Chapter Text
They walk in silence for a couple of minutes, Hoseok by his side and the stranger in front of them, before entering an alley and stopping in from a metal door.
“Wait here,” he says before closing the door behind him.
He waits a moment before speaking, “We did it? We really did it?”
Hoseok hums, “I guess so? That or we’re gonna die very soon.” Seokjin frowns at him which makes him roll his eyes. “Relax, you won’t die, that’s why I’m here, remember?”
“We won’t die–“
“That’s what I said.”
“– because they won’t try to kill us,” he finishes.
“I don’t know about your boy but that tiny one seems very feisty. I’m sure he can fight very well.” He sighs sadly, “I want to make him mad now.”
“Let’s not, okay?” Hoseok pouts at him but he just ignores him in favor of looking at the door that is opening again.
The stranger simply tells them with the movement of his head to follow him inside. There is a stairway almost right after the door only illuminated with a dim lightbulb and a door at the top; they start climbing it after closing the door behind them in silence.
Seokjin’s stomach tightens with nervousness at the unknown, many years have passed since the last time they saw each other and he isn’t sure what to expect from this meeting.
Namjoon had always been smart and clever, that’s how he got his scholarship to the Academy after all, and in his short months of friendship, he was sure that the younger was going to climb his way up to an important position, no matter his family’s background. Sometimes Seokjin imagined that they would end up working together somehow, when he was still just the second prince. But life proved to him that people can be horrible in so many ways and their paths split in different directions, leading away from each other. Still, in between his grief and new responsibilities, he would think of him and if he was well. That’s how he got the idea to track him down and make sure that his necessities, although never directly, were covered.
That’s how it went until years ago, after they both lost contact with each other, he got a report from his informant about Namjoon, and he was surprised to say the least. He thought that maybe there was some misunderstanding, that somehow his informant was wrong even though that had never been a problem before. But it was there, written in the paper, how his old friend had traveled to another town with someone else and stole from one of the lords of the land. Seokjin decided to forget about it but days later, he got extra confirmation when news about the stolen treasure from sir Kim made his way to the palace.
Seokjin never understood it, didn’t have a way to do it. They both were from different worlds, that was what got them separated in the first place after all. He wasn’t living his life, he wasn’t part of it either so he did what he did best: stayed in the shadows pulling his string to help him, far away from him. He never expected to meet again, he was content with knowing that he was alright despite his job.
But now he is here, and the door is opening, and his nervousness just gets bigger, and suddenly he’s not sure he is ready for this. But when has he ever been for anything? Life has always thrown things at him unexpectedly. At least he will get to see an old friend from this time.
They enter the room and, indeed, it isn’t what he expected. It is probably his biased view of how people of lower status live, especially ones that have the job they both do, even though he knows what they do with at least a part of what they get. But the first impression of this place is that it is warm. Not the warmth of a well-heated house, but the warmth of home well lived. It is bigger than he expected, with light colored walls and well lighted, and a hallway that leads to the rest of the house. There is an open kitchen, a small dinner table with three chairs, and a living room with mismatched pillows thrown around. Colorful paintings with the same style, shelves with books and knickknacks, and so many plants and flowers that he hasn't seen ever in his life, in the walls and near the windows that seem awake despite the hour everywhere he looked. They seem to be glowing, with light of their own, enveloping the room with their scents, making the place feel cozy, homely. His heart clenches on his chest and he doesn’t understand why.
“Namjoon!” The other screams in the direction of the hallway, taking him out of his thoughts.
Seokjin clasps his hands behind his back so they don’t notice them trembling and stands tall like many times before. He knows that this is his Crown Prince posture, but it’s also the one he uses to feel safe and in control when everyone wants to take him down. It’s not one he should be using in this situation but this is all he knows to be so he stays still as a door in the hallway opens and a man walks out it.
Namjoon doesn’t look like he did before. Or maybe he does, but there is something in his aura that’s different, the way he carries himself, tall and confident. But some strands of his dark hair stick to the side, like he forgot to brush them, and his shirt a little wrinkled but fitting his body nicely, the slim boy long gone. He still wears roundish glasses that seem to slide a little from his nose with the movement.
Everything feels so familiar somehow, like they are just catching up with each other like they were supposed to do after his trip, talking about what academy drama he missed and the book he bought for him as a gift. Seokjin can almost pretend that this is what is happening, but then Namjoon folds his body in half in a formal bow, and says, “Good evening, your Royal Highness.”
Suddenly everything feels very cold despite the summer night. Right . Why was he expecting something different? It hurts a little, even though he knows he does have the right to feel that way. This is who they are now. Just two strangers with a common past that now walk different paths.
“Good evening. There is no need for formalities. Please, rise,” he says and Namjoon does and pushes his glasses up, Seokjin hides his smile at that familiar gesture. “It’s good to see that you are doing well.”
“Likewise,” he says with a small bow of his head.
Silence falls over them, more awkward than he expected. Still, his eyes don't fall from Namjoon’s, even though the prolonged eye contact is making him blush. Namjoon’s friend, who is leaning against the kitchen counter now, coughs behind his fist and that seems to do the trick.
“Ah, right,” he clears his throat, “take a seat, please,” he says pointing with his hand at the living room. They walk there and the plants seem to follow their movements. Seokjin sits on the armchair saving that thought for later, while Hoseok stays by his side, leaning on the backrest, arms crossed on his chest. Namjoon sits on the big couch and says, “I was very surprised when I was told your Royal Highness was looking for me.”
“I apologize if I caused any of you any inconvenience by requesting your presence.”
Namjoon is quick to deny it but he doesn’t miss the way Namjoon’s friend scoffs. “No, it’s not an inconvenience, I just didn’t expect it, at all. It… it has been so long,” his voice softened.
His stance relaxes a little, “I know. I know. I’m glad that I get to see you again.”
“Yeah,” he rubs the back of his neck and smiles a little. “And it’s good to see you again, Hoseok.”
He scoffs, although it sounds more like a hold laugh. “We barely saw each other back then,” he points out.
“True, but your Royal Highness was always talking about you.”
“He has always been a little obsessed with me.” The prince glares at him and Hoseok just lightly pats his head. “It’s okay, I’m a little obsessed with you too,” and makes a little kissy face at him.
“Stop it,” he says, his ears burning a little, and turns back to Namjoon, “Please ignore everything he says or does.”
Namjoon nods with a confused smile on his face. “Uh, right. So, how can I help you, your Royal–”
He interrupts him before he can complete the title, “Seokjin.”
“Uh?”
“Call me Seokjin. Please.”
He pauses for a moment, “I don’t think that’s an appropriate way to address you.”
“You used to call me that before,” he insists in a whisper.
A sad smile appears on his face, “That was a long time ago. Things are different now.”
Silence falls once again. Why does he keep doing this? This isn’t a social visit. It’s not even a visit, just a business meeting if they manage to make this work. He needs to remember what his priority is, why he is here in the first place.
Seokjin straightens his posture ignoring the look Hoseok subtly sends to him, hands folded on his lap. “Right,” he clears his throat, “I need you to find someone, a friend of mine that’s on the run.”
His eyebrows shoot up, “Are you talking about…” he glanced confused back at his friend for a moment before turning back to him, “I, we, we don’t do that kind of work, especially not for the crown.”
He sighs heavily, “I’m not asking you as the Crown Prince. Or an old friend,” he adds because he feels a little petty, “I’m here as a new client, who will pay anything that you want because I’m desperate.”
His friend moves and stands behind the couch, arms still crossed on his chest, “It’s a little difficult to believe that the crown is searching for someone, a criminal no less, and oh so casually the crown prince is also looking for the same person but for ‘different reasons?’”
“I mean no harm to him, I only want to ensure nothing happens to him,” Seokjin defended himself.
“How so? Because I’m pretty sure that you live with the same people that want him dead. He is safe anywhere else but near you,” he continues.
He has a point, one that he hasn't dwelled on much yet, but he isn’t going to admit that. “I have the means to make sure he is safe.”
“Oh, like you were capable of keeping Namjoon safe before, right?”
“Yoongi,” he hisses at his friend, “that’s enough.”
Yoongi throws his hands in the air, “All I’m saying is that this is very convenient, don’t you think? After all these years of absolute silence, no a single apology to you, now he appears like nothing happened and asks us to catch a criminal for whatever noble cause like that won’t put a fucking target on our, your back, again.” He looks at Seokjin, “What is your problem? Are you really that bored in your little castle? Is his life a fucking joke to you?”
“Watch your mouth when you are addressing him,” Hoseok says, standing taller with a threatening note in his voice.
“Or what? Will you get discipline for not defending him enough?” Yoongi says back, obviously looking at his bruised cheek.
“You should be more worried about how you will end up when I’m done with you.”
“Enough!” Namjoon shouts and the room falls in silence once again.
The atmosphere of the room changes completely. Everything feels more gloomy now, the warmth is gone, and the plants and flowers seem to hide themselves. This is his fault, again . He should have known that this was a bad idea, he never should have involved Namjoon in this. There are too many bad memories attached to his own name to be able to put them aside so easily. Seokjin doesn't blame him, any of them, he’s not sure if he would forgive something like this either.
It hurts anyway, because that’s the only thing he has been able to feel lately. Hurt by others, hurt by the past, hurt by the future, hurt by himself. And like everything, he will hold the pieces of his heart and continue to try again, and again, and again.
The prince inhales deeply, trying to calm the shakiness of his hands, and he’s about to speak when someone else does.
“Seokjin,” Namjoon starts and he is startled by the use of his name, “I’m really sorry for this.”
“I- no, no, please don’t be, this isn’t your fault, at all. It was pretentious of me to come here and ask for your help, I wasn’t thinking, we will–“ Namjoon shakes his head and silences him.
“You did nothing wrong. You are here as a client, right? And we haven’t even listened to your whole request yet. Why don’t you tell me more about it? I can’t promise I will help you if I can, but the least I can do is listen to it so let’s do that, okay?”
His throat tightens and he is sure that if they look more carefully, they will notice tears appearing in his eyes. “Okay,” he answers in a small voice and slowly puts his hands in the pocket of his pants to pull the small piece of paper from it, and then place it on top of the coffee table.
Cameras aren’t common among people outside royalty, and even among the richest not many can’t get a hold of them. Most people see them only during official events, to get whatever thing they are commemorating that day immortalized on paper. Hence, pictures are a rare and expensive thing, especially casual ones. So the surprise expression from both of them at seeing that small, candid but precious picture isn’t ungranted.
“This is Jungkook,” he says pointing unhelpfully at the boy in the middle of him and Hoseok, arms around both of his shoulders and a big smile on his face.
He remembers the day the picture was taken, at the start of last summer. It had been Jungkook’s idea because of course it was. He had been at a ceremony the whole morning and most of the afternoon, and wanted anything more than to rest. But Jungkook decided to visit him that day and, despite his tiredness, the three of them ended up in the castle’s yard in the middle of the chaos of servants tidying up after the busy day. Jungkook got his hands on one of the cameras when the photographer got distracted, always curious about them, and coaxed them to take a picture together in front of a tree. Later when the pictures were revealed, Hoseok got his hands on it before getting back to the King or anyone else. That’s how he got one of his most precious treasures.
When Minho asked if he had any picture of Jungkook for his poster, he denied it. No one knew about it, it was a secret between the three of them, and that poor photographer who was threatened by Hoseok. He would never let anyone lay a hand on it. And yet, there he is, doing exactly that by letting Namjoon take it into his hands.
“Jungkook… he is my, our friend. He possesses Mrya in him and didn’t know about it,” both of them look at him startled by the use of the name, but doesn’t dwell much on it right now. “His Mrya was triggered by, uh, an accident and, well, I think you know what happened already. Hoseok helped him escape the castle but we haven’t known about his whereabouts since then. No one knows where he is and it’s been a week and I don’t know what else to do. He can’t go to any city or town without people recognizing him now, and the forest… he can’t stay there forever. It’s not safe, and even if it is, he doesn’t have food or shelter or–“ A sob get stuck in his throat so he breathes deeply to compose himself. A hand starts rubbing his nape in a calming motion, he looks up at his friend looking back at him with a small smile on his lips before going back to Namjoon. “That’s why I need your help. I don’t know what else to do, or who else to ask.”
“What makes you think we can find him if you haven’t been able to do it?” Yoongi asks, more calmly now.
“You know more people, places that I would never be able to know because of who I am. I can’t do this myself, I can’t even leave the palace on my own. And there is the whole Sid– I need to find him before everything goes to shit. But… but you were right,” he admits to Yoongi. “I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to keep him safe, in the palace or anywhere. But I need to try, I need to know that he is well, wherever he is. If he wants to come back to Fairbury, I will find a way to keep him safe there. Or if he wants to flee and start a life somewhere else, I will help him with that too. Or whatever he wants to do, I will do anything. But I need to know that he is okay, please, can you help me to do this?
“I will pay you, of course!” He adds when the silence stretches for too long. “I was also thinking on… on removing the ban that Namjoon has.”
Namjoon’s eyes get bigger and Yoongi raises one of his eyebrows. “Can you even do that?” The latter questions.
“No. Not right now at least,” he admits, “but my father won’t be the king forever. Sooner or later, I will be crowned king. Probably sooner than later at this rate.”
Yoongi catches the subtle message, “Trouble in paradise?” A smirk appears on his face.
“It has never been paradise,” he says and the other just hums in answer. “Regardless of that, you will still be paid accordingly for your time, even if the goal isn’t met. So, what do you say?”
And there he is again, at the mercy of others. It’s not really a position he is used to being in, not in the position he was born in. But he doesn’t regret putting himself here, even if he doesn't really enjoy it anyway. There are more important things, more important people, to worry about. Seokjin just wished that things hadn’t turned out this way.
“Okay,” Namjoon says, eyes on the picture in his hand.
“Okay?”
Namjoon looks up at him, a tiny smile on his lips. “We will help you,” he says and Yoongi sighs, a little resigned, but doesn’t complain anymore.
“Really?” Relief starts to wash over him for the second time that night.
“Yeah. We will need any information you have on him: in what direction he escaped, any place to where he may think of finding refuge, anything you can think about.”
“Yeah, of course, I–“ he turns to Hoseok for help and he sighs in understanding.
“I need a map. I will show it to you,” he says. Yoongi goes to search for one, the atmosphere of the room changing once again. It doesn’t glow like before, but the flowers seem to be peeking at them again, cautiously. Minutes later, the four are around the coffee table with a map in front of them, Hoseok squatting to his right. “I led him to the northeast exit of the palace, most of this area outside of the walls are plains,” he circles with his finger the area near the castle, “but it’s the closest to the forest too. Since the guards couldn’t bring him back, I’m assuming he made it to the forest. From there, there aren't many places to go. Too far north and he will hit the ranges, and he is definitely not capable of crossing them on his own. So he most definitely kept moving northwest to this area,” he circled near the river, “or he crossed the river and it’s close to here, Ludian,” he concludes.
Yoongi glared at him, “If you could think of this, what makes you think the soldiers haven’t thought the same and are already searching in that zone?”
“I know they haven’t because they are fucking cowards,” Hoseok says simply. “They are so scared of the creatures that live in the forest that I’m sure that they haven’t moved from the paved way on their search.”
“And you aren’t?” Yoongi asked amused.
Hoseok shrugs, “They aren’t as bad as people make them seem. Most of them just mind their business and don’t bother you. At least the ones from this part of the forest, there are others more aggressive near the mountains.”
“There isn’t any other place he may want to go? Some family maybe?” Namjoon asks.
Seokjin shakes his head, “No, Jungkook is an orphan from Sanbi but lived in Fairbury’s orphanage since he was 13 or so. He has lived here almost his whole life, I don’t really think he may want to return there now, especially since it is such a long trip.”
“Also, it’s most likely that he is prioritizing to stay hidden and get food. I don’t even know if he will manage to get food for this long.”
“Okay, so he either gets killed by your soldiers or hunger kill him first, great,” Yoongi says and receives deadly glares from them. “I’m trying to put things in perspective, things don’t look that great for him at the moment.”
“It’s not difficult to get food there if you know what to look for,” Namjoon reassured them. “And, if he really is around this area, we will find him soon, so don’t worry too much and let us do our job, okay?”
“Okay,” Seokjin accepts because what else is he supposed to do now? He is leaving this in their hands and hopes that won’t be a mistake too. “I don’t know how to thank you enough for this, for listening to me.”
Namjoon shakes his head, “No need to do that now. You can thank us when we bring Jungkook back home,” he says, giving back the picture to him.
“Then you can give us a big thank you, in the form of a sizable amount of money,” Yoongi says with a smile that he wouldn’t call warm, but it is the first one that doesn’t seem fake.
“Will do,” he agrees. “Jungkook will probably not trust you right away. If that happens, tell him that he needs to come back so we can decorate another cake with grapes,” Hoseok hides his laugh behind his fist and the other two look at them confused.
“Sure?” Namjoon says anyway.
“I will let my, uh, subordinate know and they will contact you,” he continues. “You can tell them about any information you get or if you need anything else that I can help with. Please don’t hesitate to contact them if you really need something, I mean it when I say that I will do anything in my power to make this easier for everyone.”
“We will keep it in mind,” Namjoon says.
“I really hope this ends well for everyone and that, maybe,” he hesitated for a second, “we can work on other things together.”
“What other things?” Yoongi asks, cautious again.
“I can’t comment about them right now, there are still many things that I need to sort out, and if I really want you to help me with it I want to make it the safest for you. But, if that seems to be the case in the future, all I want to ask is if you are willing to hear me once again.”
Namjoon looks at him, seeming to analyze his face, maybe to unveil some lie or hidden motive. There aren’t any, just his wish to do the right thing.
“Sure,” he answers, “we will see when the day comes.”
“Thank you.” He bows his head to them. “If there isn’t anything you need from us right now, I think it’s time to leave.” He looks at the clock on the wall showing that it is well past midnight already. They all stand up from their seats, “Thanks again for accepting this job. I’m heading further south to Adrege and some other cities tomorrow at noon, so I won’t be able to personally contact you but I will leave you in good hands. The general is getting tired and he tends to act more harshly and unpredictably when he is. Please, be careful.”
“Minho is still as lovely as ever, isn’t he?” Yoongi says and the casual tone makes him pause for a second.
“Uh, yes, such a pleasant person to be around,” he says and makes the other laugh. Seokjin blinks a couple of times before recovering his bearings, saving that thought for later, “I will leave you to rest. Have a pleasant night.”
Both he and Hoseok bow their heads at them and start walking to the door. “Ah, l will lead you outside,” Namjoon says and walks with them.
They go downstairs and out the house in silence, and stay like this even when Namjoon closes the door behind him, standing a little uncomfortably, opening and closing his mouth like he wants to say something but doesn’t know how. Part of him wants to still be petty, and just start making his way back to the residence. But he accepted this job and was going to help them and Jungkook. Despite everything, Namjoon listened to him. He could do the same.
“Hoseokie,” he says looking at his guard after fixing the hood of his cloak over his head and it is all he needs to understand what he wants.
Still, he rolls his eyes at him, “Fine, I know when I’m not wanted. I will not come to get your body if he kills you,” Hoseok says and turns to walk out the alley. He is sure that he is going to just be right around the corner, keeping an eye on the area.
When they are as alone as they can be in this situation, Seokjin decides to speak. “It was really nice to see you again. I mean it.”
“I know. I just wished it was under different circumstances.”
He swallows loudly, “Namjoon, look, I’m–“
Once again, the shake of his head silenced him, “Save it.”
“But–“
“I know. I know what you want to say, but there is no need for that. You do know that what happened then wasn’t your fault, right?”
“I’m not so sure about that,” his voice is small, “If you wouldn’t have been seen with me, then–“
“It would have happened anyway. It was never about you. Yeah, sure, because it was you it happened faster than I thought but it would have happened anyway because I don’t have a filter when I talk,” he smiles sheepishly.
“But they wouldn’t have been so harsh with their decision if it wasn’t for me.”
Namjoon shrugs and puts his hands inside the pockets of his pants. “I never regret my decision to befriend you even though I was warned to not do it multiple times, and I still don’t.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “It’s been a long time, I already made peace with it despite what Yoongi said. You should too.”
Seokjin isn’t sure he can ever do that, forgive himself for all the lives that have been ruined because of him and the ones he will ruin in the future. He doesn’t deserve that kind of forgiveness, not from Namjoon, not from Jungkook, and especially not from himself.
“Is… is he the friend you used to talk about?” Seokjin asks instead, looking up at the building they came from.
Namjoon looks in the same direction confused before understanding falls over him. “Ah, yes, Yoongi, that’s him. I’m really sorry for the way he treated you.” He rubs the back of his neck a little embarrassed.
It is now his turn to shake his head, “I’m glad that you have someone that has your back so fiercely.”
“So do you,” Namjoon points out and he can only roll his eyes.
“Are you really okay? Are you happy now?” Seokjin asks, more serious this time.
He shrugs again, “It’s not a bad life, despite… despite anything that you were told about.”
“Only good things,” he assures and gains a snort from him. “Then I’m happy for you. I will leave you now.”
“I hope that the next time we see each other I can give you good news.”
“I hope that too. Good night, Namjoon,” Seokjin bows again with his head and turns around to walk out.
“Ah! Wait!” Namjoon says before he can walk more than three steps. He turns around anyway. “I… I don’t know if this will mean something now but… I’m really sorry about what happened to your brother.” Air gets caught in his throat for a second before it’s let out in a shaky breath. “I know how close you two were and I know that taking over his position probably wasn’t easy for you so, if there was one thing I regretted, it was that I couldn’t be with you then to support you. My deep condolences on your loss,” and bows in half once again.
His chest clenched so painfully that it drew him to tears. Most people don’t talk about Doyoon, especially not near him, out of respect or fear of the repercussions of speaking so freely about such a delicate subject so it’s been a long time since someone has given him their condolences. He certainly wasn’t expecting it from Namjoon, especially not under these circumstances. And yet, it makes so much sense for him to do it. His heart always stands out the most to him.
Quickly, he wipes away his tears, “Thank you,” he whispers and Namjoon straightens again, “I really appreciate it.”
Namjoon gives him a side smile, a hint of his dimple appearing on his cheek, and nods. “Good night, Seokjin.”
He smiles the best he can and doesn't speak anymore because he knows his voice is going to betray him, and walks out and turns in the corner. Hoseok is there, leaning against the wall and he doesn’t have to do anything for him to understand, most likely already listened to most of the conversation. Instead, Hoseok put his arm around his shoulders, pressing him close to his side, warmth enveloping him immediately, and started leading him back to the residence.
The walk is silent for most part, only the ambiance of the night can be heard. People laughing in the distance, probably drunk, cicadas singing their song, their footsteps against the dirt of the pathway. Seokjin uses this moment to compose himself, to not break down more. The day has been awfully long, he feels like a whole life has happened since he woke up this morning. But the plan is now in motion, he just needs to trust that it will actually work.
“Do you think this will actually work?” Hoseok asks, mirroring his thoughts.
“I hope so. They are good at what they do. If someone can find Jungkook, it’s them.”
Hoseok hums, “You never told me what they do though.”
“I know, I will tell you tomorrow; the trip to Adrege is long.”
“But I wanted to talk about it during our sleepover tonight.” He doesn’t need to watch it to know he is pouting.
“I’m too tired to do that, I just want to crash in bed and not wake up until late.”
“Fine. But the sleepover is still happening, your bed seems more comfortable than mine.” Seokjin grunts loudly, “What? Don’t act like you don’t love it when I sleep with you, you are obsessed with me.”
He grunts even louder, “I can’t believe you said that to them.”
His friend shrugs, “It’s not like it’s a lie anyway”. The arm around his shoulders slid down to his waist and his other arm found there too, catching him in a tight hug. “I do love you a lot, and you love me too,” he says oh so confidently and starts kissing any place on his face that he can find.
Seokjin feels giggly under his affection, laugh escaping from his mouth before he can’t stop it. “Stop it,” he says anyway, “stop spreading lies about me.”
“Scream all you want, no one’s gonna come to help you,” Hoseok says before leaving a big and wet kiss on his cheek and freeing him from his hold.
“You are horrible,” he says without any heat in his voice but cleaning his cheek with his sleeves.
“Yeah, yeah,” he ignores him and links their arms together so they can continue their walk.
They walk into a small alley before he talks again, “There was someone else in there.”
“Did you notice too?”
Hoseok hums, “Too many three things of everything and Yoonti glanced at the hallway often, it’s too much to be a coincidence. That and those plants…”
”Yeah. I could feel them. The house was reeking of Mrya, they probably were hiding them because they thought we would do something to them.”
He giggled, “If they only knew…”
“It’s okay, it’s not like it matters to us. As long as they can do the job, I don’t care about anything else.”
Now that the plan is in motion, they can come back and take care of the other one. The one that could change the trajectory of their lives. No big deal. It’s not like it is the first time Seokjin is in charge of changing lives. But for the first time, this will be on purpose and for the greatest good.