~~~~~~~

Since his father died 2 days ago, it was Jimin's responsibility to step up to the plate and lead the people of Azharei.

After Jimin sent those waves of energy out into the world, the army of the rebelling mer scurried off. Most of them were caught and put into the palace dungeons, but some got away. For example, Taehyung. They didn't know where he was or if he would come back, but Jimin is determined to avenge his father and end those who dared to ruin his family.

He may not seem like it however, the poor boy has been in such a state of shock from all the change that happened that he exhibited no strong emotions, only having a blank face to show in front of his people.

He glided down the streets with four guards as he watched the mer celebrate around him.

They were celebrating his rise as king as well as his father's death.

They saw no reason to mourn as King Hyungsik died an honorable death, fighting for his kingdom.

Bright colors were all around him but Jimin only saw black and white. He was not like his people, he couldn't see his father's death in a positive way. He saw his father stabbed and tossed aside like he was nothing, he couldn't celebrate that.

So as the mer around him celebrated the soot he swam over, he returned to them nothing. Not displaying an emotion other than disinterest on his face.

"Your Highness?" Jungkook called from behind the King. "You really should at least smile, they've waited for you for 8 years."

"Yeah? Well, me coming back got my own father killed so I'm not really sure when I'll ever smile again," Jimin said back with a bite. Jungkook was about to respond, but decided against it, tightly sealing his lips for the time being. Jimin wasn't ready to talk and this wasn't really a good time either. He'll save it for later.

~~~

Mer from the whole kingdom rushed to the court in towns square when the King announced that he would be holding a trial for the traitor mer captured after the battle. They watched eagerly as Jimin entered the area and sat onto a throne on a raised platform. He looked down at his people with a stone face and awaited his prisoners.

Once the royal court was situated behind Jimin and the crowd was in their places, the King motioned for the guards to begin the court session.

They brought out at least 100 mer before Jimin, each one scared for their lives.

"I will make this simple," Jimin began, making the room go quiet. "Whoever admits their crimes and declares loyalty to me will be served lighter sentences than those who don't." The decree made the rebels share glances, wondering if any one of them would be brave enough to abandon their army.

"Who will be first?" Jimin questions, arising from his chair. No one made a sound. "Hmmm...."

Jimin made his way off of the platform and over to a guard. He pulled out the guard's sword from its hilt and looked at them again. "No one?"

They remained quiet, no one wanting to be the first one to speak up, to betray Chungha.

Jimin swam around the mer, studying each one. He made eye contact with a merman about 10 years older than him, he smiled at him before quickly swinging the sword and cutting the man's head off. Everyone in the room gasped at the King's actions, not expecting him to hurt anyone at all. Parents covered their children's eyes but it was too late, they had already witnessed the wrath of the King.

The head floated, but Jimin caught it before it was out of reach.

"Tsk tsk tsk....This didn't have to happen. If only one of you spoke up. Ok! Who's next?"

After Jimin said that, the mer all bowed down at once, all apologizing and pledging their loyalty to him. The King chuckled. "You will scrape the barnacles off of the palace walls for however long it takes. After that, you will be forgiven."

Jimin went back to his straight face before he tossed the head of the dead mer to the nearest guard, Jungkook.

"Clean this up," he instructed the younger, swimming back to his throne as he dismissed the other prisoners. The crowd began to whisper, sharing their disbelief. Where was the kid they were waiting so long for? What happened to him?

His mother looked at him with concern.

"Jimin, was that-"

"Yes, Mother. It was very necessary." He interrupted.

"Why? He was our subject."

"Tell me, Mother. Is it better to be feared or loved?" He asked, looking back at her. Boyoung hardly recognized her son, the sparkle in his eye had been put out, all she saw was darkness. So she looked away.

And so did Jimin.

"Bring her out." He commanded and the whispers settled.

The gates opened and three guards escorted a mer with chains around her neck and hands. One guard led the mermaid with the neck chain, pulling her toward the center of the space while the other two kept closely behind.

"Kim Chungha." Jimin spoke.

"Park Jimin."

"Uh uh. This is not the time you speak." Jimin warned before rising once again.

"Kim Chungha, you are accused of treason to the kingdom, abduction of a royal family member, attempted murder of the prince, and first degree murder of the late king. How do you plead?" Jimin asked with an icy stare.

Chungha was quiet, she looked around taking note of the mer in the crowd, her blonde hair, although messy, flowing beautifully in the water. She looked back up at Jimin with a smirk, "Guilty." She admitted.

Jimin stared at his aunt and wondered what the best way to do away with her would be.

"Kim Chungha. I sentence you to death," the mermaid's smirk grew. "By Cetus."

Chungha's smirk fell as her confidence quickly diminished while the crowd was again surprised by the new King's words. Jungkook could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"Take her away." Jimin finished, sitting back down on his throne. This time he smirked at his aunt who was surely doomed now.

"Wait! Jimin I'm your aunt! We're family!" She screamed as the guards pulled her away. Her screams were barely heard over the commotion of the crowd but Jimin heard and all he could do was shrug at her. She knows what she did and she has to pay.

With her life.

~~~

After the trial, Jungkook escorted Jimin to his quarters. They were both quiet despite their past friendly encounters. Ever since Jungkook was appointed to Jimin's head guard, they haven't had a real conversation. A lot has happened in 2 days, they haven't really had the time.

Once they arrived, Jungkook entered the room before Jimin to check for intruders, he waved Jimin in when it was okay.

"I have to ask. What was that, Jimin?" Jungkook couldn't hold it in anymore.

Jimin shrugged, moving over to his desk which held his jewelry. He took off the pearls that adorned him and placed them onto the desk.

"Just doing my job."

"Your job isn't to scare people, it's to rule."

"Maybe it's both. Maybe they're the same thing," Jimin replied, then turning to his bed of anemones, running his hands through the tentacles.

"This isn't something to take lightly. There were guppies there Jimin, guppies! They saw you chop a guy's head off! Where did you learn to wield a sword anyway?"

Jimin chuckled before he answered.

"On land theres this game, Wii Sports, I played a lot of golf-"

"This isn't a joke, Jimin!" Jungkook interrupted.

"You know what isn't a joke?" Jimin shot up, finally looking Jungkook in the eye. "Me."

"What are you talking about? I'm just trying to tell you that today can't happen again." Jungkook shot Jimin a confused look before the elder spoke again.

"You think that just because you were my childhood bestie that you have some type of authority over me?" He asked with a chuckle. "That's not how this works, Kid."

"That's not-"

"Newsflash Jungkook! I'm the king here! I make the rules. I call the shots. If I have to chop off someone's head to get answers, I will. But now, I want you out of my room." Jimin said with a straight face.

"Wha- Jimin."

"Go! You're done for the day. Send two other guards to take post outside my room for the night."

Jungkook was speechless as he looked at his friend and wondered where he went. Where was the kid he got into trouble with, the kid he collected shells with, the kid he trusted with everything? He just looked empty. The younger couldn't take it anymore and left at Jimin's words. He positioned seasoned guards at Jimin's quarters before leaving for good.

What just happened?

~~~~~~~

1496 words

Hellooo

My queen chungha is coming back soon

Cetus will be explained in the next chapter

I love this story

And I love you guys

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡