#royal skz
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EMPYREAN PRINCE CASCADES, KSM.
✰ summary: “i am yours even if this is meant to be a loveless marriage between us. no feelings involved, just politics.” — it started with a diplomatic agreement between two kingdoms to stop a war but ended up cascading to a love-driven affinity.
✰ pairing: prince!seungmin x afab!reader (princess)
✰ genre: slow burn, strangers-to-lovers, fixed marriage, mediocre angst, romance.
✰ warnings: profanity, mentions of war, wounds, kissing, not proofread, let me know if i missed something.
✰ word count: 10.2k
✰ playlist — war of hearts (until kingdom come) masterlist collab. ♡
✰ notes: thank you so much @hyunverse for making this collab possible! i enjoyed writing for seungmo’s entry and i hope everyone will love reading each member’s endjng. as much as i want to write this longer than 10k, it is what it is for me tho T-T but i’m really happy that i am part of it! once again, thank you so much. and to the readers, i hope you’ll enjoy the rollercoaster ride! don’t forget to leave feedbacks and reblog! <333
✰ tags: @writerracha @princelingperfect @ggundeuri @orithyia-eriphyle @vumiixlyy @luvrhyune @hopeladybug @misitmoonlight @baldi-2 @baddecisionsworld @thetaytayray @midsoulz @hyunverse @realbangchan @hafsa-hoofsa-heefs @rachabreathing @nixtape-foryou @ameliesaysshoo @jisungsdaydreamer @https-skzology @day6andetcetera @linonyang @hgema @seoli-16 @bokk-minnie @foliea @amagumorii @nhyunn @ravyaryn @ink-spilled-stars @himarose @sherryblossom @shakalakaboomboo @r-arrh @siriusly1 @catwonwoo @suebinn @foxinnie8
Seungmin stood at the altar, hands clasped below his waist as he watched you walk down the aisle. The Empyrean cathedral was packed with the elites and other royals from the neighboring kingdoms to witness the Princess of Noctifer betrothed to the Prince of Empyreanーeven the townsmen. A sigh escaped your lips as your hands tightened their grip on your bouquet. This marriage was too soon and both kingdoms wanted to rush the celebration. And for what? Treaties of peace, stronger alliance, preventing wars, and improving bilateral agreementsーjust for the sake of politics perhaps?
You were sick of it but at the same time, you were left with no choice but to stand for your kingdom’s well-being. And the smiles your parents are drawing on their faces hold the triumph and success while letting their daughter falls into the hands of someone they don’t know.
The wedding march just comes in and out of your ears. A traditional sound you always hear when you were invited to all the wedding events that happened in the past. They were all arranged marriages, nothing has done it out of love. Royals would say love is an inconvenience to your duties, yours even, but you’ve never been in love. You were just another bookworm who loved to bury their nose between the pages of romance novels hoping for those stories to become your reality. But now that you are stuck with Seungmin for life, your fate started to change the moment you took a step toward the altar.
You don’t know Seungmin, you don’t know a lot of things about him, you may have heard rumors that he is a snob and doesn’t-give-a-fuck type of prince but he is less or more than that. This marriage was made to strengthen the two kingdoms' alliances and fight together in matters of war. These reasons are not new anymore, they are always the excuse to gather wealth and a repulsive sense of power. But you were too independent to be the wife of someone you barely know. Two months wasn’t enough to get to know each other, but you know Seungmin isn’t as bad as what you heard from baseless rumors yet you could feel how cold he is.
“It takes time,” They said. “The Prince is kind,” They said. “The Queen wanted him to marry to have grandchildren,” It made no sense at all.
You don’t hate him, you don’t like him either and nothing is going on even if the priest asked him to kiss the bride. No spark and passion. That kiss you shared on the altar was just for show. A way to fool everyone that you were good and Seungmin felt the same. Nothing. Both of you admit that it was hard to pretend and force yourself to follow the things you were and weren’t supposed to do. He couldn’t even flash a smile or hold your hand unless necessary. It hurts your pride and ego to stand beside him, but who are you to complain? Both of you agreed to do this in the first place anyway.
The candles burned as the black smoke escalated in the air—quiet. Sounds of crickets from the open garden outside and the wind casually enter your shared bedroom. You sat quietly as Seungmin was reading a letter from the parliament. He should be paying attention to you as a husband and wife, but there he is, covered with focus and thoughts as the words echo inside his head from the paper. It was hard to pretend that you are not hurt when you are not heard. You believed that ignoring each other would be easy in the sense that you’ve got no romantic feelings involved, but the fact that he is supposed to be a loving husband who pays attention to his wife. At least getting to know each other more.
“It’s already bedtime, Your Highness,” You spoke as Seungmin sighed, rolling the paper.
“Let’s not do this,” He said, sitting beside you on your shared bed for the first night. “I know you are not comfortable,” He added.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel,” You said, looking at him but Seungmin couldn’t even spare you a look. “Can you at least lay with me?” You asked.
“No need,” He sighed. “We’ll get a divorce after 2 years anyway, you won’t have to pretend that you care.”
“Because we’re in this situation? I’m still your wife, I have the very right to care.” You retorted but your husband just shook his head in response.
“Good night Y/N,”
Seungmin left the room leaving you dumbfounded. It was supposed to be your honeymoon right after the wedding celebration. The royal servants have prepared a place of your privacy and expected a night full of passion and love, yet both of you loved to disappoint everyone else and listen to your feelings. But still, you were going to try, for the sake of this agreement. And there he disappeared. He doesn’t care and you just heard the doors of the room shut as his footsteps faded in the hallway. Only a sigh escaped from your lips and took the candlestick from the table, blowing the flame away.
Being distant from each other cascaded almost every day. You are often found in the library reading books, sometimes in the garden taking strolls with your maids tailing you, and rarely at the study. Seungmin doesn’t pay attention, maybe he trusts you a bit with intelligence and is dependent when it comes to politics. But who cares about politics when your husband wanted a divorce after 2 years? This marriage is also political from whatever angle you may want to look at.
Many people believe that falling in love in this type of situation is accurate but dealing with this is the opposite of being written in a fairytale. You believe that they only exist in books and are never written in real life. People consider themselves lucky when they get to experience what falling in love feels like in a genuine manner. But risking your freedom for a loveless and political marriage is a whole different story.
It holds the agreement: “I am yours even if this is meant to be a loveless marriage between us. No feelings involved, just politics.” You admit that it hurts your ego to jump into the well. The possibility of falling in love is crucial in this type of scenario especially when Seungmin doesn’t give a shit and you just try to be what you are supposed to be—the new Princess of the Empyrean kingdom and the wife of the only heir to the throne. But sometimes, you wish it was more than that.
It was the usual Thursday afternoon where you are sitting on the couch inside the library disregarding the fact that you have to study the negotiations of Seungmin’s kingdom. Reading novels is a force of habit and you are always entertained which is disregarding the fact that you need to study.
The big windows allowed the afternoon sunlight to touch the marble floor as they reflected on the glass making rainbows and shapes. It was pretty to look at and it added to the mood of your imagination. You know Seungmin loves to read, but his interest in books is highly different from yours, from the genre to the authors and use of vocabulary. He’s a little bit picky about it. But then again, why would you care about the smallest detail about him when you don’t even matter from his perspective?
Only a sigh escaped your lips as the thought of him crossed your mind. Living inside the Empyrean Chateau—where you decided to stay after the honeymoon—for the last couple of weeks seems heavy and dull. The routine keeps on repeating itself every day and you rarely see Seungmin around. He doesn’t share the same room with you anymore and at the same time, his duty is in the palace of the King and Queen. It’s peaceful, somehow but you would still feel the loneliness inside despite the presence of your maids and the other workers around. You weren’t supposed to think about Seungmin when he’s not around but as a wife, you need to mind your commitment.
Flipping a page on the book, you heard a knock outside of the library which had caught your attention. It doesn’t happen every day, but then you sensed a familiar presence that envelopes the Chateau.
“Come in!” You said, placing the bookmark in between the pages and standing up to place it back on its respective shelf.
“Your Highness,” Your maid greeted with a respectful bow. “The Prince has arrived,”
“He’s home?” You asked. “For what reason?”
“He wants to see you,” The maid answered. It is probably about business. You thought because that’s the only thing that runs this affinity.
Dismissing the maid with a polite thank you, you headed outside to meet your husband at the hall. His hair is disheveled from the strong wind, gushing outside but his outfit remains neat. You stood a few meters away from him as his eyes darted on the big portrait of you and him wearing your wedding attires being displayed at the center part of the wall—it would be the first one to see the moment you enter inside the Chateau. He is dashing and debonair, the type of Prince who is pristine and has a good reputation, minus the attitude or maybe that’s how he is treating you differently than anyone else.
“Your Highness,” You called and executed a bow as Seungmin turned to face you.
“Y/n,” He said, monotonously.
“How was your visit to town?” You asked, flashing the most patient smile you have.
“Good,” He started. “How is everything in the Chateau?” He asked out of nowhere which is not his manner when it comes to you.
“Good,” You answered vaguely as he gave a nod in response. But to be very honest, Seungmin doesn’t know what else to say. Maybe he decided to come home to inform you about the news he had heard this morning from the court or not. He probably wanted to see you out of nowhere, well, he doesn’t know.
“Would you spare me a minute? I have something to say,” He said.
“I am listening, Your Highness,” You said.
“Stop with the formalities, just call me Seungmin,” He answered as you smiled gently.
“If that is fine with you?” You asked as he shake his head.
“I insist,” He answered again. “It will be a little odd for a wife to call their husband so formally. This will stay for quite a while, Y/n,” It was weird.
“Alright,” You smiled as you go along with it. “What are you going to tell me?”
“Shall we take a stroll by the garden first?” It was new.
For the past two weeks of almost ignoring each other, Seungmin’s attitude today seems different. The next thing you knew, you were both walking on the aisle watching the flowers bloom in the middle of summer. Roses are red, the lavender swayed with the air, sunflowers are standing tall and others made it healthy and lively. Seungmin fell silent as his hands were placed behind his back as he walked with you. No words were exchanged as you waited for him to speak up.
You tried to observe him more as you indulge the silence you’d shared. His side profile is so beautiful, and how much more if you get to see the wholeness of his beautiful face? You don’t want to fall for his physical beauty yet you can’t help but admire him. It is dangerous to fall for looks but you admit you like the fact that he is a bookworm too. And as you had thought a while ago, getting to know Seungmin for the past two months wasn’t enough.
“There’s chaos happening at the Western border of Empyrean. Terrorists from the Seraphina Empire wanted to cross our borders and raided a part of the town.” He started. “My father wanted me to go with him to settle a negotiation but I think I will be fighting for the war.”
“Didn’t Noctifer deployed enough soldiers to assist?” You asked. You knew the chaos in the Western border but Seungmin coming with the King to fight for peace is should be not surprising but you felt the opposite. There is a part of you that you don’t want him to leave even if you barely see him around.
“Your kingdom has deployed enough,” He answered. “But I still need to go. I have to provide aid and temporary homes for the victims. Might as well learn something to expand my knowledge and combatting skills.” He sighs in between. “It’s a hustle,”
Your eyes didn’t leave his face. The expression he’s been giving is a serious one which made you hooked while listening.
“When are you leaving?” You asked, studying his features.
“In four days,” He sighed again. “I need to stay here to think. Will you be alright?” He asked, looking at you. It was your chance to look away and distract yourself from looking at the flowers. Yes, I will be fine, I am used to being alone in this place without your presence and why are you suddenly worried? You didn’t answer for a while, you don’t know what to say. Seungmin, leaving for a war? You don’t know when he will be back.
“I will,” You smiled.
“I mean, will you be fine having me around or when I’m gone?” He asked again, halting to look at you.
“I mean, you don’t even care about me so what’s with the question?” That was rude. It was a straightforward question, but you were just being honest. How on earth would Seungmin ask about it? He never cared in the first place. You could clearly remember what he said the night after your wedding. Getting a divorce in 2 years after everything is just stupid nonsense. But Seungmin stood there in silence.
“I just wanted to know,” He said after a few seconds.
“It doesn’t matter Seungmin,” You said as he nodded in agreement. It was awkward for both of you. Getting married without feelings is already hard enough to deal with. The context is empty but with one purpose, politics. “We just have to deal with this and convince everyone we’re in love,”
“It’s childish,” He smirked. “I’m not one for those,”
“Me too,” You said. “But there’s nothing wrong with putting in some effort, right?”
Seungmin looked at you as if you were a mad woman and you met his eyes. True he is not fond of the genre you love but he has a part to play for the sake of this marriage. But your husband shook his head at the statement and gave you a small smile, you didn’t know what for. He understands your point yet he doesn’t want to play pretend to fool everyone in the Kingdom, the fear of commitment is all he could think of. As a Prince, he has other commitments, but to you, it is different, the one that he is unsure of. Pretending to be in love.
“You’re reading too much of that genre,” He said, shaking his head again. “There will be a gathering at the palace the night before I leave,” He said. “Everyone is expecting you to come,”
“I will be there when you need me,” You smiled.
“I guess you will have to deal with me in four days,” He smiled as you gave him a bow.
“I wouldn’t mind,” You said. “So, what do you want to do?”
Seungmin stood in front of his desk reading the reports of the chaos happening inside the Western border of the Empyrean kingdom. He remembered that this situation is quite familiar after rebel groups had messed up with the Kingdom’s sovereignty rights. Noctifer, however, has a large military capacity that the Empyrean needs to solidify their protection. Unfortunately, they were not on good terms. The King offered to marry his only son to the princess to make a peace treaty. The Prince thought it was unnecessary to build such a relationship when they only want an ally when war broke out. But it was basic tradition. Noctifer’s Princess needed a groom, as the higher-ups would say.
It was confusing and hard at the same time. The plan flows for a year after several negotiations and proposals. The two newlyweds were given a couple of months to know each other, but as has been mentioned, it wasn’t enough. You denied it when they said you needed a groom to run Noctifer in the future but the parliament would always make questionable decisions for the sake of power and sovereign rights. It shouldn’t end up this way, but Seungmin agreed with no hesitation even if it was against his will. He didn’t think of any bad things about you. After having to choose Princesses from other Kingdoms to consider as the future queen of Empyrean, none of them tackled his interest. Maybe the thought of ‘need’ have made him impulsive to say ‘yes’ to you.
Everything was awkward as he remembered your promise of loyalty; “I am yours even if this is meant to be a loveless marriage between us. No feelings involved, just politics.” There it goes again. He was amused at the same time, he doesn’t know you and he was curious as to why would you act as if you care about this marriage during the first night. Seungmin didn’t want to think about it but you keep on messing with his head. He learned that women are a distraction to his duties when he was young, he thought love doesn’t matter when it comes to politics, and he thought this marriage would be a waste of time just to preserve sovereign rights but you made an impact.
“Your Highness, are you even listening?” Asked Jisung who happened to be inside his office, talking about the casualties that the invaders have made.
“Pardon me,” He sighed.
“You seemed distracted today,” Jisung added as Seungmin sat down behind his desk, frustrated about the King’s orders. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing,” Seungmin denied. “You are lucky you are not married,” Jisung smirked at the statement and chuckled.
“Your Highness, if this is about the Princess, you two should talk it through,” He suggested as the Prince looked at him in disappointment.
“Do you even know what I’m thinking about?” Seungmin said. “My father ordered me to stay here to spend some time with Y/n and asked if I could bring them to the gathering in three days. They also asked me what I wanted to do,”
“So what did you do?” Jisung asked, intrigued.
“I didn’t have something in mind yet,” Seungmin sighed. “But at the same time, I want to return the favor for saving my Kingdom’s demise,”
“Love,” Jisung suggested as Seungmin gave him that look again.
“Shut up,” Seungmin defended.
“Oh please, it will eventually come your way,” Jisung smirked. “The Princess is brave enough to settle disagreements by marrying you,”
“Y/n is your wife,” “You should spend some time with the Princess before you leave,” “Who knows when will the war ends,” It’s like a chore to follow orders, it has always been since the beginning. Maybe he is too distracted with his chores to forget about you, or maybe you were too busy to give him a chance to know you more. You don’t even treat him like a friend, both of you were just committed to doing your chores. “And who knows if you are going to come back alive?” Seungmin doesn’t want that.
“It feels like I owe Y/n if we put it at that,” Seungmin said vaguely.
“It’s actually you two owe each other for the sake of diplomacy,” Jisung answered.
“You sound smart,” Seungmin said rolling his eyes as Jisung scoffed in disagreement. “Anyway, you are dismissed, say my regards to Hyunjin,”
“Very well your Highness,” Jisung smiled as he stood up from his seat and executed a bow before leaving his office. After a few minutes, you saw Jisung walk past the hallway as you were seeing Seungmin to visit him. You as well received a report about the Noctiferian soldiers who deployed the other day to accommodate the inefficiency of Empyrean defenders. The war between Seraphinian terrorists and the Empyrean Kingdom has extended to the southwest border. Casualties expanded, lives were taken, and the scarcity of basic needsーit was getting worse by every minute. Victims of war have already fled to the South.
You knocked at his door twice before you could hear a faint voice coming from inside. The door opened gently as you enter with grace. Seungmin seemed frustrated the moment you came in, probably because of the war going on or the thought that Jisung left.
“Good morning, Your Highness,” You greeted.
“Good morning, Y/n,” He greeted back. “Now what did I tell you about the formalities?”
“I apologize,” You giggled. “But I’m here for the report,”
“Jisung already told me,” Seungmin said. “Have a seat,”
Nodding at him, you took the seat Jisung used earlier and examined his office as well as his condition. Worry is painted in his eyes and the troubled expression he carries made you wonder.
“You seemed distressed,” You said as Seungmin ran his fingers through his hair.
“You can tell?” He smirked. “I’m fine.”
“Doesn’t seem to me,” You answered. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Seungmin said firmly.
“Alright,” You smiled. “Anyway, I was about to give you information about the situation at the Southwest border but I think Jisung beat me into it. Do you need some time alone? I happened to drop by quickly because I’m still preparing for the gathering in three days,” You continued as Seungmin looked at you.
“You can ditch it today, enjoy yourself at least,” Seungmin said which made you tilt your head.
“For someone who stands firm in his duty is giving me free time?” You smirked.
“I don’t want to think about that right now,” He said. “Forget about it for a while,”
“Seungmin, you need some time outside rather than staying in your office ever since yesterday and thinking about the casualties. I know it’s your duty but you’re leaving in three days, so you won’t be able to take a break starting from that,” You said as he sighs.
“Why do you care so much?” Seungmin asked which made you stop in your tracks. But he does have a point. Why do you care so much to make this marriage valid?
“I don’t know,” You answered. “Maybe I just care about you? I mean, you’re not home every day. You’re always thinking about business and politics and I feel so lonely in the study. You know why I’m here, I know why we’re doing this but I just can’t help it. You’re my husband, even if this is a loveless marriage, I’m loyal, and I don’t care about the divorce you were talking about the night after our wedding, just let me do my part. You just told me to ditch this topic so why can’t you? Go out with me.” If you ever did have feelings for Seungmin, it would be assumed that you were confessing your love for him. It will be weird and at the same time, you are trying to avoid the fact of falling for him.
“Do you like me that much?” He asked as you scoffed in response.
“How dare you say that?” You said rolling your eyes. “I just care okay? Do I need to fall for you just to care?” You defended. But fuck, I already did and I don’t know why or maybe I was just lovesick?
“Whatever Y/n,” He said shaking his head, and grabbed the scattered papers on his desk.
“Is that a no?” You asked.
“Yes, and you may leave,” He retorted as he sat on his chair, pretending to read the papers in his hand.
“Fine,” You sighed in defeat. “But just tell the maids if you want my presence or whatever the fuck you want me,” You added rolling your eyes.
“Words,” Seungmin warned.
“Attitude,” You backfired and left his office making Seungmin smile to himself while shaking his head.
The next day, you found yourself playing the harp in the middle of the hall. Seungmin is still hanging around his office while holding a meeting and you were out of the frame. But if you were being honest, you don’t want to mess up the small gathering even if you wanted to play a very important role in resolving this conflict. You already sent Jisung in to raise your concerns and suggestions, afraid of being disregarded. The parliament doesn’t usually listen but you were thankful that Jisung is always ready to take part in it.
The sounds of the instrument traveled through the halls of the Chateau but remained inaudible in your husband’s office. But it was faint and gentle. The maids and other workers stopped by to listen. You were bored in this big household anyway and Seungmin doesn’t want to give any of his time to you even if you already said your purpose. Unsure about the conversation you had yesterday, it was true that you were lovesick and he’s leaving in two days. It would make you feel more lonely. You admit you’re not used to his presence for the past two days but it made the Chateau a little bit lively and made your heart pound for a bit.
A sigh escaped your lips as you stopped playing and headed toward the garden. Seeing the flowers and the fountain in the middle made you feel relaxed other than thinking of your busy husband. You admit you were disappointed that he didn’t go out with you yesterday but you had to understand his situation. Seungmin has a priority and you are just hoping he won’t ruin your night at the gathering tomorrow.
You sat on the flat surface surrounding the fountain as you indulge in the fresh breeze of the wind, admiring the view of the garden. It was wide enough for your brain to relax but the thought of Seungmin is locked inside. It’s not like he did something to make you fall for him, maybe caring about him too much has carried the feelings. You are not wrong basically or probably it’s because of his looks and how he portrays his expression and attitude to the point that you don’t even understand what you were thinking.
Seungmin dismissed his company and asked the maids where have you gone. He just missed your musical performance. It was a hectic afternoon anyway and he needed the time to breathe. He had to fix his looks before taking a stroll to the wide garden and looking for you. Seungmin knew he have to be formal with the meeting, a white blazer, white polo inside, black pants, and belt around his waist, his bangs parted, and he looked dashing. But you didn’t see it after he was out looking for you.
“Why is my wife alone?” You heard his voice.
“Haha, funny,” You said rolling your eyes and turning around to face him. Dashing as always that it made your jaw drop. You didn’t want to be noticeable but that’s how Seungmin’s visuals affect you, other than his other qualities. He is smart you admit, yet the attitude is kind of snob and cold just like how he had treated you in his office yesterday.
“What?” He asked, raising a brow.
“Nothing,” You retorted. “You don’t have to be so formal in this household,”
“I had a meeting with the parliament, Y/n,” He said as you shrugged your shoulders.
“Why are you out here?” You asked.
“To know if you were here, I asked the maids where you’ve been,” He said, taking a few steps and sitting beside you. “You should be inside the meeting instead of Jisung, your ideas would’ve been elaborated properly,”
“I don’t like those gatherings and I already told Jisung what to do,” You defended. “How did you like them?” You asked, looking at him. Damn it, why is he so overwhelming?
“Well since it’s about resolving the conflict, you suggested bilateral agreements and military support. I agree with the military support Y/n, but are you sure about the bilateral agreements? These are rebelsー”
“Seungmin, you can always talk to the Seraphina Empire about that,” You said. “The rebels came from that kingdom and I’m sure they’re playing their part too, but for the sake of peace, you need diplomats to talk to them and make negotiations right?” Seungmin suddenly smiled as you gave him a puzzled look. “What?”
“I told you, you should have gone inside instead of Jisung. I get your point, I’ll send diplomats tomorrow morning to Seraphina,”
“You didn’t think of that earlier did you?” You smirked at him as Seungmin laughed.
“I did. I’m not stupid,” He said.
“I didn’t say you are,” You retorted.
“Of course, you didn’t,” He answered. “Do you want to go somewhere? I don’t have schedules for the rest of the day so I thought we could spend some time together?”
You looked at him once again smiling at the statement, “I thought you will never ask,”
Seungmin smiled at you in return, “I gave it a thought of what you have said to me yesー” But before he could say something, you pulled right out of the garden and dragged him out of the Chateau.
“I have something to show you,” You said. “It’s not much but it’s beautiful as if you are inside a book. It’s so calm in there,” Seungmin stayed quiet but he is amused by how adventurous this was even if it was just inside the kingdom. It was a bit far from the town and you, holding his hand felt so special. He admits it was the very first time you agreed on something, the time where he gets to spend with you that it’s not about politics and marriage. It felt easier to breathe this time and maybe all you need is to get close to disregard the tension caused by this arrangement.
Walking with you away from the crowd and headed towards the hills had him thinking. Seungmin knows every place around the kingdom but never the secluded ones. He may have missed the beauty of what’s beyond the mountains. You stopped walking when you reached the grass field with small purple and yellow flowers growing in wide spaces. Tall trees cascaded to the slope. The view of the mountains is visible from afar and he could identify the north and eastern borders. It was beautiful scenery and the sun setting adds to its beauty. Seungmin was fascinated.
“How did you find a place like this?” He asked. “I thought you like to stay inside the Chateau,”
“Just because I don’t go out that much I have a limited knowledge of these kinds of places,” You retorted. “Besides, I found it even before our wedding, I just didn’t get the time to come back,”
“It’s beautiful,” He smiled.
“You haven’t been here before?” You asked, looking at him not realizing you were still holding his hand.
“Maybe I did, I just don’t remember,” He said. “And now that you showed it to me, I guess I have a reason to come back here often,”
“I’ll take that as a thank you,” You scoffed. “You’re welcome by the way. Do you want to take a walk?”
“Yes, but please let go of my hand now,” Seungmin smirked as you panicked, quickly shoving his hand back to him and leaving to a blushing mess.
“I’m sorry!” You said, turning away because of the embarrassment but Seungmin just giggled in return. How on earth did this cold and snob prince become warm? He wasn’t the prince you were talking to about the divorce. Maybe he’s slowly opening up to become friends? He doesn’t have the choice to be mean to you because of this marriage but that doesn’t mean he’s forced when he likes you. And as what has been mentioned, it is easier to breathe now.
“It’s okay,” He said as he sat down on the grass. “Sit with me Y/n,”
You took a deep breath before facing him again and smiled, taking the space beside him. It was warm and bright, the fresh breeze of the wind came gushing around as they played with your hair and swayed with the light materials of your clothes. Both of you sat in silence and admire the beauty of nature. Seungmin must’ve fallen into his deep thoughts while you wonder about him. You shouldn’t think about him too much but his presence and connection with you have pushed it in.
“You’re leaving the day after tomorrow,” You said without looking at him.
“What, are you going to miss me?” He smirked as you snorted in response.
“Of course not,” You defended. “Well, maybe? I don’t know,” Seungmin just smiled and didn’t say anything after that. “I don’t want to decide selfishly but yes, I’ll probably miss you. I mean, we don’t see each other that much around the Kingdom because you are always busy, how much more if you are not here,”
“Are you confessing to me?” Seungmin asked as you smacked his arm lightly.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” But the prince just laughed as you jolted away, leaving the field.
“Cute,” He smiled and stayed there for a while thinking about his fate. You took a stroll down, leaving him but the thought of what you just said to him made an impact. It was stupid, no, maybe it was or maybe not, what the actual fuckー. Shaking your head, you just went back to where he was and sat in silence, letting him have his moment. You know Seungmin has already a lot on his plate, you don’t want to mess him up more.
“I thought you left?” He asked.
“It was an impulsive reaction,” You answered. “Just don’t mind me here, I know you need some time to breathe,”
“Thanks,” He smiled. “Thank you for caring,” You didn’t know what to say after that but it made your heart warm.
The night of the gathering arrived, and only the elites and royals were invited for the send-off. Seungmin was already there, waiting for his wife to arrive. They were enjoying the buffet and champagne, the music was played by an orchestra and the place has an elegant decorations for the occasion. You decided to wear a beige ball puffy gown that shows your bare shoulders, the hems of the silk cloth fall gently on the floor as the person enveloped with it carries grace. It had flowers and spiral patterns designed on it and gems that glow when it captures the light from the chandelier. Everyone was left in awe and mesmerized the moment you arrived at the entrance.
Seungmin's jaw dropped.
He never felt this way during the wedding and never appreciated anything from you except that your efforts of marrying him are relevant to the purpose of why. The Queen had to push his son to approach you after being stunned and wasn’t able to function for a minute. You have welcomed with warm greetings as a waiter offered a glass of champagne.
“Y/n, my dear, good evening!” The Queen greeted you as you bowed at her.
“Good evening Your Highness,” You smiled and looked at Seungmin who was behind her.
“Beautiful as always, my Dear,” Seungmin said, taking your hand before kissing it. It was new to both of you, but it was heart-fluttering and painted blush on your cheeks. You wanted to drink every glass of champagne to lower the panic. He’s been giving mixed signals or maybe it is part of the act of pretending to be in love.
“Dashing as always, Your Highness,” You greeted back.
“Let me steal your wife for a while, I missed their presence in the palace,” The Queen said hooking her arm around yours as she take you away. Seungmin was hesitating but his mother and you already emerged through the crowd. The King is even busier with his allies at the moment and the Prince is left with no one but Jisung, his assistant who also became your close friend.
“Stop staring at Y/n, they’re going to melt in no time,” Jisung scoffed as he took a sip of his glass of champagne.
“I am not staring,” Seungmin defended.
“Liar,” Jisung retorted as Seungmin glared at him.
“Words,” The Prince said as the latter raised his hands in surrender. But it was a fact, he is indeed staring at you. Any Prince will stare at you at how you showed up this evening. Seungmin already acknowledged your beauty but never paid attention to the details until now. You are beautiful.
“Attitude,” Jisung said rolling his eyes.
“What’s with my attitude?” Seungmin scoffed as Jisung sighed in response.
“An asshole,”
“Get out of my sight, stupid,” Seungmin said as Jisung just shrugged his shoulders.
“I bet my position that you are falling in love, but if not, you can fire me,”
“You need to convince me first,” Seungmin deadpanned as Jisung shake his head.
“Whatever, Your Highness,” This was his cue to leave and Seungmin stood there with a glass of champagne in one hand.
You were distracted with his mother and didn’t realize how many glasses of that strong drink you had taken. Maybe five or six? You are willing to have another one or more for sure even if you are already starting to get dizzy at the moment. The conversation is all about Seungmin and how she is going to miss him when he leaves tomorrow, not knowing when he will be back. You wanted to say that you would feel the same with his absence but you hesitated. Even learned that he is having a hard time expressing himself so you had to deal with it for a while. Maybe everyone assumed that this is a love-driven affinity but you two are still trying to build something. Maybe friendship first?
You stood there with the seventh empty glass of champagne and placed it gently on the tray to the waiter who walk passed. “Seungmin is a responsible kid, he is smart, kind, and loving,” “Sometimes you can’t read him and he doesn’t know how to express himself,” “Understand him more,” But you are, he knows that you care and now look at him staring at you from across the hall. His black suit shines with the silver epaulettes adorning his broad shoulders and a white sash that adds to the elegance. He stood tall and firm with that gorgeous face of his. You want to blame the champagne for having weird thoughts and dizziness ーyou shouldn’t have drank too much.
“I’m going to check on my husband first,” The Queen said excusing herself as you smiled in response.
The busy crowd of royals and elites was filled with conversation about politics and relationships. Even the occurring war in the South and Western borders of Empyrean. It is quite weird to impose a gathering about sending off when his men are struggling to fight for the kingdom’s sovereignty. But of course, that is none of your business to mess up with this party. This is for a cause anyway.
You stare at him as you slowly walk in his direction. He couldn’t stop looking at you either and he didn’t know why. Maybe because of how you look or was it the glass of champagne he had or was it Jisung’s words that struck him? He must’ve been drunk, no, he wasn’t, it was just you. You didn’t know what came all over you that you suddenly wrapped your arms around his neck as he pulled you closer by the waist in response as your lips met his. It was impulsive but eventually, he kissed you back. A lot has happened, over two months and the past three days, maybe he will miss you.
Yes, he will. His lips tasted the same as yours. The champagne took all over your mouths as you deepened the kiss. It doesn’t matter who saw it, you didn’t care but Seungmin suddenly pulled away as he grabbed your hand, took you out from the hall, and headed upstairs to the balcony where no one could see you. He closed the curtains and the door before turning back and kissing you again. It felt so exclusive when everyone knew about the affair. You pulled him closer as he hugged you tightly to kiss you properly. His head is tilted to the side, indulging the gentleness of your soft lips while tasting the lingering flavor of champagne. Seungmin bit your lower lip, slowly sucking it. A soft sound escaped your lips as he smirked in between taking your lips as a whole. Of course, it is different from the kiss you shared at the altar and this is on another level.
“You had too much champagne, my Love,” Seungmin said, giving you a peck on the lips before pulling away.
“No,” You smiled sheepishly, feeling the dizziness that causes you to lose balance. “I don’t know but—” You paused, almost fainting in Seungmin’s arms but he was quick to catch you. “I think I’m going to miss you,” The prince smiled, pulling you for a hug and burying his face in the crook of your neck. It’s probably because of the champagne. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
“Yes,” He said, looking at you before placing a kiss on your forehead.
It’s probably because of the champagne…
“You should be careful with your alcohol intake,” You heard him say as he assisted you on his bed, carrying you in bridal style.
“For your information, Your Highness, champagne has only 12% alcohol—”
“How many glasses did you have?” He asked, placing you gently on his bed.
“I forgot,” You answered, feeling drowsy. “The bubbles had me drunk,” But Seungmin couldn’t stop smiling. “You look so cute, I’m going to miss that pretty face of yours,” He just sat beside you as he continued to listen to your babbling. It was cute, he admits. Your hands cupped his cheeks and smiled cheekily as he felt the redness of his face. “I’m starting to feel sleepy,”
“You should go to sleep,” Seungmin said. “You have to send me off tomorrow morning,”
“I don’t want to,” You pouted.
“You’re drunk, Y/n,” Seungmin insisted as you chuckled in response. “Get some sleep,”
“Give me a kiss first,” You said. He did not hesitate to lean closer and gave you a long kiss, making you play with his hair, but it didn’t last long.
“Good night,” He said, pulling away and that’s when you fell asleep. Seungmin stayed awake for a while. The thought of leaving you tomorrow will make him miss you even if your bond only lasted for a few days. It is impulsive, everything happened in a rush, did you happen to fall in love already? Or you were just under the influence of that drink? Seungmin doesn’t know.
He kissed your forehead for the last time before laying on the other side of the bed, anticipating what will happen tomorrow.
You woke up with a headache the next morning and were curious as to why you are in an unfamiliar bedroom. Maybe you have been here before but a hangover struck you like lightning. Seungmin is nowhere to be found, he probably just left and flashbacks started to flood from last night the moment you sat up. You forgot the sunlight that peeks through the thin curtains that drape the tall windows to the floor. All you could think about was the thing that happened last night. I shouldn’t have several glasses of champagne, I don’t have a high tolerance, fuck!
“Your Highness?” You heard a maid knock as she enters the room.
“Good morning?” You greeted.
“Good morning,” She bowed. “The Prince is expecting you in an hour, we need to get you ready,” Then it suddenly sinks in… Seungmin’s leaving this morning.
“Fuck,” You murmured.
“Shall we fix you up?” She asked as you stood up.
“Do what you must,” You said.
An hour passed, and you rushed outside the room and headed towards the hall where the gathering was being held last night. Carrying your dress, you saw Seungmin talking with the Queen as the King stood beside him. All eyes turned to you as they heard your footsteps tapping the steps of the stairs and a smile formed on the Prince’s lips. He remembered what happened last night and probably it was nothing to you. But the impact it left made him feel weird.
“You’re awake,” Seungmin beamed.
“Am I late?” You asked.
“I was about to leave,” He said taking a few steps and offering his hand to assist you.
“Did you sleep together?” The Queen asked.
“Mother, don’t,” Seungmin defended.
“Just slept?” The King smirked. “My son doesn’t want to leave without saying goodbye,”
“Father,” Seungmin called as the King shrugged his shoulders.
“I must go to the carriage first,” The King said as he excused himself and bowed before exiting the hall, followed by the Queen.
“Excuse my parents,” Seungmin sighed. “Were you in a rush?”
“I was afraid you’d leave without seeing me,” You smiled.
“Was this because of last night?” Seungmin chuckled.
“What?”
“Nothing,” He smiled. “Will you be okay?”
“I guess,” You frowned. “But I will wait for your return,”
“As you should,” He smiled again and kissed your forehead. “I will be back in no time,”
The sounds of the horses from the carriage whine at the sight of the King and Queen made Seungmin look outside as you stared at the floor. A sign of hurry and immediate time. The King already settled inside as the Queen talked to him about a few reminders and the royal guards on standby on their horses both front and back of the carriage for security. Meanwhile, Seungmin examined the scenery outside as you took a deep breath before earning his attention again. You shouldn’t be feeling this way. But then again, the scenarios from last night have changed the shared feelings among each other. From loveless to a slow burn. You may have fallen first for your impulsiveness and the lack of thinking about your actions first. And yet Seungmin can’t blame you. Even if this was a loveless marriage, you had to agree about Jisung’s opinions about falling in love in between. Eventually.
Everyone was waiting for the Prince to hop inside the carriage. He smiled at you and bowed. Neither said a word as he left the hall. You followed him to his vehicle and stood a few meters behind the Queen, unknown of how you should feel on his departure. Seungmin smiled one last time and greeted his mother goodbye but you couldn’t just stand there and watch him leave without giving affection. You ran towards him and gave the most endearing hug, a sign that you would miss his presence around the palace and the Chateau. His promise to come back immediately will remain and you promised to wait for him even if it would take months. The war already reached its worse. Murder and arson, invasion of the town in the West and South, it is dangerous. May God protect your people and the King and most especially the Prince.
“Don’t miss me too much, Y/n,” Seungmin said.
“I already do,” You smiled bitterly as he let out a small chuckle.
“I will write to you, I promise,” He said. “And please handle the parliament for me?”
You could only give him a nod in response before giving a peck on his lips. This is not about a loveless marriage anymore. It may have changed over a few days and you are willing to help him go through this war and wait for him to come back, no matter how long.
“Keep safe,” You smiled and that was the last time you saw him before he disappeared from your sight.
And for the first week, you never heard of him and never stayed in the Chateau often as you used to. You learned to ride a horse during his absence and raise to the field alone, studying more about diplomacy and war. The Queen ruled in her husband’s place and has gotten busier by his efforts. Novels and other fairytales were forgotten in your interest but the thoughts of your husband remained when you arrive home. The emptiness of your place is the same as you walk inside their palace. Distraction never helps, archery doesn’t do either, and studying makes it worse.
You heard from a messenger that Seungmin is doing well in his duty. His intelligent mind is used efficiently on how to stop this chaos, unarmed or with the presence of weapons. He took your advice diligently and sent diplomats to Seraphina to further discuss the matter. The second week has been the same, no letter arrived that conceived your sadness. You miss him. You think of him. The bond that you created just then is enough to feel this way but you don’t know about Seungmin. Does he ever feel the same? Or has he forgotten everything about you?
It’s every afternoon you visit the field with your horse to think about him, despite the responsibilities he left to you alongside Jisung. The latter seems to be more annoying than usual. But the comfort of his words that are devoted to the love of His Royal Highness to you gives you hope. You wanted to hear more than an expected letter to arrive. Yet you still miss him, dearly. Especially when he sent some poppies to your Chateau’s garden as a symbol of remembrance and hope. How could you not fall for such a man? His letter arrived three weeks later and it painted a smile on your face. It made you feel alive for once in the past few weeks, and time flies fast ever since he left for war. A month and a week and counting.
You sat on the flat surface of the fountain in the middle of the garden as you opened the very first letter he sent. Hyunjin arrived just this afternoon, fresh from the five-hour horse ride from the Western border of Empyrean. The man was exhausted as he rested in your chamber and the maids left you alone. Jisung was nowhere to be found since this morning but you are thankful not to listen to his babbling and gossip from town. But it doesn’t matter for now.
My beloved Princess,
It’s been a while since I left home and I miss you dearly. I think about you every day and never miss taking at least an hour to think about what to write. I apologize for taking my time to compose myself and send you a message of my love. A lot has happened in the borders of war but I guarantee my safe return home.
How are the poppies that I have sent? I am sure they bloomed beautifully just like you. The garden probably looks more pleasing with you around. And I cannot wait to see them grow and take care of them with you.
The sunset is lovely today but it will be much better to see it in the field that you showed me the last time and I wish to not worry you as I am doing fine. The Seraphinian rebels have made huge casualties in the Empyrean borders and my men and I are doing our best to protect our home. The war has taken many lives of our people including our man and has abused the sovereignty of our state. It might take a while before I can go home and hug you. I hope you are doing much better than me, my Love and I cannot wait to see you.
Please wait for me.
Sincerely yours, Prince Seungmin
Tears left your eyes upon closing the stationary on your hands. The envelope smells like him and it made you miss him even more and how much more on his side when you are the only one he could think of. Your husband made efforts and fought with his men and his father. He thought that you will be furious when you finds out he brought bruises and cuts to his beautiful face as well as the injuries for being brave. But he knows you are proud. And you always are.
The second letter arrived after almost a month and your hair got longer, got busier and wiser. But the habit of coming to the field every afternoon still remains as well as the war. You worry about Seungmin every day and you wish him to come home. The letters he sent are the only ones who kept your faith stronger than ever. This loveless marriage has already climbed to a love-driven affinity and you wanted to feel more about it once the war is over. Hyunjin has been your messenger and he is always delighted to bring good news that the terrorists from Seraphina are slowly raising the white flag. The Prince might come home soon.
The third letter came two weeks after the second one. You thought he is finally coming home but an ambush happened when they finally invaded the camping site of the terrorists on the Seraphinian border. It will hold him there for a little while. Jisung must’ve sensed your disappointment that he stopped sending a few reports for you to settle with the parliament for a few days. Instead, you went back to reading the novels of your interest in the library but Seungmin keeps messing with your head. You tossed the book on your desk and went out to the stables to fetch your horse. A little afternoon stroll would help you calm down.
It has been days since you read the letter that brought your disappointment and you miss your husband dearly. Nothing beats this feeling of worry when he decided to stay back for another while. And to count the time he’s not around, it has already reached months. The full moon has passed, some of the flowers in the garden have wilted, the sunset that you witness in the field has changed, and the skies suddenly turned gloomy than those days that you are with him. The two months of pre-marriage weren’t enough and even the few weeks after that, the few days before he left and the night when you got drunk and kissed him for the sake of your impulsive feelings.
You sat on the grass as your horse stood a few meters away to feed himself. It made you fall into your deep thoughts and how you miss him so much. The cold breeze of the afternoon had added to the solemn feeling that you felt at the moment. And just like every other afternoon you had spent in the field, Seungmin’s presence never came. You stared at the horizon and admired the mountains as the sun started to set slowly but it is still bright to go back to the Chateau and drown yourself in the study again. Never in a day do you miss him.
A sigh escaped your lips as you straighten the lower part of your sage green gown on the cool grass to sit properly as your hair swayed with the moderate gushing of wind. The flowers that grew around bowed and some of the petals flew south. It was beautiful that you wish that Seungmin could see this. The view had stopped you from reading between the pages of a thick book that tells a story about a widowed queen who lost her husband in a war. You didn’t want that to happen to you too. The angsty vibe it gave made you sullen and hopeless. You know Seungmin will come home any day now and you hope that the war will end at dawn. Patience and prayers are all you have now. It was his promise. The Queen has been as restless as you but she encourages you to be strong. It happened once before you came to be his son’s wife and she is firm that her husband and the Prince will come home safe and sound.
You closed the book and placed it gently on the side as your eyes focused on the view again. It didn’t matter how beautiful it was and all you did is lay on the grass in boredom. You looked at the blue sky as the clouds passed by in a rush. It is probably because of the wind. You grew tired of blaming other things for what is happening in everything and wish to the heavens for your husband to come home. Tired of studying, tired of reading, tired of archery and fencing, tired of expecting his presence, tired of showing fake smiles, tired of being alone, one more bit of this will make you go crazy and stuff.
I will be home soon.
That’s what he said in the last letter you got from Hyunjin.
“Fuck, when will the war ends?” You asked the heavens.
“It just did,” You flinched at the familiar voice coming from behind that made you sit up immediately and look. “Empyrean and Noctifer won the war Sweetheart, I’m home,”
“Seungmin!” You cried as you stood up and dragged your gown, running towards him. His hair grew longer and his wounds are already healed but it didn’t downgrade his beauty. He was wearing his white satin polo and black pants with his belt that carries his sword. Seungmin is breathtaking as always. Your arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled you by the waist to press on his body. His scent is built with fresh flowers and cinnamon. Tears formed in your eyes as they cascaded to your cheeks, the same with Seungmin who missed you so much. His lips captured yours to show how eager he is to be with you again and he couldn’t wait to spend his days with you. The war finally ended. He’s home now and you are happy. “I was worried that it will take you a while to go home,” You cried, pulling away.
“I had dealt with Seraphina to execute the terrorists, we took over the ambush and captured themー” But Seungmin didn’t get to finish his sentence when you kissed him again. Your lips molded together as he deepened the kiss, desperate for more until you were out of breath. “Fuck, I missed you so much,”
“Me too,” You answered in between your sobs. Seungmin’s hands reached your cheeks and wiped your tears away, with his forehead connected with yours. “Don’t leave me again,”
“No, no, I won’t,” He said, kissing your forehead before holding your hands as he intertwined your fingers together. “I’m here now,”
“How did you know I was here?” You asked.
“Jisung told me but I always knew you come here,” He smirked. “You always think of me don’t you?” He asked, fixing your hair.
“I always do. Every day, every morning until I sleep,” You confessed. “I don’t know, I think I have fallen in love with you, even before the night we kissed, Iー” He didn’t let you finish that now and captured your lips again, desperate, again, after the longingness he felt when he was at war.
“I love you,” He said in between the kiss.
“I love you too,” You smiled as he gave you a peck on the lips before pulling away and coming for an embrace, caressing your hair.
“I can’t wait to spend my time with you, Y/n,” Hugging him felt so comforting as you close your eyes, hugging him tightly not wanting to let him go again. Seungmin felt the same. Maybe it is time to make another start where two people fall in love. The end of the war has sent them to their homes and find comfort. Desperate and excited to spend the rest of their lives together is something to look forward to. The Princess has fallen first, but the Prince has fallen more deeply.
Seungmin placed a poppy in your hair before giving you another peck on the lips and smiled. “You’re so beautiful,” He said.
“You’re beautiful too, so breathtaking,” You answered.
“You’re only mine, right?” Seungmin asked before hugging you again. You wrapped your arms around his neck and smiled.
“I’m yours,” You said and kissed him again.
Maybe it was because of a drunken kiss that happened the night before left or the way he loves your attitude toward him. There are a lot of reasons to fall in love. Some may happen impulsively but they take time to form into something serious just like how your situation is with Seungmin. But sometimes there are unknown reasons. Maybe you two belong there. It may be confusing, but one thing’s for sure with Seungmin; the Empyrean prince cascades.
all rights reserved by starlostseungmin.
#stray kids imagines#stray kids scenarios#stray kids fluff#stray kids royal au#stray kids reactions#stray kids blurbs#stray kids angst#stray kids headcanons#stray kids fanfic#stray kids x reader#kim seungmin imagines#seungmin imagines#seungmin scenarios#stray kids#seungmin#kim seungmin#seungmin fluff#seungmin x reader#stray kids seungmin#skz seungmin#seungmin reactions#stray kids seungmin imagines#skz#skz imagines#skz fluff#skz x reader#kim seungmin x reader#skz scenarios
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#hyunjin#skz#stray kids#bystay#gifs#he’s doing the royal wave knowing he’s the real prince and a xmas miracle 🥹#sir please i am laying on the ground like a slug what else do u want.
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Serendipity || Seo Changbin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Changbin
Word Count: 5.4k+
Warnings: Suggestive, mentions of pregnancy (the reader is not pregnant) , mentions of poison, Changbin is sweeter than sugar. Set in the Joseon Era.
Genre: Royal AU, Arranged marriage AU, fluff with very slight angst.
Description: The King of Joseon had chosen you as his queen. But there are those that wish for this union to fail. Will your love be enough to overcome the competitiveness of the Palace?
A/N: Hello everyone! Back with another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. I am genuinely in love with this one ngl.
King Changbin is a rizzler y'all. Hope you guys have fun reading this <3
Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated)
Here's the link to the masterlist.
Being a woman in this country is not an easy task. Especially when one is a candidate for the position of the country's Queen.
You'd dreamt of this for years, the idea sewn into every thought by your father even since you were child. With time, you'd welcomed the thought without a complaint.
"My lady, the Royal messenger is here." Somi informs you, and your nervousness just goes up by a thousand.
Did you manage to become the Queen and make your father proud? Or did you get disqualified and were now just a daughter of some minister and free to marry any other commoner like yourself?
You run down the hallway and enter the pavillion in front of your house, the colorful banners of the Royal entourage shine under the bright sun.
You straighten your robes and kneel down, head almost touching the ground, as a mark of respect for the King's verdict.
The chief Eunuch opens up the scroll in his hands.
"Please find enclosed the Royal Edict from the King's Court:
I, Seo Changbin, the King of Joseon, have chosen Miss y/n of House Kim as my wife and, by extension, the Queen of our beloved country. I have consulted the three High State Councilors and my mother- the Queen Dowager about the same and we have all unanimously agreed that she would be the best choice for the country as well as the Royal family, owing it all to her wits, beauty and manners.
Congratulations to Miss y/n and her family.
The Royal family would also like to extend an invitation to the bride-to-be to shift into the Detached Palace at the earliest as part of the customary pre wedding ritual. "
It feels as if someone had punched out the air from your lungs, you couldn't speak nor stand, while your parents and brother continuously thanked the Royal Eunuch, accepting all the gifts sent by the Palace for you.
But you couldn't move. You just stayed there, frozen. For life as you had known it has come to an end.
And thereafter begins a new, Royal chapter of your life.
*
"I'm going to miss you, my child."
The days since the Edict pass by in a heartbeat. All the members of your family were busy with packing your belongings while you were busy with mentally preparing yourself to leave your family and house behind forever.
Yes, you'd always wanted to be a Queen. Yes, you'd spent years getting ready for this role. Yet when the time finally comes, it hurts you to think about leaving behind twenty three years of your life.
"I'm going to miss you too, mother." On hearing your words, your mother cries harder.
But as usual, your father shows no emotion. His face is calm.
"Remember, y/n, there are no friends in the Palace other than your husband. You cannot confide in anyone but him. The other concubines will do anything to gain his favor, but you shall always be a step ahead. Be vigilant and loyal. You will make a great Queen." He says. Like the strategist he'd always been.
"Yes, father." You reply, swallowing the lump in your throat.
Your mother clinges to your arm.
"We will try and visit you whenever we can. I'm sure his Majesty will allow."
"Yes, of course. You can visit me anytime. The Palace is only a few hours from here."
"Oh, my child! How will I ever live without you!" Another sob tears out from your mother's throat. You hug her with all the love and care you could muster up in that moment.
Your father walks out of the room, hands behind his back and face twisted into a frown.
*
The Detached Palace is to be a temporary residence for the bride-to-be. For over the next thirty days, you would be receiving lessons on various subjects like history, Royal Etiquette, sewing, cooking and most importantly- lessons on intimacy. The last lesson is considered most important, according to Somi, since it allows you to birth as many healthy heirs as possible.
After helping you dress up for the night and setting up your bed, your maids take your leave for the night, only Somi remaining by your side.
"Do you think I'll see the King tomorrow? It's queer but I'd like to know what my future husband looks like, at least."
Somi sighs, "I don't think it's allowed, my lady. I believe you can only see his Majesty on your wedding day. A month from now."
You're oddly disappointed. You had dreamt so many nights of seeing the King, holding his hand, being by his side, yet the King in those dreams often never had a face.
Was it wrong to yearn to look at your future husband's face? Just once?
A subtle knock on your door startles the both of you.
"Yes?"
"My lady, the King is here to see you." Your handmaid almost whispers the words through the door.
With unparalleled urgency, Somi helps you straighten your clothes and rushes off towards the door.
"Your majesty." The maids and Somi greet him with the customary bow, while you purse your lips in a line, head hanging in a subtle bow.
Your heart hammers against your chest. It's so loud, you're sure even the King could hear it.
"Please give us some privacy." The King commands.
And you heart beats faster on hearing his voice for the first time. Gentle, yet authoritative, just like you'd dreamt.
When Somi closes the door behind her, you almost regret wishing to see your future husband. The proximity makes you nervous and you could only hope you'd not faint in front of him.
"My lady, you may rise."
You'd almost forgotten you were still bowing to him. You mentally slap yourself.
"Y-yes, your majesty. " your voice comes out as an embarrassing squeak, your eyes still on the ground.
You'd prayed for this moment for years, y/n. Why couldn't you just meet his eyes?
As if sensing your inner conflict, the King takes two long strides towards you and hooks his index finger under your chin, sending a chill down your body.
"My lady, please look at me."
And you do.
And he's like everything you'd ever wished for.
Perfect, like a beautifully crafted sculpture.
His soft brown locks, his rosy lips, the subtle mischief in his eyes. Everything is perfect.
"Y-yes, your majesty. Sorry." You mumble.
The king smiles, rubbing circles into your cheeks.
"You may call me Changbin when we're alone."
You nod.
"I just came to ask if you're finding your new residence comfortable. We both shall be busy with lessons tomorrow onwards so I figured tonight would be a good time to visit my bride."
His bride? His bride?
Your legs feel weak.
"I'm finding it extremely comfortable, your majesty. Thank you for your hospitality. "
Changbin let's out a low chuckle, leaning towards you. His lips hover inches above yours. And when he speaks, you feel hot air on your lips, "I told you, y/n. Call me Changbin."
You frantically nod.
"Good. Better be careful next time, my bride."
*
When you wake up the next morning, you're sure you'd dreamt everything that happened last night.
But apparently not.
"The King is a dashing young man." Somi teases as she lathers a concoction of herbs into your hair. "You're lucky, my lady. He seems to be a gentleman."
But you are too caught up in your thoughts to reply to her.
Did the king of Joseon really come all the way to the Detached Palace to see you? What if he's disappointed with how you had reacted? But he shouldn't blame you at all.
You had not been expecting anyone yesterday night, especially not him. But he did come to you. And he touched your chin. If you focus hard enough, you could feel his touch lingering in the area.
"My lady?" Somi clicks her fingers in front of your eyes, "Come back to earth. We have to get you ready for the classes today."
Blushing, you reply, "What classes do I have today?"
You had three classes today: Palace etiquette, literature and what Somi insists most important: lessons on reproduction.
While Palace etiquette mostly includes lesson on how to behave with Royal elders, ministers, maids, the King, literature includes important pieces of literature that are important for a woman.
And lastly, the most dreaded time arrived.
The reproduction lessons.
The tutor shows you all sorts of obnoxious hand movements and some drawings of couples in intimate positions. You feel uncomfortable from the beginning till the end.
A woman at least five decades older than you is teaching you about intimacy? Very awkward, to say the least.
But you heave a sigh of relief when the classes end for the day and you make your way to your room in the Detached palace.
"It's just the first day, Somi and I'm already tired to the bone." You say, kicking your shoes off.
"Well, it's going to be a lifetime of time this now, my lady. And you best be prepared for it."
You reply Somi with silence. But her words make you wonder. If this palace life would ever be less tiring someday? Would it even be worth it?
Perhaps not.
But King Changbin 's face flashes in front of your eyes; his sparkling eyes, mischievous grin, his feather like touch- maybe he is what will make everything worth it.
That night, after your maids get your bed ready while Somi is combing your hair, a familiar announcement echoes through the corridors of the Detached Palace.
"My lady, the King is here to see you."
His smiling face peeps through the doors as your maids hurry out of the room. He wears blue silk robes, and you feel weaker in his presence than you did yesterday.
"Did you miss me, y/n?"
And thus begins a month of secret nightly visits by the King of Joseon to the Detached Palace.
Everyday, you wake up looking forward to the time when King Changbin would come knocking at your doors, always up to some jesting.
Sometimes, he brings you fruits you'd mentioned you liked or he tells you stories from his childhood. At other times, he tells you about that one teacher he will hate till the end of time.
But most times, he spends his time listening to you talk- about everything and everyone, about the skies and gods, about ghosts and afterlife, about favourite foods and literature. After you'd overcome the initial shyness, opening upto Changbin was as easy as breathing, almost natural. Of course, you were still nervous around him, but it's a feeling you'd come to like.
Is this what the writers and poets describe as 'butterflies'?
"Do you think I'll make a good Queen?" You ask him one night. He sits in front you on a cushion, across the room, a position you told him is appropriate for two unwed people (although he did not agree to it initially).
If your nightly shenanigans were to be ever discovered by anyone, you would not want to be found in close proximity to each other even though you were betrothed to each other. He's breaking Palace rules everyday as it is.
He hums, "Of course! I think you'll make a great Queen. You're so good at your lessons already."
"That does not guarantee anything. I might not be good at taking the responsibilities."
"Do you trust my judgment, y/n? I think you'll make a great Queen. And even if you are overwhelmed, I shall always be here."
That night he leaves earlier than he usually does, owing to the fact that tomorrow is the day where his concubines are to be welcomed into the palace. Five of them.
The thought leaves you feeling bitter and dejected, but you make sure to not make those feelings obvious. This is a rule for Kings, to take as many concubines as possible to ensure the continuation of the blood line.
"Don't worry, my lady. Your rank in the palace is above these petty concubines. They will not mess with you." Somi comforts your thoughts the next day.
"But what if Changbin favors them more?"
Somi does not reply to that question.
*
On your 18th birthday, your father had promised to you that he would make you the Queen of this country. He kept his promise because here you are, after five years, getting dressed to be married to the most powerful man in the country.
Your father always insisted that powerful men do not love but Changbin's sparkling eyes always contradicted everything your father had taught. Nevertheless, you know the competitiveness among the concubines for the King's affection is mad. More often than not, even the Queen gets involved in petty fights.
But you try to remove all thoughts of your father and the concubines today. Because today, you are to be married to King Changbin. From today, your name will be written in the historical logs of the Royal family. From today, a new life begins.
"Are you okay, my lady?" Somi asks, "You look worried."
"I'm fine. Just hope the ceremony goes well."
The ceremony does go well and in all honesty, you were not worried about the ceremony itself. You were worried about the aftermath.
The maids guide you to your new palace, and get you dressed in white robes for the wedding night. The night when you will finally meet Changbin as his wife. The butterflies swim around in your belly.
The bed is decorated with flower petals and a few candles are lit. Everything is perfect.
"The King is here." One of your ladies in waiting announce and you get up to greet your husband.
The maids leave the room as the doors slide open and Changbin steps in, also dressed in white robes. He looks dashing, but his signature grin is nowhere to be found.
When the doors close behind him, he walks past you to the bed, the scent of liquor evident in his breath.
"Have you been drinking, your majesty?" You ask him, worried by his odd behavior.
What was wrong with him? Why wouldn't he even bother to meet your eyes?
"Changbin." He slurs, wrapping the blankets around him, "Call me Changbin."
He turns away from you and is snoring away in no time.
The butterflies in your stomach flutter around before dropping dead.
*
You did not sleep that night. Even though you were sleeping next to the man you love, you felt lonelier than ever.
Many times during the night, you consider walking out of the bed chamber to the servants quarter so you could talk to Somi. But you couldn't do that. Because you were now the Queen of this country and every single step you take will have its repercussions.
When morning comes, Changbin wakes up in a haste and greets you with a subtle nod and walks out of the chamber in long strides.
You well the tears back. It's your first day as Queen and hadn't he always promised to be there when you were overwhelmed? Had he lied? Or was it Changbin's doppelganger who visited you every night in the Detached palace?
Somi comes in a few minutes later with an excited smile on her face.
When she does your hair for the day, she asks, "So, how was the wedding night?"
You want to answer her truthfully - how cold Changbin had been, how he had not even looked at you let alone touch you, how you think he had changed almost overnight. But you see the prying eyes of the other palace maids and swallow your sadness.
"It was perfect. Like everything I'd ever hoped for."
"He was gentle, I hope." She says through a grin, but it feels like someone pouring alcohol on an open wound.
"Yes. He was."
As part of royal customs, the new bride is supposed to visit the senior most female member of the family and greet her. In your case, the member happens to King Changbin's mother.
Somi dresses you in the most exquisite silks and adorns your hair with the most precious flower but you feel nothing at all when everyone compliments you on the way out of your new Queen's palace.
Your mother in law's palace is a little far from the Queen's palace yet it is as beautiful as any other palace. From inside as well as outside.
"Greetings, your majesty. It is nice to meet you." You bow in front of the Queen Dowager.
The woman-not more than sixty years of age- looks at you with a gentle smile.
"Come in, y/n. Please be at ease."
You're seated in front of her on a cushion while the Queen Dowager's maids serve you breakfast.
"I hope your first day here goes well, my child. Our family is thrilled to have you." She says.
"The pleasure is all mine, your majesty. I am honored to be a part of this family." You say.
In the back of your mind, you wonder if Changbin is thrilled to have you or not. Probably not.
The mere thought of yesterday's rejection stings.
"Y/n, truth be told, my son is a quite a troubled man. His father was murdered in front of his eyes. He was made the king when he was only 16 years old. It's been 7 years since then, but the burden only gets worse. I hope you, as a Queen and as his wife, can help him lessen these burdens. Can you do that?" The Queen Dowager asks again, sipping tea from a small cup.
"I will do everything I can to help him." If only he'd let you.
"Good, good. I'm glad. And one more thing, y/n, you know as Queen one of your primary duties is to produce an heir for Changbin's throne. I hope you're working on that, yes?"
Heat reaches your cheeks. If only the poor woman knew what her dear son had done last night. If his behavior continues, perhaps it will be long before the Queen Dowager sees the face of a royal grandchild.
"We are trying, your majesty. We will not disappoint you." You reply, sipping tea from your own cup.
"Great! I shall send all types of herbs and tonics to help you conceive as fast as possible. I shall also draw up a chart after consulting the astrologer..." the Queen Dowager's voice fades into the background as your mind drifts off to the nights in the Detached palace, when Changbin would come and spend all his free time with you, against the rules of the palace. At that time, you had been sure that producing an heir would be a beautiful process, not a chore.
But Changbin does not even treat the thought like a chore.
Did he not love you? Did his Royal duties burden him too much?
When you leave the Queen Dowager's palace, you walk past The King's palace. It is as beautiful and majestic as they say. But you wonder if you'll ever be able to set foot in the same.
As if on cue, you see Concubine Jung walking out of the King's palace, her maids behind her. The butterflies in your stomach burn with jealousy.
She has a smirk on her face when she sees you.
"Eun, did you know there's a rumor around the palace that the King refused to sleep with the Queen last night? Sad, isn't it?" Concubine Jung says.
One of her maids giggle and nod, "Of course! How could the Queen even live with this shame?"
You cry yourself to sleep that night, while Somi does everything in her abilities to soothe you.
Needless to say, nothing worked.
*
"My lady, wake up. The King has invited you to breakfast with him." Somi informs one morning, six months after your wedding.
"Tell him I have a bad stomach bug. I cannot go."
You'd be found dead before sharing a meal with him and that obnoxious Concubine Jung. You'd shared enough meals with them already.
The past months, the King had not visited you even once but often you'd see him walking the gardens with Concubine Jung at his side.
After the first few weeks, you had no tears left to shed anymore so when the rumor came in last month that Concubine Jung might be pregnant, your eyes do not water no matter how much you force yourself to cry.
"I do not wish to congratulate them." You say, true and plain.
"My lady, he's invited only you. Not anyone else."
So you agree. As a last attempt to make your marriage work, even if it's just for your own sake.
Somi dresses you in green robes- The King's favorite. You quickly make your way to his palace, as if someone else would take your place if you didn't hurry. It's sad your thoughts had turned so negative in just half a year in the palace.
Your father had told you the King would take in many lovers during his lifetime, and that being Queen is about having power, not being loved.
But you think he didn't warn you enough. He didn't warn you how lonely it would be to sleep on the cold bed every night, how painful it would be to see the King smile at someone else.
Even if you did wish for a child, how could you produce you a child without Changbin?
"Good morning, your majesty." You say to him when you enter his bed chamber. It smells like cinnamon, a smell he'd often carry with himself back when he used to visit you at the Detached palace. Back when you were sure the king had been in love with you.
"Hello, my Queen. Please have a seat."
The butterflies dance around for a split second.
"Did you sleep well last night?" He asks, taking a seat in front of you.
"Yes." Lies. "Thank you for inviting me over."
When the maids leave the both of you alone, his demeanor changes.
"Actually, y/n, I had something to talk to you about." He says, casually, as if he hadn't been hurting you everyday for the past few months.
"What is it?" You ask.
He sighs, "It's mother. Ever since that rumor of Concubine Jung being pregnant spread. She wants the first grandchild to be of the Queen."
His words do not faze you, "How can I help you, Changbin?"
He frowns. Since when had your tone become this melancholic?
"Um, so if I have your consent, I'd like to try for a child tomorrow night. We'll see how that goes, yeah?"
"Okay. I will be honored." You say.
You finish up the food quickly and almost slide the doors open when he grabs your arm from behind.
"Y/n, what is it? Did something happen? Are your parents well?"
"My parents are well enough, thank you for asking." You say, keeping your eyes on the ground.
"Then? What happened? Is it Concubine Jung? Really, you did not have to be jealous of her. She's not pregnant. I can assure you of that. I have not consummated my marriage with any one of the concubines."
His words seem to have an effect on you. Your heart blossoms with hope but you keep your face and voice neutral.
"I am not jealous, Changbin. If one of the concubines get pregnant, I shall wish you both well."
You force your arm out of his grip and walk out the palace, not looking back once.
Changbin's stares at your leaving figure, now worried beyond relief that he might have broken the one person he cared for the most by his pursuits of a greater good.
*
While the past few months for you had been filled with loneliness, for Changbin it was almost the same-if not worse.
The first night of your marriage was filled with as many butterflies for him, as it was for you.
He had fallen in love with you and he wasn't afraid to show the world how much you meant to him. He wanted to hold you, kiss you, make love to you. And he had all plans to do that on the first night.
But that was until he had overheard a secret conversation between Concubine Jung and her father- Minister Jung.
For all he knew, Minister Jung had always wanted his daughter to be the Queen but being the dim-wit that she was, Concubine Jung could not even get through the first stage.
"Father, it's been two days since I'd been in the palace and that man has not visited me once. He had not even asked for my name the day of the welcoming. What kind of man is he? And you say I am to be Queen!"
"Hush, child. In this palace, even the walls are listening. Be careful. And as far as the position of Queen is concerned, you need not worry. If the King does bed the Queen tonight and she get pregnant, we shall make sure her pregnancy terminates before maturity. I have connections with all sorts of medicine vendors in the country, be assured, she shall never see the face of a child. After we weaken the Queen, we can take her throne as easily!"
Changbin had wanted to laugh at the man's foolish plans but deep down, he was worried as well. For you.
Which is why he pushed you away for so long and kept Concubine Jung close. While she tried everything in her power to seduce him, he refused her under the pretense of keeping an oath of abstinence for a year.
Every time she tried to even hold his hand, Changbin thought of you; your innocent eyes, your talks, your wit, your hands, your beautiful hair. No woman could make him feel like you do.
Changbin's secret informants had confirmed that Minister Jung had not one but two houses full of gold and cash he'd collected as illegal taxes from the local people. He'd also sometimes force husbands to send their wives to him in exchange for money. Even the thought nauseated Changbin.
Every time Concubine Jung visited, he made sure to collect some sort of evidence through her. He even visited her every night and while she snored away, he stole some of her gold jewlery and clothes to get them checked as evidence of the illegal taxes her father had been collecting.
And sure enough, after a few months of spying on her and her father, Changbin had gathered enough evidence by now to expose both of them at the court.
But he realised quickly that Minister Jung had a few tricks up his sleeves as well. The rumor of his daughter's pregnancy would make it difficult for Changbin to expose him easily, and so Changbin waited every night that the rumors would die down so he could run to the Queen's Palace and hug you with all his might. You were not safe unless the father and daughter were deposed.
And for some selfish reasons, Changbin had hoped you'd understand the reason behind his distance. But no woman could find a logical reason behind her lover being absent and it was horribly wrong for him to expect you to do the same.
"Are you stupid?" His friend, the eccentric dancer Minho had asked him.
Changbin had told him how coldly you'd behaved this afternoon when he'd asked you if you wished to try for a child. Most women would giggle and blush. But you were like a statue.
"You push her away for months and make her feel lonely and not loved and what not and you have the audacity to ask her that?"
"Well, yes. Mother had been pressuring me for a child and obviously, even with the pressure, I would never do anything that y/n would not have wanted but I thought it would be a great way to reconnect with her. Even if it didn't end in child making or whatever."
Minho let's out a frustrated groan, "You have to learn so much, Bin. But let's start with this- be honest with her. She's your wife and you ought to tell her everything. Give answers to all her questions and hold her hand if she let's you. Small steps first, a child can wait."
Changbin nods, " Okay, should I go to her right now?"
"Yes, you idiot!" Minho says, earning a slap on the arm from The King of Joseon.
He should be glad he's not being beheaded for calling the King an idiot.
*
You're almost done getting ready for bed when the lady in waiting makes an unexpected announcement .
"My lady, the King is here to see you."
Your heart leaps and the butterflies come alive again only to die down once you realise why he might be there. For a child. Isn't that why he's here? Isn't that why people get married in the first place?
"Y/n." He sighs when he enters the room, almost out of relief. He purses his lips.
"Is there anything I could help you with?" You ask.
Oh, how badly he'd hurt you. He could see the hurt in your eyes, in your voice, in your mannerisms.
"Y/n, I'm sorry. I really am. I know I have caused you pain and I cannot imagine how lonely it must have been. But I hope you know that I really do love you and only you."
"Then why the distance? Why visit Concubine Jung every night?" You ask, hands on your hips.
The tears that had left you threatened to return again.
And he tells you everything. From the conversation he overheard to how insistently Concubine Jung asked him for a child to how much solid proof he'd collected over the months and how he'd sent those evidences to the Minister of Security, who in turn ensured that by tomorrow the Jungs will out of the palace and be imprisoned for life.
It all makes sense to you now, of course it does. Yet you feel guilty. He'd been trying to protect you, all this while.
"I'm sorry, Changbin. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I only-"
"Don't apologize, y/n. It's me that should apologize. I should have somehow tried to contact you and tell you about everything. I'm-"
"No, no, Please. Don't. You only tried to protect me and-"
"No, y/n, it's all my fault, please-"
Somi overhears the entire conversation through the door, her mind finally relaxing after the misunderstanding had been solved between you and the King. She could no longer stand you being this sad. And she somehow knew King Changbin had his own reasons for his behavior.
She hears soft sounds of kissing through the door and takes it as a sign to move away from the door, and join the other maids waiting outside the palace door. She smiles to herself.
The butterflies burn with passion.
"I do not wish for a child this early. I want to be here like this with you for a while, just y/n and Changbin and maybe two or three years later, we could try for a child. What do you think?"
When he kissed you initially, you half expected this to end up in the bed. But it did. And you're glad it did.
The butterflies bloom more than ever.
You're wrapped in his arms, tightly. The nakedness no longer bothering the either of you.
"I agree. I want to be this close to you every night, not as a Queen or the mother of your child. But as y/n. As your wife."
Changbin draws his face closer to you, pecking you on the lips, "And so you shall, my love."
And so you shall.
#skz#stray kids#skz au#skz scenarios#stray kids imagines#skz changbin#skz changbin x reader#skz changbin au#skz fics#skz royal au#stray kids changbin#skz smut#skz fluff#3racha#skz changbin fluff#skz imagines#kpop imagines#skz kpop#skz angst#skz romance
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the blood crown. (chapter 1.)
pairings: prince!chan x reader, prince!minho x reader, prince!changbin x reader, prince!hyunjin x reader, prince!jisung x reader, prince!felix x reader, prince!seungmin x reader, prince!jeongin x reader
warnings: mentions of blood, death, poison, suggestive jokes but no smut, competition amongst noble families, ot8 are princes
author's note: hellooo:) welcome to my first series on tumblr! i wanted to go with a sort of dark theme for this fic:> please please do leave likes and comments, it truly makes my day!
You grew up in a household made of lies, deceit and poison.
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you were born to an ordinary village girl, and your father, a high-ranking noble. Your mother had been training you since you could barely walk; always smile politely, always walk gracefully, always greet your guests. Each time you would get something wrong, the feared cane would come down upon your hands, enough to hurt but never enough to leave bruises. Your mother had grown up in a poor village, using her charm and wit to seduce your father and charm her way into the ranks of high society. She was ruthless, cunning, and most of all: ambitious. She dreamed of ascending to the very top- the royal family. It was no surprise that when you were at the mere age of ten, your father was pronounced dead on a Thursday afternoon in his quarters, being assassinated by a thief who had supposedly snuck into your house.
But you knew.
You knew when the corner of your mother's lips curved up ever so slightly, at the funeral ceremony of your father. Barely there, but it was the smirk of a triumphant winner of the chess game. All your father's assets were transferred to your mother, and she became head of the household- never remarried and never gave birth to any more children.
Your kingdom was governed by the Bahng's, who had eight sons and a daughter- Christopher, the heir to the throne and the king's sole legitimate child, Minho, the second, born to a concubine in the king's harem, just like the rest. Changbin was the third, along with Hyunjin, then Jisung, Felix, Seungmin, and finally Jeongin. And then there was Princess Areum, the king's beloved daughter and second legitimate child.
Your mother heard from the gossip circles amongst the ladies at the tea tasting ceremonies she hosted often, that there were talks of Princess Areum being engaged to Duke Choi's son, Yeonjun. The Choi's were a rival family, always competing with your mother for power.
One day, when you had just crossed the age of eleven a few weeks ago, your mother called you to her study. You sighed, getting up gracefully from where you had been perched on a chair reading, and walked to her study, knocking first, three sharp raps.
"Come in," she called.
And so you put on a demure smile, hands clasped in front of you, never tripping or stumbling on your way. Clothes neatly ironed, not a single hair out of place, the pinnacle of perfection.
"Y/N." her perfectly shaped brows rise, scrutinising you, before smiling softly. Your mother was always strange like that. You knew she loved you, but in wanting what was best for you always pushed too far.
"You know of Princess Areum's engagement."
You nod, brows furrowed.
"She is not the heir to the throne and poses no danger to us as she is a girl, but her future husband does, unfortunately. The Choi's will surely use their newfound power to gloat over us and trample us underfoot if their son was to be married to the princess. However, we must target the girl this time, it is far too risky to target the boy. Weeds in a garden have to be pruned, ripped out by the roots, to maintain the beauty of the garden. Surely you understand. Tell me the number one rule in chess again." her once soft expression hardens, and she leverages you with a stare, piercing through you.
"Always predict your opponent's next move." you reply, unsure of where this conversation is going.
"Yes. The Choi family will immediately suspect us if something happens to their precious firstborn, meanwhile the princess will be easy to manipulate and target." your mother sighs, folding her hands neatly on her lap.
"I want you to make friends with Princess Areum, invite her to our house if possible. We'll see from there."
You nod, hesitant yet confused. What did she mean by target the princess? Was she going to manipulate her to cancel the engagement?
It turns out, the outcome was far worse.
Princess Areum had become fast friends with you quickly, both sharing common interests. Soon, she began to invite you and your mother to the royal palace, your mother becoming close with the queen too.
You should've known.
Years later when you were older, you finally understood what had happened. A tiny bottle of liquid your mother had claimed to be a restoring health tonic, carefully tucked into your mother's sleeve as she made her way to the palace together with you for your weekly afternoon tea sessions with just the four of you.
Princess Areum's rigid body falling to the ground when she took a sip of her afternoon tea, the cries of Queen Bahng echoing out throughout the room as the princess drew her last breath.
You knew.
The King was heartbroken, his only daughter buried in a grave six feet under the ground. No one even suspected your mother.
One year later, Queen Bahng departed from the realm. The people claimed she died from the heartbreak of losing her only daughter, but only two individuals ever knew the truth.
Your mother pretended to be inconsolable at the funeral, sobbing as she watched the casket, and you almost wanted to applaud at how convincing her acting was. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw the Crown Prince, Christopher Bahng, standing beside his father who had a tight hand clasped on his shoulder. The prince's eyes were clearly red from having cried the night prior, yet he remained stoic throughout the ceremony. He never let his emotions nor his grief consume him, you supposed it was how you were like with your mother. Never allowed to show your imperfections to the world. Though you wouldn't admit it, deep down you felt sorry for him, a broken child just like you.
The Choi's never rose to power, and your mother's plan worked.
"You must take what is rightfully yours," she had said on the carriage ride home. "And you must do what it takes."
"But at what cost?" you asked.
"Everything."
-years later-
You stared out the window at the bustling city, feeling extremely uncomfortable in the many layers of silk and fabric you were clad in.
"Remember," your mother turned around to look at you, her sharp voice cutting through the silence. "Keep your head up and your eyes trained upon the goal. Charm Prince Christopher.”
“Become the next queen."
~part 2 coming soon~
#stray kids#stray kids x y/n#stray kids x reader#stray kids x you#lee felix x reader#felix x reader#seungmin x reader#jeongin x reader#lee know x reader#bang chan x reader#hyunjin x reader#fem reader#changbin x reader#jisung x reader#angst#fluff#suggestive#royalty au#royal!skz#monarchy#tw death#tw poison
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Vintage vibes for these timeless tales
#k-pop#aesthetic#random moodboard#icon#kpop icons#moodboard#hwang hyunjin#hyunjin moodboard#vintage moodboard#vintage icon#vintage core#vintage#hyunjin icon#skz hyunjin#skz moodboard#y2kcore#y2k aesthetic#y2k moodboard#messy moodboard#vintage vibes#royal aesthetic#hyunjin#skz#stray kids
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I do not own the image.
I will be uploading more soon; this has been in my drafts for over six months. P.S.:- you can support me by buying me a coffee; link's on my page.
Lee Know x Male Reader
Part 1
Summary: Prince Lee Know has fallen for Y/n.
It was early morning, around 4 am, when Lee Know was sure that no one was following him; he departed towards the left wing of the manor, the ones where the guest rooms were located.
Y/n felt a light knock on his door and before he could ask who it was, the prince slipped in.
'Your Royal Highness!?' y/n whispered as he got up from his bed and felt a bit embarrassed because he was not in a very presentable state.
'Ah! You are up! Great! Let's go, we need to go to the lake; it will take some time. You wanted to look at the sunrise. So let's go.' Lee Know stated as if all this was a preplanned enterprise.
'Uhm... But sir. I just said it lightly.' Y/n could not understand how his light comment made the prince be present here at such an hour with all this enthusiasm.
He saw the older flinch a bit and feel a bit out of words, so he just complied with the request and 'You took such measures so early in the morning. I apologize; let me just get ready. Oh, don't worry, I can get ready without helpers, sir. If you could please turn around.'
Lee Know stood there, his face towards the door, with a feeling of restriction in his throat as he heard y/n rustle in and out of the clothes.
Lee Know was restless the whole night. He saw y/n for the first time last year at a ball held by his cousin, where the latter was introduced to him with the sole intention of a matrimonial alliance between the l/n and Lee families, both being two of the few most powerful ones in the southern region of the kingdom.
Lee family was also a branch of the royal family, with princes and princesses ornamenting the upcoming generation of family heads. So Lee Know, or Prince Lee Know, was an heir to the titles and extravaganza, and he knew how to use them to get the work he wanted to be done.
Y/n, on the other hand, was an honorable person, not with high titles, as he was not the direct heir and had three elder siblings. But it was truth universally acknowledged that he was the best catch out of all his siblings and hence was courted by a legion of princes and dukes and marquises and all the remaining titles of the realm, even the high-ranking government officials of the other nations and royalties of other empires wanted to have him as their son-in-law.
Why? Just because he was blessed with the supreme combination of mind and grace. He was, at his current age of 23, already an established author and a formal martial artist. He was mannered like no other person, full of the right protocols and courtesies. He was the gem the crowns of all the empires lacked. And, he was utterly clumsy and naive to love approaches to the level of irritation for his suitors.
'We can leave now, sir.' Lee Know turned around to see y/n in casual wear for a walk; he was still affected too much. 'Uh, yeah, let's go, let me, yes, just okay, let's go.' 'But this is my room, sir; I should be the one closing the door.' 'But I insist.'
So, y/n stood in the hallway as the prince closed the door and walked down the few engraved steps that his room had to them, a medieval design.
'Were you comfortable in the room? I got it arranged for you, especially because you like cozier spaces.' 'It is an honour, sir, that you took such measures for me.' Yes, y/n clearly has no idea that they met last year as a probable couple; his parents never notify him of such occurrences as he gets anxious and is not able to present himself. So now, it's the prince's turn to think that y/n is not interested in him and probably thinks of this all as a once-in-a-while opportunity.
'Will you be comfortable on the same horse, or do you want a separate one? Or do you want to drive there? I can ask for the cars too if you don't like horse rides.' Lee Know asked repeated questions to ensure he asserted that he was doing it all for the younger's comfort.
'I have no complaints about sharing the horse, sir.' Y/n liked such escapist endeavours. He was surprisingly cheerful this morning to go and look at the sunrise properly. He had heard of the majestic view of the sunrise which the lake of the Lee manor had. It was sublime, in his older brother's words.
The lake was situated in the little valley formed by ancient hills now eroded to moors. Here the duo reached just a few minutes before the sun was about to emerge through the horizon, and so there was a hazy lavender-maroon sky waiting for them.
'It is indeed sublime.' Y/n whispered. 'Huh?' Lee Know looked at the boy looking over to the climbing sun. Rays shined over them softly, and a light breeze ruffling the long hair of y/n made Lee Know to realise that he might actually have fallen a bit too hard.
What was to be done now? The sun was roping up, and the firmament shone, and so did the face of the younger, watching it all with awe as the mist started to clear up. Lee Know knew he had to take them back before breakfast, but he did not have enough courage to disturb the scene in front of him.
'Uhm, we-we should head back now, we need to be present there for breakfast, or your brother would think I kidnapped you.'
'Yes sir, we must hurry. I don't want to be caught slipping out like this.' There it was again; Lee Know felt a jab at heart; was he really not going to even get a chance?
#kpop x male reader#male reader#kpopidol#kpopgay#fanfiction#gay#gaypop#male idol x male reader#kpop#bottom reader#stray kids x male reader#skz x male reader#lee know x male reader#young royals
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little girl
->Bang Christopher Chan, known as the god of war/wrath (ARES) x fem small town babysitter.
[song]
or
[playlist]
A.N: Just came back from turkey(5 hours ago) in vacation. Now the series starts!!
tag list:@cherryonigiri; @hyuka-luvbot
(want to be tagged on this and the next upcoming stories from the series? Let me know by Reblogging with a message saying that you do, or commenting!)
"And the last thing is, to not go at that castle," Amy said while pointing to a dark castle on the far point of a mountain, half hidden by the clouds. like it was a god's home, far beyond this world.
"Why?" you asked curiously while looking at it with adoration. "It's said that there lives the God of Wrath and War, Ares... no one dares to go, and who did, never has been heard of them, ever... again..." She said while making a killing motion with her thumb on her neck.
"mhm, so you all believe there lives a...god...?" you questioned while giving her a look that said that she was crazy.
"Trust me y/n!" she said while starting to walk away, motioning for you to follow. "that place gives me the chill only by looking at it..." she said while hugging her shoulders, on her clean face being painted a look of horror.
"if you say so... let us change the subject. What kids do I have tomorrow to babysit, you told me that someone already asked for their kids to be taken care of by 10 AM." You said while walking closer to her holding the basket full of goods that your new friends, the villagers gave you while visiting.
"well miss Pinch will leave for work tomorrow at ten as you know and you will babysit her kids for 2 months, this will be all your job, let me show you her house. Oh! by the way, be at her house with 10 minutes faster, she likes punctual ppl."
"noted, now show me the house, I want to go sleep, this day has been exhausting!!!" you said with a whine.
after 2 hours of seeing the rest of the village and the house you're going to be working at for the future two weeks, you arrived home and went to sleep. But your sleep was quick to be interrupted.
"the window to your bedroom opened showing the bright moon, as you got up to watch it you heard someone running then silence.
"hm, weird, maybe this house really is haunted as Amy said haha" you laughed alone then went to sleep.
in the morning you were at Miss Pinche's house at 9:50 exactly how Amy told you. knocking 3 times for luck you waited till she answered the door. there in front of you stood a beautiful-haired slim woman with a bright smile.
"you must be y/n right?" she asked with a mother like nature in her voice, visible that she had kids.
"Indeed miss!" you said while returning the smile.
Two months had passed as quick as the spring rain. You were heading home from the town market ready to make a nice spring soup and a cheesecake.
On your way home you keep thinking about these 2 past months, how many things have happened, so strange. randomly flowers found at your door when you got home at night, primarily red roses, then at night you kept seeing a figure of a man in the corner of the room. weird, you saw him, but you never felt frightened so you just let it be, it's just your imagination, what can he do to you.....right?
*knock*
*knock*
*knock*
.
.
.
*knock* * knock * *knock*
*uh.. I'm coming!!" you screamed while putting a night gown on you, as you were used to sleeping only in your undergarments.
Running to the door and opening it you saw a man dressed like a messenger. "Good morning miss! the future king would like you to come with me to the castle," You were shocked. who? the.....future ... king..?
"I will get ready in 5 minutes and I will let you escort me sir" You bowed and went inside starting to dress, Under your dress in your stockings you put a small blade, in case of anything.
while making your hair you couldn't stop thinking about this king, Is this the one from that dark castle Amy told you to not go to? or was he from some other place?
as you were going to the door you saw in the corner of your eye that man again ... but as always he was too blurry for you to distinguish his features, one thing you could know for sure, was that he was tall, towering, might I also add.
opening the door you were again met with the messenger.
"Miss, you are ready, the prince is not patient
#x reader#kpop fyp#skz#skz au#skz scenarios#skz hyunjin#slytherin boys react#bang chan fluff#bang chan au#bang chan hybrid#bang chan comfort#skz chris#chris skz#fyp#creative writing#writers on tumblr#australia#god#royal au
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#stray kids#skz#hyunjin#hwang hyunjin#kpop#kpop moodboard#kpop icons#skz moodboard#stray kids icons#stray kids moodboard#royal moodboard#hyunjin messy icons#hyunjin layouts#hyunjin moodboard#hyunjin icons#— hy1ni ★
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#drawing#art#commission#digital art#fanart#straykids#skz fanart#skz#stray kids#skz felix#felix icons#felix fanart#fefi#felix#lee felix#skz yongbok#felix yongbok#lee yongbok#stray kids yongbok#royal#haengbok
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I'll Protect You || L.K
tags/warnings: afab!reader, bodyguard!Minho, royal!au, Princess!reader, angst, rough family dynamics, suggestive, forbidden love trope (lol), Minho calls reader "your/my grace", if i missed anything pls message me!!
notes: omg am I posting!? Hi everyoneeee, first off I want to ask how everyone has been~. I haven't been an active writer, that's because I realized I was looking at this as a job rather than a hobby that brings me joy :(, therefore I took a break. Can't say I'm gonna be constant bc thus is a hobby not a job, but I love to write and i'm pretty sure I wont stop! ( I have a lot of things in my drafts) btw, this is lowkey inspired by Bridgeton, but not quite.
Description: Being a royal isn't easy, especially when every choice is made for you. But maybe having a kind guard around isn't so bad.
this is a work of fiction, an alternate universe. The Irl persons are not made to be perceived this way. 18+ content ahead, viewer discretion is advised.
lmk if I should make this into a little series :o
You huffed, picking at the herbs that laid on your pasta as a garnish, tuning out the boring kingdom talk your mother and father indulged in with the rest of the family. The pearly satin gloves on your hands grew uncomfortable as the queen brung your personal life into conversation once more.
“Y/n will get married soon, I just know it.” You resisted the urge to roll your eyes at your mothers comments. Your father, as always, just had to add salt to the wound. “There are many suitors sending letters to the palace every day, even some from overseas. I don’t understand why you never reply efficiently-” You gave a tight lipped pained smile, not wanting to cause a scene; avoiding trouble.
You didn’t want all these random men, men that only saw your family's wealth. You already had a man you yearned for, one that was different. You look up from the tablecloth, in the doorway of the dining room stood your personal guard; Minho. He wasn’t looking at you, he was on duty. If he looked anywhere but straight he’d be bound to have to skip dinner for a lecture from the head guard. But you didn’t mind that he wasn’t looking at you, it made it easier to stare and get lost in the comfort of your own imagination; daydreaming about how wonderful it would be to run away with the kind man that always made sure you weren’t lonely.
Minho wasn’t always in your life, he only came to serve the royal family a mere 2 years ago. Being assigned as your personal guard didn’t sound exciting at first, just another shackle put around your ankles to prevent you from living the best you could under these circumstances. But as you grew accustomed to his presence, memorizing the scars on Minho’s neck and hands, finding safety in the pure brown of his round eyes, and the soft smile that he often wore on his lips; the one he’d only show you, you didn’t dread being looked over 24/7. He was more than enough for you, enough to make you feel whole in a palace that only offered emptiness.
Before Minho was a royal guard, he was a warrior. He only knew battle, but he didn’t want to fight all the time anymore, he wished for something more calm; so here he is. Yes he was rough around the edges but he got the job done, the king and queen liked him because he seemed to make their princess stop complaining. They didn’t care how he did it, as long as they didn’t have to hear your mouth and watch you themselves.
As you stared at the man who looked after you, daydreaming of an alternate universe where you could be normal… your mother; the queen, asked your sister-in-law; the dutchess, to make a toast. What for? You didn’t know, but what you did know was envy. You could practically turn the color green as you watched your brother's fond eyes stare up at the woman he loved. He got to marry the woman he loved so purely, why didn’t you get to do the same? He got to pick, choose… yet you have no say.
You cleared your throat after sipping from the dark glass of wine. “Excuse me. Mother, father, may I be excused? The meal doesn’t seem to be sitting right with my stomach.” Your words were respectful but your face held an expression only Minho could read clearly, therefore he shifted on his heels, ready to accompany you.
“You’ve barely touched your food, my grace.” Your sister-in-law meant well, you know she did. But the fact that she can have the life she wishes for while you’re sitting idle with no authority over yourself makes you frown almost every time you see her smile happily. “Yes, well, I seem to have caught a bug. May I be excused, please… your highness?” You offered a tight lipped smile at your mothers unhappy face. The poised woman sipped from her white wine as she shooed you off with a flick of the wrist, but you couldn’t leave the dining room without her having the last words.
“Y/n dear, I want you to know… no matter how much you try to fight it, this is your life. You will eat when I tell you, wear what I want you to, and marry who I wish you to. Is that understood, darling?” Your eyelids fluttered as you fought back tears of frustration, no matter how hard you tried to be perfect, she saw right through you. “You’re dismissed.”
The maids opened the grand doors, offering you pity glances as you clacked off; struggling to keep your composure as Minho followed closely behind.
He didn’t say anything as you sped walk into the garden, breathing heavily as tears finally flowed down your cheeks. You looked down at your glove clad hands as you stopped in the center of the garden, sniffling as you rushed to rip them off. Throwing them to the rocky pavement as you dug your heel into the glimmering fabric.
“Your grace,” you sighed softly at the sound of his voice, the voice that calmed you whenever this would happen. Minho didn’t seem to know the effect he had on you, or maybe he did and decided to ignore it. Either way his presence always worked.
“It’s cold out, and you have nothing to cover yourself with, shall we go inside?” He asked softly, staring at your back as you looked at the now dirty satin gloves on the cobblestone. You shook your head in disagreement, turning around to be met with Minho’s gentle eyes underneath the moonlight.
“The breeze feels nice, I wish to stay out here for longer. You can go back if you’d like.” Your voice was weak as you sat on a bench, overlooking a small man made lake your brother made for you as an 11th birthday gift. You watched as the koi fish swam carelessly, free. You couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony.
You know Minho didn’t leave, he wouldn’t leave even if you paid him to. “Why is this my life Minho?” He stayed silent. You looked up at him, his expression neutral, used to having heard this talk from you multiple times.
“Why can’t I marry the one I love? Be happy with him, feel the kind of love my brother and the dutchess have. It’s right at my fingertips, but it’s being ripped away.” Minho raised a brow, this was new. Your rants were always about freedom, not about love.
“… are you in love, my grace?” Minho was surprised. He’s with you every hour of the day, he surely would’ve noticed if you’ve developed a crush on someone.
You parted your lips, realizing what you’ve just said. The wine has seemingly gotten to you.
You stand up, “I want to go to my room.” You whispered, walking passed the now curious man. Minho swiftly picked up your gloves and handed them to a maid as he followed you inside.
You dismissed the help as they offered to undress you. “Please just… go to your chambers, I want to be alone.” They all left, except for him. You closed your room doors behind you, sighing. “Would you like me to leave too, your grace?” You rolled your eyes, turning around to face him.
You were tired, tired of pretending, tired of hiding. “Have you ever been in love, Minho?” Your guard frowned, then soon moved in a hurry to help as he saw you trying to take off your jewelry. You sucked in a breath of air as you saw his reflection in the mirror, focused on helping you with your pearls. You fought the urge of closing your eyes as his fingers grazed your skin.
“I have.” He answered shortly, “but she didn’t love me back, I got over it quickly, it was years ago. Honestly, I’ve forgotten until you just brought it up.” He understood you needed a distraction, so he gave it to you, as he always did. Didn’t matter if you asked for a war story and a made up one, whatever you asked of him he’d try to do.
You blinked, staring as he set your pearls down on your vanity, moving to work on your earrings. “What did it feel like?” Your voice came out in a whisper, causing Minho to look in the mirror to see you looking back at him. His heart skipped a beat, seeing the expression of longing on your face was almost too painful for him to see. A sweet girl like you shouldn’t be unhappy, yet here you are, unable to flap your wings like you should be.
“I wish I could tell you the beauty of it, my grace; but all I can tell you is the pain.” Minho said calmly, offering a polite smile to your reflection as he placed one earring down, moving to the next.
“It feels like a breath of fresh air after you’ve been suffocating for years. Like you’ve been lured in by a siren to live in the depths of the sea but finally you’ve been saved, being able To see the sun again.” Minho’s hands paused at your words, looking at you through the mirror once more. A pang in his chest follows as you look at him the way you did during dinner, only this time he notices.
“Your grace…” he whisperers. “It feels of the warm sun in the early summer, when you’re in a meadow surrounded by freshly bloomed daisies and dandelions. You know, when the breeze is just right? It feels… good.” Your small smile soon turns grim, watching as Minho sets the last piece of jewelry down. “It also hurts; like you said.” Minho stood silent, his heart pounding as you turned to face him; peering up into his sparkling eyes. “It hurts when I see that I can’t have you anyway that I want.” Minho’s breath hitched at your confession. “What do you mean… your grace… have me? I don’t seem to follow.”
You smiled painfully, reaching a manicured hand up to hold his cheek; stroking lightly. “I want you the way my brother wants the Dutchess, maybe even more. I don’t care if it’s forbidden… I want you. I want you to hold me, and do what they do in the dramas that my mother makes me turn off whenever they come on.” Your whispers travel across his now heated face.
“You… you’ve had too much to drink.” You scoffed at his stammering, surprising Minho. “No, I know what I said and I mean it. I’m a grown woman Minho, treat me as such.” You frowned, tired of being treated so fragilely.
Minho took your hand off his face, gazing down at you. “… treat you like a woman…” He looked into your eyes as he trailed off, your eyes drifted down to his chest. You nodded, looking back up to see him with parted lips and a frown. “Are you… are you in love with me?” You scoffed, feeling defensive at the possibility of rejection.
“You can’t question feelings, Minho, it’s something we can’t entirely understand. If you don’t feel the same that’s fine, but don’t try to-”
“thank you… for loving me.” He whispered. You frowned, “what do you mean?” He chuckled softly, “Thank you, for having feelings for me.” You watched as he bowed, pressing a chase kiss to the back of your hand. You flinched at the warmth of his lips.
“Minho…” he stood up, his hands caressing your cheeks as he moved closer. “This is forbidden, what we’re about to do, you know well that it is. But yet i’d still risk it, your grace. You find me worth the risk, you confessing to me is more than enough reason.” You tilted your head in confusion, “W-what are we about to do, Minho?” He smiles. “I’m going to make love to you, if that’s ok. I feel as if you deserve it.” He whispers.
Your cheeks flush, for the first time your eyes want to look anywhere but him. You’ve never done anything intimate with another before. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re obligated to… to touch me.” You whispered, looking down at his lips instead of his eyes that were trying to find yours.
Your lips part as you feel a soft kiss pressed to your forehead, sighing as he then places one at the corner of your mouth. “I’ve been trying to be… respectful, your grace. But must you know, I've been wanting to feel your skin on mine for a while.” You tensed up at his confession. “H-huh?” Your voice was weak, a rush of arousal, heat making its way into your abdomen.
Minho’s thumb traced the outline of your cupid's bow. “Do you know how hard it’s been… hearing you touch yourself late at night, and all I can do is stand outside your door and listen?” Your face grew hot, “Listen to you whisper my name, you probably didn’t even mean too. Did you, your grace?” His voice was soft but that didn’t mean you were any less nervous. “U-uh, I thought I… I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.” Minho chuckled softly at your pity excuse of an alibi.
“You can’t help it, I know. I’m the only one who takes care of you, it’s natural for you to call out to me in times like that. I find it adorable actually, that you need me. Your fingers sliding into your cunt, wishing that it was any part of me doing it instead. Are my assumptions correct, hm?” Minho tilted his head, his fingers grabbing ahold of your chin, making you look at him. It was as if your heart was in your ears by how loud it was currently beating.
“But even though I wasn’t able to help you, you always managed to cum. I know exactly what you sound like when you get there, I memorized it; you sound so fucking sweet, if I could record it I would, your grace.” You took in a deep breath, “Min-”, “What do you imagine that makes you cum every time? Do you imagine that your precious fingers are mine? What about… hm,” you watched in disbelief as he pondered other possibilities. “Ah, my tongue tasting you. Catching every last bit of you, not wasting a drop. Is it that, your grace?”
You were speechless, your mind blank as all you could feel were his words gliding right through you and straight to your know throbbing core. Imagining the scenarios described to you, like you could feel it.
“Oh, what about this. Do you like thinking about how well I can fuck you? How Just me slipping into you can make all the frustration go away? How I can make your mind blank, your head fuzzy and your legs shake as I fuck you just the way you tell me too. Is that what gets you off, my grace?” You couldn’t help the soft whine that escaped your lips. Minho coos with a knowing grin, his hand traveling from your chin to grip your entire jaw, gently pulling you closer so the tip of your noses are grazing.
“So sweet, pretty, precious, aren’t you?” Your mind grew fuzzy. “Let me serve you, It’s my job; and I love to do my job.”
#skz scenarios#skz smut#skz x reader#skz imagines#skz minho#lee minho x reader#skz lee know#skz angst#skz royal#skz hard thoughts#skz fluff
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awake the red rose ─── felix.
masterlist.
pairing — vampire prince!felix x elite!fem reader (with she/her pronouns) ft. txt’s yeonjun & xdinary heroes’s gunil.
genre — vampire au, friends to ?? trope, forbidden love-ish, arranged marriage, romance and angst
warnings — profanity, character deaths, physical abuse (not from felix dw), alcohol consumption, sharp objects, threats, trade, blood, murder, biting, kissing, not proofread. lmk if i missed something
word count — 18k +
You died.
They thought it was the end.
You live.
And it was only the beginning.
They always paint the roses red.
You despise it.
Thunder and lightning roared in the black sky as you lay inside the coffin. Hands together above your stomach with your favorite flowers and eyes closed in a deep slumber for eternity. The Prince stood a few meters away from the mourning family, his face filled with no evidence of sadness but loathe and displeasure. Hints of rain fell, and water droplets made wet circles on your red gown. They tossed red roses at you as the fire from the candles stopped burning. Lanterns were lit instead.
Your Mother was weeping with a white handkerchief to wipe her tears off as his husband remained still, staring at your lifeless body and the lord you married. They were all in despair as the rain poured harder. The priest said his condolences as the other relatives left the tomb yet seeing the Prince was more than a shock. Whispers and murmurs had his eyes followed their voices as his butler nudged him with an umbrella above his head. Your parents turned around and the lord一ashamed and scared.
“Your Highness, we should get back now,” His butler said. Your parents bowed to pay respect as the lord executed a nod. The Prince glared at him.
“It must be a heavy burden to come一”
“Leave us,” The Prince ordered, cutting your Mother’s sentence as his butler frowned in response. Your parents hesitated, even the lord. “Leave me and Y/n alone,” He ordered again.
“As you wish,” Your Father stated, gesturing the other two to follow him, yet the lord didn’t leave the Prince’s gaze.
“Your Highness the rain will pour harder anytime soon,” His butler insisted as the Prince sighed in disbelief.
“I said, leave us!” His voice was stern, and the butler immediately obliged, returning to the carriage. “Don’t wait for me and get back to the palace,”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” The butler bowed and left, even the funeral directors left the coffin open for him to see you one last time.
His footsteps became heavy each time he took a closer approach to the black coffin—one that it feels like a silver dagger pierced his chest. The sounds of grass being stepped on were heard as the rain made them fresh and soaked bit by bit. The Prince closed his eyes, forcedly shut in rage. He despised what happened to you. A harsh reality that strikes the wonder of your life and with all the pain and tears, he should have done something to save you. But he didn’t—devoured by heartbreak and anger, being forbidden to move and left to watch you die, his heart darkened.
The flowers slid away from your hands as he held them tight. Cold as ice, fragile as glass, weak as a bowing flower—his eyes never left yours. He caressed your cheek, feeling the peace of your slumber. Even in death, you are still beautiful in his eyes, but he fears what he will become when you are gone. He folded his knuckles as the veins came to hold tightly yet softened by the pain in his heart. If only he did something to protect you—only if he stepped out of the palace to talk, he never did. And it was too late, his precious red rose, gone in the hands of the man he was jealous of. His lips met your forehead—you will suffer no more but he knew someone must pay the price.
“I’ll make them regret this,” He said quietly as a tear fell from his eyes, but from sorrow and misery—his gaze turned dark, filled with hatred and regret.
The rain stopped unexpectedly as the clouds opened like curtains to reveal the big full moon directing its light on you. It was fascinating, bloody, and dark, the Prince looked up to the sky, claiming his natural form. The time he’s been waiting for, calling for taking what’s his and making them pay for what they have done to you. It was quiet and clear, the cold breeze of the wind gushing to the sadness. His brown eyes turned blood red, fangs visible on his teeth—the Prince needed to save you.
A few months earlier,...
It was a normal day in the kingdom of Felly, rays of golden sunshine from dawn down to the sunset, rain mists softly—enough to nourish the grounds. A kingdom that is blessed with good resources, but cursed under the blood moon. Not too many folks talk about it in town as the royal family didn’t do any harm to the people. You were told stories before, and rumors around the kingdom that the Queen and a woman from the town gave birth on the same day in the same year. Two babies were born under a bright blood moon. One was born with immortality and one was born with a hint of royal blood.
Many believed that the royal family was cursed—they ruled the kingdom for centuries now. They were given immortality in the form of blood-sucking creatures. Others said they were blessed with that possession to maintain the goodness of their kingdom, to never make an outsider be King or Queen. To remain the order and pristine house of rules. Just like a Prince must marry a Princess, a Princess must marry a Prince. Royals are only for royals. You didn’t understand politics, you didn’t care but being a daughter of the Governor, you needed to learn them. But vampires? You were interested in that fiction.
Or so you thought, it was just fiction.
Afternoons were always spent in the garden, under the shade of an oak tree—reading fairy tales. Hardcovers with overwhelming pages amuse your entertainment. It was good for you to read, but it should be about politics and not fictitious love stories and adventures. An escape from a society filled with pressure and high standards. You never wanted other people to decide on what is going to happen in your life. But it always happens. Even if you were just reading a book. Your Mother’s head of maids is the one who brings books from the local library—some came from the towns nearby. She always tells you different stories that drown you in a world of fantasy and even make you believe in magic. But your parents tell you otherwise.
Sounds of women gushed around the mansion and the butlers were hurrying to assist the visitors. The Governor is always busy almost every afternoon as your Mother tries to make everything in order inside the household. You were told to get out of the way and study. But it seems like it doesn’t always have to be their decision to rule your life, do this and do that, study this and study that一you love art, you love reading, you love learning, but not politics. You get tired of it whenever your tutor from the other kingdom suffices. He’d told you everything but doesn’t meet your standards of the subject.
You shake your head in disappointment, you’ve been spacing out again. A great distraction from an exciting fighting scene in the middle of the ocean of two pirate ships. It was good to immerse yourself in books, nothing could beat traveling in your imagination and the author’s train of thoughts. You flipped the page to read the next chapter, wondering what happened next. It was a nice afternoon anyway, gentle heat and sunlight, the cool wind swaying with the leaves as the maids hurry for tea. It was a busy afternoon after all.
“Ah, welcome, Your Highness,” Your Father greeted the Great King and the Prince, Felid. “Thank you for visiting us in this old Chateau,” He bowed to the two with the most respect, a hand on his belly and the other one behind his back.
“Pleasure is all mine,” The King said, reaching out his hand for a shake. “I think we have a business to discuss, Governor,” The King resumed with a smile on his face.
“I believe there is,” Your Father said. “Let’s go to my office,”
“Is Y/n here?” The Prince suddenly interrupted before they could reach the stairs.
“I presume that she is,” He said. This perked the ears of the Prince, one that delighted with joy and an excited smile on his face.
“Can I see her, Father?” The Prince asked as the King chuckled with a nod.
“Well, yes, of course, Your Highness,” Your Father said with pleasure and honor. “She’s in the garden reading her old fairy tales,” He added, which made the Prince’s excitement grow.
“Why, a bookworm, that’s fascinating,” The King said, filled with amusement in the tone.
“I always tell her to read about diplomatic relations and governance but she chose a very distinguished fiction from an author’s imagination,” Your Father sighed, rubbing his temples.
“I believe it’s better than reality,” The Prince smirked. “Now then, if you’ll excuse me,”
Your Father only sighed in response, the Prince is your best friend after all and it was a privilege in the family to have the royals be a family friend. The King and the Governor had left for a meeting as your Mother sent orders to the maids while you were alone, reading in the garden一facing a horizon that leads to the sun setting down. An open field, enough to run around and play. The Prince directed his footsteps towards the oak tree, the hem of your dress was visible enough for him to notice. A color that resembles the sky and the white shade of the clouds, a mixture of the two that produces a relaxing tone for the eyes. He walked closer as he hides behind the tree, you were too indulged with the story to sense his presence. His eyes peek toward the words printed in the formal font of your book and read a few sentences before a smile crept on his lips. The Prince climbed up the tree and sat on a branch, enough to support his weight, and then;
“Hey, Y/n!!!” He beamed which made you squeal in shock. But the Prince only laughed at your priceless reaction and the way you jolted out of your spot making the book fly away.
“Your Highness!” You exclaimed, clutching your chest from the fast beating of your heart. “You scared me,”
“Did I?” He teased as you watched him hanging upside down with his forehead being exposed. “Sorry about that, I was so bored before we got here.” He said as he sat properly on the branch.
“No private classes for you today?” You asked, picking up your book a meter away.
“I asked to postpone them,” He said. “Nothing interests me nowadays, I already know them,”
“Good for you,” You sighed, taking your spot again as the Prince jumped beside you.
“You don’t have classes today I presume?” He asked, sitting beside you.
“Nah, my tutor didn’t come and I’m here reading a book the Headmistress gave me,” You smiled as the Prince leaned his head on your shoulder hugging your arm. It was normal for him to be that clingy, he is your friend for how many years after all. He was shy when you first met him at the palace when your Father claimed to be the Governor of Felly一it took a while before he warmed up to you. And that was six years ago.
“That seems to be a good book when you’re too occupied with it,” He said as you hum in response.
“Say, is The King inside talking with my Father?” You asked as he nodded, hugging your arm tighter, coming comfortable.
“The usual,” He sighs. “They are preparing the future of Felly when I become King,”
“Shouldn’t you be there at the meeting?” You asked opening the book to proceed.
“I asked if I could see you, my Father let me so here I am,” He smiled. “Why, you don’t want me here?” He teased which made you frown.
“It’s nothing like that Your Highness,” You said when he shake his head.
“Y/n, how many times do I have to repeat myself to call me Felix,” He chuckled as you smiled in response.
“Well, I must practice myself to call you that because you’re going to be King,” You said as he sat properly, hugging his knees. “Your Father might look for a bride for you,”
“Right,” He sighs. “But let’s not talk about that. It’s not going to happen anytime soon, I still have a lot of time being the Prince, yes?”
“Yes,” You smiled, leaning your back against the tree as Felix took the opportunity to lay his head on your lap. “You’re being comfortable,” You chuckled.
“I am comfortable around you,” He remarked. “So don’t mind me and continue reading, that’s an order, Milady,” He winked as you laughed, trying to get the sense of the book again.
Felix closed his eyes with a hand at the back of his neck and the other one rested on his stomach as you read. Your fingers traced his black locks, feeling the softness of the strands. It was good as your eyes scanned the words on a page while Felix lay comfortable, trying not to pursue a smile. He wouldn’t hide the fact that he always forgets his worries every time he is with you, not a single political problem comes up when he sees you smile or when he touches your hand. It feels like he couldn’t hear anything else when you speak, it was only your voice he wanted to listen to. But that doesn’t always come to exist. He knew he’d be in an arranged marriage soon and it will stop him from seeing you ever again. Sooner or later.
A sigh escaped your lips trying to figure out what was going to happen next. But his presence took your attention. The gentle sunlight was directed to his face as it shows the constellation-like freckles that cover the skin under his eyes. Soft sounds of his breathing were heard as he took a nap while lying on your lap. He is at peace and seems comfortable with his spot, one where you could see the entire galaxy in his beauty. The wind blows his hair as the strands dance with them, he looks so beautiful—even when he does nothing and sleeps there. You held your book down to cover his face, thinking that the light will distract his sleep. One fact you had learned was to let the dark seek your eyes before sleeping to have a good slumber, but it wasn’t the case for him. A smile surfaced on your lips, seeing him so quiet and demure, an ethereal sight of a young man that indicates light and hope. It made your heart pound.
Placing the closed book on the space beside you, Felix moved a bit to ease his lying position. You find it adorable as you decided to play with his soft black locks with your fingers. The Prince felt at ease and melted under your touch. He flickered his eyes open as you stroked his hair, smiling at the sight of you. The thumping of your heart is loud enough for him to hear, and the smile you have on your face is crystal clear in his sight. He could feel the warmth of your touch, one that he wanted to feel for a long period of time. It was obvious that he is so in love with the idea of you, everything about you. Six years of adorning friendship that leads to one that looks at the other full of administration and awe or it were how someone gives butterflies in their stomach even when it was only caused by the slightest thing they do. It painted memories that can be placed on an empty canvas, later filled with bright colors and nostalgia.
Felix held your hand as he placed it on his cheek. Your thumb starts to caress his soft skin and then traces the stars imprinted on his cheeks. His lips met your palm, feeling the warm touch and the skinship—it wasn’t for some best friends to do. But a spark illuminates the picture of being afraid to tell one how the other feels. His smile never faded as much as yours, and fingers interlocked within a second. Your free hand fixed his bangs that made his smile grow bigger. A sweet gesture that made his heart beat go wild.
“I’m going to melt, Y/n,” Felix said as you chuckled in response.
“Says the one who stares at me the way I stare at them,” You remarked when Felix sat up to fix his clothes. “You shouldn’t be lying on the ground, it will get that expensive fabric of yours some dirt.”
“Oh, I can’t help but be clingy with you,” He said.
“You know I love it when you’re so close to me,” You smiled. “It makes me forget about how harsh the reality it is than the ones you’ve read in books,”
“My precious Y/n,” He awed with a hand on your cheek. “You will always have me, okay? Even if I get married to someone else, I’m not leaving you behind.” You didn’t know why it hurt you when he said that. It was something like a knife being pushed inside your chest, or you wanted to shed a tear from the code. But you can’t. Six years weren’t enough for Felix either. He wanted something more than this, yet, practical is what should be followed. No other option left.
“You’re always precious to me, Your Highness,” You smiled as Felix sighed in disbelief (in a playful way).
“Y/n, it’s Felix, okay? I am Felix, for you!” He exclaimed and you just had to laugh it out with him. “But seriously, we’ve been friends for a long time,” He whined.
“Okay, okay, Felix,” You said, which made his heart want to flip inside his chest. “Felix,”
“Yes?” He gulped, not wanting to go feral with you calling his name.
“I just wanted to say your name,” You said as he softened his expression before he placed a soft kiss on your forehead and hugged you tightly.
“Just say my name,”
A few days passed by, and the same lectures were given by your private tutor. One that always happens in the small library. His classes were good enough to make you understand things, but the subject itself is the one you hate. Neat papers filled with words written with ink, books from different constitutions piled at the other side of the table. He reads a book out loud as you take notes while seated in front of your study desk. You listened diligently, trying to comprehend every word. Each sentence feels like a brick fell from tearing a tower, how many times do you have to mention it to yourself that you hate politics? But the tutor smiled at you before flipping a page on the book.
Living in this century seems to be a little weird anyway.
It was a sunny morning, your parents left early for a gathering as the Headmistress will be the one in charge of all your classes today. The tutor wanted to keep your attention in class knowing they won’t be home anytime soon but you wonder what the Prince was doing. A sigh escaped your lips as the tutor stopped in the middle of the written sentence, glancing at you. He cleared his throat and closed the book with a gentle thump, making you bite your lower lip. The pen fell on the paper after writing a period. You can’t seem to focus by then.
“Is everything alright?” He asked as you shake your head quickly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Choi,” You said as he nodded in response which took him a few seconds before opening his mouth.
“Well, your assignments are good, I can tell how much you improved from the previous classes, very detailed learnings perhaps,” He said, clasping his hands together. “What seems to be distracting you?”
“Nothing,” You defended when he sighed, taking off his glasses and packing his things back into his bag.
“Y/n, I know you despise this class so much but your Father expects too much from you so let’s endure the pain while it lasts,” He said as you nodded gently.
“Yes, Professor,” You said quietly with a sad tone.
“Let’s call it a day and I’ll see you next week okay? I will not give you anything to write for the rest of the week but please do read these,” He answered referring to the book being piled on your table.
“Did he tell you I am a disappointment in this family?” You asked, stopping him. “Because I was born a girl and he was expecting a son, Mother can’t give birth anymore because of her health, yet they still make decisions for me without my permission,”
“I understand your sentiment in that, but being a woman is noble and learning things is powerful,” He said. “Y/n, you are never a disappointment, I believe in you, okay?”
“Thank you, Professor,” You smiled gently.
“Please, do call me Yeonjun,” He said with a smile in return. “I’ll be off now, see you next week Milady,” He added, taking a formal bow as you stood up from your seat一walking with him outside.
You stood by the door, seeing him take his carriage and left the Chateau. Another sigh escaped your lips watching him disappear from your sight. It was good to spend the mornings with Yeonjun’s political science class but what excites you the most is when your parents are out the whole day. You had the privilege to do anything you want with the maids tailing you, read tons of books一eat anything in the kitchen, horseback riding around the Chateau. It gives you peace and joy, yet the thoughts of Felix keep knocking inside your mind. The Prince must be busy with his education and training to be King someday and you were just waiting for someone to arrive and ask your hand in marriage. Yet, you always despise the idea of it.
Arranged marriages are common in the kingdom and if they were lucky, they marry for love. Felix was awed by the fact that the Prince of Minnister managed to marry the Princess of Christark instead of the one who was fixed to be his bride. Even the Prince of Targarhyun married for love, he always believed he will experience the same thing. You shake your head as you take your horse for a walk around the Chateau, it was huge enough to take a stroll. The sun was high and the wind is friendly to take a run outside. You declined reading a book, for now, it was something that makes your head think a lot of things. Being alone is what you needed the most. The dining area was too peaceful with you eating alone, even the hallways were empty and the maids had their jobs to keep.
Being the only child is not always what the others capture to be fun.
The night came and the horse of your family’s carriage neighed the way in front of the entrance as you were sitting on the window seat in your room, ended up reading the next chapter of Professor Yeonjun’s lesson. The Headmistress was standing by the front deck when you saw another carriage following yours. With knitted brows, you stayed by the window holding the curtains aside. Your parents went off the carriage first and waited for the other passengers to get off. They were all smiles and laughed when you recognized the visitors. You watch them enter the Chateau as a young man, probably the son of the family who came, had his eyes in your direction. A smirk pursues his face一there must be something going on. And that’s when you heard a knock on your door.
“Miss, the Governor, and the Lady have arrived,” One of your maids said the moment they entered your room. “You have visitors,”
“Who are they?” You asked, standing up from the seat.
“The Duke and Duchess of the West, with their son, Lord Gunil,” They said. “They’re expecting you to dinner, Milady,”
“Sure, I’ll be there,” You said, dismissing the maid as they bowed and left the room.
A sigh of disbelief escaped your lips as you look at yourself in the mirror, fearing there might be something wrong by the time you stepped inside the dining area. Taking a deep breath, you left the room with your heart beating faster一you doubt it is a thing you need to worry about. You walked out of your room with a maid and a butler behind you. They must know something, it was silent enough to bother your existence and everyone is already settled down in their seats and stood up to greet you. Excited smiles from the visitors, even your parents, it was painted with bright colors but not to Gunil. He was just staring without amusement.
“Good evening, Milady,” The Duke greeted as the Duchess and the Lord bowed.
“Good evening,” You greeted back, taking a glance at your parents who have their hopes high.
“Take a seat and have dinner, then we will discuss our agenda. Shall we?” Your Father said as everyone take their seats again.
It was only the banging sound of the silverware on the dishes that were heard as the maids served the food. Everything was all silent, no voices were meant to talk as you could feel Lord Gunil’s eyes looking at you. The Duke and Duchess started to compliment the food and your Mother was delighted. You became uncomfortable with the sudden interaction as you take as much food as possible. He could only smirk and shake his head, eating the steak on his plate. You bit your lip after swallowing your food. He is handsome, you admit yet you wonder what would Felix will think if you tell him.
“Tell me Miss Y/n, what do you do in your free time?” The Duke suddenly asked, taking your attention from the delicious food.
“I read books in the library and Professor Choi’s lectures in Political Science,” You started. “I also do horseback riding around the Chateau and play the piano,”
“Oh, that’s fascinating, our Gunil loves playing instruments as well,” The Duchess suddenly interrupted.
“I see,” You answered nervously, taking a spoon full of food.
“I guess Y/n and Lord Gunil will get along with each other well,” The Governor said as your Mother smiled in support. A quiet sigh escaped your lips when you knew where this is going to lead. “Perhaps we could discuss their engagement?”
“Engagement?” You asked as your heart sank.
“We are delighted to say that we are going to have you in a fixed marriage with our son, dear,” The Duchess said which made you stand up from your seat.
“What?!” You exclaimed out of shock and anger. “You didn’t tell me,” You said, looking at your parents as the other family watch you. Not minding the stares of disbelief.
“It was supposed to be a surprise and it is!” The Governor beamed. “I and your mother talked with the Goo family since last year and today we decided to declare it as what it is,”
“You decided this without my permission? How would you know about how I feel with this surprise of yours eh, Father?” You snapped back which made Gunil smirk again, rolling his eyes.
“Goodness, Y/n, where are your manners?” Your Mother interrupted.
“Take it easy, you do owe her an explanation.” The Duke said.
“Y/n, sit down.” The Governor said as you hissed underneath your breath and sat down against your will. “Your Mother and I, even the Goo family have been planning this marriage ever since you were born, we talked last year about this to have it official. It will be good to have a Lord as your husband一I will also be a benefit for this family and even when you are part of the Parliament.”
“Listen to your Father dear,” Your Mother said. “It’s for the strong bond,”
“You mean power,” You scoffed.
“Y/n!”
“No!” You said banging your fist on the table before jolting out of your seat一leaving the dining area. The Governor sighed in disbelief as your Mother tried to cover the embarrassment.
“Let me talk to her,” Gunil said wiping his lips and went to follow you.
“After all, I’ve done for her,” The Governor scoffed as his wife held his hand.
“Let’s give the children some time,” The Duchess said as the Duke nodded.
“Let Gunil have a chance,”
Groaning at the thought of it, a loud bang of the door closing was heard. The maid and the butler were kept out of the room when Gunil showed up a few seconds before you could shut it in front of his face. You were fuming inside, one that you wanted to blow everything away. How could they do this to you? They didn’t even tell you anything一even the marriage. You didn’t even know Gunil very well. Everything is fucked up already.
You hissed under your breath, cursing at the situation right now as your hands came attached to your waist as you walked back and forth around your room. All, expecting to be it was a sick joke but nothing! Another sigh came out from your lips for the nth time of the day, it is a surprise. It surprised you, with disappointment. But suddenly, a knock came through your door. You weren’t in the mood to take visitors again, an arranged marriage news is already too much to take.
“Who is it?” You asked.
“It’s me, Gunil,” The voice said. “May I come in?” He added, but you hesitated, still, you didn’t have a choice but let him in.
“What do you want?” You asked, not wanting to sound rude.
“I’m going to talk some sense with you,” He started as you turned away to face the window, hugging yourself from the bitterness you felt. “Listen, love, they did a mistake for not telling you sooner but even if you protest, I’m already tied up with you, yes? There’s nothing you can do to change it.” He chuckled as you roll your eyes.
“I don’t want to marry you,” You said which made him smirk.
“Too bad you can’t run away from it, love,” He said, taking a few steps towards you.
“What if I can?” You protested facing him, when he pinned you on the window, looking at your eyes with a stern expression that made your heart race in fear.
“I can’t let you get away with this,” He said with his low voice, enough to send shivers down your spine. “You are going to marry me, whether you like it or not,” He whispered before blowing gently in your ear and plastering a wicked smile before leaving your room.
You fell on your window seat, clutching your chest in response to what just happened. That Lord is a jerk and it made you hate your parents more. Your knuckles turned white from forcing them into a closed fist. This is not what you wanted for yourself, studying Political Science and being pushed towards something you don’t like is already too much. You knew you have to do something with this, a plan that might stop this madness. Tears started to form in your eyes, trying to process everything. You can’t marry that man, you just can’t.
Meanwhile, the Prince was looking at the bright moon from his balcony. The light illuminates the dark sky and the stars shining and glimmering with it. He was feeling the cold breeze of the wind as he closed his eyes, letting him take his moment of peace. Yet he still worries about something, he hadn’t seen you for days一he misses you despite his busy subjects. Not a moment he doesn’t think of you. Every day becomes more hectic than usual, the Prince has been preparing for a royal ball that will happen next month, it is a celebration for the King’s birthday一and a way for him to find a bride. A sigh escaped his lips, sharp claws started to appear on his hands as his eyes turned red and fangs grew in his teeth. He doesn’t want anything even if he already knew that he is destined to marry a princess by the end of the day, he wanted something else.
The Prince let the moon envelop his presence and make his pale skin glimmer along with stars. It always happens when the full moon strikes his body一and there’s nothing above his control. He learned that the hard way. Being a member of the royal family and being blessed by immortality is a privilege, one that it could only be done by good and use the power in anything but evil. But everyone fears what a blood-sucking creature can do. A vampire who doesn’t always satisfy his cravings enough for just animals’ blood. Not everyone in Felly is a vampire, not, but the royal family only.
Behind those gentle smiles and sense of nobility in public一even the way he looks at you and learns to control his lust for blood, the Prince is still young to learn everything. Even the King and Queen get worried, for how like a monster is seated on the throne. People believed the curse, some say they are harmless because they rule the kingdom well and there had been no casualties during the past decades. No one from the royal family risked their lives for hunger, but that someone might break the rules. And if one decided to take part in killing a human for its blood or not, they will face the consequences, even death.
The Prince looked at the moon again as his claws scratched the railings, not a moment after, his eyes shut forcefully. He wouldn’t want to end the royal family’s code. But why does your blood smell so good that he had to prevent himself from killing you? Being a good friend of his isn’t the answer. He loves you and he would never try to do anything that will make him lose you.
“Sire,” Someone said from behind him.
“Yes?” Felix answered in his deep voice. “Did you bring me any news?”
“Y/n seems to be distracted today,” Felix opened his eyes and turned around to see his spy. A vampire himself.
“Is it something I should worry about?” He asked as the man nodded.
“I believe it is about the Governor,” The man said as Felix sighed in response.
“She’ll come to me,” He said. “You can go now, Yeonjun hyung,”
“Have a good evening, Your Highness,” Yeonjun said and disappeared, leaving Felix alone. His gaze went to the Chateau from afar, the glowing lights from the windows indicated you were still awake.
“I wonder what’s happening, Y/n,” He said to himself, watching the candle lights flicker at the windows until one of them dies.
You didn’t sleep well during the past few days ever since the announcement of your engagement. Books were left eating clouds of dust in the library and the reading materials were untouched. No motivation to read anything that sparks up your imagination. It was supposed to be improving your skills in Professor Park’s lecture but nothing happened. You lie awake that one night, staring at the ceiling wondering how would you tell the Prince about this. He was hoping you’d be the one to choose who you want to marry. The maids got worried when you are not eating properly, the Governor seems unable to notice but your Mother would force you to eat. But you keep resisting and lock yourself inside your room the whole day, keeping everyone away. Silence envelopes the atmosphere at every family dinner, your Mother hesitates as the Governor is looking forward to the celebration.
A long deep sigh escaped your lips, uninterested in the new chapter the Professor was talking about. The pen ticks with the paper now and then, and Yeonjun got distracted by the damsel in distress. He watched you get bored as your face indicated how weak you were. The lecture notes he gave didn’t even leave the place where he left them last week. His eyes wander around before taking his respective seat, clearing his throat to earn your attention.
“I thought we are having a class today?” He asked.
“I’m sorry Professor,” You sighed in response. “I’m just not in the mood,”
“And by what is the cause of this, not in the mood thing?” He asked again clasping his hands together on his knees.
“I don’t know how to tell you,” You sighed again.
“You don’t have to tell me,” He smiled. Yeonjun has been teaching you Political Science for months now and it was easy to warm up to him with his decent and friendly personality. Yet, you are still hesitant to tell him everything even if you feel like he’s been a good older brother to you. Even if telling him might ease the burden you felt, he couldn’t help you get out of the situation anyway. You shake your head at him and forced a smile, it was something for him to be worried about especially when he notices every single detail you do.
“My parents hadn’t told you yet?” You asked as he shake his head.
“No, care to tell me?”
“I’m getting married,” You said which made him freeze on his spot. It was a piece of big news but wasn’t unexpected. A sigh escaped his lips, massaging his glabella一he definitely knew the Governor was up to something. “They just told me last week,”
“How do you feel about this?” He asked, brows knitted in disappointment.
“I felt betrayed,” You said quietly. “They didn’t give me a heads up about it, no one, it just popped out!” You cried. “I don’t know what to do, it’s the Duke and Duchess of the West一”
“Hold on,” He said, stopping you in the middle of the sentence. “It’s Lord Gunil, isn’t it?” He asked.
“Yes,” You sniffled. “He’s a fucking jerk! Did you know what he told me? He said I’m going to marry him whether I like it or not! Fuck!”
“Milady, calm down, I understand how hard it is for you, but let us remain calm,” He said as you slammed your fists on the table making him flinch on his spot. “Y/n,”
“Fine!” You hissed, standing up from your seat. “I can’t let them do this to me.” You added with a deep sigh. “I can’t marry someone I don’t love,”
“Did your parents know?” Yeonjun asked again as you shake your head.
“They don’t care,”
“Good gracious, Professor Yeonjun, this is supposed to be a class!” A voice said as it enters the library, your Mother. “You are in no position to deal with family issues, your class is done for the day, Y/n, go to the hall and play the piano for your practice. This commotion shall not reach your Father, understood?” Your Mother ordered with a stern look on her face and you were about to protest but Yeonjun already bowed to apologize before leaving the library.
“Professor, wait!” You exclaimed as your Mother blocked your way.
“Into the hall, now!” She said as you glared at her, pushing her out of the way一running after Yeonjun.
“Yeonjun, please wait!” You yelled again as you reached the main entrance.
“I’m sorry Milady, let’s see each other for your next class. I have to get back to work now,” He said, opening the carriage’s door.
“Please help me with this,” You pleaded, taking his hand.
“I can’t offer a solution for now,” He sighs in response. “Your Mother’s right, I have no right to intrude with your family issues, I’m sorry,” He said taking your hand away and bowed again as he left with the carriage.
The sounds of the piano came horribly as if you were looking at the keys with pure hatred and disgust. It was supposed to be a good piece that you always love but it turns out to be more aggressive than smooth. Yeonjun is one of the only chances you could get away with the unwanted engagement as you feel ashamed talking to the Prince about this even if he is your very close friend. Felix already has a lot on his plate, his princely duties, training to be the next heir to the throne, and classes. The engagement was already planned ahead for the weekend, and it was something that you shouldn’t look forward to. It only made the music piece go out of tune which made your Mother rage at the melody.
“Again!” She ordered as you tried to remain calm.
You repeated the music again, the very first note down to the last. It was better than the first one—a forced piece of soothing melody from a grudge of a lady. Your Mother seems to enjoy your skills of playing the piano, a hobby of yours ever since your childhood embarked on great talent, aside from reading at a fast pace from reading almost all of the books from the library. It was relaxing, yes, but you don’t enjoy the things you used to because of the standards your parents have. And to marry a Lord for power and wealth, they have already taken away your freedom.
“Good, you will play this piece for your engagement party this Saturday afternoon,” She smiled and left the hall, leaving you slamming your hands on keys causing it to release a piece of distressing music. Your nails dug at the ivory, scratching them out of the blue making your maids flinch in fear.
“Get me the Messenger now,” You ordered, standing up from your seat. “Right now!”
“Yes, Miss!” One of the maids said and ran to fetch him.
The night fell by the next day—you headed for the stables to fetch your house. Everyone was asleep, but not your butler and the maid. It was dark outside, with no source of light but the lamp your maid was holding. The Butler was the lookout even though they didn’t like the idea of this. Yet, it was the only way to escape to see the Prince. After the messenger appeared in the Chateau with an envelope in his hands that had the Felly’s seal on it, you knew the Prince wanted to see you urgently. Your noble steed gushed like the wind as you both left the grounds, the Maid and the Butler will cover for you until you come back. But you knew it wouldn’t last, they will find you anyway. The engagement party is in two days, you might be able to spend time with Felix in preparation for the wedding later. Your horse neighs as it reached the streets heading to the old farmhouse by the lake. A landmark that states near the border of Felly. The moon is shining brightly again, never in Felly had it dark—a spell controls it as it gives more power to the royals. A source of intimate beauty and gives life to immortality.
Sounds of the hooves hit the grounds, enough to awaken the attention of Gunil from his manor. His eyes landed on the maiden, running across the streets with a familiar face. Curiosity fell as he glanced at the moon—a good time to play outside. The farmhouse was already in sight with Felix’s horse, eating grass around it. A sigh of relief escaped from your lips as you smiled, halting your horse beside the Prince’s noble steed. You landed on your feet, running towards the entrance, and saw nothing on the ground floor. It was dark inside, broken pieces of wood and machines welcomed you, even the clouds of dust. Every particle was visible enough to say this was already abandoned. But not tonight.
“Felix?” You called, lifting your skirt to get into the second floor. The Prince was delighted to see you, excitement riled his face the moment he heard your voice.
“Up here Y/n,” He answered, looking down from the railings by the second floor, enough to take a picture of you.
“Thank goodness you came,” You said, hugging him after reaching the floor as the Prince welcomed you with a hug.
“You wished to see me, I can’t say no,” He said, chuckling as he hugged you tighter.
“I haven’t seen you for almost two weeks now,” You said.
“I’m sorry, life happened to me,” Felix said, pulling away from the hug. “How are you, love?” He added, caressing your cheek.
“I haven’t been well,” You sighed softly in response, melting under his touch. His hands were always cold as he find warmth in you.
“Did something happen while I was away?” He asked in a worried tone.
“I didn’t know how to tell you,” You said as your eyes met his. “The Governor and my Mother had an agreement with the Duke and Duchess of the West, I’m marrying Lord Gunil,” Felix stopped in his tracks, he knew this was coming anyway. But the pain in his heart is one he cannot hide on the dark side of the moon. He took a step backward, trying to process the sudden confession at most. A disappointed sigh escaped from his lips as he turned his back from you. It was big news to him.
“The Governor did mention about this when he came this morning at the palace,” Felix said. “Do you want to marry him?” He added, finally facing towards you.
“No!” You exclaimed as Gunil was already sitting on a branch that belongs to an old oak tree, a few meters from the farmhouse. Eyes darkened at the sight of you and the Prince.
“Why?” Felix asked.
“I wanted someone else,” You said but it only lead Felix to fall into silence. “Felix I can’t marry someone I don’t love and for goodness sake, he is a jerk!”
“I know,” Felix hissed. “I don’t have a chance, aren’t I?”
“What do you mean—good heavens!” You exclaimed. “Felix, I’m not going to reject you! Did you just—hypothetically—tell me, you like me?”
“I always do,” He said quietly. “But I can’t risk you to be with me Y/n,” He added, closing his eyes, folding his knuckles. “And you don’t feel the same as I do,”
“There’s not a moment I didn’t think of you,” You said. “From the minute I knew I was going to marry Lord Gunil, all I thought about was you!” Gunil thought it was a surprise, he knew something was wrong. But he fled back to the manor, a good reason to ruin your reputation. A smirk formed on his face, he might enjoy the arrangement for a while. “And why can’t I be with you? Is it because you’re a royal and I’m not?”
“No!” Felix exclaimed. “I can break the rules if I wanted to Y/n,” He said, tears starting to form in his eyes. “It’s too dangerous for you,”
“My life has always been,” You said, holding his hand. “I love you,” Felix looked at you.
“You don’t know what you’re diving into,” He said.
“Just tell me,” You said softly, but only his lips met yours—his hands wrapped around your waist while yours rested on his shoulders. It was intimate, one that you wanted to last. His lips tasted like red wine, it felt soft and gentle, full of longingness and touch. Felix knew this was wrong, but you wanted to risk it. The Prince kissed your forehead as he took you into his arms again. “What am I going to do?” You said quietly, sobbing on his chest.
“We’ll figure something out, okay?” He said.
“That household is suffocating me to death, I am not free,” You said. “Can’t I just be with you, even if we keep it a secret?” You asked, so desperate enough to lure Felix. But he shook his head, kissing you again.
“If I could,” He whispered. “But you have to do what I need you to do while I figure out something to get you out of this mess, okay?” He said as you nodded eagerly.
“Okay,” You said quietly.
“You have to pretend that everything is okay, I’ll meet you here at the same time after your engagement party,” He said, holding your hands tightly. “I have to tell you something by then,”
“Are you going to the party?” You asked as he nodded in response.
“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it,” He said as you came to hug him again. “I love you,”
The day of the engagement came in a blink of an eye. Everyone was busy that morning as you were in your room with your maids, picking a dress to wear for later. They were doing your hair first—Yeonjun surprisingly came to help you choose one of those dresses. You were all smiley, but you can’t help but notice Gunil’s unamused stares that could reach through your soul. He’s been around the Chateau for two days for the purpose of getting to know you more. But it didn’t happen the way everyone expects. You ignored him as much as he ignored you. With all that death glares exchanged, the way he holds your hand tightly that can leave marks, it was the way he threatens you that he knows something—still it made you loathe him more. You tried not to mind him but the fact that he’s going to be your fiance in less than a few hours makes it worse. It will be only Felix that finds a spot for your happiness and seeing him today might comfort you.
His cold hands felt warm and his hugs were good enough to make you feel cozy, the scent of him still lingers in your nose. Being in love with the Prince fell to be a risk—six years of friendship didn’t suffice. It was innocent at first, one that the two get shy during the first meeting but ended up having a conversation that sparks each other’s interest. And by the moment he locked eyes with you, the sweet scent of your blood—he knew you were the one he needed to take. Yet it was no use when he could only keep you close and not sentenced you to marry. Even you, being tied up to someone else, is already living in hell. Fate wanted to play the game, anyway.
A vintage sage green gown with a mixture of white and silver enveloped your body. The maids were awed by the sight of such a beautiful young woman. Even Yeonjun was stunned, the Prince would be delighted to see you later but the dress was not for his occasion. The garden is already settled with tables and chairs, the gazebo is decorated with white roses and ribbons, and even the piano was seated beside it. Your Mother was in charge of the preparations and the Governor invited noblemen and women, especially the royal family. It made you stare at the busy people down below, a party you never asked for—an engagement with the person you loathe together with your toxic parents. If only you could run away in peace, but Felix’s words made you trust him. Pretend.
“Miss, the visitors are starting to arrive,” Your Butler said as you glanced at Yeonjun.
“He promised to come,” Yeonjun said as you gave them a nod.
“Lord Gunil?” You asked.
“He’s with his parents in the garden, Milady,” The Butler answered. “He’s been waiting for you.”
“Please tell him I’m almost there,” You said dismissing the Butler as Yeonjun bowed to leave as well. Your Mother came to attend and the rest of the maids went off.
“You look beautiful, darling,” She said as you faked a smile, not saying anything.
The garden was packed with the nobles and the relatives of the royal family. A gathering that was worthy of joy and celebration, the Governor was happy as the Duke and Duchess. You stood beside Lord Gunil, one who had your hand wrapped on his arm as he talked to the noblewomen—admiring his own beauty. But that didn’t amuse or make an intriguing segway, it was the Prince you were looking for. You hated gatherings anyway. A waste of time of unwanted moments with such unwanted people.
“Announcing the arrival of the King and Queen, and the Prince of Felly!”
It bears a smile on your face, but Gunil holds you closer to him—stopping your presence in front of the Prince. His grip was tight that made you glare at him but it was no use, he was already smiling as if he had known something. It caught the Prince’s eyes while the King and Queen were entertained by the Governor. You could feel Felix’s dark gaze at the man you were about to marry. His knuckles turned white, trying to hold himself from anger. The Prince didn’t want to ruin the party. You turned your gaze to him, but he just took a glass of wine, drinking it full all the way down his throat. His brown eyes gave a hint of red as Gunil locked his gaze with the former.
“You must stay close,” Gunil whispered. “You are marrying me, not the Prince.”
You wanted to get away from his grip, but the more you went against it, the more he didn’t want you to escape. Everyone was enjoying their time at least, but not the ones who exchanged dark glances at each other as you hung your head low. The women danced with their men on the dancefloor, sharing laughs and flattery as others tried the wine and champagne—cakes and other food from the buffet, children playing and the orchestra singing. It was beautiful in everyone’s eyes, and the Prince was catching the women’s attention for his ethereal beauty. He walks slowly by the tables, hands on his back, and his eyes never left your image. Gunil never left your side either and the growing impatience of the Prince never settled. Felix sat down at one of the empty tables, asking for another glass of wine—watching every single move you and Gunil make.
“I shall die before marrying you,” You said, protesting at him.
“And I will kill you if you don’t,” He said in a low monotonous voice.
“Fuck you,” You hissed as his eyes hinted the color red, staring at you, reaching through your soul. Maybe your eyes were just tricking you or the sun was about to set.
“As I said, Y/n, you will marry me whether you like it or not,” He said. “I didn’t ask for this marriage, love, but if you want to save your parents’ reputation, you will not decline.”
“What?” You asked, puzzled by his sudden confession. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, they didn’t tell you?” He smirked.
“Tell me you fucking bastard!” You hissed but he just chuckled in response. It made you grow impatient as well—but he didn’t even budge until the signal for the official dance started. That was when he dragged you to the dancefloor as Felix watched you at the center. Gunil was doing a good lead, a skillful son of ceremonial dancing but you weren’t amused at anything. The Prince joined the dancefloor, exchanging partners was required, Gunil spun you around and let go of your hand, Felix then, the first man to catch your dance. But you could still feel how he throws daggers on your back, one that makes you stiff while holding Felix’s hand.
“Are you alright?” Felix asked, waltzing with you. “Is he threatening you?”
“It’s nothing, Felix, don’t worry,” You managed a smile but the Prince didn’t believe it.
“Do you wish to tell me?” He asked again as you sigh in response.
“I will, I just need to figure things out myself,” You said as another man took you to dance and Felix ended up with another woman.
The worry in your eyes was visible, but the curiosity led to another. You looked at Gunil who was smiling at the maiden he was dancing with, so innocent but vile. Fuck that filthy man. Everyone was loving him too, but Felix is the only one you see, even if you were dancing with a random stranger—a noble you didn’t know was a relative. The Prince tends to think about it as well, what on earth did Gunil mean anyway?
Another man took you for a dance, he will be the last one before you could go back to Gunil. Small and shy smiles were shared, but the excitement vanished when he held your body again. A face of disgust and anger, the Lord expected it from you but he managed a smile. Felix was left dumbfounded and went out of the dancefloor. The sun was about to set and the dance was cut off by announcing the proposal that will be held in five minutes. You pushed Gunil away, glaring at him as if you’d despised him ever since your birth. But the latter stood away, still growing that sly smile he had.
“Meet me at the gazebo in 5 minutes,” He said. “Better say yes,” He added, clearing his throat before leaving you.
“That wicked bloke.” You hissed as you were about to step away from the dancefloor when Felix pulled you into the bushes, hiding from everyone. “What are you doing?” You asked.
“I wanted to know if you were okay,” He said, caressing your cheeks.
“I don’t know,” You said. “I think I’m going mad,”
“What happened?” He asked as you looked at him.
“It’s something about my parents, I don’t know,” You said, worriedly. Felix glanced at the Lord who was drinking a glass of champagne near the gazebo. Black rings adorning his fingers, a golden cross necklace around his neck, and a conceited indication of his position. He returned Felix’s gaze and finished his drink—whispering something on the Butler beside him.
“Meet me at the farmhouse when everyone is asleep, you have to know something,” He said.
“Everyone is keeping secrets from me, Felix, not you too,” You said, trembling at the thought.
“Right now is not the right time,” He pleaded.
“Do I have to say yes?” You asked him, holding his hand tightly. “I’m scared,”
“Say yes, I’ll take care of it later, alright?” Felix reassured, kissing your forehead as the announcer yelled for everyone to gather. “I’m not going to leave you,”
You gave Felix a tight hug before your Maid could find you, assisting your way towards the gazebo. Everyone was watching and the painter was capturing a once-in-a-lifetime event of your life, perhaps you were doing it with the wrong person. Your parents were holding each other dearly, as the Duke and Duchess were all smiles. Seeing Gunil is down on one knee, he looked sincere with his posture as he hold your hands gently. Felix isn’t having it—he doesn’t have the power to stop such an occasion. Even the King and Queen seem to be buying the party, one that they congratulated the Governor for doing so. But for what purpose did this engagement exist?
The music goes on smoothly, your Mother told you to act shocked and smile with pure innocence. You hated it, the Governor as well as Gunil’s parents were anticipating the right moment. Felix signaled his hand for Yeonjun to come closer, a task that only a vampire can do for now. Everyone suddenly clapped to you and Gunil, one that made him chuckle, fake. Standing there is the start of the steps to getting married. Felix looked at you, worried at the sight that you are going to be tied up with a bad menace. He held his knuckles tightly—he wanted to cause chaos.
“Fate brought us here, and I believe our meeting is not an accident and this engagement will be the start of our blooming relationship. Will, you give me the chance to love and take care of you, starting right now to the day we exchange our vows—(your full name), will you be my wife?” Gunil said which made you chuckle in response. Anyone would think it was a result of being flattered but it was so much more than that. It took you a while to give an answer as you glance at the audience anticipating for you to say yes. The Governor is impatient as the Lady signals you to go through—the Duke and Duchess didn’t seem to be bothered at all. You don’t like any one of them after all.
Gunil held your hand tightly, eyes glaring at you yet only a sly smile plastered on your lips.
“Don’t make me wait,” He mouthed at you, tightening his grip that made you prevented to make a sound. You wanted to protest and slap him square in the face, but like what Felix has said, pretend.
“I’m not making you wait,” You said.
“What’s taking you so long then?” He smirked as you giggled again.
“Yes!” You exclaimed, smiling at everyone and then back to him. “Filthy Lord,” You whispered.
“You better watch that mouth of yours darling,” He hissed.
“You want to rip it? Go ahead,” You glared at him.
“You definitely know nothing, woman,” He said, walking away.
The celebration comes after when you played the piano for the guest. But instead of the soothing music you’ve been practicing in front of your Mother, it was a music of a masquerade ball under the presence of a dark aura. Felix loved the tune, Gunil was amused as the Duke and Duchess you felt something was wrong���your Mother raged on their table but some of the guests were dancing, regaining a memory they had in the past. You looked at Felix as he bowed at you before leaving the Chateau, but the King and Queen stayed until the night fell when everyone drink and eat for a feast. The loud whines and cheers from the dining hall were heard as they all whipped with joy—it will be probably the same as the wedding day—all are happy, all are overwhelmed, except you.
Yeonjun stayed behind as you walked back to your room after an exhausting day. Gunil was walking you back to your room, silence all above the surface, and a distance was kept. The sight of your door emerged by the 2nd floor.
“You can go now,” You said, wanting to get out of his presence as you held the doorknob.
“If you wish to cheat on me with the Prince, better not make it obvious,” He said, making you halt. “You don’t know what trouble you will cause when they find out Y/n,”
“What are you up to?” You said facing him again.
“Your Father made a deal with a blood-sucking creature,” He smirked. “He wanted to gain power in the palace, and you are a perfect trade,” He added, caressing your cheek. “You better not run away from me love,” You felt his hands, and slowly traced your cheeks, it was gentle and cold, but his eyes were never meant to be good. They were red, and as his fangs were sharp, they made you freeze on the spot that send shivers down the spine. “I could kill you right now, and your lovely Prince,” He chuckled and left you, nearly collapsing by your door. Heartbeats were fast as you shake and shiver, hugging yourself at what you just saw.
Not a moment later, you headed for the stables, the Governor and the rest of the guests were too drunk to notice. The maids were occupied as they all thought Gunil left you inside your room to rest but the latter was watching your every move. He turned to face the Duke and Duchess as they nodded in unison. Your horse ran away along with you, the loud sounds of its hooves grinding the grounds had Gunil’s ears ringing to follow from the trees as Yeonjun reached the Prince first. The wind was carrying you on, trying to make the pace faster because of being scared. You could feel Gunil’s presence nearby as the sounds of the leaves gushing the trees and a creature of madness. He was following you.
“Yah!” You exclaimed as your horse ran faster but Gunil was quick enough to stop in front of you. The white horse stood in its two hooves behind, neighing at the sight of the monster with red eyes and sharp claws. You tried to calm your horse down but the Lord was already restraining him to get away.
“Where do you think you are going?” He asked.
“Away from you!” You exclaimed.
“As I said, you can’t get away from me darling,” He added, walking closer to you. “Get down,”
“No,” You hissed. “I’m not going to marry you! You, your family, and my parents can rot to hell!” But Gunil wasn’t amused as his hand reached your hair, grabbing it sternly looking into your eyes.
“I will be your husband in two weeks from now and you decided to cheat on me with the Prince? Are you really that desperate Y/n?” He said before dragging you to get down as you winced in pain as to how tight he’s been pulling your hair. “If you want freedom, I am glad to do the honor of killing you,” He chuckled.
“Do it then!” You hissed again trying to get off from his touch but being the vampire he is, Gunil is too strong to resist.
“Any last words before I do?” He asked before lifting his free hand, claws sharp as knives. Horror intensifies in your face. This world is too cruel for you to live in anyway, and maybe dying at the night of your engagement being done by your fiance will be a story that might be published in gothic fiction—or so everyone thought vampires don’t exist.
“I loathe you—” But before you could finish, someone interrupted.
“Lord Gunil, stop it at once!” The growling deep voice was heard, accompanied by a familiar face. Gunil sighed harshly, glaring at the Prince who just arrived as Yeonjun’s face filled with worry.
“He’s dangerous Felix!” You exclaimed, but Gunil didn’t even bother to let you go.
“Shut up!” Gunil hissed.
“I command you to let go of Y/n,” Felix said.
“You are not her subject, Felix! She’s mine to kill.” Gunil exclaimed as Felix’s eyes turned red—sharp claws appeared as his fangs were ready to bite.
“You don’t want me to kill you myself, don’t you?” Felix smirked. “Let her go!”
“You know vampires are prohibited to kill, especially a royal!” Gunil said. Your eyes are facing terrified and nervous, afraid of being killed or for what Felix was doing. Vampires are real, and the royal family’s curse was real—Gunil is part of the royal family from the second line. But Felix was so beautiful, his skin shone with the full moon that night, his eyes were blood red, and even when in anger, softness still lingers. His black sharp claws, his white fangs that can be painted red, he was too mesmerizing to be afraid of. But the idea of the creature can bring danger—how could he hide such a secret from you?
“You will kill her, I will kill you, our hands are going to be painted with blood eh?” Felix said, walking closer to you and Gunil. “How’s that for prisoners committing treason, cousin?” He smirked as Gunil got frustrated and pushed you away. Yeonjun was the one to secure you in his arms, trembling at the sight of two heated vampires in front of you.
“Cousin,”
“Are you okay, Miss?” Yeonjun asked as you looked at him, scared.
“You’re a vampire too,” You said, shivering under his touch. He looks the same as them, his hands are cold as ice, with no warmth at all.
“I’m not going to hurt you Miss, and so is the Prince,” He reassured. “Now let me take you back home,”
“What about Felix?” You asked.
“He revealed what he needed to be told, but don’t worry you will see him later,” He said as he took your horse and ran back home with you, leaving Felix who managed to secure a small nod for reassurance.
“How much do you love my fiance?” Gunil asked, letting you go.
“More than my life, Gunil,” Felix hissed. “And I will never let you lay a hand on her,” He said, voice growling in the depths.
“Royals are not allowed to marry the elites,” Gunil spoke, walking around him. “Are there no princesses that amuse you? Why deal with a mortal?” He hissed.
“I’ve known her for six years now, you can’t blame me for falling in love. Not someone like you who threatens their fiance for what? Power? The Governor traded his daughter for a higher position in the King’s parliament to a monster like you!” Felix said, eaten by anger.
“Oh, the Duke said I can do whatever I want with the girl, I thought she’d be all lovely and sweet but what did I see?” Gunil said, stopping in front of the Prince. “A worthless commoner who is foolishly in love with a Prince, and not just a Prince, a blood-sucking vampire. Admit it, Felix, Y/n’s blood is too good that you can’t resist it. You will kill her, eventually,” He smirked.
“I’m not like you!” Felix growled. “She is not your mate, even if her blood attracts you!”
“But she’s mine,” Gunil said, mocking his Highness’ tone. “I’m going to suck on her blood the night of our wedding and claim her mine. The privilege was given to me Felix, not you!” But then, sharp claws scratched Gunil’s chest, ripping his upper dress—the older boy was caught off guard by the sudden action and bled. Felix’s gaze had no signs of softness and remorse.
“You are lucky to have the law, or you’re already dead by now,” He said, lowering his voice, piercing his claws in Gunil’s chest making the older boy grunt in pain. But Gunil remained silent with his hand clutching his wounded chest. It will heal sometime. “Don’t touch Y/n, or I’ll bury you alive. And remember that she was born under the blood moon with me,” Gunil could only glare at him as he proceeded to dig his claws deeper. “A vampire can die with silver but not my claws Gunil, don’t cross the line,” Felix whispered before taking his claws off, making the boy kneel in his place. “Go home,”
Felix was about to leave the place as Gunil was panting heavily, forcing himself to rise up—gaining for the Prince with his claws ready to cut him in half. His movements were enough for Felix to notice and turned around to hold his wrists. He had the chance to throw him to the ground, wrapping his hand around Gunil’s neck. Felix’s red eyes were fuming like fire as he put much force on the latter’s neck, choking him nearly to death. Gunil tried to take it away from him, but Felix didn’t budge to move.
“I said, go home,” He said. “You’re quite stubborn are you?” But the latter smirked.
“You can’t kill me,” Gunil said.
“I will not betray Felly for you,” Felix said before he let him go. A frustrated sigh escaped from his lips and went to the trees and jumped his way back to the palace, leaving Gunil unamused and sparking his hatred more.
He went back to the Chateau as you were assisted by Yeonjun to sit on your bed. Gunil was fuming in anger, so much that he forced himself in even if Yeonjun had to stop him. You were already scared enough to distance yourself, but the Lord pushed the Professor away. Tears started to form in your eyes, blood was dripping down from his chest—Felix became something he didn’t want for a while. Almost everyone affiliated with the royal family was blessed with immortality and a monster hides within. Gunil’s hand reached your reach with a loud smack on it, causing your tears to flow faster. Yeonjun wasn’t in the place to stop him, for Gunil stands in a higher position than a mere professor himself.
“You are not going to leave this house, even if we marry. I forbid you to see the Prince!” He growled and left you with Yeonjun inside your room. Louds sobs were heard as you hugged him tightly.
“What should I do?” You asked, trembling as your hands shake. “He will kill me, he will kill me…”
Drowned in despair, you sent Yeonjun away to the Prince. But even if life has given you the signs that you’re going to die, that didn’t stop you from seeing Felix every night. He would come into your room with Yeonjun being the lookout and sneak you out by the window. Each night possesses bright full moons being the indication that a blood moon will show itself soon. You couldn’t help but wonder how it happened or how Felix and the royal family got to be blessed with immortality. A great gift that must be used for the good, but the others have abused their power for the sake of revenge. He tells stories one at a time as you sit beside him by an open window in the same old farmhouse. One that the moon’s light stares directly at the Prince.
“The story begins during the war, a beautiful woman seeks refuge in the kingdom after her family was killed by the enemy. She was held captive by the King that time, a stranger from a nameless kingdom, no one knows where she came from,” He said, holding each other’s hands and interlocking your fingers together as he leaned his head on your shoulder. “His wife had a heart of gold, she believed the prisoner was poor and must be given good treatment. The King was not amused but she begged him to save the stranger’s life—it’s cruel to keep someone innocent in a dungeon with no crime,”
Some believed she was a witch and lied to the royal guards that her family was killed during the war. She befriended the Queen, and she believed her stories—no provocation of a witch so they set her free. Her name was not to be spoken, she was nameless to everyone but not the Queen herself. She became her right hand, eventually and the Queen trusted her, with no doubts or hesitations. The kingdom used to think the Queen was reckless and ignorant of the danger. She didn’t know what awaited her. Then, the plague came, it took a lot of lives in Felly, the Queen fell really sick and the King accused the girl of sorcery. How could she betray the one who gave shelter and trusted her? With the Queen ill, they punished her death—thought they would make the plague gone when the girl died. But the people were fools.
They hanged the girl, but before they could, she wished to give her last words. She cursed all the members of the royal family, she didn’t find goodness in their hearts except for the Queen who showed compassion. It was the night of the blood moon, she promised she would not flee from the accusations but the magic she possessed enveloped the royal family members who were watching the execution. With the power of the blood moon and her magic, she said they’ll have the form of a blood-sucking creature—a dangerous monster, unable to control when it’s under the spell of the red moon. They were forbidden to kill, or else their treasures and ranks would vanish especially immortality. But my ancestors didn’t do well and broke the rules, and there remains a curse. The girl died, the plague was still there and the curse. The royals were forbidden to love a non-royal as well, but some say that one day, one of the members of the royal family will break the law. This vampire might kill someone or fall in love with a commoner.
“Sounds stupid right?” Felix chuckled. “Vampires usually have their prey when their blood is so sweet and fragrant to them, but some of us have it as our mates or they were the ones who were born together under the red moon. And as for me, I am destined to be with a mortal, a non-royal,” He added, looking at you. “Your blood smells so good, and you are born under a blood moon with me,—I’ll risk everything to be with you.”
Your hand reaches his cheek, kissing him under the bright moonlight. His skin was soft and cold, yet it felt warm which makes your heart melt. A sense of touch that ruins the code and law as if they were turning their backs on the kingdom—a significance of opposing this engagement. It didn’t matter what he is, nor the proceedings of the law, you didn’t want to be with someone else but the Prince. The freedom of seeing him every night ends at dawn, you will be seeing Gunil around the Chateau again and pretend everything was fine. Parents with unreachable standards and a rebel child, it does play a problem and fate is not friendly as it seems.
The day of the wedding came, and tears spilled from the eyes of the rebel child as her unwanted groom stood at the altar. Hands gripped tightly around the bouquet as her father assisted her. Everyone was smiling, admiring the beauty you possessed—but the rage inside your heart gets darker every time you take a step. The Prince watched the parade, eyes turning red at the acquisition. He wanted to lash out at everything in his sight, kill the man he was jealous of for having you standing in front, exchanging vows, and taking the veil off of your face. The Prince closed his shut, not taking the kiss for proclaiming the newlyweds as husband and wife. Your Father was overjoyed as your Mother wept with relief. The Duke and Duchess weren’t amused but the trade is a trade.
You are already married.
Your husband held your wrist tight to get a portrait, it will be one they will hang on the wall. The reception was filled with joy and drinking. It was the same scenario you had during the engagement party. Both didn’t paint a smile nor happiness in your world, only anger, and resentment. You were thankful that the marriage didn’t happen inside a church—a vampire, getting married in a church was ridiculous—you thought. But no matter how you execute thoughts, fear still remains and your husband can be responsible for taking your life whenever he pleases.
“You have the power to stop this wedding, why didn’t you do anything?” Yeonjun told Felix as he watched you dance with your husband at the center. You keep on glancing at Felix, but Gunil would make him look at you, smirking as he holds your hand tightly.
“And what would I do when I object?” Felix asked in return. “I will not hesitate to bring that monster and his family down! I will take care of him, clean and crimeless,” Yeonjun gave him a puzzled look.
“You will make a bloody crime,” Yeonjun whispered, but Felix didn’t answer and walked away.
“Can I have a dance with the bride?” Felix asked, interfering with you and Gunil from the dance. The Lord was looking at the Prince, unamused of his sudden appearance—then he looks at you, who was looking down on the floor, trying to resist the pain you feel from his grip. It will leave a bruise later.
“You will not do anything stupid,” Gunil said, pushing you towards the Prince as you stumbled upon him. “I’m watching you very close,”
“That bastard,” Felix growled as he held your hands, seeing the bruise on your wrist. “He did this to you?” He asked, eyes hinting red at the sight of it and Gunil was sitting a few meters away.
“It doesn’t matter,” You said.
“But Y/n, he’s abusing you!” Felix said gritting his teeth. “I’m going to kill that fucker,”
“Felix, he will kill you,” You argued, taking his hand, pretending to dance away.
“He will kill you,” He said. “I’m taking you away with me the moment this ends, I don’t care what will happen.”
“You’re putting dirt on your name, Felix, I won’t let you do it because of me!” You said tears started streaming on your face again.
“I love you, Y/n,” He said as it made your sobs grow harder.
Felix held your hand as his arm being wrapped around your waist pulled you closer to him as you sway to the music. Eyes were on you, it was a magnificent sight but not on your husband. You were beautiful in Felix’s eyes even if tears were shining like pearls—he wouldn’t waste such an opportunity. The white dress twirled following your body movements, it was the way the Prince spun you around and make a distance with your hands colliding with each other, it was the way how he pulls you back into his arms and hugged you tightly. It was sweet, but there was darkness behind. The music was soothing with a mixture of a masquerade theme. A melody that signifies that a woman was dancing with a lover that was never truly hers. It was bleeding painfully.
The Prince held your hand again, slipping something onto it, a silver dagger that was wrapped by a piece of cloth. A sharp object that can kill a creature in just one force into their chest. It was something that Felix feared, a weakness that contributes to his death. You looked at him as you slipped it inside your dress, Gunil was thankfully talking to his mother—Felix knew great timing. But then, you were confused as to why yet you were meant to kill.
“Kill him,” He said. “Then we shall flee from Felly,”
“What about the King and Queen?” You said in a worried tone.
“I’ll explain it to them, they will help us,” He insisted as Gunil suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
“That’s enough dancing with my wife,” He growled. “Find your own bride,” Gunil added as he dragged you away.
“Felix!” You cried but all he did was stand up on his spot, giving you a nod.
A vampire can’t kill another—but a human can. It will be considered a crime yet the person dragging you towards your room has already committed one. Felix flew above the Chateau as Yeonjun held the carriage outside the main entrance. He landed on a branch that settles him to see you through your bedroom’s window with your husband dragging you inside as you keep resisting his touch. Grunting and groaning to the pain you feel on your wrist, your body felt the softness of the mattress where he had to push you, eyes red in anger and rage. His heart turned dark, knuckles turned white, and his fangs were sharp as his claws—it might be the last time.
“What are you doing?” He asked. “You think Felix’s help will get you out of this?! No! You’re married to me now Y/n,”
“I’d rather die than spend a lifetime with you!” You exclaimed, launching out from the bed. “You agreed to take me for a trade! What am I? A thing? Bullshit!”
“Oh, Y/n, you’re more valuable than that,” Gunil smirked as he played with your hair. “You have something that I need,” He added breathing on your neck gently which makes his hunger craves more. You shut your eyes closed, fear enveloped your body as you remembered the silver dagger Felix gave you.
“Did my Father know?” You asked, trembling on your spot. “Does my parents know you’re a vampire?”
“No secrets for a trade love,” Gunil smirked. “I can’t let have the Prince feast for this luscious blood of yours to save his life, you’re his mate after all,”
“You can’t have me!” You defended when he just chuckled.
“Too bad, I already did,” Gunil opened his mouth ready to take a bite when you pierced the dagger on his left stomach causing him to weaken and kneeled on the ground. “Fuck,” He hissed at the sight of his blood, running towards the silver blade.
“Y/n!” Felix yelled from the branch as you hurried to open the window but Gunil gathered his strength, pulling you again, earning a scream from you. A hand grabbed your hair as he took the dagger from his wounded side.
“You will never leave this house!” Gunil growled as Felix launched himself inside, but he was too quick to hold you captive with his arm wrapped on your chest and the dagger’s sharp edge pointing at your neck. “You think you can get away?” He stressed as Felix halted in front of you. “Don’t come near us or I’ll kill her!”
“Let her go!” Felix yelled.
“She’s mine, Felix!”
“No,” Felix retorted. “You don’t know what will happen if you’d kill her.” He saw your eyes covered in fear, trying to resist Gunil’s grip for the nth time. Tears stream from your eyes, Felix hated that.
“I already see a monster inside you Felix,” Gunil smirked. “How much more if I’d take her life too?” He chuckled and was about to slash the dagger when Felix grabbed his hand—holding his wrist tightly causing Gunil to wince in pain and dropped the sharp object down to the floor as you fled.
“Go!” Said the Prince, holding Gunil from attacking any further. “Yeonjun take her away!” Felix ordered as the former quickly carried you out from the room and hopped towards the carriage.
“Take me back to Felix!” You cried but Yeonjun already pushed you inside.
“I can’t Miss,” He said. “You have to stay here, he will come later,” He added, hopping on the coachman’s seat to go on the road. Felix was left with Gunil, combatting against each other—one that would slash their claws on one’s arm or the other punches the other’s face. The Prince pinned Gunil on your bed, a hand wrapped around his neck, suffocating him. His eyes were full of rage and the latter was trying to take it at ease. He was too weak to do anything anyway, the stinging pain of this wound made by the silver was painful enough.
“Remember your Highness, you can’t kill,” Gunil smirked as Felix positioned himself to slash his enemy to death. “You can’t kill me,” He said.
“You don’t deserve your place, you’re a filthy vampire,” Felix grunted in response.
“It’s sad why a human was destined to be your mate,” Gunil chuckled. “You will kill her for her blood anyway,” But it only made Felix have his grip tighter around his neck.
“You do not speak to me like that,” Felix gritted his teeth. “I will kill you myself,” But Gunil pushed him away as Felix’s back landed on the furniture surrounding the room—earning a painful wince from the Prince. He lifted Felix up from his place, a hand around his neck and a dark stare. Even in pain, he still gains strength, he knew damage from a silver won’t heal faster than the minor ones, minus the mineral.
“How much are you going for her?” Gunil asked.
“I’d die for her!” Felix said struggling to get down from the former’s strength but managed to kick him right on the stomach where you stabbed him. Gunil fell to the floor and Felix grabbed the dagger and fled—coming for your carriage but to his surprise, Yeonjun was lying unconscious on the road—the carriage was bumped into a tree, damaged at the front. The Duke had a knife on your neck, again as the Duchess had Yeonjun’s head bleeding and passed out.
“Felix!” You called but it only caused the Duke to make a small cut on your neck, so much for the blood dripping, it drove the Prince crazy. His head was spinning, the scent of your blood was enough to rage him for lust.
“Ahh, his mate it is,” The Duke laughed. “You know your Highness, it is quite of a pity to have a mortal as your mate when everyone was destined to marry a royal. But her blood smells good and appetizing,”
“You don’t need to be selfish,” The Duchess said but the Prince was dizzy.
“Felix,” You cried.
“When she dies, you will become useless and the King will make Gunil heir to the throne!” The Duke said.
“A Governor who wanted power traded his daughter without knowing what will hit him,” The Duchess chuckled when you bit the Duke’s hand to flee but enough to stab the knife behind your back, buried deep.
“No!” Felix exclaimed before he could attack them both in anger, slashing the chests and piercing his claws on their hearts. Law didn’t matter to him anymore. He was furious—eyes were dark red, devoured with madness and blood, and he came mercilessly to the two nobles. His hands choked on their necks, with the brightness of the moon that night, he sucked on their blood—tackled them to the ground, and pierced the dagger into their hearts. You were lying on the grass, catching your breath as Gunil arrived, seeing his parents dead. His eyes were covered in fear.
“Do I need to kill you too?” He asked. “Right, there’s no point in killing you yet,”
“You don’t know what you’re doing,” Gunil said, shaking at the sight of his parents being lifeless, blood being sucked and empty.
“I am,” Felix growled as he went in your direction. “Y/n,” But with rage Gunil was about to attack him from behind when the Prince was too quick enough to turn around and stabbed his wound again causing him to wince in pain, loud enough. Yeonjun regained his consciousness and saw the horror.
“A life for a life,” Felix whispered. “You don’t deserve a place in the palace,” Gunil fell to his knees and collapsed on the ground as Felix proceeded to you, fighting for your life. Breathes were heavy and painful, blood coloring the green grass as you lay, looking at him with worried eyes. “Y/n,.. I’m so sorry…” He said.
“Shhh,” You said, reassuring him. “I’m sorry,”
“Sire,” Yeonjun called. “You killed the Duke and Duchess, the King wouldn’t be pleased.”
“It doesn’t matter, I will explain what happened,” Felix said. “Leave me and Y/n, alone for a moment,”
“And Lord Gunil?” He asked again.
“Take him to the royal physician and burn their bodies,” He ordered as Yeonjun bowed. “Everything will be okay, now,” Felix said, looking at you as he take your body on his lap. “I’m sorry,” He cried.
“Don’t be sorry, none of this was your fault,” You said, holding his hand. “Now that I’m wounded and dying, my blood is already yours,”
“And leave you to die?” Felix said, as his voice cracked with his sobs in between.
“I think I was destined to die anyway,” You smiled despite the pain. “I’m already losing a lot of blood, I’m sorry I won’t be able to give you a happily ever after,” You added.
“You’re going to live okay?” Felix growled. “I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you,”
“I love you,” You said. “My blood is yours, my Prince…”
The Prince was left in despair as tears wouldn’t stop streaming his face the moment you finally closed your eyes. Clutching your body onto his, he buried his face in your neck. Despite the luscious red liquid that drips down from your body, it became nothing. He couldn’t bear to take your blood as his now—what’s the point of it anyway? You are gone.
Thunder and lightning roared in the black sky as you lay inside the coffin. Hands together above your stomach with your favorite flowers and eyes closed in a deep slumber for eternity. The Prince stood a few meters away from the mourning family, his face filled with no evidence of sadness but loathe and displeasure. Hints of rain fell, and water droplets made wet circles on your red gown. They tossed red roses at you as the fire from the candles stopped burning. Lanterns were lit instead.
Your Mother was weeping with a white handkerchief to wipe her tears off as his husband remained still, staring at your lifeless body and the lord you married. They were all in despair as the rain poured harder. The priest said his condolences as the other relatives left the tomb yet seeing the Prince was more than a shock. Whispers and murmurs had his eyes followed their voices as his butler nudged him with an umbrella above his head. Your parents turned around and the lord一ashamed and scared.
“Your Highness, we should get back now,” Yeonjun said. Your parents bowed to pay respect as the lord executed a nod. The Prince glared at him.
“You’re lucky I didn’t intend to kill you with the Duke and Duchess,” Felix told Gunil.
Felly watched the funeral of the Duke and Duchess the night where Felix killed them as Gunil was healing. Everyone was scared at didn’t look the Prince in his eyes. Even your parents were ashamed and the Governor lost his place in the palace. The King was furious but gave no punishment to his child despite the crime. There was no crime, after all.
“It must be a heavy burden to come一”
“Leave us,” The Prince ordered, cutting your Mother’s sentence as his butler frowned in response. Your parents hesitated, even the lord. “Leave me and Y/n alone,” He ordered again.
“As you wish,” Your Father stated, gesturing the other two to follow him, yet the lord didn’t leave the Prince’s gaze.
“Your Highness the rain will pour harder anytime soon,” Yeonjun insisted as the Prince sighed in disbelief.
“I said, leave us!” His voice was stern and Yeonjun immediately obliged, returning to the carriage. “Don’t wait for me and get back to the palace,”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yeonjun bowed and left, even the funeral directors left the coffin open for him to see you one last time.
His footsteps became heavy each time he took a closer approach to the black coffin—one that it feels like a silver dagger pierced his chest. The sounds of grass being stepped on were heard as the rain made them fresh and soaked bit by bit. The Prince closed his eyes, forcedly shut in rage. He despised what happened to you. A harsh reality that strikes the wonder of your life and with all the pain and tears, he should have done something to save you. But he didn’t—devoured by heartbreak and anger, being forbidden to move and left to watch you die, his heart darkened.
Your parents knew what happened that night. The King’s royal guard informed the Governor to be revoked from his place. One that he didn’t deserve after making a deal with a vampire and trading his daughter—not just a hopeless maiden—but the Prince’s mate. His best friend and true love, the one who gives him joy despite the sadness he carries from being one of the royals. Felix was devastated and so was everyone in the kingdom. Your parents were put on house arrest along with Gunil. The Lord was too weak and sad to escape, but their effrontery manner is thick enough to have themselves show at your funeral, weeping and ashamed.
The flowers slid away from your hands as he held them tight. Cold as ice, fragile as glass, weak as a bowing flower—his eyes never left yours. He caressed your cheek, feeling the peace of your slumber. Even in death, you are still beautiful in his eyes, but he fears what he will become when you are gone. He folded his knuckles as the veins came to hold tightly yet softened by the pain in his heart. If only he did something to protect you—only if he stepped out of the palace to talk, he never did. And it was too late, his precious red rose, gone in the hands of the man he was jealous of. His lips met your forehead—you will suffer no more but he knew someone must pay the price.
“I’ll make them regret this,” He said quietly as a tear fell from his eyes, but from sorrow and misery—his gaze turned dark, filled with hatred and regret.
The rain stopped unexpectedly as the clouds opened like curtains to reveal the big full moon directing its light on you. It was fascinating, bloody, and dark, the Prince looked up to the sky, claiming his natural form. The time he’s been waiting for, calling for taking what’s his and making them pay for what they have done to you. It was quiet and clear, the cold breeze of the wind gushing to the sadness. His brown eyes turned blood red, fangs visible on his teeth—the Prince needed to save you.
You died. They thought it was the end. You live. And it was only the beginning. They always paint the roses red. You despise it.
With the blood moon above the sky, Felix’s fangs met your neck—burying the bite deep down to savor the remains of your body. His DNA travels from every nerve and passageway to roam inside your body as if it was a venom that escalates for someone to die. But the difference—it will let you live. He attempted to bite, not once, not twice but thrice of his fangs grow sharper by the minute. Your eyes were still closed, with no sense of life after all. Yet he didn’t give up there. He was left with his last choice and carried your body back to the palace where he used the trees as an escape. No one saw him as he landed on the balcony of his room where the King and Queen were waiting. Yeonjun helped him lay you on his bed, lifeless yet beautiful.
“She will be back, the blood moon is with us,” The Queen said.
“Your marks have indicated life, let’s hope for her return,” The King added. “Son, why did you let Gunil live?”
“He is not for me to kill,” Felix said, caressing your hair. “I don’t want to stain my hands with his blood,” The King and Queen exchanged glances as they gave their son a hug.
“We will leave you alone with her,” The Queen said as she nodded at Yeonjun, taking her way out along with the King.
“Sire, let Y/n rest for a bit,” Yeonjun said as Felix gave him a nod before placing a soft kiss on his lips— leaving with him.
The door closed behind Felix as gently as possible and left you into your deep slumber on his bed, hands clasped on your stomach. It was a beautiful night indeed, the bright light from the moon entered the room with the wind howling making the curtains sway. The burning flames on each candle blow as his blood devour your body to your heart. The wind grew stronger and the gushing sounds of it poke the life within you. A gasp escaped your lips as you opened your eyes.
They were red.
Felix suddenly felt something weird that held him back to his room, you were standing in front of a mirror—amused by what you had become. The Prince ran back inside as you heard the sounds of the door opening. Felix’s heart started to beat faster, you look different after being brought to life, yet still the most beautiful woman in his eyes. He is already crying as you stare at each other—you spread your arms open as he welcomes you into a hug.
“My love, I missed you so much,” He said, hugging you tightly as you melted under his touch. “I thought I’d lost you,” He added between his sobs. “You came back,”
“I thought I’ll be gone,” You said, shedding tears as Felix kissed your lips most definitely.
It is that one thing that you missed. His hugs, all the cuddles, and laughs—his kisses were always gentle and soft as you tasted your own blood from his lips. That didn’t matter. He wrapped his arms around your waist to pull you closer, enough space to deepen the kiss. It was filled with longingness as he was left to cry his heart out inside his room a few days after your death. It wasn’t his job to bring back the living but for the sake that you are his only mate, he risked his own life for it and promised to make them regret what they did. He loves you dearly.
Your back met the mattress as he hovered over you—hand wrapped around his neck, Felix didn’t waste his time kissing you. He licked your lips before sucking them and took them again as you let out soft moans from his touch. One that it drove him crazy while at it, you pulled him closer to yours as you played with his black locks. Felix smiled at the thought, ending it with a soft kiss on your lips, making you giggle. Your hand placed on his cheek gently, caressing it to look at his face in awe. The face of the one you love, the one who saved you, and the one you should marry.
“I love you,” He said.
“I love you too,” You added he placed another prolonged kiss on your lips again.
And that moment later, you lay beside together as you hold hands with Felix playing with your fingers.
“The ball will be tomorrow night,” He said. “We were supposed to be busy,” The Prince chuckled.
“I’m sorry to forfeit your schedule,” You said as Felix shake his head, kissing the tip of your nose.
“It’s fine, they already know,” He smiled. “I want to deliver you in public tomorrow, make your parents regret what they did, and face Gunil,” He said, slowly changing his tone.
“Wouldn’t be weird to have a dead be alive again?” You asked as he giggled.
“I have the power to make you live for you are my mate, my blood is yours, we share it now,” He smiled. “I made you one of us to make you live, and I will make you my Princess,”
“That’s a huge honor for me,” You said.
“Will you accept it?” Felix asked, looking at the red eyes that you share with him.
“I will be honored, your Highness,” You smiled.
The night of the ball arrived, it was supposedly a birthday celebration for the King where everyone is dancing and colleagues meet. Your parents were invited as well as Gunil who is still a prisoner, dressed them into fine nobles to what they should be. The King was seated on the throne along with his wife. A feast that everyone thought that it was the usual birthday party. Felix stood beside his Father and watched the townsmen enjoy the company. The music was played by a famous group of musicians and a singer was intended to sing later.
Everyone was distracted, the King is smiling and the Queen is satisfied with the taste of the wine as you were hidden on the second floor. A red ball gown that emphasizes a sweet backfire as you walked down the stairs made the King halt the activities. The Prince went to escort you and the townsmen were left in shock. The Prince’s other half lives. Your parents had a hard time swallowing the fact that what they did was wrong and now, the royal family’s hatred grows bigger—with you being alive and a part of the immortality.
“Behold, our new heir of the throne,” The King announced as Gunil dropped his glass on the floor. That caught your attention as you stood beside Felix at the throne, one that your parents cried in regret but it was too late. It was their fault why your life was miserable enough and was killed for your blood. A connection to the Prince not to get the throne if you were gone.
“Y/n,” Your Mother cried as was about to run to you but the guard have blocked their way. The Governor was ashamed. He couldn’t look you in the eye.
“Why did you do this to me?” You asked them.
“Oh darling it was a mistake, your Father—” But your Mother was cut off when she saw your eyes. You became one of them.
“Gunil, you are no longer a Lord, Mr. (y/l/n) the King revoked your Governor position and now you live as a normal member of the town with your wife.” You said. “I forgive you for taking away my freedom but I will never ever forget the day you traded me for a fucking position in the palace—Mother didn’t even stop you,” You cried at your Father.
“Your Highness, please forgive me,” Your Father said but it was too late.
“Please, just leave,” You said quietly as Felix hugged you.
“Guards, escort them back to the Chateau,” The King ordered. Your parents wanted to oppose at the situation but the guards dismissed them away. Gunil hissed at the sight of you, being disgusted with the fact that you’re all fine. But you sent him a death glare and smirked away.
“Do you want to walk with me outside?” Felix asked as you nodded. He held your hand tightly as you walked by the garden. It was yet another lovely night—the celebration resumed but the thoughts of your parents’ faces never left your mind. The former Governor might’ve been so embarrassed that he didn’t say any word. Yet you still despise Gunil for what he did—he was for you to kill anyway but decided to never lay a hand to a prisoner. They didn’t deserve you.
“So what’s your plan now? Your parents and Gunil?” Felix asked.
“I still love them even after what they did to me, let them be in the Chateau and Gunil will be prohibited from having freedom,” You sighed as he gave you a nod.
“That will be taken care of,” He said. “But what’s on your mind, right now?”
“I’m happy,” You answered in response.
“How so?” Felix asked, smiling at the sight of you—excited of what you meant.
“Everything happened quickly like a blink of an eye,” You started. “All this luxury after I live again felt so unexpected,”
“Y/n, you deserve this,” Felix insisted as he stopped—looking at you. “You’re free now, nothing will step in your way. All you need to do is be my Princess, and be my Queen when the time comes.” He said as you giggled in response. “I’ll take that as a yes then,” He smiled.
“Felix, you know I can’t say no to you,” You smiled as he kissed your forehead.
“I know,” Felix answered, caressing your cheek. “I love you Y/n, you deserve anything in this world.”
“I only ask for you,” You answered as Felix smiled before kissing your lips softly.
“You will always have me,”
©️ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐌𝐈𝐍 , 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑.
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tell me what's underneath
a/n: this is along the same lines as his section the treating wounds fix I did for him. but yk, he's the royal and the reader is the protector. but also it will take place after the attack. also imagine him in the outfit that he wore on the masked singer recently
Word Count: 1.8k
royal!seungmin x knight!gn!reader
royal roundabouts masterlist
smoke and heat surrounded them on all sides of the meadow opening. the knight dragged their prince by his hand into the forest to which they exited; both covering their mouths with cloth from the knights shirt to keep smoke from getting in. yells and clashing of metal were heard behind the prince as you dragged him further into the thick of the forest.
one moment he is on his way to a neighboring kingdom to talk politics, the next flaming arrows and people charging from the trees, swords drawn with people screaming with pains and war cries. the carriage tripped over as horses traveled past it, their riders rocking it back and forth.
once it wa tipped onto its side, they ran to fight the other knights who saw them rock it. you and seungmin carefully got of the carriage and you took him towards the woods to escape the attackers eyes.
“my liege, we must move further into the forest so we can lose them!” your words rang in his ears as he went further into the woods by you.
his head pounded against the thudding of horse hooves racing towards one another. cries of knights as they were swept off their horse only to be backstabbed by the enemy who caused it. he looked back and forth from you back towards the violence behind him.
the only thing keeping seungmin tethered to his head in the moment was your hand in his. the calluses of your hand against his softer ones; puppy eyes staring at your side profile and taking in every inch of it. with you as his protector, seungmin would follow you to the ends of the earth.
you handed a tin cup to seungmin who sat on an infirmary bed. the doctor finished checking him out and left y'all for a quiet moment. he took it in his hands, hunched over with a thick wool blanket upon his shoulders.
“how are you feeling, seungmin?” you asked with soft worry hidden in your broad voice.
seungmin always knew why he liked you for a reason; you called him by his name.
never ‘my liege’, ‘your highness’, ‘your majesty’ or any of the other titles that other knights and staff used. you calling him by his god given name was such a meaningful gesture that he fell for you the moment he met you.
seungmin doesnt like when the staff just treat him as the prince; not the booknerd who loves to sneak into the castle library late at night, not the boy who loved to ride his horse in the changing leaves in autumn, nor the boy who would sneak about the village, looking at anything and everything the farmers market.
he cupped the cool cup, bringing it closer to his chest and took it in one big gulp. the fire in the meadow caused smoke or how he ran for a while with no breaks caused a parched throat. he had been coughing since they got back to the castle, but he didnt want to stop the doctor from looking at him as he sat in the room.
you never left the room, if you did. it was only for a moment to talk with a maid to get fresh clothes for him or to bring in the water you just handed him.
a hand resting upon his shoulder brought his reiling mind out of the events; it brought him back. he was back in the castle, back in the doctors room with a tin cup in his hands, back with you as you stared with worry infesting your eyes that he didnt like to see in your face. you shouldnt have just a loathsome emotion etched in your features.
“ye…yeah i’m fine. just still thinking about w-what happened in the meadow is all..” he spat out his thoughts before his mind could tell him to calm down.
“are you sure, seungmin? you seemed rattled, which is understandable for what you saw…” he sometimes wishes you were never his guard. maybe a staff member, a doctor or chief. something where this level of violence and gore wasnt something either of you witnessed; but he also knew that wouldnt be fair on you.
you both have had in depth talks about what would be different in your lives if you could choose something else. he would like to experience the other paths of life, not as a prince, maybe a farmer. but you said you would always want to be a knight. whether protecting royalty or not didnt matter, being a knight did. you always had this air of wanting to protect others at any cost.
“yes. just tired and smelling of smoke…” he tacked on a light chuckle, hoping it would ease the worry in your face. you dont deserve to have more on your plate to worry about, not if he could help it.
“i asked for a change of clothes, they should be here soon. is there anything else you need, seungmin?” wordlessy, he pulled upon their arm which brought them next to him on the bed. he rested his head against their exposed collarbones as the front of their shirt was loosened from escaping the carriage.
your scent of smoke and roses mixed too well for seungmins liking; he wanted that to be your signature scent for the rest of time. the roses brought him comfort as they were from the royal gardens while the smoke seemed to match the air you carry yourself with.
“c-can you stay here with me? i dont…want to be alone.” you sat there a little shocked at his actions; hes the prince and you’re just his knight. this level of intimacy would send anyone into shock if they saw it; but your heart ignored the screaming signals that your brain was sending.
“um…yeah seungmin, i’ll s-stay.” your voice couldnt go any louder than the whimper that left in its sted. a gloved hand slowly placed itself on seungmins broad back, the other resting upon his maple brown locks. gently you brushed back the bangs the cover his forehead to truly show his face.
whenever his hair covered the top half of his face, it made him too boyish in your opinion. but the moment they were pushed back, it opened up his face to truly show his features making him look like a mature prince that he was. regal was what bled from him, you never felt more inadequate next to someone as they simply just existed.
seungmin did have a cute, boyish prince charm that made young girls in the village gush about him whenever he was seen. you found him cute whenever he argued with his butler, changbin about waking up early or what his father wanted him to wear that day; he was still too young to be running a kingdom which is why he was still learning from his father.
in the council room, seungmins boyish charm turned into a wise, aged king as he talked about what was good for his kingdom with the people of the council. when his father wasnt speaking or in the room, the room demanded his attention. his voice may not be deep and bassy or anything; it was clear and present in the room.
those charms of his never left your mind as you watched him in every one of those moments.
the pair were cocooned in the wool blanket; it muffled every noise outside leaving them with soft breathing. seungmin looked up at you through his hooded lids; if he could he would do this all day. he never wanted to be part from you like this again.
“you have infected me…mind, body and soul. but..but it is something i wish not to be rid of, for if i am, i would simply die without knowing you are every thought and emotion i have. you may think you are just my guard, just my knight, but you mean a lot more to me than you realize.” seungmin’s words could only be heard between the two, just secrets slipped between two different worlds.
you sat there with seungmins head on your chest, speechless at his confession. you looked at him with befuddlement; a prince couldnt be in love with his knight. you felt like the air had been sucked out of your lungs; something you never thought would be spoken between you two. you thought it would just remain unsaid and unmoved upon, you could never act upon it without the risk of being killed by the king.
“you…you have also made me suffer with the feelings of loving you, seungmin. i couldn’t act upon with the fear of consequences; i would have been fine with the idea of loving you from afar. but with your true emotions out on the table, seungmin, if you are ready to go forward with this…then so am i, your highness.” your words that were whispered back filled seungmin with a warmth in his chest.
seungmin slightly pouted at the use of your highness, but he knew the manner you were using it in. you let a soft chuckle at his boyish charms again, leaning down to capture his lips in yours. dry, cracked lips moved against softer ones like cogs in a well-oiled machine to which lead to soft groans leaving the princes lips as you pushed down against the bed, the cover still over you.
only a few minutes passed with the lovers lip locked, hands moved over each other with soft caresses. but for them felt like an eternity of finally releasing the feelings that they fenced up for years. unwilling pulling away from each other, soft breaths fanned over their lips, blown pupils of different hues looked on with gratification and relief. no more far away glances, longing touches or plaguing midnight thoughts.
“can i hear you say it one more time?” his voice was slightly horse from holding his breath in the kiss. you chuckle again, also sounding slightly horse from the same experience. your hand came to his cheek, brushing softly against his cheekbone as your soaked in his features looking back at you.
“always, my love…i love you, seungmin…” low enough so no one else could hear it if they were nearby, but only so seungmin could hear it with the gentleness in your voice and features.
a toothy grin appeared on the princes face as his cheeks turned a little rosy from the heart-spoken words from you. he took his turn to reach up and caress your jaw himself, tracing a scar that traveled down your jaw and neck.
“i love you more, darling…”
the prince and his guard stayed under the blanket until the doctor came back in and shooed them off to the princes room for the rest of the night with a smirk and shake of their head at the actions of the two and to work on writing up their reports for the night.
#kim seungmin x reader#seungmin x reader#ROYAL AU#royal aroundabouts#skz fluff#skz imagines#seungmin x reader fluff#honey writings#inncubus honey
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin
Word Count: 5k+
Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters).
Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff.
Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage.
A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3
Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
#skz#stray kids#skz imagines#skz au#stray kids imagines#skz seungmin#skz seungmin au#skz felix#skz lee felix#kim seungmin#skz x y/n#skz x reader#skz royal au#stray kids seungmin#skz series#3racha#skz fluff#skz smut#kpop skz#kpop imagines#skz angst#skz romance
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. ۫ ♱ ۫ .
─ “ To Eros
୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ You burn us. ”
#lee know#lee know moodboard#stray kids#stray kids moodboard#skz moodboard#skz#skz lee know#skz lee minho#kpop girls#stray kids lee know#stray kids lee minho#kpop#royalcore#royal moodboard#vintage#vintage moodboard
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.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・
🍞﹏ Angel ๑ ִֶָ ❀
#k-pop#moodboard#aesthetic#random moodboard#icon#kpop icons#y2k moodboard#y2kcore#royal#skz moodboard#skz#skz icon#kpop bg#Felix icon#felix aesthetic#felix core#y2k aesthetic#white core#white moodboard#white aesthetic#royal aesthetic#royal core#pastel moodboard
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