Royal Flush | pjm; jjk

Chapter Seven

Nora was sleeping peacefully, dawn barely breaking through her window, when someone slammed the doors open and started to bang anything and everything around them. Nora instantly sat up, drool still a little wet at the bottom of her chin. Her primary instincts overtook her and without even looking around she threw herself at the assailant. He quickly evaded her attack, and Nora fell on her knees. Just as she was about to stretch her leg and trip the intruder, her vision became clearer and she realized it was Jimin.

"What in the world are you doing here?!" Nora hissed through a clenched jaw, still kneeling on the ground. Jimin released a melodic laugh and stretched his arm to help her up, a bit sad to ruin such a view. Hesitantly, Nora took it and he pulled her up. "Training's starting today, Nora. Go wash up, and come meet me outside. Also.." he scanned her up and down, "were something more suitable for training." A sly smile escaped his lips and Nora lowered her eyes to her clothing. She was wearing a short nightgown, which was almost see through. Jin gave it to her, apologetically swearing that he couldn't find anything else. Nora raised her eyes back up, blush was crawling up her skin, but she kept her stance. "I was sleeping, creep. Leave my room, I'll come soon." She turned away and hurried to the bathroom, leaving Jimin a little bit baffled. He expected her to hide or at least throw a punch, but she simply brushed him off. Jimin started to feel irritated by his inability to affect her. I'll give her one hell of a training today.

Nora began her training by running laps around the property. The sun was already high in the sky when Jimin finally allowed her to stop. Nora was drowning in her own sweat, her lungs were ripping into pieces and she felt the taste of iron in her mouth. She was a good runner, that's for sure, but she ran short distances very quickly, whereas Jimin was raising her stamina. Running non-stop in a slower pace almost made her heart jump out and all of her veins pop. With burning muscles she waddled back to Jimin, hoping that he'll allow her to rest, but he proceeded the training. Firstly it was a hundred squats, then it was push ups, then it was sit ups. Every time Nora wanted to take a break or relax, Jimin would start mocking her. "Oh, are you tired? Is the poor baby tired? Do you need a nap? A pat on your back?" Somehow these words ignited a fiercer fire in Nora's heart and she pushed herself through her limits.

Jimin kept watching Nora's every move slowly, carefully. Scanning her whole body, how her muscles reacted to the pressure, how she pushed through her limits. Jimin kept feeling more and more sure of his decision to choose her. Her determination, her potential was clear proof that there are no chances of not succeeding. He will have to get her through hell, though. He knew how dirty and harsh the palace trials can be. Jimin felt a note of pity rising for Nora, but he suppressed it quickly. He knew that at the end of the day, he could not allow any of his emotions to focus around this girl. If things will go south, she will be giving her head for it, and Jimin could not allow himself to get attached.

Nora received a short lunch break, Jimin and her sat under a tree, eating sandwiches and enjoying the peace. Not even thirty minutes later, she was back to doing lounges in the same spot. Jimin was a ruthless teacher, and he found her buttons really quickly. Every time he'd step on her pride, a new ounce of strength would be born in Nora's body and she managed to push herself forward. After what felt like an eternity of working out, Yoongi walked out the house and paced towards them.

"Are you finished for today?" He asked Jimin, ignoring sweating Nora completely. She was happy about it, and hoped that they would talk for longer. Every minute that Jimin was busy meant that she could relax. "You want to take her now?" Jimin asked and Nora felt fear running down her spine. Yoongi shook his head. "No, Namjoon wanted to take her for the evening. He believes that Nora should have at least general knowledge of  the palace before having a conversation with the Prince." Jimin turned back to Nora, smile forming on his lips. "You got lucky today. Go wash up and meet Namjoon. Tomorrow you'll be training with Yoongi and Hoseok. I'll continue training you the day after." He kept smirking, while Nora simply tried not to choke on her own sweat. She nodded quickly and started to waddle towards the house. Her legs were in so much pain, they felt like gelatin. She kept a straight face, but she cussed Jimin with every step of her way.