Chapter 9: Chapter 9
The meet between the King and Prince of Alystra and Nysa Royals soon came to an end with the soon-to-be joined families enjoying their first meal together whilst engaging in light conversation about their kingdoms or discussions about some wedding arrangements.
During which Seokjin and Namjoon kept stealing loving glances at each other, assuming no one was aware of their little love exchange scenes but dear King Yeon's watchful gaze back and forth between his son and future son-in-law was delightful. The old man was absolutely adoring the sweet moment of the young couple that evidently reminded him of his late wife – Namjoon and Jungkook's mother – who he loved so dearly since the first time he had seen her on their arranged marriage proposal between their families. He sighed in content and relief, his son was getting married to the boy he fell in love with and Seokjin returned the same love to Namjoon. His heart felt a sense of peace, he could rest easier knowing that his kingdom, its future and his sons were all going to be all right once he's gone – well except Jungkook. He forgot that part, who knows when that kid will find someone to love besides his weapons that were as hard-headed as the owner himself. He rolled his eyes at the thought. He may be fit to be a King but a lover and husband he was far from being as of yet. That kid won't let me rest yet, the old King thought.
Yet that was a thought for some time else, at the moment he joined in the shallow laughter that had erupted from the talks between King Hyun and Namjoon, the in-laws all getting to know each other better.
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The Prince lazily waved off the incense sticks that the maids had put in his chamber, the strong scent was making him dizzy, he was sensitive to smell and the intense fragrance of herbal incense was evidently not helping. He was currently in the midst of healing his wounds in his silent chambers after he had been sent back from the rooftops by Yeonjun who had strictly enforced the no-dilly-dally-when-hurt rule. By which Yeonjun meant full rest for Jungkook but rather for the latter himself it meant absolute boredom and delayed duties. Jungkook wouldn't admit it himself but he was pretty much a workaholic, I suppose that's what eventually happens when you've done nothing but training, studying and palace activities that have all been to prepare you for the royal lifestyle. On a similar note, his mind was still fast at work for things he could still manage to do in his room. Hold meetings with the officials, get paperwork done from bed and such, but firstly he has remembered something important and was currently waiting for the specific person who he had called to his chambers to show up.
As if on cue of Jungkook's thoughts, the devil himself walks in through the chamber doors and pauses to make eye contact with the prince leaning against the bed's headrest a good ten metres away on the other side of the bedchamber. Followed by the man slightly scrunching his nose in response to the whiff of incense he inhaled. That brought a small smile to Jungkook's sharp facial features, lightening his mood from the aching boredom.
Clearly his throat the Prince ushers the General nearer to his bed. Yoongi approaches him and hesitantly takes a seat on the edge of the royal's bed, being careful not to touch Jungkook anywhere if it were to hurt.
"Hi hyung, so I don't wanna drag this on and get to the point,"
Jungkook searches Yoongi's face for any unease or confusion but only finds unbroken attentiveness that he's ready to listen to the rest. Both of them know how they work when it comes to serious affairs, so Jungkook continued with sternness considering the gravity of the words he would choose to phrase his concerns.
"What acceptable reason did you have to not inform me about matters as important as the rogues?"
Upon not receiving an answer as moments pass and the General's eyes flicker hold nothing but an emotionless silence, the Prince begins to lose both hope and patience.
"The rogues that have been silently infiltrating and raking havoc across Alystra for the past two months while we were all occupied with the western border barbarian issue have worked right under our noses to slip into the populations of normal civilians. This entire act, at its earliest stage of identification, was not immediately brought to my attention? Hyung, you for one know that negligent actions are not tolerated in any circumstance and this? This is a matter of national security for both civilians and the royal family governing the kingdom. Do I really need to explain the importance of this to you, General Min because I'm seriously intrigued to know what miraculous reason you would have to halt or object to me or anyone in the royal family gaining knowledge of the rogues."
The Prince had burst, his patience being beyond tested and not only that but it was being tested by his most loyal commander and friend whom he regarded as near family. All he knew was that Yoongi was the one who stopped the information about the rogues from reaching him since Yeonjun had said he was instructed by Yoongi to not inform the Prince – who is the royal in charge of the Southern Isles Army. That the General found out about the matter from the main guards positioned at the capital's gates who reported rogue activity in the surrounding area and didn't think to immediately notify the royal.
The entire time the General simply met his eyes of fury with his own that were void of any reaction, emotion or sentiment that could possibly unveil his thoughts or feelings. He closed his eyes to let out a low sigh, his body relaxing from the way his posture broke and when he met Jungkook's anxious though firm eyes that held fierceness as a cover to the underlying plea, he spoke.
"It's not that serious Jungkook, I just didn't want to worry you because you needed rest, especially since it was right after we returned from battle."
The younger was absolutely baffled, despite not displaying any emotion on his face he was struck dumb by the elder's response.
{WHAT IN THE- I'm seriously going to lose it. Since when in hell did Yoongi hyung start valuing my rest and worry over crucial circumstances that risked the lives of thousands? Since when did he begin hiding things from me like this? How did he change in such a way?}
Jungkook couldn't believe this. Not at all.
He knew his hyung well enough to understand his values, ambitions and determination when it came to his duty as the General. Yoongi would never hide such serious issues just because of tiredness from a battle–they were warriors for heaven's sake. It sounded utterly ridiculous.
Imagine the General of the Armed Forces of the Southern Isles of Alystra halting giving critical intel about wild attackers, barbarous rogues that may or may not have barbarians in their groups from the Royal Family because the Prince was tired? Because he didn't want the Prince worrying? What sort of foolishness– it was infuriating.
If it were something trivial, Jungkook would understand that the General had dealt with the issue himself but even then he knew that it was in his hyung's behaviour to at least report it to him to ensure the Prince was aware of the situation.
Jungkook hadn't spoken since he received Yoongi's response, he hadn't even moved, his brain was entangled in finding understanding or at the least common ground with the reasoning provided by the man in front of him. His back slumped back against the rectangular pillow rest, breaking his glare on the General. What was he supposed to say anymore, how was he going to maintain trust and understanding with his General– with his friend– with his hyung?
They both sat there in silence. The General wasn't allowed to leave until being told to by the royal as per status and respect and the Prince muddled in his own thoughts to form a response.
After many silent minutes, the Prince spoke, raising his fierce gaze to the man before him.
"You can leave with escort General Min… directly to your quarters. You are temporarily suspended from your position until further notice and are not permitted to leave your chambers until notified."
Without waiting for a response, Jungkook reached forward to remove the General's waistband of sheathed items, his sword and the royal token carved with the royal family's seal of identification. The latter spoke nothing in return. The Prince then yelled for the guards stationed outside his chambers to come inside and escort the General to his quarters.
"Also guards… immediately call royal guard Yeonjun here. That is all. You may all leave."
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