Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 34

The golden throne was cold, and uncomfortable. The court ministers were stirring, they all tried to forget the removal of the wicked madam and move on with their lives, but they found that the young prince has not quite gotten a grip on politics just yet. Namjoon rubbed his temples. Never in his life was he getting so much attention before, though it was nice to have people who needed him, it was almost exhausting.

As soon as Madam Li was locked away, the people celebrated with whatever strength they had left. Along with the help of Commander Jeon, Namjoon called order to the court and established himself as the next leader of SilverStone. There had been no rejections. Instead, only chaos of getting Namjoon dressed properly before presenting himself on the royal court. Namjoon had seen maids help Seokjin dressed before, and the young master seemed to have enjoyed that particularly. However, Namjoon was too embarrassed to have anyone observe him. He pushed them out and got ready himself.

The maids also lined up the attires that were prepared for him by Madam Li after his arrival. It seemed that she also had plans to present him in court if he had agreed to her request. Every robe was black with gold designs of snakes. It made Namjoon's skin crawl. After putting it on, he played with his magic to remove the snakes and embroidered daisies instead. A gentle reminder of the place he grew up.

When he stood in front of the throne, the ministers saw marks of his father, their great general. With their guidance, Namjoon was getting used to the court life. His first order of business was to halt the production and distribution of Black Sand. He had the guards destroy all the supplies that were left in the city and commanded that they search the country far and wide until every trace of it was gone.

"Your Highness," the Minister of Defense spoke up. "My men told me that the last sign of Black Sand in the city had been confiscated and burned."

"Good," Namjoon nodded. "Have another group double check that the supplies were in fact destroyed. I don't want the drug to suddenly appear on the black market. What are the progress on the countrywide search?"

"Commander Jeon of the Sacred Skies had agreed to help us on that matters. He will be sending his men to destroy anything that he finds in Sacred Skies." the minister answered.

"Minister of Treasury, have you begun the distribution I asked you to?"

"Yes," the man grunted. He was annoyed that the Prince has ordered him to fairly distributed resources and money to the citizens of the city from the profit that Black Sand gathered. But he couldn't put it off anymore, the Prince had gotten suspicious of his unwillingness and sent guards to check in on his progress. Namjoon hadn't need to ask the question, he already knew the answer. "I already my men set up booths around the city and the distribution will happen later this week."

"Very well," Namjoon smiled. "I will be counting on you." The minister shivered as Namjoon shifted his gaze somewhere else. "And has Empress Wei responded to our request?"

The Minister of Relations perked his head up. "Yes, Your Highness. She said she would be happy to meet with you directly to discuss future trade agreements once you have settled with you position." Namjoon wondered when he would ever settled. He had wanted to have you by his side when he meets with Empress Wei again.

He sighed once more. It had been a week and you were still unconscious. Namjoon and his aunt managed to heal the wound. But for some reason, you were still not awake. He felt utterly useless and had recurring thoughts that it should have been him instead. Lady Park, who requested to stay behind to care for you, reminded him that you wouldn't want him to feel guilty. She did it for me, he thought, she did it so that I could make this place better, for her.

So that's what he was determined to do. To make this city habitable and thrive so that you would be happy. Though he hasn't asked if you would stay in the city with him, and he doesn't know if you would be willing to leave your family forever to stay next to him. He couldn't ask you to do that, he had been selfish enough already.

"Let's wait a while before we schedule that meeting," Namjoon told the court. "I haven't decided yet."

The ministers nodded, they all understood the reasoning behind his words. "Yes, Your Highness." they bowed.

"That will be all for today." he declared. The ministers made way for him to exit the court. He stood still, letting the air encircle him for a little bit. He had some of the maids remove Madam Li's rose bushes and replaced them with lavender. He kept the pond because he thought it was something you would like to see. Speaking of which, his feet moved automatically towards his quarter, where you were resting in the room across from his. Before opening the door, he stopped himself as he does everything. Wild thoughts ran through his mind again, like he doesn't have the right to see you. He really doesn't, but he would be selfish.

Gingerly, he pushed the door back. Peering into the room, he saw that you weren't alone. A figure sat by your bed as he wiped your forehead and held your hand. Namjoon's heart broke. The pain he feels cannot compare to how your father must have felt when he first saw you. He was completely distraught and confused when he saw a portal opening up in his garden. His heart hoped that it was his daughter, who had been gone for too long and the note she left couldn't suffice. But to his disappointment, it was Namjoon. He wanted to strangle the boy to death for taking his daughter away, but he pushed that all aside when he heard what had happened to you. Namjoon begged your father to come with him because he didn't trust any other doctor. Your father agreed without another thought. He had been here ever since.

Your father brushed the hair out of your face, and wondered when he would hear his daughter's laughter again.