Red String of Fate (Enhypen x Reader)

Chapter 2: Hierarchy

The titles in my nation from highest nobility to lowest are as listed: dukes/duchess, marquess/marchioness, counts/countess, viscounts/viscountesses, and barons/baronesses. There are members of society called nobles who have wealth, but no titles bestowed upon them. Under that there are the vast majority of Moros, commoners. The extremely poor citizens of the country are typically referred to as peasants even though there is not an official name. The peasants make up a very small majority of citizens due to the prosperity of the country, but they do still exist. There are also no slaves legally within the country, but all of the neighboring nations allow them. It is a major violation of the law here in the Kingdom of Moros to possess or trade in slaves, and it is punishable by public execution. That does not mean that the noble hierarchy is any less important in the nation. Citizens found to be in violation of any of the laws written in the Royal Decree, once proven guilty in court or by her highness herself, can face major consequences.

"Let's begin, bring the prisoners." I say getting up and waving my council into our meeting room that's directly connected to the throne room.

Council Members:

Duke Jeon Jungkook - Military Commander

Duke Park Jimin - Director of Arts

Duke Byun Baekhyun - Master of Trade

Duke Kim Jongin - Royal Diplomat

Duke Kim Taehyung - Master of Coin

Count Lee Donghyuck - Royal Assistant

Everyone follows behind me and sits in their respective seats around the table while Commander Jungkook brought the prisoners into the room and pushed them all onto the floor, still chained to one another.

"Who wants to start?" I say with disinterest.

"I shall. Now that the kingdom of Garah has fallen, we need to make some adjustments in our trade routes. After speaking to Jungkook, I have determined we roughly have a years' worth of silk from the defeat of Garah, but we will need to start establishing new trade connections soon for the product. The next major trader in the commodity of silk is the nation of Druva, and who I think we should negotiate with. What do you think your highness?" Baekhyun asks me.

"My gods, I hate Druva. The king is nothing more than a worthless drunk. Since we have very little connections with the kingdom thus far, I will send you and Kai both. We shall discuss it more on a later date, who's next?" I reply nonchalantly.

"Sales are up 7% this month, it appears the brothels as well as the plays have been doing a little better than normal. The reason for the sales in plays increase, is that the famous trio writers called 3racha, has a brand-new piece out, and it has taken the capitol by storm. As for the brothels, I have not quite figured out why there was a sudden increase, but I am still looking for logical reasons." Jimin reports.

"Good, let's try to continue with these trends. Please continue to give Taehyung the reports on coin, and he might also be able to lend you a hand in finding the reason for the increase in brothel sales. Any other matters?" I reply.

After a few seconds of silence, I spoke up once again. "Onto the prisoner matter, I know Jungkook said to keep them as a show of power, but I am also still on the fence about making an example out of them. What does everyone think?" I speak out looking around the table. I hear a rustling of chains from behind us. Seems like they are listening in closely now that their lives are on the line again.

"We could offer them as new employees in our brothels, I'm sure many men and women would jump on the opportunity to sleep with princes." Jimin said smirking.

"That would be going against the kingdoms Royal Decree. I know you know the law better than that Jimin." Kai responds back.

"They are prisoners of war; the laws don't apply the same to them." Jungkook replies back.

"I am not forcing children to serve in brothels regardless of whether the law would apply in this situation or not. Give me another idea, no more discussions on Jimins suggestion." I reply back flatly.

"I say they work in the castle as butlers and maids. They can also assist us on the council whenever we need them since they are indeed prisoners." Haechan replies.

"This is why you're my favorite personal assistant Haechan." I smile back.

"I'm your only personal assistant your highness." Haechan shakes his head.

"It appears you are right about that. Then I shall say you are my favorite Count, and you cannot argue with me on this claim." I reply back cheekily.

"Yes, your highness, I am truly grateful for your favor." Haechan says back smiling.