The Black Swan

Chapter 27: Words, Words, Words.

"High Lady Eunbi," Chaeyeon called into the office as she opened the door, "we have just returned. Yoonie spoke to him, and she has much to share."

"About time," the leader gestures towards the couch by a coffee table. It was not common for Eunbi to invite another to her seating area - for her instructions were often concise, with little room for negotiation. They were logically sound with no need to change her mind. Every order, every command had been final.

This time however, the circumstances have changed.

She filed a paper document, sliding it into one of the compartments of her wooden desk before joining Yoonie and Chaeyeon by the seating area.

"Alright Yoonie, tell us," Chaeyeon nudged, having not heard what knowledge the girl had attained from their prisoner.

"Ji-hoon was once part of the Nightmare Monarch, though against his will. He claims to have left after reaching a breaking point," she began setting the context of his involvement - from his past, of how another Queen, Soojin, had forced the knowledge of Black Magic upon him in exchange for giving him a home. "And with that power, she was able to control him - which was what had happened during our fight."

"He was not in control during the fight? But he is now?" Eunbi asked, noting the plausibly-convenient-excuse given. Yoonie knew that, aside from her gift in combat, the leader had been known as a prodigy; a scholar, in her days of academia. It would not be surprising to lose in an argument with her.

"He argued that getting captured rendered him useless - and Soojin would not want to waste her energy in affecting his actions - now that he is in captivity." 

"Effectively, we're freed him from his 'Master' of sorts?" Chaeyeon chimes in, trying to make sense of the situation.

"His current state, wouldn't exactly be his 'freedom'. In fact, he has been nothing but compliant." Yoonie stands up as she put forth her opinion for Chaeyeon's consideration. "Is it possible for his treatment to be more... reasonable?"

"Uh, unfortunately, that isn't my call to make, Yoonie." Chaeyeon admitted apologetically, "There's just a strict protocol when it comes to prisoners-of-state. But I guess we can mitigate it based on what information he chooses to divulge. Speaking of which, we have to take your statement of disclosure before you can go."

Then it's pretty much up to how much I choose to disclose.

"I'll do my best to put down all of it in formal writing."

Now, how much do I really want to help him?

She began by listing down a series of arguments against that notion. First being, the fact that he killed Jaeyu. Then, of injuries sustained to Jongho; destruction caused to the park property (where they fought - though most of it had been caused by their resident Lava User); the trauma he caused her, and if not for this mission, what things would have not happened with Hye—

"Why are you thinking of helping him?" Eunbi broke her train of thought. Shaking aside her internal musings, she realised that she was still in a mini conference with the other two.

"He understands Black Magic, High Lady. He knows how it works-"

Chaeyeon hesitated, then interjected critically, "that would a conflict of interest with the Kingdom, we certainly cannot-"

"Times have changed, Chaeyeon." Eunbi hinted, reminding her of the fact that a Dark Magician resides within their Kingdom. "We could expect to learn more from someone who knows about this - go on," She turned to Yoonie, expecting her continued response. Yoonie stole a glance at Chaeyeon, who crossed her arms as she sat in a contemplative silence.