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juliet-caramelmacchiato · 1 year

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HOUSE OF CARDS

PAIRING: Kim Namjoon / fem oc

GENRE: mystery/fantasy/investigation

SUMMARY: Who destroyed the garden of the King of clubs?

Who caused the death of the Queen of spades?

Who broke the fragile order of the world, putting at risk the life of not one, but two sovereigns?

In a situation were anyone could be involved, the only one able to judge is too blinded by his own grief to be rational. The last remaining solution, then, seems to look for help from the outside. From someone who could determine once and for all the real culprit.

WORD COUNT: 2.OK

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CHAPTER 3

-Hyung?

The human looked at the silhouette of the back of the man who was facing a sea of cinder that reached the horizon in a never ending expanse, as a hint of bitterness took possession of her heart. She wondered how magnificent that garden must have once been. If it was a chaotic ensemble of different flowers that meddled and clashed in a joyous cacophony of colours or if instead it was divided in methodical sections based on species and variety.

The crownless king didn't answer. The King of diamonds then, swallowing a grimace, slowly stepped forward, inviting her to follow him while the rest of the company stayed at the threshold of the French window to silently observe the scene. When the two reached the silver bench on which the man was sitting, the woman finally had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of his lineaments. The sight, however, made the bitterness in her heart even more burning. The elegant profile of the masculine face with plump lips and a subtle nose, fair skin and full cheeks, was disfigured by a large cinereous blemish resembling charred wood and crossed by deep fissures that nearly reached the healthy skin. The entirety of the right cheek of the sovereign up until the corner of the eye was contaminated by the gash, that ran down the long neck and dipped under the double breasted jacket with floral patterns.

-Seokjin-hyung, can I introduce you to someone?- asked the King of diamonds with the most delicate tone that the woman had ever heard from him. The man, in the end, seemed to snap out of the trance in which he was immersed and slowly turned towards them.

-Yoongi?

Lost eyes gazed at the young man standing as if he was a ghost, as if they could see through his figure and could project their vision beyond, far away from that desolated place. The King of diamonds, at that, sat next to the sovereign, inviting the woman to do the same.

-Hi hyung. How are you today?

The man with lost eyes had placed his gaze back on the ashy field, staring insistently as if looking for something that wasn't there.

-Yoongi... what happened to my garden?

An embarrassed silence diffused in the air, while the golden king tightened his lips like he was restraining himself.

-Hyung, do you remember what happened?- he asked instead, with a calm and condescending tone in his hoarse voice. The silver king furrowed his brows slightly.

-I remember... that I was pruning the peonies. I was late, but if I hurried I could fix them before they could wither.

Yoongi, gulping, seemed to hold a sigh as his eyes lowered to the ground littered with ash. Then, turning to the human, he schooled his face in a neutral expression.

-Is there something that you wish to know?

The woman placed her gaze on the outline of the crownless man, who kept on staring at the ghost of his precious creature as if he still couldn't see what had become of it. When she brought her eyes back on the golden king, then, she shook her head. That poor man had suffered enough. She didn't want to add pain to his already fragile psyche by digging into memories that he had obviously removed in order to protect himself.

When they reached the rest of the attendants at the french window, though, the young woman was still empty-handed.

-He doesn't remember a thing about what happened. He has completely deleted that day from his mind, hence why we can't even know where he was located at the moment of the fire.

An obnoxious cough followed Yoongi's statement, which brought the attention of the entire group on the scarlet king.

-Actually, I do know where he was. I even know the culprit but no one wants to listen to me- chirped the King of hearts, pouting his lips and folding his arms on his chest. As a couple of exasperated sighs and protesting cries raised from the group, the human tilted her head.

-Really?- she asked with sincere curiosity, staring at the man. The latter, frivolously batting his eyelids, smiled widely and took her hand.

-Follow me!

The man dragged her inside the palace, leading her in a big hall that faced the ashy garden with walls entirely covered in silver which melted in dense floral patterns that reached the ceiling. At the centre of the room, was a silver throne with black trims. The sovereign, though, stopped only when he was facing a tall mirror that took the right wall to the throne and that was as big as one of the windows.

-As you already know, I have dominion over mirrors. And amongst my many wonderful powers, there is one that allows me to see the images captured by every mirror of the world!- enthusiastically explained the man, pointing at the object encased in a precious black frame with a blatant gesture of his hand. The human, contemplating it, turned to the crimson king.

-So you are able to show who was here, in this room, the day of the fire?

The sovereign winked at her, emphasising his elegant cheekbones.

-Exactly.

The human brought her eyes on her reflection, a woman dressed in a large white chemise tucked into high-waisted jeans, touched by the tips of her long raven hair. That reflection, then, started floating like the circles that form on the surface of a pond that is perturbed by a pebble, until it morphed into the figure of the King of clubs. He had his crown on, covered in shiny silver and topped by peaks of onyx, and was wearing a silver cape on which was pinned the brooch with his coat-of-arms. His face, however, was distraught by an emotion that resembled pure madness.

-No! You are wrong! You are all wrong! You are just a witch with no authority here! Go away!

The voice dripping contempt of the sovereign escaped the glass in pieces and, even if it wasn't possible to see who he was directing his anger at, the hem of a black skirt appeared at the corner of the mirror.

-I said go away!

The shouts of the man had become even the more violent and his raging face looked around himself, pupils dilated like a wild beast, before going out of the frame and coming back with a chandelier in his hand.

-Go!

And the king exited the scene for good as the weak flames of the candles animated his face with a soft orange. The glass, then, went back to showing the reflection of the young woman with her face closed in a thoughtful grimace.

-So, according to this... it would have been the King of clubs himself?- she asked, raising an eyebrow. An outraged grunt made her turn towards the raven king, who up until that moment had yet to pronounce a word.

-Oh please! We all know that Jimin can manipulate the pictures in the mirrors! It's obvious that this is his doing! Seokjin-Hyung would have never hurt a fly!- growled the sovereign, pointing his accusatory finger against the King of hearts. The latter, faking an expression of pure indignation, blatantly touched his chest.

-How could you accuse me of something like this? Me, manipulating a reflection in order to place the blame on Seokjin! What an absurdity!

-Then why don't you even have the grace to use honourifics when talking about the oldest amongst us?- menacingly whispered Namjoon, who had reached the crimson king with long strides and who had gripped his precious jacket in order to near their faces.

-Don't be so stern now! You are all important to my eyes, the entire world is at the same level!- theatrically exclaimed Jimin, widening his arms.

-We are kings, all four of us! We are all equals, right?- he added, softening his voice in an innocent tone, before lowering his chin and staring straight in the eyes of the fuming sovereign, opening in a malicious smile.

-But you would believe nothing that I say, isn't it... Namjoon-ie?- murmured the crimson king a breath away from the grinding lips of the man. The human, observing the scene, tightened her mouth.

No, something wasn't right.

Even opening her mind to all possible scenarios, it seemed improbable that the King of clubs would damage his own dominion, causing such a great loss to himself. But she needed confirmation.

-For what reason does the King of clubs not have a Jack?

The attendants moved their attention from the conflict between the two men to the human who was looking at them with determination. It was the King of diamonds who spoke first, throwing a weary look at the sovereign who was gripping with his nails Jimin's jacket.

-When we came to existence, there were seven of us: four kings and three jacks. It was destiny, hence, that one of us had to be left without a Jack and Seokjin-hyung offered to make this sacrifice. He said he didn't need one. He had never wanted weapons in his territory and neither a private militia. In general, he was the one who kept the best relationship with all of us, even when conflicts arised among the other kingdoms.

The woman nodded raising her head to the ceiling, before bringing her gaze back on the mirror that was showing her reflection.

-I don't think he was the one who started the fire either. A peaceful individual, who had never showed an inclination towards violence, what reason would have had to turn against the queen and destroy his own dominion? It doesn't make sense. And neither does a sudden burst of madness. I think the culprit is someone else- she concluded, turning to the attendants who carefully stared at her. It was only then that, finally, the King of spades released his grip from the jacket of the scarlet king, throwing him an accusatory look.

-It is apparent, then, that someone is trying to hide something- Namjoon said harshly, bringing Jimin to curl his lips in an elegant growl.

-Are you accusing me, perhaps?

The eyes of the woman darted from one individual to the other, contemplating the palpable tension that seemed to animate their bodies and their burning gazes.

-I don't know, Jimin. You tell me- spat with a cavernous tone the raven king, clenching his jaw. The human, then, turned to the golden sovereign, who studied the scene with increasing worry.

-Is there any way to verify if he is telling the truth?

Yoongi observed her for a few moments, before glancing at Jimin.

-There would be the Ace of hearts, but only his king can make it work- he claimed, compelling the mentioned to let out a loud snort.

-The Ace is quite unruly these days, even I can't make it work- he said, lifting his shoulders with nonchalance.

-Quite convenient- murmured the King of spades, staring at Jimin.

-What's the Ace of hearts?

Yoongi brought his gaze back on the human.

-Every sovereign has an object that represents the key and the essence of his power itself. The Ace of hearts is the Mirror of truth. It can't be altered and it can't show anything but the pure and simple reality. Furthermore, it is connected to every mirror in our world, so it can connect to every corner where a reflecting surface exists.

The young woman, with eyes widened by surprise, contemplated the new informations. Kings with supernatural powers, mirrors of truth... that world was definitely far more bizarre than what she had predicted.

-May I ask for your collaboration to use your Ace, your majesty? It would be a prime tool to reach the solution of this mystery- she then demanded, turning to the ethereal figure behind her. Him, after a moment of silence closed in an unreadable expression, opened in a seducing smirk.

-If you ask with such grace, my beautiful petal, how can I refuse you?

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juliet-caramelmacchiato · 1 year

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Got to draw Tae... But added a dark twist 🖤

#artist #bts army #bts art #digital artist #kpop #kpop fanart #방탄소년단 슈가 #bts #bts fanart #bangtan sonyeondan #kim taehyung #taehyung fanart #taetae #taehyung #dark bts

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juliet-caramelmacchiato · 1 year

Text

HOUSE OF CARDS

Pairing: Kim Namjoon/fem oc

Genre: Mystery/ fantasy/ investigation

Summary: Who destroyed the garden of the King of clubs?

Who caused the death of the Queen of spades?

Who broke the fragile order of the world, putting at risk the life of not one, but two sovereigns?

Word count: 2.8k

****************************************************

CHAPTER 2

The young woman didn't have the time to see the face of the person that had just bursted in the room, because the three soldiers steadily mobilised to cover her with their bodies, creating a barrier which kept her hidden from sight.

-My lord, I can explain.

-Then please do, Jungkook. I'm listening- thundered the new male voice with a placidity that felt too volatile. His tone was deep, rumbling and slightly rough, but it possessed a warm undertone that was pleasing to the ear.

-They simply made a mess, Namjoon. An experiment with their powers turned bad. I'll solve the matter.

The human could clearly detect how the pale king was trying to keep a facade of indifference despite the tension in his voice. The newcomer must have been the one feared by everyone, the one who would have lost his mind. The woman looked around quickly, looking for any form of hideaway where she burrow herself, thinking about how each of the men seemed so concerned with her appearance. Unfortunately, though, she wouldn't be able to slip under the bed without being noticed.

-Very noble of you, Yoongi. Now, if you will, tell this three morons to move, because it is apparent that they are trying to hide something from me.

The human clenched her fists ruffling the fabric of the bed sheet under her nails as she noticed the soldiers exchanging anxious looks. In the end, they turned to her with worry and remorse painted on their faces, before splitting and revealing her presence. She promised herself to keep her head low, hiding as much as possible from the wrath of the man who was feared by everyone but, against her better judgement, curiosity won. Her eyes betrayed her, landing on the face of the sovereign who was standing in front of her with a rigid posture.

A bizzarre sense of familiarity tantalized her soul as soon as she saw the physiognomy of the stranger. A defined jaw was the frame of a lean and masculine face, that was yet delicate on the curve of the nose and the shape of the lips. His eyes, sharp in their cut and their coldness, were barely covered by wisps of ash gold, on which a crown made of black metal rested, topped by peaks of silver in the shape of arrows. In unison with that, the double-breasted jacket was a repetition of black and silver in the same pattern, while on the raven cape was pinned a brooch with the same mysterious symbol.

The symbol of spades.

With timid dread, the woman moved her eyes to the face of the king, waiting for the explosion that everyone had anticipated. Instead of meeting fury, though, what she found was the most shocking fragility that she had ever witnessed. Dilated pupils that were becoming glossier at the passing of each second, as if their owner was on the verge of crying, and an ajar mouth shaped in a grimace of incredulity. The dark lashes started to flicker convulsively over reddened eyes, looking like they were trying to understand if what they were seeing was given birth by his imagination.

-Nari?- was the first, trembling word that escaped his throat. The young woman opened her mouth, ready to rebuke, as the hand of the king lifted slowly in her direction and his feet started stepping forward.

-Nari?- he repeated, incredulity even more resonant in his tone, the same way as the turmoil that seemed to obstruct his vocal cords. And he was getting nearer, his protruded hand already a breath away from her. And she couldn't muster the strength to utter a single word.

-Isn't it surprising, Namjoon? A human resembling her in such an extraordinary way! She even wears her hair at the same length! I couldn't believe it myself when I first saw her!

The sweet voice of the crimson king who was still kneeling beside her generated an abrupt interruption to the march of the man with its mellifluous chant. And the woman, in that moment, perceived the depth of the danger hiding behind that angelic tone, because the raven king finally turned his attention to him. The turmoil, in an instant, was gone from his eyes, leaving in its place only pure, unadulterated wrath.

-A human?

The word was spitted not with disdain but with a menacing inclination that felt like the beginning of the most thunderous of storms.

-That's right, a human!- replied the crimson king, unperturbed by the biting gaze of the man. The latter, visibly gritting his teeth, clenched his jaw in an unforgiving grip that highlighted the tension in his neck.

-A human? You brought a human here?

Turning in a whirlpool of pitch black fabric, the king sticked his burning glance to the three soldiers with heads humbly lowered and tightened lips.

-It was an accident. We just wanted-

-You just wanted what?- thundered the raven king, raising his rough voice over his subject.

-What did you think you were doing? Why is she...- the man stopped, throwing for a moment his attention towards her direction -... here?

When an embarrassed silence seemed to be the answer, the king started talking once again, lowering his voice of a few octaves to the point of hardening its roughness.

-Did you want to make a joke out of me? Is this what you wanted?

-That's not what happened, Namjoon. They brought a human here so that they could be the judge in our place, the fact that she is the one that arrived... is totally accidental. I am aware of the fact that you trust no one in this moment, but I think we both know that Jungkook would never knowingly hurt you like that- replied the golden king with a harsh tone. At those words, the young man named Namjoon turned to the one who was supposedly his subject, judging by the coat-of-arms on his armor, and scrutinised him for a few instants as the latter lowered his head even more.

-You brought a human here to be a judge? Do you want to put our lives and our justice on the hands of the first passerby?

If not for the impossibly low tone of the king, the woman would have replied. Tightening her lip, instead, she observed the golden soldier, Hoseok, make a step forward.

-It isn't like that, my lord. She has been tested before being transported here. She has good deductive skills and she doesn't stop to the most superficial solution.

Namjoon stared at the soldier with sharp coldness without pronouncing a word for what felt like an eternity. The silence, in the end, was broken by the mellifluous voice of the crimson king who kept playing with her long raven locks, undaunted.

-He's right, Namjoon. Furthermore, if she resembles her in the attitude as much as in the appearance, I think there's no doubt of the fact that she will be able to solve this issue, don't you agree?- he asked, raising his tone in a sweet falsetto before turning his face to the standing king.

-But if you wish, we can find a way to send her bac-

-No.

Namjoon's harsh answer interrupted the scarlet king before he could even finish the word. After a moment of realisation, the man diverted his gaze with a hint of what looked like embarrassment, tensing his jaw once again and finally bringing his eyes back to the kneeling king.

-Very well. If you think that she will be able to judge, then so be it. Whoever she will appoint as culprit will see death from my hands. If you all agree, I will put myself aside and accept any request the human will advance.

At the sound of those words a restless silence set foot in the room, echoing of the axe that was yet to fall upon any of them but that was already menacingly whistling in the air. Then, the gold king lowered his head, nodding with increasing determination.

-Let it take place as you declared. I agree.

-I obviously agree! It's going to be fun!- cheered the crimson king with exceeding joy. The three soldiers, after cautiously raising their heads, nodded with slow motions, as if they were trying to make sure they weren't in any immediate danger anymore. It was at that moment that the human, finally, cleared her throat.

-Now that you have solved... whatever conflict you had, may I please know the reason why I was given the responsibility of a death sentence?

Six faces immediately turned to her, who was staring at them with raised brows and questioning eyes. She was quite fed-up with staying still while listening to those unfamiliar men who were talking about her and discussing her abilities like she wasn't in the room. After a moment of silence, the raven king tilted his head, diverting his glance.

-The honour is yours.

The golden sovereign nodded briefly, studying the woman with nervous eyes.

-Do you have an idea of who we are and where is this place?- he started, directing his gaze at her. The young woman rapidly peeked at the attendants, observing the brooches that adorned their clothing.

-As nonsensical as it might seem, I think I have an idea. What I don't understand is why I am here.

-The king nodded once more, lowering his eyes to the floor with a pensive look.

-At the moment, you are in my court, in the private room of my Jack, Hoseok, to be precise- he said, pointing with a gesture of the hand to the soldier in the golden armour, who lowered his head towards her in a bow.

-The Jack of diamonds- she whispered, letting her eyes fall to the symbol engraved in the metal chest piece.

-Precisely. You see, our world exists outside of the human world, but we have always been somewhat interconnected. It hardly ever occurred that one of your species reached this place, but whenever that happened, they kept a fleeting memory of the journey. The typical cards that became popular in you world are a legacy of those humans who were able to get back to Earth.

The woman, focusing her gaze on the precious carpet that covered the floor, nodded weakly furrowing her brows.

-You don't look surprised.

The human joined her hands in front of her, raising her eyes to the gold king.

-I have always believed that something existed outside of our world. I didn't predict anything similar to this, but I have never excluded even the more bizarre theories. I started studying the stars and trying to comprehend the universe better exactly because I believed that humans knew nothing about what surrounded us, so... no, I'm not surprised by the fact that outside of Earth an absurd world exists and that it is inhabited by life forms superior to us. What surprises me is the resemblance that we share.

The gold king observed her carefully as she spoke, absorbing every word of hers with focused eyes.

-That is a far wider topic. Let's just say that, technically, we are humans as well. Or, at least, a superior form of humans, with greater longevity and powers that surpass your mortal capacity- he replied, moving his hands in a way that emphasised his words and attracting the voracious curiosity of the woman. She would have given anything to know more about that concept of alternative humanity. If she was right, it would have agreed with one of the theories that flew through her head more frequently and that would have been the most important discovery of not just her carrier, but of her life as well.

-As you may have noticed, I am the King of diamonds. My name is Min Yoongi- continued the sovereign, pointing at himself.

-That brat who is unaware of the concept of personal space is the King of hearts, Park Jimin.

-Hyung! You're so mean!- lamented the crimson king, puckering his voluptuous lips in a childish pout, before nearing his face to hers even more as a malicious smile painted his mouth.

-He's just jealous because, thanks to my status, I'm more attractive- he murmured near her ear, lowering his melodic voice to a dangerous silken whisper.

-Jimin.

The low growl escaped the tensed lips of the raven king, who stared at them from a corner with folded arms and clenched teeth. Instead of discouraging the young man, the silent treat brought him to let out an amused laugh, a divine sound that resembled those little glass bells that were hanged on balconies to jingle under the encouragement of the wind.

-And... the one over there is Kim Namjoon, the King of spades- Yoongi went on, after throwing a cautious look towards him, who was staring at the King of hearts as if he wanted to set him on fire with his gaze.

-And, finally, these are Taehyung, the Jack of hearts- he said pointing at the soldier in the crimson armour -and Jungkook, the Jack of spades- he concluded with a gesture to the soldier in the black armour.

The woman nodded, greeting with a bow of her head the two men who respectfully kneeled before her. Then, biting her bottom lip, she gazed at each of the attendants once more.

-The King of clubs is missing- she claimed. Yoongi gulped, diverting his gaze.

-This is the reason why you're here.

The human furrowed her brows as the King of diamonds folded his arms on his chest, sighing.

-A month ago, the personal garden of the King of clubs was set on fire. You have to understand that each of us has dominion over a certain object and for this reason we are deeply tied to it. The King of spades has dominion over every weapon of this world. The King of hearts has dominion over mirrors. I am the only one to not control physical matter. My dominion, in fact, is order itself, the perfect balance of the world. The King of clubs, finally...

-Has dominion over the vegetation, I assume- the young woman concluded, raising her brow. Yoongi nodded without emitting a sound.

-What happens to the objects that are subjected to out dominion has direct influence on us. A king without his dominion doesn't exists. So, by destroying a very important part of the vegetation, the health of the King of clubs was put at serious risk. The issue, unfortunately, doesn't stop here.

A deadly silence fell on the room and each one of the attendants seemed to curl on themselves, hiding inside a sort of personal bubble of negative emotions that danced on their faces in various forms. At that, the woman understood that something very big must had happened. When the King of diamonds finally looked like he was resuming to speak, he visibly gulped, lowering his head.

-For some reason, the Queen of spades was in Seokjin's personal garden that afternoon. And...

The king clenched his fingers on his forearms while Namjoon, still hidden in the corner of the room, grinded his teeth sticking his chin to his chest and shutting his eyes, as if he was expecting a violent blow.

-... she couldn't make it in time.

The woman, subconsciously, brought her gaze back on the raven king, who looked like he had been hit by a punch to the stomach judging by the expression of pure sufferance painted on his face. A sufferance that was so overwhelming that the human felt the need to divert her gaze to leave a moment to the man to go through his pain without the weight of the room on himself. The King of diamonds, at that moment, cleared his throat.

-Usually, because of my dominion I would have been the judge, but this is such a sensitive matter that none of us can be exempted from being suspected. And the only person that we know for sure isn't the culprit...- the king threw a quick glance towards Namjoon, still absorbed by his pain -is... distracted. The problem is that, for some sick joke of the universe, you resemble her in a terrific way.

The human lowered her glance to the carpet.

-The Queen of spades?

Yoongi nodded, tensing his lips.

-Exactly. But this won't stop us from asking you to accept the role of judge and discern who is the culprit.

The young woman stayed silent for a few moments, staring at the king who had concluded his speech and had raised his eyes on her with a firm but not hostile expression. Then, sighing, she lowered her head.

-It is a big responsibility and I don't know if I will be able to make the right choice. But... I swear to you that I will do my best in order to discover the truth.

The entire room seemed to finally breath again at her answer. The entire room, except for the king kneeling beside her, who was studying her with a joyful smile on his lips, and the raven king, closed in a detached mutism and indifferent to what was surrounding him.

-Very well, then. Where do you wish to begin?

The woman paused for a moment to think.

-Is it possible to visit the King of clubs?

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juliet-caramelmacchiato · 1 year

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fairy yoongi 💙

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juliet-caramelmacchiato · 1 year

Text

HOUSE OF CARDS

Pairing: Kim Namjoon/fem oc

Genre: Mystery/ fantasy/ investigation

Summary: Who destroyed the garden of the King of clubs?

Who caused the death of the Queen of spades?

Who broke the fragile order of the world, putting at risk the life of not one, but two sovereigns?

Word count: 2.9

****************************************************

CHAPTER 1

When the young woman arrived at her usual bench on the bank of the Han river, an unexpected surprise was waiting for her.

Who forgot a deck of cards?

Tilting her head, she sat eyeing the object with curiosity. If at a first glance it appeared to be a normal container for cards, to a more attentive scrutiny she recognised that the box seemed like it was made of metal, edged with gold and engraved with elegant patterns alongside the surface.

It didn't look like a common box. It must have been quite precious, given its workmanship. But then who could have left it there, on a simple bench? She got a little nearer, forgetting the leather notebook hidden in her bag which, at that point, would have already been on her thighs in normal circumstances. Her impatient fingers moved without her consent bringing her to grab the valuable object, when her fingertips met the rough consistency of paper instead of the coldness of metal. Furrowing her brows, she turned the box upside down. A message had been glued on the bottom and the young woman could do nothing but read its content with burning curiosity.

Can you solve this riddle?

WHO BROKE THE SWORD OF THE KING OF SPADES?

The Jack of spades bursts suddenly before the king shouting: "My lord, your sword has been broken in half!" Who could have done it? None of the sovereigns left his kingdom during the week but everyone seemed to have a motive.

The King of hearts could have seeked revenge because the King of spades had tried to conquer part of his territory.

The King of clubs had insisted on having one of his weapons to prune his garden, never receiving an answer.

The King of diamonds seemed to be the only one without a reason, but he was notably amicable with the King of hearts.

Who is the culprit?

If you think you know the answer, remove the corresponding card and place it on top of the box. If your answer is correct, something unexpected might happen!

The young lady tilted her head. A riddle? No, it looked more like a mystery. Biting her bottom lip, she read the question two times more, before opening the box. The cards, to her surprise, were made of metal as well. A pale metal similar to white gold, smoothed to perfection in an opaque texture where the details of the symbols were painted with a varnish as black as pitch and as red as blood. With cautious fingers, she extracted the right half of the deck, glancing through every card until she met the one she was looking for. Putting away the precious content in its bed of crimson silk, she closed the box and laid the card on the lid.

Yes, she thought she picked the right answer.

And, for a moment, nothing happened. The woman raised her eyes on the river, gazing around her to find the street and her surroundings completely deserted. She made a move to leave the box on the bench when a blinding ray of light departed from the card under her fingers.

From that ray, the light spread in an embrace that surrounded her completely. It was then that she lost consciousness.

-We're doomed.

-It was a terrible idea!

-But it was your idea, you idiot!

-But you agreed with me! And it was you who called Hoseok-hyung!

-Can you stop? The damage is already done now.

-Are you kidding? We have to send her back at all costs! He will kill us the moment he sees her!

-Show some respect.

-Don't be a suck-up now, Jungkook. You know he lost his mind, it's pointless to deny it. He will kill us, it's a fact.

-Can't we just... I don't know... swap her?

-She's not a figurine, Jungkook! And we already used too much energy to bring her here, we don't have enough even to take her back, let alone bring another human after her!

The young woman batted her eyelids. When her eyes focused on what was surrounding her, she furrowed her brows. That wasn't the white ceiling of her room. Actually, it seemed like there wasn't a ceiling at all. Above her, a dark hole was surrounded by heavy drapes of crimson fabric which fell to the four corners of her vision. Batting her eyes once more, she recognised it as a canopy.

A canopy?

Where was she?

-Silence, she's awake.

The woman raised her head, realising only then that she was laying on a bed that was twice as big as hers covered by a brocade sheet, embroidered with a thread that looked like it was made of pure gold. Grazing the precious material with her hand, she lifted her body to a sitting position, avidly studying the environment surrounding her. The walls of the room were covered in a golden wallpaper crossed by a chess motif and decorated by numerous oil paintings as big as a person, which depicted what looked like scenes from a royal court. A marble writing desk, a wooden cabinet painted in gold supporting a candlestick, covered in gold itself, were however the only furniture in the room. And, finally, her eyes landed on the three figures standing in front of the bed, occupied by watching her with a mixture of expectancy and weariness.

-Ehm... Hello?- she murmured with a raspy voice. The figures remained frozen in place with cautious pupils pointed at her. They were three good looking young men, dressed in a similar fashion but with slightly different colours. All three in fact were wearing the chest pieces of an armour, topped by light shoulder straps of the same solid metal and ending on a pair of sleek trousers and polished leather boots.

-Could you please tell me where am I?- she went on then, staring at the young men one at a time since they didn't seem inclined to speak. It was then that the first to the right, the one who seemed the oldest amongst the three and wore a golden armour rimmed with red, seemed to snap out of his stupor.

-Oh, well, we... you... you found the cards, right?- he stammered, running his eyes from her to his companions, who looked at him anxiously. The woman, after a moment in thought, nodded. He swallowed, then, forcing himself to bring his gaze back to her.

-And you solved the riddle, correct?

Nodding once more, the woman studied the restlessness in the gaze of the speaker, who seemed to reach some sort of decision with himself, judging by the growing determination in the expression painted on his face.

-Why did you choose the Jack of Spades?

His companions turned to him with confused eyes while he concentrated his attention on her only.

-Hyung!

-She's here now. The best we can do is see if she can be of any help- he replied curtly to the taller one, who wore a black armour rimmed with silver.

-Help? For what?

The attention of the three warriors returned on her as soon as she opened her mouth, while she was staring at them with joined brows. The oldest, after throwing a reprimanding glance at his companions, started speaking once again.

-This is a matter that we will explain later. Now, please, answer: why did you choose the Jack of spades?

The woman remained silent for a moment. The three men didn't seem hostile towards her, otherwise it was likely that the swords fastened at their belts would have been already at her throat. Apparently, she was very far from home. Maybe, even very far from Seoul. The only solution appeared to be accommodating to their requests.

-Even if every king seemed to have a potential motive, none of them could physically be at the place of the "crime". The last one to see the sword had been the Jack of spades. And he was the one announcing its breakage as well. All the elements, hence, point at him as guilty.

The young woman paused, carefully observing the answer in the faces of the three men. The oldest had lowered his head, nodding to himself. The second at the center, dressed in a crimson armour rimmed with gold, studied her with weariness but also with a spark of curiosity. The last one, finally, kept his gaze glued to the floor, as if he felt ashamed of something. It was only then that she noticed them: the symbols that were inlaid in the chest pieces on the left half. Exactly above their hearts.

A diamond on the golden armour of the first one.

A heart on the crimson one of the second.

And finally a sort of arrow on the black one of the last.

-Why would he have broken the sword of his king?

The woman brought her gaze back on the oldest, who was staring at her with ajar eyelids and a tense jaw. Starting to twist a lock of hair on her finger, she lowered her glance.

-I don't posses enough elements to determine that. Many reasons could exist, in a realistic context. He could have secretly betrayed his lord or, considering that the most logical suspect would be the King of hearts, he could have used the broken sword as an excuse to start an attack and conquer the lands that they desired. I don't have enough clues to be sure, but the circumstances are clear.

The young man observed her in silence for what felt like minutes. Then, nodding, he turned to his companions.

-She's the right one for this situation. She will discover the truth- he claimed, causing the man in the black armour to take a step forward making his hair, long enough to reach his cheekbones, fly around him.

-But hyung-

-On this note, may I know for what purpose I'm here?

Three pair of eyes landed on her, while tense and weary expressions painted their faces. It was again the oldest who started talking with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

-It is quite a delicate matter, but we were in need of someone able to look at the elements from an outside perspective. You see, we find ourselves in a-

The sentence was abruptly cut by a mellifluous, angelic intonation that resembled the melody of a hummingbird. The voice that began to echo in the room sounded like it belonged to an unearthly creature, for never in her life the young lady had heard anything as graceful and as sweet to the ear.

-Taeeeeeeeeeee Taeeeeeeeeee!

The dragging of the vowels in childish vocalisations caused the three men to widen their eyes in panicked stupor, while looking at each other incapable of uttering a sound.

-Oh no... we are doomed...

-I am doomed!- whispered the conceited young warrior in the crimson armour, his big eyes surrounded by thick lashes intent on studying the walls in search of something. The woman understood what it was when, sitting on the edge of the bed, she noticed that one of the paintings was moving.

It wasn't a painting.

It was a mirror.

And in it the woman saw the most ethereal visage that her gaze had ever met in her whole life. Soft lips on a perfect oval, accentuated by high cheekbones and glimmering eyes as limpid as dew and as seductive as the devil's claws. Those predatory and dangerously teasing eyes stared intensely at the warrior in the crimson armour, while his mouth raised in a entertained smile.

-Tae Tae, what are you scheming behind my back?

When the woman was finally able to tear her eyes away from the hypnotic lineaments of the face in the mirror, she noticed the detail that should have been the most glaring. Upon the silvery strands on his head, resided a crown. The jewel appeared to be entirely made of ruby, judging by the transparency of its tips, which culminated in peaks of pure gold in the shape of hearts.

-I... don't... I...- the young man in the crimson armour, or Tae based on the words of the ethereal presence, bent himself in a low bow as his sweat began to run on his face.

-You didn't bring a human here, in our world, without telling me, did you?

The angelic voice had maintained its teasing flavour, but the woman couldn't avoid to notice how it's tone had fallen of a few octaves, nearing more to a playful threat. Tae must have had perceived the same, because he hardened his trembling lips. And it was at that moment that the wooden door, decorated by golden wisps, was suddenly shovelled, showing a new presence to the room.

-What the hell did you do?

The sentence was spit by a young man with pale complexion and an impassive face, if it wasn't for the burning fire hidden behind his dark pupils. On his onyx locks laid a crown similar to the one on the man in the mirror, but his was covered in gold and surmounted by rubies in the shape of diamonds. His chest was enveloped by a double-breasted jacket scattered with geometric patterns where gold and crimson meshed together, with a notable predominance of the first in the majority of the details. On his shoulders, at last, rested a heavy cape made of gold brocade, which fell to his hips and on which a big diamond shaped brooch was pinned.

-My lord, I...

The warrior in the golden armour kneeled promptly before the king, lowering his head as a tense expression molded his face.

-You what? You brought here a human releasing such a wave of energy that all the four kingdoms felt it. May I know what the hell was going through your brain, Hoseok? The balance in our world is already so fra-

The voice of the king died in his throat as soon as he lifted his gaze on the human in question, who was still silently sitting at the edge of the bed observing the scene, waiting. What could she do? She didn't have any other place to go to. Escaping wasn't an option. Not with three armed warriors and a very angry king. Because of that, all she could do was being a silent spectator.

-What did you do?- whispered the pale king, contemplating the face of the woman as if it belonged to a ghost.

-It was an accident. We wanted to take a random human who could solve... this situation. We didn't expect... her- Hoseok rushed to reply, still humbly kneeling before the king. The latter, though, seemed incapable to move his gaze from her, as he began to shake his head.

-We are dead. You better pray that he won't come here right now, because if he sees her he will kill us all. He will lose his mind for good.

-For the jewels of the crown, the resemblance is stunning!

The young woman jumped on her spot when the angelic voice suddenly appeared right next to her ear. Turning to her side, in fact, she found herself a few centimetres away from the ethereal face that a few moments earlier was in the mirror and that was then studying her with genuine fascination in his shining eyes.

-Oh, forgive me! You are not used to this things. Thanks to the mirrors, I can appear wherever I want, but to you this must be something unexplainable. But now tell me, what's your name, sweet dove? And why do you wear your hair at this length? It is unusual for humans in this time. It kind of looks like you-

-Jimin.

The entrancing man turned placidly until he met the cold expression of the king standing.

-What is it, Yoongi? Let me have some fun! We're going to die anyway! He will find out about her sooner or later.

Those words seemed to hit a sore spot in the sovereign, who visibly contracted his jaw while stepping forward toward the kneeling man beside her. The latter, she noticed, was dressed exactly in the same way as the king standing, but his jacket presented a sequence of heart shaped patterns, where the alternation of gold and red resulted in the prevalence of the second one. His cape, in fact, was painted in scarlet and on it a pin in the shape of a heart was displayed.

The young woman, sifting through the room, analysed the clothing of each of the presents. Furrowing her brows, she tensed her mouth.

It couldn't be.

They couldn't really be...

-Tell me, human. Do you know why you are here?

Her eyes were once again captivated by the face of the crimson king, who was staring at her with a hint of amusement on his lips.

-I don't. I am yet to be told that- she answered with a dry tone, looking at the man with weariness. At that, he tilted his head with a smile that was reeking of fake sorry and began to play with a strand of her hair, whose length reached the surface of the bed.

-Oh, poor baby! You were brought here against your will, kept in a strange room without a hint of explanation! You must be so scared!

When the human was about to open her mouth, though, a sound similar to a thunder erupted in the room. The air, in a second, seemed to disappear from the lungs of all attendants, as the noise of doors closing violently got nearer. And the woman saw tense jaws, panicked eyes and gulping throats every moment that was passing.

-Oh... finally some fun...- murmured the mellifluous voice in her ear. When the door to the room was forcefully shovelled, at last, it was as if winter had suddenly appeared.

-Who released that wave of energy?

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