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imfoive · 5 months ago

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Crystal Bird - Chapter 4

Crown Prince! Chan x Princess (fem.) Genre: Royal au! Angst, Romance, Historical, hidden identity, slow-burn Warnings: mentions of blood, war, death, cursing, parental abuse, somewhat proofread WC: 6.8k A/N: no cause I actually got mad at myself for this chapter 😭 Feedback is always welcome, enjoy! ── MASTERLIST

Synopsis: The Crown Prince is saved by the Princess of a rival kingdom, and he swears his second life to his savior. A forbidden friendship no one knew of, grows deeper with every secret meeting. As the two are kept apart, memories of their sunset playdates by the serene river, begin blossoming into something beautiful. Cheeks blushed, stomach butterflies fluttered at the thought of each other. Years of yearning and imagining had only made them crave a sweeter reunion. And finally meeting at a Royal banquet, he could only stare at the now grown Princess, taken by her beauty, while she only watches as he gives his heart to the wrong princess.

Missed a chapter? - Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3

CHAPTER 4 ───────────────────

As the day of the foreign guests’ arrival approached, Princess Y/N ever so diligent, personally oversaw the final arrangements. And when the hour arrived, she stood poised and composed, ready to greet the foreign envoys with grace. Though it was never necessary for her to do so. The attendants and the Royal aids that were there to receive the delegates were taken aback by her presence, insisting they had it under control. The princess did not relent, making sure until the final hour, she was there to represent the Elysium royal family.

The exquisite carriage of the Eastern sea nation, Sylvancrest, arrived with its own fanfare, heralded by their band of guards and wagons laden with gifts. The Sylvancrest flag fluttered proudly as a footman hurried to open the main carriage.

Y/N, though nervous, maintained a calm expression as she prepared to greet the young prince who emerged from the carriage, followed by another young man in formal attire.

“Greetings to the Prince of Sylvancrest. Welcome to the Kingdom of Elysium. I am Y/N, the second princess.” She greeted with a flawless curtsy.

She stole a quick glance at the handsome prince, his long hair shimmering in the wind. Prince Hyunjin smiled warmly and returned her greeting with a bow.

“We are honored that our humble kingdom has been invited to celebrate with Elysium, and especially that a princess like yourself has come to greet us on our arrival.” His tone was smooth, honey-like, and the smile on his lips unwavering.

“Thank you for gracing us with your attendance, Prince Hyunjin. The Kingdom of Sylvancrest has flourished over the past decade, and I am eager to learn more about it.” Y/N’s stance was gracious, her words charming, revealing her natural gift for diplomacy.

He then introduced the quiet man beside him. “This is my personal knight, Seungmin.”

The knight, bowed solemnly, acknowledging his introduction with quiet respect.

Y/N welcomed the honored guests, as did the Royal aides. Turning to the countless attendants awaiting behind her, she instructed them to lead Prince Hyunjin to Emerald Hall, his designated residence for the upcoming weeks. The Sylvancrest prince bid her goodbye with another polite smile.

As the Sylvancrest party departed, Y/N felt a sudden quiet settle over, contrasting sharply with the earlier flurry of activity. Her mother was right. This role was not typically suited for a princess. Yet, she stood there, determined and resolute. The afternoon air was warm, a slight breeze keeping her company as she awaited the arrival of the next foreign dignitaries. Soon, the approaching sounds of horses and carriage wheels announced the arrival of the Nightshade delegation. Tension hung palpably in the air around her as the infamous Nightshade envoy halted. Whispers among her attendants mingled with the soft breeze. Y/N eyed the band of warrior knights in their formal uniforms, mounted on their dark horses, waiting for their prince’s exit from the carriage. There was a mix of nervousness and curiosity coursing through her.

For some reason, she was even more nervous than she had been during Sylvancrest’s arrival. Was it because of the fearsome reputation of Nightshade, the warrior kingdom that even her maids and attendants spoke of in hushed tones? Or was it the lingering effect of her soft spot for a certain boy from Nightshade, that clouded her mind?

When the carriage door opened, Y/N smiled expectantly, ready to greet the Nightshade prince. Her eyes immediately fell on the young man who emerged, stiff and composed in his military uniform. Despite his handsome yet rigid demeanor, it was evident he wasn’t the crown prince. A flicker of surprise crossed Y/N’s face, quickly masked by a polite welcoming stance as he approached.

“Greetings, I am Han, Crown Prince Christopher’s personal guard.” He introduced himself.

The familiar name momentarily softened Y/N’s expression. She had almost forgotten about Han, the young boy she had once mistaken for a servant boy. The one who seemed to relish the treats she had sent his way. And despite her encouragement for him to join her in the open, he had steadfastly remained hidden, diligently watching over from the shadows of the forest. A sense of gratitude for Chan’s companion spread across her face, causing the personal guard in front of her to raise a curious brow at her expression.

The princess caught herself, reminding herself that he was not the Han she should feel grateful to. This Han was just the personal guard to the Nightshade Prince

The missing Nightshade Prince.

Her eyes darted to the empty carriage Han had stepped out from. The prince’s guard seemed to have sensed her thoughts. An uneasy feeling pricked at him, but he managed to maintain his composure. How could he even begin to explain that the crown prince had jumped from the carriage near the Grand Forest, laughing as he instructed Han to concoct an excuse? Instead, he cleared his throat, and attempted to smile, though it appeared strained under the scrutiny of the aides that stood with her.

“My prince was captivated by the clamor and richness of Elysium’s streets. He simply wished to explore closer.” Han explained.

The two royal aides shared a look, while Y/N blinked a little stunned.

“Has he ventured out already? Is that permissible?” Y/N asks, a genuine curiosity etched across her face.

Han nodded reassuringly, a little proud even. “He is a warrior prince, and he is not alone. The bustling streets intrigued him, and he desired a closer look. He will return promptly, I assure you.”.

The warrior guard attempted to gauge the expression of the young lady in front of him, wondering if his excuse had been satisfactory or if the prince’s absence itself was perceived as rude.

Y/N pondered for a moment, a sense of understanding washing over her. It made sense that the foreign prince, unfamiliar with Elysium would be curious. Turning to her attendants, she instructed again.

“Once Crown Prince Christopher arrives, escort him to Ruby Hall. Ensure the Nightshade guards are settled in their quarters.”

Then, she turned back to face the warrior guard.

“Sir Han, welcome to the Kingdom of Elysium. I am Princess Y/N, Second Princess of Elysium.” She offered a respectful bow.

Han blinked in surprise, his eyes widened in shock as the introduction settled in his mind.

“P-P-Princess?” He stammered, quickly returning a deep bow.

The princess chuckled softly, her demeanor gentle despite the tension. Some of her servants exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain how she could laugh in the presence of a Nightshade warrior. The aides shifted in their spots uncomfortably. But Y/N didn’t seem to notice, nor did she really care.

“No need to be startled, Sir Han. Today has caught us both off guard.” Y/N reassured him, her smile warm.

“Take Sir Han to his room at Ruby Hall as well.” The princess instructed another servant who promptly appeared by Han’s side.

“I look forward to seeing you and your prince at the royal dinner tomorrow evening.” She bid farewell with a nod, her gentle smile lingering.

As Han followed the nervously fidgeting servant towards Ruby Hall, still a little upset of being thrown to the dogs by his prince and left to navigate this foreign palace alone, his thoughts lingered more prominently on the encounter he just had. Despite the discomfort among her entourage of servants and attendants, the princess had managed to put him somewhat at ease. Her introduction had struck him.

Princess Y/N, the Second Princess of Elysium.

Did Elysium always have more than one princess?

She seemed too mature to have been born during Han and Chris’ time in the White Mountains. She wasn’t afraid to look him in the eyes while everyone around her stood stiff. His brows furrowed with uncertainty, a question lingering in his mind. Could she possibly be Chris’ princess?

Determination hardened in his gaze. He needed to confirm his suspicions, but it wouldn’t be easy, especially with everyone around him on edge. The guard eyes the tense servant leading him, coming to a conclusion that he would receive no help from this jittery attendant. The notorious reputation of Nightshade preceded him in Elysium, evident in the stiff demeanor of the maids and servants who crossed paths with the warriors. Prince Christopher would not take kindly to this reception, Han concluded, already anticipating his irritation.

But when the warrior prince was finally escorted to his chambers after his impromptu excursion, Han couldn’t ignore the murmurs of the maids spoke about his master’s striking looks and mysterious aura. Daring to draw comparisons with the apparently handsome Sylvancrest Prince. Though they were still on edge from his sharp, cold gaze.

Glaring at Chris, who seemed to act oblivious to the chaos he had caused on their journey to the Elysium Palace, Han couldn’t help but inject a hint of attitude into his tone.

“Did you enjoy your trip, my prince?”

“I couldn’t navigate my way. It’s much different traveling through this side of the Grand Forest. If not for Minho, I probably would’ve gotten lost.” He shook his head with a wry smile.

“How did you hold up?” He asks, seeing the clear look of frustration on his loyal friend’s face.

“Surprisingly?...Well.” Han recalled, making Chris look at him with a doubtful gaze.

“The excuse of your absence seemed believable, and I was received well.” He explained.

“That’s surprising. I would have thought they’d regard us with more caution.” He pondered, eyeing the door the rigid servant that had escorted him here had left through.

“Oh, they do.” Han nodded. “But the princess that greeted me was anything but cautious, or she did a great job at hiding it.”

Hearing the mention of a princess has Chris sitting up, and Han could almost read the curiosity in the older man’s eyes.

“The second princess of Elysium, Princess Y/N, had greeted our envoy.” Han informed.

Chris raised a brow. “Second princess?”

“Yes, I have confirmed it, she is indeed the second princess.”

The prince fell silent, his mind racing with questions about Elysium’s royal family dynamics. How had he not known about the existence of a second princess?

Han observed Chris closely once again, noting the furrowed brows and the intensity in his eyes. Clearly, the second princess’ existence sparked a new train of thought in Chris’ mind, mirroring the thoughts Han had earlier.

“It seems the knowledge wasn’t widely shared beyond the Elysium court.” Han ventured cautiously. “She must have been quite sheltered.”

“Yet, Princess Y/N seemed... accommodating, despite our reputation.” Han continued.

Chris nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression settling over his features.

“Accommodating.” He repeated, as if testing the word. “That’s unexpected.”

Then he turns to study Han’s expression, a certain regret washing over him for missing the arrival.

“Did you sense anything... unusual about her?” His tone had softened.

The younger man paused to consider his response.

“She seemed composed, yet there was a warmth about her. She greeted us with respect, but I have not confirmed weather she is your princess.”

Han was honest. He sensed Chris’ question carried deeper implications, but he could only confirm what he had seen and heard in the brief time since their arrival.

The crown prince mulled over Han’s observations, his mind clearly at work.

“I’ll need to meet her myself.” He finally declared, a determined glint in his eye. “Tomorrow evening, at the royal dinner. Ensure I’m introduced properly.”

Princess Y/N.

He finally had a name, yet now he was unsure if it belonged to his princess. ──────────────────────── Lady Katherine seethed with anger, her steps echoing her fury as she entered her residence. The luncheon, meticulously planned to showcase her elegance and grace, had been ruined by the unexpected presence of the Queen. But it wasn’t just that, which led to the mistress blowing out steam of anger. It was through the uninvited Queen that she learned of her daughter, standing in the blazing sun, greeting foreign envoys as if she were a common servant.

The heavy door to the sitting area swung open with a force that started both the Princess and her maid, who had just returned from welcoming the guests. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Before either of them could react, Lady Katherine’s palm met Y/N’s cheek with a sharp slap that reverberated through the silent room.

Y/N staggered back, her hand flying to her stinging face. A gasp escaped Anna’s lips while the princess stared at the air in shock. The initial hurt in her eyes immediately morphed into defiance, she slowly faced her mother’s piercing glare.

“Do you know how embarrassed I felt!?” Lady Katherine’s voice pierced the air, her anger palpable.

“To find out a princess who has not even made a public appearance, greeting foreign princes, foreign warriors?” Her words were sharp, accusatory.

Tears had already welled up in Y/N’s eyes, but she refused to back down, meeting her mother’s furious expression stubbornly.

“You seem to forget your place. You are the Second Princess of Elysium.” Her mother continued, her voice trembling with anger.

“Your actions already have people whispering. How can you laugh in the presence of those beastly Nightshade warriors? What will people think?”

Lady Katherine’s concern for appearances was well-known. The mother who only cared about what others thought would never understand. How can Y/N explain to her reputation-obsessed mother that her gestures went beyond mere stubbornness. A princess personally greeting foreign envoys could foster goodwill and deepen alliances, making them feel more honored to be invited to the Kingdom of Elysium. Yet, explaining this to her mother seemed futile at that moment. So Y/N simply chose to stand silently under her mother’s intense scrutiny, her cheek tingling from the mother’s strike.

Damn. That was going to leave a bruise.

And indeed, the next day, despite Anna’s best efforts to conceal it with makeup, the bruise on Y/N’s cheek was unmistakable. She could see the frustration in the young maid’s gaze, perhaps from her futile attempts to cover the mark, or from the sight of her princess sitting here like this.

Anna dabbed gently at the bruise, her touch soothing yet laced with worry. The cloud of makeup powder hung in the air between them as she hesitated, contemplating another suggestion.

“My lady, perhaps we can try—”

“Let us skip this evening’s dinner.” Y/N interjected firmly, cutting off any further suggestions from Anna.

Though the swelling had subsided, the traces of Lady Katherine’s reprimand lingered, stark against Y/N’s skin. The princess understood all too well that attending the dinner with such visible marks would speak volumes about the unrest within their carefully curated public facade. It would reflect poorly on the king who preached peace and unity among the royal family.

As Y/N glanced at her reflection in the mirror, she felt a pang of frustration stir within her.

“But my lady! You’ve been preparing for this dinner for the past week, how can you not attend? Surely if try something—”

“Mother will come up with an excuse. She always does.” She remarked bitterly, her voice tinged with resignation.

Not that her absence would make a difference.

But as Y/N made the decision to stay cooped up in her bedchamber, the Queen summoned her. Reluctantly, Y/N draped a soft fabric over the lower half of her face to conceal Lady Katherine’s mark as she made her way through the court. She cursed under her breath, frustration simmering within her.

Arriving at the Queen’s chambers, Y/N straightened her posture and gathered her composure. The fabric provided a flimsy shield against the curious glances of courtiers who whispered among themselves. They knew something was amiss, but etiquette demanded they not pry. Y/N could feel the hot gaze of the first princess looking at her with concern. Despite her sister’s silent plea for an explanation, the unwavering gaze of the Queen mother held her at bay.

“What happened to you?” the Queen inquired, her tone curt yet tinged with a knowing edge that made Y/N uneasy.

“I’ve caught a cold, your majesty. It is nothing dire.” The lie slipped off Y/N’s tongue effortlessly.

The Queen sighed with resignation. She motioned for Y/N to relax from her formal bowing stance.

“That is a shame. It doesn’t seem like you would be able to attend tonight's dinner then, I presume?”

Y/N hesitated briefly, gathering her thoughts before nodding.

“Yes, I shall recuperate in my chambers tonight. But surely by the banquet, I will feel better.”

The Queen responded with a disinterested “hmm,” her attention shifting to Sienna, who stood anxiously nearby.

“Then Sienna shall oversee the final proceedings of tonight’s dinner.” She declared.

Sienna hesitated, clearly torn between her concern for Y/N and her duty to obey.

“Ah, but Mother…” She started, but the frosty look from the Queen silenced her protests.

“Yes, Mother,” Sienna conceded reluctantly, her gaze flickering briefly towards Y/N with a mix of guilt and apprehension.

“I will hand over the final arrangements to Princess Sienna.” Y/N’s voice was firm, despite the turmoil within.

She knew that the royal dinner that was bound to end smoothly would be credited to Sienna, receiving accolades from the guests for her supposed organizational prowess. But Y/N accepted it gracefully, like she always did.

As the second princess was dismissed from the Queen’s presence, she felt a pang of bitterness. She could sense Sienna’s conflicted feelings, unable to decipher the emotions hidden beneath the carefully arranged fabric that shielded Y/N’s injured cheek, yet she only tore away her gaze. Heavily reminded that the second princess will always stay in the shadow of her sister.

Stepping outside the Queen’s palace with her guard by her side, Y/N began to walk back to the West Wing Palace. However, she stopped in her tracks when she noticed an unfamiliar figure lingering in the outdoor corridors. Her brow furrowed as she distinguished him immediately, dressed in the dark attire typical of the Nightshade delegation.

He seemed to sense her presence almost immediately, turning to meet her gaze directly above the cover of her veil. She stiffened momentarily, taken aback by the intensity of his stare.

“Shall I remove him from here, your highness?” Her guard asked, moving closer with a protective stance.

Y/N raised a hand, signaling for him to stand back. “Stay here. He’s a foreign guest.” She commanded, making her way cautiously towards the warrior.

Chris watched the veiled figure approaching him, his expression unreadable. Her gaze softened as a feeling of familiarity washed over her. Yet Y/N also couldn’t help but notice his striking appearance up close, a little taken aback even. Why were these foreign guests so good looking? She briefly recalled the handsome Sylvancrest Prince. Her sudden intense studying gaze caused Chris to still, a little flustered even. But he quickly composes himself.

“I was lost.” He stated simply, breaking the silence, his hands clasped behind him as he maintained his stance, conjuring up a lie even before she asks.

She arched an eyebrow, seeing through his flimsy excuse but chose not to call him out on it directly.

“Are you with the Nightshade delegation?” She inquired instead, eyeing his attire critically.

“Yes, my name is Christopher.” He replied, inclining his head respectfully.

Y/N’s gaze remained knowing as she played along with his introduction, well aware that he was likely the prince of Nightshade despite his attempt at withholding his title.

“This is the Queen’s palace. If you were to be caught by her knights, it wouldn’t reflect well on your master. I suggest you return the way you came.” She advised, gesturing towards the direction he had probably snuck in from.

“Ah, I shall. Thank you, Miss.” Chris nodded, his eyes following her pointed finger for a quick glance.

“And if you were wish to explore the palace, I suggest you ask a servant of Ruby Hall, Prince Christopher.” She added, curtsying gracefully.

Chris was momentarily surprised by her sharp observation, his curiosity piqued. He watched as she turned and walked away, and he followed her instructions with a mixture of respect and intrigue. As he glanced back a few times at her retreating figure, he couldn’t help but wonder why her face was concealed. “Do I even ask?” Han’s expression conveyed weariness.

Chris chuckled softly at Han’s exasperated expression.

“I was just trying to peek around the royal court.” Chris admitted with a shrug, his tone light.

Han glanced around the serene garden of Ruby Hall, relieved to have finally located Chris after a morning spent searching. His expression was a that of concern, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of pleading, as Chris sat leisurely enjoying afternoon tea. It wasn’t that his prince had always kept him on his toes. The mountains of the North had never allowed Chris to sneak around or relax, especially under Commander Seo’s watchful eyes. However, upon their return to Elysium, that carefree side of the warrior prince, long left behind, seemed to resurface effortlessly. It brought Han immense relief to witness Chris laugh and smile once more, like he had done when they were children. But Han couldn’t shake his caution. After all, they weren’t children anymore.

“We have Minho for that. You are to stay under my protection.” Han asserted, his gaze unwavering.

“Fine, fine. I won’t stray too far from you.” The prince conceded.

Han sighed softly, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He knew that despite Chris’ occasional curiosity, his loyalty to duty was unquestionable. But he was also worried this prince of his was running around trying to locate a certain princess.

“What if the she does not remember you?” Han’s words carried a cautious concern, reflecting the uncertainty that gnawed at him.

Chris paused thoughtfully, his fingers reaching for a raspberry cookie among the snacks laid out before him. He smiled softly, taking a deliberate bite that brought a familiar taste.

“We promised not to forget.” Chris replied, his voice gentle yet resolute.

Sometimes Han wondered, when he watched his prince closely, his thoughts drifting to their years in the biting cold of the North. He often wondered if the princess, who Chris held in his heart, ever reminisced about their past meetings with the same longing and reverence. Did she, too, find solace in memories during moments of hardship?

A deep breath escaped Han as he contemplated the uncertainties that lay ahead.

“Then tonight’s dinner will finally quell all your curiosity.” He stated with quiet assurance.

Chris nodded taking another bite of the cookie, the anticipation of the upcoming dinner palpable in the air between them.

Finally.

The warrior prince was usually a patient person. He had to be, especially when all he had done these past years was wait. Yet, he fidgeted in his formal attire, the beautifully crafted clothing making him stand out. He could feel Han’s watchful gaze on him, but his own attention was fixed on the servant who had arrived to escort them to the dinner hall, maintaining his stoic composure.

The guard kept his eyes peeled, shadowing behind his master as they were led through the grand halls, the intricate designs of the carpets under, a testament to the wealth and power of the Elysium crown.

The room was as grand as one would expect, with high ceilings and a dazzling chandelier casting light over the assembled nobles of Elysium. Seats at the dinner tables were already occupied by important figures of Elysium court, all rising respectfully as the Nightshade Prince entered. It was a reception that slightly caught Prince Christopher off guard, though he concealed any surprise as he acknowledged their greetings. He was more accustomed to the rough and rowdy atmosphere of the training hall in the White Mountains, rather than such formalities. Nonetheless, he managed the situation with practiced ease, his attention caught by the whispers and cautious glances of the nobles, noblewomen and even their children as he was guided him to his seat, Han standing watchfully nearby.

Those whispers and glances only intensified with the arrival of the Sylvancrest Prince. Even Chris and his guard couldn’t help but stare starstruck at the man’s striking presence, his gentle smile standing out amidst the crowd.

“I am Prince Hwang Hyunjin, your highness, fourth prince of Sylvancrest.” Prince Hyunjin introduced himself as he took his place beside Chris, who nodded in acknowledgement.

Chris responded with a slight smile, extending his hand to shake Hyunjin’s offered hand. “And I am Christopher Bhang, Crown Prince of the Nightshade Kingdom.”

As if Hyunjin’s introduction triggered something, the nobles began to approach them, offering greetings and pleasantries before the arrival of the royal family. The princes exchanged a brief glance, silently acknowledging the sudden onslaught of honeyed words and feigned smiles from the Elysium aristocracy. A facade that didn’t escape their notice. Beneath the surface, both princes remained on edge, as did the nobles, particularly wary of the Warrior Prince.

The sudden announcement of the royal family’s arrival prompted everyone to return to their seats, the grand doors opening once more. In, swept the Elysium King, his queen on his arm, both shining in their exquisite attire. The king’s smile was wide, acknowledging the bows and curtsies from the assembled nobles. Chris observed them closely, at the Elysium king his father had always described as ‘sly-looking’, though their last meeting had been when they were young men. The queen, pretty and gentle in appearance, exuded a hidden shrewdness that didn’t escape the warrior prince’s keen gaze. Next came the announcement of the other members of the royal family. Following the king and queen were their crown prince, Prince Ian, and his fiancée, the daughter of a grand duke or some such title. Chris had only just managed to familiarize himself with their recent royal family news during the journey to Elysium.

Then his gaze falters. His attention softened as his gaze fell upon the Princess. His eyes relaxed, taking in her graceful entrance.

Han narrows his brows, staring in both wonder and curiosity. Studying the princess closely. The two princesses were undoubtedly sisters, sharing striking similarities that he now concluded came from the King. The guard tried to get a glimpse behind the first princess, but the grand doors closed and the so-called second Princess he had encountered that morning was not present.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me unofficially introduce the first princess of Elysium, Princess Sienna. She will make her formal introduction at tomorrow’s banquet.” He announced proudly.

Sienna ever so gracefully, bows deeply with a curtsy she had perfected through the endless etiquette lessons. Her smile captivated the room, especially all the young men amongst the audience. Including Prince Christopher, who found himself momentarily entranced by the familiar yet unfamiliar face of Sienna. His hand instinctively reached for the crystal bird pendant around his neck, but instead, he felt the cool touch of the buttons on the high collar of his attire.

“Princess Sienna had clearly put in tremendous effort for tonight’s dinner, despite her long journey back from Melgarde. We hope it meets your expectations.” The Queen’s acknowledgment drew a slight flinch from her, quickly masked by composed grace.

“It wasn’t all my doing, the second princess had also aided very much.” Sienna boldly added, her smile unwavering, though she avoided meeting her mother’s disapproving glare.

“Yes.” The king interjected with a chuckle. “My second daughter has unfortunately fallen ill and won’t be able to join us.”

He settled back into his seat, turning his attention to the foreign princes.

“We hope tonight’s royal dinner leaves you with no complaints. We welcome you to our great kingdom.” He declared, raising his glass of wine in a toast.

“Thank you for inviting us, your highness.” Hyunjin responded politely, raising his glass in return.

Chris inwardly sighed, his fingers tightening around his own glass.

“We are honored you’ve prepared so much for our arrival. Including the Nightshade Kingdom to celebrate with you alludes to your generous reputation.” He exaggerated, though his words elicited a chuckle from the older king.

“Of course. We are nothing but grateful the Crown Prince of Nightshade himself has graced us with his presence.” He toasts.

Chris nodded with a forced smile, bringing the alcohol to his lips. Sending the crown prince was both a gesture of goodwill and a calculated risk. Anything could happen to him on foreign soil. That’s why Sylvancrest had sent Prince Hyunjin, a fourth prince, as their envoy. But Chris was a warrior. His king was confident he could handle any threats that came his way. Looking at this king, he was reassured that there wasn’t much to worry about.

Dinner continued with the nobles attempting to win favor with the king through carefully chosen conversations. Hyunjin engaged them with details about Sylvancrest’s seaports, a topic that seemed to captivate the Elysium court. Or maybe they were enthralled by the beautiful man and his soothing voice.

Chris, however, found himself increasingly bored. He had thought he possessed enough patience for such formal events, expecting to engage in meaningful conversations rather than exchanging curt answers of a few words. Chris observed quietly, his attention drifting between the animated discussions at the table and the grand room. His gaze trailed once more to the center table, where Princess Sienna conversed quietly with the future princess-consort, her smile radiant. The warrior prince wondered why Sienna hadn’t spared him a glance, why she hadn’t recognized him.

No, he knew why.

Here, he wasn’t Chan.

There were many regrets he held from his younger days, and not properly revealing his identity to her was among them. Chris had been so concerned that his title would create tension, sparking her defenses due to the rivalry between their royal families. Looking back, he couldn’t help but see how foolish that fear had been. And when he decided he would finally tell her, he had been sent away.

Princess Sienna didn’t know Crown Prince Christopher, and she wasn’t stealing glances at him, as he had been doing the entire evening.

As the dinner drew to a close and guests began to disperse, Chris felt a sense of disappointment settle over him. This was not the reunion he had hoped for. As if Han could read the thoughts in his mind, the guard nudged him, bringing him back to reality.

They returned to the Ruby Hall, finding solace in front of the fireplace that offered warmth against the chilly evening air.

“Should we get Minho to find out more about the First Princess?” Han suggested, breaking the silence.

Chris shook his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips. “Minho doesn’t involve himself in such matters, remember?” He reminded Han, who sighed and settled back in his chair.

The Midnight Order, while effective for covert operations, had its limitations. Minho, loyal as he was, adhered strictly to the tasks that had to do with Nightshade. He wouldn’t delve into personal investigations unless they posed a direct threat to the crown prince. Especially not about a foreign princess.

“What did you think of their king?” Han asked, shifting the topic.

“He’s exactly as I expected.” Chris replied with a nod, recalling the evening’s events.

“What are your thoughts on the Elysium prince?” Chris inquired instead, observing Han closely.

“Prince Ian? He didn’t say much during dinner.” Han recalled, furrowing his brow in thought.

Chris nodded thoughtfully. Despite his own boredom throughout the evening, his eyes had been keenly observant. He couldn’t help but notice the numerous glasses of wine Prince Ian had consumed, laughing easily at the banter of young men his age. Chris suddenly found himself contemplating the future of Elysium.

“Our assumptions of the second princess seemed to have been true.” Han broke the silence once more, drawing Chris’ attention back to their conversation.

Chris had almost forgotten about the second princess. The one everyone else seemed to have met except him.

“I guess she really is as sheltered as we believed.” Chris concluded, his tone thoughtful.

“You know, there’s a lot of things that you have done wrong.” Han sighed, catching Chris off guard.

Chris raised a brow, silently urging him to continue.

“You’ve hidden so much from your princess, didn’t even ask for her name, and now you’re sitting here with such a pitiful look I’m not sure what to do.” He confessed bluntly.

Chris’ brow furrowed at his friend’s words. Unsure if he should laugh or sigh. Indeed, he was right. His younger self had made many mistakes.

“I also want to punch myself for that.” Chris groaned, admitting his regret.

But still Christopher was determined. Tomorrow’s banquet, he would ensure he properly introduced himself. He wanted Sienna to recognize him, not just as the Crown Prince of Nightshade, but as Chan, the friend she had promised not to forget. ──────────────────────── The royal banquet hall shimmered under the glow of chandeliers, its smooth floors adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to weave in gold. Guests in their finest attire, passed through the vigilant guards with awe. Chris and his entourage followed immediately after the Sylancrest Prince, sharing a knowing glance as they entered. Han stood by his side, visibly uncomfortable without his sword and stiff in his formal uniform, which was even more exquisite than the one he had worn the previous day.

“Nervous?” Chris smirked at Han, who shot him a glare in response.

“I think I’m suffocating.” Han muttered, maintaining a respectful distance a few steps behind his master.

Han’s sentiment was something he shared. Both had spent the past decade in the mountains, disregarding courtly rules and etiquette. However, while Han’s sole duty was to protect the Prince, Chris bore the additional responsibility of embodying the polite and approachable demeanor expected of a crown prince, representing his nation, especially since Nightshade’s reputation in this part of the land wasn’t favorable.

Forced smiles persisted as Chris exchanged pleasantries with curious attendees who approached him. Familiar faces from the previous evening’s dinner lingered, and the Prince of Sylvancrest stood beside him, similarly engaged. The two foreign princes found a sense of camaraderie under the watchful gazes of the Elysium guests.

The trumpets rang out, their resounding sound calling for attention. Instantly, the bustling hall fell into a hushed reverence as all eyes turned towards the grand entrance. Chris, amidst the sea of bowing heads and kneeling figures, stood with a nervousness that coursed through him like an electric current.

Through the parted sea of nobles, the Elysium royal family emerged with regal grace.

The royal banquet hall of Elysium shimmered under the brilliance of chandeliers, its smooth floors adorned with intricate patterns of gold. As the Elysium king and queen stood before their people, delivering a grand speech welcoming foreign princes and guests and aristocrats from every corner of the kingdom. The Nightshade Prince, listened with a raised brow. His instincts told him there was more to this reception than mere diplomacy, and he would definitely find out what.

His thoughts were soon diverted as he scanned the assembly, searching for his princess amongst the few ladies that followed behind the crown prince of Elysium. When the King of Elysium announced the arrival of Princess Sienna, Chris froze, his breath catching in his throat. He felt Han’s intense gaze on him but couldn’t tear his eyes away.

She looked even more beautiful than she had at the royal dinner, adorned with delicate pearls and jewels that caught the reflections of the shimmering chandeliers. Then he introduced the second princess. The king’s fatherly words resonated through the hall, emphasizing the upcoming celebrations for both princesses.

As both Princess Sienna and Princess Y/N bowed to the assembled guests, Han muttered into Chris’s ear.

“Princess Y/N, second Princess.” His eyes fixed on Y/N.

Still dazed, Chris turned to Han, his fingers brushing against the crystal bird pendant around his neck. He glanced over at the young lady who resembled the first princess, clearly Princess Y/N. He narrowed his brows, taking in the familiar sight of her eyes scanning the room after she rose from her bow.

Yet before the warrior prince could question further, the Sylvancrest prince interjects with his own comments.

The festivities continued after the King’s announcement. The royal rulers took their seats, and Chris found himself disinterested in the formalities. His focus remained on finding the princess whose smile had nearly blinded him. Despite the dance and social interactions, he lost sight of her in the grandeur of the hall.

Just as he turned to speak to Han, Chris froze once more. There she was. Princess Sienna, standing tall and regal, commanding attention with her presence. She moved gracefully among the guests, her younger sister, Princess Y/N, trailing behind as they greeted them with a brief exchange of words.

And finally, she was here in front of him.

Approaching with warmth and grace, Princess Sienna introduced herself, her voice like honey. Chris felt a stirring of recognition deep within him. Could this really be her? His childhood friend, the one he had longed to reunite with for years? The one he loves.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Sienna, First Princess of Elysium.” She formally introduced herself with a serene smile.

“And I am Princess Y/N, the second princess.” Y/N followed, her gaze briefly lingering on the man who she had seen in the Queen’s court just a day prior. He hadn’t recognized her it seemed.

“Good evening, Princesses. I am Christopher Chan Bahng, Crown Prince of Nightshade.” Chris returned his introduction with a determination, bowing politely, a gentle smile on his lips, the crystal bird pendant gleaming against his chest.

Y/N stilled at the mention of the name that was ingrained in her mind, her hands freezing at her sides as she stood from her greeting.

Sienna’s gaze fell upon the out-of-place pendant, and for a moment, surprise flickered across her features.

“That—it looks familiar.” She murmured, a smile forming, giving Y/N a quick glance before returning to look at the Warrior Prince.

Chris’ heart swelled with joy and relief from her words. Here she was, his childhood princess, standing before him with familiarity and warmth. It felt like everything was falling into place. His lips spread into a smile, wishing she would call him “Chan.”

But Sienna was not his princess.

The realization struck the second princess, like a blow. Y/N had always been one to connect things quickly. She stood frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the necklace and the man who wore it proudly.

Prince Christopher Chan Bahng.

The Crown Prince of Nightshade, who gazed at Sienna with a warm look.

Her Chan.

And suddenly he looked even more familiar.

Her heart pounded with a mixture of emotions, that feeling from when she encountered Han the morning of their arrival, returning with even more intensity. Except this time it was confirmed almost right away.

But Chan hadn’t even spared her a glance.

The pain in her chest was overwhelming. A dry feeling in her throat. The loud thrumming in her ears.

The boy she had imagined would recognize her in a heartbeat, the one she had longed to reunite with, hadn’t. A mix of disappointment and hurt swirled within her. She had created scenarios in her mind, dreams of a reunion like those from her favorite love stories, intense, intimate, filled with recognition and warmth. But reality was harsh and unforgiving.

He hadn’t recognized her at all.

Yet, she dared not approach him, dared not correct him.

A thought suddenly weighing heavily on her.

How could she?

She?

A lower princess, the king’s mistress’ daughter. One he didn’t even look at, while he was the Crown Prince of his nation.

He was a goddamn Crown Prince.

Their differing ranks were painfully evident all of a sudden.

Her eyes trail down to linger on the delicate necklace adorning his neck. The one that had belonged to Sienna. It had aged, not so polished as she recalled from her memories. But still, the crystal bird glimmered under the chandelier’s light.

It mocked her with its beauty and radiance.

The second princess who grew up in the shadows of her royal older sister couldn’t do anything but bite back her tongue. The crystal bird that led her childhood friend to it’s owner, reminded her of her shameful act of stealing it and the incidents that followed.

The coming heartache could have been avoided with just one confession from her, but she stood in silence, the weight of everything that coursed through her mind hung heavily over her. Yet even her self-loathing seemed to be overshadowed by Sienna’s radiance.

Chan’s eyes did not look her way.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued.

── ask to be tagged! - @stayceebs97, @palindrome969, @tsunderelino, @solandiszale, @fixation-dump, @ellelabelle

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ateezthings · 1 year ago

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Exhaustion

Pairing: boyfriend!chan x f!reader (use of babygirl cz it's chan)

Genre: hurt/comfort, angst, fluff

Warning: exhausting job, tears

I'm in my Chan brain rot era, you're welcome

It's been a horrible day at work. No time to breathe, new projects and campaigns were thrown at you left, right and center. You didn't even have time to eat lunch, and that's saying something. So when you opened the door to your shared apartment with Chan, exhaustion hit you like a brick and your knees gave out slowly, making you slide down the closed front door.

"Baby?" Your boyfriend called through the apartment.

But you were too exhausted and overwhelmed to respond. So you stood sat there, hands hiding your face.

Until you felt a warm hand on your upper arm.

"Babygirl, what's wrong, are you okay?" The worry was obvious in Chan's voice.

The only thing you could do was shake your head no. The stress of all the responsibility at work weighing heavy on your shoulders. A few tears ran down your face.

Next thing you knew, Chan put his hands on your cheeks to lift your head and put his forehead on yours. He looked deep into your eyes. For the first time today you felt understood without either of you saying a word. Chan softly moved his thumbs across your cheeks.

"I think you need some cuddles" And with that he scooped you up on his arms bridal style and carried you to the couch. He turned around to let himself plop onto it first, so you'd fall onto him and he could engulf you in a big warm hug.

As you were lying on top of him you could hear his heart beat steady. It was something you could focus your breatjing on. The warmth from his skin started to melt away the stress and worry on your face.

You started to feel very sleepy after a few minutes but you didnt fight it. Chan was there, he was there to protect you, always.

As you drifted off to sleep Chan pressed a short kiss on your forehead.

"It's all going to be okay, my love."

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lilmisssona · 1 year ago

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⋆˙✮⋆ Chan As Your Bf! - Insta Stories ⋆˙✮⋆˙ ( Cont'd)

(Part 1 here!)

Other Members - Lee Know , Changbin, Hyunjin , Han, Felix , Seungmin, I.N

AN: There it is! I hope you liked it! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) More members are on 🔝! Make sure to like, reblog and...

Comment!

If you want to be a part of the permanent tags!

-⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Permanent Tags : @atinyniki 🫶

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sadienita · 2 years ago

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You fall asleep on skz

Chan

God his heart will burst. He thinks you're so precious. But also he is too busy and he needs to keep working. Ends up accidentally dumping you off his lap when he's leaning over to reach his mouse and keep working. Will apologize profusely for dropping you. Won't stop working tho.

Minho

He's gonna draw a dick on your face. That's literally the first thing he thinks to do. He does it gently so you keep sleeping but he will also send you pics of it and let you know he has many many more of them.

Changbin

No will disturb your slumber. He's shushing everyone who walks by the room. He's scolding them for stepping too loudly. He's yelling at them for- oops you're awake.

Hyunjin

He thinks it's cute but did you have to fall asleep pressed onto his arm like that? He can't move it and it's starting to go numb. Soon he can't feel his fingers and is trying to wiggle his arm out from under you. When you wake up he's gonna complain to you about it for hours.

Jisung

Thinks you're just so cute. Takes some pictures. Can't help poking and pinching your cheeks and cooing at you. You're going to wake up to him pinching your cheek and asking who his precious sleeping baby is. Honestly the second hand embarrassment is enough to make sure neither of you ever mentions it again.

Felix

This boy is so wholesome he's just gonna fall asleep with you. Nothing more peaceful than napping together. However that does leave you at the mercy of the others. You will wake up with random shit piled on you two and the members giggling as they hide their phones.

Seungmin

God this bitch is gonna take the most unflattering pictures of you. He's looking for your worst angles and quietly giggling while he does so. Over the next few months he sends these pics to gcs you're both in with "isn't my baby so cute" or some equally infuriating caption.

Jeongin

He's gonna stick his finger up your nose. He thinks its the peak of comedy. He thinks its the funniest thing he's ever done. He'll take pics of it. Probably also takes a video from just the best angle to look up your nose. Thinks it's the funniest thing in his camera roll, he'll never delete it.

#im in my dumb reactions era #hjasdash the other one was serious at least #anyway have this #stray kids reactions #skz reactions #bang chan reactions #lee know reactions #changbin reactions #hyunjin reactions #han reactions #felix reactions #seungmin reactions #i.n. reactions

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itgirlgyu · 2 years ago

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when you punch the stray kids while yelling 'that's my wife!'

an: this is unadulterated shitpost and idk what spawned this but here you go bc i overshare on the internet and i need to find people with my kind of humor! also since i made a tumblr so im making this everyone's problem.

BANG CHAN

bro fist bumps you while holding a bloodied napkin to his nose, and as you know what they say about men with big nose. more space for the blood to gush out, so he has to be very careful in order to not ruin his brand new black shirt.

MINHO

asks to see your marriage certificate, will act like a pure boomer, and will not drop the act unless you compensate him with cold hard cash.

CHANGBIN

HYUNJIN

you dont even make a dent on him. steals your girls and leaves you on the dirty floor crying and rethinking your life choices.

JISUNG

he respects you.

FELIX

tries to punch you back. bends his back and jumps around you while making 'jab jab' sound with his mouth, misses and falls on the ground. gets up and immediately evacuates the place without looking back.

SEUNGMIN

you apologise to him sincerely

JEONGIN

he sues tbh. no discussion.

genuinely dumbfounded. gets defensive and tries to drag you to the security to show the footage that he did not hit on your wife even tho you explain to him that you're sorry and she's not your wife.

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talkingsaxy · 3 months ago

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PHOTOS YOU'VE TAKEN OF YOUR BOYFRIEND CHAN

please don't repost, requests open!

#skz #skz headcanons #stray kids headcanons #skz scenarios #skz fics #stray kids x reader #stray kids imagines #skz imagines #skz x reader #skz reactions #skz bang chan #bang chan #bang chan x reader #chan x reader #bang chan fluff #bang chan imagines #skz fluff #stray kids

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juhatake · 6 months ago

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chan's details 🫀

#kpop moodboard #skz #bang chan #christopher bang #skz stay #stray kids #stray kids moodboard #stray kids reactions #stray kids fake texts

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writersdare · 1 year ago

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Korean Quest | Bang Chan 방찬 Drabble

Pairing: boyfriend!Bang Chan x Reader (she/her)

Summary: One day Y/N spontaneously decided to cook Korean dish for Chan.

Warning: fluff, mentioning of food

Word Count: 631 (drabble)

Author’s Note: This one was so fun to write! It was nice experience to try something light for a change, as usually angst is a must-have in my works. I hope you'll enjoy reading it ♡ Please, keep in mind that I do not know how to cook the dish, and even though I did my research, there might be some mistakes. Requests are open ♡

Chan has been complaining about his favourite tteokbokki (떡볶이) being too spicy for almost an hour yesterday. It’s quite a mystery why he bought one with chili paste at first place, but Y/N didn’t ask many questions to avoid that conversation going for another hour or so. However, the next day, while she was having a lunch break at work, the girl decided to plan their dinner herself, texting Chan a short “let me do it”, so he wouldn’t order something ridiculous again. With all honesty, Y/N didn’t exactly plan to cook anything herself, but scrolling through the menu of a restaurant, the girl realised she really wanted to try to make something Korean. Indeed, it was rather scary, as her culinary skills were far from perfection, especially when it came to national cuisine of her boyfriend, yet she was eager to try. Making sure she had all ingredients she needed, Y/N turned on a YouTube video once again and started making tteokbokki with a non-spicy soy-based sauce. Time to time the girl was coming back to a thought that all of it was a bad idea, and she only hoped for the dish to be more or less edible. After few unsuccessful attempts, there finally was a plate of tteokbokki on the kitchen counter. The dish smelled delicious, and the taste was similar to the one she had tried in the restaurant last week. Y/N was proud of herself, even though she managed to turn the kitchen into a total mess during the cooking process.

“What happened here?” Chan, coming back from a music studio, entered the room and observed the surrounding. “Did you have a party here?” he chuckled and glanced at a plate with some weird mixture next to a sink. It was Y/N’s first attempt of the sauce, and Chan was about to dip his finger in it.

“Don’t!” the girl caught his wrist and stared at her boyfriend with a horror in the eyes, so he even got worried. “It’s a bad one. But I made another one, and it’s much better. I made tteokbokki for you,” her lips quickly stretched in a big and proud smile.

“You did what?” Chan raised the eyebrows and then just grabbed Y/N in a warm hug, making a funny happy noise. “Baby…” he squeaked, burring his face in her shoulder.

“You were so upset yesterday, so I decided to make it myself. It wasn’t easy, but…”

“Thank you,” he interrupted, smiling wider and only squeezing the girl in the cuddle tighter.

As Chan’s stomach made a hungry noise, they pulled away from each other, and Y/N served a table in a living room. The musician promised to clean the kitchen himself after dinner.

“Oh my god, it’s actually so good!” he exclaimed, stuffing a mouth with his favourite dish.

“Is it?” Y/N even forgot about her own portion, mesmerising by Chan, who looked adorably cute at that moment. Honestly, it was worth all the troubles to see him so happy.

“Yeah! What brand did you use?” the guy asked casually, eyes still focusing on the plate.

“Brand?”

“Yeah, it’s pre-made, isn’t it? The rice cake, garae-tteok?” Chan glanced at Y/N and caught her confused look. Y/N’s jaw dropped.

“So you ‘re telling me that I could just buy it in a shop rather than spending hours on making it?…” she asked and sighed disappointedly.

The guy blinked few times and then giggled quietly, still chewing. Most of the ingredients for Korean dishes were pre-made and could be easily found in grocery stores. Y/N, though, went the hard way and did everything from the scratch.

“You are so cute,” he chuckled and only continued to make happy noises, chewing.

– bonus –

– photos and a gif aren’t mine and belong to the rightful owner –

taglist: @yukichan67

All stories are original and written by me. Do not copy, trace and post anywhere without permission and credit. The stories are fictional, they do not correspond to reality and written just for fun ♡

Masterlist | Taglist | Prompt List

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banghyunchanji · 4 months ago

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Imagine you and Chan having late-night video calls

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imfoive · 5 months ago

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Crystal Bird - Chapter 3

Crown Prince! Chan x Princess (fem.) Genre: Royal au! Angst, Romance, Historical, hidden identity, slow-burn Warnings: mentions of blood, war, death, cursing, parental abuse, somewhat proofread WC: 5.4k A/N: Finally time skip! Based on a dream. Feedback is always welcome, enjoy! ── MASTERLIST

Missed a chapter? - Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2

CHAPTER 3 ───────────────────

The West Wing Palace, assigned to the King’s mistress, hummed with activity as servants and housekeepers prepared for the imminent return of their second princess. Y/N, once a timid but curious little girl, had blossomed into a confident young woman, meeting her mother’s aspirations despite her lower status within the rungs of the royal family.

Years of tedious lessons, etiquette, politics, piano forte, dancing, had shaped both Princesses, forging a bond between the sisters that only grew stronger with time. And being close to the first princess brought attention to the second princess who not many knew existed, a fact that pleased Lady Katherine immensely.

The Royal carriage returning from Melgarde Estate passed the familiar path that led to the palace. Sienna noticed Y/N’s distant demeanor as they rolled past the majestic Grand Forest. The latter’s eyes followed through the crack of the carriage curtains, even until the greenery of the forest was no longer in view.

“Is everything quite well, Y/N?” Sienna’s voice was gentle, pulling Y/N out of her thoughts with a small, forced smile.

“I’m fine, Sister. It just…feels surreal being back home after such a long time.” Y/N replied wistfully.

Sienna peered out from behind the curtains, excitement evident on her face.

“It’s been even longer for me. I’m nervous but also eager to hear about our childhood spent here.” She grinned widely, excitement bubbling in her eyes.

Y/N returned a smile, though it failed to reach her eyes.

Back in Melgarde, Y/N often found herself lost in thoughts of the Grand Forest, thoughts of Chan, her childhood friend who had vanished from her life. Without saying any goodbyes, without meeting one last time like he promised. She used to visit their old meeting spots during those final days of that summer, had returned on last time even, a couple years ago. Hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of him and his trademark smile. However Chan never returned, and her mind weighed down by unanswered questions and a persistent longing.

She wondered if he ever thought of her as she did of him.

But thought was an understatement.

Chris dreamt of her.

In the solitude of the Northern White Mountains, Chris’ thoughts often drifted to his Princess.

The Princess who’s name he didn’t know. Curse his foolish younger self.

He cherished memories of laughter, secrets, and dreams of a meeting openly. His fingers would unconsciously clutch the crystal bird around his neck, a constant reminder. It was the only thing that kept him sane in the harsh conditions he endured, a link to that childish part of him that he swore not to lose.

Life in the north was grueling, far from the pampered existence he had known. Yet oddly, Chris found solace in the transformation he underwent, shedding his former weaknesses and embracing the resilience demanded by his new life.

The Crown Prince was anything but a scrawny young boy.

He grew stronger, both physically and emotionally, driven by the hope that one day he would return to his role as crown prince. Return to his Princess’ side even.

How can such a short friendship take over such a large part of his thoughts?

But Chris knew, somewhere along the way, his dreams of his Princess evolved from just fond reminiscence into a deep yearning and longing that he could only describe as love. In the quiet moments beneath the northern skies, Chris acknowledged that what he felt for his Princess transcended mere friendship.

Chris often wondered if his Princess felt the same pull, if she harbored feelings for him beyond their childhood friendship. He imagined their reunion, envisioning the moment he would see her again. Hoping that his transformation into a resilient and capable man would earn her admiration and affection. Unaware the two of them were two sides of the same coin.

Chris sighed softly. Here he was, thinking about her again.

Still, his gaze followed the white hare that distracted him, darting through the snowy forest. There’s a twinkle in his eyes as memories of the critters of the Grand Forest flooded his mind.

The snap of a branch jolted him back to the present, refocusing his attention on the task at hand.

The winters of the White Mountains were always the worst. The weather had always been cold, snow never a new thing for the inhabitants who lived by the Northern borders. But the winters were a whole different story. The harsh season brought stinging snowstorms. When everything froze over, supplies ran low, people began getting sick, and attacks from both wild creatures and bandits increased. The warriors of the north, stood up to protect.

In these harsh conditions, where survival depended on resourcefulness and endurance, the villages nestled among the peaks and valleys thrived in their own way. Known across the kingdom for their expertise in herbal lore, they harvest rare medicinal plants that flourished in the icy mountains and snow-ridden forests. Potions and remedies, crafted with meticulous care with those rare herbs, were lifelines during the long, bitter months when illness and scarcity loomed large. Chris’ days were marked by rigorous training, mastering warrior tactics under the strict watch of Commander Seo. And the study of herbalism, under the tutelage of village elders with wisdom passed down through generations.

But this snowy, rugged and unforgiving terrain was also the place the warrior prince despised. In the center of the snow-ridden region, the Prince spent his formative years training, growing, pining.

Sharp eyes, sharp as the winter’s chill, scanned the tranquil forest, the twinkle from spotting the white hare, long gone. His face partly obscured by a wool mask, shielding him from the biting wind that swept through the towering pines. In his hands, a long bow was held with practiced ease, an arrow nocked and ready, poised for action. But the familiar tranquility of the landscape was broken by the voice of his loyal guard, Han, cutting through the stillness. The snow crunched loudly, his voice even louder.

“Did you find it, Chris?”

The guard’s voice echoes in the silence of the snow-ridden forest, startling a nearby caribou into flight.

“Yeah, there it goes.” Chris grunted, turning to fix a stern gaze on Han.

Han chuckled sheepishly, pulling down his own mask to reveal a face that had matured into a striking countenance, handsome and framed by a boyish smile. Despite the passage of time, his eyes still retained a youthful curiosity, wide with wonder at the natural world around them.

The sound of snow crunching under Prince Christopher’s boots echoed softly in the crisp air, his fur-lined cape trailing behind him. The snowfall had eased since the fierce blizzard of the previous night, allowing him to resume his archery practice undisturbed.

“Well, spit it out already.” Chris remarked tersely, his focus unwavering on the bow and arrow in his hands, knowing full well that Han hadn’t come all this way in the snow to just chase away his game.

“A letter from the castle has arrived. From the King.” Han responded cautiously, the playful smile no longer evident on his face.

Chris’ eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his father’s message.

“They want you to return.” Han reiterated solemnly, observing his prince’s stoic demeanor.

Finally, Chris thought.

The call to fulfill his royal duties was always anticipated. He would have returned to take his seat one day or another. Yet his thoughts wandered to the verdant embrace of the Grand Forest, its lush greenery a stark contrast to the snow-covered landscape that surrounded him. Amidst the thoughts of duty and homecoming, one image shone brightest in his mind—his Princess. He instinctively touched the crystal bird pendant hanging from his neck. Yet again. The night enveloped the training hall with a brisk chill, yet within its confines, the warmth of brotherhood among warriors lit up a small room. Commander Seo’s youngest son, Changbin, broke the quietude with a hearty laugh, reminiscing about their youth.

“It feels like just yesterday you arrived here, barely able to swing a sword.” Changbin’s laughter echoed through the cabin.

“It’s been ten years, believe me.” Han groaned, hurriedly packing his meager belongings.

Changbin lounged on a cot, eyeing the packed trunk of Han and the still-empty one belonging to Chris.

“Will you even have space for all that?” He quipped, nodding toward the corner where a haphazard pile of gifts lay. A testament to Chris’ popularity among the village women, though the man never paid them any attention.

Chris, still focused on the letter from the King, seemed distant. Changbin glanced at him curiously before remarking, “Has he swore an oath of abstinence, or does he not fancy women?”

Chris’ ears perk at the ridiculous conversation happening between his friends.

“I'm not sure about abstinence. But he’s only got one lady who runs on his mind most hours of the day.” Han, ever the mediator, interjected.

“It’s as if I’m not sitting right here.” Chris’ voice cut through the room, drawing attention back to him.

Turning away from the letter in his hand, Chris faced the warriors with a wry smile, the two stifling their laughter.

“I haven’t sworn off women, if you must know.” His brow raised.

Changbin’s laughter filled the air once more as Han rummaged through the gifts, checking for any edible treats that both he and Changbin might have overlooked.

Setting aside his letter, Chris began packing his belongings into the trunk, his movements purposeful and efficient.

“Are you joining us?” He inquired, as Changbin took a swig of ale.

“Not yet. I’ll follow shortly.” Changbin replied casually, wiping his lips with the back of his sleeve.

Chris nodded thoughtfully, leaning back against his desk.

“It would’ve been nice to travel together. I wanted to show you the places I ventured out to as a child.”

Changbin’s eyebrows raised mischievously. “Including your special lady?”

Chris’ hand unconsciously gripped the crystal bird around his neck. Han intervened with a grin.

“I’m sure even he would like to meet her. You’ll have to wait.”

Changbin rolled his eyes playfully, settling back into the cot.

“Once I secure my place as the next commander, I’ll make my journey. You’ll have Han and Minho to keep you entertained on the way back.”

“You say that like Minho talks.” Han retorted, crossing his arms.

“Well, you’ll fill his silence. You’re a chatterbox anyways.” Changbin teased, catching an empty gift box thrown his way by Han.

“I’m sure he’s listening in on us right now.” Changbin mused, watching as Han’s head darted around the doors and windows of the cabin.

“Knock three times if you’re listening in.” Han addressed the air, a mischievous glint in his eye, before both warriors broke into hearty laughter

Chris smiled softly, observing the banter between his friends with fondness. Despite all the dislike he had for the cold mountains, he had formed deep bonds and cherished memories during his time in the village. As he prepared to leave, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the experiences that had shaped him in unexpected ways.

Yet, anticipation thrummed within him looking forward to his journey back to the castle that held memories of both grief and newfound love. Initially marked by sorrow after his mother’s death, the castle had later become a place of hope upon meeting his princess. Now, he feels ready to reclaim his position and the responsibilities that came with it.

Prince Christopher stood with both his hands. Han, his unwavering personal guard and closest confidant, beside him, and Minho, the silent leader of Chris’ Midnight Order, behind him.

The night air held a bittersweet quality. ─────────────────────── The journey back felt shorter than he remembered, with Chris traveling almost non-stop through the cold airs of the North. Finally returning to his once home, the castle where he was born and raised. Chris found himself surrounded by familiar corridors he once ran through, often chased by his mother. Memories flooded back, vivid and poignant. The garden where he sought solace after his mother’s passing stood unchanged, its blooms and foliage a testament to time’s gentle, yet relentless passage.

As Chris entered the castle that had been his world once upon a time, he couldn’t help but notice that despite the passage of years, not much had changed. While there were unfamiliar faces among the maids and servants, the essence of the castle remained unchanged. His thoughts were interrupted by the joyful voice of his younger cousin, calling out to him from the training grounds.

“Chris!” Prince Felix’s voice carries with the morning air, brimming with a blend of joy as he spots his elder cousin.

The younger prince jogs over, his actions garnishes attention from the maids and servants that had been passing through.

Chris turns swiftly, a broad smile spreading across his face as Felix approaches. He reaches out, affectionately tousling Felix’s hair.

“You’ve grown.” He remarks warmly, his eyes sparkling at the happiness in Felix’s gaze.

The last time Felix had managed to convince his father to send him to the White Mountains for training had been three years ago. It was a short visit, but also a means for the king to gauge his son’s progress in the demanding environment of elite warriors in the North.

“I have! But so have you.” Felix remarks, casting an appreciative glance over Chris’ toned physique, his training attire emphasizing his stature.

Then his eyes glance over at his cousin’s personal guard.

“How is it that you haven’t grown a single inch?” Felix queries with teasing curiosity, raising an eyebrow in playful concern.

Han, accustomed to Felix’s spirited nature, releases a slow, measured breath. While Prince Felix often appeared as a carefree young man, those who observed closely understood his latent potential. He trained rigorously, and was destined to lead the king’s guards one day, overshadowing even Captain Elliot in his keen-eyed determination. Despite his young age, Felix was a formidable training partner and an even stricter teacher. Had his father not remained a strong and determined warrior, Felix might have already ascended to the position of captain of the Solar Guards.

“Unfortunately, that is out of my control, your highness.” Han replies evenly, not entertaining Felix’s teasing. Though there is a smile lingering on his lips.

“Nightshade warriors don’t tend to grow very tall, I suppose.” Felix muses casually, his eyes flicking up to humorously assess his own height.

Chris laughs, the sound rich with affection and familiarity. He had missed Felix’s spirited presence and playful banter. It felt good to be back amidst the familiarity of the castle grounds.

But before they can delve further into their reunion, an attendant approaches the trio with a sense of urgency, interrupting the moment.

“The King has called for you Prince Christopher.” The attendant announces solemnly.

Ten years had passed since King Bahng had sent his son to the harsh Northern borders. Whispers of Chris’ return preceded him through the echoing corridors of the castle, where the very air seemed to hum with anticipation. Even before he reached the threshold of the King’s study, the murmurs of his arrival had spread like wildfire.

Back in the North, the young maidens had blushed at the mere mention of his name, their cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink whenever he passed. And such reactions followed here, mirrored by the young court ladies upon his arrival, their eyes betraying a mix of admiration and curiosity.

When the door creaked open, the Crown Prince entered to find the King scurrying over to him in excitement, a look similar to the one Felix had in his eyes. Despite the warmth in his father’s gaze, Chris couldn’t help but feel a clench in his heart at the flood of memories.

He masked his emotions well, standing tall as he approached the king’s desk, casting brief glances between the king, his advisor, and a maid who lingered nearby, tray in hand. The last time he stood in this exact spot, he had been on his knees, the weighty decisions that led to his exile to the White Mountains made in the heat of anger and concern. Though he harbored no resentment toward his father, Chris couldn’t quite bring himself to return the king’s embrace as the older man warmly wrapped his arms around him. He was certain that King Bahng noticed his stiffness, despite the outward appearance of cordiality.

“Welcome back, Prince Christopher!” King Bahng greeted warmly, his voice filled with paternal pride that momentarily eased the tension in the room.

The King’s hands gripped firmly at Chris’ muscular arms, a paternal gesture that conveyed both pride and concern. His fatherly gaze swept over Chris, taking in the man he had become during their time apart. A striking young man, a formidable Nightshade Warrior.

The prince dipped his head respectfully and withdrew slightly from the embrace.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He replied evenly, maintaining a polite distance.

The King sighed softly, feeling the weight of unspoken tensions between himself and his now-grown son. He cleared his throat and gestured to a servant girl who had been momentarily captivated by Chris’ presence, prompting her to swiftly withdraw after leaving a tray of snacks.

“You’ve definitely inherited your mother’s beauty.” The burly king chuckled fondly as he settled behind his desk, his expression softening.

“Indeed. Prince Felix finally has someone to rival him in beauty.” The King’s advisor chimed in lightly, breaking the tension with a jest.

Chris glanced between the two older men, his attention focusing back on his father. The passage of a decade had marked King Bahng with gray hair and new wrinkles that Chris hadn’t noticed before, a reminder of the years spent apart.

“Is there a task you have for me, Your Majes—” Chris began, only to be swiftly corrected by his father.

“Father,” King Bahng interjected firmly.

“...Father.” The son echoed, blinking in confusion but adjusting to the correction.

King Bahng leaned back in his seat, his advisor presenting an unsealed envelope.

“As I mentioned in my letter, there is unusual activity in the Elysium Kingdom.” The king explained, his tone becoming more serious.

Chris raised a curious brow. “What unusual activity?”

“A royal banquet.” The King revealed, prompting his aide to hand Chris the invitation.

“It’s the first time in decades we’ve received such an invitation.” King Bahng continued, while Chris read through the details.

“It’s going to be a grand affair, attended not only by aristocrats from all over the nation but also by foreign dignitaries from neighboring kingdoms—like us. The revelry will last for weeks apparently, celebrating god knows what.” King Bahng groaned, his skepticism evident.

Chris narrowed his gaze, sensing underlying motives behind the invitation.

“The celebrations are supposedly a gesture of goodwill and diplomacy.” King Bahng continued, “but knowing that sly Elysium King, there is surely something up his sleeve.”

“I want you, our Crown Prince, to go—”

“Yes, I’ll go.” Chris interrupted almost eagerly, surprising both his father and the aide.

The King shared a glance with his aid before he cleared his throat, momentarily taken aback by his son’s sudden enthusiasm.

“...Now that we’ve settled, you’ll join the envoy. I want you to uncover any underlying tensions.”

“I will follow your instructions, Your Maj—Father.” Prince Christopher affirmed with a nod.

“Prepare for your first official royal excursion. Remain vigilant, but remember your title of Crown Prince.”

Chris stood tall, yet his heart raced with anticipation. Upon his return, he pondered how he might encounter his princess, now fate had presented him with an opportunity to visit openly. Amidst the complexity of courtly life and royal duties, Chris was planning a separate quest, finally fulfilling a promise of a sweet, overdue reunion. ─────────────────────── “You’ve spent even more time at Melgarde Estate this time around, My lady.” The young maid brushed through Princess Y/N’s hair, her touch gentle and methodical.

Y/N, gazing at her reflection in the dresser mirror, offered a soft smile. “It will be Princess Sienna’s first official public appearance. The preparations for the upcoming events have been in the making for a long time.”

The maid, still fairly new to Y/N’s service, furrowed her brows as she worked through the princess’s hair.

“Isn’t it your first public appearance as well, Princess?” She asked, her fingers deftly plaiting Y/N’s hair.

Y/N blinked, realizing the truth in the maid’s observation. Despite assisting Sienna for months, she had hardly considered her own debut.

“You have also been preparing for this moment even before I was assigned to your side, my lady.” She added.

This young girl, who looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, spoke her words mindlessly, one of the reasons the second princess enjoyed keeping her to her side.

“That’s true, but it isn’t about me, Anna. After so long, our kingdom is finally hosting neighboring realms. Surely, it’s more than just our court debut.” As always, the sharp second princess was able to read between the lines.

“Of course.” Anna beamed, setting down the comb after settling the hair. “But there’s so much to celebrate.”

Indeed, there were festivities planned for the kingdom’s founding anniversary, the Crown Prince’s upcoming wedding, and even their own birthdays—a significant step into society for both sisters.

For the first time, Y/N’s upcoming birthday felt consequential. When her mother had sent word that the king planned to celebrate both princesses, she thought she had read wrong, or that her mother had miswritten. But once the preparations began, getting a better understanding of these upcoming festivities, she realized why she was also included.

It was all for show.

A show of unity to foreign envoys—a testament to the royal family’s close-knit bond.

Truly, her father was a king through and through to have even such details orchestrated meticulously. But Lady Katherine, reveled in the attention, basking in the limelight that her daughter’s impending debut brought, while her daughter Y/N prepared endlessly for the past year.

The sudden attention was unfamiliar to Y/N, who had never sought the spotlight. Now surrounded by attendants, a flurry of maids, and a personal knight who trailed behind her on her outings, standing at her door at night. As if she would be in any danger. Letters and invitations poured in from Melgarde and the Capital, young ladies eager to forge connections with her.

Sienna would watch her younger sister’s bewilderment as she stared at the letters addressed to her in confusion, giggling in amusement and teasing remarks, unaware of the diplomatic strategies the king played. But of course once Y/N learned of why she was suddenly receiving this special treatment, it squashed any misunderstandings, and despite her reservations, the second princess played her role dutifully. Although she could never get used to the constant presence of maidservants and attendants.

As Anna prepared Y/N’s bed for the night, Y/N watched her through the mirror with fondness. The young maid’s sincerity reminded her of the kitchen maids she had encountered during her escapades at Melgarde Estate. Their words were unfiltered, opinions laced as they expressed their thoughts.

“I’ll do some reading before turning in.” Y/N announced, rising from her stool and selecting a book from a stack on her writing table.

“My lady, you have an early morning ahead. Do you truly have time for leisurely reading tonight?” Anna asked, her arms crossed.

Y/N chuckled softly. “I’m not reading love stories.” She reassured Anna, picking up a book on foreign affairs.

“Just some last-minute studying.”

With an exasperated sigh, Anna conceded defeat and bid Y/N goodnight, nodding at the knight stationed outside the heavy doors. Alone at last, Y/N shed her night robe, trading the book on foreign affairs for a story that ignited a blush on her cheeks.

These books, introduced to her by a kitchen maid during one of her nights at Melgarde, fascinated Y/N. Initially skeptical, she found herself drawn to tales of forbidden love, secret rendezvous, and impassioned declarations. They stirred memories of a certain someone—a faceless figure from her past who lingered in her thoughts more often than she cared to admit.

The last time Y/N had returned briefly from Melgarde was after Sienna’s carriage accident, which had thrown the entire kingdom into turmoil a few years ago. While Sienna recuperated in the serene countryside of the Melgarde Estate, Y/N found herself back in the palace she had reluctantly left behind. This time, however, she was truly alone. The West Palace hummed with its usual activity, yet Y/N felt isolated in her grief.

The Grand Forest greeted her just as she remembered, tranquil and unchanged. The river murmured softly as it flowed, carrying memories of her happiest moments spent in its company. There were no signs of recent visitors. No sign that anyone had been there at all. And after she was called back to Sienna’s side, she did not return to the place that place by the river, truly abandoned.

“Chan…”

She often whispered his name in those rare moments of solitude, when the weight of her responsibilities threatened to overwhelm her. Alone in her chambers, as the bustle of courtly life beyond closed doors died down, Y/N found solace in memories of him. His warm hand holding hers, a gesture that once offered comfort and reassurance, now existed only in the recesses of her mind.

These days, her thoughts were consumed by the sudden duties and expectations that accompanied her newfound importance within the royal family. Yet, on nights like these, when she finally retreated to the sanctuary of her chambers, Y/N sought refuge in her books, her love-stories.

Stories of forbidden love, clandestine meetings, and unspoken desires. Stories that made her think of Chan.

Seated by the dim glow of her bedside lamp, Y/N traced the lines of the romantic narratives that made her stomach tingle. Words of longing and passion evoked vivid memories of Chan, whose image in her mind was shaped more by his essence than his appearance. Had he grown into the handsome young man he had promised to become that one time? She couldn’t say for certain, but the thought of him alone was enough to stir emotions and memories of stolen glances and whispered confidences beneath the shade of trees.

In the quiet of her chambers, surrounded by the scent of parchment of her novels, she allowed herself to dream of a future where their paths might cross once more. Then she would decide if he had indeed grown to be as handsome as he claimed he would. As the young maid had forewarned, the next morning unfolded with a flurry of activity in the royal chambers. The two princesses, Sienna and Y/N, hurried through their morning routines—breakfast was swift, followed by dance lessons and dress fittings, until they finally stood in the presence of the formidable Queen herself.

Sienna, ever effervescent, hastened to her mother’s side with a bright smile, while the second princess, who was not the queen’s daughter, stood more reservedly, her eyes cast downward in deference, awaiting acknowledgment.

Sienna’s gaze darted between her mother and Y/N, sensing the weight of the Queen’s scrutiny filling the room. The Queen took her time, setting down her cup of cooling tea before turning her attention to Princess Y/N. But like always, the timid first princess ignored the uneasy feeling that erupted in her heart.

“You may be at ease.” The Queen gestured graciously, prompting Y/N to straighten from her bow.

“Thank you, your majesty.” Y/N replied softly, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach.

Sienna rushed over to pull Y/N into a nearby chair, bridging the gap between them and trying to dispel the tension that hung heavy in the Queen’s parlor.

“We heard you had important instructions for us regarding the upcoming celebrations.” Sienna interjected eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

The Queen’s maids busied themselves pouring tea for the young princesses as the Queen began to speak.

“As you know, we are hosting important guests—guests who are traveling long journeys from neighboring nations. It is very important that we maintain the good reputation of Elysium. Your role will be to ensure they have no cause for complaint.” The Queen stated calmly, her tone unchanged from the moment they entered, though her eyes fixed intently on Y/N.

“Of course, mother! Leave it to us. We will not let you down. Right, Y/N?” Sienna affirmed confidently, turning to her younger sister.

But Y/N could feel the weight of the Queen’s gaze on her, understanding that this task was meant for her alone to fulfill.

“We will not let you down, your majesty.” Y/N responded humbly, meeting the Queen’s eyes with quiet resolve.

In that moment, Y/N grasped the weight of expectations as a lesser princess, reminded sharply of her place in the royal hierarchy. The Queen’s assignment underscored the fleeting nature of her newfound importance, a subtle reminder that her elevated role was temporary. The Queen had put her in her place.

Despite the weight of her position and the reminders of her status, Y/N diligently fulfilled her duty. She meticulously oversaw preparations, ensuring that every detail was attended to—from the readiness of the rooms to the assignment of attendants and servants to aid the envoys. Y/N even ensured that separate quarters were prepared for the guards and knights who accompanied the foreign guests.

Lady Katherine was furious upon hearing about the responsibilities thrust upon Y/N, the responsibilities given to a princess. How can a princess plan for the arrival of foreign delegations, it was beneath her. But of course, the Mistress could never voice out these concerns since it was the Queen herself that had made the decision. Lady Katherine’s frustration bubbled over as she paced the opulent chamber, her discontent echoing in the shattering of a teacup against the marble floor. Y/N, accustomed to her mother’s outbursts, remained composed despite the inner turmoil stirred by Katherine’s tantrums. However recently, Lady Katherine’s outbursts had grown more aggressive. There were times when she had even struck Y/N, though she would always return a few hours later, contrite and apologetic. Despite these incidents, Y/N, sharp yet understanding, always forgave her mother.

“How can you happily do these duties meant for an aide? A planner? Why is the first princess not taking on some of these responsibilities as well, she too was told to fulfill them diligently.” Katherine exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation and reproach.

Y/N sighed softly, her gaze following the maids who hurried to clean up the mess her mother made during her outburst.

“Princess Sienna has been fulfilling her role. She chose the decorations for both the Emerald Hall—”

“Choosing decorations and colors is nothing compared to what you’ve been doing.” Katherine interjected, her frustration unabated.

“You have not even made your debut, yet you’re running around meeting outsiders.”

Y/N recognized the underlying disappointment in her mother’s words, the stark contrast between herself and Sienna becoming painfully clear once more. While Katherine had grown accustomed to Y/N being treated as a true princess in recent years, this new directive from the queen threatened to overturn that delicate balance.

“You seem so unbothered by all this. How long do you truly wish to see everything handed off to Princess Sienna, while you have to work so hard for even crumbs?” Katherine’s voice dripped with resentment.

Y/N met her mother’s gaze evenly, her composure unwavering.

“I am simply fulfilling what her majesty has tasked me with. Should I fail, it reflects poorly on your upbringing of me as well.”

Unable to argue with Y/N’s calm rationale, Lady Katherine seethed silently, grappling with the harsh reality of her daughter’s words. Yet, she did not like the tone in Y/N’s words, the way she spoke to her. Reminding her that her daughter was no longer a child, slipping from her control.

And soon the day of the foreign delegation’s arrival was here. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued.

── ask to be tagged! - @stayceebs97, @palindrome969, @tsunderelino, @solandiszale, @fixation-dump, @ellelabelle

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pnutbutter-n-j-elyy · 6 months ago

Text

When they call you clingy, so you distance yourself | Hyung Line

Warnings: Cursing

Pt2, Pt3 Maknaeline

(X)

BANGCHAN |

You walked into Chan’s studio, quietly shutting the door behind you, as to not startle him.

“Hey Chris, can we talk for a second?”

You watched as your boyfriend of a year and a half continued to type away, not acknowledging your question.

“Chris? Did you hear me?”

“Yes I heard you. I just didn't answer."

"Well, it would be nice for a little acknowledgment, I asked if we could talk." You state politely. You understood that Chan was stressed, but you believed it was basic courtesy to at least acknowledge someone - let alone your significant other - when they asked you a question.

"Well, I'm kind of busy at the moment."

"I understand it will only take two minutes ba-"

“Dammit Y/N! I'm busy right now can't you see?" He snaps. Turning towards you and showing you the screen of his laptop.

You open your mouth to speak and tell him just why you needed to talk to him at this very second but he interrupted you.

"When we first started dating, I get that you told me you were clingy. I also get that I told you I liked clingy. But my god, Y/N you're not just clingy you're fucking obsessive. And always at the wrong times! You want space when I actually have time. Yet you decide to stroll in here trying to start a damn conversation when you can clearly see I'm trying to play damage control from a fucking dumbass trainee thinking it was funny to mess with my tracks. I'm already stressed as fuck about that, yet I have you breathing down my neck like some obsessive stalker. Like for five minutes just leave me alone!"

You stiffened at Chan’s tone. It was very rare that Chan would ever raise his voice. He managed his frustrations very well and was aware of how sensitive you were so he was always careful about confrontation.

He turned around and had his back hunched over his laptop as he typed and clicked away furiously, unaware of the tears that were quickly springing to your eyes. You were frozen in place, your heart beating uncontrollably.

It took a minute before you were even able to take a breath.

You stood there long enough for Felix to come bursting through the door to come update Chan about something unimportant to the task at hand. The same task that he had snapped at you for interrupting.

And you think that what hurt most. The way the frown on his face was lessened when talking to the younger male and his cute chuckle even popped out once or twice.

You finally were able to pull yourself out of the studio, leaving behind the coat you had absentmindedly placed down out of habit when you had come in and opted to take your purse.

The air was brisk and had that dry smell it always gained before it snowed.

Your apartment was close to the studio, a 25-minute walk at most so you always opted to take a stroll when visiting Chan, but you were on a tight schedule so within a minute you were in a taxi heading home.

And just as quickly you were back in a taxi heading to the airport.

You knew it was petty of you to mute Chris's notifications. But the fact that he snapped at you was just the tip of the iceberg. You knew that once he calmed down, he would immediately be filled with guilt. And you would rather not have your phone being blown up by multiple people at once.

Are you headed to the airport?

You responded to your brother's message with a thumbs up and turned on your DND before the screen darkened with a click.

You glanced at your watch and sighed.

You'd be on a plane heading home in less than an hour and weren't even able to kiss Chris goodbye.

(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

MINHO |

"You're clingy as hell." Minho mumbled under his breath, thinking you wouldn't hear. But oh did you hear.

"Lee Minho what did you just say?"

He let out a sharp breath and looked up from his phone. "I called you clingy." He stated boldly, his voice even yet loud enough to be heard by Hyunjin and Han who quickly scurried away to the other half of the suite.

"And what about me is so clingy?"

Minho chuckled sarcastically. "Oh I don't Y/N, do you want me to recap the entire day for you?"

You had joined the kids on their trip to Paris. While they had been here numerous times, this was your first time traveling here and due to the anxiety of being in a new place, you attached yourself to Minho's hip since it was your first day here.

You didn't intend to be overbearing, nor did you intend to be up his ass for the entire week and a half long trip, but you wanted to get used to the surroundings and you felt most comfortable doing that with your boyfriend. Yesterday being your first day you spent the entirety of it with Minho. You had noticed quickly how his excitement had turned into unease and straight up irritation after a while. It was a weird phase of emotions considering how happy he had been but you had amounted it to you accidentally taking a wrong turn and missing a fireworks show Minho had been talking about all day. You had come into his room early this morning to apologize, but instead were meant by an overly irritable boyfriend.

"It's because I've never been here before! Did you expect me to not to ask you to show me around?"

"Y/N there is a difference between a tour guide and a fucking babysitter. You pulled me along to everywhere you wanted to go. I had plans yesterday! Certain things that I was hoping to do. I made an entire schedule and everything, but just because you wouldn't agree to be toured around the city by Chan you ruined all of that. Then you spent the entire day just pulling me along. If you wanted someone to give you an overly extensive run down of everything and keep you company, why don't you ask someone closer to your personality like Jisung or Jeongin? I'm sure they'd love talking of the ears of all the local with you. Shit, you'd probably become some street show you three."

You sucked in your cheeks and took a breath.

"That was uncalled for, you have no need to bring anyone else into this discussion."

Minho chuckled sarcastically.

"Discussion? What is there to discuss? The amount of time I want you to leave me alone? Hell, why not the entire fucking trip?" He spat out.

"You're an ass Minho."

"Yeah well at least I'm not a pain in someone else's."

You felt your bottom lip start to tremble and your chin shake.

Don't cry. You'll just be a crybaby.

"And here come the water works." He groans as if he read your mind, getting up from his bed and heading towards the room where the rest of the guys were probably trying to keep occupied as to not hear your arguing.

"So what? You're just gonna walk away?" You call out.

"YOU'RE PROVING MY FUCKING POINT!" He shouted, finally at his breaking point. "It was a mistake asking you to come on this trip." He said turning around one final time and opening the door to the other side of the suite. "I never should have asked."

"Well you know what, maybe this trip isn't the only thing you should have never asked about. And I'm starting to realize that maybe it's not the only thing I never should have said yes to." You spit out turning on your heel and slamming the door.

You furiously wiped at the tears that were sticking to your face and threw your hood up over your head as you headed to your room to contemplate what would become of you two now.

(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

CHANGBIN |

It was irritating to you the way Changbin was interacting with the female barista. And the irritation must have shown on your face because when he handed you your iced latte, he raised an eyebrow.

"Is everything okay jagiya?"

You sighed as you guys stepped out the shop and started making your way back towards the studio. Changbin had been really busy the last couple of weeks with preparing for a special release and collabing with a few other groups, so you hadn't been able to be around your boyfriend as often as you'd like. So you had agreed on meeting during his lunch every other day, even if the times varied.

"You just seemed really flirty with that barista." You mumbled. "It was obvious she was into you too. I mean who wouldn't you're the Seo Changbin." You giggled elbowing him playfully. You pulled out your phone to make sure there was enough time for you to walk Changbin back or if you would have to take an Uber. You nodded at the time and swiped away a few notifications from Minho.

You expected Changbin to laugh or reassure you like he usually did when you brought up his flirty habits. Instead he snorted into his cup as he took a sip of the dark liquid.

"Jealous much?"

You laughed a little. "Why would I be jealous? She isn't the one who has been dating you for three years." You said hip bumping him, but he stepped away from you rather brashly.

"Well it seems like you are because you have to bring up me and my so called flirting ever single time I talk to anyone of the female species."

"Bin it was just a joke-"

"Well I'm not joking when I say you're acting clingy as fuck." His tone was way off and he seemed to realize the shit he was setting himself up to be put in because he stopped mid stride and turned around to you with an agitated sigh.

"Do you...I don't know want to run that by me again?" You ask, firming your stance.

"God, Y/N, don't make this a big thing. Its just been a day-"

"No, no. You don't get to use that excuse Changbin. We're supposed to talk through these things. You don't just get to say something like that and then act like you didn't."

You guys stood at an impasse for a moment until he spoke up rolling his eyes.

"Fine. I think you're being clingy." He said simple. "Jealousy falls under clinginess and I think you're being jealous so therefore you are being clingy."

"Changbin it was a fucking joke! You've never reacted this way before so I don't know why you're acting this way now!"

Changbin just rolled his eyes and continued in the direction of the studio.

"Seo Changbin, where are you going?"

"To work Y/N. You know, maybe if you actually picked up a more stable job then you wouldn't have as much time to be up my ass and exaggerating about things that aren't things you should be butt hurt about."

You stiffened at Changbin's low blow and took a breath.

"We need to fix this before it gets out of hand." You grit out.

"Well maybe I don't want to fix this." He looked at his watch. "I'm late now so why don't you just drink your latte and go home to cool off."

The condescending voice Changbin was using sent you over the edge. You were angry to the point of tears.

You chucked your nearly full iced latte at him. It hit his chest with a thud, and the coffee made a rather pretty pattern on his pristine white shirt.

"Maybe that'll help you cool yourself off. Fuck you Changbin." You pushed past him and waved down the closest taxi.

Your phone was buzzing in your pocket and you pulled it out.

"Hey, are you and Changbin on your way back? I need to go over some choreography and we're filming tiktoks right when he gets back."

You did the best you could to keep your voice level when responding to Minho.

"He's on his way back now. But you need to get him a new shirt because being the dumbass he is he likes to make a mess of perfectly good things."

(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

HYUNJIN|

You were never very happy having to attend events with Hyunjin. It wasn't that you didn't like spending time with him, or in turn spending time with the guys events.

It was just you felt insecure being the plus one of someone like Hyunjin.

It was no secret to anyone how those who knew and perceived Hwang Hyunjin's existence thought of him.

He had a beauty that rivaled any masterpiece that had ever been painted. The elegance of a tiger lily with the face of an angel.

You knew of many people who would jump at the opportunity to be with Hyunjin. For the past 11 months you had been with him you had your fair share of run ins with crazy fans or pop stars of the like.

Once your relationship had gone public a month ago you found yourself being compared to the female idols in the industry even more than you has expected.

It seemed to be the general consensus that not many people viewed you as "beautiful enough" to be with someone like Hyunjin.

You didn't take it to heart because you decided to have the outlook of nobody being beautiful enough for Hyunjin - let alone the people writing those hateful comments considering they were most likely delusional pre-teens who made the most out of pocket edits and were in desperate need of some grass groping.

But after a month it was starting to get to you slightly. Especially as you had come across one of those edits, since you had been tagged in it after someone found your personal account.

The amount of hate messages were starting to get to change your perception on things. Because the more you were hearing it the more you were seeing and believeing it.

"Jinnie do you think that my shoulders look weird in this dress?" You walked into your living room where Hyunjin was sitting. He looked up and a bright smile showed on his face.

"I think you look beautiful jagiya!" He said standing up. He looked other worldly in his tuxedo.

"And my hair?"

"Perfect." He said placing a kiss on your forehead. "We have to leave now if we want to make it on time. Or else I would look at you all night."

By the time you had been at the event for thirty minutes you already wanted to go home. You felt like the ugliest person there, and you couldn't help but feel the eyes of many people on you.

Ever couple of minutes you found yourself looking for Hyunjin's reassurance.

"Does my stomach look bloated?"

"Is my makeup fine?"

"Can you see the pimple on my chin?"

"Are my nails okay?"

"Do I look ugly?"

"Should I make my hair look like hers next time?

Hyunjin was reassuring you, but after the third or fourth questioning of the night his answers became generic.

When he was talking to an idol and his significant other you couldn't help but start comparing yourself to her. She was so pretty.

"Hyunjin should I run home and change?" You asked quietly in English. You were doing your best to learn Korean so it would be easier to communicate with Hyunjin's parents when the time came that your families were to get closer. You wanted it to be a surprise when the time came, because you knew how much Hyunjin wanted you to get along with his family, when when the time came to meet them - he wanted to get along with your family.

"You're girlfriend is pretty clingy isn't she?" The other idol asked in his native language, assuming you didn't speak korean because of your fluency in english.

"Yeah she is extremely clingy." Hyunjin replied. "Might be the clingiest girl I've ever met."

You looked at the other idols girlfriend and she made a face, and then laughed.

"You can tell she is a foreigner by the way she acts. No one is ever as clingy as foreign partners." She joked and all three of them were laughing.

Well there is the hundredth insecurity to list.

You looked at them and tried to control your facial expressions.

"We were just telling him that you are so adorable." The girl told you.

You chuckled uncomfortably and looked over at Hyunjin. He smiled and blinked cutely at you.

You smiled back as Hyunjin turned towards the couple again to continue his conversation.

And all you could do was smile back as you pretended to not understand the words Hyunjin didn’t even realize hurt you.

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hanasonmi · 2 years ago

Text

This literally shaddered my heart 😭😭😭 The moment she came in the room to see him sleeping after prioritizing work again...

❤️Red❤️

☀️Feelbokkie M.list ☀️

Red: Passion, Love, Anger

pov: 1st person

genre: angst, hurt no comfort

description: You've been with Chan since before he moved to Korea to pursue being an idol. 13 years later, you've reached your breaking point.

pairing: chan x fem!reader

warnings: break up, swearing, yelling

word count: 2,030

🖍️Crayon Box M.list🖍️

“Congrats on a successful comeback!” Chan and I clink glasses before I take a sip of my red wine.

For the first time in a while, it’s just the two of us on a date. He’s been busy prepping and promoting Stray Kids’ most recent comeback which means we rarely got to spend time together. I can’t remember the last time we actually got dressed and hung out somewhere that wasn’t in his studio or his dorm. With how busy he is and my schedule as an English teacher, we don’t get a lot of moments like this. We would compromise and I would just join him wherever he was during my free time. Sometimes, I would take my grading and do that while he worked on music just to be near him.

“Thank you! I wouldn’t have been able to get through it this time if you weren’t there supporting me every step of the way.” Chan smiles, placing his hand in mine.

We’ve been together since we were 14, right before he decided that he wanted to become an idol. 13 years later, we’re still together and he’s made his dream a reality. After 4 years of being long-distance, I decided to attend university in Korea and then become an English teacher. My parents and friends thought I was crazy to upend my life and move to a foreign country for someone with a “pipe dream.” But I believed in him, and in the end, he accomplished what he set out to do. Now, my parents complain about how we’ve been together so long and Chan still hasn’t put a ring on my finger. I can never win in their eyes.

“Chan, are you busy next Saturday evening? The school is honoring me with an award and I would love it if you could make an appearance.” I take another sip and wait for his answer. Even though he has a bit more free time, he still has his duties to do.

“I have a few interviews and stuff in the morning, but after that, I’m all yours. I promise. Congrats on getting that award. I’ve seen how hard you work for those kids, you deserve it!” He offers me a big smile, light twinkling in his eyes. The same look he’s had on his face when he looks at me since we were kids.

It’s easier for us now that we’re public with our relationship. We were scared at first and didn’t say anything when his dating ban was first lifted. He didn’t want fans to turn their backs on him since he had been in a relationship the entire time and I didn’t want the negativity that comes with dating an idol. Eventually, we decided last year to just go public so we could have some sense of normalcy. The response was surprisingly positive and we no longer had to sneak around at events or in public. I could sit with him or stand with him at award shows. He could make a quick stop at the school I worked at to bring me lunch.

“What’s the award for?” He asks bringing me out of a daze.

“We can talk about it later. Tonight is about you.” I put my glass down and reach for his other hand.

“There’s nothing to talk about with me, you were there literally every step of the way.” He takes both of my hands and brings them to his mouth, placing a long kiss.

“Well, if you insist…”

***

Chan never showed up. We agreed earlier in the week that he would come to my apartment and we would go together. A few days ago, he sent me a text saying he would meet me in front of the school. I waited outside in the cold until one of my coworkers came to tell me that they would be starting soon. I even texted Changbin to make sure nothing had happened, and he said that Chan had been home all day working on music since they came back from their interviews. He forgot, plain and simple as that. And for whatever reason, he wasn’t answering his phone. It was humiliating. My coworkers had been talking about the award all week and if Chan would show up. I must have looked like a liar when I had to spend the rest of the night saying something had come up.

I let myself into Chan’s dorm and make my way straight to his room. I open the door without knocking and close it behind me. Surrounded by pure darkness, I take a deep breath. He’s asleep. I love that for him, everyone knows how little sleep he gets normally. But at the same time, he promised to be there. My hand frantically searches the wall looking for the light switch. My eyes take a few seconds to adjust when the lights finally come on. I stare at Chan’s sleeping figure. My eyes pan to his desk. There’s a notebook open with a pen sitting in the middle. A telltale sign that he was just working on music. I clench and unclench my fist, trying to calm myself down. My eyes settle on a pillow that’s laying on the floor. I pick it up and chuck it at Chan’s peaceful figure.

“What… what the hell?” He stirs in his sleep, looking at where the attack came from.

“I asked for one night. One. Fucking. Night.” I pick up his balled-up shirt from the floor and threw it at him, landing a perfect shot on his face.

“What are you talking about… Oh, shit,” He sits up and takes the shirt I threw at him off his face.

“You forgot, because of fucking course you did!” I couldn’t help but laugh. It’s not funny, but I don’t know how else to react at this point.

“Y/N—” He stands up quickly and makes his way toward me. I take a step back.

“I gave up everything for you. I moved to another country where I barely know the language. I studied the only thing I could. I took a job that I don’t want, just so I can stay here and be near you.”

“I know—” He reaches out for me and I smack his hand away.

“My parents and friends thought I was crazy for leaving everything I know for a boy who was trying to become an idol. I ruined those relationships for you, do you realize that?”

“I do, but—” His jaw twitches, controlling his anger.

“I’ve been there for every award show, performance, and interview—And even when I couldn’t, I made sure that you knew that I was still at your side rooting for you. I stayed late with you at the studio and the practice room even if I had work the next day, just to spend a few moments with you. I asked you to come to one event for me and you forgot because of fucking course you did. I’ll always be second to you and your career.”

“That’s not fair—”

“I love you with every fiber of my being but I am so sick and tired of giving and not receiving, Chris. I cannot keep doing this.” I whisper. The anger that’s been brewing in my body all night finally settled.

“Then don’t!” He snaps eyebrows furrowed, nostrils flared. I jump at his tone. When Chan is mad, he’s scary. He’s never gotten this mad at me before. I blink at him slowly.

“So that’s it? You’re not even going to fight for this? For us? You’re just willing to throw away 13 years, just like that? After everything we’ve been through?” Do not cry.

“What the fuck do you want from me, Y/N? Do you want me to apologize for being a shitty boyfriend? Because I am. I’m so sorry that I’ve been neglecting you and taking you for granted. But you came here with the intention of attacking me. You wouldn’t even let me get a full sentence out to defend myself.”

“So then this is all my fault?” Do not fucking cry. Not here, and definitely not now.

“You’re trying to push all the blame on me when you’re just as much to blame for all of this. I didn’t ask you to move here and cut off your friends and family. I don’t make you come to all of my things. I ask you if you want to come and you always say yes. I appreciate that you did that, I truly do. But do not use something against me that you decided to do on your own free will. It’s not fair. I drop the ball sometimes, I’m human. You’re going to fault me for one mistake and try to end things?”

“It’s not just one mistake.” I breathe.

“What?” His voice finally drops.

“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened.”

“What are you talking about?” His expression softens back into the normal Chan. The calm one. The one I fell in love with all those years ago.

“Over the years, I’ve invited you to things. To meet my friends. To meet my coworkers. To my college graduation. But I was really understanding. Our relationship had been private for so long and you were either touring or in another country working on promotions. But what’s your excuse now that we’re public and don’t have any of those things going on? There’s always going to be something that comes before me and I can’t—I won’t do this anymore.”

The room falls quiet. I press my lips tightly and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to gain the courage to walk away. After a few more seconds of silence, I finally turn around to leave. I feel Chan’s tight grip on my bicep, preventing me from taking another step. He loosens his hold and slides his hand down to my hand.

“Please, don’t leave me. We can fix this—I can fix this.” Chan whispers. I don’t turn around. I can’t turn around. If I do, I’ll never leave. And I need to leave for my sanity.

“I told you last year that this was your last chance. I can’t keep giving you last chances, it’s not fair to me. And seeing how quickly you were willing to just end it a few minutes ago, I don’t think I want to. I’m sorry, Chris.” I shake my hand out of his grip and quickly leave his room. I shut the door and lean against it, taking deep breaths as my tears pour down my face.

“Fuck!” I hear Chris’ muffled, yet clear, voice scream through the door followed by a thud. And another one. I heard the sound of something breaking on the other side of the door. I cry harder, fighting the urge to go back in there and calm him down, stop him from destroying his room.

Jisung, Changbin, and Hyunjin rush into the hallway, concerned about the noise coming from their leader’s room. They all stop and stare at me with confused looks on their faces. Their eyes shift between each other and then back to me. I don’t know what they expected, but I’m sure it wasn’t this.

“Y/N noona, what’s…” Jisung starts to ask but stops when I quietly shake my head. I did into my purse and pull out my key to the dorm. I yank it off the keyring, looking at it one more time before looking up.

“Can one of you give this to him when he calms down? P-please?” I stick my hand out with the key and watch as Hyunjin hesitates to take it.

“Noona—” Changbin starts as I finally move away from Chan’s door, the sound of destruction slowly fading in the distance. When I make it to the front door I stop and turn to face the three younger boys.

“I hope we will be able to stay in contact. But I’ll understand if you want nothing to do with me. Thank you for all your years of friendship.” I quickly bow before leaving the dorm.

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