I remember when you were born. The way you looked up at me with those needy dark eyes. Your brother was two years old by then. Always wanting my attention, but you drained me. If I put you down you'd cry. You always demanded my attention. To think they wanted me to keep you. You had a great purpose. Pft...

The only purpose I've seen is you getting everything I asked for.

But that's not entirely your fault. A god decided to save your brother from his death in which riches would have fallen at my feet.

I see you've left your castle. The thing you want most is close by. It's quite amusing. Why? Because you can't see her! The gods have blocked you from it. Ha!

In a way I pity you... However, I enjoy your sufferings. It's time son for you to give your mother what is rightfully hers.

"Excuse me!" I called out to you. Your hunched shoulders tell me you don't want to talk. Oh well.

You turn to face me reluctantly.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

Ma'am? Ugh... I wanted to spit in your face for that one. Do I really look old enough to be called ma'am? You could have humored me and called me miss.

"I don't think I've introduced myself."

Your eyebrows knitted in confusion, then realization spread across your face.

"The seamstress, Ms. Vera."

I sigh heavily.

"I'm your mother."

Your face fell, followed by a series of emotions one right after the other. Then your face went back to confusion.

"That's not possible."

"The gods stole you away from me." I faked a cry, pretending to wipe away a ghost tear. You didn't move an inch. You just stared at your hurting mother.

"Stole?"

I nodded, sniffling giving you my best act.

"Why are you just making yourself known?" What a loaded question. I took a step closer to you.

"Yoon Yoon..."

You stepped away, with a grimace. Of course you did. Your brother used to call you that. Are you having flashbacks now! Do you remember how much he adored you. Even though you stole so much of my precious time.

"D-don't call me that."

I'm your mother, I'll call you whatever I want.

But I don't, because that won't get me what I want from you. I have to keep up this mommy dearest facade.

"As you wish."

"Answer my question." You demand like the little shit you still are. I look down at the ground to hide the rising anger I feel. Trying to mask it with sorrow and a grievance I never felt.

"I've been looking for you for so long. When I saw you that day I knew it was my lost boy. You had returned."

You knit your eyebrows together, bringing a hand to your chin. Are you thinking? Trying to understand or maybe determine if what I tell you is true? It's not. I'm not going to tell you that though.

"Have a nice day Ms. Vera."

"What?"

"I don't believe you and I have more pressing matters."

You dismiss me just as the god of the underworld had when he did not create the shadow city as he was supposed to. Then when I tried to give him you... the fucking sun god interfered. Meddling gods.

"No! Please!" I cry out. I am a desperate woman. I want what belongs to me.

You flicked your hand and continued to walk. I could kill you right now. You realize that, your back turned to me. I could unsheath this dagger and plunge it right into your deceitful goody to shoes back.

I'm not going to today.

Just know your days are numbered son.

——
Yoongi

Back at the castle, I had so many thoughts running through my head. There's no way that seamstress was my mother. I mean sure it was possible. I don't have time to deal with that. I'm running out of days to find Jinx.

"Your highness!" Called Kira. I look up to see her with her hands resting on her hips. She looked like she was ready to scold me.

"Kira."

"Where have you been?"

"Talking to peasants." I say nonchalantly. "You?"

Kira smiled falling into step beside me.

"I found a girl and I think her mother, playing out in a meadow. They were so sweet. Even invited me to have dinner with them."

"Oh?"

Kira nodded. "Jinx, the mother was so very pretty. Her white blond hair was otherworldly and her eyes were the color of evergreens."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"What was the name of the mother?"

Kira turned to look at me.

"Jinx."

My heart started to race. How many people were named Jinx? Was it her? She's not a mother though. So who is the little girl?

"Are you sure she was the girls mom?"

She stared at me in confusion, tilting her head to the side.

"I'm not sure."

"Could you find the meadow again?"

Again she looked at me like I grew a second head. Then the realization hit.

"Wait—- do you think it's her!"

I nodded. We started walking off towards the war room to find Ages hunched over the map.

He stood up straight, smiling at our arrival.

"Your highness you are just in time."

I groaned, that usually meant something was amiss. Kira elbowed me, making me grunt.

"Ugh... what do you got, Ages?"

"Pens...They have gathered in the far corner of the village."

"What are they doing?"

He stared at me. "Terrorizing villagers, destroying homes."

I analyzed the map with Kira walking around gazing at it. I could tell she was formulating a plan.

"Have you assembled any troops?" I asked, Ages nodded.

"At least twenty. However, some refuse to deal with pens. Say they are from the god of the underworld."

"I see."

After several minutes we came up with a strategic plan. Something that would keep the pens away from the people and protect their homes. It required some magic. Which excited Kira. She dismissed herself eagerly to go and find the village witch.

If we even had one. But if the witch could do what was asked. She had a place among my council. I mean that's all I need is one more mythical being.

Ages sighed, falling into his chair with a goblet of wine.

"Ages, can you look into something for me?"

"Of course, Your Highness." He leaned forward.

"The seamstress, Vera approached me in the valley. Said she was my mother. Can you find out if this is true. What is her story?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"Thank you, I am most grateful."

"I get started right away." He got up and strode from the room, goblet in hand. I slumped down into the chair by the table full of scrolls and old maps. Lost to my thoughts.