"The Second Ruler"

•°9°•

20/02/1510

It had been three weeks since the royals had departed from Goryeo to the Geumgang and Jinmu kingdoms.

Taehyung had sent a missive to the Emperor Emeritus two days ago, informing him that the matter in the kingdom had been taken care of and they were returning.

Their journey was fruitful, as the crown prince had wished. Similarly, Commander Woo-shik had sent a missive two days ago, implying, today was the day the Emperor would return to his empire safely.

The sun was bright, beaming its rays down on the Empire of Goryeo, as if it too had missed the presence of the beloved Emperor.

Most of the snow had melted away, and people began to resume their daily routines.

The Emperor Emeritus was delighted to see his son after a month. As it was noon, the sun was high in the sky. The Emperor Emeritus stood in front of the courtyard, waiting for the royals to return.

His heart throbbed serenely at the sound of horses neighing and their steps.

Jin saw Taehyung mounted on his horse, Embryo, smiling at his appa. Namjoon's heart swelled in his chest seeing his son. As Embryo stopped in front of the Emeritus.

The Emperor and the guards dismounted. Taehyung walked toward Jin and hugged him. "Finally...... at home," he said.

Seokjin chuckled, patting his back. "Yeah, finally at home." He backed away and stepped toward the guards who bowed to them. He hugged Hoseok foremostly.

"Thank you for always being with the Emperor," Jin appreciated.

Hoseok smiled, backing away. "We cherish our people, Emperor Emeritus, not ....the Emperor," he joked playfully.

They chuckled. Jin pinched his nose and glanced at Yoongi, whose lips were smiling but, eyes were secreting many things.

He stood in front of him and softly slapped Yoongi's cheeks, complaining,

"You callous man, why do you desire to hurt yourself, huh?"

Yoongi shook his head, looking down. "I am not deserving, Your Emperor Emeritus," he whispered.

Jin hugged him softly, patting his back. "If the person himself elects to be with you, then.... Yoongi, there isn't the option of deservance," he clarified.

Yoongi didn't say anything; he was quiet as they backed away. Namjoon approached both of them and patted their shoulders.

"As always, you guys are the best choice of mine," he declared smilling. They smiled as the royals entered the palace.

"The princes of Elsiye returned to their kingdom. King Ji-woo has sent a missive to invite Taehyung to his fifty-first birthday ceremony," Jin informed.

Taehyung's heart pounded in his chest hearing it. A kind of hope arose in his chest to see the beautiful prince again, while Yoongi's heart ached, recalling all the words Jimin had said to him.

"As you wish, Emperor Emeritus. Kindly inform us when we have to leave," Taehyung said.

As they crossed the hall and were now on the route of parting ways, Namjoon clarified.

"From horses, it takes one complete day to reach Elsiye, but with a carriage, three days. But the day after tomorrow is the ceremony, so it's sufficient if you leave tomorrow early in the morning with horses."

They nodded and wandered toward their own chambers. After taking a bath, Taehyung sat on the mattress and stated.

"The palace of Goryeo is empty without his giggles." He sighed and lay down, staring at the ceiling. "Uff, this feeling," he muttered before wondering toward the dreamland.