𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟮𝟬; tension

THE FOLLOWING DAY, JIEUN SAT INSIDE THE COUNCIL ROOM DURING ONE OF THE MEETINGS, HAVING OFFICIALLY GOT JUNGWON'S PLACE. There was a proud smile on her face as she leaned against the back of the chair, gently tapping her finger against the wooden table. The table had been carved, forming the continent of the East, each valley and river had been carved out, letters burnt into the wood to show where each city was.

Around the table were the lords of the realm with the king and Jieun.

'There has been a rise in crime in Rat's Den,' Lord Lee spoke up, the right hand of the King.

'Murders and rapes. There is no order to those savages.'

'Do we know who is guilty?' Lord Kim said, eyes running over Jieun for a split second. After her and Sunoo's conversation, Jieun knew he felt some sort of resentment for her.

She cocked an eyebrow at him. 'Themselves. They are starving and undisciplined. They steal and rape as they see fit.'

'Let them be, it will serve us all good if they all die,' Lord Park cackled, the Lord of the North.

Lord Kim laughed alongside him. 'That is fair, Lord Par━'

The door to the council room opened, Jay and Jake strode inside, followed by a familiar face. Jungwon, albeit late, walked inside the room, eyes staring right into their father's. His steps were nonchalant, having no care in the world.

'I will be present today,' he announced, glancing at Jieun.

Her eyebrows were knitted together, confusion stretched across her face. A feeling of annoyance gnawed at the bottom of her heart. How fitting that the first time he went to a council meeting was when he had just lost the position.

'Jieun. . .' their father whispered in a stern voice. 'Get up.'

'But father━'

'Get up!'

Locking her jaw, Jieun reluctantly stood up from the chair, taking a step back. Jieun only glared at her father as Jungwon took her place without complaint. The smile on her lips had long disappeared. She had officially got the place in the council, so why was Jungwon allowed to sit in her place then?

Instead, she placed her palms flat against the table, planning on making the best out of the situation. If he wished for her to stand, then she would. That way, she would easily get the attention of the lords.

'As I said. . .' Lord Lee continued, clearing his throat. 'It is no problem for us, just yet. But if they decide to get more radical, we will have to send someone to create order there.'

'Jieun,' the King said, looking at Jieun. 'Please, you are not needed here anymore.'

'But father you said━'

'And now I say you leave.' His voice was stern, like a dagger twisting itself in her heart.

And Jungwon, he only sat in silence, no ounce of regret on his face as he watched their father humiliate Jieun in front of the lords of the realm. The corners of his lips tugged into the smallest of smirks.

Pressing her tongue to her cheek, Jieun cast Jungwon a small glare. 'If that is what you wish, Your Grace.'

Without another word, Jieun walked out of the council room with confident steps. Outside the room, Jay was waiting patiently for her. Sworn to always stay by her side. He said nothing as she headed to her own chambers, yet Jieun knew he wished to speak up about what had happened in the council room.

'Inside,' she ordered, opening the door to Jay, holding it up and gesturing for him to step inside.

Jay raised his eyebrows in surprise before stepping inside. 'What is it you wish to speak to me about, Princess?'

'Rat's Den.'

'What of it?'

'I need to find out what is going on there,' she said, closing the door behind him. 'My father is weak, he blindly paves a path for Jungwon, not realising he is going the wrong way. The people of Rat's Den are poor, they scrape the ground for crumbs of bread, but they are still my people.'

Sighing, Jay looked the other way, as if to avoid her eyes. Maybe, if he did not look at her, he did not have to answer. 'Princess.'

'Please, Jay,' she whispered, taking his hands in her own. And there it was. That sign of something more between them, something more than just a princess and her loyal knight.

'Injustice looms all around us, Princess,' Jay replied, not letting go of her hands. Instead, he seemed to grip them tighter. 'No matter how powerful we are.'

'But I fear that this. . . the growing crime is more than just a bunch of starving people killing each other. Otherwise they wouldn't have brought it up.'

Jay looked beyond concerned. 'But there's no way you can deal with something like that. It's too big, and too dangerous! What can you expect to find out in the middle of all that squalor?'

'Have you ever heard of the White Raven? the Spy of Firestone?'

'Of course. I've heard about the White Raven. They said he was a man who's served the realm for decades. A man of the shadows.'

'If I were to come in contact with them. . . I could gain intel on what is happening and why rat's den is in such a state as of now.'

'Princess. . . that is much too dangerous. If it were to get out that you had met with the White Raven, if your face was uncovered and you were recognised. . . the consequences could be dire. I could never let you do that.'

'I am not asking, Jay,' she said, a firm look upon her face.

Jay looked at her with a mixture of confusion and admiration. 'You're going to do this regardless of what I say, aren't you?'

Chuckling, she nodded. 'I am. . . yes.'

'You're really quite the stubborn one,' Jay said with a smile. He took a deep breath. 'Then, I will do anything to protect you. Even if I can't keep you from doing this, I will be by your side throughout all of it.'

Jieun gave his hands a tight squeeze. 'I know, and I appreciate that, Ser.'