Red String of Fate (Enhypen x Reader)

Chapter 6: Fall in Line

~ Third Person POV ~

After the princes had been unlocked from their chains, each Duke had taken their assigned people to their respective lodging, each located in different portions of the castle where the dukes reside.

"You can speak to us you know. I understand you guys aren't going to be happy with your situation, but you'll eventually get used to it. We serve an amazing queen that you will grow to love." Taehyung said positively to Jake while arriving to the financial wing of the castle.

"Your queen had our homeland invaded; I will never grow to like her. You speak like a child saying such ignorant words." Jake hissed back.

Within the blink of an eye Taehyung had Jake against the wall with a blade to his neck. Taehyung's happy attitude was gone and replaced by a cold dark stare.

"Not just my queen, OUR queen. You would be wise to never speak words like those again. Her highness could've tortured you all and mounted your heads at the gates. Instead, she was merciful and is allowing you to serve in her castle where you will still live in lavish. Her highness couldn't have possibly made a more beneficial decision to you all." V said venomously.

Jake's eyes were large and full of fright. In the short time he had met the duke, he showed no signs of anger or aggression, and here he was with a knife pressed against his throat.

"Do I make myself clear boy." V said creating lots of emphasis on the word boy.

"Yes." Jake says looking away from his eyes.

Taehyung lowers his blade from Jake's neck and hides it back into his inner hidden waistband. He then proceeds to dust over Jake's shoulders and smile like nothing happened.

"I chose you because one look at you made me realize that you resemble a younger me. I can tell you snap in an instant and scare others around you when you do. I struggled a lot with this growing up and her highness has taught me how to be more in control. I don't have outbursts nearly as often, and only when it comes to her. I will help you control your temper tantrums as well. So, let's be friends." V says smiling at the boy extending a hand.

"You're crazy." Jake says before laughing and shaking V's extended hand.

"The best ones are." V winked at the boy and led him into the room.

"I wonder how everyone is doing with their new kids." Baekhyun said out-loud while walking with Heesung.

"Kids? You know we're not that young right?" Heesung replied.

"You are younger than me, therefore, you're all kids! And, we are now responsible for you, another reason why I will refer to you as kids. I am also the oldest of her highnesses dukes and I refer to the others as kids now and then as well." Baekhyun chuckles while responding.

"I guess that's fair, I do the same for my little brothers since I am also the oldest." Heesung said.

"How old are you?" Baekhyun asked.

"I just turned 22." Heesung politely replied.

"Oh my god you are almost a decade younger than me. That's terrifying." Baekhyun shudders.

"I would've thought you were like 26, I'm surprised." Heesung replies back.

"Such a charmer! I'm just effortlessly handsome." Baekhyun said winking back with a chuckle.

"May I ask how old her highness is?" Heesung asks out of curiosity.

"Her highness is 22 years old as well." Baekhyun responds promptly.

"Wow, I mean we knew from our lessons that she took the crown early due to her family's passing, but I didn't realize she was still so young." Heesung said.

"She definitely doesn't act like she's that young. Our queen is very wise, most say her brain is far beyond her age. We are very lucky to serve such an incredible woman." Baekhyun replied eyes full of admiration.

"You love your queen, don't you?" Heesung asked.

"It's impossible not to, her highness is the perfect ruler. You will come to realize it as well while serving her." Baekhyun said.

"Just some basic rules I want to go over. You will choose when and where you want to receive both breakfast and lunch. But dinner is always at 9 pm on the dot in the hall, do not be late. You will not attend tonight's dinner, but tomorrow whenever you start your official assignments with us. Another thing to note, the garden is her majesty's favorite place to hang out when she has free time, so if you do not want to run into her, avoid the gardens. Duke Jungkook might appear to be the scariest, but the ones you need to watch out for is Duke Taehyung and Duke Jimin. Do not anger them. Lastly the most important rule, do not leave your room after midnight. This rule applies to everyone within the castle, not just you all. The guards will kill anyone lurking in the shadows during that time, so if you have an emergency, ring the bell until one of them can come safely get you. Again, do not leave your chambers on your own after midnight." Kai explains to Jungwon and Sunghoon.

"Those seem like simple enough rules. Thank you for the information as well. May I ask one thing though?" Jungwon responds to Kai.

"Of course, I'm meant to be your mentor. Sunghoon this is your room, please go in and be ready for Count Haechan at 8 am." Kai says as he smiles at Jungwon and informs Sunghoon.

"Thank you for your assistance, Duke Kai." Sunghoon says walking to the room, leaving Kai and Jungwon amongst themselves.

"In the meeting, I heard them mention all of your titles. Why is there a mere count on the queen's personal council?" Jungwon asked while they began to walk to the next destination.

"You'd better mind your tongue; he may be a count, but he holds the most favor with her highness." Kai responds quickly.

"If he holds the most favor, why is he a count?" Jungwon says pressing the question further.

"Duke Jimin is the only one who didn't come from a prominent family. The rest of us were the heirs to the title from our fathers who served the last king and queen, may they forever rest in peace. Duke Jimin was brought into his dukedom and position on the council shortly after her highness began her reign. As for Count Haechan, his family has been serving the royal family for generations. He started officially serving her highness when she was only 12 years old, him being 13. Count Haechan is her majesty's personal servant and always will be. Although he is a count, she trusts him with her life, and he is extremely worthy of being on the council. I didn't like him much when I first started. I believed a mere count shouldn't have an opinion in topics related to the kingdom. But as I got to know him over time and as I saw the relationship he has with her highness, I realized that a count would always have the upper hand on me and that simply having a title didn't give me favor in the queen's eyes. I have earned my place amongst her most trusted now, and I have nothing but respect for Count Haechan." Kai explained.

"I understand the situation now." Jungwon says nodding his head at the boy.

"Any other questions, if not we have arrived at your chambers, and I will meet you back here promptly at 8 am for assignments." Kai responds.

"One last thing, why did her highness pick Sunghoon to train under the count? We are all very talented princes that excel in lots of fields, so why have one of them for an advisor?"

"I don't know." Kai says flatly.

"What do you mean?" Jungwon presses again.

"Just as I said before, I do not know. I haven't figured out why she would want a prince by the count's side." Kai said back.

"Alright then I will get ready to see you tomorrow. What should I do about dinner?" Jungwon replies.

"The servants will bring it to your rooms tonight. Tomorrow, we will also give you all a tour of the castle so you all will know your way around. Goodnight Jungwon.