Jeonggeun felt left out as he sat down away from everyone else. It wasn't like it was his get together, but he knew no one here except for Jake and Chanyoung. According to Jake it had been some big annual meeting between the kings so every person who was a king's personal guard was now here. He did recognize their other roommates and even Allen, but Jeonggeun hadn't met the others yet.

“Any news from your brother's soulmate yet?” Jeonggeun found himself hearing being translated, causing him to turn to find two people talking nearby.

“None, not that I'm aware of anyway,” responded Dongmyeong as he shook his head. “Louis is hard to find in Europe right now, despite all the technology that's evolved,” he added. “I know Dongju doesn't want to be killed this time, but I'm dreading the day I end up having to do that,” he grumbled, the last part barely being picked up on the translator.

Jeonggeun quickly turned away, getting up and moving away to let the two have their privacy as he figured he wasn't supposed to be hearing any of that conversation. He found himself standing next to Jake as he conversed in English with a friend from the US.

“They made you an honorary member huh?” Asked Jake as he spoke with Jay. “How'd that even work out for you?” He asked.

“Arthur said I deserved it after finally beating Yunho in a spar,” boasted Jay as he puffed out his chest in pride. “I won't be doing stuff like what you're doing, but I have a more steady income now than before,” he explained. “My art career is finally starting to kick off so I'm hoping it turns into a full time thing,” he added.

“How come Keonhee wasn't able to make it?” Asked Jake as he acknowledged Jeonggeun with a slight head bow before turning back to Jay.

“He's busy trying to get his PhD,” responded Jay as he shrugged. “He'll be able to visit soon though, if he can find time afterwards,” he explained. “What about you? What are your plans after you're done with school?” He asked.

“Well, I'm going back home to do my thing in the guard and then once that's over and done I'm going to become an engineer in a car manufacturing plant somewhere,” responded Jake as he nodded his head. “At least, that's where I was thinking until I changed my minor to science,” he added, looking thoughtful. “I think I may become a bio engineer somewhere,” he mused, humming in thought.

“Isn't being in the guard a lifetime commitment?” Asked Chanyoung as he walked over once he made sure Seobin wasn't causing trouble.

“Only those who are immortal,” responded Jake as he nodded his head. “There are a few that stay even after finishing their time in the guard but that hasn't happened for a while,” he added.

“Or if you find your soulmate, right?” Asked Jeonggeun. “At least, that's what I heard,” he added, shrugging as if unsure with what he just said.

“For the most part,” responded Jake as he nodded in confirmation.

~

Jay noticed something with Chanyoung as the gathering went on for most of the day. “He's so sad,” he remarked to Jake and Jeonggeun as they talked.

“I've noticed,” agreed Jake as he nodded his head, making sure to speak quietly to not let the translators pick up on their conversation. “Reminds me of you, before you moved back to the states,” he added, looking thoughtful. “Do you know anything about him?” He asked, turning to Jeonggeun.

“I don't think it's my place to say,” replied Jeonggeun as he shook his head. “He did lose his soulmate though, but his killer's been apprehended I think,” he added. “If it's who I think it is anyway,” he explained.

“Ah, I've heard of it,” mused Jake as he nodded. “His situation is rather unique,” he added. “But yeah, it's not your place to talk about it, it's better to let him speak about it,” he added as an afterthought.

“I hope that whatever's happened doesn't cause him to go into a spiral like I did,” sighed Jay. “I'm glad I'm out of it, for the most part don't get me wrong, but I understand now, the pain you guys went through when you found me," he added.

“Is it still hard to live with the burning sensation in your wrist?” Asked Jake.

“I'm at a point in my life where I'm okay now, but a part of me will still be asking the what ifs and what could have been,” responded Jay as he shook his head. “But I'm sure that's a constant thing, until we die,” he explained. “Art has become an escape for me at least,” he added as an afterthought.

~

Chanyoung checked on Seobin, making sure the translator was secure in Seobin's ear as Seobin sat at a table set up for him and colored. “How are you feeling Seobin?” He asked, sitting down in front of Seobin once he knew Seobin was okay with the translator in his ear and the hook was still secure around his ear.

“'M fine," mumbled Seobin as he looked up from his coloring. “When can I take the translator off?” He asked, trying not to reach up and take off the translator. “I don't mind it,” he added quickly. “But the feeling of it around my ear is-” he mumbled in explanation, pausing as the translator picked up on something and caused him to turn towards the conversation as the kings stepped into the backyard to talk to the others.

Chanyoung was about to respond when his translator picked up on the chatter from the kings and their respective guards, choosing to ignore it for the time being since it didn't involve them yet. “After we leave okay?” He asked. “I know you don't like it but it's going to help you understand the others," he explained.

“I hope you've been enjoying your time here,” came a new voice as Ivan walked over with Yeonjun behind him with his hands in his pockets.

Chanyoung turned to Ivan, getting up and bowing in greeting before straightening. “It's been a rather unique experience,” he responded with a shrug. “As long as my brother and I aren't in any trouble anyway,” he added, raising an eyebrow in question.

“No,” reassured Ivan as he waved off any concern. “We just weren't sure what your accommodations would be concerning your brother, but it seems like he is having a good time,” he remarked, walking closer and coming to a stop in front of Seobin who looked up at Ivan in awe.

“H-Hello Ivan,” greeted Seobin, stuttering slightly as he took in Ivan's intense gaze.

“Hello, Seobin was it?” Asked Ivan, his expression softening slightly as he slumped into a more friendly and neutral stance. “What are you coloring there?” He asked, examining the picture with a slight head tilt in curiosity.

“Um, p-puppies,” responded Seobin as he looked back down at his coloring book. “Big brother got me this book!” He exclaimed excitedly as he looked back up, grinning at Chanyoung who smiled reassuringly back at him. “I borrowed these- um,” he mumbled, motioning to the various markers scattered across the table. “J-Jay let me borrow them,” he explained, grabbing the markers to put them in a neater pile. “I have to make sure they're all together, or Jay will be mad at me,” he grumbled, more to himself.

“I'm sure Jay will understand if you accidentally misplace one or two,” mused Ivan as he nodded his head. “But yes, make sure they're all together when you hand them back to Jay okay?” He asked.

“Mhm!” Agreed Seobin as he nodded his head before grabbing a marker and continuing his coloring.

“I'm sure this was more than a casual visit,” remarked Chanyoung after he made sure Seobin was occupied with his coloring.

“Yes, but some issues shouldn't involve… Excuse the term, but, commoners,” responded Ivan as he studied Chanyoung with a steady gaze.

“I was invited along, as you know,” retorted Chanyoung, returning the steady gaze as he noticed Yeonjun shift his stance into a more casual slump behind Ivan.

“Yes,” mused Ivan as he let out a small chuckle. “Someone like you would bring a brighter atmosphere to the party I'm sure,” he added, almost sarcastically before turning and walking away.

“Don't mind Ivan,” reassured Yeonjun as Ivan went back to talk to the other kings. “He sometimes forgets how to act around normal people,” he explained. “He was simply studying you to make sure you were really okay,” he added. “Your story has made its rounds around the kings by now,” he explained.

“Ah,” hummed Chanyoung before he shook his head. “I'm fine, thank you,” he reassured quickly. “Being around other people has helped a lot,” he explained. “Please understand that my situation was unique and I'm sure there wasn't much I could do at the time,” he added. “I can assure you I'm okay, as okay as I can be considering the circumstances,” he explained.

“Also you may want to turn off your translator for this,” warned Yeonjun as Dann called for a meeting in English. “This next part is in regards to Jake and Jeonggeun, which you do not need to hear,” he explained. “Just take the translator out of your ear, we'll signal when you can put it back in,” he added.

Chanyoung nodded, reaching up and taking out the translator before turning to Seobin. “Seobin you can take off the translator for now okay?” He asked. “This part we don't need to listen to,” he explained, putting the translator in his pocket.

Seobin nodded, taking out his translator and setting it on the table before continuing his coloring.

Chanyoung went to sit down in front of Seobin, helping him color to try and distract himself.

Yeonjun nodded before turning and walking towards the group and standing beside Ivan as the kings and their respective guards stood in a circle with Jeonggeun and Jake the center of attention.

~

“They're fine?” Asked Dann, looking at Yeonjun who nodded in confirmation. “Okay, any news regarding Louis yet?” He asked, starting off the meeting after everyone had gathered.

“All searching regarding Louis is paused right now,” responded Ivan as he shook his head. “As far as I'm aware Hwanwoong still has yet to find him and he's scoured all of Europe by now for the passed century,” he explained.

“The last update from the guard chat was that Hwanwoong was checking Hungary again, but that was weeks ago,” chimed in Dongmyeong as he shook his head.

“I was just in France, again,” added in Yunho as he sighed. “No sign of him yet,” he explained.

“How is this one king hard to find? Even Chiwoo wasn't hard to spot again after so long when Hyunjae spotted him in Beijing the other week,” commented Jahan as he looked thoughtful.

“I'm sure, that with time I will know when he is reborn,” chimed in Ivan as he shook his head. “For right now, I am sure he isn't alive yet,” he added.

“I think Beomgyu knew when I was being reincarnated again, so it may be the case for you,” chimed in Soobin as he looked thoughtful. “I don't know, this could be all one giant coverup or something?” He asked. “Maybe he is alive and just doesn't want to be found,” he mused, humming in thought.

“This isn't what we came here to discuss, so let's leave it for now,” chimed in Hwon as he looked at Jake and Jeonggeun who stood in the middle of the circle. “In regards to your father Jake, we will be heading back at the end of the school year to put him on trial for the things he's done,” he explained. “But for you Jeonggeun, we've found your brother,” he added, turning to Jeonggeun who looked surprised.

“Where is he?” Asked Jeonggeun.

“He's here, ready for his trial,” responded Hwon. “Bring him out,” he called, and the backdoor opened, causing everyone to turn to the door.