The Sacrifice of The Blood King: A Taekook Story

Chapter Fourteen: The Desert Jewel

Jungkook storms into the council room, on time, and highly irritated. Not because he had to leave Taehyung behind, but because he knows he is about to get bombarded with hundreds of questions he does not want to answer. In front of him sits a dozen members of the Royal Council and the Advisor. Jungkook takes the seat at the head of the table, his presence cutting off any and all conversations.

"Good morning, my king, did you sleep well? You are looking a little peeved," the Advisor purrs, a cruel grin on his face as if he wants Jungkook to have a bad night.

"I slept very well, thank you. I would've preferred not to have this meeting so early in the morning, that is all," Jungkook retorts, his deep voice that cold and condescending tone that he frequently uses with the Advisor and Council. He looks to his left and right, noting that none of the members have changed since he went to the Desert Kingdom. As it should be. His first order of business when becoming Blood King was forcing old Royal Council members out and inviting new ones in so that there would be a fair distribution of power throughout the entire Mountain Kingdom. Before, all of it was circulated around the Summit. Which left the rest of his kingdom frozen and starving with no resources and no representation in the council. Of course, part of the reason to kick old members was because they were the ones who approved the Blood Coronation while the members that stayed were adamant that the antiquated practice should be dispelled with.

"You should've brought the little lamb with you. I was very curious to meet him," one of the newer members says, smiling a cheeky grin as Jungkook takes a look at the man.

"I would have, however, he had a bit of a strenuous night, Jimin," Jungkook replies with a wolfish smirk, making his point very clear. The other members at the table laugh, except the Advisor who just clears his throat, drawing the attention back to himself.

"Now that you are back, we should discuss what you learned going to the Desert Kingdom in the first place," the Advisor demands, and Jungkook can feel a shift in the room. He glances quickly at each of the council members, watching how their demeanors change. Some of their eyes gleam with greed. Some curiosity. Some with concern towards the king as they heard about the battle before the Desert Lamb stepped in.

"Is it true you were wounded?" Namjoon questions after the silence in the room become far too thick with tension. Jungkook cocks a brow, looking at him with a bit of surprise in his eyes.

"I'm surprised the warriors mentioned it. It was nothing more than a scratch," Jungkook says, shifting slightly on his seat. He doesn't need these men to know that he was injured. He doesn't need them to see a weakness in him. Jungkook sighs, "Now, let's turn the attention back to what I do know. They do not have well-trained warriors, and not surprisingly most of the kingdom is run-down villages,"

"Well, with The Mad King for a ruler, are you really shocked by that?" Another Royal named Hoseok asks and Jungkook shakes his head.

"Not really. And definitely not after seeing how much of a coward the man truly was," Jungkook growls.

"Is it true that he threw his son at you from the locked temple as bait?" Jimin asks curiously and Jungkook scoffs.

"No. Is that what they are saying?" Jungkook incredulously asks before everyone nods. He lets out a small sigh, straightening in his seat, "Listen here; let us set the record straight. We had just broken through the main gates of the Jeweled Palace when Prince Taehyung ran between me and the warrior I was fighting," Jungkook explains, causing Namjoon's brows to raise.

"He...ran between the two of you..." he says doubtfully.

"Weaponless," Jungkook admits, "The boy stunned me with his brazen behavior and demands to meet the leader. He was surprised, to say the least when he realized it was me,"