Chapter One

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Wednesday, Jin's Office, 11 am, Jaebum's POV:

- It had been two months since you returned from Kai's palace without Jaehwan. Every moment you didn't know what had happened to him was like a knife in your chest.

- You knew he hadn't deserted, no matter what Namjoon thought. Jin didn't believe it either, and the two of you were constantly plotting ways that you could try and find him, but Namjoon always found out somehow and stopped you. If he wasn't your king, and Jin wouldn't have hated you for it, you would have killed Namjoon weeks ago.

- Ravi had been given Jaehwan's job as head of security. Namjoon had offered it to you first, but you had turned him down, saying that you would prefer to just stay with Jinnie and Yoonsun. Ravi was doing fine, but he fell short in the detail-oriented parts of the job where Jaehwan had shined.

- You were currently in Jin's office, holding Yoonsun on your lap and trying to ignore the royal brothers as they bickered over unimportant aspects of city planning.

- "Buh-Buh," Yoonsun said loudly, smacking you surprisingly hard on the forehead and then giggling.

- That was what he had decided to call you, which was totally fine. It was better than the week and a half he had called everyone 'Eomma'. You closed your eyes and fell back against the cushion, pretending you were sleeping which just made the baby laugh more.

- "Sunny, my love, did you kill Bummie?" Jin's voice asked from next to you, and Yoonsun replied happily, "Buh-Buh!" and smacked your face again.

- You sat up straight and lifted the prince up, doing his favorite fake-toss and earning a shrill giggle before handing him to Jin.

- "You really have a way with kids," Jungkook said, smiling at you before looking back at the map of the new capital on Jin's desk.

- "Growing up in an orphanage does that to you," you replied, looking on happily as Jin kissed Yoonsun's forehead. Your childhood wasn't something you wanted to reminisce about at the moment, so you focused on them instead.

- Outside, the alarm bells at the castle gate started to ring. "Jinnie, come with me, you know the drill," you said quickly, taking Jin's arm and pulling both him and Yoonsun out of the room.

- Jungkook was close on your heels, and you reached Namjoon's study a few minutes later. He was already waiting there for you.

- Only seconds after you walked in, one of Ravi's messengers ran inside and said, "It's a carriage. Black, enormous, silver embellishments. And Captain Jaehwan is inside along with someone else."

- You would have run out of the castle then and there if Jungkook hadn't tactfully put a hand on your shoulder. Jaehwanie was here! "Who is the person with him? And is he hurt?" Namjoon asked, but his voice was cold.

- "The Captain seems uninjured, and the other individual is unknown. They requested a meeting with you, and Captain Jaehwan vouched for the stranger, if that helps," the messenger replied.

- "Let's get this over with so I can kill them both and then finish what I was doing," Namjoon said in a very annoyed voice, and it took every ounce of strength you had not to punch him in the face.

- He and Jin walked out of the room and handed Yoonsun off to Jackson who had been waiting by the door. Jungkook was behind them and you were on Jin's left. You managed not to run as you walked to the entryway, and Jin squeezed your hand discreetly when you reached the front door.

- Ravi's messenger had run off to let the carriage enter the grounds, and a few minutes later, it pulled up in front of the castle. He wasn't kidding, it was enormous! The whole thing was sleek and black, and the silver accents made you think of a giant shark.

- The door opened to reveal something you weren't expecting. It wasn't a travel-worn, roughed up, had-been-fighting-for-his-life Jaehwan that stepped out. And the stranger who appeared first wasn't what you had imagined either.

- The stranger was broad-shouldered and strong looking, just a little shorter than Lord Chanyeol, with raven black hair and a very intense stare. He was dressed in a white and black formal uniform, and he looked at all of your very imperiously before reaching a hand back up to the carriage door.

- That's when your Jaehwanie stepped out. He was in a very lowcut white shirt and tight black pants, with a strip of fabric tied around his neck like a necklace, and even a tiny bit of makeup for some reason. And he was so thin!

- He looked a mixture of angry and terrified, but took the strangers hand and didn't let go as he stepped to the ground and put an arm around the stranger's... waist?

- You were so surprised that you just stared at him. He was back, but this wasn't the homecoming you had played out in your head a thousand times.

- Jaehwan was glaring at Namjoon, and after a few seconds, he said loudly and clearly, "May I introduce Lord Sanghyuk, Spymaster and The Shadow King. He wants to defect to your side."

- Your mouth dropped open, and your eyes flicked back to the stranger and then to Namjoon. This person was the shadow king!? And Jaehwanie brought him here?! To defect?!

- "Sanghyukkie?! It's not really you, is it?! I haven't seen you in years!" Jin exclaimed, and you glanced to your right to see him looking stunned and clutching Namjoon's arm.

- The latter was giving both Jaehwan and the apparent spymaster a cold and suspicious glare. You didn't blame him, this was all very weird, but if you had to imagine what the 'shadow king' looked like, this person would fit the bill to the letter.

- "It's been ages, but yes, it's me. How have you been?" the stranger asked, but then chuckled and added, "I know, obviously, but pleasantries and all."

- Your attention was back on Jaehwan. He hadn't looked at you once, and was now grinning fondly at the stranger, who had a hand tangled loosely in his hair. Why hadn't he run to you like he always did?! And why did he look so... submissive?

- "Where have you been, Jaehwan?" Namjoon asked icily, ignoring the stranger.

- "Baekhyun kidnapped me from Kai's palace and gave me as a present to Sehun, so he could torture me," Jaehwan snapped, his grin disappearing as he glared back at Namjoon.

- "With Crown-prince Jinyoung's help, by the way. He kept Jaebum distracted on purpose to make it easier for Baekhyun's agents to drug us and take me," he continued nastily, giving you a single hate-filled look before turning back to Namjoon.

- "I didn't desert. I thought you knew me better than that. I understand that you hate me, but still. Leaving me for dead was a pretty cold move, Your Majesty."

- Your heart sank. He had been kidnapped, you and Jin had been right! And Sehun had been torturing him?!

- "And where did you find this defector?" Namjoon asked, ignoring Jaehwan's rudeness and moving on to the tall and imposing matter at hand.

- Before Jaehwan had a chance to respond, Jin said, "Sanghyukkie and Sehuna have been best friends since they were kids, did you meet him at the palace somehow?"

- "Hyoggisaved my life. Twice. He's tired of Sehun's insanity and asked me to help him, so he got me out of the palace and I brought him here," Jaehwan replied, all of his anger melting away again as he looked at the stranger.

- 'Hyoggi' whispered something in Jaehwan's ear, making him smile so beautifully that it took your breath away. Was he really so angry that he would barely look at you?! It wasn't your fault that you hadn't been able to help him!

- "Sehun means well, sometimes, but I don't enjoy losing. And he's not acting like a king anymore, all he cares about is Jin. Baekhyun is the one in charge of the war now, and I will not take orders from that little monster. So, I'm here to help you out in any way that I can," the stranger said, giving Namjoon a half smile.

- "If you'll flip on your childhood friend this easily, I don't know if I want your help," Namjoon replied coldly, crossing his arms as he stared at the stranger.

- Jin shifted in place a little, and the stranger smiled wider, resting his cheek against Jaehwan's hair as he replied, "Trust me, I'm worth it. I know everything about everyone."

- Jaehwan seemed to be glowing with happiness, but you could have sworn the stranger's eyes had flicked to him for the briefest second before giving Namjoon a knowing look.

Time skip: Hyuk's Guestroom, 9 pm, Jaehwan's POV:

- After an incredibly long interrogation by Ravi, Jungkook, and Namjoon, you and Hyoggiwere finally alone in his guestroom.

- Naturally, you could have gone to your bedroom in the guard's quarters, but a place had never sounded less welcoming. You were already annoyed at Ravi for stealing your job, and he or Jaebum would probably try to come see you if you were down there, most likely both.

- The issue of where you would be staying was actually a moot point. Before the questioning had started, Hyoggihad stipulated that you would accompany him everywhere at all times, which included staying in his room. It was what you wanted anyway, and you didn't even have to ask. He knew you so well.

- Ravi had seemed ready to flip a table when you agreed without hesitation, but you didn't care what Ravi thought about anything. As far as you were concerned, he had betrayed you when he left you to rot in Sehun's palace. They had all betrayed you.

- At least Hyoggimade you feel safe and cared for. True to his word, he had given Namjoon and Jungkook all kinds of information on Sehun and Baekhyun, including ways to stop an attack planned to take place two days from now.

- You were walking around the closet, trying to find pajamas and forget how hurt Jaebum looked when you arrived. He was the worst in your opinion. He was supposed to love you the most, but he hadn't said a word and stayed by Jin's side like always. And your kidnapping was his fault in the first place. You couldn't stand the sight of him anymore.

- "What are you doing, my lovely boy?" Hyoggi's deep voice said from outside the closet, and you smiled unconsciously.

- "Just looking for something to wear to bed. What I have on is nice, but not very comfy for sleeping," you replied, smiling wider when you heard his light footsteps behind you.

- "Why don't you just wear nothing, that's how I like you best," he said quietly, and you could hear his smirk as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

- You leaned your head back on his shoulder as you replied, "You never know what idiot will show up out of nowhere to interrupt, better to be dressed."

- Just as you finished speaking, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door.

- "See what I mean? Idiots everywhere," you said, sighing and turning to leave the closet. Hyoggislid his hands down to your hips, holding onto you and walking behind you as you went to open the bedroom door.

- "What now? We're tired!" you snapped, and then saw that it was Jaebum standing in the hall. You started to shut the door again without waiting to hear what he wanted, but Jaebum stuck his foot out and stopped you.

- "Can we help you?" Hyoggiasked in his most calm voice, which you knew by now was a danger sign. He pulled you closer, placing a soft kiss on your temple before resting his chin on your shoulder.

- Jaebum looked a mixture of upset and confused, but seemed to try and compose himself as he asked, "May I please speak to Jaehwan alone for a minute?"

Jaebum's POV:

- You stood in the doorway, waiting for one of them to answer. Attempting to look unbothered was much harder than you thought it would be, it usually was.

- Jaehwanie was ignoring you and glaring down the hall, but Sehun's spymaster wasn't. He was looking at you like he was reading the inside of your skull, and he was holding Jaehwanie so close it made you want to knock him out.

- Jaehwanie seemed to be waiting for the other to speak, and the spymaster looked away from you after a few moments and said coolly, "Fine, but stay right outside the door."

- You exhaled the breath you hadn't realized you were holding, but Jaehwan's anger instantly to turn to alarm.

- He whipped his head around to stare imploringly at the spymaster and exclaimed, "He left me to be tortured and killed! I don't want to talk to him! Don't make me!"

- Your heart twisted. You had wanted to look for him so badly and needed to tell him so! Why wouldn't he just let you explain? And he never let someone else tell him what to do! He had only been gone for two months, what had they done to him?!

- "He's your oldest friend, at least give him a minute to try and justify his actions... or lack thereof. I'll be right inside the room if you need me," the spymaster replied soothingly, running his hand through Jaehwan's hair.

- Jaehwan opened his mouth like he was going to start yelling, but the spymaster cut in smoothly, "Be my good boy and don't argue."

- You froze, not really sure that you had heard correctly. Jaehwan didn't let anyone speak to him that way! But he closed his mouth at once and nodded! Was he high?!

- The spymaster smiled a little and kissed Jaehwan's cheek, glancing at you as he did, before letting Jaehwan go and nudging him out into the hall. Once the guestroom door was shut, Jaehwan crossed his arms and finally looked at you, but his eyes were cold.

- "How's Youngjae?" he asked nastily, leaning his back against the door as if he was trying to stand as far from you as possible.

- You ignore his question and exclaimed, "Jaehwanie are you alright? I was so worried I've been losing my mind!" As you spoke, you took a step forwards, but Jaehwan flinched for some reason and pressed even closer to the door.

- "Jaehwanie, I'm not going to hurt you! What did they do to you?" you asked, your anxiety growing stronger. You stopped trying to get closer to him, but he hadn't relaxed at all.

- "Don't come near me, and don't touch me," he said in almost a whisper. His sudden quietness was so surprising that you froze on the spot.

- "You left me to die. All of you left me alone, none of you tried to find me. Baekhyun taunted me constantly with the information his spies told him. I know all about what you all were doing instead of trying to help me," he continued.

- "The rest of them can go straight to hell, as far as I'm concerned. But hell is too good for you. You were supposed to love me more than anyone. You were my home, my family. But when it really mattered, you gave up on me like everyone else."

- "I hate you, Jaebum. I hate you so much that it feels like I'm burning up inside when I look at you. You're not my sarang anymore, you're nothing to me."

- His tone was so matter-of-fact that you just stood there for a few seconds, staring at him as his words sunk in.

- When they finally did, you tried to say, "Jaehwanie listen to me. Jin and I wanted to look for you so badly, it was just that Namjoon," but he cut you off.

- "Shut up! I don't want to hear your lies or excuses!" he said very loudly and very angrily, before looking down the hall in the direction he had been glaring earlier.

- "And that goes for you too, you're almost as bad as he is! You aren't my king anymore! I don't have a king!" he said meanly, and you turned to see Jin standing at the top of the staircase.

- He had tears rolling down his cheeks and his eyes were very wide. He must have been standing there the whole time, but it didn't look like he had the will to reply.

- "Sugar, let me explain," you said pleadingly, not caring that people could hear you, only hoping the pet-name would make him come to his senses.

- "Don't you dare call me that ever again!" Jaehwan shouted, his voice getting an octave higher. He covered his face with his hands, and you heard his breath catch.

- Before you could move to try and comfort him, the guestroom door opened and the spymaster, or Hyuk or whatever his name was, took a quick step into the hall.

- He looked incredibly angry. You hadn't seen him angry yet, he had been calm and composed since they arrived, but it was honestly terrifying.

- "What's wrong? What did you say to him?" he asked, his tone cooler than ever as he glared at you.

- "I should ask you that! What did you all do to him?!" you exclaimed, ignoring how scary he looked and putting your hand on the knife at your belt.

- He glared at you for half a second longer, and then glanced down the hall at Jin before returning his attention to Jaehwan. Apparently, your question didn't merit a response!

- "My lovely boy, what's the matter? Come here," he said soothingly, still looking furious despite the change in his voice. He wrapped both arms around Jaehwan, who was crying silently with his hands still over his eyes.

- Jaehwan wouldn't or couldn't answer, so Hyuk glared at you again and said coldly, "I gave you a chance, but you are no longer allowed to speak to him, do you understand me?"

- Who the hell did this arrogant fucker think he was?! Before you could ask exactly that question, the spymaster had pulled Jaehwan into his guestroom and slammed the door in your face.

- Jin was crying audibly now, and having absolutely no other idea what to do, you quickly walked over and wrapped him in a tight hug. You felt like you wanted to cry too, but you managed to keep it together as his tears dripped onto your shoulder.

- Whatever had happened to Jaehwan while he was kidnapped must have been exponentially worse than you imagined if it made him act that way, and you didn't trust this 'shadow king' person as far as you could throw him.

Time skip: Thursday, 1pm, Jaehwan's POV:

- Someone had sent breakfast to Hyoggi's guestroom this morning, so you didn't need to eat with the rest of them, but so far that was only good thing to happen today.

- At the moment, you were back in your office, well you guessed it was technically Ravi's office. Namjoon, Ravi, and Jungkook had been continuing yesterday's interrogation, and you were thoroughly exhausted from constantly repeating the awful details of your time in Sehun's palace.

- To your complete annoyance, Namjoon had let Jaebum join the party. He wasn't allowed to talk, apparently, and just leaned against the back wall of the office staring at you, but his presence was infuriating enough.

- Hyoggihad protested as soon as Jaebum walked in, but eventually relented and just kept watching him in that predatory way you liked so much. He had kept an arm around you all morning, and the comforting feeling of him next to you had helped stop you from trying to slit Ravi's throat every time he made a sarcastic comment.

- "That's enough for now, I think. Why don't we have some lunch?" Jungkook said with a sigh. He was sitting in an extra chair beside your, or, Ravi's desk, but pushed himself up and glanced tiredly at Namjoon.

- The prince had been the most level headed of your three interrogators, a fact that surprised you, considering that his temper could usually be counted

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