Book 2: The Golden Tail (YoonMin FF)

XX. Step In

Jimin and the rest of the royals slowly came out of the safe house - cautious if they were any sirens nearby. The guards along with Jungkook were in front and at the back of them as they swam to the throne room.

The once beautiful and extravagant throne room was now in ruins. There was a crack on the wall and one of the pillars were crumbled down. The chandelier was on the ground in the middle of the room.

"What happened here? Where is the king?" Chanyeol asked as he looked around and so did the other royals.

Jimin floated there in shock; trying to take in the view in front of him. He snapped out from his thoughts when the warriors barged in the throne room.

"Your majesties, are you all alright?" The one of the warriors asked them in gruffy voice.

"We are fine. " Prince Taehyung replied with a nod. "None of us are injured.

"Where is King Seokjin?" Another warrior asked.

"We have no idea." Prince Baekhyun replied sadly.

"He is dead."

Everyone went silent and looked at the owner of the voice. Their eyes went to Jimin as he looked at the cracked wall.

"He knew that he would die today but he did not bother to tell because he did not everyone to be worried." Jimin explained in a steady voice; though he was shaken up by his final words to him. " That's what he told me last night."

He looked at their faces and saw their expressions turned into hopeless one.

"You are going to be a great ruler."

"Without the King of Korallia, no one can be the next ruler. " King Chen said and his eyes crestfallen. "He has no heir that carries King Habaek's blood and Chanyeol had already a kingdom to rule unless, he was given the permission to rule Korallia."

"There is a way..."

"With King Seokjin gone, that means Nancy became the holder." Prince Baekhyun said and the look of disbelief was written on his face.

"What shall we do?" Taehyung asked as he ran his long fingers through his hair with a frustrated look on his face. "There has to be a way to stop Nancy."

Jimin felt his hands shaken on his sides and his heart pumped fast. That familiar feeling he felt was back, creeping up to him. He felt this when he was captured by the pirates - fear.

FLASHBACK

"There is a way." King Seokjin answered. "But let me tell you how this happened." He added as he gestured Jimin to see on a big sponge behind him and Jimin obliged.

The king took a deep breath and sighed before swimming to the his seat behind the desk.

"Jimin, did you know what happened between the sea king and the land king a long time ago?" He asked the gold merman and looked at him.

Jimin hummed as he tapped his chin and then he perked up. "Oh! They became friends after the war and King Habaek trusted King Gwangsu for protecting the marine life." He answered with a smile but was now frowned when he saw the sea king's solemn expression.

"True but..." He then looked down on his pearl ring and twisted it. "Their friendship somehow blossomed into something that is forbidden and can cause destruction - love."

Jimin gasped. "Like us?"

The king nodded and sighed sadly. "But they separated when the misunderstanding happened - it was the right thing to do to prevent another war but that didn't mean that they didn't love each other anymore - love was still lingered in their hearts until they passed." King Seokjin fidgeting his ring.

"The misunderstanding was caused by the rebelled mermans, the sirens but most escaped from King Habaek's wrath, some weren't fortunate." He explained.

"So they are coming back again to kill you to take Habaek's trident." Jimin said softly. "With you killed by them, they will destroy the balance."

"The Sea Oracle foretold a prophecy to me:
Oh, Great Sea King, Korallia is in dire;
It is because of King Habaek's desire
A never-fulfilled oath you make shall break
Enemies come for the trident to take
On the orb of the night, your reign shall end
On the Prince of the South do now depend
Your final words, the trident listens
Sacrifice shall be made; price to be paid."

Jimin froze on his seat. 'Prince of the South... South... Alcyoneum.' He thought.

Jimin knew that it wasn't about Chanyeol because he's already a king and then, he thought about Prince Baekhyun. Since he's already married to his brother that made him a Prince of South Alcyoneum.

However, he couldn't shake the feeling that the prophecy might be about him too since he's also a Prince.

"My final words is the permission to rule Korallia by its ruler and the trident will not harm him."King Seokjin explained.

~

"You are going to be a great ruler."

Those were his last words before he was escorted to the safe house.

Jimin turned back and saw the King's sad smile towards him and his eyes were filled with hopelessness to escape from the horrible fate - from seeing his lover again as he curtly nodded his head.

End of Flashback

That moment, he realized that he was chosen. He was given the permission to rule Korallia by King Seokjin.

He was scared but he didn't want King Seokjin's sacrifice go in vain.

"Not only did he know about his upcoming death but he had already given a permission to rule Korallia to someone." Jimin spoke up.

Everyone looked at him with wide eyes. Jimin nearly faltered but he quickly composed himself.

"Who is it, Prince Jimin?" King Chen asked.

He looked at each of their faces before he spoke again,"I am." He said with confidence. "But I cannot do this by myself."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey, guys! Long time no see! Final exams for first semester is now over and no more final requirements. Yehey!🎉🎉🎉

The next chapter will be longer and I hope I will finish this book before Christmas.

I don't know what book I will published next after this because I made - I don't know - five drafts?

Anyways, please give this book a vote and a comment. Readers, lend me your powers so that I can have more ideas and finish this in no time.

Stay safe and healthy!

Borahae! 💜

~ MarshmallowSahnielle