
Taehyung lowed his gaze quickly, bowing his head in practiced submission. He offered his hand
Jungkook took it. Firm grip, calloused fingers. Taehyung's heart skipped
？？？
Priest: We are gathered here to witness the sacred union of general Jeon Jungkook and Miss Lee Ji eun
Each word dropped like lead in Tae's ears
This wasn't sacred. It was survival. A performance
？？？
Priest: Do you Jeon Jungkook, take Lee Ji eun to be your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and to protect her, in strength and in weakness, in times of peace and in times of war?
Jeon Jungkook/ML
*he didn't hesitate* I do
His voice was deep. Resolute. Like a vow carved into stone
Taehyung almost forgot to breathe
？？？
Priest: And you Lee Ji eun, take Jeon Jungkook to be your lawfully wedded husband, to respect and stand by him, in loyalty and devotion, until death do you apart?
He couldn't lie in a whisper. It had to be loud. Clear
Kim Taehyung/MC
I...* his voice cracked faintly, too soft. A flicker of tension rippled through the room*
Taehyung swallowed hard and drifted his chin
A whisper of relief slid through the crowd
Then the priest continued
？？？
Priest: The rings, please
A young boy stepped forward with a velvet box. Jungkook picked up the gold band. No engraving. Clean. Unemotional
He took Tae's gloved hand and paused
Then gently, he slid the ring into his finger
Taehyung fingers trembled. He picked up Jungkook's ring next. For a moment his hands shook too much. Jungkook, noticing, reached forward and steadied the wrist
Tae stiffened slid the ring onto Jungkook's finger
And just like that, a lie was sealed in gold
？？？
Priest: By the power invested in me*he announced*
？？？
Priest: I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may...?
He hesitated slightly, glancing at Jungkook
Jungkook simply nodded once, like a soldier accepting orders
？？？
Priest: You may now kiss the bride
Taehyung stiffened. His body locked
Jungkook leaned in slowly. He was close now, so close Tae could smell the faint scent of leather and cedar wood from his uniform. His lips hovered near Tae's veil
And then gently, he lifted it
Taehyung's breath caught. The world went still
Eyes not cold, but Unreadable. Analyzing
Then he leaned in and pressed soft, formal kiss on Tae's cheek. Not lips
Taehyung exhaled, buy he didn't feel safe
Because behind the music, the applause, and the flashing cameras. He could feel it
Jeon Jungkook was suspicious
Not yet certain. Not yet confronting
But he had looked too long
And the war had only just begun
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