Within the castle walls, a koala hybrid was busy with some calculations and trying to make sure all of the castle's finances are in order. He wanted his duty to be finished as soon as possible or else he'll miss his daily visits with the bunny brothers.

He isn't in the mood to get a lecture from the older one and would most likely feel his wrath, his wooden spoon to be specific.

The Treasurer was so focused on his paperwork, he failed to notice a small figure peeking over his shoulder to eye his progress.

"You look so invested in your duty, Joon-ssi"

The sudden voice from the back made the poor koala scream in fear and instinctively crouched on the floor, his hands raised to cover his head.

It was silent for half a minute until Namjoon realized where he is and finally registered the voice. He gulped down his embarrassment and slowly turned his head to meet eyes that are wide as saucers due to such an unexpected reaction from him.

It was the Prince.

"Y-Your Royal Highness!"

Immediately composing himself and stood on his feet not so gracefully in front of such a high status royalty, the koala hybrid wanted to cry in a hole for a while.

"I apologize for startling you, Joon-ssi" Beomgyu's eyes saddened in guilt for frightening the older.

Namjoon frantically shook his head and waved his hands to indicate that it was nothing to be sorry for, he already felt embarrassed at his own reaction, it only furthers it with the Prince apologizing.

"Pl-Please let us forget the past.."

He coughs on his fist to try to end the awkwardness he's feeling. The older could already imagine Jungkook's amused face and would hold in a snort, but soon failing miserably.

"What gives me the honor to have your presence, your Royal Highness?"

"Oh! I just finished my studies in the library and happened to stumble on you"

Beomgyu gave him a bright smile before continuing.

"You are still fairly new in this castle, plus with such high position.."

Namjoon wanted to sigh at the sudden responsibilities given to him. Believe him, he was grateful and honored to earn such a position in the royal castle, it was only too sudden.

Originally, he wanted to just be an assistant of one the superiors here or simply a secretary. However, with one look from the King, Marshal and Councilor... they all agreed that he fits more to be in a higher role.

Adding to his extensive knowledge of the Kingdom, quick decision making and love for finance, it only boosted his position more, becoming a superior himself.

".. that I was not able to properly form a conversation with you due to how busy you are, Joon-ssi"

His thoughts snapped back and was ashamed that he has busied himself with whining over such things while the Prince is conversing with him.

It seemed that said Royal Highness have not noticed the koala's unfocused eyes, instead was waiting for his reply. Blinking a few times, Namjoon straightened up and smiled down at the younger.

"Being a Treasurer, you hold so much on your shoulders especially the responsibility of the Kingdom's economy"

The older was ready to go into a tangent and explain more on how the calculations work and how the economies of other Kingdoms are like, but clearly, Beomgyu is not in the mood for mathematics.

Instead, he raised his hand to stop the Treasurer from further explaining the work ethics of his role.

He felt a bit bad to ask the older to be silent, but it's better than pretending to be interested.

"Pardon me, but... it may sound a bit condescending.."

The bear prince scratches his cheek nervously.

"I do want to get to know each other more, but that can make in due time"

Namjoon nodded his head in understanding at this, his eyes focused on the younger to show his ears are all his and Beomgyu felt grateful for it.

He could tell, royalty or not, the Treasurer would be willing to understand and listen to your worries and concerns. It's why the bear did not protest that such a high position is easily given to the older.

"I'm curious on what occurred back at the throne room.."

"What of it, your Royal Highness?"

".. with the leopard woman"

Something in Namjoon felt a small twist of worry on where this conversation is going. He could only pray that his intuition is wrong.

"It's about how you defended Thumper"

His intuition is not wrong.

Of course it's not wrong, it was never wrong. It's the reason he gone through such difficult tasks easily.

Now he mustn't trust on said intuitions alone, he must make use of his brain and find ways to turn this topic around to not expose his knowledge about Thumper and his relations with him.

"I.. did not defend him, your Royal Highness. I simply stated the facts and my observations to his Majesty"

"Well, it wasn't a surprise on how my brother believed in your statements"

Namjoon didn't have the heart to tell the bear cub that he almost passed out due to how nervous he was after sharing his observations.

He swears if the Marshal wasn't by his side that time, the older already prepares for his funeral after meeting eyes with the terrifying leopard hybrid.

"I am honored to have his Majesty's agreement on my opinions"

Then a different voice joined in their conversation.

"Honestly not much of an honor as long as Thumper is involved"

They both turned to the walking figure coming towards them. The poor koala almost choked after recognizing their face.

It was the Councilor, Kim Seokjin.

The Treasurer immediately bowed deeply to the hamster hybrid with utmost respect and making sure his pose is as perfect as the man in front of him.

"No need for such form of respect, Namjoon"

Jin waved his hand with a small smile at the younger, making the latter flustered over his kindness and carefree nature. You cannot blame the man for his tense nerves.

A Councilor's role is almost just as high as the role of a Ruler, the latter being more in control.

The Councilor acts as a liaison between the citizenry and the other kingdom leaders, parsing requests from the commonwealth and presenting the leaders' proclamations to the people in understandable ways. It is the Councilor's responsibility to make sure the Ruler is making decisions that benefit the kingdom's communities and its citizens.

In summary, Jin is basically the King's right hand man and is not only responsible for assisting the King, but also making sure the citizens are in order.

He has the right to be the next in charge if the King has grown ill, injured or have business outside the Kingdom/Castle.

So it wasn't a surprise to bump shoulders with the Councilor at this moment.

"Jin hyung! It's been a while last time I've seen your face" Beomgyu chirped happily.

"Indeed, your eyes do need their dose of handsomeness to keep them alive and blessed"

Namjoon broke into a smile at the confidence the Councilor emitted. He truly admires Jin's awareness of his own beauty and power, making sure others know how he can handle himself well.

"However, I do pardon the intrusion in your conversation. I came due to the scream I've heard in this hallway"

It immediately clicked in Namjoon's head just what the older was referring to and he wants to jump out of the window to never return.

He can already feel the Councilor's knowing gaze at the side of his head and the koala prays mercy upon himself. He had already shown his unprofessionalism in front of the Prince, he does not need another reminder on how embarrassing he was.

Thankfully, Jin must've read his mind.

"But I assume it was only the wind"

Namjoon will give all of his blessings and praises to the older for his kind heart.

Beomgyu also seemed to brush the scene off and decided to question his hyung about the topic at hand.

"Hyung, what do you mean about my brother and Thumper?"

"Well.." Jin crossed his arms in thought "It is true that I and the Royal Enforcer is sent to search for this masked hybrid ever since his first appearance"

The koala felt his shoulder tense on where this is going and he tried to stay unbothered or else the two will be suspicious on his odd behavior. He promised the younger to keep his mouth shut, but he also worries for Jungkook's safety.

"It's almost a year and a half, yet that Thumper has skills in hiding within the shadows"

"But.. if you manage to capture him.."

The Prince stared nervously at the oldest with worry flashed in his eyes, Namjoon could only think that the younger must not want anything harmful to happen on Thumper.

He felt relief in his heart to know that he was not alone about the wanted punishment on the masked hybrid.

Jin could sense the two's worry on the Thumper's well being if he were ever captured. He cannot help, but smile at such hybrids with sympathetic hearts.

"Worry not, you two. It is the reason why I think the King's agreement to our Treasurer here is not much of an honor"

He reached out and patted Beomgyu's head reassuringly.

"Yes, there will be some sort of penalty if he were to be taken, but I assure you that it will not be anything painful"

The hand on the Prince's head moved towards his own and was given a light squeeze of reassurance. Jin crouched down to make eye contact with him and let him see the soft smile graze upon his face.

Namjoon could only watch this interaction on the side.

"It is quite obvious on how you admire this mysterious hybrid for his skills and heart to help the weak from the predators"

"I- I wasn't really subtle..?"

The hamster laughed at the cute blush on the bear cub's cheeks, even as far as to poke one of them and coo at it.

"Well, your Jimin hyung's admiration for Thumper is as clear as Namjoon's charismatic eyes"

Did the Treasurer forget to mention that Jin can be a huge flirt at times?

His stature froze at the sudden compliment and the poor koala can't help, but gape at the older and his bold words about him.

Here he thoughts the Marshal's bluntness about his physique already made him a flustered mess, yet the Councilor's say on his eyes is melting him into a puddle.

Like his friend, Jungkook, said.. he's not very good with compliments.

"One thing's for sure though.."

His thoughts snapped when the oldest stood up from his position and glanced at both of them.

"His Majesty will never give up on catching the Thumper"

In Namjoon's mind, he does not know whether he takes is as good or bad.

•••••••-•••••-•••••••

"You're already leaving, hyung?"

Jungkook was making sure that all the herbs are in their respective bottles and is neatly arranged in his basket when Soobin asked.

He just finished making dinner for his brother and Namjoon, they were supposed to wait for the latter's visit in their cottage. Unfortunately for Soobin, his older brother must take a quick leave.

"Forgive your brother, my bunny. I have some unfinished business beyond the forest and it must be done today"

Jungkook felt guilty for leaving his baby brother and letting him wait by himself with no company. The older knows how much Soobin loves spending time with him, but he must attend his task.

"I'll be back before your Joon hyung arrives, Soobinie"

He reassures him, yet those ears stay flattened on top of the younger bunny's head and Jungkook sighed fondly at this.

Basket in hand and his red hood on, he approached his little brother to pull him in his arms to embrace him. The latter immediately returning the gesture with a tight squeeze, Jungkook chuckled at how dramatic his Soobin can be.

Slowly, they broke apart and the older bunny patted his baby brother's head, with the help of the younger bending down for him to even reach it.

"This won't be a daily routine, in fact, this will be my last task"

Jungkook giggled when he sees the younger's ears immediately perking up at the sentence.

"Really?"

"Yes, really.. now be a good bunny for hyung and wait for Joon, okay?"

He never seen Soobin moved so fast, the taller bunny took a chair from the kitchen and placed it in front of the entrance door. It took Jungkook a while to figure out just what on earth he was doing, until the younger sat on it.

The older one bursted out laughing at how intensely his brother looks at the door. It's his first time witnessing someone waiting so aggressively and it's such a funny sight to see.

Silly bunny...

Jungkook smiled warmly at his brother's back before descending in the back door to enter the forest to finish his so called task.

He did not technically lie to his bunny, the older just didn't specify his encounters with the King himself. Jungkook was grateful his brother didn't question him and nodded without a word at his vague approach to it.

Afterall, there is no need for explanation when today will be his last time visiting the King and to never go back to the castle.

The tiger's healing process is quite fast especially with the added herbs Jungkook created. It can also be due to Royalty blood that helps quicken the process.

Jungkook stopped in front of the castle walls connected to the forest and looked up to where the window is located. He was feeling more confident with climbing since his wrist is now fully recovered.

Just as the bunny reached the window and has stepped foot inside the room, his whole body froze when he heard a voice emit through the room.

"Who the hell?"

And it was not from the King.

His eyes slowly looked inside the room and there he meets a glare of a ferocious cat.

"Would you mind explaining your intentions here, little riding hood?"

Fuck...

*******•*****•*******
Author-nim:

Uh oh, seems like Jungkook got caught by the Marshal. Guess their first impressions won't be so lovely when seeing such glare from the kitten. What you think will happen between the two?

I'm excited for the next chapter of this. It'll be full of funny and cool scenes, poor Taehyung. Where on earth is he? 💜

Thank you all for reading! 💛

CREDITS:
All will be found in Pinterest