The Suitors | T&J | ✔️

T W E N T Y

We stayed there, holding one another until it was time to break apart, because I had to pull myself together.

JK walked me back to my chambers, where Jimin was standing there in the corridor, walking up and down slowly. He gave me a little scolding look, as he saw me but I knew he wasn't mad.

He nodded his head at JK, who smiled gently back at him.

"Do you mind if I just speak to her alone for a second?" JK asked Jimin as the guards opened my chambers door.

Jimin gestured to go ahead, and in that moment I saw my two maids turn the corner. They both paused, seeing the three of us and bowed.

I offered them a smile that didn't reach my eyes, "just give me a few minutes please, girls"

They both nodded as JK took me inside, and shut the door behind me. He took my hand as he looked down at me, and brought my hand up to brush against his lips.

"I'm here, for whatever you need ok? Just send for me if you need me" he breathed out.

I nodded.

"Make sure you are drinking enough" he added quietly.

I pushed myself into his strong chest again, this place was quickly becoming a source of comfort. He rubbed his large hands up and down my back, and kissed my forehead, with a deep sigh.

"Do you want me to do anything?" He asked after a few seconds.

"I have no idea what I even need to do" I whispered.

JK cupped my chin, making me look up at him, "follow Yoongi's lead, if you get lost. Everyone closest to you, are going to help. Do you want me to tell Tae?"

I nodded, as I didn't even know if we were making it public knowledge yet if... the King had passed.

Soon after I was ready for the day, and a few glasses of water later, Jimin came into my room.

"Time to go, Lis" he breathed out.

I nodded, and took a deep breath.

We walked slowly to the high court meeting room, and I knew all six of my advisors would be in there, waiting for me. As the doors opened, the all stood up out of their chairs, and bowed.

The sudden realisation that I was meant to sit in the chair, at the head of the table hit me like a ton of bricks, making me halt from walking. Jimin looked down at me, "breathe, Lis" he said quietly.

"Alessia, we can move to the seating area if you aren't ready to sit" Yoongi said gently.

I nodded, to which everyone pushed back their chairs to move to the seating around to my right, I sat down in the single chair, facing everyone. Jimin stood to my left, putting a hand on my shoulder to give it a squeeze.

"Go ahead Yoongi" I muttered, knowing he had to say what he was going to say.

Yoongi cleared his throat, "we are going to announce King Orlan's death after this meeting. The bells will ring, for the first time in ten years. We can expect a mourning period of a week, before his funeral which will be this Saturday. His death, is being looked into"

"We all know what happened" Namjoon added, his face very stern.

Yoongi nodded, "but we cannot accuse anyone, unless we have proof. That's dangerous, and can cause a lot of problems for our new reign"

New reign. It felt like a stone was trapped in my stomach, weighing it down.

"It was poison, wasn't it?" I asked.

Namjoon nodded, "nothing else would have worked that quickly. Your Father was a very healthy man, and had no health concerns"

I took a deep breath, feeling my heart ache again. I guess I would be getting used to that feeling.

Yoongi looked to me again, "Alessia... it's more important now than ever, that you accepted the invitation from either of the Princes"

I burrowed my eyebrows, before the coldness washed over me.

"I'm not the Queen, am I?" I breathed out.

Yoongi shook his head, "you cannot become the Queen, unless you are married"

I stood up, shaking my head, "then who is in charge of my country right now?"

"I am. Acting Hand Regent. It's considered very weak, to have the Hand of the heir, acting as the crown" Yoongi added, quietly.

I run my hand over my mouth, taking a deep breath.

"While many of the public, and the staff will assume you are the Queen, purely by the fact of your Father's passing, other royals and high Lords, will know that you are not the Queen, until you are married, and then have the coronation. But until the moment, it is announced you are to be married, we are in a incredibly weak position. It does not matter how much we are respected as a country, and how strong our military is, we could be challenged as every minute goes by" Yoongi breathed out, making me pause in staring at him.

My country was under threat.

Because of that untouchable law.

While I knew Yoongi wouldn't ever not ask my permission or over rule me, even though at this second, he was technically a rank above me even though he was not royalty, it still did not sit right with me that even though I should be Queen, but I was not, and therefor I was not ruling my own country.

"Is there anything else I need to decide?" I asked.

"Your guard. I assume Jimin is still going to be your Captain? Making him the Captain of the Queens's guard now. You are going to need more guards, which I'm sure you aren't overly happy with, but it's something we need to take seriously. Right now, you are the sole heir, and if anything was to happen to you..." Yoongi trailed off.

"Nothing will happen to her" Jimin jumped in.

"Yes, Jimin is still my personal guard. He can decide onto who he wants on the Queen's guard, you know I trust him with my life" I said quietly.

Yoongi nodded.

"How long do I have? Realistically?" I asked him.

Yoongi shook his head, giving me a small smile, "I know you want to grieve your Father. He was the most brilliant, clever and kindest King we have ever had, and I'm sure you will overtake him with those titles, but Alessia, we are threatened. Your country is under threat, and the only way to change that is for you to make a choice"

I took a deep breath, "I get it"

So I had no time to make the choice.

Yoongi nodded, and then once I stood, everyone else done so.

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