Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

I.

Mie had grown up with tales of princesses falling in love with knights who traveled far and wide, saving people from monsters that pillage villages, hoard riches, and steal loved ones away. Much of these fantasies were primarily thanks to her older brother, who was quite the raconteur. He had a way of crafting fascinating worlds so different from theirs with just his words alone.

He and Mie had explored different dimensions every night. One moment they were encountering fairies, and sprites, and faes with empty promises; the next, they were battling dragons, and hydras, and nagas, slaying them and taking their heads as trophies.

Little Mie had been enchanted. Who wouldn’t be? Her head flew up in the clouds, higher and higher, with every bedtime tale. There, she spun stories of her own, many starring her with a handsome Prince by her side. 

It had only been a matter of time before she needed to come down.

And down she went, on her thirteenth spring alive.

❅☀❅

The sunset of her thirteenth birthday had bathed Mie and her Mother in warm, orange-tinted light, the two of them in the sprawling royal gardens, sitting side-by-side on one of the stone benches.

Mie could still vividly remember the flowers in full bloom, especially the roses, which had been as captivating as the scarlet of her Mother’s gown. She herself had been done up in preparation for her birthday party. Dressed in gold, with wavy tresses flowing down her back like a dark river, Mie had been quite the image—or so the guests had told her when she dazedly roamed the ballroom later that night.

Before the grand celebration, however, Mie had experienced her first heartbreak. 

Five years later, and she could still feel the twinge of pain whenever she recalled the memory. All her dreams of courtship, and love, and happily ever after had been dashed away in a split moment. Her Mother had tried to be gentle with the news, but how could Motherly tenderness ever negate the pain that accompanied the reality of the situation?

Two people joined together in marriage, all for politics.

“One day, when you’re fully grown, your Father and I will introduce you to a person you shall rule with, off in a land that is as beautiful as ours. I could only hope our choice will bring you happiness,” her Mother had uttered. Her words had been soft to Mie’s ears, a brush as soft as the summer winds.

It had sounded strange to her young ears, but had made more sense as time passed by.

❅☀❅

See, Mie’s tutors had drilled it into her head that every person was born to play a role in the kingdom.

At a very young age, she had known that the Royal Family had the heaviest burden to bear. At the helm was the King, who was expected to rule with the betterment of the kingdom in mind. With him was the Royal Consort—a partner, advisor, and the King’s most significant support. For the Kingdom of Chelidonia, these roles were played by her Father and Mother.

Following in their footsteps were Mie and her brother. As the firstborn, Akira had been groomed to ascend the throne when their Father could no longer rule. With this came the obligation to choose a suitable spouse for the role of the Royal Consort. Mie? Well, with no crown to inherit, she had to do something to empower the kingdom in her own way.

With much older eyes, Mie could easily see the signs now. However, the intricacies of her role had eluded her during her childhood years, and the adults around her had been of no help in her quest for enlightenment. 

Her parents were much too occupied with their responsibilities, and her brother was already training to be a knight when Mie celebrated her first spring alive. He had been so engrossed in his duties that Mie thought herself lucky he had spared time to sit with her every other night before her bedtime. Her tutors were the most evasive, parrying her every question with lessons on the history of their land or the precepts that came with being a proper Royal. 

She should have realized that they were trying to keep her in the dark. Knowing what she knew now, Mie wished she had been more patient and had enjoyed oblivion while she had been able to.

❅☀❅

The fruit of bitterness had gradually ripened in Mie’s stomach with every season that passed. With it came the betrayal that tainted the way she looked at her parents. No longer were they the irreproachable figures that guided and protected her. Instead, they felt like wardens leading her to her final judgment.

She told her brother this, one fateful night. She should have been in bed, resting for her lessons the next day, but it was the only time she could speak with Akira without anyone bothering them. 

Akira laughed at her words. Mie would have gone on a tirade had it not been for the lack of mockery in the sound. He laughed, and laughed, and praised her for her dramatism. 

Mie, speechless, moved to leave, but was stopped by the loose embrace she was pulled into. 

“So dramatic, dear sister,” Akira teased.

Mie felt like a child in his arms. She couldn’t help but lean into his touch.

They stood there for a moment, and then Akira spoke again. “All is not lost.” His voice was a soft thrum in the dead of the night, his words reminiscent of the hopeful verses from their childhood tales. The verses had been nice to hear as a child, but much more frustrating in the face of royal responsibilities as she got older. 

“But it is, ” Mie said, the whimper in her tone audible enough for all to hear. “How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with a man I do not care for, much less love?”

Akira pulled away from the embrace, his hands coming up to grip Mie’s shoulders. His eyes, eerily dark on his pale face, shone in what seemed to be contemplation.

“You don’t know that you don’t love him. You haven’t even met him.” He patted down her hair and then crossed his arms, looking to the window. “Do you see that?” He asked, gesturing to the window, where a flower pot was sitting on the sill.

“The pot? Of course, I do. I’m not blind.”

A sigh and then, “The iris that is sitting in the pot. Love is like that flower, Mie.”

Mie couldn’t help herself, she let out an unladylike snort. “Have you gone mad, Akira? Did one of the other knights hit your head too hard?”

Silence. 

Akira pushed away from the table he was leaning on and walked across the room, taking the small pot in his hands. He held it up to the light, where they could both see its deep blue shade. 

“Treat love like this flower,” he said. He beckoned her over and placed the pot in her hands. “Love starts small, from a seed to a sprout—with enough care, and time, and patience, a tiny sprout could bloom.”

❅☀❅

While Akira’s words had been lovely and awe-inspiring, they didn’t save Mie the trouble of having to listen to their Mother puff up prospects long before she turned of age.

All conversations with the Queen somehow devolved into that dreadful topic. It didn’t matter if Mie opened with a simple greeting or talks of her current lessons. Even bringing up the weather or her brother ultimately had her Mother talking about Princes from foreign lands.

Life had continued on that way. It wasn’t long until everything became more bearable compared to spending high tea or meals with her Mother. Even the dastardly History lessons were a treat.

The months leading up to her twentieth spring showed that there were worse things than enthusiastic one-sided conversations. Mie was introduced to the bane of her existence — courtship meetings.

So many nameless faces passed Mie by, each and every one as inadequate as the last. Had Mie been permitted to speak her mind in front of her parents, she would have told them that she held no interest in spending the rest of her life with men that were either too ordinary, too pompous, or worse, a combination of both. 

Fortunately, she could say as much to Akira, who only responded with an amused look. Unfortunately, her Mother chose that afternoon of all afternoons to visit the west-wing library.

The tongue lashing she received was unlike no other, not withholding the fact that it was perhaps the first tongue lashing she had ever gotten.

“Where are your manners? Where did we go wrong that we’ve raised such a spoiled, insufferable little brat!” 

Mie rolled her eyes. If anything, the maids, her tutors, and Akira raised her.

“There you go again, rolling your eyes like a common lady. All those lessons, those tutors, for nothing! Have you no shame?”

“Oh, please , I have plenty of shame, Mother,” Mie retorted, finally meeting the woman’s angry gaze. If she had been closer, she could have reached over and tried to smooth out her Mother’s furrowed brows, but that would undoubtedly anger her more. “What I don’t have is the patience to meet with fopdoodles . Anyone would think you and Father would make better choices.”

“Now, now, let’s keep calm,” Akira said. He looked at ease from his seat in the lone armchair in the room. Bringing his teacup down, he smiled. “It’s impossible to reach an agreement if we do not mind our mouths.”

Their Mother sighed. She looked disgruntled, and her manner of massaging her nose bridge didn’t help. “Those Princes are the best their countries have to offer. We’re fortunate that they took the time to travel and meet without the guarantee of marriage, Mie.”

“I didn’t ask them to come, did I?”

“Why—”

“ Mie. Hear what Mother has to say, please.”

Huffing, Mie nodded.

“If this continues, and if other kingdoms hear of it, it will be impossible to find you a suitable husband when you reach your twentieth. I don’t want you to become an old maid, darling.”

Mie could see where the dramatics came from. “If they’re the best options, then I honestly don’t want to wed any of them, Mother. They’re cocky with nothing to show for it. Most of them weren’t even able to hold their own against Akira.”

“Pray tell, what is it that you’re looking for a partner? And don’t give me the nonsense from those fairytales you waste your time with.”

“Hm, if you so terribly want me to marry for gain, how about you and Father introduce me to Jeon Jungkook?”

❅☀❅

Mie did not expect anything to come from that conversation for a number of reasons. First, because of her Mother’s inclination to ignore any of her demands. Appeasing Mie was something her Father and brother did more frequently, and Mie had a strong feeling her Mother was taking the reins on this engagement endeavor.

Second, Jeon Jungkook of Apricity was, to put it simply, an unattainable man. Fair maidens in all four corners of the world could only ever dream of meeting him, much less being promised to him for marriage. 

It had been like that since the Prince celebrated his twentieth autumn.

Mie herself hadn’t attended the party, but she did hear from her parents that it had been cut short when the Prince declared he wasn’t going to take a partner just yet. To make up for the lack of political relations forged, he had vowed to serve the Kingdom of Apricity as a Royal Knight. 

Since then, he had led his troops into every battle the kingdom has seen, rising up the ranks quickly in a short amount of time. He was a Knight Commander now, the youngest Apricity had seen in its history.

The Prince was currently in his twenty-fourth year, amassing more accolades with no signs of settling down. Although there had been claims of the Prince taking bed partners, there was very little evidence to back them up. 

He was a hero straight out of her favorite fairy tales; people who have met him say that he’s kind, valiant, skilled in the art of the sword, and, as shallow as it may be, incredibly handsome as well.

Mie longed for him the more she heard of his adventures. She began to wax poetry, even filling several booklets with verses and prose. It had been far too late when she realized that he had replaced the faceless princes and knights in her fantasies.

So, she let herself indulge in said fantasies for a while. 

Even if he was but a faraway dream. 

She had stopped eventually. She focused more on her royal training, occupied her brain with her lessons in the hopes of getting it to stay quiet. 

If she were anyone else, a normal, common lady born into a normal, common family, she would have let herself dream more and fantasize about a life with the man of her dreams, but alas, she was not. She had a duty, and so, she learned to tamp down her feelings. 

Fairy tales, after all, were just fanciful stories borne from desires that humans cannot fulfill. 

They were never meant to be real. 

❅☀❅

In this story, however, some fairy tales do become reality.

❅☀❅

Summers in the Northern territories were cold, almost as chilling as mid-autumn in Chelidonia. The sun was slow to rise and quick to set, leaving Mie feeling as if time had been cut short in this corner of the world. 

The day of their arrival in Apricity dawned bright and clear. Prince-Regent Yoongi welcomed them at the entrance of the castle, assisting Mie and her Mother down from the carriage.

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Apricity. House Min welcomes you,” He spoke in the intercontinental language, with no trace of Apricity’s lilt. 

Mie curtsied and watched as her Mother and the Prince-Regent exchanged pleasantries. Unable to help herself, she glanced surreptitiously around the courtyard, hoping to see Prince Jungkook amongst the welcome party. 

He wasn’t there.

The Prince-Regent must have noticed her gaze, as he cleared his throat and gave what seemed to be a regretful smile. “Apologies, Your Highness, it’s just me as of the moment,” he said. “His Majesty, the King, is resting in his quarters currently. He will try to join us for dinner later.”

“It’s no trouble. Rest, after all, is vital for a swift recovery,” Mie’s Mother replied. “And your brother? I suppose the young Prince is somewhere nearby?” Bless her heart for asking the question burning on Mie’s lips. 

Prince-Regent Yoongi shook his head, waving to them to follow him inside. “Jungkook’s currently out with his men. He’ll be back this afternoon at the earliest.”

Mie almost frowned at his words. She had daydreamed of Prince Jungkook greeting their entourage, his eyes catching hers, and the two of them falling in love at first sight. But no matter, Mie would just have to experience the perfect first meeting later than expected.

They were given a brief tour of the castle, one that Mie all but missed due to her musings. The tour ended in the West Wing, where the guest quarters were located. 

“I shall see you this evening.” Prince-Regent Yoongi smiled at her briefly. Then, to her Mother, he said, “Your Majesty?” 

He held his hand out, her Mother took it, and off they went to whichever room they chose to hold their meeting in. 

Mie, left to her own devices, decided to stay in her quarters for the meantime. Upon entering, she took a quick glance around the room, noting how it was much smaller compared to the ones they offer guests at home. Still, it was no less tasteful in its design.

The room was decorated in violet and silver tones—Apricity’s kingdom colors—and contained the standard bed, wardrobe, and vanity. Unlike Chelidonia’s guest quarters, this one had a table and chair set sitting next to the grand window overlooking the gardens. Atop the intricately designed wooden table was a vase of pansies that Mie gravitated to. 

She thumbed its petals, suddenly reminded of a specific dress in a similar color that she had in her luggage. It had been a gamble, taking it along, considering how close it was to the violet that this kingdom used. Would wearing it for dinner be too bold? She’d heard it was the Prince’s favorite color, too. Should she have her hair put up or let it flow? 

She sighed. There was no guarantee of betrothal, her Mother had made that clear, but she wondered if she could have the Prince fall for her without politics coming into play. 

❅☀❅

The hall in which the dinner was hosted in was much smaller than Mie had anticipated, this one meant for more private, intimate gatherings. When she entered, the Prince-Regent was already sitting at the head of the baroque table, with her Mother on the opposite end. Once again, the King was unable to attend, leaving the remaining eight matching chairs empty.

Mie occupied one.

Prince Jungkook was running late. 

Mie had had enough of the main course and was just waiting for dessert when the main door to the hall pushed open, and Prince Jungkook himself entered the room. She immediately sat up straight, her lips twitching into a smile. Finally .

Prince Jungkook seemed out of breath as he bowed deeply, first to the Prince-Regent’s direction, then to Mie’s Mother and her. His first words formed an apology, his voice warm, and there was a hint of an accent similar and yet not quite Apricity’s.

“My party and I had been caught up with hunting and I didn’t notice the time. I’m truly sorry for my tardiness.”

When Mie glanced at the Prince-Regent, the man was silent, his lips pursed. Her Mother, on the other hand, was quick to dismiss the apology with a wave of her hand.

“Men need their hobbies, all of us here understand that.” Her voice was sickly sweet, her smile reminiscent of the ones she used on nobles that visited Chelidonia. “Will you be joining us for dessert?”

“I’m actually exhausted and would like to retire to my quarters,” Prince Jungkook said. “I came here straight from the journey to welcome you both to Apricity. I hope your stay goes well.”

Dissatisfaction weighed heavy in Mie’s stomach, prompting her to speak for the first time in the Prince’s presence. “Surely not too tired for dessert?” She coaxed, folding her hands together and smiling her best smile. It was forward, but she couldn’t let their first meeting proceed in such a disappointing manner. 

The Prince-Regent answered for his brother, uttering a stiff, “Sit.” 

Though he tried to hide it, Mie saw how Prince Jungkook’s shoulders slumped, a sigh leaving his lips as he took the nearest chair, which wasn’t his designated seat, and placed him closer to Mie than expected. 

The servants were quick to serve dessert, with Prince Jungkook refusing a plate of his own. He sat there in silence, his lips stretched into a thin line, and his fingers drumming on the table. The Prince-Regent and Mie’s Mother continued with their conversation, ignoring the Prince’s sullen presence and clear impatience.

While enjoying the sweet treat in front of her, Mie took the time to study the Prince, careful not to let her gaze stay too long in fear of getting caught.

She found it curious that he wasn’t at all wearing an attire fit for hunting, much less the cold. He couldn’t have changed beforehand if he came straight to the dining hall like he had said. Mie had to admit, she was awed to see the subtle signs of the Prince’s skill and precision. Only experienced hunters could have kept their clothing clean like how Prince Jungkook had been able to spare his blue tunic of dirt and animal blood. 

“So, Jungkook, do share, how did your hunting party fare today?” Mie’s Mother broached the topic after a lull in the conversation, swirling her glass of wine nonchalantly, the picture of polite curiosity. “I heard bears were prominent this time of year.”

“Ah, no bears, unfortunately. We did bring back some pheasants and a boar,” said Jungkook. Mie watched him fidget in his seat, either uncomfortable or eager to leave. “My men and I are planning to go again tomorrow, if the Prince-Regent permits, of course.”

“Not tomorrow, Jungkook,” the Prince-Regent rebuffed the indirect request. “You have duties to attend to.”

“I can attend to them when I get back, then.”

“Long after sundown? No. You’ll stay here, complete your tasks, and perhaps show Princess Mie the town if you’re so antsy to get out of the castle.” He then folded up his napkin and stood up. “Please excuse me, I have to meet with an advisor. Enjoy the rest of the dessert. Jungkook, stay .”

And he was gone.

The Prince-Regent left behind tension so thick, Mie could have cut it with a knife. Hoping to lighten the situation, she cleared her throat and shared, “My brother and I used to hunt back home.”

The scowl on Prince Jungkook’s face shifted into pursed lips. An improvement, if one were to ask Mie.

Encouraged, she continued, “He brought me along whenever he could, which was not that often, mind you. Still, he taught me how to wield a crossbow and sword himself.”

“Really?” Perplexity colored Prince Jungkook’s voice. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a hunter.”

“Because I’m a woman and we’re meant to be dainty?” Her tone took on a teasing lilt.

“No, not that!” Prince Jungkook hurried to tell, his ears turning red as he put his hands up in a placating manner. “I wouldn’t dare to imply such a thing. I know women are as formidable, if not more, than men.”

“Oh?”

“It’s because my brother mentioned you enjoyed reading, so it never crossed my mind that you enjoyed activities done outside, especially hunting.” 

“Ah, well, I’m not as enthusiastic as you or my brother,” Mie conceded. “But I have taken home a few bunnies in my lifetime.”

Mie’s breath hitched in her throat as she saw his lips twitch into a smile. 

“You’re already in a different league compared to some of my men. I’m overseeing this one knight-in-training, Soobin. All throughout our trip, he kept trying to stop his fellow rookies from hurting the animals they came across.”

“He doesn’t sound like he would make a good knight.”

Surprisingly, Prince Jungkook disagreed. “Hm, I think it’s too early to say that. After all, one doesn’t need to be a skilled hunter to be a proper knight.”

“No?”

“No, of course not. I’ve worked with men who weren’t interested in the art of hunting, but were proficient in defending the Kingdom and the people when danger arose. If Soobin has the courage to speak up and the dedication to uphold his beliefs despite his peers, then I think he has the makings of a decent, if not an excellent knight.”

Mie hummed in reply. Prince Jungkook had a rather unique point of view. From her lessons, she knew it was so atypical for Knight Commanders to perceive things that way. Had that recruit been in Chelidonia, he would have been cut early on, recommended to pursue other careers. 

Prince Jungkook was proving to be more interesting than she originally thought.

After a while, the conversation shifted to their childhoods, beginning with the activities they had tried out while growing up. Prince Jungkook, as expected, preferred the outdoors even as a child. He had picked up sword training when he was nine, much younger than what was conventional, and had trained under the older knights. He had earned his first proper sword when he was fifteen, and had gone on his first quest the next autumn.

Mie herself was prompted to share her own experiences, and she did. She wasn’t as adventurous as the Prince, but she did try out various activities in between her Royal duties. Art, for one, seemed to intrigue Prince Jungkook when she brought it up, but he didn’t say anything else when Mie shared how she gave up on the craft eventually.

While she didn’t mind talking about herself, she did let Prince Jungkook lead most of their conversation, enjoying learning more about the man from his own mouth rather than through passed on, diluted stories.

At one point, her Mother excused herself, and Mie finished her dessert not long after. Not wanting the night to end just yet, she said, “Do you keep regular company?” If she were to be honest, she didn’t know if she was asking about friends or the more intimate kind of company.

Prince Jungkook paused mid-sip of the drink he requested earlier. His brow furrowed just the slightest bit. Ah, he was quick to catch on. A beat passed before he said, “I trained to become a knight with a close childhood friend. Jimin, the firstborn of House Park. He’s part of the group that I lead, my lieutenant. Another fellow knight who’s also a close friend of mine is Hoseok. He comes from a long line of Jungs who have always served the Crown.”

Not quite pleased, not quite disappointed, Mie said, “It must be nice, having friends that followed the same path as you. More time to bond, no?”

“Not quite,” Prince Jungkook said, a grimace on his face. “They’re both older, so it’s sometimes difficult to communicate on the field given how I rank higher than both of them.”

“How about friends that aren’t knights? Surely you have some.”

The grimace was gone, replaced by a small smile, and not for the first time that evening, Mie’s breath caught in her throat. No story did the Prince’s charm and pretty face justice.

“I have a few, yes. Oh, I should introduce you to Taehyungie, he’s an artist, loves to paint.” His tone was soft, fond almost; his gaze seeing through her as if he was lost in thought. 

“Taehyungie?”

Prince Jungkook paused, his eyes widening. “Taehyung from House Kim. He lives and breathes art, even when we were children. Fought tooth and nail when his older brothers tried to make him train to be a knight.” A chuckle, and then, “If I didn’t drag him away from his colors and easels, he’d spend days on end painting.

That reminds me, would you care to share more about Chelidonia with him? He’d love to hear about it from a native. He’s always wanted to, but we didn’t have the time to spare, what with my knighthood and his apprenticeship.”

Mie cocked a brow. We ?

Before she could bring it up, a servant entered the hall, approaching the Prince with quick, short steps. Mie watched as Prince Jungkook sat up straight while the man whispered the message to the Prince’s ear. Then, the servant stood to the side as Prince Jungkook cleared his throat.

“It’s getting late, Princess. Maybe it’s time to retire?”

“Oh, I didn’t even notice,” Mie said. And truly, she didn’t. “Would you care to show me the way to the West Wing? I seem to have forgotten how to get back.”

“Lia here can accompany you.”

“Please? It’d be a shame to cut our discussion short.”

Once again, too daring for someone of her position. Had her Mother been there, Mie would have received a disapproving frown and been called shameless already. Mie didn’t mind, she was a stubborn bootstrapper.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Your Highness, considering the late hour. Let’s postpone the conversation to some other time?”

Mie bit back a frustrated groan. Fine. 

“Of course!” Mie quickly acquiesced, afraid of overstepping. “Perhaps during our visit to the town tomorrow?”

“I’ll have to check my agenda for tomorrow first. I’ll send someone for you if I’m free, Princess.” A non-answer that Mie quietly accepted. Jungkook smiled and then stood up, with Mie following suit. They both bid their goodbyes, and Mie ignored the urge to look back at Prince Jungkook as the servant led her back to her quarters.

❅☀❅

Apricity was greeted by a proper summer morning the next day, with a bright, cloudless sky overlooking the kingdom.

Mie had risen from bed when it had been dark still, the early start allowing her to appreciate the sunrise's full beauty while having her morning tea. After, when the sun had properly nestled itself in the sky, she had dressed for the day with the help of her handmaiden.

She had chosen a pink dress, hoping the shade would complement the dark colors Prince Jungkook seemed to enjoy. As Suki had been helping her lace-up, Mie hadn't been able to help but mourn the violet dress she had been forbidden from wearing the night before.

The dress had been specially crafted for the trip. However, it appeared that the members of the Royal Family were the only ones permitted to wear the kingdom’s colors. She hadn't heard of such a rule before, but she'd hoped that, in due time, she would get to don the dress for all to admire.

Once her hair had been braided and pinned up, Mie had set off for the Royal Library, eager to see what the kingdom had in store for her. She had come across numerous paintings on the way, some of which featured the current King and his sons, others portraying Apricity's previous generations of Royals.

Her gaze had flitted briefly on each painting, but one frame, in particular, had made her pause in her steps.

It was the piece she first saw upon entering the library. She approached it slowly, eyes drinking in the faces on the portrait. It was as eye-catching as the previous ones in the halls, but this one stood out mainly because of the people featured in it.

Unlike the paintings outside, this one showed all four members of the Royal Family, with the late Queen sitting in a bergère at the center, a younger Prince Jungkook by her side. The King and the Prince-Regent stood behind them; all four wore violet, their clothing highlighted by silver accents.

"Beautiful," Mie sighed, gaze trained on the Queen's face. It then moved on to Prince Jungkook, the Prince-Regent, and finally, the King.

The resemblance among the four was there. Except, it was clear which son took after the King more. The Prince-Regent shared the King's cat-like eyes and short stature, but his snowy complexion was from the Queen.

On the other hand, Prince Jungkook was a spitting image of his Mother, inheriting her galactic eyes and toothy smile.

All four were smiling in the portrait, and their smiles were not at all like any smile she had seen in these royal portraits. No, they seemed genuine, as if they were truly happy during the time it had been painted. There were no pretenses, no political smiles. If they had donned different garbs, Mie could have mistaken them for a regular family.

"Why is it here, of all places?" Mie thought out loud. If she had been in charge, she would have placed the portrait in a less exclusive location. Perhaps the most frequented room, like the entrance hall, so that more people could appreciate its beauty.

Wrinkling her nose, she took a step back, guessing that unspoken rules differed in every kingdom, and it was far too early for her to meddle with things here. And, it’s not like she was here for portraits in the first place. No, she was here for--

Oh.

Mie felt a little lightheaded at the sight that greeted her when she turned around. It was a library she could only dream of as a child. 

The Royal Library had countless bookshelves lining the room, both on the ground floor and the second floor. At the center were numerous glass cases placed  in a straight line that, upon further inspection, held books that seemed to be much older than her grandparents. Chelidonia’s libraries were terribly lackluster in comparison. 

Completing the already perfect room were various bergère chairs in purple fabric, the dark brown wood a mirror copy of the cases and bookshelves. Ceiling to floor windows helped illuminate the room, with the chandeliers above providing additional light in a faint yellow glow that Apricity’s sun never could. If she were given the chance to stay there for the rest of time, she would. She would pore over every single book from day until night. 

Judging from the crash that came from the upper floor, it seemed that someone else was on the same page as her.

There were only a select few people outside of the Royal Family allowed in this library. She knew for a fact that the Prince-Regent was in a meeting with his advisors and her Mother at this hour, and the King was ill, so it could only be—

A gasp of excitement left her lips and with hurried steps, the heels of her shoes clicking harshly on the stone floor, Mie ascended the steps, trying to appear composed as she glanced around. Her gaze landed on a mop of curly black hair peeking from the side of one of the tables.

The crouched person looked up, turning her way, and leaving her staring at an extremely handsome, confused face. A few books fell to the floor as the man stood up to his full height, his thick dark brows framing the dark look that pierced into Mie’s soul. “You’re not supposed to be here." His voice, unexpectedly deep, sent shivers down her spine.

Had Mie been a different person, one not born into nobility, she might have been intimidated. Not supposed to be here? The audacity of some people.

Mie crossed her arms, her brow arching up as she replied, "I could say the same for you. I don't know who you are, and why you're ransacking the library like a filthy thief, but I suggest you leave before I call the guards to escort you out."

The man blinked a couple of times, his lips parting before he let out a full-belly laugh, eyes squinting and mouth forming a rectangular smile. He brought up a hand to his chest as his laughter tapered off. Mie was terribly tempted to throw a book at him.

“I’d like to see the guards try. Yoongi would be apoplectic with the ruckus I’d cause if they dragged me out, considering I’d been allowed in here forever.”

“ Yoongi? Just who are you?” An illegitimate child? It wouldn’t be the first time. Although, he could also be some stray servant who thought it cheeky to address the Prince-Regent casually when authority wasn’t around. 

The man stared at her before heaving a deep sigh. He didn't deign to answer, instead bending down to collect the books that were scattered on the floor. 

Quietly seething, Mie was forced to watch him arrange the books on the table at a deliberately slow pace. Again, if she had had less tact, she would have aimed a book at his head by now. Maybe several books if he kept pushing her buttons like this.

Finally, after a short while, he deemed the books sufficiently arranged. He turned to Mie and spoke in a tone often used by nobles when asked to introduce themselves. "Taehyung of House Kim. Third son of Baron Kim Hyun-Woo of Fyrestone and Baroness Ha Taeyeon of Aquator."

The third son of a mere Baron with no proper title, and he had the gall not to bow in respect. Notwithstanding the fact that he was oblivious to her true identity, he should have still bowed as a form of courtesy.

Distaste pulled Mie’s lips into a frown. It was irksome, the realization that this was a man Prince Jungkook considered a close friend. She couldn’t believe such a sweet, respectful person could keep ill-mannered company.

Having reached the end of her undoubtedly short tether, Mie straightened her back, jerked her chin up, and looked Taehyung in the eye. Mustering the voice she had been trained to use as a mere child, she proclaimed, "Fujiwara Mie of the Kingdom of Chelidonia. The first daughter of King Akinori and Queen Misao. Second in line to Chelidonia's throne."

Much like Taehyung, she did not bow. She didn't think he deserved it after the behavior he displayed.

Silence followed her words. It brought her great joy to see Taehyung gape at her, his ears slowly turning red the longer the silence drew on. Eventually, the blank expression on his face turned sour, his lips pursing and brow furrowing. He apologized, bowing till his torso was parallel to the floor.

"I meant no disrespect, Your Highness. The Royal Library is quite sacred for Apricity, I only wished to defend its privacy."

Mie felt a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. She had the upper hand currently, and had she been crueler, more emboldened by her position, she would have let it show by now. Perhaps give in to her urge to let out a reprimand disguised as a comment. Although, given by how fond the Prince had spoken of the man in front of him, Mie had a feeling it would not bode well for her.

Something about his person made Mie think Taehyung would not hesitate to badmouth her to the Prince. It was most likely his face, with the way he looked as if he was better than her.

Now... what to do? She can’t quite abuse her position, but she didn’t want to let things go so easily. Mie sighed.

The footsteps echoing through the hall notified her that she had spent too long in her head. Turning, she was met with the sight of Prince Jungkook and another man, a knight, by the looks of the sheath and belt he was wearing.

"What's going on here?" Prince Jungkook asked. He stepped forward, and Mie expected him to stop by her side, but he continued on until he was in front of Taehyung. "Princess Mie? Taehyung? Would one of you care to tell me what happened?"

Mie watched, perplexed, as he dropped his hand on Taehyung's dark locks and ruffled it until Taehyung looked up, lifting his head from the bowed position.

"Ah, you see..." Taehyung muttered, but Mie was quick to cut in before the situation turned south.

"We were merely introducing ourselves. You arrived just as Lord Taehyung was finishing his," Mie explained, hoping the fib would pass. It did. Taehyung narrowed his eyes at her but kept quiet while Prince Jungkook nodded in understanding.

"Oh, I’m glad the two of you have finally met.” Prince Jungkook grinned. “I had planned to introduce you two later today, but now's as good as any, I suppose."

"Later?" Mie asked at the same time as Taehyung did.

“Yes! I was looking to invite you to ride out to Nemesia today, Princess. It’s the nearest town—I’d love to show you around.”

“Oh, it’d be a pleasure.”

Prince Jungkook grinned. He then turned to Taehyung and said, “You should come with us. It’d be more enjoyable with more people. If…” the Prince looked to Mie and asked, “That’s alright with you?”

Mie wanted to click her tongue. That's the furthest thing from what she wanted right now. In an effort to sound welcoming and at the same time attempt to steer things her way, she said, "Oh. But I believe Lord Taehyung is in the midst of some important reading? I'd hate to take him away from his duties."

"Are you?"

Taehyung's gaze strayed her way briefly before he turned to Prince Jungkook. "I can't get away from my reading considering how I neglected it during my trip. I’ll join you some other time."

"You can do it later, though." Prince Jungkook's tone was sullen.

Taehyung reached out, rubbing the Prince's arm before stepping back, a small smile playing on his lips. He ignored what Prince Jungkook said and bid them a good day. "I do hope you enjoy your visit to the town, Your Highnesses."

"Well!" Mie clapped once. "That settles things. Shall we head out?"

"Would you mind waiting for a moment, Princess?"

"What for?" Mie couldn’t help but pry a little. 

"I need to discuss something with Taehyung. Hoseok can show you the Royal stables. Feel free to pick whichever horse is to your liking."

Mie's bottom lip jutted out. "I can wait. I wouldn't want to impede Sir Hoseok's day."

Sir Hoseok, who had been standing silently to the side, smiled at her when she looked his way. He seemed like a cheerful person, a sunny smile brightening his entire face; much more pleasant than Taehyung, too. However, she still preferred the Prince's company over his.

"You wouldn't be, Your Highness. I'd be happy to accompany you. Training doesn't start until this afternoon after all."

Hoping to sway his judgment, she put on the petulant look that she had perfected over the years,but her effort was all for naught. Prince Jungkook had yet to look away from Taehyung.

Defeated, Mie's shoulders slumped. She couldn't make a scene over something as small as leaving first. So, she approached Sir Hoseok, who offered her his arm, and they descended the spiral staircase together.

Mie paused on one of the steps, glancing back for the last time. She was at the perfect height to look at the Prince and Taehyung. Taehyung had sat down at one of the tables and the Prince was hovering by his side, bent down, with their heads close to each other. Taehyung’s smile was bright, genuine, and Mie couldn’t help but dislike the look on his face. 

Taehyung shifted, and if it hadn’t been for Sir Hoseok clearing his throat and drawing her attention away, Mie would have seen what Taehyung had done next. 

He certainly wasn’t aiming for a kiss , she thought, mind troubled as she followed the knight out of the library. To whisper something, maybe? But what was the need for it, when they were the only ones left?

The dismay in Mie's stomach grew throughout the walk.

Sir Hoseok was now humming, but he did try to engage in small talk a while back. He eventually stopped when all Mie offered to the conversation were quiet, nonsensical replies.

A part of her was appalled with her actions, but she couldn't help it, not after what happened in the library.

Her encounter with Taehyung had been brief, but the thorn left in her side after speaking to the man was enormous, unleashing her more vindictive side. It didn't help that Prince Jungkook had yet to follow them, despite Mie purposefully walking slowly.

Was Taehyung keeping him busy? Mie scowled. She would have started plotting a way to get back at the man had it not been Akira's voice in her head reprimanding her for acting like a typical spoiled Royal.

Mie clasped her hands, stopping in her tracks. It wouldn't do well to let an insignificant man ruin her day, especially when she was about to spend the whole afternoon in Prince Jungkook’s presence. She breathed in and out of her nose once, twice, thrice, before exhaling deeply, a tad too loudly than what was proper. Then, with a clearer head, she granted Sir Hoseok her attention. This man was another close friend of the Prince's. She needed to be in his good graces.

Sir Hoseok had  a curious expression on his face, one that melted when their eyes met. "Is something the matter, Your Highness?"

Mie shook her head. "No, no. Forgive me, I'm simply fascinated by the weather we're having." A bit uninspired, but she could think of no other way to start a conversation. They resumed walking, Mie continuing with, "Certainly much better than yesterday, yes? It must have been terrible, having to go out despite the dreary day," she continued.

Sir Hoseok hummed in reply, his head turning towards one of the large windows they were about to pass. "Yes, it would have been more pleasant if we had a day like this yesterday. The cold was dreadful during the hunt."

“Oh? But I heard it was a success.”

A wince and then, “It was, to a degree. A few birds caught here and there. J--” Sir Hoseok cleared his throat before continuing, “Prince Jungkook managed to take down a boar before we called it a day. An upset among the older knights, really. We waited so long to go on a trip only for it to get cut short.”

They continued walking, Mie mulling over what the knight said. “Surely a hunt lasting until evening couldn’t be classified as short.”

"Evening? Oh no, we arrived in the afternoon, Your Highness. Made the return trip sometime in the early afternoon since there were a few rookies unused to the terrain.” He clicked his tongue and mumbled, most likely not for Mie’s ear but she still heard it: “T’was unbelievable how eager Jungkook was, you’d think he’d prefer to stay longer since he planned the hunt in the first place.”

Mie let Sir Hoseok’s words sink in. Did they split the hunting party into two?  If she were to go by what Prince Jungkook said, Sir Hoseok’s story wouldn’t make any sense. Would either man have cause to lie?

Shaking her head, Mie mentally berated herself. Of course not. There must be a valid reason why the two stories did not match, one that she can ask about later in the day.

So, not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer, Mie offered pleasantries about future hunts and such, which the knight accepted thoughtfully. In an effort to shift the conversation in a new direction, Mie asked about Apricity's knighthood.

Sir Hoseok was all too happy to lead the conversation from there on out. He spoke of the many quests they had gone on, from his time as a very young knight until now. Currently, he was talking about his experience working with the Prince.

"Do you mind having such a young commander?" Mie asked, intrigued.

Sir Hoseok pondered the question for a moment and then shook his head. "I know of other knights who would be vexed if they were in the same situation. It's a hit to one's pride, after all. But, I don't mind." A smile and then, "It's an honor to work with a man like the Prince. As much as he learns from the older knights, we learn from him, too."

"Like what, if I may ask?"

"Hm, the way he moves and thinks on the battlefield, for instance. Prince Jungkook has a strong background in dance, you see. So strong that he continues to apply what he learned in dance to his fighting. He's graceful, quick on his feet, but never careless. Sometimes, when he spars with the other knights, some of us just can't help but admire his style of fighting."

Mie nodded, internalizing what the knight said. "And his thinking? You mentioned that, too."

"The Prince is... meticulous, for a lack of better word. I've lost count of how many nights he had lost in planning alone. Not training, planning . He reads about the opponents' strengths and weaknesses, studies the way their backgrounds could affect their movement in the field." Sir Hoseok chuckled. "It doesn't help matters that Taehyung practically lives in the library and is ready to help the Prince with finding the proper materials to study."

"Lord Taehyung? But... he's not a knight?" Mie replied, a tad peeved at the mention of the man.

"You can say he's the Prince's unofficial advisor. Closest mates I've seen in all of my life. They grew up together, even pursued knighthood together when they were younger. Had Taehyung not quit, I believe he and Jungkook would have worked wonderfully together in the field."

"And yet, he did quit, no? Why would he be helping, then?"

Shrugging, Sir Hoseok gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Perhaps it's because they're friends. Or the fact that the help he provided and continues to provide benefits our nation, Your Highness. Is something the matter?"

"No, no," she hurried to say. "I was merely curious."

"Ah. Is there anything else I can help with? Any other questions?" The knight's smile felt knowing. What he knew, Mie didn't know.

"I'll make sure to approach you once I have more."

"Good! Also, we're here, Your Highness."

The man pushed open the stable doors, which were connected to one of the back exits of the castle. A gush of warm air blew on Mie’s, along with the scent of leather, pine shavings, and hay. It was evidently well-kept with the way no foul odors pervaded her senses upon entrance. Numerous stalls lined both sides, all occupied by horses.

Sir Hoseok led her down the long path, stopping at a stall closer to the other set of double doors. This one held a tall and stocky white horse with black markings.

"This is the Prince's horse, Gureum," he introduced, reaching over to stroke a hand down the horse's hair. "He sometimes takes other horses out riding, but Gureum is the one he rides the most."

"Hello, Gureum," Mie greeted, holding out a hand to do the same. She stopped when Guruem turned its head, neighing angrily.

"Oh, he's usually more pleasant than this. I'm sorry about that, Your Highness."

"It's fine, no harm done." She smiled. "The Prince said I can choose any horse, would you mind if I take a look?"

"No, of course not. Please call me or Jisoo once you've chosen a horse to ride." He nodded to Jisoo, the stable boy who was tending to one of the horses.

Nodding, Mie's eyes flitted across the stalls on the other side. She studied both the markings and the build of the horses, hoping to find one that suited her tastes. There was no reason to be so picky, given they were only riding to the nearest town, but she wanted a horse that was at least decent, if not spectacular.

She walked towards the direction they came from, still studying the left side. There were some stalls that had the kingdom crest, but most did not. She figured that those with crests were off-limits, regardless of the Prince's invitation.

When no horse caught her attention, she turned to the right, immediately noticing a white horse two stalls down from Gureum. Its stall had no crest, so it was safe to ride. Upon closer inspection, it had a good build and musculature, too. Hopefully, its leg angles were good.

Sir Hoseok was leaning on the post separating Gureum from the next horse, whistling the same tune he had hummed earlier. Mie approached him, wishing to have the horse saddled, when she saw the horse the neighboring stall housed.

It was tall, maybe as tall as Gureum, and had coat as dark as night, with brown markings scattered across its deep chest. The horse reminded her of Kuro, one of her horses that she loved to take riding whenever she could get away from her responsibilities. 

"Please have this one saddled," she requested, gesturing to the black horse.

Sir Hoseok stopped whistling, his eyes following her hand to the horse behind him. "Were the other horses not to your liking, Your Highness? I noticed Haneul captured your interest. I can have Jisoo saddle him now."

Mie shook her head. "I would prefer to ride this one. I'll try Haneul another day."

Sir Hoseok worried his teeth on his bottom lip. He seemed conflicted.

"Am I not allowed to take this particular horse? Prince Jungkook mentioned I could take any, and I don't see a crest on its stall. I assumed the ones with the crest were off-limits."

"It's just--"

"Yes? Surely, you won't deny me this simple request. I can always just wait for Prince Jungkook to--"

"To what?" A voice sounded behind her.

Startled, she gasped and spun around, almost losing her balance. It was fortunate that the Prince was there to stop her fall.

"Careful, Princess," he said, alarmed. He righted Mie before stepping back. “Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Mie assured, feeling her cheeks flushed. How embarrassing.

Prince Jungkook nodded. Then, he asked Sir Hoseok, "Is something the matter? I didn't quite catch what you two were talking about."

"Your Highness, the horse-"

Mie cut the knight off. "The black one, next to Gureum. I would love to have it saddled so I can ride it to town."

Prince Jungkook looked to the stall next to Gureum's, his lips forming an 'o'. "Are you sure, Princess? There are plenty of other horses to choose from."

"Is there something wrong with this one? Even Sir Hoseok was reluctant to let me ride it."

"No, no, Yeontan's in good shape. He—" Prince Jungkook paused. He sighed. Then, he called to the stable boy, "Jisoo, have Gureum and Yeontan ready, please."

Triumphant, Mie giggled, side-eyeing Sir Hoseok all the while. The man gave her a smile, this one lacking the warmth his previous ones had.

"Would you like to change to something more comfortable before we head out?" Prince Jungkook asked, drawing her attention.

"This is fine. I have experience riding in dresses, so it wouldn't be too much of a detriment. And..." She lifted her skirt, showing her heeled boots. "Footwear is no problem either."

"Ah, a woman who's always ready," Prince Jungkook commented. He seemed slightly impressed.

It didn't take long for the stable boy to saddle the horses, leading them out one at a time. He left for a bit, coming back with a mounting block, but Prince Jungkook stepped in.

"May I?" He asked, gesturing from Mie to the horse.

Mie nodded despite not needing help to get on the horse. Mie found that the additional time it took to get on the horse was worth it—Prince Jungkook’s hands were large on her waist, almost spanning around it. She shuddered, feeling the slight warmth emanating from his skin passing through the thin material of her dress. The warmth remained even when the Prince pulled away. 

Once she was settled, Prince Jungkook got on his horse, and the two of them exited the large double doors.

"Should one of us accompany you, Your Highness?" Sir Hoseok was standing by the doors, looking up at the Prince. "I can saddle up my horse and follow you two."

"No need. I can take care of the both of us. And it's only the closest town. Take care of training for me, yeah?" Turning to Mie, he tilted his head towards the road in front of them. "Shall we?"

With that, Mie and Prince Jungkook tugged on their respective reins and left the castle grounds.

❅☀❅

Unexpectedly, Prince Jungkook had led her off-road after they had gone through the winding downhill path. He had taken one look at where they came from, and another at the straight road leading to the nearest town before shaking his head.

"Shall we head this way?" He invited, reeling his horse and directing it towards the forest to the side.

When Mie had asked why, he had explained, "I have a feeling you'd enjoy the quiet, scenic route more. Plus, it's quicker this way."

Mie hadn't been able to fathom how the flat, unswerving main roads could be slower than the forest, but she kept mum. It was an opportunity to have some private time with the Prince, who was she to say no?

Now, they were slowly traveling through the greenery, taking great care of the slips and slopes. The forest path wasn't too deep into the forest considering Mie could still catch a glimpse of the road from where they were.

Prince Jungkook cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "Is there anything you would like to see while we're in Nemesia?"

"Come to think of it, no. I'm not quite sure what to expect either since we didn't have the opportunity to stop on our way to the palace. What do you suppose we should visit?"

Prince Jungkook made to stop his horse, his eyes studying their surroundings. He'd done it a few times since they had left the castle. Mie halted her horse, waiting for him to move again.

"The servants and younger knights have been talking of a flea market, if you're interested in that? As for proper shops, there's a bookshop I frequent whenever I pass by. There's a haberdashery next to it as well."

"Perhaps the bookshop first? Then, if you don't mind, I'd love to take a stroll through the town, see for myself what it has to offer."

"The day is yours, Princess. I'd be happy regardless of your choice." He flashed her a quick grin, earning a giggle from Mie.

"Lovely. That settles it, then."

They rode in silence after, with only the chirping birds and rustling leaves as their accompaniment. If it were any other time, Mie would have basked in the peace, enjoyed the warmth on her skin, but this was an opportune moment to learn more about the Prince.

"I've been meaning to ask..." She began, making the Prince turn to her.

"Yes?"

"How do you find the time to do things outside of your duties? You must be remarkably busy, especially with your role as Knight Commander. If I were in your shoes, I'd simply be too overwhelmed."

"It's largely thanks to the people around me. Also, Taehyung is fond of dragging me to town when he sees it fit. It's funny because Nemesia sits between the castle and the Kim Estate, and yet he still goes out of his way to come by and bring me along."

"And you just allow it?"

Prince Jungkook chuckled. "I welcome it, and he knows that. He wouldn't be doing it in the first place if I minded. Also, it's an excellent way of learning more about my people. I get to watch as Taehyung draws them in, like a flame to moths."

"Pardon?"

"Ah, we call it his special skill: drawing attention wherever he goes. People really find him charming, the kids especially. The folks at Nemeria are always thrilled to see him around."

"He sounds... delightful."

"He is!" Prince Jungkook agreed gleefully. "I really do believe that you two will get along well. It's a shame he couldn't come along."

"Let's try to make the most of this day for him," Mie said in consolation.

"Yes, let's." Prince Jungkook nodded. "Starting now. Look there, Princess, we're nearing Nemeria."

Nemeria, as it turned out, is a quaint town of cobblestone houses and structures surrounded by foliage. From the town entrance, Mie could see that it was bustling, children and adults alike milling about the streets.

They stopped by the public stables near the entrance, the both of them dismounting their respective horses. One of the stable boys approached, bowing low and offering a wide grin.

"Princess Mie, this is Ren, Nemeria's stable master. Ren, this is Princess Mie of Chelidonia. I'm showing her the town today."

"Welcome, Your Highness," Ren greeted. "I do hope you enjoy Nemeria."

"I'm sure I will," Mie replied.

Prince Jungkook took the reins of both horses, passing it off to Ren and paying him the required gold coins. With the horses and the payment settled, they left the stables, meandering through the awed crowd.

"Ren had been in line to be stable master in the castle, but he left to take over his Father's business here. Now, he oversees all of the public stables found at every entrance, even the one near the town hall," Prince Jungkook pointed out.

Mie nodded, carefully stepping out of the way of some shrieking children. Adults knew to step aside, bowing when Mie and Prince Jungkook passed them by. The younger townspeople, on the other hand, were much more liberated in their actions, lacking the decorum that the adults had learned over the years.

Mie didn't mind. It was endearing, more so when a few approached her and the Prince.

"Your Highness!" A little girl who couldn't be older than seven called out, running until she was hugging Prince Jungkook's leg. Two more followed her, a boy and a girl who appeared to be the same age.

Prince Jungkook bent down and lifted the little girl, the pair smiling toothily at each other. Adorable, Mie thought.

"Hello, Anya," he said warmly, bouncing her in his arms. He continued, "A pleasant day to you, Riki, Yerin." He referred to each child by name, most likely for Mie's benefit. "How are you three this fine afternoon?"

Anya squirmed in excitement. Thankfully, the Prince's hold was steady. "Good!" She answered, her smile impossibly widening further. Her eyes flicked from the Prince's face to Mie and then back. "Where's Tae-tae?"

"He's studying right now, just like you three should be doing," Prince Jungkook teased.

It was lost on the children, especially the boy, Riki, who pouted at his words. "But-but Taehyungie promised we were going to play when he came back. I waited! Like a good boy." He harrumphed, crossing his arms.

Prince Jungkook reached down and ruffled his hair. In a mock whisper, he said, "Can you wait a bit longer? I promise he'll come with me next time. So, don't be too upset now."

Mie couldn't quite catch what Riki said next as she was distracted by Yerin tugging on her skirt.

"Hello, there." She curtsied. Yerin curtsied in return, although a little clumsily. Mie helped right her before she stumbled over her feet. "Careful now, we wouldn't want to get hurt, would we?"

Yerin shook her head. She was wide-eyed when she asked, "Are you a princess?"

"Why, yes I am."

Gasping, Yerin bounced on her feet. "I'm a princess, too!" She proclaimed. She stretched her arms wide, twirling on her feet. "This is my kingdom."

"It's marvelous," Mie said, unable to stop herself from indulging Yerin. She had always been fond of children. "Are you ruling alone or do you have a prince?"

"Mm, I wanted Taetae to be my prince, but Prince Kookie said I can't. And then when I said Prince Kookie can be my prince instead, Taetae told me 'no', too! Now, Riki is my prince, he's not a very good prince, but he's my friend, so it's okay."

"Pardon?" Before Mie could ask Yerin what she had meant, another voice called out the little girl's name, along with Anya's and Riki's.

A stout woman with graying hair ambled over, bowing and apologizing profusely. "The younger ones were unruly, which is why I hadn't noticed these three running away. Children, apologize."

Prince Jungkook raised his hands placatingly. "No need," he assured. "It really was no trouble, auntie. They were behaving like usual."

Still, the woman bowed one last time, shooting Prince Jungkook and Mie a small smile before leading the kids away.

"I've forgotten how refreshing it is to be in children's presence," Mie commented, stepping closer to the Prince. "They're charming. Have you known them for long?"

“Even before they could speak,” Prince Jungkook said. He then shared, “They were so much smaller than they are now when Taehyungie introduced them to me."

"Oh?"

Prince Jungkook nodded. When Mie glanced at him, his eyes were staring off into the distance. She couldn’t see the particular item or person he was looking at. "They live in the orphanage where Taehyung volunteers. It's been a while since they've seen him, that must be why they're so antsy."

"It looks like they have other playmates," Mie pointed out. The three were now running around with kids that looked their age. Even from where she was standing, she could hear their laughter. "I'm sure they'll be fine waiting longer."

"That's true. Now, the bookshop is this way, Princess." He pointed to one of the side streets, leading her until they reached a wooden storefront. It was quaint, much smaller than its neighbors, and had potted plants and crates of books sitting next to the door.

Upon entering, Mie was treated to the sight of more books, many of which were stacked or strewn haphazardly on the shop floor. There were more plants scattered about, some hanging from the ceiling, others on the bookshelves. The warm scent of burning candles pervaded her senses, it reminded her of the kitchens back home when the head cook was baking.

It was homey. She loved it already.

Prince Jungkook stepped around the piles of books with practiced ease, approaching the counter and ringing the bell thrice. Mie took the time to study the bookshelf nearest the doorway, finding titles of children's tales. Most of the spines looked worn, as if countless readers had touched them before her.

"Your Highness!" Mie heard. When she looked up, she saw an older woman coming around the counter, drawing the Prince into a brief hug.

Mie opted to stay where she was, shifting a little so she was hidden by a bookshelf. Given the size of the shop, the conversation was easy to listen to.

"Good day, Mrs. Choi, I'm actually with—"

“Hyunjin-ah came around the other day bearing more books from the East. Would you like to take a look at them?”

“I would love to, but first—“

"Splendid!" Mrs. Choi barreled on, clapping her hands. It was part endearing, part irksome in Mie's opinion. "Where's your better half? He's always more appreciative of these gems than you."

Mie tore her gaze away from the bookshelf. Better half?

Prince Jungkook sighed, the sound fond. “You know Taehyung hates it when you call him that.”

“I’ll stop when you two find nice, young women to settle down with. You’re too handsome to go through life alone!”

Jungkook merely laughed in response. He didn’t seem upset at the slightest. "In due time, Mrs. Choi. Anyhow, I wanted you to meet someone. Princess?"

Mie drew away from the bookshelf, sidling up the Prince's side.

"Hello." Mie waved, offering a close-lipped smile.

"Princess, this is Mrs. Choi, she's the owner of this bookshop. She has overseen its care and management for--How long has it been now?"

"Thirty-five years, longer than you have been alive," Mrs Choi announced proudly.

"Ah, yes, thirty-five years. Mrs. Choi, this is Princess Mie of Chelidonia. First of—"

Mie cut Prince Jungkook off with a hand on his arm. "It's okay, there's no need for formalities." To Mrs. Choi, she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma’am, you have a wonderful shop."

"Thank you, Your Highness. And no need for formalities around here. If you like books, then we’re automatically friends.” The woman grinned. “Please feel free to look around. I do hope our selections are to your liking." She bowed a final time before disappearing to the room just beyond the counter.

"She seems lovely," Mie said. "Have you known her for long?"

“Yeah,” Prince Jungkook chuckled. “Since my adolescent years. Taehyung introduced us after I found him hiding in this very shop.”

Taehyung, again . Mie gave a tight-lipped smile. "Hiding? What for?"

"Ah, we had a small argument, I don't even remember what about, something petty, maybe," Prince Jungkook said. He leaned against the counter and smiled. "I'll wait here while you browse through the books, Princess. Some can be borrowed, but most are for sale. I'll have Mrs. Choi wrap up anything you'd like to take back."

"Would you care to recommend to me your favorite books? I'd love to read them."

"Oh... see, I, uh, don't spend a lot of time reading." He sounded bashful while admitting it.

"But you visit this shop often, don't you?"

"I do, to see Mrs. Choi. And, it's typically with Taehyung. He comes for the foreign titles that Mrs. Choi's grandson brings home from travels."

"Is that so," Mie replied, shoulders slumping.

Prince Jungkook must have noticed because he sprang from the counter. "I can show you some titles Taehyung likes! Perhaps you'll enjoy them."

He stalked over to one of the bookshelves near the counter, the one with more potted plants than actual books in it. Without stopping to look, he reached for one of the books, tugging on the spine until it separated from the others.

Curious, Mie approached, dubiously eyeing the book the Prince was holding. She didn't think she shared interests with Taehyung. He didn't seem to be the type that appreciated the classics and romances.

Prince Jungkook handed her the thick brown book whose pages were held together by brown leather with gold etchings. Flipping to the first page, Mie found out that she was wrong.

It was a collection of Apricity's fairy tales, compiled by an anonymous author. As she continued to turn the pages, she found that the prose was accentuated by hand illustrations.

"There are only two known copies of this collection," Prince Jungkook told her. "Mrs. Choi owns this copy, and Taehyung keeps the other one in his private library at the estate. I can ask Mrs. Choi to lend it to you if you'd like?"

Mie traced the writing with a finger, met the Prince’s gaze, and nodded. "Yes, please."

Prince Jungkook gave her a dimpled smile. "The bookshelves divide the books by genre. This wall holds fiction titles, while the other side has non-fiction. Last I've seen, the books over there mainly told of the kingdom's history. This one—" Prince Jungkook gestured to the shelf they were standing by. "Has a few classics. Most of them are local tales, but I think there are foreign ones as well. Would it be okay if I leave you for a while to ask permission from Mrs. Choi?"

"Yes, of course. Go, I'll be fine."

"May I?" Prince Jungkook reached for the book and Mie handed it over. "Should you find anything else, please just place it by the counter. I'll have it wrapped before we head out."

By the time the Prince had returned with Mrs. Choi, Mie had placed ten books on the counter and was silently waiting by it.

Mrs. Choi appeared surprised for a moment, before letting out a chuckle. "How is it that you keep attracting the bookworms, Your Highness?"

Mie giggled. Meanwhile, Prince Jungkook shrugged.

"Your selection is exquisite, Mrs. Choi," Mie gushed, unable to help herself. "It's fascinating how such a small kingdom has a hidden gem like your shop. I wish I could find the same in Chelidonia, but it’s a lost cause."

"Surely you have numerous bookshops back home, Princess," Prince Jungkook said, leaning in to look at the books Mrs. Choi was going through.

"Not really. I feel like I've read them all. Meanwhile, the shelves here had titles from different kingdoms. I hope you don't mind if I borrow them. I didn't think they were for sale."

"Of course not, Your Highness," Mrs. Choi replied, a contemplative expression on her face. Mie didn't think she was upset. She was proven correct when Mrs. Choi said,"It's an honor that you're interested in them. I wish the women in this town were more like you—the lot of them, averse to books, god bless this town.” She heaved a sigh and nodded toward the Prince. “I'll pack these up along with the other one. You just return them to this one here when you're through."

Mrs. Choi patted the hand Mie was resting on the counter before turning around to collect her packing materials. In the middle of it, she asked Prince Jungkook, "I have the ones Taehyung-ah requested for at the back. Would you care to retrieve them for me, Your Highness?"

Prince Jungkook did as she bid. Mie could hear him looking in the backroom. "Where did you say you put them? I don’t see them." He called out.

"Oh, dear me, I forgot. I think I left them on the table. Or maybe the shelf?" Mrs. Choi said. She then turned to Mie and grinned. "You two would make a beautiful pair, Your Highness."

"Come again?"

Much like what she did with the Prince earlier, Mrs. Choi didn't bat an eyelash. "It's high time the Prince settles down. I was worried he and Taehyung will lead lonely lives with the way they spend too much time together. Now, I only need to worry about Taehyung finding a wife."

"Oh-I'm not-We're not—" Mie felt ashamed with her failure to form words. "It's not like that, Mrs. Choi. My Mother and I are here for a mere visit."

Mrs. Choi tied the final knot on the second pile and patted the counter. In the background, Prince Jungkook was complaining.

"You never know," Mrs. Choi said. She bent down and lifted a leather bag. "Ah, never mind, Your Highness. I left the bag here."

Prince Jungkook groaned. He looked a tad disheveled as he returned to the counter. "Mrs. Choi, please check before you send me back there. You should have Hyunjin clean it up."

Mie simply watched as Mrs. Choi snorted, thrusting the leather bag to the Prince's direction. "And have my mess of a grandson go through my belongings? I think not. Now, go, the day's too beautiful for you youngins to be cooped up with a hag like me."

Mrs. Choi shushed any complaints Mie and the Prince had about the epithet.

"Here, I don't want you having this lovely lady carry anything, you hear me?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I have manners."

"There's no need, though. I can help." Mie reached for one of the book piles, but Prince Jungkook blocked her with his arm.

He hiked the leather book bag on his shoulder and took a pile in each hand. Mie would be a liar if she said her eyes didn't zero in on his arms.

"I've got it. We'll head out, Mrs. Choi. Have a good day."

"Thank you again." Mie bowed. "I'll visit again when I have the time."

"I look forward to it, Your Highness. Do bring this one with you again. Hopefully, your love for books will inspire him."

A knight was waiting by the door when they exited the bookshop. He bowed low before gesturing to the books that Prince Jungkook was holding. "May I, Your Highness?"

Both Mie and the Prince stared at the knight, neither moving for a few beats. In the end, Prince Jungkook passed the books over. "Did Hoseok send you? I told him we'll be fine."

"No, Sire, the Prince-Regent did. His Highness said it was for added protection."

"And how many more are there?"

"I'm not at liberty to disclose that information."

Prince Jungkook sighed. "Stay out of sight, please. Inform the others as well." To Mie, he said, "The flower shop is just across the street, Princess. Or would you like to visit the market at the town center?"

Mie took a moment to consider, keeping in step with the Prince. "Mm, perhaps the flowers? I'd love to bring back some to my room."

"Are the pansies not to your liking?"

"Oh! They are very lovely flowers, in my opinion. I didn't mean to imply that they weren't." She felt her cheeks flush. "Did you pick them?"

"I didn't. They were in season, so every room is decorated with them," explained the Prince. "But I'm happy you like pansies. They're one of my favorite flowers."

He pushed open the door to the shop, the bell tinkling at their entrance. There was only one person around, a woman that seemed to be Mie's age.

As she turned, she almost dropped the watering can she was holding in her haste to greet them. "Your Highness! I didn't expect to see you today."

"Hello. There was a slight change of plans. Taehyung couldn't come today, but I'd love for you to meet someone."

The woman's eyes trailed over to Mie, meeting her gaze for a split second before returning to the Prince. "Yes? Who might this be?"

"Fujiwara Mie of Chelidonia, it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Instead of a traditional curtsy, she extended a hand. The woman took it. Her grip was firm. Strong.

Upon letting go, the woman bowed. "Kim Iseul, Your Highness, and the pleasure is all mine."

"Iseul is a close friend," Prince Jungkook explained. "Seokjin's courting her, but there's been no luck so far."

Another unfamiliar name. Mie nodded.

"Shush, you. He isn't courting me, he's just being friendly."

"And I'm not the Prince,” was Prince Jungkook’s sarcastic reply.

Iseul blinked at the Prince. She didn’t say anything as she turned her focus on Mie. "What would you like to have made, Your Highness? A vase? Bouquet? We also have a selection of small potted plants, if you wish to look at them."

"Something to go with purple pansies maybe?"

"Pansies?

"Yes. An arrangement, if you have the time. I'd love for it to be in a vase."

"Shall I gather the flowers and show them to you?"

"Keep it a surprise."

Iseul nodded and got to work. Prince Jungkook had watched the entire exchange from the stool next to the large window. Mie didn't even notice he moved.

"I'll have to repay you for everything I've purchased so far," Mie said. She declined the stool when the Prince offered it. "I have a feeling I'll buy more once we get to the marketplace."

"No need, Princess. I was the one who invited you to this outing. It's the least I could do."

Mie bit her lip. She then placed a hand on the Prince's arm. "How about a favor to owe? I'd feel terrible otherwise."

"If that's the case, I'll consider this a favor. I wouldn't want you to remember this day badly." Prince Jungkook smiled. He pushed the stool to the side and stood next to her. "I'll have you know that it's very likely I'll cash in on the favor soon... maybe for another outing similar to this one?"

"I'll be there." It took all of her strength not to sound too thrilled. She couldn't let it show, it would simply be too embarrassing on her part.

"That's settled. Hopefully, Taehyung will be free by then, too."

Ah. She didn't have to wait long for something to dampen her mood. "Crossing my fingers."

"Your Highnesses?" Iseul stepped closer to the pair. "If you're looking to explore the town, you may want to do it while I'm working on the arrangement. It's going to take a while."

"It's up to you, Princess," Prince Jungkook said when Mie glanced at him.

"Let’s go to the marketplace? So we don’t waste precious daylight."

The two of them bid a brief farewell to Iseul, the door slowly shutting behind them. Once again, there was a knight waiting by the shop, this one different from the last.

He greeted them with a bow and kept his distance as Mie and the Prince slowly made their way to the town center. Children were running around despite the surprisingly glaring heat. Mie even picked out the trio from before.

It didn't take them long to arrive at their destination. The marketplace wasn't as busy as Mie had expected it to be. There were a few women milling about, but other than that, it was easy to navigate through the stalls.

With Prince Jungkook silently trailing behind her, Mie took her time to visit each stall, awed at their unique offerings. There was a stall that sold leather satchels that reminded her of Akira, knowing he would have enjoyed them immensely.

Right next to it was a woman selling garments from foreign lands. Mie even found one in Chelidonia's style, reminiscent of the flouncy dresses nobles preferred.

The following stalls were interesting, but not to the point that Mie felt the need to stop and talk to the merchants. She and the Prince had been roaming for a while when they came across a stall selling handcrafted jewelry.

"Hello," Mie greeted, eyes trained on the pieces laid out on the clothed table. The red fabric helped highlight the various gemstones featured in each piece. "Are these authentic?"

"Yes, m'lady," the woman manning the stall answered. "My husband travels far and wide to acquire these stones. Would you like to try this one? It matches your dress."

Indeed it did. The pink stone pendant sparkled as the woman lifted the necklace. Mie was turning around when Prince Jungkook stepped closer, asking the woman for the necklace.

"You don't have to," she said. She was certain that her cheeks were as pink as the stone. "I'm capable of clasping a necklace by myself." Not only that, but it would have been far too intimate had the Prince done it.

"I apologize," said Prince Jungkook. His brows were furrowed as he dropped the necklace on her open palm. "I meant no disrespect."

"It's not like that," Mie assured. "It would have just been... too intimate to do at random. You aren't at fault at all."

Prince Jungkook's mouth formed an 'o' as he took in what Mie said. "I didn't discomfit you, did I?"

"You didn’t, truthfully. Please, don’t dwell on it, I wouldn’t want it to ruin our day.” To end the conversation, Mie looped the chain around her neck and clasped it. "How does it look?"

The stall owner was first to react. "Simply stunning. There are matching earrings if you would like the complete set."

Mie nodded. Before anything, however, she wanted the Prince's opinion. "So?"

"It's a beautiful piece, Princess. The auntie is right, it matches your dress."

"Should I purchase the earrings as well?"

"If it pleases you, then why not? There are some pieces that may interest Her Majesty, as well."

Mie almost scrunched her nose at her Mother's would-be reaction if Mie presented her any of the jewelry on sale. Her Mother had an uncanny distaste for cheap items.

"Mm, maybe something else for Mother. I'll take these, please, thank you."

Prince Jungkook handed the exact payment in gold coins and looked through the remaining jewelry as the woman placed Mie's purchases in a velvet pouch. As she was handing it to Mie, Prince Jungkook pointed to one of the rings.

The woman handed it to the Prince. Upon closer inspection, it had an elaborate silver band with a large turquoise stone in the center. It was much thicker than the rings she was used to wearing.

Prince Jungkook slipped it on his middle finger, eyeing it closely. Mie noted it was a tad tight, squeezing just enough to be noticeable.

Still, the stone complemented the Prince's complexion. "It suits you," Mie commented. "Are you going to buy it? It may be possible to have it resized if the ring is too tight." She turned to the stall owners as she was saying it, earning a nod in response.

The Prince hummed, squinting at the ring before shaking his head. "It's just right. I'll be purchasing this as well," he told the woman. He slid the ring off his finger, paid for the ring, and dropped it into the blue velvet pouch the woman gave him.

"Shall I carry that for you?" Mie asked. The pouch was small, she could easily let it hang on her finger with her own pouch.

"No, it's fine." The Prince made a show of slipping the pouch in his pocket, patting it after. "It's all good, Princess. Where to next?"

The remaining stalls weren't all that noteworthy, Mie barely sparing each a glance before she moved to the next. Prince Jungkook, on the other hand, stopped by one towards the end of the market. This one was selling craft and arts materials, with brushes, pencils, and various paints spread out.

The person handling the stall was much younger compared to the other merchants. Much like the ones they have passed, he recognized the Prince, but his greeting felt more familiar, with the way he shot up from his seat with a smile on his face.

"Your Highness! I didn't think I'd see you today," he greeted. He seemed to be looking for someone else, his eyes going back and forth between Mie and the Prince.

"He isn't around," said Prince Jungkook, answering the boy's silent question. "He's back at the castle. I was hoping to bring him back something, perhaps new colors?"

"I actually have some set aside. I was going to hand it to him the next time he visited. Let me just—" The boy ducked down, out of sight as he rummaged through his items.

Mie took the time to ask, "For which friend is this?"

"Taehyung," Prince Jungkook said. “See, he paints all the time. If we didn’t pull him away, I have the feeling that he’d paint until he passed out. He mentioned that his stocks of paint needed to be replenished, so I figured, why not?”

Taehyung didn’t come along, and yet his presence was still prominent. It made her uneasy, but she couldn’t find it in herself to fault the Prince for mentioning the man so much. Prince Jungkook was thoughtful, she admired him greatly for that.

The boy sprang up, clutching jars of paints to his chest. He carefully placed them on the table, tapping on the cover of the one containing purple paint. "I had this specially made for Lord Taehyung. Please remind him to store it properly, lest he want it to go bad like the previous batch. Also, would you like to avail of some new brushes? Father had made these just the week before."

"Are you trying to finish your day early with my help, Beomgyu-ah?" Prince Jungkook said playfully. He nodded nonetheless. "I'll take the brushes, and the charcoal as well."

It didn't take long for the items to be paid for and wrapped up after that. With their purchases in hand, Mie and Prince Jungkook returned to Iseul's shop, where Iseul was waiting with a vase arrangement sitting atop her shop counter.

"Your Highnesses!" She beckoned them over, bringing to the center of the counter the small glass vase.

Mie gasped as they came closer, immediately charmed by the arrangement Iseul had made.

"It might be too on the nose, but I went with only pansies for this arrangement, with some greenery to add variety," Iseul said. "They're in season and easy to maintain. Plus, I had the yellow and white variations in stock. They make the purple ones pop, don't they?"

"They do," Mie agreed, thumbing one of the petals of a purple pansy. It was truly beautiful--bright, eye-catching, and fragrant.

Iseul smiled. She then placed a brown paper wrapped bouquet in front of Prince Jungkook. "For the Prince—or better yet, this is for Taehyung, to be hand delivered by the Prince. Sunflowers, they arrived just today."

"He'll love them," said Prince Jungkook, a small smile playing on his lips. He thumbed at the petals before pulling away.

"As he should. Those were a pain to acquire."

“You know he will. He always does. It’s because you rarely come around and miss every time he waxes poetic about your flowers.” Prince Jungkook shook his head, sliding a few gold coins across the counter. Iseul tried to return some but the Prince said, “Keep it. Think of it as a bonus from Taehyung.”

Iseul bit a smile before waving them off. To Mie, she said, “There’s plenty to see still. Welcome to Nemeria, Your Highness. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.”

❅☀❅

Unfortunately, Mie did not get to see the rest of the town like she had wanted to, given the fact that she and Prince Jungkook had been stopped on their way to the town hall.

Sir Hoseok had looked apologetic for disrupting their day, a slight grimace tainting his features as he conveyed the news:

The Prince-Regent had requested for Prince Jungkook.

They had no choice but to leave Nemeria immediately, with Mie riding the same horse as the Prince for a quicker return trip.

It would be a life if Mie said she hadn't enjoyed the experience, pressed up as she had been against the Prince's strong back with the wind blowing through her hair. It had been a scene straight out of her favorite romance novels, made more memorable when the Prince requested her to hold on for safety.

Upon their arrival, the Prince bid her goodbye and disappeared quickly. Mie, on the other hand, was ushered to one of the reading rooms where her Mother had been waiting with freshly brewed tea.

Mie moved to sit across from her, but was stopped by her Mother raising a hand and gesturing to the empty space on the chaise lounge. She was handed her own tea cup, which smelled of lavender with a bit of milk.

"So?" Mie's Mother prompted after Mie had taken her first sip of tea. "How was your day, darling?"

"Lovely, Mother. The Prince took me to the nearest town, and the people there were delightful and very welcoming. It was so lively, with children playing on the streets, and market stalls, and oh, this one bookshop, it had so many books that I've never even heard of—"

She was cut off by her Mother patting her hand. "That's all well and good, but how was it with the Prince?"

"Ah." Mie deflated, her eyes shifting to the tea cups. "The Prince is charming, Mother. He introduced me to a few of his friends."

"What else? Surely, more things happened during your day out."

"No, that's it. We were planning to see more of the town when he was called back by the Prince-Regent. There isn’t anything to worry about, I'm sure I'll see him again tomorrow."

Despite her assurance, Mie heard her Mother click her tongue. Unseemly for a Queen, yes, but it was a habit that Mie had grown up seeing whenever something didn't go her Mother's way.

Mie had no choice but to wait for her Mother to gather her thoughts. She took the occasional sip of her tea, her eyes curiously taking in the reading room. Once she tired of doing that, her gaze returned to her Mother’s face, which expressed pensiveness. 

"I'm hoping for a meeting with the King soon," her Mother finally said after a few moments of silence. "With luck, things will go as planned, and we'll have a wedding to look forward to in the near future."

Mie bit her lip, taking stock of what her Mother said. “But what if things don’t go as planned, Mother? I don’t want to come home a failure nor do I want to marry some mediocre man who won’t make me happy.” Mie’s chest tightened at the thought. She’d rather wither away than settle for a lesser partner.

Surprisingly, her Mother did not berate her for her dramatics. Instead, her Mother showed the rare form of physical affection and stroked her hair. "Have some trust in your Mother, darling. You'll get your happy ever after soon enough."