Your Majesty {NamJin}

twenty

Seonbi raced through the town, barely able to slow herself down as she maneuvered through the familiar pathways of her childhood. Seokjin and Taehyung almost couldn't keep up with her, losing sight of the woman twice before finally arriving at the gate of her parent's abode. The men had to stop in front of the gateway and catch their breath before going up to Seonbi, who froze at the entrance.

"What if she isn't here...what if something happened to her..." she said, hovering her hand over the screen door.

Taehyung took her hand into his and placed his other one around her shoulders. "It will all be okay, love. Let's call out to her," he whispered, pushing a strand of hair out of her rosy face.

Nodding, she called out to her parents. "Eomma? Eomeoni, I'm home!"

After a pause of silence, Seonbi began to tear up. She entered the house, finding everything in place -- a few changes, of course, but nothing that signaled any red flags.

Without her mother's voice to confirm her safety, she couldn't be too sure.

She called to her again. "Eomma! Your daughter is home...Seonbi returned to see you..."

Another long string of silence ribboned through the air, dropping Seonbi's heart and her body to the ground.

Taehyung knelt down to comfort her when a small, quiet voice echoed through the empty house.

"Daughter? Is that really you?"

Behind another screen stepped out a short, skinny little woman with frail hands and small stature. Her long, dark chocolate hair was pinned in an elaborate bun in the back, held together by one long silver pin. Her soft red dress was barely held together by the tie in the front, but nevertheless stayed put. Tears fell down her slightly wrinkled face as her eyes met those of her daughter's.

"Seonbi-ah," she cried, holding out her arms.

"Eomma," she sobbed, embracing her mother as relief poured into her soul.

The scene made the two young men behind them shed tears of bittersweetness. When was the last time they got to see their parents? They knew they had to head north to see them for a while before returning to the palace. The thought of a tearful, happy reunion made them cry even more.

The four stood and sat there, happy and crying for each other when Seonbi weakly spoke up. "You've grown so frail, mother."

"I do what I can to get food," her mother replied. "But since the attacks here, the Silcho have been tightening their grip on us. They steal everything of value. Food, water, everything we need to live. Taken. It's been a miracle that they haven't"--

"Old Eunri!"

The four looked outside to see a band of men gathered at the front gate. They all wore faded grey shirts and culottes, with black boots tying everything together. They were covered in sweat, soju and streaks of blood. Their leader, who had called Seonbi's mother's name, stepped forward.

"Sil Chomin," the mother whispered, trembling in fear. "That's their leader! He's killed the most, stolen the most, desecrated the most. His name is everywhere...they say no one has encountered him and come back alive to tell the story..."

"Hae Eunri! Come out! We know you're here!"

Seonbi looked at her mother in fear. They both knew that they weren't safe in the house, but there was nowhere to go.

"...Taehyung, quick. Hide Seonbi and Eunri-sshi somewhere safe. I don't care where, just hide them. I'll hold them off," Seokjin said, ready to brave the band of men.

"Seokjin-hyung, let me do it with you! You can't handle them all alone!" he whimpered sharply.

"No, Taehyungie. I will do it. Seonbi needs the one she loves. The north needs at least one lord to watch over them. Rinji needs at least one person to take care of her grave."

Unable to contest him, Taehyung nodded and led the women farther away from the imminent danger that faced the eldest Lord of the North.

"No one ever needed me," he whispered, taking his shoes off and stepping out in front of the screen.

"Jungkookie," Jimin said, parading downstairs and teasing the younger by flipping his hair and patting his back. He smiled nervously, not wanting the attention but pretending like he did.

"H-Hey, hyung," he said, looking down at the food he made.

"Aw, man, this looks good. I could use something to eat right now," Jimin began, taking whiffs of the tangy citrus scent of a plate of meat.

"Go on ahead, help yourself," Jungkook whispered, refusing to look at Jimin.

"Thanks, dongsae-- what's wrong?" he asked, catching on to the hint.

"You...and Lady Yang..." he began, not wanting to explain further.

"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry, Jungkook, I didn't realize..." he replied, shaking his head and facepalming himself. "I'm sorry, man."

"It's all good..." he replied, still not looking at him.

Jimin looked at him, knowing that something was still off with Jungkook, and that something worse was bothering him.

"H-Hey...are you sure you're okay?"

"Jimin hyung, how long have you been with Lady Yang?" Jungkook asked, immediately turning to face him.

"A few years now. Why do you ask?"

Jungkook sighed and closed his eyes. "Yesterday..." he started, tapping his fingers on the counter. "...she kissed me. I wasn't expecting the kiss, and I'll admit that I kissed her back, but I didn't know you guys were together. I didn't know she had you. I'm sorry, and I know this might ruin our friendship, and your relationship with her, but...I know I should tell you the truth."

Jimin blankly stared at Jungkook, who couldn't look at Jimin for fear of anger. The younger bit his lip, almost assuming a defensive stance to block any attack he might've gotten from Jimin at the time.

Instead, the elder approached him and wrapped his arms around him.

"Thank you for telling the truth. You're a great friend, Jungkook," Jimin whispered, on the verge of tears. Jungkook pulled Jimin closer to him, rubbing his back and silently comforting him.

After a while, Jimin pulled away from his best friend, looking down at their feet.

"Well...guess who's newly single..." Jimin said, trying to smile.

"Let's be bachelors together, my friend," Jungkook replied, making Jimin giggle a bit.

"Say, you wanna go down to where she is right now? I know where she went," Jungkook suggested.

"You know what?" Jimin thought aloud. "Why the fuck not? I wanna see her cheating face when I tell her it's over. Where did she go?"

"She said she went to see an old friend. Her name is Eunri."