Chapter Text
The snow fell gently outside as the party raged on within castle walls. It was for my birthday but really it was just an excuse for my mother to throw another gathering, she absolutely loved her parties. And she loved them even more if they were extravagant enough to distract her from everything that mattered. I think my father was more rigid than I’d ever seen him though. He put on a good act and anyone who didn’t know him wouldn’t be able to tell by the slight dullness of his pupils or the set in his jaw that his mind was not present. I stood with them greeting anybody and everybody who came up. Putting on a fake smile was becoming so easy these days.
As they talked with a visiting diplomat I looked around hoping to find someone, anybody , to take my mind off this. The drinks they served had taken some of the edge off sure but I was in need of a something else. My father had begun his educated rants about what a shame it is to be in wartime and discussing with the diplomat matters of loyalty. I suppressed the urge to inwardly groan and flicked my eyes away.
Then I saw him. Curling his shoulders as he crossed his arms in a dark suit with beautiful gold fringing on the hem. He stood in the back corner, leaning against the wall not looking to pleased to be here. The way he moved seemed to suggest he was hiding from someone, his brown bangs momentarily leaving their perfect part to cover his face.
Smiling, I snuck away while my father had the diplomats attention. I was invisible to them...they’d never notice.
"Are you here alone?" I asked, bending forward a little to meet his eyes, he looked up surprised that someone was there.
"S-Sorry!" He said suddenly, bowing a little, "Your highness, I didn't see you!"
I waved him up, shaking my head. "No need to apologize, you did nothing wrong. I just wanted to talk with you. You looked so lonely." I bowed a little myself, "I am Prince Taehyung and you are?" I asked looking up into his surprised eyes. The way his brown irises glistened with the glow of the candles enraptured me. But I wasn’t going to let that show. I kept a pleasant smile of indifference on my face.
"Oh!” He looked away albeit a little shyly and hesitated. “I-I'm Jungkook, the pleasure is all mine!" he said, stuttering a bit, it made me laugh. He really was cute. "Um, but why talk to someone like me? I'm nobody..." Jungkook said, looking down.
"Oh, but you’re much more than that," I said, lifting his chin up, "I'm sure you know that to." I gently took his hand leading him to the dance floor as hauntingly slow music began to fill the room, people stared and whispered. I just simply smiled placing his arms around my neck as I placed mine against his waist.
"B-But your h-" Jungkook started but I placed my finger against his lips, silencing him, he looked up at me with eyes growing wider by the second.
"Just go with it alright?" I asked, he nodded and we moved slowly with the music. I’m not even sure what prompted me to be so brazen in front of my entire kingdom. I just knew this boy was somehow like me. And I needed someone like me. For the few moments it took for them to pick up the waltz I foolishly allowed myself to imagine a world in which we grew closer. I could tell he was nervous. "Just look into my eyes and you will be fine," I said, reassuring him. I watched as his eyes slowly locked with mine. His footsteps became more coordinated and his brow stopped worrying. Jungkook wore the face of an angel.
"Just imagine there is no one else here, okay?" I asked and he seemed to relax some. The room was quiet which made it much easier. Jungkook's eyes never left mine and we moved in perfect tandem. One step, two. One step, two. His movements were as intoxicating as the light reflecting off his eyes.
As the music finally came to an end. The room erupted in an almost synchronized applause, "You did wonderfully," I said and led him to the back doors. "Let's take a walk. I want some fresh air," I said then after a moment added, “And a walk will let me get to know you better.”
Jungkook just looked surprised but followed anyways. "You won't be noticed...wandering off?" he asked, anxiously looking around. "I-I mean you are the Prince wo-" I cut him off by pulling on his wrist and holding up a finger to silence him.
"You ask so many questions. Why not just enjoy this alright?" I asked. It was a cold night but at least the snow seemed to have stopped. We walked out through the kitchen, luckily anyone in the kitchen had cleared out by now to serve the party. A cold wind blew flurries in our hair. I smiled at Jungkook as I lead him down cobble steps and towards the forest at the edge of the castle I called home.
"So Jungkook, do you really not like parties? You did not look that interested." I asked, shaking our hands free as the woods crept up on us and we became surrounded in a hunters trail.
"I just...I would much rather be at home. Reading," he said, "My parents made me come. ‘Do something rather than sit at home all day’," He poorly mimicked a nagging voice. We walked down the path the lights from the party disappearing behind us. It wasn't totally dark; there were torches staked on trees for most of the trail. The hunting party kept them out to keep away the animals this close to the castle. But I could see how further ahead they began to peeter out and we were both walking towards the dark of night.
"I know how you feel,” I gave him a patient smile. “Yes I am a royal but some days I just want to be my own person, not follow rules or procedures...." It was quiet for a moment between us. But I quite enjoyed it.
Usually the common folk he met were starstruck when they saw me. Often they barely spoke or if they did it was stuttered and unsure of itself. Jungkook seemed to be different so far. He didn’t look at me with the same poised, rigid stare most other diplomats would give me. Nor did he look at me the same way the heart eyed peasant girls or suitors would. Actually he barely looked at me at all.
We talked as we continued slowly, every once in a while Jungkook would smile. The corners of his mouth flew up much higher than the rest of it did, showing off his pearly front teeth and giving him a smile like a bunny rabbit. I liked seeing him smile. So I took it upon myself to tell jokes, or regale stories of the pranks I pulled on my servants, each one earning a grin that was melting me heart. I mostly pranked my servant Jin. Though Jin was older than me he seemed to be the most forgiving. And no matter how far I went Jin never bore ill feelings.
I must have forgotten myself as I recalled memories because when I realized I had spaced out I looked up to find Jungkook, head cocked to the side, looking at me.
“You must really care for this Jin?” he asked.
I smiled sheepishly and tried to laugh it off. “Yes, I suppose. He’s like a big brother to me. In a way he’s almost a better father…” I trailed off then.
The crease of worry came back between Jungkook’s eyebrow. “Do you mean that?”
I caught the worry in his eye mixed with a batch of pity. It almost made me shudder. Instead I shrugged it off and said nonchalantly, “Well, my father’s certainly not warm-hearted. But what can I say he’s the King. This war has him up in arms about everything.”
Jungkook nodded, his eyes scanning the forest floor below him. “I understand how that feels.” I looked over at Jungkook but he had his eye fixed on his feet. “It seems a lot of people are distraught over the state of...well everything.”
“Ah, finally someone who understands!” I said with a mix of relief and exasperation.
We were talking for so long neither of us had realized how dark it had gotten until Jungkook and I stepped into a footprint we couldn’t see. We stopped and looked into the darkness.
Before either of us could think of anything to say something flew between us both and struck a tree. A large arrow protruded from the tree directly behind us. We did nothing in that moment just watched and waited. Then another arrow flew through the air and landed right in front of us, nearly puncturing the leather of my boots toe.
"Run. Run!" I yelled, taking Jungkooks hand. I didn’t know what to do expect rush back the way we came.
We were both stopped in our tracks as someone jumped from the branches above and landed in front of us. We both backed up slowly staring up at the new figure. He was huge...and muscular. There was no way we could take him on our own but as we tried to escape the other way I was grabbed roughly by the arm.
"Prince Taehyung!" Jungkook yelled, running my way but stopped in his tracks when a knife was held to my throat. I was shaking and my heart raced. Tears threatened to spill out but I was not about to show emotion in front of my tormentor, or Jungkook.
"R-Run..." I managed to whisper, "Please....run!" I called a bit louder, though it was still quiet. Jungkook hesitated for a moment before suddenly making a break for the castle.
I smiled a bit, at least he was safe, the man holding me suddenly grabbed my hair forcing my head back.
"Nobody will save you now, no matter what your pet tells anybody...." He hissed in my ear, "You will bring me plenty of money, that's all I care about." I was forced to face him and my wrists were swiftly bound in front of me. Then he stuck a foul smelling rag tightly around my mouth, stopping me from speaking.
"Get moving, your highness.” He hissed the last part out and pushed me forward. I did as he said and in that moment I let the tears fall in the shadows befalling me. I knew that someone would come but right in that moment it seemed like a lie. Like no one cared.