The Brothers Kim

Chapter 51- Where Wildflowers Bloom

Jimin was trembling as he left the room, his head hanging low. The letter in his hand felt like lead; the box a deadweight at the end of his arm. He should be accustomed to the heaviness in his chest— a mixture of regret, frustration and sadness—but he wasn't. Each time he received the box, these unwanted emotions overwhelmed him, reminding him of the futility of his wishes.

No matter how much he willed it, he couldn't turn back time.

"How pitiful," Jimin scorned. Having arrived at his private quarters, he glanced at the box and the single lotus that decorated the lacquered lid: the emblem of his clan and the kingdom he ruled. "To be bestowed all this power yet be powerless to do anything..." He sighed as he gently placed the box and letter on his crowded desk. "I am no less helpless than the next man."

"I take it the visit to Her Highness didn't go well."

Startled, Jimin immediately sprung into a defensive position, his arms grabbing hold of the stranger's clothes. A surprised grunt escaped the man's lips as Jimin pinned him to the wall.

"Woah! Steady, Your Majesty, it's just me!"

"Zeren?" Jimin loosened his grip when he recognised the person's voice. "What were you doing lurking around? You frightened me."

The bronze-faced guard scoffed as he straightened his uniform. "That's my line." He was about to say more when he noticed Jimin heading for the dressing screen in the corner. He scrambled after him. "Your Majesty! Wait up!"

A scowl formed on Jimin's lips. Weeks confined indoors had meant being constantly addressed as royalty. He was sick of it. It was like each time he heard others say those words, an illusory ball and chain snaked around his ankles, his wrists, his neck. The last thing he wanted was for Zeren to remind him of his change in fortune— everyone in the kingdom occupied that job already.

He swerved around.

"I thought I told you not to call me—" Jimin abruptly stopped.

From afar, the young emperor spotted a dark bruise blooming around Zeren's left eye. A gash encrusted with dried blood marred his bottom lip while smaller cuts punctuated his cheek like angry freckles on his tanned skin. Jimin had been so preoccupied with his thoughts earlier that he hadn't noticed Zeren's injuries. Injuries which Zeren didn't have a few weeks prior.

"What... what happened to you?"

The imperial guard gave a half-hearted smile. "So, you've finally noticed?"

Jimin didn't reply.

"I dare say, the military police are quite scrupulous when it comes to their punishments," Zeren said bitterly as he limped toward his friend.

Jimin's brows furrowed. "The Guan Yu did this to you?"

"Oh no," Zeren smiled wryly, "even better. I had the honour of being beaten by their leader: General Lee."

Immediately, Jimin's face darkened.

Lately, the war general had been giving Jimin grief by reviving the notion of expansionism during their meetings in court. While Jimin had no interest in pursuing a line of acquisition like his father, he could not ignore that many of his councillors did. Deeming it as the late emperor's unfinished legacy, General Lee had proceeded to repeatedly mention the idea, his proposals becoming more outlandish than the last.

Like the frayed ends of his eunuch disguise, Jimin's patience had started to wear thin.

"He has no business laying a finger on you," Jimin growled, his irritation renewed. "I thought I made that clear to everyone. Where is he? I will see to it that he—"