The next week did not allow for Jimin to process exactly what he had agreed to, as it was filled with non-stop journey preparations, a five-day ride ahead of him in order to reach the capital of the Anti-Kingdom.
His only break from the madness was his hideaway in the library, where he banned any of his men from coming with him to sit with his books for 2 hours, allowing him peace of mind to really think through his situation.
And today was one where he needed it most.
Hoseok wouldn't stop badgering him about how handsome Prince Jeno was.
Taehyung would only talk about Jungkook whenever he hung out with Jimin and was constantly leaving to check on him, which was sweet and annoying all at the same time, reminding Jimin how alone he felt.
Namjoon and Jin were updating him on international policy and quizzing him on his knowledge of the enemy kingdom whenever he saw them.
The only person that wasn't trying to talk to him was the one he was supposed to trust and know the most.
Yoongi seemingly refused to talk about how it was going to work when they arrived at the palace, what kind of security he would have, to what extent Yoongi would be protecting him, etc.
All of this made Jimin want to scream and hide away forever, making him prefer loneliness over unpleasant company.
He finally broke away from Jin's lecturing and dashed to his peaceful abode, carefully, quietly opening the library door and shutting it without the slightest click, wonderful, blissful silence covering is ears like a warm blanket.
His smile grew on his face as he sank into a chair and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He had a whole 2 hours of alone time for him to finally relax.
"I didn't expect anyone to be here," a smooth voice chuckled, clearly amused at the Lord's reaction to hearing a secondary voice in the place he assumed to have to himself.
Jimin jumped in his place, the silk voice terrifying him as his body jumped and kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see the person whom he thought he heard.
He slowly opened his eyes, the light from the windows outlining the figure he dreaded to face.
"I don't bite," Taemin laughed again, thumbing through a book of Kim Law before closing it to look directly at Jimin, who had thrown himself onto a chair in a very un-noble position.
Jimin paused for a moment to breathe again, not daring to let his shock show again, adjusting his body into a sitting position before responding,
"I apologize, your highness, for my casual entrance. You must understand I did not know there to be anyone here. The last few days the library has been abandoned."
"Ah yes, the mind is forgotten in the midst of chaos, hmm?" he smiled, standing to slide the book back onto the shelf where it belonged, gliding back to his seat to face Jimin, clearly meaning to continue a conversation that sent chills down the Lord's spine.
"I must admit I did not come here to read about Kim law," Taemin's silver tongue continued, making Jimin clutch the arms of the chair tightly, fighting his urge to flee his paradise immediately.
"Is that so?" Jimin smiled through his terror, leaning back as he crossed his legs and folded his arms, attempting to appear confident as he gently picked up the book he had been reading the last two days, Codes and Cyphers, licking his thumb and turning the page before lifting his eyes to meet Taemin's once again.
"Then why, may I ask, are you here?"
"To inquire of your character, Lord Park."
My character? Jimin thought. You're the one that got away with murdering half an army.
"It is my intent to find out exactly what kind of person you are so that I may determine whether I consider you a possibility for my son."
"Is that not what his selection ceremony is for, if you don't mind my asking?"
Taemin fully laughed this time, before calming to move his piercing gaze back to Jimin.
"Of course not. I have already determined those that are worthy of him before the ceremony. That is simply the time in which he chooses of those I have deemed appropriate."
"And what if I am not up to standards? Will the treaty be void?"
The king laughed again, making Jimin cock his brow before returning to his blank face.
"No, young Lord, it does not. I will simply demand another representative. Although I have not seen the need for that as of yet. Lord Park, I am going to tell you about yourself and all the information I have gathered thus far and I want you to tell me if I am correct, Understood?"
Jimin nodded, curious to see the "information" that the Anti King had gleaned about him.
"Please, by all means, proceed."
"Very well then," Taemin smirked, clearing his throat before continuing.
"You have had your whole life planned out for you. Your parents tell you what they and how you are involved, and because of your deep respect for them, you do as they say. You are not aware of your actual identity, in fact, you are afraid that it has been shaped by your parents and those around you. You find yourself lonely as a result, believing none to know who you truly are. You crave a relationship, as I can see by your constant analysis of the relationships of the two kings and your parents. The reason you agreed to come to our kingdom is not because you feel it is your duty, but because it is the first time you have made a decision for yourself, one you can finally claim as your own. You crave the freedom of choice, and seized it as soon as it was available to you."
Jimin had stopped breathing after the first sentence, the sly man's words slamming into him as if he was being impaled by a sword again and again.
How could one person discover so much about another in four days?
"Lord Park, tell me--- Am I wrong?"
"Your face tells me I am not," he said with finality, raising himself from the couch as he made his way to the door before looking back over his shoulder at the shocked lord.
"Have you made your decision then," Jimin called out as confidently as he could bear.
Taemin stepped back to tower over Jimin despite the fact that he was several feet away.
"I have determined you are worthy, Park Jimin. I have also determined from our few moments together that you are a fierce warrior that is constantly underestimated. I caution you on one thing however."
He stepped forward farther, close enough to place his hand on the top of Jimin's chair, staring directly at him.
"Do not throw the selection ceremony's competition away from your favor simply because you do not wish to wed my son. You appear to have some mind and awareness about you that I admire. However, if you dare to act against me, my kingdom, or my son, I will end the treaty, you, your parents, your favorite general, and your beloved bodyguard."
Jimin now laughed directly into the cocky King's face.
"MY beloved bodyguard?!" he doubled over in near tears, "Sir, your observation skills can be matched by no other, but I am afraid you have misread the face of one Lord Min."
Taemin lifted his hand and paced back to the door, unalarmed by Jimin's reaction, calling out, "Regardless, my statement is no less true. Beware not to sentence your own death in my palace. Farewell Park Jimin. Until we meet again."
The door slammed behind the man, heralding his exit as loudly as the door could bear without shattering.
Jimin breathed out deeply, crashing into the seat once again, his mind spinning from the words that slid from the Snake King's cunning mouth.
He knew the situation would be tense, but now he couldn't even be mediocre in his efforts during the competition.
Taemin would know. He seemed to know everything, appearing and acting as an omniscient, unbothered god, towering over all that dared test him.
This was the man that gave up the entirety of his desired territory?
Jimin allowed his eyes to close once more, exhausted sleep overtaking his body as he couldn't get the image of the man he despised from his head.
..................................
"Hobi, it still doesn't make any sense," Yoongi growled as he jammed a tunic into his satchel, readying it for their journey.
"Why the fuck would Taemin first, already have conditions for a treaty a mere DAY after his spies were caught, then give up everything he has been fighting for since he became king, and then only ask for something so trivial as a representative in return? It makes no goddamn sense."
"I wish you wouldn't think so hard about these things. Sometimes we can't understand the minds of those with power they assume to be unlimited. However, I agree that we can't trust him, no matter what he signed a few days ago. I admit his behavior has been curious to me as well." Hoseok spoke, also packing his much heavier bag with various leather items and armor.
"I think you're warier of this because Jimin is involved," Hoseok unwisely mumbled before slapping his hand over his mouth.
"Hobi, I swear that mouth of yours is going to get me killed. And no, I'm just being smart about all of this. We cannot enter a situation that we are not fully prepared to handle, such as a king that has the moral compass of the devil." Yoongi pouted, tossing his bag to the side before leaning back, letting his bed catch him as he stared at the ceiling.
"King Taemin's timing is just so odd. I can't help but think that he had this as a back up plan, assuming his spies failed when killing the Kims," he contemplated, frowning and closing his eyes.
"Taeyong did say that they acted independently of the crown and that Taemin had nothing to do with it," Hobi offered, dragging his satchel to the door before collapsing on his bed next to Yoongi.
"Oh, so now we're trusting an Anti SPY?! Come ON Hobi, you're better than this."
"I know. I'm just excited. It's been rather boring recently. I'm pumped for a change of scenery."
Hoseok was muffled by a pillow, hitting his face with a thump.
"Shut up and go to sleep you thrill seeking maniac. If you weren't such a good general I would have killed you already," Yoongi groaned, letting his beloved bed take him into a much-needed sleep.
"You know you love me"
............................................
The moonlight broke through the steel bars, highlighting the ground that had become Taeyong's bed for the past few weeks.
He knew now he could not hope for his release as the result of a treaty, as he could tell Taemin was here.
Clearly his failure was being rewarded by his execution.
So why am I still alive? He thought, running his hand through his red hair, dirtied by his lengthened stay in the unkempt prison.
He shook his head, plopping back down to the straw strewn rock ground, staring up at the small window that permitted light to enter.
A glint caught his eye, the white light bouncing off a spoon that he had eaten with earlier.
Perhaps Taeyong had gone insane, or maybe he had stroke of luck.
For something crossed his face that day, something that had not seen the light of day for weeks.
His smile also glinted in the moonlight as he reached down to clutch the spoon before jamming it into the wall behind him.
.....................
(A/N): Whoop whoop we are about to enter the Anti Kingdom people. I am super stoked to continue to develop these characters. I also finished the first draft of the cover for the Namjin book, so here's a sneak peek of that.
I'm not 100% sure that this will be the title, but that's how it's looking so far. Thank you so much for reading my series. I have always wanted to write this but I've never had the balls to. I get so pumped every time I see a comment or a vote, like, you guys have no idea 😂. So please don't forget to let me know what you think. I love you all.
~KM❤️