[ NO LOOP FOR MUSIC. ]

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As the dark clouds caress the black sky, seemingly with no stars in view, the full moon hides behind a few of its clouds, accompanied by its gray and white colors. Everything is silent with not a single sign of life, not a shadow to be seen. The moon slowly slips below the horizon, hiding in its shadows after providing respite to those who needed sleep after a long day of hard work. The small houses of commoners and the poor are the only visible sights as the day welcomes the other half of the earth. The wind blows, indicating the arrival of someone dear to them.

Tranquil footsteps echo on a rooftop as a man saunters to the edge of it. The sound of flapping wings reverberates with every step he takes. His black clothing adds to the darkness of his mesmerizing shadow.

"JK! JK!" A parrot's high-pitched tone shouts over his shoulder. However, the bird continues to flap its wings, trying to get its master's attention.

"KILL HIM ALREADY!" JK... the codename of the assassin who kills for money yet is excitingly popular for his skills.

The man's shadow is as handsome as he is, as his feet reach the edge of the rooftop. He crouches there, staring at the beautiful sunrise that is slowly taking place.

His eyes shine with utmost courage and daringness; not an ounce of fear is hinted in his enticing eyes. His lips curve up in a charming smirk behind the mask he's wearing, a black one with a golden pattern. He pulls the mask off, revealing his alluring face that still has the smirk plastered on his lips.

"It's day by now, Bam." He turns to his pet as an excuse with a teasing smirk, relishing his reaction. The pet screeches loudly as the sun rises ahead, illuminating the colors of the day.

His arms rest on his thighs as he sits there contemplating the request he's been given.

"Doesn't matter! Kill, Kill! Then chill! Money! Tons of money!" The parrot yells on his left shoulder as he chuckles, keeping his veiny fingers over his lips. His long hair blows a little in the wind.

"JK doesn't care if it's day or night! Kill, Kill anytime! JK rule!" Bam keeps his little foot over JK's cheek, feeling annoyed by his master's laziness.

"I know right? JK doesn't care about time." His tone is completely naughty as he gets up, and the parrot moves his foot away, turning in the opposite direction, obviously angry over his master. His master should pay up to him.

Bam is so hardworking, reminding him of his duties day and night, while his master is too lazy to even consider it. He won't find a pet like Bam again since he's the best.

Throughout the time, Bam is busy praising himself in his mind, not paying attention to what's happening around him...because of this, he suddenly hears his own scream, realizing JK has jumped from the house.

While the sun has completely taken its place, Bam flaps his wings in the air, following his master to his destination.

"Let's go kill then chill, Bam. We'll buy seeds for you...I have to meet Sierra too."

"What? Not that crazy evil bitch!"

"I told you to stop cussing."

"Learned from you, master."

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"Hiyah!"

The sounds of clashing swords resonate as two exceptionally skilled swordsmen stand opposite each other, striving to master the art of swordsmanship.

They are on the royal grounds, where they are stationed. Several more swordsmen are fighting in the distance, with some dueling in pairs.

Both of them have their left hands behind their backs as they clash their swords.

They are strikingly good-looking, wearing suits designed for these grounds. Among the men are knights of varying skill levels, including some who are learning and others who are poorly skilled. Some have the most renowned names in the kingdom of Ivrea.

One of them grits his teeth, his feet firmly planted on the rough sands beneath him as he maintains his posture. He presses his sword against his partner, who stands with a wild smirk on his lips, confident of his impending victory.

"Lose already, Namjoon," says Jimin, tilting his head and pressing the sword more towards his friend. His hair falls over his forehead, and the veins on his forehead become visible due to the high pressure they are both experiencing.

Namjoon appears sweatier than Jimin, driven to win the fight at all costs. He was definitely not someone who liked losing, and his chest heaves up and down as he pants heavily.

"You're just a butler, Jimin," Namjoon pauses, glancing away, squinting his eyes due to the scorching sun torturing them. Even so, Namjoon is the kind of person who comes to the grounds and practices swordsmanship even if he knows a tornado is approaching; it's his daily routine. However, today, a man named Park Jimin is determined to challenge him. Namjoon looks back at Jimin and says, "You shouldn't be so skilled. It's my job." Indeed, Namjoon is known as the best swordsman in the entire kingdom, having won numerous wars and brought safety, prosperity, and hope to the kingdom of Ivrea. Even the king is proud of him, granting him a new title every year in recognition of his abilities.

"I take pleasure in defeating you, Mister Best Swordsman," Jimin teases Namjoon intentionally. Ever since a little girl had coincidentally called Namjoon by that title in public, the whole kingdom had started referring to him in the same way. Even the girls who swooned over him used this unofficial title. Was it becoming a trend? Namjoon was fine with it and felt happy when the little girl had addressed him that way, but the whole kingdom joining in? That might be a bit much.

Namjoon can feel his heart thumping, annoyed at the man in front of him as he kicks him in the chest, suddenly breaking his posture.

"Ow." Jimin lands squarely on his butt, still holding the sword he had kept beside him unknowingly in his misery. Jimin's brows furrow as he feels the harsh kick.

"Do not challenge the 'Mister Best Swordsman,' Park Jimin." Namjoon's words lace with sarcasm and mockery as his lips slowly curve into a soft smile.

He extends his hand to his friend. "I had fun with the duel, dear butler." Jimin widely smiled, accepting the offer and standing up. He patted his rear to remove the dirt.

"Do you want the ladies to swoon?" Namjoon questions, prophesying. Jimin suddenly hears many squeals and turns his head in the direction of a group of ladies who are not only there for him but also for Namjoon. Watching two attractive men covered in sweat is a delight to their eyes.

Jimin shakes his head, done with the women, but he still likes it.

Jimin purposely moves his hand up, running his fingers through his jet-black hair.

"AAHHHHHH! Even his fingers are so beautiful!" A girl fans her flushed cheeks, directly pretending to faint. Or...did she really faint? Jimin doesn't care, though. He has his job to do and much more work that he left behind in the palace.

"I have heard the princess is getting married," Jimin mutters as if not pleased with the news that he has heard that very morning. His brows knit together unconsciously.

"It seems like you aren't glad for the news, Jimin." Namjoon tilts his head, thrusting his sword into the ground for support.

"It's an old man," Jimin slowly looks up from the ground, "Every time I hear the news of an innocent girl going through this, I feel exceedingly bad that I am there...but I can't do anything to help them." Namjoon knows how kind and caring Jimin is. He and Jimin have been friends for at least three years. While Jimin is twenty-two, Namjoon is twenty-five, he knows him well.

Jimin presses his lips together, pulling them in a fake smile, "I have to go to the palace. There's going to be a tea party tomorrow. Also, the marquess will arrive after a day or two." The marquess is the man with whom she is going to get married. Jimin loathes that sleazy old man from the core of his heart. He looks at a woman forty years younger than him with an offensive gaze.

"I wish you a wonderful day, sire," Jimin says with a bow, showing respect to the man in front of him, who is clearly trying to hide his sorrowful expression. Namjoon knew the princess too, so it's not surprising that the news would upset him as much as it did Jimin.

Jimin turns around and walks away with his sword as he takes a sheath and places the sword safely. He can still hear the girls.

"Everything about him is so hot! MISTER BEST SWORDSMAN!"

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"Her highness is awake. Quick." Her skin is immensely wrinkly since she is so old, with many health conditions at the moment. Being a royal maid leads to extreme stress and anxiety at the same time. On top of that, she is the princess's handmaid.

Her work uniform is a little dirty because of carrying the coal scuttle to the kitchen. Many maids pass by her, entering the chambers beside her.

She directs them in a hurry, knowing if something wrong happens, they'll suffer. They'll die.

The royal palace is an advantageous place where one can earn as much money as they want on the account of their skills. But there are also the demerits; one can die with just a flick of two fingers if they take a single wrong step. It's dangerous to work there. However, the handmaid is used to working here after an experience of sixty years. She doesn't know how she survived. She still does, and she is gratified with herself.

Her gaze lingers over the golden brown corridors as she stands there seeing everyone who is now inside.

She steps in, and her gaze catches a woman standing with a large cloth protecting her naked body while the maids help her in getting ready. Her luscious long hair flows down her naked back while she has her arms spread.

The maid steps forward with her gaze moving to the seductively attractive princess's face that can be seen in the mirror where she stands opposite. Her eyes are straight as if she doesn't fear anything, as if no one can take her down, as if she has more than a belief in herself. The people name her expression 'a scowl' while for the maid, it isn't. The princess is like that. It's her personality. As the little girl grew up into this alluring woman that she is today, she has witnessed it all, standing in the shadows.

It could be said that the princess is the closest to her in the palace. She doesn't talk much. So much that no one knows what goes on in her mind or what step she'd take next. It's always unexpected. But still, a few little talks and a mere interaction of words direct the old woman to a realization that she is at least the nearest to her heart since her highness doesn't have a mother.

"Melissa," Her gaze snaps aside, "Stop staring at me like I am the most precious being to you in this world."

The royal princess's words make her widely smile, turning her eyes into crescents just like her grandson. She is still in the same position and looking at herself in the mirror. She has said those words not moving an inch or glancing at her maid.

The maid takes her steps toward the royalty as she replies, "You are the most precious being in this world, your highness."

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[ A/N: of course! There's JK's son Bam in here coz I wanted to do something that's so out of it that no author has ever done before! Bam can talk and he's a parrot. ✨
His personality isn't completely revealed so keep reading to know him more! He's so cute with JK, I wanted to use him as a character in one of my books, and the result is this. <3
Please leave a vote for this hard-working author! ]