THE RAVEN KING, yoonkook

chapter xxi: filling in

Jungkook has to stifle a sigh as the servant approaches him. Since turning eighteen and becoming the proper king, they've been harassing him more than normal. He assumes this one will be no different.

"Your Highness, we need your permission to send these supplies out to the city." The servant states, only confirming the king's expectations. A parchment is held out to him and a quick scan tells him the list is just the basic, and expected, food provisions. Nothing particularly noteworthy.

"Of course you have my permission." He responds, a slight frown resting on his brow. "You've never asked for my permission before; I don't see why now is any different."

Now the servant frowns, "We always need your permission, Your Highness."

A moment of silence passes, both trying to comprehend just what the other is on about. Jungkook, despite his very intense struggle, cannot recall any moment when he's been asked for permission to send food—basic necessities—to his people; he can't think of a reason as to why the automatic answer wouldn't be yes. The servant, on the other hand, is wondering if turning eighteen has done something to the king's head. He hopes not, as he hasn't turned eighteen himself yet.

"Well, you've got my permission." Jungkook states, hoping to end this conversation before he feels even more confused. It works. The servant offers his quick thanks and hurries off, presumably to convey the message. The dark haired male continues on his path to the meeting room, where he has to endure another long discussion on how they're going to handle the war. He just hopes Yoongi, walking silently behind him—and he has been awfully silent these days, can bring something to the conversation.

The meeting begins with The Council droning on, informing the king that while he may be an adult, they haven't deemed him the appropriate level of maturity to run an entire population just yet. What follows his birthday will be a period of observation, where they will decide whether he is ready to rule the kingdom yet. Until then, his uncle will still maintain some—significantly less than previously, but still some—control.

Then, a soldier steps forward to the table. One of his wings are bandaged, pressed tight against his back, and there are other smaller scratches littered across his body. The others from the recent attack have returned in a similar condition, causing most to curiously await this meeting. Jungkook, while curious, wishes he could just get the story and skip the rest.

He sighs, quietly. Sometimes being a king is so boring.

"The attack was, mostly, a success." The soldier announces to the room, instantly being met with a quiet mutter of voices around him. Most seem to be of approval—Jungkook can't see why they wouldn't be. After they grow a little quieter, the soldier elaborates, "The Hawks weren't expecting us and Sir Yoongi's plan worked. We pushed them back with minimal casualties—most hawks seemed intimidated by the numbers it looked like we had—and we reclaimed the Sparrow village." There's silence, with everyone anticipating that but, and the soldier doesn't disappoint. "But, the Hawks didn't give up so easily. While we were camped out, the Hawks came back with fire in their claws, dropping the flames onto the village. The whole place burnt up, with everyone inside; we were lucky to have escaped. Seems they carry the mindset of, if they can't have it, then no one can."

"Since then," another member of Jungkook's personal council—not to be mistaken with the much larger Council—takes this as an opportunity to raise his point, "The number of refugees have increased again. We're now housing all the birds who lost homes in the fires, along with all those already here and others undoubtedly going to arrive. Resources are already starting to spread thin, Your Highness."

"Our gates won't close." Jungkook insists on his word confidently. "If we don't take them, who will?"

* * *

Yoongi has spent a week thinking about his dilemma. Seven days seems so short but, after spending every waking hour thinking about the dilemma, it feels so long. Too long. It's beginning to drive him insane.

Jungkook left him only a few minutes ago to use the bathroom, but Yoongi has spent all of that time mulling over the fact that the famous raven king wants to marry an infamous magpie. Once again, he can't let his feelings enter the job. Regardless of how he feels towards the king, he can't let any relationship between them happen—can't live a lie.

And so, when Jungkook has returned, Yoongi stands and prepares himself to expose himself to the king. But then he stops. The look of absolute horror on the younger male's face stops him.

"My amulet is missing." Jungkook gasps, the same horror on his face drenching his tone. "Someone stole my amulet."

NOTE: hey, long time no see. Sorry you waited so long for a smaller chapter than usual, but i also read that you shouldn't apologise so much as thank instead, so thank you for waiting