ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗧𝗬-𝗧𝗪𝗢
─◌✰್ 𝗐𝖾𝖺𝗄𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌，
❝𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.❞

Minho was free of Yeonjun's wrath.

But that also meant he was completely , entirely alone.

Not for long, he thought to himself determinedly, as he followed Yeonjun towards the Lee castle. Yeonjun had effectively cut him off from you, the one person he cared about. And Yeonjun knew that Minho would be coming after him. He knew this was his punishment, for not taking Yeonjun's side. He'd been deserted, just as he had been when you exited his life. And he would now have to save you from what were, essentially, consequences of his own actions.

The dark spirit had used his magic to materialize there, but Minho had driven himself in one of the leftover show limos. Of course, he had arrived after Yeonjun, but Yeonjun must have spent significant time outside the castle. When Minho pulled up, he saw the man on the phone with someone. It was a strange sight indeed, an all-knowing spirit using an iPhone.

Minho opened and closed the limo door as quietly as he could, sneaking around the side of the castle to see if he could hear anything that Yeonjun was saying. He felt quite foolish hiding in a bush, eavesdropping like this. But if there was any way he could help save you and his friends, then he would, no matter how dumb.

"Yes, I'm coming in now," Yeonjun spoke, his voice as smooth as always. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for agreeing to let me use your prison cells for the contestants. Yes ma'am, their parents are being held in your castle, just as you requested. I will see you soon."

Then, Yeonjun hung up, and strode inside, cloak flowing after him. Minho jumped up from his spot, and followed him inside. He knew his own house better than anyone, and therefore, he knew exactly where the dungeon was. He'd always believed holding someone in a dank cell was a primitive form of punishment, but his father was a big fan of imprisoning anyone, from Moonstone soldiers who were captured, to Obsidian deserters.

But he wasn't going to the dungeons, not yet. After hearing Yeonjun's phone call, his plans had changed in an instant.

From what it sounded like, his father and your mother were working with Yeonjun. And they were the ones who had allowed Yeonjun to hold you — and apparently everyone's parents — in prison. Minho assumed that your father and his mother had not been part of this, but he couldn't be sure, not yet. But he didn't have time to investigate, or be sneaky. He had to confront them, and demand answers, right away. Then, he would go down to the dungeons and confront Yeonjun, too.

"Minho, what are you doing here?"

Minho whipped around, heart in his throat. But it was King Lee who stood behind him, dressed in a black suit, and carrying a sword. This was not traditional battle attire, so he wondered why the man had brought a weapon with him. Was he getting ready to fight?

"I- the dating show is over." Minho struggled for words. He had spoken to King Lin many times before, but not since the start of the show. Certainly the man had seen all the terrible things that Minho had done to you, his daughter. He couldn't help but feel awkward. "Yeonjun brought everyone here, and locked them up. Everyone but me. So im here to get them out."

King Lin nodded thoughtfully. "And... have you seen your father or mother? Do they know that Yeonjun is here?"

Minho nodded, unsure how much of his theory he should reveal. Did your dad know that his wife was potentially conspiring with Yeonjun, and Minho's father? Did he suspect her of being disloyal to Moonstone?

"I... I think that Queen Lin and my father both know Yeonjun is here," Minho finally said. "I think that he agreed to work with Yeonjun, and I think Queen Lin did the same. I believe she agreed to let Yeonjun imprison the rest of the constants' parents in your dungeon."

King Lin's eyes narrowed, but he didn't seem surprised. Then, he nodded gravely. "I fear you're right," he sighed. "I have suspected that my wife has been working with your father for quite some time now, but I didn't have any proof. I came here in search of my wife, but I must have subconsciously known that she was up to something. Honestly, I had hoped I was just being distrustful. But hearing you say it, I know it to be true. Do you know where they are?"

Minho shook his head. "No, but I know where my father's study is. He's always in there."

King Lin nodded. "Lead the way."

Minho, still in shock that he was leading the king of Moonstone himself around the Lee castle, hurried down the hall, past his mother's study, and to the right. The door was, predictably, closed. He moved to try the handle, hoping it wouldn't be locked.

"Minho, wait." King Lin placed a hand on his shoulder, and Minho started in surprise. Apparently, he was more nervous for this confrontation than he thought.

Then, King Lin pulled out a second sword from his belt. "This is your father's sword, if you'll believe it or not. I had found it in my castle, and wanted to return it to him when I came over. But now, I think it has a better use."

"Did you know that you would be fighting today?" Minho asked. "You brought your sword with you, too." He pointed at the beautiful gold hilt on the other side of the king's belt.

King Lin nodded. "In my mind, I wasn't planning on it. But I can never be too safe when I come here. Your father is known for his hot head. I guess I was right in being cautious. I think it's time to see what happens."

In response, Minho turned the door handle. It was unlocked. He took a deep breath. When he opened the door, things would be totally different from how they were before. If he found out that his father and Queen Lin really were conspiring together, working with Yeonjun, he would have no choice but to take them down.

He pushed the door all the way open. And the sight before him took his breath away.

King Lee and Queen Lin sat next to each other, looking much too comfortable for this to be their first meeting. There were two screens on, one broadcasting the Moonstone dungeon, containing the other parents, and the other showing you, and your friends, in the Obsidian dungeon.

Minho's suspicions were right.

"Well, hello, son." His father didn't sound guilty in the slightest. He smirked at his son, gesturing for him to come and sit. Then he motioned at King Lee, who had stepped inside too. "Won't you both join us?"

"You monsters!" Minho growled, anger bubbling just below the surface. "You two have been working together all this time? And you let Yeonjun into our home?"

The king and queen shared a look. Then, King Lee nodded, like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Yes, of course we've been working together. And of course we're working with Yeonjun. He is the strongest man alive! He is going to help us get rid of Moonstone, and take over the rest of the world."

"And what about you??" Minho turned on Queen Lin, who was watching her husband with a mix of guilt, and stubborn pride. "How could you betray your husband and daughter? Your whole family! Why would you want to help Obsidian take over Moonstone? That's terrible."

Queen Lin laughed, a high-pitched, strained sound. "I used to care about Moonstone!" she cried, throwing her hands up in the air. "I have always wanted the best for my kingdom. I wanted us to be the strongest, to defeat Obsidian and take over the rest of the world. But my husband didn't want the same. He wanted to live in peace, and just grow what he had. So when Yeonjun approached King Lee and I separately, and offered us safety during the dating show, and guaranteed power after, it was a no-brainer. Why would I want to stick by the side of a cowardly man, and my equally cowardly children? And I would betray them again."

For the first time during the conversation, King Lin stepped around Minho, and approached his wife, face calm. Minho wasn't sure how he was able to stay so composed, even knowing that his wife had turned on him. Then, he pointed his sword in her face.

"I had loved you, dear," he said quietly. "I thought that we could put aside our differences, and guide Moonstone to peace and happiness together. I had even averted my gaze when I began suspecting that you did not feel the same. When you did strange things for unknown reasons, I didn't question you. And if that comes to affect Moonstone poorly, I will take all the blame, like a king does. But for now, the most I can do is arrest you both on charges of treason."

"You cannot arrest your own wife!" Queen Lin shrieked. "Or you will be going against Yeonjun, the most powerful man alive!"

How many times would these two say that?

Minho moved to stand in front of his father, pointing his sword at him, as well. "I don't see Yeonjun here, do you?" He made a show of looking back and forth. "And don't worry. We'll be taking care of him, next. Maybe you can share a jail cell."

King Lee smirked. "Did you really think this was going to be that easy?" he scoffed.

In the blink of an eye, King Lee had pulled a long knife out of his back pocket, jabbing it at Minho, all intent to kill. His eyes gleamed with pleasure, as Minho narrowly avoided the attack.

At the same time, Queen Lin pulled a curved dagger from her bodice, and sliced the blade up at her husband. He roared, and moved away from the attack, the blade nicking his arm, drawing blood.

The two pairs continued to fight. Minho parried a dozen of his father's stabs, blocking, and thrusting his sword towards his stomach. He cut through his father's shirt, exposing bare flesh. Clearly, he had not expected to be fighting today. Minho grinned with relish. He was going to enjoy destroying everything his father had worked so hard for. Everything Minho had not wanted for himself.

"I hate you! I hate you so much!" Queen Lin was screaming at the top of her lungs, as her husband easily blocked each hit she made at him. Like a stage trick, King Lin knocked her dagger to the floor, and kicked it under the door in one movement.

"I could say the same about you," King Lin hissed, eyes suddenly steely as he shoved her back into her chair. "But I won't stoop to your level. After Minho takes care of the king, we will take you both to the dungeons."

Minho gritted his teeth. His own father had taught him how to fight with a sword. King Lee was not as strong with a mere knife, so he knew he had an advantage. He knew the way his father fought. He could win this.

He cut down towards his father's head, causing him to yelp and dodge out of the way. The blade cut through the man's shoulder, and he cried out, blood seeping through his fancy shirt.

"Just give up, father," Minho snarled, jumping away as the knife stabbed towards his left cheek. "You know you'll never win like this."

"I can keep trying," the king hissed, his large, sweaty body jiggling up and down as he tried to stay agile. But those years of youth and fitness had long passed, and his age was showing.

Minho shoved the man into his seat, giving another warning nick to his shoulder. The knife clattered to the floor, and the king sagged in the chair, defeated.

"Okay..." the king sighed, somehow looking smaller even in his vast frame. "What do you want from us? Are you going to kill us?"

King Lin snorted. "I'm not a monster. According to my wife, I'm too nice. And that may be true. Because I'm going to spare both of your lives. Minho and I are going to take you down to the dungeons, where you will get to watch us destroy Yeonjun, the man who promised you this so-called power. You will see that evil does not win."

Queen Lin sighed, covering her face with her hands. "I wish you would kill me. Why don't you? I'm sure you hate me. I'm a terrible wife. And a traitor."

King Lin shook his head, a pitying look crossing his face. "I don't hate you, wife. I simply feel sorry that you felt so much anger in your heart, that you wanted to ruin our entire family and kingdom, just to get revenge on me. But... I forgive you. However, I will not let you hurt anyone else. So you must go."

As Minho and King Lin led King Lee and Queen Lin down to the dungeon, Minho saw a bright light appear before his very eyes, seemingly coming from the skies. He blinked rapidly a few times, and it was gone, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. What the hell...?

He had a feeling things were just getting started. But he chose to take that blinding light as a good sign that he would finish what he came here to do. He would destroy Yeonjun, once and for all. And he would rescue you, whether you would take him back or not.

laska's note —
wow, so that was a plot twist, wasn't it? king lee and queen lin were working together the whole time, fighting against their own families just to support yeonjun and use his power! but king lin and minho were able to take them both down, i'm so proud! now, they just have to fight yeonjun himself. i wonder how that will go, especially now that we know what's been going on with them down in the dungeon? the end of the book is coming, but it will end with a bang! can't wait to show you what's in store for them 🤭

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟱𝟯 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱
┊ ⇄ ◁◁ II ▷▷ ↻ ┊