the story

author's corner

Gemini headquarters

—  2010; 19:30

  Tap. Tap. 

  Heels. Plastic - or maybe faery wood? - echoing against the monochrome marble floors, ringing in his ears. Not too closely though; the woman in front of him was steering clear of him from at least a two meter radius. 

  Aha. So these people have done their research. A small smirk curved the corner of his mouth. He was fully aware of his own actions, even the tiniest; the casual and nonchalant 'habits' of adjusting his cuffs, the formal clasp of hands behind one's back, himself standing straighter than a wooden board. All was simply under calculation.

  "In here, please. Sir." The woman's tone was curt, formal, business-like. Such a pity. The stone-hearted ones were usually the hardest to break. Buttoning his suit jacket in one swift exchange of the fingers, he was prepared to step through the double wooden doors held open for him, when he stole a glance at the faery woman standing guard on the other side of it, remaining a stoic front.

  "Yes, of course. Agent Chess." Letting a charming smile grace his face, he put one step in front of another, before reaching the front of the enormous desk looming in front of him.

  "You may leave, Chess." The man sitting atop of that suddenly spoke. Shortly, he heard the characteristic tap-tap-tapping of the heels down the hall again, which only made the smile on his face grow larger.

  "So. It's you." 

  As he spoke, the King leaned forward, letting his features show in the dim light that the study offered. Taking it as a silent invitation, the man himself obligingly took a seat on the armchair situated opposite of it, and made himself comfortable.

  "To think the great King of Gemini would know of someone like me. It's really an honour. Your Majesty," He added, just for the effect.

  "Save it. I would hardly think there's anyone in the Underworlder circle who doesn't know you." Sungjong sighed, lacing his fingers together, before speaking again after a pause. "I knew something was off the moment I was handed the profiles." A pause. "You are their trump card, aren't you?"

  "I beg your pardon?" Polite contempt. 

  "Never mind." Shuffling. In the window of time it took him to blink, the King had already reached under his desk and pulled out something. A wooden box embossed with gold designs that he recognized were Elven wards against the evil. "I had questioned their credibility when they asked me to make this." There was another pause as Sungjong rolled it around between his hands, as if contemplating whether or not to hand the box over. "Apparently the rumours are true." 

  "Hmm," He acknowledged absent-mindedly. At that, Sungjong pushed the box forward. A silent offer. "Are you sure about this, Your Majesty?" Another grin on his features. There was no need for concealed and subtle hints; not now.

  In response, the King merely nudged it forward with the tips of his fingers, and sat back. In one graceful movement, the man stood, walking slowly towards his prize while keeping his eyes fixated on Sungjong, whose gaze betrayed nothing but boredom. As he reached the edge of the desk, he leaned forward so that their faces were parallel to one another, and murmured, "Is it really alright to leave yourself so vulnerable like this, Your Majesty? I think we both know my powers. It would be such a shame...ah, if something was to happen, don't you think so?"

  "The only thing that would happen," To his surprise, the King's eyes weren't glazed over as he would have expected. Instead, they were boring into his, as if staring straight through him. "Would be you being kicked out if you even attempt treason. Now open the box and stop your nonsense." 

  Facade broken, the man stepped back slightly, though his confident demeanor never wavered. Prying open the box with the tips of his fingers, he peered inside, and drew a bracelet out with slight confusion. "Might I ask what this is, Your Majesty? If you are attempting to court me - of which I would be utmost grateful - there are other more convenient ways - "

  "Oh, be quiet." Sungjong's fingers found the sore spot on the side of his head, and started preparing himself for the headache to come. "This is a control device. We can't have you charming everyone within a certain radius, can we? Now put it on and follow Chess to the dining room." 

  A prompt pressing of a button led to a prompt throwing open of the study's doors. The man gave a short glance at the...developing situation around him, and sighed, before attaching the thing around the curve of his wrist. Just before he left, however, he turned around, facing the King once more.

  "I think you missed my name, sir.'

  "I would hardly have missed any part of you," Sungjong replied in a mocking tone.

  "Nam Minwoo."