"Myth and Mystery!" Jihoon mumbled.
"Do you know what it is?" Suzy asked eagerly.
"You don't know?" Jihoon thought that invitation was Seo-Yeon's.
"If I knew, why would I ask you?" Suzy sneered.
Jihoon laughed it off and continued,
"Myth and Mystery is a famous antique exhibition held all over the East by Janitor. This year it's gonna be held in Korea. I heard this year's antiques will be worth billions." he gave it back to Suzy.
"How do you know this?" Suzy narrowed her eyes.
Jihoon passed a cup of coffee to Suzy. "I saw this in Perth's office. Later I gathered some info." Jihoon's smile faded. "But where did you get this?" he asked.
"I found this in Manager Min's documents." She paused, "But what's the purpose of inviting a Manager?"
Jihoon sat beside her. "Maybe it's for Jeon-Woo." Suzy shook her head as 'no'.
"His name isn't imprinted on it. Could he have some hidden connection?"
Their eyes locked. For a second, there was no movement. Just the leaves ruffling near the window echoed in the living room.
"Umm..." Jihoon cleared his throat. "We will find out if we go there. I'll find a way to get in," he said while scratching his neck, gently.
Suzy took a sip of coffee and hummed in response.
BHIYUNG,
Silence filled the hall. Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor. Every head lowered. J walked toward the throne before taking his seat. Calm and composed. At the same time, Jack was standing beside him. The princes and four ministers were seated. The aura completely fit the Palace of hell. Red curtains hung low from the roof to the floor.
"Update about Myth and Mystery?" J's cold voice echoed through the hall.
They all exchanged a look. First Prince, Tae Hyun stood up.
"King, according to our resources, it'll be held after fifteen days at Dong Song City," he said politely.
J glanced at Prince Kong, "What about their motives?" his gaze implied that he was asking him.
He rolled up his eyes and leaned back in his chair, "They're planning to do some kind of useless exhibition," he answered as he didn't care a shit.
Everyone knows that his nature is like this. He's still young, so J is never too hard on him because he's aware that Kong was a young double-edged sword, reckless and unpredictable.
Lady Won interrupted, "King, there is no more update. But the info we have shows that they are planning to secretly move four huge containers in Korea before the day of the exhibition. My resources informed one of them is filled with illegal weapons. If those containers reach the exhibition..." She passed some pictures of containers to Jack.
J hummed while scanning pictures. As he got up, everyone stood. Some in respect, some for rules.
"Lady Won and Team A will keep an eye on containers. Prince Kong will escort them." J ordered while stepping down from his throne, and continued. "Prince Tae will take Team E to track down their moments about their exhibition antiques. Ministers handle other missions for now and provide backups."
His voice got loud and rough, "We have fifteen days. We have to get it done before they know about us. Now, Solitude!"
Everyone cleared the court except Prince's.
"Why didn't you let me lead?" Kong snapped. J turned his back to him, "Because we need a strong backup!" he said calmly.
"Strong backup....huh!" he hissed, "You always put others before me. Not because I'm not capable, but you play favorites." his voice rose a bit, but the very next moment,
Slapped!
"Mind your language. He's your father. Apologize." Tae said in a firm tone. Kong gazed at J with burning eyes. "Never. I am just a playful puppy for him," he shouted and left the room. Tae watched the door long after Kong had disappeared.
"...Father."
Tae bowed, "I apologized on his behalf. He has a bad tongue but a good heart," he said politely.
J patted him on the shoulder, "If you know that, then you shouldn't have slapped him."
"But, father. He..." J didn't let him finish, "He is just a soft-hearted kid. He's close to you. Today's incident will make him hate you, and I don't want that." J said in a calm but cold tone. Tae looked at him blankly for a moment. Than shuttered, "Don't... don't worry, father. I'll look into it."
Prince Tae always wonders why J chose him and Kong. There are more worthwhile people around him, even more loyal.
Some beliefs are blinding. Sometimes we cannot see what is right in front of us, even with our eyes wide open.
While the palace prepared for the mission, inside Seoul City Hospital... The doctor dressed Ji Min's and Yoo Han's wounds. A nurse injected an IV drip into Yoo Han and left.
"Don't tell anyone about this. They'll get worried." Yoo Han said in a low voice. Ji Min's head hung low; she hummed.
"Why didn't you tell me someone was bothering you?" Yoo Han asked.
Ji Min hesitated, "It's first... It's the first time. I don't know who he was."
There was a silence for a moment. Yoo Han looked at Ji Min's tiny hands wrapped in bandages. "Does it hurt?" he asked.
Ji Min lifted his head, brown eyes gleamed with tears. Yoo Han was shocked. She jumped on him and hugged him.
"Why did you cover me? What if it splashed on your face?" She was slightly hitting his shoulder on every word, "Don't be a saviour of all if it costs your life." Ji Min clutched the back of his hospital gown as if letting go would make him disappear.
He knew how she was feeling right now, maybe the same as he felt in the parking area. When he thought of losing Ji Min almost left his soul out of his body. Yoo Han gently caressed her back.
The marriage hall was filled with guests. Seo-Yeon was in her wedding gown, heart thumping loudly. Ready to walk down the aisle when Jihoon grabbed her hand,
"Let's run away from this marriage..."