When Taehyung entered the room, all attention was drawn to him. The court started muttering as Jungkook followed behind, back straight and tall, clad all in black, save the mask resting on his face.

Taehyung walked to his throne, draping himself onto it lazily, his eyes scanning the court as Jungkook took his place beside the throne, standing there and looking straight ahead, not focusing much on anything. The court all bowed once Taehyung and Jungkook were settled, showing their respect for their king.

“Your majesty.” One of the brave courtiers asked.

“Yes?” Taehyung asked, turning to the man. He bowed and moved forward.

“Who is this?”

“My personal guard. You may call him JK.”

“Is there such a need for a personal guard? I mean no offense, but your majesty does not seem to need one. One as strong as yourself—“

“I’m perfectly aware that I can defend myself, Lord Joo. However, it never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes. Wouldn’t want anything happening to me now, would we?”

“No your majesty, of course not. Forgive my intrusive questions.”

“Forgiven.” Taehyung looked out at the rest of the court. “Any other questions?” Silence. “No? Then by all means, don’t stop what you were doing for me. This is a time to socialize.” The court all hesitantly turned from Taehyung, but soon enough, conversations started up again.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Is your court anything like mine?”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“Your court seems to be filled with gossiping pussies.” Jungkook whispered back.

“Why? What was your court like back home?”

“Did Jimin not tell you?”

“Jimin never talks about what his life was like back in Busan.”

“It was legal to kill someone if you had a good reason to.”

“What?” Taehyung turned to fully face Jungkook. “What the hell do you mean?”

“I mean...if you were insulted, or you even caught wind of someone speaking ill of you, you could plunge your sword right through their heart and not be punished for it.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Why do you think many are taught to fight and defend themselves? Why I was vigorously taught how to defend myself?”

“Why not Jimin?”

“Jimin was too perfect. Plus, he wasn’t the heir. Everybody loved him, it was impossible not to.”

“And your parents didn’t kill him off because of the stupid sorcerer?”

“That was the only reason he’s still alive.”

“So...half of my court would be dead by now if it was anything like yours.”

“Not necessarily. Many just resorted to a duel. Losing a hand or two is often payment enough for the nobles of my parent’s court.”

“That’s barbaric.”

“It has always been the way of Busan.”

“No wonder your country always seems to be at war with another.”

Jungkook shrugged. “The children of the royal family have always been taught that. Be ruthless, think with your sword first. It’s been like that for generations.”

Taehyung turned, seeming to be in deep thought over Jungkook’s words.

“So you were basically a bred killer.”

“Basically.” Jungkook shrugged. “Your court seems fairly tame compared to that.”

“While your court is straightforward with everything, dealing with harsh words and threats right away, my court is much more conniving than that. I dare say it’s worse than yours.”

“Explain.”

“Someone insults you, and you’re back home, what do you do? Stick a sword in them, they’re dead. Here? You scheme against them, strip them first of their reputation, then their wealth, then their title, slowly rip everything from them until they’re left with nothing. Then have them become the laughing stock of the court. Usually leads to them fleeing the country or committing suicide.”

Jungkook’s wrinkled his nose in distaste. “And you call my court barbaric? Yours is nothing but a den of snakes.”

“I’m aware. That’s why I’m here everyday. If I wasn’t, I would probably find myself without a throne. They tend to be more wary of the things they say if they know that I am listening.” Jungkook nodded thoughtfully.

“Why do you not just get rid of those you know are scheming against you?”

“Jungkook, look at the court, look at everyone here.” Jungkook did so. “Kill all of them.”

“What?”

“Right now. Kill every single one of them, and you will have killed every single threat ever made against my life, and my throne.” Jungkook’s eyes wide.

“You have no one loyal to your throne?” Jungkook was shocked. “Surely someone must be—“

“They all hate me. They did not like the fact that I took the throne instead of Jin. I love my Hyung with all my heart, but he is more of a people pleaser than a leader. He would have used his kingship to make everyone happy and be at their beck and call. He would have been their slave, their slave to their greed and hunger for more power. I am a leader, I know what is best for my people, and I try to make decisions based off of my people as a whole, not just these few in this room with us. Naturally, they weren’t too happy with that, as you can imagine.”