Taming the demon

chapter 15

Yoongi's POV:

Someone once said: The best revenge is massive success
I say: The best revenge is massive destruction

I sipped the wine and looked outside the window. The black carpet had already concealed the sky—winds billowing in melancholy. Poignant memories awakened as I gazed at the forest.

Come yoongi ahh!!
Catch me yoongi ahh!! Ahahaha

Luna, you won't escape from me

My younger self was running after young Luna. Her little ponytail, wiggling with the air. Her gentle eyes were gleaming with joy. She looked at me through her long lashes. Sunlight beamed inside through the canopy dipping her face in a yellow glow. She smiled at me. Her natural beauty tranced me. So pure and innocent. I also smiled at her. Suddenly the brightness of the day dispersed and a dark shadow was cast in the sky. A smoldering fire ignited the only cottage in the forest. My eyes suddenly dilated. A sense of terror and loss washed over me. And before I could comprehend, I was frantically running after her who was inside the cottage. Royal guards stopped me to protect me.

I yelled and shouted but no one could subside the fire. Tears streaming down my cheeks. My eyes burned. I saw the guard in his eyes who was looking at the front. His eyes terrorized. I looked in the direction of his eyes and I saw him. A young figure is standing between the fire up the cottage. His body was burning yet there wasn't any smell or scar of melting skin. He was standing unscathed. His eyes had flames burning in them. His red-rimmed eyes were focused on me or so I thought. I squirmed under his gaze. I didn't notice until I saw huge feathery pointed dark wings. What is this creature?
I couldn't do anything and but helplessly watch the fire swallowing up the cottage. That was the first time when I saw him.

"Your Highness?" a voice interrupted me from my train of thought. I sighed in annoyance and glared at him. It was Sung Jae, a knight from the regional battalion. He stiffly bowed.

His silver 'barbarian' sheathed on the side, clattered with his armor. He named his sword barbarian when he won the blood trial.

Blood trial happens every year to choose the most competent knights among the trainees. It's a battle of blood and victory. One stands, and the other dies. The winner gets a position along with wealth. And that's what makes them greedy. A noble title comes with good wealth and respect. That's what the peasants desire. They get what they want and in return, we get what we want. A strong army. And a strong army needs a stronger king to lead.

"Speak" I ordered. My voice came out hoarse. Probably because of the wine. He straightened up. His gaze fixated on the ground. "Your Highness, He took the bait.". Those were not just the words but a fire I felt swelling inside me. All the annoyance subsided. I smiled menacingly. At last!
"Did you tell his Highness about this.?" I asked. He nodded. Now you'll see how it feels to see your love dying in front of your eyes and you can't do anything.

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"Now we need to think about how to bring that girl back. Yoongi, do you have any plans?" I was summoned to the court right after we got the news. When our messenger returned it was indeed a shocking sight. It was the first time someone returned from that forest alive. Hoseok was standing at the other corner of the throne. His eyebrows were drawn together and his gaze lowered. His hands were clasped behind, palms clutched in a fist. I rolled my eyes. I moved forward and bowed.

"Yes your highness, I have." I grinned. He nodded. "That's what was expected of you." my chest swelled with pride. I peered over Hoseok. He was still in the same position. He may have felt my gaze over him as his eyes contacted with mine. For a moment I thought his eyes were pleading. He broke the gaze and looked down again. "Hoseok, I called you here for a reason. You have to leave yesterday to the east for the kingdom of Busan." he looked confused. " yes your Highness but-" he hesitated. "For what account." He wondered. I  was curious myself. What's with this sudden trip?

"For courtship. You're gonna marry the eldest princess of Busan" he ordered. My eyes widened. He mirrored my expression. " But your highne–" He spoke but he cut him off with his hand and stood up. " You may have a plan but be careful. This time we were lucky but next time we may not". He warned me with his eyes. And I gave him a subtle nod. He left the courtroom.

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I slipped outside the castle in a disguise. Moon neighed and I saw her. At the far corner she was tied at the royal stable. Even in my mantle she recognized me just like how I did. How could I not? Her white flesh was illuminating under the dark. Her silvery shiny hair drooped at the side of her head. She was glowing like a moon. My moon. I untied her and guided her out of the castle surreptitiously. I wandered on her, prancing through the fields. Until I reached my destination. A strong smell of liquor hit my nose. I stood in front of a  building with a sign hung over the door. 'kim tavern'. I tied moon in a corner and pushed my way in. Men were busy in chatting. Clanking pewters some were divulged in alcohol. I sat on a barstool and ordered myself a drink.

"Looks like someone stirred up big trouble, otherwise prince himself wouldn't have come in a disguise." A remark came from beside me. I looked sideways. He was a tall man wearing a Cloak. His eyes fixated on me. He had a scar on his right cheekbone. Brown eyes, disheveled hair, hard muscles and a quirky attitude. He's just the same as Sung jae described him. Though he went overboard when he said he's got a pretty face. He's just average.

"And you're concealing well your true self Jeon Jungkook or should I say the Lizard man." The smirk he had plastered on his lips faltered. His features turned stoic. This universe is fraught with uncanny creatures I learned this truth 18 years ago.

"I'm not a lizard!I'm a half chamele- nevermind. Why did you summon me here." Straight to the point. Like I wanted. I circled my finger over the rim of the pewter.

"You'll be paid well for this job." I told him the plan. He went quiet for a long while then stood up. I drew my brows in confusion. He threw few gold coins at the counter and covered his head with a hood. He went towards the exit but stopped. And looked at me through his shoulder and gave a slight shake to his head in affirmative.