Crown of Broken Promises

The Deal

The sharp metal could graze Jimin's cheek if the man before him was reckless enough to lose focus. Jimin blinked up at the crew of bandits. Unsure of what to say, he was frozen in place. Jimin swallowed, his throat now dry, as panic set in. "Please just don't do anything stupid." He whispered shakily.

Jeon Jungkook only chuckled at the prince's reaction. "We won't, give us your satchel." He said, his smile falling as soon as he finished his chuckle. His face was serious. Jimin noticed a small mark on his face, one that he obviously wouldn't have been able to see in his bounty poster.

"Please no." Jimin could only say. He tried to continue his sentence. "Please.. I need it."

The man who was still holding a sword to Jimin's took a closer look at Jimin, "holy shit, Jungkook. It's the crown prince."

Jimin wasn't sure what tipped the man off, when he remembered the royal crest of Eidoria sat on Jimin's sword sheath. And sure, royal guards did scout out this far, but very few didn't wear their armour. Besides, Jimin's portrait was painted many times from the time he was a child, it was inevitable that someone would find out who he was on his journey eventually.

Jungkook squinted his eyes, and looked at the sword wielder. "Shit, Seokjin Hyung you're right."

'Seokjin' kept his sword in Jimin's face anyway.

Jimin swallowed, "Eidoria is in danger." Was all he could say, "please, let me go. I need to save my kingdom."

Jungkook only chuckled, "big talk, 'pretty boy'." he chuckled derisively, Jimin gave the man a glare, Jimin knew it was to get a rise out of him. "Enlighten me, how is Eidoria in danger?" He said, keeping his tone. He knelt down to Jimin's level.

Jimin kept his glare set on Jungkook as he opened his mouth to speak, "a tyrant using dark magic is threatening to destroy Eidoria if I don't stop him-"

Jungkook stopped him, "then what brings you out to the forests of Gloomwood? So far away from the palace are we?" He tilted his head, showing feigning concern for the prince.

It was obvious, the man was taunting his prey before, inevitably getting what he wanted, whether it was killing Jimin, or robbing him blind. Jimin didn't like either option. But also didn't have much of a choice but to answer the question, with the blade in his face.

"I need to find the Celestial Mirror... it'll-" Jimin began but was interrupted by the bandit again.

Jungkook held his hand up, speaking again, "The celestial mirror you say? Now this is interesting." Jungkook's tone was less mocking this time, and seemed genuinely intrigued, but not in the curious sense, it seemed more malicious than anything. "Seokjin Hyung, lower your sword, but keep your eyes on him."

Seokjin complied, putting his sword down, but still staring into Jimin's soul.

Jimin let out a breath and sat up in a more comfortable position. "I'll be able to use it to stop him from making Eidoria vanish for eternity. It has wish granting abilities..."

Jungkook nodded, standing up, "oh, we're aware. We want it for ourselves." Jungkook ran his fingers through his hair. "Tell you what, 'pretty boy'." Jimin was about to protest over the pet name the man obviously wasn't going to let go, if it wasn't for Jungkook continuing before he could, "We'll let you go so you can 'save Eidoria' or whatever." Jungkook used finger quotes. "But you will take me with you, and I'll keep the mirror for my group, after you've used it for what you need it for."

Jimin wasn't sure what was with the man's change of heart, it couldn't be good, but what other choice did he have? Jimin got to his feet, seeing Seokjin eye him closely. "What do you want with it?"