Welcome To My World

03 - Furorem's Palace

Jennie POV
"Your highness, we have something to report to you. Sorry for interrupting, "one of the guards reported while coming into Jennie's room.

Jennie said exasperated, "Report it to Prince Jimin, I'm trying to get some sleep."

The guard bowed and apologized, "My apologies but His Majesty and Prince Jimin have gone to look for the Fire Dragons and Her Majesty has went out. I have nobody else to report it to."

"Fine, what is it? Make it quick," Jennie said while rubbing her eyes.

The guard nodded and replied, "Two outsiders were caught trying to break into the royal palace. We suspect they are spies from one of the other three kingdoms but they keep saying they fell into some hole and ended up here. They won't budge, your highness."

Jennie replied, "Let me see them. Bring me to them immediately." Jennie got up, waiting for the guard to guide her.

The guard responded with a little nervousness, "Your highness, are you sure you want to go with those clothes? The criminals might find it a little inappropriate." Jennie looked down at herself and realized she was wearing a short night gown. She quickly put on a cardigan and motioned for the guard to lead her to the dungeon. When she went down to the dungeon, many prisoners looked at her with fear and those who didn't know her just stared at her. Then she came across an old man who winked at her. She stopped and looked at the old man with fury.

"You dare wink at me, you filthy criminal?" Jennie asked when she came to the old man's cell. She glared at the old man.

The old man laughed, "You're in the dungeon as well, so aren't you a criminal. If I'm filthy, so are you. But I wouldn't mind a roll in the hay with you."

Jennie smiled sweetly, "Really? Then, guards roll this man in the hay for two days straight once I leave. Then give him 30 whips." The guards nodded obediently.

"Wait, who are you? Please spare me. I didn't know who you were, "the old man stuttered in fear while slowly backing away.

Then a young man spoke up and said, "He didn't know who you were, just leave him alone."

Jennie turned to the young man and scoffed, "And who are you to tell me what to do? I'm the Princess of Furorem, you're a criminal. That's why you're locked up here."

"Wait, we're in Furorem? Isn't that one of the four kingdoms in the book?"the man sitting next to the other one asked.

Jennie rolled her eyes and said, "Stop trying to act. Everybody knows we're in Furorem, you dirty liars. In fact, you're the intruders aren't you. The ones who keep saying they fell from some hole and ended up here"

"We're not lying, we fell into some hole and ended up right in front of some castle and when we tried to go inside, your stupid guards thought we were breaking in. And our names aren't dirty liars. I'm Taehyung and he's Jin, "the man refuted. 

Jennie took a deep breath and said, "Here, let's just make this simple. You tell me which kingdom sent you and I'll make sure you guys won't get a death sentence."

"Ugh, why does your sister Jisoo always get us in trouble, "Jin said as he smacked his head against the wall.

Jennie looked back quickly and said, "You know Princess Jisoo from Mortem. Are you spying on us for them?"

A guard went to Jennie and kneeled, "Your highness, we call war on them right now. It will be advantage if we do it right now for us since they won't expect it."

Jennie slapped the guard and said, "You're fired as of today. What kind of guard is so stupid? Professionally trained criminals wouldn't slip up this easy and Mortem has the best spies. They're probably from another kingdom and is trying to trick Furorem. Send people on horseback to fetch my family from wherever they are. And lock up these criminals and starve them until my family comes." The guards nodded and kneeled before they rushed out of the dungeon.

Jennie announced to the guards, "You guys can wait outside, I have to talk about something private with these two criminals.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and asked, "What do you want now? Haven't you tortured us enough for one day?"

Jennie put her hand on Taehyung's chin and tilted it up, forcing him to make eye contact with her and she said, "Dear, I haven't even started torturing you yet. But what did your friend say before? Is your sister really Princess Jisoo?"

"Even if I was her brother, why would I ever tell you, "Taehyung spat at her back. Jennie had fury in her cold eyes but you could tell she could hold it in.

Suddenly a guard came up to Jennie and kneeled before announcing, "Princess Lisa and Princess Nancy of Timor have come to visit you." Jennie thought to herself, "Maybe these two are really spies from another kingdom. Is it possible that Princess Nancy and Princess Lisa have heard that these criminals got caught so they rushed here to take them back before they confess? But how could have news gotten to them that quickly?" Jennie shook her head and cleared all her thoughts since she knew she should always address problems with a clear head.

Jennie replied, "Okay, I will go. Tie the one named Jin up and whip the one named Taehyung ten times to make him repent for his mistakes." 

Jin suddenly got on his knees and begged her, "Please don't do that. He doesn't know anything. He was just being defensive. I'm sorry." Jennie thought to herself, "This guy thinks he can convince me, the stone hearted and cold princess of Furorem to let his friend go with begging. Yeah, right. But what if this guy is really Princess Jisoo's sister. I might cause a war. This is way too risky. I'll just tie him up for now."

Jennie took a deep breath and said to the guards, "Just tie him up instead. Forget what I said earlier."

"Why are you letting me go?" Taehyung asked with his eyes filled with curiosity and even more suspicion.

Jennie smiled at him coldly and said, "I'm not letting you go, dear. I just need to decide something before I punish you. Now stop bothering me, I have important guests to attend to unlike you dirty criminals. And please behave, you and your friend." Taehyung scoffed and Jennie ignored him, walking briskly towards the throne room where Lisa and Nancy were waiting with somebody. Jennie walked closer to them and realized who was with them. It was the criminal Kun who had stolen food from the citizens of Furorem for two months straight and murdered high nobles.

Jennie asked, "What are you doing standing with a criminal, Princess Lisa and Nancy. Get behind the guards before this fugitive tries to do something to you guys."

Lisa bowed and said, "Relax, Princess Jennie. I brought him here because he might have some very important information. By chance, do you have two criminals named Taehyung and Jin here who came recently?"

Jennie thought to herself, "So they are here for those two spies. They're probably going to blackmail me with Kun. Fine, I'll let the princesses know they're here but I can't let those two criminals get out." 

Jennie replied, "Yes, why? Do you know them? Also , guards arrest Kun right now." 

"Wait, he has information. Let him talk first, "Lisa said as she protectively went in front of Kun instinctively. 

Nancy whispered into her sister's ear, "I think he's blushing. He must have a crush on you." Lisa rolled her eyes and playfully pushed Nancy away.

Jennie said with a strict tone making Lisa's attention coming back to her as she said, "Princess Lisa, I'm not sure you understand. Kun is Furorem's criminal therefore he is our property. We get to decide if we want him to talk or not. And right now we don't want him to talk so please hand over Kun."

Lisa replied, "Just let him talk. If you don't, then I am not handing him over. My guards can protect us."

Jennie scoffed, "Your guards are greatly outnumbered by mine. It doesn't matter anyway, Princess Lisa."

"Then you'll be starting a war. You know that declaring a war is the same thing as attacking a member of the royal family, not to mention two. So please make your decision, Princess Jennie, "Lisa smirked. Jennie thought to herself, "Why would she make this big of a deal just to let him talk? Even if, Lisa and I aren't friends I know for a fact she wouldn't risk her kingdom for fun. It must be important."

Jennie said annoyed to Kun, "Fine talk but you only have a minute."