Your Highness {NamJin}

{prologue}

The pendulum of fate and time swung everlastingly from day to night, darkness to light, and goodness to evil without ceasing for those it controlled; no matter how one felt at any fleeting moment, if he faced hard times, he only needed to wait for the pendulum to swing. No one may rush time, or make any second longer than its brother. After many months of hardship, the pendulum swung once more from chaos to peace for many moons, and all who resided under His Divine Grace Kim Namjoon lived in prosperity and fruition.

One morning, when the sun gave its glowing light through the white clouds that cushioned its harsh rays like the soft feathers of a fiery phoenix, the Second Lord of the North tended to his daughter like a protective deer would to its young; he smoothed down her dress and tied a small pendant of silver to the ribbon that held her dress closed.

"For good luck," he smiled, prompting his little fawn to grin as well. Her mother ran around, picking up and putting down different things — various assortments of hair ornaments, paper fans and pairs of slippers, to name a few. It was a chaotic, yet peaceful morning, and the little Kim family had everything to show for it.

"What do you suppose the big announcement is, Seonbi-ah?" the lord asked, placing a kiss on his fourteen-year-old daughter.

"I'm not sure. Seokjin-nim said it was important, and that it was imperative we meet him. He even specifically asked that Rinji come along."

"M-Me?" Rinji stammered, shaking her head. "Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all, Rin-Rin. You've done nothing wrong. Think of this as your first honor by the king himself."

"Oh? You know something I don't, Taehyung?" Seonbi asked, smiling as she furrowed her brow.

"I know as little as you do, love. Let's just say...I have a good feeling about this."

Every lord and lady, every soldier, and every harem woman had gathered in the grand palace hall, where Kim Taehyung, Seonbi and their daughter Rinji entered and found their way towards the foot of the steps in front of two shimmering, golden thrones, engraved with dragons and tigers, straight and curved lines, light and dark lacquer and glorious beauty.

Sitting in those two thrones was none other than His Divine Grace Kim Namjoon, and His Majesty Kim Seokjin, wearing the red and gold, phoenix-embroidered, pompous regalia of true kings.

"Long live His Divine Grace! Long live His Majesty!" the crowd chanted, falling to their knees and bowing towards the royals, who smiled at each other and their loyal subjects.

"My people," Namjoon began, standing up from his seat, "I have gathered you today on this wonderful morning to present to you an edict."

"As you all know, shortly after the attempted coup d'etat fourteen years ago, I ruled in the king's place for a few months," Seokjin said, lifting himself off his throne in a sophisticated manner. "You all accepted me as a real king deserving of his title, and weren't at all against the idea of His Grace and I ruling together and sharing the crown — however unorthodox it seemed."

"Now, we realize that we are missing one final piece of our special tapestry," Namjoon said, looking down at the Kim family that knelt at the front of the crowd. Rinji looked up at the king's eyes with wonder and pure excitement in her eyes; never before had she seen such a sight. She had learned in her history classes that a king was to rule with his queen, but never before had she seen two kings rule in their own right, and she felt a strange, inexplicable happiness that held onto her heart like a child would hold onto her teddy bear.

"We are missing an heir to inherit this shining kingdom of ours."

Taehyung and Seonbi shot their heads to the left and right — looking at each other in realization and shock — then towards the young girl between them, still gazing up at the flawless faces of the two kings.

"We've discussed this matter for a few days now, and we've observed a special child that resides in this palace among us. She is kind, intelligent, clever and more than fit to wear the crown on her head when the time comes."

Rinji gasped, finally understanding what Namjoon and Seokjin meant. Seonbi had long begun to weep out of happiness, and Taehyung clutched both girls to his chest, beaming with pride.

"If Second Lord Kim and Lady Kim would permit us, we would like to issue the edict that pronounces their daughter, Kim Rinji, official heiress to the crown."