Teach Me How To Love [mxmxm]

XVI

[Jae Lim]

All of the guests had found their rightful place either on the padded stage of the ring or in the outer ring of the audience. It was time for me to run a show. Yong was still guarding noona up on the elevated platform, while the rest stayed in the audience, stationed by the exits or by the stage, facing outwards towards our audience.

"Former Head of the Haneul Family, Yeseul, has passed away." My voice carried through the silent area. With the announcement, there came uproars from the footmen as if they didn't know. I shot into Kang-Dae's dead body, effectively shutting them all up again. "Tonight, we instill a new leader to replace her absence. You will either pledge your loyalty to the new throne or you will die here. No one leaves a traitor to your new throne."

There was a bright light shining onto where Yong was still guarding noona who sat on her elevated throne.

Gi Kwan of the Gwangju branch moved abruptly. "I cannot accept someone that we cannot even tell the face of. It's ridiculous to replace the throne without the counsel of the main branches and have some stranger lead us and expect loyalty!"

"You have two choices, and be thankful I am generous. You will bow to the new throne with your head to the floor or you will be replaced." Rather than gripping the gun in the case that he wanted to protest, I held a blade, not wanting another shot going off. "I will not repeat myself again. If you are not bowing to the new throne in sixty seconds, you will be replaced."

Gi Kwan was no longer hesitant when he could no longer breathe.

Those who were fearful quickly dropped to their knees, crawling to live another day while the arrogant stayed as they were until the edge of the blade neared their necks and their heads fell to the floor.

There was outrage where leaders were executed for their refusal to heed my orders, but those in the crowd did well to contain the uproar. Shots were fired, screams were cried out, but in the end, there came silence.

"Do you have anything else to say?" There was no response from the crowd and so, I turned back around towards noona and nodded my head. "Listen when the new throne speaks."

Noona stood up, no weapon in sight, while Yong stepped farther out of her line of sight. "Today was an unfortunate necessity. I have received the throne after the passing of our former throne, Yeseul, because of her last commands for me. But I am here to work with you towards a greater Haneul establishment for the family and for South Korea. It is unfortunate that there was a loss in forces today due to insubordination among our family, but they have given their lives for yours. Only with your cooperation can we create a powerful South Korea worthy of attending the Conference. We will become representatives of what South Korea truly is! We will show the world what South Korea can become! Will you join me, my family?"

There was incessant cheering and yelling from those outside the ring while those inside the ring either showed their distaste or their willingness to follow. Noona held up her hand for them to silence before speaking again.

"If I could ask for the remaining branch heads to stay back for further discussions while we dismiss your men first, they will leave without harm so long that they do not bring trouble."

The Branch Heads raised their heads and nodded, giving way for their men to follow us in the masks out the doors of the building. I pointed my head towards the exit for those in the masks near the stage. a sign that they should continue herding men out of the building.

When the place was clearing out, I noticed a group of three in all black and face masks gathering around Valeriya.

"Hey!" I yelled at them from the stage, jumping down from the stage to walk briskly to where they stood. "What are you doing? Those under the Branch Heads should be outside." I nodded my head towards the two open exits, resting my hand on the handle of my blade since my rifle was now slung across my back. "Get going if you know what's good for you."