Kai is trapped in a clutter of voices.

They are all singing the same tune–Soobin. How handsome he is. How good of a king he will be. What a charming and generous man, he has heard a few people say.

Soobin himself has a swarm of people around him. They hang on to every his every word falling out of mouth. They laugh at every joke. None are humorous, yet they chuckle behind their hands.

Kai's eyes search around the room, trying to find his little brother. He hasn't seen him since the party started. He sees many familiar faces in the hall, but none belong to Yeonjun. Kai sighs and moves away. He can't hear Soobin talk for another minute. He can't hear everyone telling him how good of a king he will make. That he is born for the throne.

Kai disagrees. Soobin has two younger brothers who should get an equal chance for the throne. While Yeonjun doesn't want the throne, Kai wants to rule. He wants the throne, and wants to tell his elder brother he wasn't born for it, even if he was trained for it. No one is born to rule, it always must be earned.

He finds his dad in the crowd talking to the Queen of Hozar. Kai doesn't like her; she is always too quiet. His father is more enthusiastic about the conversation than the Queen. She faintly smiles at him and moves away.

Kai glances at the clock. It is a big clock hanging from the wall; the hands are made of gold and the numbers of jewel. It is time.

Without wasting another second, Kai navigates his way towards the door. On his way, he has to exchange polite pleasantries with people who recognise him. Even if he is out of the hall, he can't dash to his study. People can still see him.

As fast as possible, he climbs the stairs and walks towards his study. His hands fumble with the door handle and he swings the door open. The room is not empty. On the other side of his desk, his spy is sitting on the green leather-bound chair, fidgeting with a pen.

He looks up in acknowledgement when Kai enters, his mullet bouncing happily with every shake of his head. He places the pen back on the table, but the ink has already stained his slender fingers.

"Beomgyu," Kai acknowledges, sitting down opposite of him.

"You look nice," he compliments. Beomgyu reaches into his pocket and slides him a piece of paper folded in half.

Kai unfolds the piece of paper. Three lines are scribbled on the parchment. Three names. Kang Taehyun, Hong Eunchae and Soh Ahn. "Who are they?"

"Colleagues," Beomgyu replies. "You might know Eunchae. She blew up Mr. Song's warehouse last year."

Kai's eyebrows shoot to the sky. "I don't recall anyone being arrested for the crime." He chuckles. "He threw a fit when no one was arrested. It was humorous to watch him stomp his feet like a child."

"Yeah, Honey Daggers was bragging about it for a whole week."

Kai nods, and looks at the list again. "Are they any good?"

"One of the best. Taehyun can pick any lock in minutes. Ahn can get you anything in a day. Eunchae can make bombs out of anything."

"Do you trust them?"

"Not at all."

His next question dies in his throat. How can he hire them if Beomgyu doesn't trust them?

"But they won't betray you- for the right price," Beomgyu adds, looking at the expression on his face. This didn't exactly fill Kai with hope. "Don't worry, what you are offering them will keep them on track."

Kai prefers working with criminals. They have lesser conflicts with their morals and they don't get arrested easily.

A spy, a thief, a demolitions expert, and a resource person. Each brought a great asset to the team. Kai likes the combination. Beomgyu has put together a good crew.

"How did they become criminals?" He folds the note back and slips it into his drawer.

Beomgyu's brow furrows. "Taehyun was sold to kidnappers," he says slowly, his eyes shifting around the room. His ears are turning red. "He ran away and figured he would be safe in the Harbour. I'm not sure why Eunchae first came, but she tried to steal from her current boss, and now must work for him until she pays him off. And as for Ahn. No one knows why she is here, or where has she come from."

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't talk about it." Beomgyu shrugs.

"Didn't any one try and find out?"

"They did, but there is nothing to go on. She doesn't talk about it. No one knows her. At times I think Ahn isn't even her real name."

"Are you confident she won't betray me?"

"Yeah. She benefits from this deal."

The door handle turns. Kai's head snaps in its direction. Who has even dared to open the door without knocking?

Yeonjun is leaning against the door. Searching the room through his lashes. When he spots Kai, he stumbles into the chair beside him.

"Hey, Beomgyu," he murmurs.

"Where were you?" Kai asks.

Yeonjun just shrugs in response.

"Are you drunk?"

Yeonjun thinks about it, frowning and pushing out his bottom lip. "Maybe," he draws out slowly. Then waves his hands in front of him. "That's not why I'm here." He meets Kai's eyes. "Do not go back downstairs. All they can do is praise him. I can't take it anymore; I'm going to bed." Yeonjun titles his head to the side, still maintaining eye contact. "Take my advice and stay up."

"I heard them talking, and have lost my appetite to interact with them."

"Good, you too go to sleep."

Kai laughs. "I will. Good night."

Yeonjun pushes his chair back and drags his feet towards the door. "Good night," he mumbles before shutting the door behind him. Kai stares at the door even after it closes.

"He doesn't like parties?" Beomgyu asks.

"Never liked these."

Nor did he. But he also found an opportunity at events like these. To familiarise himself with the politics and establish himself in the game. If he didn't want to be king, Kai would have moved away from the palace the first chance he got. He hates it here.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Beomgyu questions. Kai shakes his head. He nods. "I will be taking my leave then. Have my own party to attend to. Hopefully I get a chance to talk to Ahn over there."

"Good luck," Kai wishes, as Beomgyu stands up and walks towards the window.

"Thanks," he says and jumps out of the window.

♡

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