The echoing voices in the big colosseum-like stadium, the place was crowded with VIPs and guards, all of them important figures, some politics colossal, and top notches businessmen, locals, and foreigners.

Drinks were served around non-stop, smoke from cigarettes getting the place clouded, dim lights, a light that was more prominent in the center of the colosseum's miniature, to project the stars of the night, the amusers.

The gladiators.

Some modifications were included in the design of the colosseum this society created, marking a difference from the original Roman project. The maenianum primum, which was at the roman times dedicated to senators and equestrians, is now dedicated to the figures who brought the less to the game money-wise, whilst the maenianum summum in ligneis, which was in the Roman period dedicated to women, is now occupied by the top-notch figures, those who are sponsoring the game, those who hold the power, providing a view from the top to the gentlemen, and also, maintaining their safety.

Every small table had a small lamp in the centre of it, bringing some light to the place, making it easier for the guests to find their glasses and bouche-amusers, not only, but also to use the machine in front of them to vote.

Although votes are not particularly needed, as only one gladiator will come out alive from the colosseum, announcing in that cruel way the final winner, however, for the sake of the game, also, in the lack of a commentator, the guests were given the chance to vote for the techniques of their favorite player, and the votes were to show in the big screen facing the guests and the warriors.

Entering the big playground, Katarina couldn't help the fear she started to feel from showing, now that the situation was getting real, small buds of sweat almost ruining her perfectly polished in foundation face, almost trembling from the overwhelming feeling, her grasp got harder on Seokjin's arm, not far from making him uncomfortable.

Her black dress cuddled her hourglass figure perfectly, a beautiful red lipstick on her lips, brought radiance to her soft skin, her wavy hair knotted in a messy bun, leaving her collarbone exposed, the mono-shoulder dress added a different aura to her style, the golden armlet was adding to the black dress some spiciness, completing the style she went for.

Roman empress.

" No stress beauty, he will do it, he better do"

" He will, for sure"

Letting out those words, which were a form of reassurance to her disturbed self, Katarina had nothing to do besides praying, now, was not at all a suitable time for her to regret a previously token decision, she should have played another card had she wanted to protect him, her regret now will change nothing, the man was already engaged, and there was no backing-up from his destiny.

Taehyung couldn't hide his tension either, he had to make sure Katarina comes out of the colosseum unscratched, especially with the plan they got engaged in secretly, he couldn't help but worry about an eventual attack, or worst, assassination.

As the light in the center got more prominent, announcing the entry of the players, Katarina shifted her body forward from her seat, waiting to see a familiar figure at the center, her hands were becoming a sweaty mess, the burning emotions inside her heart, making it beat faster at each passing second, she felt like it will pop out of her chest without exaggeration.

After a little salute to the crowds, and a brief announcement to present the gladiators, and their sponsors, the warriors after rapid eye contact, that was necessary to read each other, they started the game, bare handed, no arms included, only their skills are at their company.

Jungkook was leading the fight, it was a piece of cake for him, he was used to winning in free wrestling fights since his college era, although, reality cannot be hidden, his opponent wasn't doing bad at all, landing him different and consecutive punches in the jaw, which led Jungkook to feel a slight dizziness, that he brushed off quickly after spitting the blood that was mixed with his saliva from the impact.

Almost naked, only leather Pteruges covering their lower bodies from being shown, their figures getting more bruises with each passing time, and the time was only getting longer given the fact that both warriors were perfectly trained, and both doted with great builds, dragging more time to witness the end.

Katarina's nerves were inside an oven, the pressure was getting higher at the sight, witnessing his sufferance caused by her selfishness and greediness made her curse herself multiple times inwardly, at the other hand Seokjin seemed to be deeply engaged in the situation, fully concentrated, hoping for a positive result.

Lighting a cigarette, that he passed to her, Seokjin looked intently at her troubled state, he was getting confirmations he redeemed necessary from her reactions, it was all showing now and no place for lies anymore, studying her body language carefully reality downed on him hard, he was almost sure now.

No place to hide anymore.

It was more than what he thought could only be some kind of infatuation, those were feelings she held for the guy, Seokjin was not dense, he had his doubts from the beginning, but he wanted to believe otherwise, for the sake of his sanity, but he couldn't fool his self any longer, it was all now getting clear.

" Drink a bit, it will help"

" I'm fine oppa, but it seems like it's taking forever don't you think?"

It definitely no easy task to kill a man barehanded, even for Jungkook, who trained himself hardly in the military, as in the field, when deprived of their arms, a soldier needed to know exactly how to take a life without any arms, depending only on skills and strength, and some luck, which he definitely needed in this situation as well.

Sweat dripping from his sturdy chest, mixed with the blood that was coming from a deep cut he got on his eyebrow, that led all the way down his face, not to mention his eye that was covered in crimson while being swollen from the impact of the blow he received earlier from the other man, he was almost dying, his trembling self in the corner of the ring, leaning his body into the pillar behind him, trying to regain vision as the latter was getting blurry, Katarina was monitoring him carefully, wishing he won't collapse at the end.

" If he is this way, I can't even imagine how the other is still hanging on, he has the strength I must admit"

Katarina was way too focused on the man that was trying to resume the fight, waking up his senses with the cold water he poured on his body from the small bucket near to him, she had no time to talk to the man next to her, who was busy acting as the commentator of the sportive channel.

Jungkook managed to resume the fight, landing a strong blow on his opponent, that made him lose his balance, stumbling backward, giving enough space for Jungkook to land another fist on a vital area, near the jugular.

As the man lay down unconscious, and after the countdown, the judge handed Jungkook a sword, to finish the already dead man grotesquely, only to provide more excitation to the crowds who were now screaming loudly, after having witnessed the end of the long-lasted fight.

Watching him pierce the man's abdomen with the big knife, Katarina stood up clapping her hands slowly, with a smirk on her face, her eyes sparkling from the emotions she held, to say that she was finally relived is indeed an understatement, she was delighted by the result, although she had enough faith on him, the process made her question that trust, a feeling that was now bothering her.

She shouldn't.

Throwing the knife on the ground, Jungkook growled loudly, taking a deep stare at the crowds, only to quickly leave the scene after that, as he wanted to leave it all behind.

" He did a great job, I'm proud of him"

" Congratulations Katarina"

Seokjin wasn't able to feel the pleasure he was supposed to, albeit they won, and there was only one match left, which would take place some days later, when the gladiator recuperates from the injuries, however, seeing her eyes glistering from happiness, from relief, seeing those kinds of emotions being reflected on her face, only made his anger rise, a feeling of loss visited his emotionless heart, bringing to it pain and sorrows.

Jealousy.

" Everything is handled the way you wanted Katarina-ssi"

"Hoseok-ssi, what are the possibilities of a backlash?"

"I'd say fifty percent"

" What are your thoughts about such a high percentage then?"

"Bearable"

Katarina decided to take her sweet time preparing for the ultimate revenge to land over her husband, who had overstepped all types of limits, when his small brain gave him the idea of hurting Jungkook, sending one of his men to the hospital which he was admitted after the fight, to get some tests done, and to recuperate from the situation he was in, profiting from the time he was sleeping, inducing Potassium chloride in his IV, which could have stopped his heart in a matter of seconds.

That could only have been possible, hadn't Taehyung kept guard on Jungkook that night, seeing the suspicious guy entering the VIP yard while he was grabbing his coffee, he decided to follow him, and before the latter could accomplish his task, Taehyung shot him straight in the head without any hesitation or cross-check on his identity.

The situation alerted Katarina, and after a few followups, she figured the dead guy was sent by Min Ho, Katarina's anger at the instance was way bigger than before, when she figured he tried to kill her without clear reasons, she deemed it necessary to halt his cunning acts at once.

Seeking help from her lawyer, Katarina knew exactly the plan to follow, Min-ho was already being a nuisance on different notes, getting himself in her work, and endangering her man, she couldn't stay laid back without taking action, she had the perfect scheme to pay her husband's deeds, in his same style.

As if her loath toward him wasn't enough, he was also standing as an obstacle between her and Jungkook, when she went to visit the latter in the hospital, Katarina tried for the first time to get closer to the lad, almost confessing her feelings, if not for his words that stopped her from spilling the tea.

" I don't see why a married woman is following around a guy like me, shouldn't you be with your husband"

"Nothing for you to worry about"

" I have no thoughts of holding it back Katarina-ssi, being married, doesn't help my instance, I have no intentions in staining a married woman, another man's dignity and honor"

Her motive was getting stronger, and so was her willingness, she couldn't believe she managed to live with the guy eight years, with all the hatred she felt with every passing day for him, a hatred that only knew how to grow bigger, how to grow notorious, she was patient enough, and her patience has now reached an end.

" In which way you would like me to take care of it"

" In his way Taehyung"

After having arranged with Hoseok all the documents, getting Min Ho's signature deceivingly on the power of attorney document, giving her all the rights to his company, as well as the chairwoman positions, she ordered Hoseok to transfer all of Min Ho's shares under her name and to make it look as a will, to avoid all the suspicions and the peaky eyes.

On the other hand, Taehyung received her orders as well, which he didn't take gladly, he liked to take care of things his way, but this time, she meddled with his style, but he had no choice but to follow the orders, she convinced him in the end, he couldn't be brutal, not when she was trying to stay low-key.

Everything was already legalized before the match night, and the mission Taehyung has been given was only an addition to an already existing plan, which in the end was a good decision to avoid eventual arising problems, knowing the person Min Ho is.

Taehyung tore the general generator of the villa, forcing the electricity shut entirely, making it seem like a problem derived from the supplier, entering the house smoothly and without grabbing any uncalled-for attention, he hurriedly made his way to the man's room, it was past midnight, and Min Ho was already asleep after the steamy session he had, in the end, the viagra the girl served him as instructed by Taehyung made him overwork his self a great deal, resulting huge fatigue, which has helped him to relax and sleep soundly.

Entering the dark room, Taehyung ordered the woman beside Min Ho to wait outside, as he took his syringe and injected the man with Potassium Chloride, making him taste his own poison.

At the pinch of the syringe, Min Ho opened his eyes, only to see the masked man in front of him, all in black, gazing at him with his dark eyes, full of hatred but somehow emotionless.

"What are you doing inside my bedroom"

" She bids you goodbye, she will make sure to avoid you in hell"

"you—son of a b-"

" I would have punched you if you were still alive, but I will spare you the scar"

maenianum primum: reserved seats in the colosseum for the senators and high officials as well as nobles located near the podium, and to the action scene, at the bottom of the building.

maenianum summum in ligneis : located at the top of the building, those are seats reserved for women, married or not, providing a symbol of conception in the Roman culture and hierarchy.

Pteruges : Gladiator's skirts

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