Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“So there was a different branch of early humans.” “The mazemakers. When I was in school everyone talked about them. The discovery was new about fifteen years ago. Who were they? What was their culture like? Did our ancestors interact with them?”Hoseok mused, before sighing.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Hoseok reflected for a few moments, watching the traffic signs pass by. “You mean more to people than you realize.” “I can’t mean anything to people who have no idea who I am,” Yoongi argued. “They sell t-shirts with your face, you know. The photos aren’t great - but they’re out there.”

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, sitting down after a moment. “I have to eat either way. It’s simpler to cook enough for two,” Hoseok replied. And that made a kind of sense. Yoongi started to eat. 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Hoseok shrugged. “I’m no historian. I’m sure there were many factors. I’m only explaining to you what you mean to people, being the youngest omega of your line. No one on Lorath will look at your face and see Jongyu’s heir. They’ll see Mins. That’s why people care,” he said, finally pulling the -

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“Last I heard, our archaeologists had found several pits with hundreds of thousands of bodies and bodies in them each. The haphazard nature of it, and how they’d all been gathered in a few difficult to reach spots…it’s clear they were rounded up and taken there. And then systematically murdered.”

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“So there was a different branch of early humans.” “The mazemakers. When I was in school everyone talked about them. The discovery was new about fifteen years ago. Who were they? What was their culture like? Did our ancestors interact with them?”Hoseok mused, before sighing.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“I know that it sounds like child abuse,” Yoongi replied. “Not any child was made ruler. Our monarchy was handed down matrilineally, to the heir with the most promise even if it was a cousin, a niece, or a great grandchild.”

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Hoseok shook his head, shifting the car into a different lane. “Do you know why Lorath had child rulers for three thousand years?” He asked. Yoongi…did not know. Had never given it much thought except as a distant problematic fact about a planet he liked the food of, but that didn’t affect him.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“It’s normal because ten years from now I’ll still be Min Yoongi except with a completed master’s degree and a better job.” Hoseok barked out a laugh at that, but quickly quieted. Yoongi frowned. “Why is that funny to you?” He asked.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“It’s part of my mother’s life, not mine. Mine is the same as it was two days ago. Normal.” “You’re the philosophical heir of one of the longest-running legacies in the known galaxy. Your life was never normal,” Hoseok countered.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“I’d prefer to keep this part of my life separate from my actual life,” Yoongi replied. “Have you considered that ‘this’ part of your life is also a part of your actual life?” Hoseok asked. Yoongi rolled his eyes.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Hoseok gave him an exasperated look before turning to walk to the car he’d parked. Yoongi risked a glance back at the bakery before hightailing it after him. “You’re a very paranoid young man,” Hoseok mused as he reversed the vehicle.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, sitting down after a moment. “I have to eat either way. It’s simpler to cook enough for two,” Hoseok replied. And that made a kind of sense. Yoongi started to eat. 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Yoongi’s stomach felt heavy. He swallowed. “The mazes,” he repeated uncertainly. Of course he knew about the mazes. There were several hundred giant mazes on Lorath, very ancient and prominent tourist attractions. His grandmother had never spoken much of them.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

"Hoseok Jung is going to stay with you for the duration of our visit to Lorath, just to make sure all is well. He'll look out for you. Once things have settled we'll figure out what makes sense for all of us," his mother interrupted.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“Lorath has changed a lot since your grandmother lived there. But the people haven’t as much. I can teach you more about them, if you like,” he offered, pulling into Yijeong’s bakery and parking. “I’d appreciate that,” Yoongi said before heading inside. He had cookies to bake. 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

- in their driveway before. “My coworkers are going to ask why a strange alpha is dropping me off, you know. What am I supposed to tell them?” Yoongi said as he got into the passenger’s side and pulled on his seatbelt. “Tell them I’m your uncle,” said Hoseok replied, unbothered.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“Lorath has changed a lot since your grandmother lived there. But the people haven’t as much. I can teach you more about them, if you like,” he offered, pulling into Yijeong’s bakery and parking. “I’d appreciate that,” Yoongi said before heading inside. He had cookies to bake. 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Yoongi glanced at the taller man, with his carefully holstered weapon, armorweave jacket, and sunglasses. "Great." 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

“He does. And my mother accepts on our behalf. But I’ve no desire to do the same. When I’m done with my master’s, I’ll get a better job and won’t need his support anymore ,” YG explained. HS looked annoyed. “Surely your family has other assets.”

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

Lorathi Descent Technically Yoongi's grandmother was a princess back in the day, but their whole family was overthrown a hundred years ago and honestly, from the history Yoongi's read, it seemed a very justifiable uprising. When he's 26, the people of Lorath decide they want their monarchy back.

Betty@bettybwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

"Rules of succession," Yoongi murmured. His mother squeezed his hand. "Historically, the succession of Lorath was passed down only through carriers. Women or omegas served as Zar or Zarina for thousands of years, until the alliance with Demos," she said. Minister Jimin smiled.