𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟮𝟯; little girl

WHEN SHE STOOD IN FRONT OF HER FATHER, SHE FELT LIKE A LITTLE GIRL. No, not the little girl she once was when her father had shown her what fatherly love was. This time, she felt inferior, like a scared little child facing the ravenous teeth of a predator.

Jaeho was in the same position at his desk, and sighed heavily when he saw Jieun enter the room. He put down his quill and sighed again. 'Yes?' He asked, not particularly eager for another conversation with Jieun, but he was curious of what she needed to say.

She was nervous. Something that could be seen by the way she nervously fiddled with her hands, or picked at her cuticles. 'I have some information for you regarding Rat's Den. I went to investigate it myself not too long ago.'

Jaeho eyed his daughter suspiciously. 'What information have you discovered?'

There were few things that intrigued him as much as Firestone and its criminal activities. If his daughter had discovered something of use, then it would be something worth knowing. 'What did you find?'

'Rat's Den, there has been a rise in crime because their minds have been poisoned. Someone has. . . convinced them to start rebelling against us,' she said.

His interest was piqued. 'And how do you know this?' This was an alarming amount of information, if true. It was something that the Crown needed to know about, and if Jieun was telling the truth, she may well have saved many lives.

A small smirk spread on her lips. 'I have my ways.'

Jaeho rolled his eyes. 'Jieun. This is no time for you to be playing these games. If you are speaking the truth, then it is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, before this news can be relayed elsewhere in the realm.'

His expression turned stern once again. 'I am asking you only once: tell me your source.'

'If I told you, you'd have me confined to my chambers for the rest of my life.'

Jaeho frowned. 'Do not test me, Jieun. This is no time for games. The information you've come to me with is of the utmost importance, and I need to know the source. Now, I am asking you once again. Tell me your source.'

'She pressed her tongue to her cheek, 'the White Raven.'

'The White Raven? That's your source?! A spy, Jieun? You are taking the word from a spy?' Jaeho's temper was barely restrained by this point, and he clenched his fists. 'What proof do you have that this spy is telling you the truth?' he demanded.

'I suppose you are right but. . . it makes sense.'

'It makes sense? So if it makes sense, then it must be true, must it?! And what if he is lying? How do you know that, Jieun?' Jaeho was starting to lose his temper with his daughter. She had no evidence but her own gut feeling, and she assumed her gut feeling was right. 'You have no proof, Jieun. No evidence. And if not for your station, I would be taking you to the Black Cells right now for this treasonous accusation of yours.'

His words cut deep, and Jieun could not help but look down in shame. 'I just thought you would find the information useful. . .'

'Useful? Jieun, this is not useful.' Jaeho shook his head, his face scrunched up in frustration. His mood turned to melancholy, as he sat back down in his chair, and covered his face with his hands. He knew that his daughter meant no harm with her information, but that did not change the danger of her accusations.

'I know, but the Free Islands are vital to trading and it is a danger to send ships from Bay's water to the Highlands at the moment, any ship could be destroyed.'

Jaeho paused for a few moments, and considered Jieun's assessment and words. Maybe she had a point, and one he had not considered before now. However, Jaeho did not wish to show his daughter that he was willing to be wrong to her. He could never be wrong. He had to be strong and unflinching, and an excellent tactician. 'You have a good mind. One you are using far too much for foolish things, when it has the potential to be far greater than what others would suspect from you.'

She looked taken aback for a second, brows knitted together and lips curled into a frown. 'Like what. . ?'

'Like this. This type of analysis. If you put forth this type of effort and intelligence, I have no doubt that you are fit to help rule the kingdoms one day.' Jaeho gave a smile, and his eyes lit up a little bit, anger calming down. 'Your suggestions for retaking the Free Islands is an example of this. It is a thoughtful and wise suggestion. One which I have considered on the issue of the Free Islands for some time now, Jieun, and I shall take it to my council.'

'Perhaps you would make an excellent advisor to me one day, hmm?'

She let out a dry chuckle. 'Funny you'd say that after you kicked me out of the place, a place which was rightfully mine.'

Jaeho's brow furrowed at Jieun's insinuation about his son. She was speaking too truthfully for his liking. Jungwon was an embarrassment. He knew that. He knew that the realm knew that. But he did not need to be reminded of that fact. He paused for a few moments, clearly considering how to respond to Jieun. 'Fine. You will return to the council. I expect the other council members to take you seriously, and you will behave yourself in this setting. Agreed?'

Her teeth snagged her bottom lip in thought. Did she want what was rightfully hers? She did. However, to Jieun, it was not about power, it was not about having a seat amongst politics. It was about proving herself, it was about getting her father's love. It was about being treated the same way Jungwon was treated.

The King watched Jieun bite her lip, wondering what exactly she was thinking about. 'I will not repeat myself, Jieun.' Jaeho frowned at his daughter, and his expression became stern. His patience had run thin, and he had no more time to spend on Jieun anymore. 'I have given you the chance to prove yourself, and now it seems to me as if you are hesitating. If you do not wish to be a part of the Council, then I will give your position back to your brother, Jungwon.'

'I will do it,' Jieun responded, coming to a decision.

Jaeho's expression of sternness melted slightly at his daughter's agreement, which gave a little bit of warmth to his tone. 'Good.' He turned his attention to his desk once more, going back to the paperwork he was filling out. 'You may go now, Jieun.'

He did not look up from his work until Jieun was out of his sight.