CRYSTAL EMPIRE | JINKOOK

SIX

On the way to the village on a summer afternoon, Jin was accompanied by the young Hansol who served as governess to the prince's son. Since, due to diplomatic obligations, the Emperor and his brother had been in a meeting with his advisors since morning to resolve hostilities with the Roman Empire. The streets were crowded with stalls and civilians, small carts crossing the streets, everything seemed to indicate that it was a good day for shopping.

"He exasperates me," Hansol confessed in a sigh. "though that really doesn't matter, there's nothing I can do against it,"

"I think you've already done more than you think against him," he commented with humor and a certain mischief in his voice.

"What do you mean?,"

"I have noticed of your interesting relationship with the Prince," he explained causing Hansol to blush apoplectically.

"There is no such relationship,"

"Try lying to me again, "Jin joked.

Hansol ignored his insinuation and headed for Jimin's jewelry stall. The haggard boy was arranging new bracelets and necklaces for display when he saw the two maidens approach.

"Good morning, Jimin," he said.

"Oh, boys! What brings you here?"

"We stroll, it's good to give yourself a break from the airs of the palace," Hansol replied with mild drama.

"Then come in, I have new jewelry," he invited and the boys took him at his word.

Jimin's store was like a small hut where in adorable tables with small chandeliers gave light to the jewelry making the details sparkle. They found simple rings for the common denominator of the people, a ring with a few precious stones was what they could afford; however, they also found very elaborate necklaces, with stones in spectacular cuts that were reserved for the simple admiration of the people and the purchase of the rich and noble Greeks, Jimin was also in charge of creating the jewels of the royal palace.

"The Emperor mentioned that, should you return, if you liked something simply take it, he will pay me later," Jimin told the young kompos who had his eyes fixed on a necklace whose gem was an oval crystal.

"That would only increase my debt to him," he muttered to himself. "I'm not sure I want to accept anything of his, I suspect that, if I do, he might want some retribution,"

"Retribution?" asked Hansol.

"Yes, Hansol, and I'm talking about getting into his bed,"

"I thought that's where you spend your nights," replied Hansol in a certain confused voice.

"But I haven't given him what he wants, my body," he sighed wearily.

"You haven't slept with him," cried Jimin surprised to hear such an unusual statement. "In the city all the women and maidens are jealous of you, now I see it is without reason,"

"Why would they be jealous?"

"Because you have spent more time in the Emperor's bed than anyone else," Hansol replied as if it was obvious.

SeokJin thought that everyone in the city either had a vivid imagination or else they believed every rumor that came out of the palace maids' mouths, either way they were wrong. That led him to think how comical the situation was as he should in fact be doing what everyone believed and not shying away from the tall one, and the most surprising thing was that JungKook was allowing him to do so.

"I'm actually afraid of getting intimate with JungKook,"

"And you have why," agreed Jimin and continued "from what I've heard from the mouths of his previous lovers, JungKook usually drops his polite behavior and let out a wild animal,"