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jeonronwoo · 3 years

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𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 → 𝐗.𝐃𝐉

Pairings: Sir!Xiaojun x Princess!Reader.

Genre: Royalty AU, Angst, Fluff.

Warnings: Mentions of degradation from parents, talk of minors marriage, a pervert old fiance.

Word Count: 3.5K

↬ “Being a princess isn’t easy, you have to follow the traditions your ancestors established, fated to marry a man who is almost your father’s age making you feel disgusted. Would your knight in shining armour save you or will you face the same fate as of every other princess?”

a/n: i actually didn’t plan on writing this... but of the scenario just flowed in my head and i didn’t even realize that i was writing it until i finished. this also dedicated to my friend, i hope you like it bby🥺💘 and i hope you guys also like it and please give me feedback. 💖

1894

A tear rolls down your face as you stare at your reflection pinning loose strands of your hair that have fallen from their position. You didn’t want to be sent off to an older man, you never wanted to tie your love to a man who you don’t love. You quickly pinch your cheeks wincing, creating a ‘blush’ to form at your apples.

A girl in the 18th century was a difficult role in the economy but being a princess was a little bit harder. Grown off expensive luxuries and multiple events, surrounded by other snobs who don’t pride themselves in their talents but in the money building up in the bank under their name. The women are oppressed, through chores and cooking, through clothes that squeeze your ribs painfully to bearing multiple children for a man that doesn’t seem to have any emotional connection with you.

Your parents got married when your mother was fifteen and your father twenty four, she told you that she grew to love him since he pays for the dresses and provides high quality wine. Still you reject the system until the other night when you felt your father’s wrath of anger spread along your skin, you were eighteen and still unengaged and running from the marriage they set up two years ago between a man named Alec, who was too old for you - you wanted to say it was illegal but nothing ever changes in this kingdom.

You blinked away the tears as your door slowly opened revealing your maid, Jieun with a kind smile.

“Princess? The guests are arriving, are you ready now?” You nodded staring at your hands.

“Well yes Jieun, I am not well, please come in.” You whispered as she pushed her slim body through the doors shutting it quickly before rushing to your side.

“Are you okay?” She whispered drying your tears with a tissue off your vanity.

“I am very sad because I do not love that man, and feel hurt by my parents’ decision.” You explained as she smiled sadly and nodded understanding.

Jieun was basically your sister, and her mother, who was also your mother’s maid, was like a mother to you since your own could never be around for you. She also was in a relationship with the butler’s son, Kunhang, you envied her at times because she chose him, and he was close to her age. She sighed squeezing your hand, to which she stands up and continues helping you with your hair placing silver jewellery in your hair.

“I know, I also don’t like the arrangement, you deserve someone better who you love.” You nod, finally stopping your tears knowing that you aren’t overreacting as a knock rings out through the room, indicating it is your time to descend the marble staircase.

“You shall be okay though, just have fun and dance, okay?” She assured, you smile giving her a tight hug as your dress flows completely to the crown. She stands on a stole and places your mask over your eyes, sticking it in place as the butler opens your door.

“Hurry princess!” He says anxiously as you balance in your shoes, you walk just as if you were in class on a Tuesday morning. You reach the top of the stairs meeting with your parents who don’t send you a friendly smile.

“Your corset isn’t tight enough, you look fat!”

You stiffen with your mother’s cruel and harsh words, hearing a voice boom through the high ceiling roof. They call upon you and you smile before breathing calmly watching the beady eyes of ego driven individuals watch your descent, every step, just one ahead of your royal parents.

The applause airs out in the room as the band begins to play, the strings picking up their bows. You had always wanted to play a violin but your parents always disliked musicians, making sure you wouldn’t become one. The whole room buzzes with talk before a clearing is made in the middle and couples begin to line up.

“Your highness, you look quite beautiful, may I have the first dance?” You stared at the man who you didn’t want to see in this ballroom, Alec, the man you are meant to marry in a couple of months. You nod quietly as he takes your hand, you could see the rest of the men bowing in commencement and you followed him around in a traditional dance, he kept following your body up and down in hunger.

“I cannot wait to have your body in my bedroom, holding my children.” Your jaw tensed at his words as his eyes held lust. You could feel your eyes brimming with tears again but you held your chin up smiling slightly watching your parents’ dead eyes follow you.

Your heart clenches in pain but as the music finally finishes and the applause spreads throughout the room, you smile politely before making your way through the crowd as new partners line up to repeat the dance. Your throat is suffocating as you try to make your way outside, your breathing falling and your heartbeat echoing out in your ears as your blood pumps quickly through your veins.

The doors fly open as the moonlight hits your face and the cold fresh air fills your lungs, the peace resting around you with the strings playing behind you. You close the door your back resting against the glass heavily breathing.

“Is the princess struggling to hold up her duties?”

You jump at the sound of a male voice, you look over at the balcony noticing him leaning over the rail, staring off over the garden.

“No, I’m holding up my duties and doing very well thank you. Who you might be?” You demanded, he laughs turning around and your breath catches in your throat.

He was tall and broad, handsome with brown hair and soft but strong features. He was gorgeous and you instantly were attracted to him.

“Sir Xioa Dejun, your highness.” He bows kissing your hand and you curtsy with a smile. He looks behind you at the party unfolding behind you both.

“Follow me,” He whispers.

“Pardon?”

“No need to be formal with me princess.”

You had never heard someone speak so simply and it was nice, quickly looking behind you through the class doors, you hitch your dress up and grab his hands walking down the balcony’s stairs to the large garden. The music was loud but down here it was nonexistent and you could only hear your heartbeats.

“May I have this dance?” He asked and you nodded as he took up your waist, your elbow resting on his in the other arm. You could feel his biceps through the material and you blushed as he looked into your eyes.

“So princess, tell me about yourself.”

“Well I am eighteen and the only woman in the family to not yet be wed to a prick of a man before sixteen!”

“Really? You are only eighteen though.”

“That’s what I try to reason, how old are you, Dejun?”

“Twenty, I am not who you’d expect.” He chuckled causing you to smile.

“Oh is that so?” He nods smiling slightly, spinning you around the rose bushes, it was as if that second you were the only people left on the planet and your own music began, the string section raging on like your heartbeats with even a guitar which is raw plucking through the middle of the timpani drums belting.

“Who are you Dejun?” You asked and he smiled sighing replying.

“Just a boy from the town over with wealthy parents but zero love.” You nod relating as you continue to drift around the garden with the breeze.

“You seem trapped by money,” You commented and he nodded.

“Indeed I am, but what about you? You seem unhappy, though.” He asked and you sighed.

“I am, the man I’m going to wed in May is thirty two years of age and I do not want to give my love to someone so vain.” You laughed humorlessly, and Dejun furrowed his thick eyebrows then asked.

“Must you be so perfect all the time?”

“Yes, my mother called me fat as my corset wasn’t tight enough.” You rolled your eyes.

“Well your mother is wrong, all respect to the queen but you are beautiful and far from fat.” Dejun assured and you smiled thankfully at him.

“Princess!” You wince as you hear the scream of Jieun, she caught the sight of you, and she entered the garden with Kunhang following behind her.

“You have to come back with us,” Jieun ordered out of breath.

“I agree, I think if you’re late more than that, your parents are going to kill you.” Kunhang added and you sighed turning to Dejun.

“I have to go.” You muttered staring up into Dejun’s sharp eyes that held sadness and disappointment.

“It was a pleasure princess.” He sighs sadly.

“Call my Y/N... When will I see you again?” You whisper as he pulls you closer dipping his head.

“I am not sure Y/N, but I will come for you.” He promises smiling before gently placing a soft kiss on your lips.

Jieun stared at the two of you with shock and horror, but you gave no mind to her at all. Kunhang actually had to pull her away letting you have your special moment with the mysterious gentleman.

“Please come back for me, steal me from this life.” You whisper your eyes burning with tears, kissing him again before you pick your dress’ skirt up walking briskly through the garden with grace beside Dejun for the masquerade ball. He holds your hand in the idea to help you be stable with your shoes.

As you tug up the staircase of the balcony accompanied by the boy, you meet the eyes of a smirking Jieun and Kunhang. She looks from Dejun to you and then from You to Dejun.

“Please Jieun, Kunhang, don’t tell anyone.” You begged and Jieun hushed you assuring that your secret is safe with her, Kunhang promising the same.

“Thank you kind Miss Jieun, and sir Kunhang, I am Xiao Dejun from the town over.” You smile at his formality realising it would stay between you, his eyes sparkled as he looked back at you dropping your hand.

“You picked quite a gentlemen princess, with kind manners and not to mention a handsome face! However your parents are livid and finding you dancing around with this boy shall not do you good, as well as Alec who is seeking for you.” Jieun said.

You sighed nodding bidding your farewell as Jieun leads you inside to the ballroom, pulling leaves off the edges of your dress as you walk back into the party, sharing kind words with admirers before meeting the angry eyes of the Queen and King.

“Where were you? You are ruining our reputation!” Your mother hissed towards you as your father scowls before picking up his facade of kindness.

“I panicked, I’m so sorry mother and father for my actions, please forgive me.” You apologised trying to sound sincere, they nodded dismissing you into the arms of Alec making you internally groan at his horrific face. Nothing would compare to how handsome Dejun is, he is who you could only love.

It is May and the fear of the marriage chaining you down to your family’s roots is growing inside you. Sir Dejun never came back for you and you’ve been rotting away in the walls of the castle for nearly two months waiting for his arrival.

Sulkily, as the sun begins to set only a couple of days before you’re tied to Alec, You sit at your vanity letting Jieun brush your hair till it is completely straight with no knots or curls. You know she has noticed your decrease in mood, often sneaking you chocolate or keys to rooms to find a thrill of the moment to break your trance. But you always end up where you started, waiting for Dejun.

“Princess I hate seeing you so unhappy, Dejun seemed to be nice but maybe all this was too unrealistic?” Jieun muttered, sick of seeing you so depressed like this.

“No Jieun! He will come for me!” You whispered hoping neither of your lurking parents could hear you behind closed doors.

Jieun was the only reason you hadn’t driven yourself insane, slowly telling her about how you were planning to leave and escape the arranged marriage. At first you were unsure how she’d react but she nodded saying she would cover for you and help you runaway with your love. She even said she might lie or quit her job and come work for Dejun and you in wherever you two might be, you tried to change her mind not wanting her go get hurt by your evil parents, or taking her away from Kunhang knowing how it would make her unhappy. But she assured you that she was willing to leave all this behind for you to be happy, and even Kunhang agreed to quitting his job, not wanting to leave his love and his best friend alone.

“I’m sorry, sure he was such a lovely sir, but this is all so rushed! What will happen if you wake up one day and find that you don’t love him truly?” She hissed and you shook your head.

“No Jieun, I do love him, I just know.”

She was about to say something, but her mother entered so she just shut up and nodded, worry covering her face as the sun completely sets outside your window as she braids your hair down the middle, the end landing above your coax bone.

Your parents had been angst since the night of the ball, forcing you to attend more classes on manners and constantly have meetings about the wedding. The dress you’re to be wed in, the stunning dress leaving bruises down your side from the corset, you were naturally not that size and the pain left behind was immense. Tomorrow you were going to try the wedding dress and you have been rejecting the thought, wishing he would just show up soon to save you from this horrid mess. Jieun sighs as the door opens revealing Kunhang who was smiling.

“Princess, a mail has come for you. Your parents has sent you a message to let you know that the guests you were awaiting, won’t attend.” Kunhang said.

A flush of relief washed over your body as he winked and left after passing you the crisp, white envelope. A dinner tonight with your parents would have been tragic and the loss of their love would be so obvious, and your heart would break in two.

“We shall let you be, but we will come back in half an hour, dear.” Jieun’s mother said as she kisses your check gently while you smile at your real mother and she glides out of the room to complete the chores, Jieun passed you a smile before following her mother.

Staring at the envelope in your hand, you wonder who might’ve sent the letter. The front has a beautiful cursive letters of your name that was utterly breathtaking with how pristine it was. Excitement was starting to form in your chest as you slowly with your finger broke the seal, pulling a lovely paper out of the little package. Opening it up your heart stopped.

“Dear Y/N,

I apologise for not returning, so much has been happening. I have been working hard to support us, as well as dealing with my father’s death.

I have found us a house where we can grow together and have children, only if you want to. Even though it’s all rushed, my heart entirely belongs to you.

I’m coming to collect you tonight at the strike of midnight when the guards change positions, bring a small trunk of the most important things.

See you soon darling,

Sir. Dejun.”

You couldn’t believe your eyes as you reread his letter in the way you’d spoken the night of the ball. But you were leaving and he was finally returning for you, with silence you found a small trunk the size of a place mat and began putting your most prized possessions in, including an old teddy bear, a detailed hand mirror, clips, your paint brushes and paint, a favourite book and a few pieces of clothing from your wardrobe. Shutting the clasps, you secretly hid it under the bed as Jieun opened the door with a tray of food balancing on her hands. Seeing your flustered state, she puts the plate down before rushing to your side

“Are you okay princess?!”

You nodded, tears of happiness filling your eyes, “I am well now. He’s coming, Dejun is coming.”

***

You awaited in the palace, looking at your soon to be old room that was always bare but felt like it missed your soul without your possessions. Jieun had discussed your way out with Kunhang, and how she would make sure your parents were asleep. Your body shook in its skin at the thought of being free from this tortuous life and even if you might not be rich in money any longer, you would still have Dejun - hopefully forever.

As the clock struck quarter twelve, you placed pillows under your blankets to create the illusion, slide the trunk out from underneath the bed and grabbed your grandfather’s old ‘car’ jacket that had hung in your room for ages.

He was one of the only kings who despised the life he was born into but found ways to bring the princess of his dreams to the castle and craved thrills like being in a fast vehicle. Sitting down at your mirror you saw the utter fear but thrill in your eyes that your grandpa had helped with. You felt delighted as Jieun opened the door, a look of sadness looming on her but happy for you as she lead you down the back servant way’s. Your plan was that if anyone saw you, she was carrying medication and you were ridiculously unwell with a serve cold. She held your hand as you made it near the guards positioning and her little pocket watch clicked twelve, as the guards stepped in. She hugged you tightly, and passed you a letter before you ran in your night dress with the brown leather suitcase out the doors silently, running further out of the gardens you fell still.

Your whole word was changing, you were doing this. what would become of you? Would Dejun always be there for you or was this just false reality?

“Y/N.”

Frightened, you jumped as he breathed out your name into the cold, and all bad thoughts melted away as you saw his smile. Sitting tall upon a chestnut horse, Dejun jumped off, his shirt outlining his broad shoulders and his features blessing your sight. Desperately you swung into his arms, your hands wrapping around his neck and bringing his lips down to yours. He smiled grabbing your hips before you both pulled away in a rush.

“Quick! We must leave.” You whispered passing him your small trunk which he clips to the horse’s side before he heaved up onto the mare.

Offering his hand down he pulls you up easily and instantly you feel at home with him and riding a horse. When you were younger, you rode your uncles’ horses across the hills and down to the river where when no one was looking, you would swim in barely anything. With a yank of the reins, Dejun sends the horse into a flying gallop.

This is your new life and you’ve never wanted something more.

Six months have passed since you ran in your night dress with the aid of Jieun through the front doors secretly. The air flows through the small cottage, the smell of flowers filling the room around us. Gently his fingers strum the strings of an old guitar, that has a bright birch-wood frame and is loved dearly by him. You sit reading a book by the window on a pile of cushions, a pair of your own pants on your legs- Dejun believed in equality and always let you wear them.

Working at her own pace in the kitchen, Jieun bakes a pie, fondling the pastry into a beautiful masterpiece on top. A few months after you read her letter, you invited her to come live in the small back house of your cottage and she politely declined stating that her and Kunhang already found a small apartment for them to live in, and luckily, it was close to yours. Later, Kunhang also quit his job in the palace, and joined her, now they were happily engaged about to be wed in two months, Dejun and Kunhang quickly became friends, causing the four of you to hang out constantly.

“You’re quite magnificent with the guitar.” You whispered into the warm air, he smiles standing up from the arm chair before placing a soft kiss on your lips. Looking into his eyes, you play with your wedding ring happily, he smiles and said.

“You’re quite magnificent, my darling.”

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