Regent . PJM [Completed]

into the lair

[Taehyung's POV]

My shoes tapped against the marble floor, echoing off the stone walls.

I had made it to the Kingdom of Raveen in just under an hour. Even though there was no visible danger, I couldn't help but feel on edge. 

After all, I was in the home of the man that had tried to kill my cousin countless times.

Upon arriving in front of the main entrance to the royal chambers, I was stopped by a pair of guards. 

"What is your business here?" the guard on the left asked. 

"I'm here to visit his majesty," I answered. 

"Identification," was all he replied with. Pressing my lips together in annoyance, I took out my wallet and showed him my Royal Courts ID. They then searched me, miraculously not finding the wire taped to my chest under my shirt. "You're good prince Taehyung." The gates then opened and I continued down the emptiness. 

Even though the halls were familiar to me, (having come often as a child to visit Sera) it still made me uncomfortable. It was just so cold and lifeless. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to grow up in such an eerie place. It felt like anything I whispered would travel to the ears of my enemies through the frigid air. 

I tried to push that thought away as that was exactly what I was going to do today. 

Arriving in front of the king's office where king Lair had agreed to meet me, I knocked twice. Seeing that there were no guards visible, he was clearly expecting me. 

"Come in," his voice answered. Taking in a deep breath, I opened the door, putting on a wide smile. The king turned in his chair to face me with a grin. "Ah, Taehyung, it's been a while my son." My son. He really does have a thing for calling his adversaries affectionate names. 

"Yes, it certainly has been your majesty," I answered pleasantly. 

"Please, just call me Lair." I nodded, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. "Have a seat son." With great reluctance, I followed his instruction. 

God, how much I wanted to just punch a hole in his face right now. 

But before the feelings of rage could overtake me, I shoved them away. I couldn't get angry and blow my cover now, not when things were this serious. 

We really needed this win, and I wouldn't disappoint Sera. 

"Well, what brought you here after all these years? Is there something you need? I've heard you've been up in Islac much as of late. With all the problems they're facing now, I would understand why they're calling you for help as well." I clenched my jaw, forcing my mouth to stay in a smile rather than a sneer. 

"Well, yes, Sera's been dealing with a lot so I thought I'd go to support her in any way I can," I said with a level tone. 

I would not lose it here, not when this was so important.

"Well, what can I do for you then?" 

"I'm not here for official business, actually. I'm here to discuss something." This seemed to pique Lair's interest as his eyebrows quirked in the way it did when he couldn't predict another's words. 

"Oh? What might that be?" 

"I want you to let Sera break off her marriage with Jimin so I can take her hand in marriage instead," I said. I could only imagine what Jimin's facial expression would've looked like upon hearing this. That gave me a little more confidence. "She doesn't love him like she should, and she's not happy. She's stressed beyond belief every day. I believe I could make her a lot happier by my side."

This seemed to amuse him as a small smirk played on his lips. "Oh really? Do you think taking Sera to your kingdom would just make all her problems go away? How do you know the problems won't follow you there?" 

Shit. 

He knows. He knows exactly why I'm here. 

He knows we're on to him. 

This whole journey was pointless. 

"Why would her problems follow her?" I managed to say between clenched teeth. 

Lair merely shrugged, saying, "Just an inkling. My daughter tends to have bad luck." 

I stayed silent, mulling things over in my head. Well if Lair knows, he definitely won't give anything away. 

He's not easy like that. 

The best thing would be to end this conversation and get out as fast as possible.

Before he has the chance to place misfortune on me as well. 

"So that's a no then?" 

"That's a no," he answered, amused. 

"Then I shall be on my way." Without anything more, I rose from my chair and left the room. My footsteps laid heavy as I trudged down the halls, completely crushed by my defeat. 

However, as I rounded the corner, I heard two voices conversing. Discreetly, I peered back around the corner to see the king talking with Jae. 

They were speaking in low voices and seemed deep in conversation. They then dismissed their guards, shutting the door firmly behind them as they re-entered Lair's office. 

What could possibly so important that they wouldn't even risk their personal guards hearing it? 

Unless... 

Before I could back out, I silently made my way down the hall, being careful my shoes didn't tap on the marble. Leaning into the wood, I could make out what they were saying;

"She's not controllable anymore. She disobeyed me, not once, but twice. She even had the insolence to hold a conference against my will. This makes me wonder if she's actually fallen for that bastard. We need to get rid of her."

"Father, perhaps we should reevaluate. Maybe Sera is planning to manipulate-"

"Han Jae, do you really think Sera, your beloved little sister even has the emotional capacity to outlast such a matter? She may be a pretty little thing, but her heart is not one that can bear to even tell a lie, much less concoct a manipulative plan. Don't be so stupid."

I clenched my fist, fury coursing through my veins. Who did he think he was to talk about Sera in such a way? His own daughter in such a way? 

"Father, Sera is your daughter-"

"And that means nothing if she does not obey me. Have you not seen the influence she now gained over her people? Even with all the scandals that we executed, she still managed to win their trust again. If those photos of her and that boy Yoongi don't turn out in our favour, we are getting rid of her. That is the end of it. Now go find a trustworthy hitman, one you know that will finish the job clean."

With those words, every cell in my body became infected with violence.

"You guys better have fucking recorded that. I'm coming home now," I mumbled into the microphone.

Bad move. 

Suddenly, the door behind me swung open.

"Huh, I thought I heard something out here."

-

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