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yunacoeur · 11 months

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the choices we make

our last dance: chapter iii

chapter synopsis: you, as the oldest royal child of your family, are up to take the throne. in your search for a partner to be consort, the royal family is throwing a party in your name for you to meet potential suitors.

look at me like i’m the only person in the room.

word count: 3.2k

a/n: i apologize this is kind of the filler chapter to get us to the climatic ending of the main story! so excited to show you chapter 4, but in the meantime: enjoy!

taglist: @en-ct @dimplewonie @cherriegyu @zerobaseonefics @haesunflower @shiningstar-byulxx @kpoprhia @harus-simp @taerrrrrae @zhanghaos-hairclips @big-uwu-stan @seok02 @kpop17 @quanrui-vamp @mins-fins @huipinkhair @beomibeom @wonluvrbot @gyuvinie08 @flwrinn @wigobkm @deadlycute-cutelydead @ladyestelleofthesea @aerzb1 if you’d like to be on the taglist please fill out this form!

you wake up the morning after, after having been right to assume you’d be restless. the whole night was spent thinking about all of them. you couldn’t eliminate a single one without some part of your brain begging you to reconsider. a small memory shard would be given to you every time you tried to eliminate them. a moment that made you like them.

and then you’d be back to square one.

gyuvin seemed younger, but he was charming in a youthful way. he still had all the stars in his eyes, while the others seemed to only have a few. he had beautiful dreams and ideas and you wonder if maybe, just maybe, you could run away with him. to a place where nobody knew either of you.

matthew was polite and kind and everything you expected in a partner. he’s practically perfect for you. he’s strong and saved you from so much embarrassment when you fell. he kind of felt like the hero you needed in life.

hao was someone who felt real. he felt genuine. you didn’t feel like royalty around him, you just felt like you were someone and he was someone and you were destined to fall in love. you could see it when you were deciding whether or not to dance with hanbin. he felt it too. he was comfort and protection and calm. maybe that’s what you need a little more of.

taerae, the hopeless romantic. god it felt like a typical romance straight out of a movie. what’s nice is that these kind of movies are predictable. there are no surprises, just a guy who falls helplessly in love with you by the end of the story. you could be the happy ending that romeo and juliet never got.

jiwoong is familiarity, and also unfamiliarity. he’s someone you’ve known for years, and also someone completely unknown to you entirely. and while you have spent this time not really knowing him, he has spent his time falling in love with you, to your surprise. he said he’s wanted to marry you all his life. maybe you could make his wish come true.

yujin is also familiarity, but in a different way. you could never marry that kid, but maybe you should consider the possibility of giving the position to him on paper so he could get the chance to rule like how he’s always dreamed of, and your real lover could be someone else behind the scenes. perhaps that is a good ending too, is it not? sacrificing everything so yujin gets a happy ending?

gunwook, the noble scholar, who gives meaning to the stars in the sky. he’s smart, effortlessly so, and he’s beautiful, adorable, sweet, etc. he could say there’s meaning in the most innocuous things and you would believe him. the sun is shining a little bit brighter today? it’s a sign that we’re meant to be together, shine together.

and ricky. a ghost of a presence. an orange rose hidden in the bouquet, waiting for you to search and rescue it. he’s a mystery, but as you think more about him, ask around more, you learn how sweet the people around him think he is. they compare him to a kitten. you’re not sure you see it.

—

the night is slowly coming to an end. you can feel it in the air.

you look for a place to rest your unconventional bouquet, finding an expensive vase resting on a podium in the center of the room. you assume it’ll do the job. you put them in the vase, adjusting them so each one stands out just a bit more. they look chaotic and mismatched together, but even still, they’re all reminders of the beautiful people you’ve met tonight. it would be a shame to hate them and their lack of uniformness.

your eyes search for suitors with flowers still in their suit pockets, a sign that you must still speak to them. one last suitor stands out to you. he’s tall and his hair is bleached blonde. he's wearing more modern styles of jewelry and makeup, he looks cool. trendy even. it means he doesn’t fit in super well with the rest of the crowd, but he also stands out. he is incredibly attractive and his modern look is not doing him any disservice. he’s quite beautiful. you make your way over to him, but as he sees you, he walks over to meet you in the middle.

he tells you his name, but you don’t quite hear him, “my name is ricky.”

“hi, ricky,” you say with a giggle. it’s weird that you feel so shy, but the way that he’s looking at you is making you question everything. his eyes are enchanting, but he’s a little more reserved than he seems from far away and he’s quieter than he seems as well. he hasn’t said anything this whole interaction besides his name.

that’s probably the only reason you can keep talking to him without getting flustered, “i saw you fall earlier. you were with another suitor, i believe? it was so shocking.”

“what do you mean?”

“well, so many people saw but you kinda fell into that guy’s arms so no one said anything,” he shrugs, “are you normally that clumsy?”

a part of you is screaming at yourself to recognize that he hasn’t addressed you respectfully this entire time and that he’s talking way too casually. the other is too charmed by him to really care about the disrespect.

“i-i guess so,” you murmur.

“you should be more careful,” he advises. you mumble out a shaky acknowledgment as he looks at his watch for the time.

“it’s getting late,” he comments, looking back up at you, “did you succeed tonight? did you find ‘the one’?”

a part of you wonders how he even knew of your worries about not finding ‘the one’. a part of you knows he could of overheard. it’s still shocking.

“i don’t know,” you say, and he shakes his head.

“no, i think you do,” he says in return. he’s serious, and the fact that he’s so self-assured makes you believe him just a bit.

you remember talking to a staff member earlier in the day, from a neighboring kingdom. they had sent a son of a powerful, wealthy duchess. they had called him something, an adoring nickname that didn’t make sense nor matter at the time, and now looking back on it you’re wondering how someone like this could be so adored and practically babied by the people around him.

but they definitely referred to him as the one with the blonde hair.

the nickname was something you could not remember, but you could never forget how highly they spoke of him, like he was the sweetest person they had ever met. like he was a teddy bear.

which was ironic because the guy in front of you doesn’t seem like that. maybe there’s more under the surface.

because he is definitely a softer guy than he’s letting on. he can hide it with his intimidating energy and mystery, but you can see it in his eyes, in the way he’s nervous fidgeting with his hands. he seems sweet under it all.

you try to talk to him more, but he almost seems to be rushing to run away, disappearing practically mid-conversation into the crowd. it’s disappointing, but you can finally seem to drag yourself out of the spell you seemed to be under while he was around.

and then it hits you, he never gave me a flower. as you realize it, you walk over to the vase in the center of the room where you had put the other flowers.

you find an orange rose hidden in the bouquet. there’s a note attached to it, taped to the thorny stem.

“remember me. ricky.”

the party has been over for a while now. not literally, you suppose, considering all the people still here. they won’t start to trickle out until you leave.

you retreat to the bar, hoping to find a certain comforting face once again. now that all the dancing has stopped, most of the guests are standing around, drinking, and chatting with their comrades. it may be hard to find the particular face you’re searching for.

and yet, right when you wanted him, he appears before you. it might just be magic.

“hello, stranger,” you say to him. your tone is much warmer and more fond than before. it has lost all sarcasm.

“didn’t i tell you not to call me that?” he replies as he turns to face you. it makes you smile knowing he recognized your voice, your teasing before he saw you. maybe he’d see the personality before the status, unlike so many people in your life, “are you doing alright?”

“yeah, why wouldn’t i?”

“i told you to come find me if you needed a break, so i had assumed-”

“don’t assume anything, dear stranger. i can’t only come to you during bad times. that is not love,” you say, reaching for his hand. he lets you take it and hold it in yours.

“my apologies, your highness,” he says with the most endearing smile.

“but unfortunately you were right,” you say, and he breathes out a laugh. it’s such inappropriate timing, but he can’t help it. you playfully glare at him and he rushes to defend himself.

“i’m sorry, i shouldn’t have laughed,” he says, “what’s wrong?”

you look away from him to gaze over the crowd, eyes wandering to your bouquet sitting gently in the center of the dancefloor. it stands out even more on its podium now that no one is dancing.

it’s an ominous thing. just sitting there peacefully, holding a representation of 8 different guys who offered to marry you, and also yujin, who you think forgot to give you the flower that was sitting in his pocket. you smile fondly at the thought.

out of all the possible thoughts to share with hao, you choose a very unspecific one, “i don’t feel right about any of this,” you say.

“what do you mean, your highness? the party?”

“this isn’t right, hao,” you whisper anxiously. even though he can tell you didn’t mean to say his name so casually, that it just slipped out without you noticing, he smiles. you’re already comfortable with him and that gives him peace, “i don’t feel good forcing people to perform and be the perfect candidate for my husband so i can find ‘the one’.”

“hey, don’t say that. you’re not forcing anyone,” he squeezes your hand to get your attention back on him. you seem distracted.

“i just- it all feels so wrong,” you say, and he heaves out a big sigh like he’s preparing to make a huge mistake.

he pulls you by your hand into him, his free arm wrapping around you as your head rests on his shoulder. he rests his head against yours, letting you relax and breathe before he says anything else.

“i’m sorry,” he whispers, “i’m sorry i keep doing things without asking you. i’m sorry i keep disrespecting you as the future monarch of this kingdom. and mostly i’m sorry that you feel like you’re the villain here.”

you’re not crying, because keeping in emotions is something you’ve been learning to do for years. god if you aren’t a little bit close.

“this should have been a cute story. a love story. finding your perfect match and having a perfect, happy ending,” he taps his hand against your back as a soothing motion, “instead you’re here feeling like you’re the bad guy, like you forced everyone here. that must feel horrible.”

“it does,” you whisper back.

he chuckles, and you feel the vibrations from his chest. his rhythmic heartbeat comforts you.

“i’m sorry, your highness. if it’s any comfort, i can assure you that no one you’ve met tonight feels forced to be here.”

“how would you know?” you mumble against his shirt.

“because i’m standing here with you. i could not imagine being displeased with your company,” he smiles, you can’t see it but you can hear it in his voice, “i could not imagine disliking you. i couldn’t even begin to describe what that would be like.”

you raise your head to look at him. his eyes are so intense, but they’re beautiful, burning into your soul.

“thank you, stranger,” you whisper to him with a giggle, and he scoffs, letting you go but still holding your hand.

“you’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

“i don’t think so,” you smile, and he smiles back.

“are you thinking of calling it a night soon?” he asks.

“yes, i think so. i am tired. i will think it all over in the morning,” you say, thinking of the restless night you are about to have. all those pretty smiles and charming personas. it will definitely take some time to decide who you’re going to marry.

“then i suppose this is goodbye until i see you again,” he sighs, and it feels tragic. there’s this heavy feeling on your soul, “whether i see you again as my fiance or as an ally, please know that i will always be here to be your peace, should you ever need me.”

“thank you, hao,” you tell him, before suddenly, you remember something, “oh, my, i almost forgot!”

he looks shocked for just a moment, “what? what is it?”

you look back at him, apologetic for getting up to leave so suddenly, “i promised something.. to someone.”

of course, you see in his eyes that he’s not fond of what you’re implying. he looks subtly upset like he’s hiding it well. maybe your heart likes that he already wants you to himself.

you don’t have to do it. you could stay with hao and be comfortable. he seems to be the only real person here. he’s sweet and charming. he’s a perfect bachelor.

but you see hanbin from across the room. his darling charming smile and his cheek dimples stand out the most. he is exciting, breathtaking, and it would be a crime to not dance with him at the very least one last time ( hopefully this isn't the last).

“stay with me,” hao says, tightening his grip on your hand. you stare at your hand being held in his, desperately holding on, “stay. please.”

“i promised him,” you whisper, looking up at him. something is going on inside his head, an emotion you can’t exactly pinpoint. you give one last look to hanbin, who at very long last makes eye contact with you. his eyes shine impossibly brighter, like he’s found what he’s been looking for.

hao sighs, “then go,” he changes his mind suddenly, and you turn back to face him, “no, really. go. dance with him. it’s okay.” it’s confusing and heartwrenching to see hao let you go like that. you know he hates the words leaving his mouth.

you mouth a simple thank you to him before running off to fall into the arms of your final dance partner of the night.

you get to him easily. he’s still just as effortlessly beautiful up close as you remember. he immediately reaches for your hand to hold. he’s warmer than zhang hao is. he’s not as soft spoken. he’s brighter. his grip is less gentle. so many little differences.

“hanbin,” you smile, and he smiles back. he adores how softly you say his name. it’s only been hours, but he thinks he’s ready to fall in love. it feels too fast and too quick, but he’s been preparing for this moment his whole life. considering he has no chance for his own kingdom's throne, marrying you would be fulfilling his destiny.

plus, he likes the way you look at him. he likes how clumsy you dance, it’s kind of charming. he likes how humble you are despite your position. he likes a lot about you already.

“will you join me?” he asks, but when your face falls just slightly, he gets concerned. he’s faulting just a bit, his hand retracting slightly. he’s worried that you’re giving him this last dance as a final goodbye, “what is wrong, your highness?”

“you’re asking for the… last dance,” you mumble, and before he has a chance to even respond to that, you wipe the sadness from your face and take his hand, “very well, i suppose i will join you.”

he’s slightly stunned, but he follows. he feels out of place for wanting to correct you. you haven’t given him the opportunity, but he still feels like he must. for your feeling’s sake.

“your majesty, i had asked for your first dance as a formality. and i had asked for your last dance out of avarice for your time, but if i'm being honest,” he says, his grip on your waist as you sway together making the moment even more intimate. god, he’s so close to you, you can feel the breaths he exhales on your skin, “i think i’ll need more than just those two.”

“yeah?” that, in all your dazed glory, was all you were capable of responding with.

“i would ask for all of them if that didn’t feel just a bit too greedy, your highness,” he gives you a goofy smile and it just all stops. time freezes for just a second.

you let it all go for a moment, just enjoying your last moments of the night with him. he decides to relax and enjoy these moments as well, twirling you around and smiling so endeared when you giggle. he might just be in love already.

you’ve gotten a little bit more bold since the first dance with him, and now that it is the last one, he happily lets you lead him around in your clumsy rendition of the graceful dance he had led you in earlier. he is so much better of a dancer than you are, but he’s patient with you. you step on his toes at one point, and you hurriedly apologize, but it doesn’t even matter to him. his expensive shoes are replaceable; this moment with you is not.

people who look on simply see you and him, giggling and laughing at your silly dance, holding onto each other for fear you’ll fall, and they must wonder if all these other suitors thought they even stood a chance.

“i have a request,” you say to him, “could you promise me this is not our last dance?”

he smiles so endearingly, “your highness, no matter what your answer is in the coming days, should you ever lend out your hand, i will reach for it. i will always twirl you around and dance with you, and we will come right back to this moment,” he says. it gives you comfort for a brief second before the anxiety of the question of who to pick comes back to you.

hanbin?

with his perfect smile and dimples, are you going to choose to spend your mortal life ruling a kingdom with sung hanbin by your side?

“thank you,” you say, pulling his hand close to your lips to kiss the back of it.

he shakes his head adorably, pouting, “oh, your highness, that should be me. i should be thanking you for your consideration and time-”

“hanbin,” you stop him, “thank you. i should go now, but i thank you for everything.”

the feeling of the kiss on his hand still lingers after you’ve left him there.

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ishrxq · 2 years

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દƪ3XU MINGHAO ֶָ֪֢֪֢֪

twitter headers the8 seventeen icons pfp

seventeen RACK WITH YOU

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natloves17-blog · 6 years

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He's a baby ❤️ * * * * * * * * * * #seungkwan #seventeen #svt #kpop #seungkwanedit #seungkwanseventeen #booseungkwan #seventeenseungkwan #seungkwan17 #17 #17seungkwan #17kpop #kpop17 #svtseungkwan #kpopsvt #kpopseventeen #kpopaesthetic #kpopwallpaper #kpopidol #kpopidols https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4e6uDAxL8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qdrrm7aqorw2

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taegis · 6 years

Photo

top 10 favoutire kpop releases of 2017:

typograhy insp.

tagged by: @ksjknj @samwol @bloombwi & @hobeui - thank you, i had fun doing this!

tagging those who i haven't seen doing this yet: @taesyeon @citrusomi @harunyany @ttaewo @dearmyjimin @bwisou @rapnamu @comeherejimin @taegis @jeoncooky @kimdaily @butaer @jiyoongis @jaayhope @softjiminstan @seokjinies (you don’t have to, if you don’t want to~)

#i finally got my lazy ass to do it but tumblr won't notify anyone :)#fuck it #mygif*#kpop17

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hoshi-u-love-me · 8 years

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Peculiar!Wonwoo

Jeon Wonwoo

he’s a very quiet boy...

so...

SEMI iNVISIBILITY !!!!!

hohohohohohohoh

it means

that

he’ll appear

and disappear

all he wants

without being permanently invisible

even when the headmistress’ lecturing him about some thing and he felt like he don’t wanna listen to her

he’ll poof off and ran out to free himself from the boredom the headmistress about to give him

because

ew no thank you

( y’all know what I’m talking about and which brat I’m implying to )

anyways

sometimes

( or more like a lot of times )

Wonwoo would appear and disappear just to scare other kids

and he felt proud of himself for doing so

lmao you little satan

and his most favourite victim is Vernon

boy’s a smol k i tten

why

Wonwoo just love teasing the shit out of everyone

and his prank buddy is obi Peculiar!Mingyu

everyone knows that psh

meanie is forever

MOVING ON

but his pranks often ended up with him inside the thinking chamber or scolded by Peculiar!S.Coups or extra chores

he’s not much of a prankster tho

he’d prefer sleeping over all those above

or eating

yeah

burgers

hamburgers

Wonwoo’s a burger y’all remember that

his favourite spot to sleep is on the roots of an old tree by the backyard on a breezy afternoon where he could be peaceful

while other kids trip on him

because

WONWOO WHY ARE YOU INVISIBLE WHEN YOU SLEEP WE COULD’VE STEP ON YOU AND YOU COULD’VE BROKE OUR NECK !!!!!

But Wonwoo’s like

lol

first time he got his ability was when he was sleeping

the next morning his blanket was off of his body

so everyone was panicking like crazy

everyone was looking for him while yelling his name

he got confused like

??????

Guys! I’m here!

everyone can hear him

but no one can see him

he’s stuck being invisible for 2 days until the headmistress EVENTUALLY found a way for him to control his ability

he was scared af

like really

he won’t use his ability at all for a month because he was scared

W HAT IF I CAN’T BE VISIBLE AGAIN !?!?!?!?!?

it took him a lot of convincing

a LoT

but he eventually did it

with the headmistress supervising him closely so if he suddenly panicked, she’s there to help

this cutiepie use his ability to hide himself from others just so he could feel peace

a www

but no matter how much he tried, Mingyu would always found him

invisible or not

Mingyu would pop out and be like

yah, I know you’re here... don’t worry, I’m not gonna disturb you

aww

meanie friendship is so cute 💕💕💕💕

but most of all

Peculiar!Wonwoo is definitely weird but cute at the same time

Peculiar!Dino

Peculiar!Jeonghan

Peculiar!Woozi

Peculiar!Hoshi

Peculiar!Jun

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deidrastic · 11 years

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how sweet (>^_^)><(^o^<)

#mingyu #kim mingyu #samuel #kpop #kpop17 #kpop seventeen #kpop 17 #gif:seventeen #pledis #pledis17 #pledis 17 #pledis seventeen #Black and White

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edenesth · 1 month

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TWTHH Spinoff: Take Me Away [Teaser]

Pairing: private investigator!Wooyoung x courtesan!reader

AU: historical au (Joseon era)

Summary: While working on a new case in town, Wooyoung was captivated when he stumbled upon a beauty unlike any other. Just as he began to believe that he might have found a Lady Park of his own, word got out that she was merely the newest courtesan at the town's brothel. Disheartened by this revelation, he nearly abandons his pursuit of her until he hears whispers suggesting that she may not have been there of her own will.

Main Story | Spinoff Masterlist | Part 1

"Miss Han, you fortunate little thing! Congratulations on securing your very first client. This dashing young man seems utterly smitten by you, to have reserved your company for the entire evening."

You tightly clenched your trembling fists to your chest, suppressing a terrified whimper as you listened to the brothel madam's devious teasing. You had prayed fervently that nobody would request your services, doing everything you could to remain inconspicuous over the past week, hoping they might see you as more suitable for hard labour; you'd much rather be the lowest servant than do any of this.

Yet, here you were, already with your first client, and not just any client—this man had gone as far as to secure your companionship for the entire day. Such occurrences were rare, even for the most sought-after courtesans in this establishment. You couldn't fathom who this person might be, how he had learned of you, and why he'd spend so much to buy your time.

"Wh-who is it? This customer..."

"Wouldn't you like to know? It's none other than the famous private investigator Jung Wooyoung, known for his significant role in aiding General Park's capture of former Minister Jang. I suppose even men with a strong sense of justice are still susceptible to desire," The sly woman drawled, winking at you, "Don't disappoint us, girl. A client of his calibre could become a valuable long-term patron. Treat him well."

Surprise, my lovelies! I bet y'all thought Mingi would be the first spinoff I'd unveil, huh? TEEHEE! This will either be a oneshot or if it gets too long, I might break it into two parts!

Just a heads up tho, it's the last two weeks of my final semester (which means I won't have as much time to write) but as always, I'll do my best to get this out as soon as I can.

Tag list (1/2): @itstheghostofmypast @huachengsbestie01 @minghaoslatina @weedforthoughtz @minkiflwr @cheolliehugs @ho3-for-yunho @the-kpop-simp @writingwieny @stayatinykatsy @skzline @green-agent @stayinhellevator @vampzity @tinyteezer @evidive @vantediary @superbbananananana @kimyeolchan @chocolate-scoups @decadentstrangernacho @vic0921 @foxinnie8 @marievllr-abg @sunnyhokyu @seungmin-in-thebuilding @heyitsmetonid @sansaurora9904 @darkestacademiamindsx12-blog @pay13 @kpop17 @professormingisglasses @newworldwritings @chicken-fifi @thunderous-wolf @shythinggiver @madnpan @yandere-stories @anxiousskylar @frobin4ever @starssongs98 @kamabokogonpachro @chngbnwf @dollce-exe @jan-l @lovelyred2 @haven-cove @watermelon2319 @dreamingofyeo @akimkim @scuzmunkie @satsuri3su @mismatchfluffysocks @borntoshineateez @st4rhwa @ddaeing @tropicalsstuff @bts-army380 @skteezcursed @beauty143

#edenesth #the way to this heart #take me away #twthh spinoff #ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez fanfiction #jung wooyoung #ateez wooyoung #historical au #joseon era #wooyoung x reader #wooyoung x you #ateez fic

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yunacoeur · 11 months

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the worlds that collide

our last dance: chapter i

this story begins with your first dance, and will end with our last.

word count: 4.2k

a/n: thank you guys so much for your patience with me while i’ve been preparing this series! i hope this chapter gets you excited for what’s to come!

the invitation is small, just a white card with the insignia of the king on the back and a short message on the front. hundreds of these invitations have been sent out across all kingdoms in the land. the message reads:

“the oldest child of the great and honorable king and queen of zerose is to be wed soon. we ask that available suitors from all kingdoms come to a party being held in our dear royal’s honor. any and all questions may go to the royal staff.”

it’s a party held in your honor so you may find a husband. isn’t that wonderful? the only issue is that you don’t know most of them and it will be hard to decide on a husband. of course you don’t have to make the decision immediately, as this party is only being thrown as an introduction. still, it feels like you are on a time limit.

the party is in just a few hours, but the tension in your heart is only getting stronger by the second, but you must find a partner soon if only to unify the kingdoms in response to political conflict. the people need something good to focus on. a royal wedding would be enough.

your parents are good rulers, they are kind and giving, and it’s a difficult position that you will have to take up, but it must be done. they are tired of ruling, and likely just want to relax and let you take the wheel.

at the current moment, a royal staff member is helping you choose the attire you will wear during the event, but it is not enough to distract you from the looming task.

“i suppose i don’t know if i have it in me to make such a choice. what if ‘the one’ isn’t in that room tonight?” you tell her, and she continues working as she responds to you.

“well, your highness, i believe you will find who you are looking for. they will also not rank as highly as you in our kingdom, so if they turn out to be a poor ruler, you can easily override them,” she says, draping the cloth against your skin, “would you prefer a more saturated blue or a more greyish-blue?”

“whatever suits me the most. i trust your opinion,” you say. she’s right of course. there’s no reason why you should be worried on the political front. you will always outrank them, in your kingdom at least. you just worry that they may not be the one your heart truly desires. what if you pick the wrong one and never get the chance to be with one you love?

“thank you, your highness,” she says, brining you back to reality, “i think a less saturated color would suit you more. a bright blue may overpower your natural beauty.”

“okay then,” you hear the door open, turning your head over to see the person behind it.

it’s a maid you know well. she seems to be hurried, like the information she’s delivering is urgent. it worries you because she’s not usually like this.

“your highness,” the maid says, bowing, “your father requested that one of tonight’s guests come early so you may meet him before. he is waiting for you in the ballroom.”

“but isn’t that room still being set up?” you ask curiously, looking over at the staff preparing your clothes. she shrugs. the ballroom has been under preparation all week, but even still it feels like it is just barely coming together.

the maid nods, “yes, your majesty. this guest insisted on helping set up.”

you look back to the staff, who has picked out the final few options for your outfit, pointing to the one you like the most, “get that one ready for me, please. i’ll be back soon for it.”

“of course, your majesty.”

walking through the halls towards the ballroom, gazing out the large windows at the town below, you spend the whole time wondering why your father was insistent on you meeting this guest first. what is the necessity? there will be plenty of time to meet all the suitors tonight, why do any of them deserve a head-start?

and then you see him. you understand.

he’s more than beautiful. ethereal would probably be the best word. he’s laughing with one of the staff as they set up (or attempt to) a banner on the wall. he’s polite and respectful with even just the commoners lingering in the area, treating them so perfectly.

his mother must be so proud to have a son so perfect.

he looks over after hearing the door shut to see you, and he recognizes you immediately just like you did with him.

“your highness!” he calls out, as he walks over to you and bows slightly, “thank you for coming to meet me before the party. my name is sung hanbin, it is such a pleasure to meet you in person… may i?” he asks as he reaches for your hand. you nod and he lifts it up to press a chaste kiss to the side opposite your palm.

he explains to you his story, where he’s from. he’s a prince from another kingdom, younger than the one that should be in line to be king. you wonder if his being sent here is an offering for peace, one of unity, as there has been political tension between kingdoms in the past decades.

“your majesty, may i make a request?” he asks, and you tilt your head in slight confusion.

“you may. what is it?”

he seems bashful for just a second, “i wish to be your first dance of the night when the party starts,” he smiles, the dimples on his cheeks showing. it makes him look cute instead of drop dead gorgeous for just a moment, “can i reserve that spot?”

you laugh, smiling back at him, “i’m sure that can be arranged.”

“okay then. i look forward to it,” he says, but then someone asks for his help in setting up one of the tables, and he turns back to you, still smiling brightly, “excuse me, your majesty, i have to go back. i’ll see you tonight!”

and he’s off to continue helping set up and probably save puppies and solve world hunger while he's at it. you return to what you were doing until the time comes that you’ll come back to the ballroom.

and by what you were doing, you mean you return to the study you use as your safe haven when you’re stressed, the weight of the impending decision already so heavy.

you look up at your desk to see an old photo of you. you were so young and smiled so bright. what you’d give to go back to this moment and relive it. not a care in the world.

part of you hopes to see the boy you were with in the photo tonight.

after a while, you go back to your fitting room to dawn the outfit you picked out earlier. the blue tones are subtle but still there, complemented by bits of silver and black. the outfit is perfect for such an occasion.

as the staff helps you into the outfit, including any accompanying jewelry, you are walked back to the ballroom as the party is about to begin. so many people already fill the halls and the room itself doesn’t seem much quieter. it is bursting with people, and loud, bustling energy.

the first person who seems to be a suitor approaches you the moment you aren’t being smothered by people. he’s tall and well-proportioned, he’s everything in the looks department you could want out of someone.

and then he smiles at you, tripping as he walks over. you realize this man is more clumsy than charming, or maybe he’s just a different kind of charming.

“hi,” he says. nothing else to accompany. when you playfully raise an eyebrow, he remembers, “oh! i’m so sorry, your highness. i am prince kim gyuvin. it’s an honor to be in your presence.”

“i’m sure it is, kim gyuvin,” you smile back at him. he already feels at ease even though he can tell you’re teasing him. he doesn’t mind, “talk with me for a few moments. let’s get to know each other.”

“ah, yes of course, your highness,” he says as you pull him off to the side to chat, “what do you want to know about me?”

and it hits you that you don’t really have a plan for tonight,“ i don’t know what to ask, you’re the first one i’m meeting like this so i don’t really know what we’re supposed to do… what’s your favorite color?” you ask.

“blue. no- green. actually, i don’t really know-” he stumbles, and you just nod along like you too have to put this much thought into your favorite color. he flips it on you so he doesn’t have to think, “what’s yours?”

“mine is orange... uhm, if given the chance, do you want to rule?”

“not really. i’m too nervous to mess it up,” he answers, honest, always thinking too fast and too much, “i would like to be by your side when you rule your kingdom.”

“ah, good save,” you say. you’d laugh at his bluntness if it wasn’t so cute.

“can i ask you something, your highness?” he asks, and you nod, “if you could… like if you didn’t have a bunch of responsibility on your shoulders to rule the kingdom and everything… would you want to run away?”

“run away?”

“yeah! like elope with someone and get out of town and go somewhere no one knows you exist and live a simple life,” he smiles, this dreamy look in his eyes, “maybe even fall in love.”

“i can definitely tell that’s your dream,” you giggle, “but yeah, that does sound nice.”

he gets silent for just a second, but then his eyes light up, “maybe we could run away together?”

you smile sadly, it’s a sweet dream, but it can't be your reality, “don’t get too ahead of yourself now, gyuvin. i still have a country to take care of, and you might too if something happens to the first-in-line.”

“then, let’s make a dream out of the lives we have,” he says, coming closer to hold your hand.

“you are so cheesy! oh my lord,” you shake your head in disbelief, but his hand in yours is so comforting and he’s so endearing, “okay fine. i’ll consider it.”

“good! and while you do that, i actually have something for you!” he says, reaching into his fancy suit jacket to pull it out.

“a gift?” you guess, unassuming. all suitors probably were expected to get you gifts.

but then he pulls out a dainty white poppy. the center is a soft yellow with a hint of red in the middle. it’s a beautiful flower. it reminds you of the soft dreams he tells you of, the simple wishes for freedom and peace and comfort from all the eyes on you.

you wonder if that’s your dream too, and he read you just like a book.

gyuvin has nothing more than his dashing smile and his lovely dreams, wishing for so much that he’ll never have. as you wish him well, telling him you’ll choose within the coming days who you will marry, you wonder, “tell me, why should i marry you?”

“oh, uhm- i…” he trails off, giving himself time to think, before settling on an answer he feels confident in.

he says, “because i would follow you anywhere.”

and, at least in that moment, looking into his honest eyes, you believe him.

you finish you up conversation with him as someone who recognizes him starts talking to him, and you assume they’re trying to whisk him away from you. you allow it for now. he still smiles brightly and waves at you goodbye.

as gyuvin is stolen from you view, you find someone new in front of you. he’s a little shorter than gyuvin, but he makes up for it with his bright smile and this cute charm he seems to exude.

this is no stranger at all. even if you didn’t know him, you did deep down.

“your highness, hello, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance,” he bows, “i am the son of a duke in our kingdom. i have been sent here to be a possible suitor for you. my name is matthew.”

it’s very clear just by looking at him that he’s from your kingdom. you’ve never met, but you could swear you’ve seen his face before. he seems like he would be a safe pick for a husband. he’s already from your kingdom and also nobility, but just far enough out to where it isn’t weird. it wouldn’t require alliance brokering or having to rule over new territory and people who didn’t even know you. that would be the nice part.

in short: he’s a safe pick.

“hello, matthew, it is a pleasure to have you here tonight,” you smile at him as he reaches for your hand to place a kiss. a common theme of the night you assume, “what is your father up to these days?”

“nothing interesting to either of us,” he laughs to himself, “just royal duties. i’m surprised he sent me as his contribution. i totally thought he’d want my sister here.”

“ah, well i’m glad you are here. you are quite pleasant to be around, i can already tell,” you say. he takes it as the biggest compliment he’s ever gotten in his life, or at least that’s what it looks like.

“thank you, your highness,” he says after a moment of collecting himself, “do you wish to dance?”

you almost say yes, but you remember the promise you made to hanbin. did you already think of him as the one? why would you put yourself through the rest of this night if hanbin already ticked all the boxes? “not at the moment, but come find me again later and i’ll say yes, okay?”

“hmm, alright. i suppose that’s okay-”

he was talking but was cut off when someone’s elbow hit you from behind. the collision causes you to fall forward towards matthew, and he catches you before you take both you and him down. he holds you up by your waist as your hands reach to grasp onto his shoulders. you look up at him with panic in your eyes, and he has the same frightened look.

and it is only worsened by the fact that everyone saw it.

while everyone in that room was probably death glaring at the poor person who knocked you over, matthew just whispers, “i thought you didn’t want to dance?” his response is cheeky, finally smiling at you once he knows you’re alright. there’s a secret coolness to him that you didn’t know he had in him.

so this is why you waited it out.

he must be incredibly strong to still be holding you like he is after the fall, but the moment can’t last forever, so he pulls you up, “unrelated, but i have something for you," he says.

“is it a flower?” you ask with a daring smile, and he nods.

“your father included an amendment to the invitation for all the suitors. we were to bring you a flower. you’ll probably get more throughout the night, but hopefully, mine sticks out to you the most, your highness,” he hands it to you gently.

the flower is white, just like gyuvin’s, but it is a completely different style. one native to your kingdom.

“a heather flower, consider it a promise. even if you don’t pick me, i’ll have the best interests at heart for you,” he says, handing it off to you like an oath, “you don’t have to choose now, but no matter who it is you pick, i will be here to make sure they are up to your standards.”

“you don’t have to do that, matthew,” you say, but he shakes his head.

“my father has told me all my life that the royal crown is my only priority. i will make sure that whoever gets to call themself your consort will be fit for the role.”

you laugh at his intensity. he’s already so lost in his mind about it. you suppose that devotion to the crown is innately taught to everyone. it’s just weird to hear it out loud, “you say that like i already picked someone else. what if i do choose you?”

“i will absolutely hold myself to the same standard,” he says, like it’s obvious. commonplace. you laugh at how serious he is.

the dancing area may not be the best place to have a conversation, seeing as you’ve already been bumped into a couple times since the first big one.

“your highness,” he says, drawing your attention back to him, “it was nice meeting you. i’ll come back again for that dance you promised me.”

“i look forward to it,” you smile at him as he moves to walk away.

once matthew has left, there's really no one there to protect you from falling when people bump into you. you find yourself needing a moment to breathe, finding comfort in sipping one of the drinks being offered by the staff walking around. you decide to hide in the corner of the room, for lack of a better plan. the center is where all the dancing is happening, but it’s easier to hear yourself think in these more secluded spots.

although, just when you finally have a second to breathe and think through all that’s happened so far, something finds it’s way into your hair, and you freeze as you look up at the culprit. it feels like a flower.

“i’m sorry, your highness,” he says. he’s so beautiful (god, does every suitor in the damn land have to be so gorgeous?) that you could almost forgive him, “i know i should have asked, but that moment was too beautiful to pass up.”

“i don’t even know your name, and you’re already having to apologize? not a strong start, stranger,” you say, but you’re smiling. he knows you’re not really mad, and so do you.

you could have been mad, you could have kicked him out and banished him from the castle for putting a flower in your hair without permission.

but he’s pretty, so you’ll let it slide.

“stranger? i don’t want that as a nickname,” he frowns, “my name is zhang hao. please call me anything other than stranger.”

“an order? wow, how modern of you to order around royalty in their own castle,” you laugh at him, but it’s all in good fun, and you change the topic so he doesn’t get too embarrassed, “it’s quiet over here,” you murmur.

he silently thanks you for switching topics, “yes, indeed. i am not one for lots of noise,” he says, “did you need a break from the chaos too, your highness?”

“i suppose. everyone is so nice, but i am just..” you look down at the two flowers you hold in your hands. one poppy and one heather, “overwhelmed. the choice is a difficult one to make over just a conversation. what if none of it is even real?”

“real? why wouldn’t it be real?” he asks.

“there’s so much political advantage that comes with marrying me, so how would i be able to tell the difference?” you ask in return, “not to mention i’m not even sure i can judge someone’s character in just a few minutes of conversation,” he takes a second to think. maybe there isn’t even a good answer he could give.

you know you have more time. you know this party isn’t everything and you could abandon it all and be fine. god forbid you wanted to meet the one. maybe you even wanted to fall in love, is that so much to ask for?

“well, i can’t speak for anyone else, and there is no way for me to prove it to you, but…” he looks over at you, at the darling flower he had placed in your hair. he wonders how anyone could think to marry you just for prestige or power, “i am real.”

“you are?”

“i am,” he murmurs, “i’m not a lot of things, but i am real.”

you sigh, “i shouldn’t have put this decision on myself. i should have just let my father pick and gone with it,” you rub your temple with your free hand, your head suddenly aching dully, "why did i do this to myself?"

“you wanted to choose because somewhere deep down in there,” he says, pointing to your heart. it's flustering just how close he's getting, “you trust yourself and your judgment.”

you sit there for just a moment to take in his words. you initially thought he was incredibly wrong, but the more you think about it, the less wrong he becomes.

“and why should i trust you?”

he seems taken about, but answers anyway,“i am… not extremely good at the press and public image stuff, but i am quiet. and calm. i cannot be exciting, but i can be soothing,” he smiles so softly, “i can help you forget it all for just a moment.”

he’s convincing, you’ll give him that.

and you can tell he’s genuine. there was no bone in his body capable of lying, “i can care for you. i will be real for you. there will be no act, no fake love to attempt to satisfy some image. you can take care of your kingdom, and i will take care of you.”

“that’s how you’ll love me?”

“that is how i will love you,” he repeats, tucking your fallen hair behind your ear.

“what flower did you put in my hair?”

he looks at it one more time, “a bluebell. it’s native to the land of my kingdom.”

“ah, i see,” you say, seeing the blue petal out of the corner of your eye, “thank you.” he pulls it out of your hair to hand it to you, making it the third flower you’re holding as of now.

“you should go now, your highness. there’s lots more for you to do and people for you to meet.”

and you want to, but it is still so noisy out there, and you feel the nerves in your stomach again as you look back out to the crowd. you ask him, “what if i need a break again from the noise?”

he smiles at you, his voice as soft as ever, “come find me, of course.”

so you leave him there, his eyes following you as you step back out onto the floor, feeling the energy come back to you after you have rested.

you give zhang hao one last look before you look away from him for a while. he seems like the type to never want your eyes off of him.

he’s looking at you too. suddenly it all feels too real.

he smiles at you, waving you off, like a mother bird telling its baby bird to be free, only this time there’s still a nest to return to when you are tired.

you walk back out onto the floor, hoping someone will come to take your hand and ask you for a dance. it doesn’t take long for someone to come hoping to do just that.

“don’t tell me someone beat me to it, your highness,” they say. as you look up, you see familiar eyes and dimples, with a hand outstretched for you to grab.

“hanbin,” you smile at him, taking his hand as he leads you to the area people are dancing in. it is significantly louder, but the energy feels good, the music flowing through your veins, “of course not. i told you it was yours.”

“i’m sorry, but i have another favor to ask you,” he says, grabbing your right hand with his left and holding your waist with his right as you sway to the music, not quite dancing yet. just swaying with him.

“so greedy,” you say with a giggle, “what can i do for you?”

“i know i have already asked for so much by taking this first dance,” he says, eyes almost looking into your soul, “but i want your last dance as well.”

it stuns you for just a moment. that was a taller order than your first dance, “i’m sorry, do you mean of the night? like tonight? or…” you trail off, wondering if there was a way to eloquently word ‘the last dance i do ever in my life’. you never finish the thought.

he doesn’t respond to that thought either, just giving you a smile that almost seems cheeky, “let’s dance.”

and suddenly you are reminded of the fact you are not very blessed in the coordination department, “hanbin- i am so sorry to disappoint you because i’m sure you were thinking this would be a magical moment or something, i forgot to say i am a terrible dancer. maybe we should-”

“shh, don’t worry about anything. i’ll lead, just follow what i do,” he tells you.

the dance is not extremely technical, but even still it is so obvious to both you, him, and everyone watching how skilled of a dancer he is. is this all he’s been doing his entire life?

it’s just a simple, repetitive step, and at one point he twirls you around and pulls you just a little bit closer. even still, you still find yourself being clumsy and tense, even when he whispers to just relax.

it’s over too fast, but he assures you, “i wish we could keep going, too, but you have other people to dance with. i can’t be that demanding. i’ll be back for your last.”

you laugh because he’s kind of right to say he’s been demanding. it’s not like you mind, “i’ll wait for you, hanbin.”

he smiles, so sweetly, “as will i, your majesty.”

and as he walks away, leaving you to watch him smile at someone else and offer to dance with them, you notice the unconventional bouquet you’ve been holding: a poppy for the boy with the wild dreams, a heather for the guy who saved you from falling (even though you might have fallen in a different way), and a bluebell from the one who gave you a brief moment of peace.

yet, from looking at it, it has one more flower in it than you remember it having.

a yellow tulip.

116 notes · View notes

yunacoeur · 11 months

Text

the lovers who dream

our last dance: chapter ii

tie the red string around both of our pinky fingers like we're made to be one.

word count: 4.3k

a/n: thank you for supporting chapter 1! here is the next one! i’m about to make you all fall so badly in love with all these men >:))

taglist: @haesunflower @shiningstar-byulxx @kpoprhia @en-ct @dimplewonie @cherriegyu @harus-simp @taerrrrrae @zhanghaos-hairclips @zerobaseonefics @big-uwu-stan @seok02 @kpop17 @quanrui-vamp @mins-fins @wonluvrbot @gyuvinie08 @huipinkhair @beomibeom @flwrinn @wigobkm @deadlycute-cutelydead . please fill out this form if you want to be added to the taglist! also some of the urls i got i can't tag so idk what's up with that sorry :(

in all your gracefulness, you manage to trip again for the second time tonight. as if you didn’t embarrass yourself enough in front of matthew, you trip and fall into the arms of someone else as you walk away from hanbin.

“oh, your highness, are you alright?” the young man asks. he’s pretty, with dark hair that makes his eyes stand out more than anything. it’s almost hypnotizing.

“yes, thank you,” you say as he helps you off.

“that was more forward than i was expecting from you,” he jokes, and you have half the mind to lecture him, but his smile makes you forget all of it. he’s got the wide, endearing smile, and this charmed look in his eyes. like he was gazing dreamily at a lover.

if you had known him for any longer than 30 seconds, you would assume he’s already in love with you.

he suddenly gasps, and it startles you. you wonder if something is suddenly wrong, “ah, where are my manners?” he looks flustered, “my name is taerae. i’m a prince from a neighboring land. my mother and father wish for me to marry you to create peace between our kingdoms.”

he says it like he’s reading from a script. you push him for more, something real.

“and you? why do you want to marry me?”

“...well, i asked around about you when our family got the invitation. i wanted to know what kind of person you are before i met you,” he explains.

“why is that?”

his heart skips a beat before returning back to its normal, if a bit elevated, pace, “my court says i have a romantic’s heart,” he says, "maybe i'd fall for you too easily."

well, isn’t he adorable?

“okay, i’ll bite. tell me what you learned about me,” you say, almost like a demand. he nods with that dazzling smile. he tells you his knowledge was limited because not many people knew much about you save for stuff that he already knew given the invitation.

however, he says that one staff member said you liked the guitar.

the thought takes you back to meetings with your royal staff and running away with a certain charming price to steal some time away. he once showed you that he could play guitar, albeit not very well. he played some basic songs, but it was honestly the best you could ask of him.

you remember his name. jiwoong. strong-willed, like his mother. he was beautiful and confident and it is so tragic that you remember his dorky smile now; you see it almost in taerae’s.

taerae is softer than jiwoong ever was. maybe you want softer, kinder, or may you want charisma and confidence. you shouldn’t be thinking about jiwoong right now. jiwoong may not even be here tonight, and taerae is right in front of you. you almost feel bad for not focusing on the poor guy while he’s here, talking to you.

“is that true?” he asks, bringing you back down to reality for just a moment, and you nod, “wow, really? because i can play the guitar!”

it’s sweet how excited he is, “maybe you could play it for me sometime,” you say.

he has the energy of a romantic, just like his staff say, searching for any kind of connection he can make from one person to the next to tie an invisible red string on each pinky.

“okay, maybe i will,” he pulls a flower out of his jacket, “and here’s this, in the meantime, it’s a-”

“cornflower,” you say before he even has a chance to finish. he’s so endearingly delighted that you know the flower that he gave you. his eyes light up like stars in the midnight sky, “that’s a favorite of mine…it’s beautiful. thank you, taerae.”

“yeah, of course…” he runs his hand through his hair nervously. you give him a little nudge to let out what he’s thinking that he so obviously wants to let out.

“is there something you want to say?” you ask him.

he nods, but doesn’t speak for a moment, he takes a deep breath, “it’s, uhm, okay if you don’t pick me, but i really hope you do,” he says, anxiously fidgeting his hands, “your land is so beautiful, and i really like it here. and you are-” he stops before he goes too far.

you won’t let it go though, “and i am what?” you smile at him and his nervousness.

“i like people really easily, but i don’t know if i will anymore,” he responds, smiling back so captivatingly, “i think you might have taken that away from me.”

“what?! don’t put that on me!” you exclaim. how dare he say it’s practically your fault. he laughs lightheartedly, and it is impossible not to adore him.

“it’s true!” he says, “how am i supposed to look anywhere else?”

you wonder the same thing, but with the opposite problem. how are you supposed to keep looking around you when you’re finding so many perfect souls?

“i know i already said it, but i’m just so easily in love. i think i watched too many plays growing up, but i’ve always imagined romeo and juliet, star-crossed, made for each other lovers, finally having their happy ending,” he’s so lost in his head, up in the clouds, “maybe i could have that someday,” he sighs sweetly.

“i think you will,” you tell him, “i can’t promise it’ll be me, but i know you’ll find that passion and romance you’re looking for in someone.”

he’s silent again, pausing because he’s anxious this time. he’s itching to say something, but he’s not sure he’s ready to hear your response, “is… there a chance that it is you?” he asks.

“what? what do you mean?”

“is there a chance… you’ll pick me?” he asks again, somehow both more and less hopeful. you settle on him being more dramatic the second time, “do i have a chance with you?” yes, definitely more dramatic. this scene feels out of a movie.

“i wouldn’t say you don’t have a chance…” you lower your head to hide a fond smile, and maybe even a warm face, “it was a pleasure meeting you, taerae. i hope to see you again,” you say to him, looking back up at him. his eyes are still sparkling, “i have other suitors i still have to meet, but come find me again sometime. i’d love to talk more with you.”

he frowns unconsciously, almost like a pout. it’s so hard to not think he’s adorable, “okay, but can you promise me something?” he asks, “promise me you’ll still think of me. when you talk to them, can i still keep just a small piece of your mind occupied?”

you find yourself laughing with him, but you wonder if his hopeless romantic heart is finding it’s home in your castle, finding a place to rest knowing it won’t be hurt anymore. once it settles, it won’t want to go anywhere. not that you plan to do anything about it.

“yes, i promise. i won’t let you leave my head for even a second,” you say, as you bid him farewell for now.

you don’t miss the moment that prince (practically king at this point) jiwoong walks in the door, standing tall with his shoulders back, scanning the room for the person he’s here for: you.

and it’s so darling and perfectly timed that he decided to make his (late) entrance now. just as you started to think about him, he popped up in your world. how ironic is that?

you also don’t miss the way taerae eyes jiwoong as he walks away from you. you wonder if he has truly started to fall in love, just like in all the movies. was it really love at first sight?

“prince jiwoong, what a pleasure to see you here,” you smile as he bows, standing back up with a satisfied smile on his face too.

if taerae is love at first sight, jiwoong is childhood friends to lovers. you don’t remember meeting jiwoong, but you do remember playing card games with him in the corner of the meeting room to distract yourselves while royal council and your combined family members of royalty were discussing things that actually mattered. you were teaching him how to play all the card games you liked. he was a terrible student, but he tried so hard. maybe it was just because it was you.

“hello again, your highness. you are looking as beautiful as ever,” he says, cupping your cheek with his hand momentarily.

‘thank you, jiwoong,” his boldness and compliments are enough to make you flustered just slightly, “you are… are you here for me?”

“why else would i be here? if we get married, we could rule both of our kingdoms together! it is a beautiful idea,” he says, “tell me the things you like. i can give you whatever you’d like, your highness.”

you can’t help but laugh. he’s taking this role so seriously, “the things i like? like what?”

“hmm… what colors do you like? and dislike?”

“why?”

“because showing off all my riches means nothing to you. me buying all the gold in the world wouldn’t impress you if you like silver jewelry more,” he explains like it’s obvious. he has to know your preferences before buying you the whole planet, clearly, “or what if i build you a castle, but the walls are a color you dislike? then you’d just be stuck in an ugly display of wealth. i don’t want that for you.”

“ah, i see,” you say, “in that case, you should take notes. i’m particular about the things i like, you know,” you’re mostly joking, but he takes it 100% seriously.

“then i will obtain a notebook, and come back to you when i find one-”

“jiwoong, i am playing with you, please relax,” you smile at him, and he finally looks at you with something other than flirtatiousness and charm in his eyes. something softer. fondness, maybe.

“it is really great to see you, your highness,” he mutters, much gentler and sweeter this time, “i’ve missed you.”

you’ve known jiwoong since the beginning of time practically. you’ve both been raised as royals up to take the throne, having been at important meetings with each other for years. he had always been this awkward kid until he suddenly hit puberty and got insanely hot. not to mention how good it would be for your kingdoms to find some unity. he is a logical choice, and maybe more than just that.

because you know this cool guy facade is just that: a facade.

“oh! i also have something for you!” he says, pulling something out of his pocket. you expect it to be a flower, one just as beautiful and unique as the rest of them. and this was unique all right.

but it’s not a flower.

he pulls out a small figurine of a person or character that you don’t even recognize, but the last time you saw him at one of those meetings, he was telling you about a show he watched, one that he really liked, and he described a character with similar attributes to this figurine. you wonder if they were related.

“what is this?”

“something i like, for someone i like,” he says with a silly smirk, like there’s something more to this toy than just what is plainly visible.

“well, thank you,” you say, inspecting it closely. it’s small enough to fit in your pocket, so that’s where you put it to keep it safe. you imagine you’ll keep it on the desk in your study. maybe if you don’t pick him, it’ll be a reminder of what you missed out on.

and what you didn’t miss out on if you do pick him and his charming face.

he shakes his head, smiling fondly again as he pulls something out of his pocket again, “but yes, i did get you a flower. it’s a d-”

“you got me a narcissus?” you ask rhetorically when you see it, taking it from him, “are you calling yourself narcissistic? or me?” you laugh, watching him frantically try to recover.

“no! it’s a daffodil! it’s a sign of new beginnings, not-” he shakes his head, “it doesn’t matter. call it what you want, i meant to give it to you as a sign that we are meeting again as new people. we used to just be young royals that knew of each other, but now… can i tell you something?,” you nod. he steps closer, playing with the ends of your hair with his fingertips, “i always liked you. i wanted to marry you when we were younger, and now i’ll marry you for real.”

“for real? you wanted to marry me?” you ask him, “or are you just saying that so i’ll pick you?”

he raises an eyebrow at you playfully, “really? you’re calling me a pick-me?”

“i don’t know! maybe you are one!”

he laughs, heartily, like he’s already a king. it’s in his blood to be one, “it’s all real though. i have always wanted to marry you. give it some thought, i’ll always come back to you,” he smiles, and as you part ways with jiwoong, even asking him what the hell he meant by giving you a figurine of a character, you wonder if the destined prince could be yours. he’s the catch, the prize you should want dearly. maybe you do for different reasons.

still seeing jiwoong’s charismatic gaze from across the room, you make your way to the seating area where plenty of guests are making casual conversation over drinks. some are laughing, some are crying, and you see someone who sticks out to you.

for the second time tonight, it’s someone you recognize.

“yujin? is that you?” you call out and he perks up, searching for the owner of the voice that called his name, standing up to see you.

“oh, your highness,” he comes over quickly, politely bowing as you marvel at him.

“please, we’ve known each other forever, you can just call me by name,” you say, “wow, it has been so long since i’ve seen you! how are you? how have things been in your kingdom?”

yujin is the son of a marquise in a neighboring kingdom, but because of his mother’s impeccable reputation and connections, he had done his studies in your kingdom under the care of the nobility in your castle. and thus, you’ve known him for years. he only disappeared recently to go back home; this is your first time seeing him since he left about two years ago. you could pinpoint that bunny face anywhere.

yujin is like a younger brother. he’s cute, well-liked, and a bit of a troublemaker. he wouldn’t make an incredible husband. and yet…

“i’ve been well. things are good right now, thank you,’ he says.

the question at the tip of your tongue is eating away at you, so you decide to just ask it, “can i ask why you were sent here? i mean, i am happy to see you, but you are… young… and this is a question of marriage.”

“my mother is not fond of the idea either, but there was no one else to send. the prince of my kingdom is already betrothed,” he explains, “i know this is also a search for love, and finding that in me doesn’t seem likely, even years from now. it’s okay if you pick someone else, but..” there’s this weird, distant look in his eyes. he probably feel even more awkward than you, “do you remember when your mother scolded me for dropping the vase in the front hall?”

“yeah? still don’t know why you covered for me. you really didn’t have to,” you say, retrospectively, after you begged him to please take the blame for it so your mom wouldn’t be mad at you.

“and when i helped you study when you told me you wanted to pursue an education in political affairs, even though at the time you were not next in line for the throne,” he continues, nervously looking at you. he’s still that same shy kid he’s been all these years.

“crazy how much has changed,” you murmur.

“what i mean to say is all these people can promise you so much and i can promise you nothing. we’re in different worlds, i know that. know you could never love me romantically. because i am just a brother, just a nuisance to your peace, but you don’t know any of these people like how you know me,” he rants, continuing his explanation, “i will not make a good partner, at least for a while, but i can be a confidant for you. the world can know you as you want to be known; i will still know you for what you are.”

and that’s when it hits you just how weird it is that yujin is here. despite being your close friend for years, he’s a 16-year-old kid. he can’t get married just yet, he’s got years of energy and liveliness that should stay untamed.

and yet you see his mother in his eyes. they look eerily similar. you see caution and hesitancy and nervousness. you’ve spent years wondering if sensitive, shy, soft-spoken han yujin will have to face this cruel world alone, you don’t want that for him.

“but don’t do this just for me,” he says as if he’s reading your mind. it’s crazy that he just knows, “you don’t have to protect me.”

but you do. because who else will?

“i do though,” you smile at him, “i promised your mother that i would take care of you.”

because sure, getting married forces him into the spotlight, but it also gives him the chance to do something he really wants. you know that a marquis’s job is not something yujin wants for himself, and all those times he taught you about politics, you could see the stars in his eyes. even if it’s just behind the scenes, this kid was born to rule.

you still remember talking to his mother, even as just a kid that was a little older than her son. you remember her asking you to promise her that, when yujin was away, you’d look after him. even after all this time, that promise still weighs heavy on you.

“you should go,” he says, and you look up at him after being lost in thought for so long, “there’s other people you should meet. i’ll see you after the party, okay?”

“yujin,” you frown, trying to find the right words, “take care of yourself. if i can’t, i mean.”

“of course, your highness,” he smiles.

“okay, then,” you wonder if he's just saying it to appease you. it was always you taking care of him. what was he going to do?

“oh! and i was just talking with gunwook here. he is also a suitor. maybe you could talk with him for a bit!” yujin says, as sweetly as ever. his heart is good even if he’s mischievous and childish sometimes.

the person he was pointing to looks up after hearing his name. you notice his lips are pouted, but it seems like he doesn’t notice himself. maybe it's unconscious for him. it’s cute.

you say, “gunwook, was it?” and he looks up at you, nodding slowly. you can’t help but giggle, “do you want to introduce yourself to me?”

he jumps up, “can we find somewhere more… secluded?” he asks, but suddenly backtracks when he sees your playfully shocked expression, “oh wait, i don’t mean like that! i just want to talk, i swear, your highness!”

he is just adorable, it’s so hard to not laugh at how seriously he’s taking this.

you give yujin one last look, waving him goodbye, “okay, take me away, then,” you say, smiling, and so gunwook does just that. he takes your hand to lead you to the balcony area.

it’s the first time breathing fresh air all night; it’s way too stuffy inside the ballroom. plus, it’s a nice change of scenery.

gunwook stands at a respectful distance away from you, looking up at the moon in awe (like he hasn’t seen it before? has he never seen the moon?).

“did you know that a new moon symbolizes youth and innocence, but a full moon symbolizes maturity and celebration?” he says, still looking up at the sky, even when you look over at him. its difficult to not admire his beauty in this moment. he’s tall with dark hair and dark, soothing eyes. the moonlight just radiates off his skin so easily. he catches you in a daze when he finally looks over at you, “did you know that?”

“no,” you say, shaking your head as you look away, gazing over the town below. it looks so small from all the way up here, “i didn’t.”

“there’s a lot of literature that represents the growth and decay of the moon as cycles of human life. it’s really interesting,” he says.

“so… you’re a scholar?”

he rubs the back of his head with his hand almost nervously, “i guess so. most of the time people just call me a nerd.”

“it’s not nerdy to be intelligent,” you tell him, moving just a tab bit closer to him, “what do you like to study?”

“i like learning about philosophy. that’d probably be my biggest field of interest,” he says, “i like learning about different ways to approach life, morality, purpose, stuff like that.”

“that’s so cool. i liked learning about that kind of stuff, but my education was more focused on preparing me to rule. lots of classes on foreign policy, less so on literature,” you explain to him. he listens so intently, a small frown on his face when your smile drops, “i guess i envy you. i missed out when i was young.”

he doesn’t respond right away, taking a second to reflect. he has spent his whole life studying and learning all the topics that interested him, and you never got that luxury. his family was nobility, but because he was the youngest son, he wasn’t required to take up the role as the next in line. he was allowed to spend his whole youth learning the things he wanted to learn.

you were always going to become the ruler of your kingdom. he had the freedom that you didn’t.

“you never introduced yourself to me,” you say, “i only know your name because yujin told me.”

“oh, right, my apologies, your highness. my name is park gunwook. i am… a noble scholar,” his voice is much softer, almost sadder than before. it lost the spark it had when he was excitedly telling you about the moon, “can i ask you something, your highness?”

“sure, what is it?”

if he could frown anymore, he’d be doing that right now, “have you met someone tonight who… you want to marry?”

“i don’t know yet, why?”

“nothing , it’s just,” he looks away, nervous, but then right back at you, “i want to be that someone.”

“gunwook,” you say. he looks over at you, “you can't just say that. you don't know what that means."

he looks at you like a deer in headlights, so afraid of accidentally coming off as ignorant and naive, but eventually, he breathes out a sigh, “yes, i do,” he says, “i think you’re beautiful and intelligent and i saw the way you spoke to yujin. you’re so kind and caring. i don’t know anything else, but i know that,” there are stars in his eyes once again, like the energy has come back to his soul.

he says, “i think i’ve spent my whole life looking at books and newspapers and i have not once looked up and saw the world.”

“do you want to see the world?”

“i want to experience everything in this world. i could tell you about the moon. or the stars. or the sun. i could tell you the stories i’ve read,” he smiles at you, reaching to hold your hand, “i’m young. despite all i know, i don’t really think i know much at all. maybe i would make a terrible partner, maybe we have nothing in common. but i…”

he stops himself momentarily.

“i’ll be good to you. for you, i mean,” he pulls a flower out of his pocket. both of you forgot its existence until this very moment, “here, your highness. this is for you.”

the flower he hands you is delicate, and you recognize it as an iris. it has some yellows and whites in the center, but the petals are this deep, saturated purple. it is lovely to hold, just like his hand. you notice he hasn’t let go this whole time.

“thank you, gunwook,” you smile back at him, looking back at the still buzzing ballroom. if you’ve counted right, there’s one more person you need to meet.

“don’t leave. not yet, at least,” he says, tightening his hold on your hand. you look back at him, “stay here with me.”

you give one, final glance to the ballroom as you make your decision, “okay,” you tell him, leaning over the balcony to gaze at the scenery. it does look strangely out of a movie, “let’s stay here a little longer,” you whisper as he stands closer to you.

“thank you,” he whispers back.

after a moment of silence, peacefully gazing off into the night sky, you speak up again.

“gunwook?” you ask. he hums in acknowledgment, “what do the stars in the sky tonight mean?”

he doesn’t say it out loud, but he wants to say how much he already likes you.

pretend it's meant to be.

pretend it’s written in the stars.