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hannie-dul-set · 4 years ago

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virtue of humility [choi seungcheol]

“humility /(h)yo͞oˈmilədē/ — a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.”

LUCKY 7′S MASTERLIST

PAIRING | prince! choi seungcheol x musician! reader (f) GENRE | royal! au, romance, fluff WARNINGS | none <3 WORD COUNT | 4.8k

a/n: hello!! :> my pieces for the collab are a little different from lila and gina’s because i went for a more thematic approach. nevertheless, i hope you’ll still enjoy <33 also the language is a lil oldsey-timesey HJSHF just a heads up HAHA

Prince Seungcheol had never thought of the glimmer of the crown perched on his head as something more significant than an accessory. Though bearing an extra weight with the dazzles of its heavy ruby and sapphire embellishments, it felt as if it wasn’t even there. But for most of his waking hours, the prince would resign from wearing it— head barren from the symbol of his nobility.

“But you’re the prince,” his Royal Advisor, Jeonghan, had once said. “What service will your people owe to you when they know not who to serve?”

“Is it not the prince's duty to serve? To meet the needs of his people?” a smile plastered on his lips, Seungcheol answered, pushing the golden wreath back into his advisors hands. “I am a servant just as I am a prince. There is no need for grandeurs such as these.”

Jeonghan had never roused the same question again.

The same could be said today; strolling over the family of large rocks beside the crystal stream, Seungcheol gleamed as the wind brushed like whispered breaths through his hair, uncovered by the weight of his crown. He eyed a school of silver fishes swimming against the light current of water, crouching down on the rough stone to look at them closely. A content sigh breezed past his lips, and he dipped two fingers on the water’s clean surface, the sudden cold kissing his fingertips sending a slight shiver down his spine. There was no one else around the stream— Seungcheol would know since he spends almost every other day in solitude here.

He liked being in the palace. He liked being around the people he loved, and those who loved him just as much. But Seungcheol also liked being alone from time to time.

Although it seemed that he wasn’t alone. The faint, but definite sound of singing was telling him so.

It was far. But despite the distance, Seungcheol noticed someone— the silhouette of what appeared to be a lady sitting atop the identical looking clump of rocks in front of the same stream he was in front of, only opposite from where Seungcheol was. It was either his curiosity or the sweetness of the voice’s notes beckoning him to move closer, but when he was halfway there, he concluded that it was a mixture of both.

Seungcheol found it unusual for anyone other than himself to be here. It was unspoken, but all the residents of the Northern Empire’s village knew that the prince frequented this spot, and therefore they all stayed away out of respect for his peace. It was a shame, really. Prince Seungcheol would have welcomed any other presence outside of his into his supposed private hideout. Therefore the appearance of the mysterious girl was a sort of shooting star for him— a brief flash of bubbling hope that you’d have to quickly grasp before it disappears once more.

And so he moved at a quicker pace to catch you.

You, on the other hand, were sitting peacefully on top of the hard, grey, rock, the hem of your skirt barely fluttering over the stream’s mouth as your legs were stretched over the tough surface. The echoes of your singing were fairly silent— though apparently that wasn’t the case seeing that you were loud enough for someone to approach you, and you immediately closed your mouth shut.

“Why did you stop? Are you not comfortable with eyes watching you as you sing?”

“I am not comfortable with a stranger’s eyes watching me. It does not matter whether I sing or not,” the man smiled at you— an apologetic smile, and he respected your wishes as he did not dare to close the distance of the stream that separated you both.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable,” he said, propping himself down on the rocky surface. “But it is rare to have someone other than myself to be here. I would like to make your acquaintance, if you may.”

You eyed him suspiciously, and you could tell that he noticed your distrust because he shot you the most charming display of a smile that anyone has ever sent you. “Do you own this area? I’m not trespassing, am I?” you pressed, and it took him a few moments of silence before he responded.

“Well yes, I suppose,” he answered, and there was a flash of panic running through you upon realizing that you had just wandered into this man’s property without his prior knowledge. You were lucky that he seemed to be forgiving. “Though, I’m always willing to share. That is if you share something of yours, as well.”

To share? You had nothing to share even if you wanted to.

“What could I possibly share with you?” your brows furrowed. “You noticed me from as far as dozens of spaces away, yet upclose you cannot seem to see that I am empty handed.”

If he wanted you to leave, he could have just said so. But he also said that he wanted to make your acquaintance, so what were you to take out of it? He wanted you to stay but for you to stay you had to give. But he knew and could see that you had nothing to give, so what could he want?

“Your name.”

He said. The stray kisses of the sun's rays served as a transparent crown of gold above his head as he uttered his sentiments with a blinding smile. “You can share with me your name.”

That was none of what I expected, you thought, pressing your lips together in a tight line to mask even a sliver of your amusement, but it would only take one quick glance for anyone to notice the smile trying to fight its way into your face. To be frank, you weren't aware of what you were expecting— but you had assumed that you would be staying here for much longer. It appeared that it wasn't the case anymore. He knew how to impress you, but you had cards of your own. “But that would mean that you’d have to share your name, too. And I’d have nothing else to give after that.”

There was silence that occupied, but with the unrelenting nature of his smile, you could only assume that he was unbothered by your challenge. You continued to look at him from across the stream, the rippling of its waters flooding into your ears before he finally decided to speak,

“I will be giving you my name for free,” his tone mimicked that of the running water— calm, gentle. Without a trace of impurity in its crystal clear vulnerability. “So there is no need for you to remain at an unease.”

The nameless man stood from the slippery edge, blocking the sun away and it looked as if he, himself, was the blazing sun. The dimples on his cheeks— details that you have overlooked before and had only been captured by your eyes now— made a shy appearance in accordance with the upturn of his mouth’s corners.

“Seungcheol.”

“Y/N.”

He took this as an invitation to finally be allowed to cross the stream, and so he did, the water sloshing around his ankles as he pushed forward. It wasn’t too deep, thankfully, and only the bottom part of his dark trousers were drenched. Seungcheol positioned himself beside you, far enough not to invade your comfort, but close enough for you to feel his serene presence. “Is it alright for me to ask a question?” You nodded, urging him. “Are you from the Southern Empire, perhaps?”

Your brows raised. Huh, he was quick to notice that you were a foreigner. There were no physical distinctions that differentiated those from the Northern Empire, where you were right now, and the Southern Empire, where you actually lived. Maybe Seungcheol was familiar with those living around, and he thought that you looked unfamiliar. “Yes. How did you know?”

“You don’t seem like you’re from here.”

To Seungcheol, there were a few telltales indicating that you lived from the opposite land. One, you didn’t know that people tend to steer away from this place. And two— it didn’t look like you were aware that he was the prince. (This was why he hesitated in answering your question earlier. Technically, this was public property, but technically it was his, as well).

There wasn’t a need for him to tell you now, though. It wasn’t of importance, anyway.

“What brings you here, Y/N? Are you on a visit?”

“Half visit, I suppose,” you answered, and Seungcheol quirks a brow at this. “Half for an event.”

“An event? Is it the ball to be held at the palace this weekend?”

“Yes, that exactly,” you adjusted your sitting position, folding your legs as you looked at nowhere in particular in the midst of your thought. “I was lucky enough to be one few chosen by the music academy I’m in to play with the Northern ensemble. But of course I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to take a peek of the foreign empires sceneries.”

A grin was plastered on your face when you turned to look at the boy beside you, and it appeared that he was mirroring your expression. “I’ll be there, as well. Would that mean I’d be graced by the chance to hear you sing again?”

You lapsed, visibly flushed at his inquiry and you sat yourself straight as you were suddenly flooded by the realization that the reason he had found you was because of your singing.

“A-absolutely not," you stammered. "I play the violin.”

“Ah, I see,” he didn’t put an effort to mask his disappointment, and it wasn’t of any help to your already racing heart. You weren’t one to let just anyone to hear you sing— it was embarrassing. Yet this boy who you had just met today had already driven himself past your sphere of comfort, but you still found yourself just brushing it away, locking it away to someplace you’ll never find, just so the shame won’t be able to meet the light of day once again.

Seungcheol took note of your silence and he felt as if he were the cause of it. Fearing that he might end up chasing away a possible friend, he resorted to making conversation on a different topic, instead. “I heard that there were an abundance of herbs and spices in the North.”

You lightened up at this, relieved that he took a different route, and Seungcheol felt mirth tugging at his cheeks at your reaction. “Mhm. Is it not the case here?”

He shook his head. “Mining is the biggest industry here. We acquire all our herbs from yours.”

The sun was slowly rising higher into the sky, in sync with the prickling temperature. Though beside the stream, the breeze was crisp, cool kisses against your skin as you and Seungcheol talked the day away until it was already around lunch time and the morning's heat had finally made aware of its presence. And it also made you aware of the schedule you had for the remaining afternoon.

“Oh! How stupid of me to forget— ah!” in your rush to stand, you clumsily lost your footing on the slippery rock, the body of water inviting your immediate fall. But it never came, as Seungcheol was quick enough to catch you by the waist, pulling you into him in one swift motion.

It was the second time that you had buried your shame.

“Careful now,” he retracted his hold from you when you had finally caught your balance, the ghost of his touch sizzling amidst the sun’s heat. You stared at him, flustered, and he gave you a kind stretch of his lips. “You may be in a hurry, but it would be fruitless if you only end up soaking wet.”

“At least I’d be cool underneath this angry sun,” you reasoned, though still a bit dazed from the earlier rush. “Thank you.”

Seungcheol nodded a smile at you, steadily guiding your posture as you carefully puddled into the brook, feeling the cold water on your ankles when you did. He did not remove his gentle touch on your shoulders, nor did he keep his eyes off you even when you have finally crossed the waters, and you found yourself stirring— tides crashing harder than that of the stream. He only let go when the presence of the rocks were nowhere to be found anymore.

“May I ask what brings you in such a rush?”

The village was now in your short view, though you were still shielded by the barrier of birch trees lining the outside of the rural area. You were supposed to be at your temporary housing at around thirty.

“Practice,” you answered. "The ball is a mere seven days away.”

Seungcheol nodded at your sparing response. “I’ll be seeing you by then. Or perhaps tomorrow? That is If willing to keep me company again. It does get rather lonely with nothing but the fishes accompanying me. They aren't chatty fellows.”

The soft sound of your laughter was all he heard. You smiled at him, a smile that weighed heavier than his crown and he found his chest squeezing at the pressure.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Seungcheol.”

A week melted into days and days melted into minutes into seconds until you found yourself within the vicinity of your fellow musicians inside the blue haze of the Diamond Palace’s ballroom. The large hall mimicked that of a watery stream with the crystal linings of its walls, and the flooding bodies of the numerous visitors beamed like swimming sea creatures. You had not yet seen Seungcheol as of late, even though he promised that you’d meet once more today, for tomorrow was your day of departure.

Racing eyes accompanied by your racing heart moved in beats of impatience as you scanned the façade of water, only to leave you unsatisfied from the lack of his presence. You’ve only spent days with him— yet those days were enough to concur a sweetened taste of mutual longing.

On your second day, Seungcheol showed you a field of flowers a few strolls past the familiar stream. The third day ended with a rapid flurry of conversations about everything and nothing at the same time, and it resulted with you running late for your practice. It was all worth it, though, because it was also on that day that you had found out that Seungcheol hosted the most modest of souls out of all the empires. You accompanied him at the marketplace after you spent hours by the stream, and you witnessed him silently helping the vendors in small, simple ways without even whispering a word. On day four you’d gotten even closer. A stranger no longer was he. And on day five you felt the first of many butterflies swarming inside your stomach, and since then you had lost it.

You shared your first kiss on the sixth day, and the seventh ended with another.

It was quick, you had to admit. And it will end too quickly for your liking. Perhaps that was why the days felt like pages flipping through the thinnest book on the shelf, or a winter solstice in the middle of summer that has prolonged its visit for six days more. Though, you were determined to see him once again this evening, even if it took until the last warning of the ballroom’s final lit torch.

“Y/N, is your mind elsewhere? The ball is starting and we are to get in position at once. Hurry up,” the ushering voice of your companion, Jihye, was like the chirping of an annoying swallow that you wished to die down. Indeed, this opportunity to play for the Royal Family was an honor. But as you moved along with your travels across the empires, so had your priorities as they have shifted from the south to the north.

However, you didn’t want to cause any trouble— especially if it was only because of the selfishness of your desires. So with a disheartened sigh, you picked up your stringed instrument and melted into the orchestra as you waited for the Noble’s entrance.

It was difficult to fiddle with the violin when your heart was elsewhere, but you had to will yourself to focus so as to not bring shame to your academy’s name. You straightened your posture and positioned the instrument, and you maneuvered the bow in the same manner as you had tirelessly practiced for weeks. For a while, you had managed to rid yourself from the ghosting thoughts of Seungcheol.

That is until the Emperor, Empress, and Prince finally descended down the grand staircase, and the familiar swarm of butterflies fizzled into your chest— untamed and unforgiving as they drowned what semblance of peace you had managed to belatedly hold on to.

You had been aching to see Seungcheol’s face tonight, but this was none of what you had expected.

“Gracing before us, the heart of the Northern Empire— the Imperial Family!”

It was as if you were stricken by Cupid’s merciless arrows ten times over because only one was clearly not enough. Everyone around you had fallen their heads in a respectful bow, yet you still stood staring at the Prince in such a spell-bound daze until Jihye pulled you down with her like a ragdoll.

You couldn’t believe it.

Seungcheol and the Prince of the North were one and the same.

Were you mistaken? Did he not care for you enough to tell you that he was the actual heir to the Empire's throne? You raised your head upon sensing the movements of the people around you, but you were a beat behind since you still hadn’t recovered from the befuddlement inflicted on your senses. You were lucky enough to only be playing along one piece for tonight’s ball, else your performance would have been a disaster. Having managed to finish the piece with minor mistakes was a miracle in itself, but that’s where your miracles would end.

Because the moment the last note came to an end, the moment you were about to step down from the elevated stage along with your companions, you had noticed Seungcheol staring right at you.

He was smiling.

And the butterflies were almost impossible to contain.

You felt someone tugging at your arm, insisting you to leave, and so you reluctantly did— but not without sparing one last glance at Seungcheol, sitting high and mighty on his golden throne. He looked different, completely different from the boy the stream who you fleetingly fell for. But it was him all the same. His gorgeous smile telling you. You hoped that it wasn’t your mind playing tricks on you when you noticed his smile melting into a sad puddle of a frown when you finally left.

“Is that the prince circling amongst the crowd?”.

“What?”

Jihye whispered from beside you as you rushed to the buffet, and you quickly snapped your head back to confirm, and your eyes were met with the familiar gaze of the ones you’d get lost into for hours on end. He shot you a grin upon eye contact, and you felt yourself starting to get dizzy.

It was him. Despite the barrage of bodies between you, you could immediately tell which pretty eyes were his.

Did he forget that he was the prince?! You saw him trying to chase after you, but you firmly shook your head as Jihye dragged you away, the distance between you stretching farther and farther. He looked confused, baffled in a frozen stance when you motioned to push him away. But he was the prince. No matter how you felt, no matter how desperately you wanted to be held in his arms and be swept by his lips on yours, he can’t be seen with you. You were beneath him, after all.

“Y/N, would you please hurry? Heavens, girl, what has gotten into you tonight?”

You couldn’t be seen with him.

“My apologies, Jihye, but I haven’t been feeling well since earlier,” you said. “I’ll resign to bed early tonight.”

Not with the lingering eyes of everyone in the ballroom.

“Oh dear, you better get some rest, Y/N. I’ll tell everyone else that you left early.”

You could only hope that Seungcheol understood the same.

The stream sparkled under the moonlight, as if the waters were littered with iridescent beads of glitter, swimming alongside the silver fishes that inhabited it. You carefully maneuvered over the rocky ground, hands gripping the fabric of your dress skirts upwards so you won’t trip over them and fall into the cold water. Seungcheol wasn’t here to catch you like last time.

You were still lost because of the information that you had belatedly found out, and you weren’t even given the chance to let it all simmer. Seungcheol was the prince of the Northern Empire¾ that you knew. Why he didn’t even give you the slightest hint about the significance of his identity that you didn’t know. And you were determined to find out before you took you leave tomorrow.

That is if he showed up tonight.

Words weren’t exchanged between the both of you, but maybe he understood the message that you tried to relay just by the look of your eyes The ball wasn’t to end until an hour or two, so you had a long time to lie in wait, sitting atop the clump of stones as you gazed down at your reflection on the water, the moon peeking behind your presence.

Though, you underestimated the prince. Because it hadn’t even been ten when he showed himself before you across the stream.

“Why did you depart so early without even allowing me to spend a second near your presence?” his voice held the sound of hurt, and it made you feel guilty almost. Seungcheol hurriedly dip his ankles into the stream, racing across it to get to you as if you would slip away if he were a second too late. You helped him up the harsh surface, and the first thing he did was caress your cold cheek with the warmth of his hand, fingers blazing like the sun’s rays as you felt them brushing against your skin. There was a pout on his lips when he spoke. “Had I done something wrong?”

You held his wrist with your hands, bringing them down but you didn’t let go of him, and then with a soft voice, you asked. “Why didn’t you tell me you were the prince?”

“I—” he was taken aback at your question, brows raised in surprise with the subtle pursing of his lips ever so evident. “I didn't think it was necessary.”

“You didn’t think it was necessary? Seung— Your Highness, that's the same as keeping your entire self from me,” you tried to let go of his hand, but he immediately snatched them back, intertwining your fingers into his once more without ever the intention of letting you go. Seungcheol was upset. He was upset because you didn’t call him by his given name. He was upset that you’re trying to make things change.

He was upset because he didn’t understand why the idea of him being the prince seemed so important to you.

“But I never kept myself from you, Y/N,” he reasoned, brows furrowed in frustration. “I may be the prince but that is only a title. More than anything else, I am Seungcheol.”

You stared at him, his eyes containing all the stars in the night sky, pleading for the night to stay longer as tomorrow meant seeing you no longer. His lips, so pretty and red against his glowing skin, tugged down in a tight frown that you oh so desperately wanted to kiss away.

“It pained me when you pushed me away earlier,” he muttered, a release of melancholic laughter stringing behind it. “Did you have a change of heart after a single instance?”

You narrowed your eyes at him, offended by his ridiculous assumption. “Do you know how people would react if they see the prince with a mere musician? I pushed you away because it was the right thing to do. Not because I wanted to.”

“Is it right to be dishonest?”

“That is not the point!” you weren’t able to cease the unprecedented elevation of your voice, but then you quickly slammed your fingers over your lips. Seungcheol noticed your gestures, only furrowing the heaviness he was feeling even further. “Please do not humble yourself for me, Your Highness. Do you not hold any importance to your title at all?”

“No.”

It was an immediate response. A response that carried neither regret nor hesitation— only sheer and sincere honesty. Though you stood before him, he looked at you as if you were so far away, yearning for you. “Prince or not, my heart remains the same. I still would have kissed you on the sixth.”

You weren’t prepared for his bold confession. Not at all because you found yourself slipping away from your presence of mind, an influx of emotions clogging your throat as you refused to meet his eye. Seungcheol lightly chuckled at your abashment, him ghosting his fingers underneath your chin so you would look at him. “Is there something wrong?” despite the worried tone of his question, a belated smile stretched on his face. He was mildly delighted seeing your flustered stance.

“You are the prince, Your Highness. Yet you treat me as though I were a goddess,” your eyes were wilting, apologetic under his presence. You brushed away his gentle hold, the warmth of his grazing touch disappearing as you did. “I don’t believe I deserve this, Your Highness. I don't deserve to be in your presence— much less to share a kiss with you.”

“Nonsense. You are deserving for the fact that it is what you and I both want. Why? Do you not want to kiss me?”

“You are impossible,” you breathed out amidst the brandishing of your nerves. “What would your parents say about this?”

“Nothing,” he simply stated. “They might have dictated my future, but they do not dictate how my heart feels.”

It felt as if the two of you were pushing and pulling back and forth for hours. It was mostly due to your own stubbornness, honestly. It wasn’t as if you didn’t want him. It wasn’t easy to mask something as wild and torrid as a stormy typhoon. You were trying your best because it was what you were supposed to do, but deep down you knew that one word from him would be enough to have you releasing your desperately, weakly, suppressed emotions.

“And my heart feels for you, Y/N.”

This wasn’t fair. He wasn’t fair. What chance did you have when it was he who was rendering you defenseless? You stared at Seungcheol, incredulous and so, so lost for him all the same. He was expectant of your response— you could tell from the way he looked at you with hopeful eyes which made you willing to forget that he was the prince because he was right. It didn’t matter. Not at all.

You sighed, rolling your eyes, and you took a single step closer towards him over the rough surface of the rocks.

“Does your offer for a kiss still stand?” you mused. “Or am I a second too late?”

Seungcheol’s eyes fluttered, both from surprise and from the fleeting feeling of delight. “You’re never too late,: he smiled at you, gaze pooling the drops of the moon’s light— endless, as if you could get lost in them. You leaned in. feeling the warmth of his breath tickling the skin on your face like invisible, teasing kisses. There was a lapse of hesitation running through you because was it alright for you to just have him right here and now? He didn’t seem to be protesting.

You were only seconds away from finally getting a taste of him, but he suddenly backed away at the last moment.

“But then you did waste a fair amount of time,” he wore a pondering pout on his lips, and stared at him wide eyed. But then he met your eyes with his dimpled grin blooming on his features. “Maybe you should make up for it by singing to me one last time before your departure.”

You rolled your eyes at him, dismissing the prince’s proposal. Instead you quickly grabbed the expensive fabric of his collar, pulling him towards you in a sudden motion, and snatched a swift kiss from his unguarded lips.

“The night is long, my prince,” you hummed. You weren’t sure why you were hesitant to be truthful to yourself earlier— it wasn't like anything had changed after all. The smile on Seungcheol’s face was still the same as the one you saw that morning. “Blackbirds won’t be singing until a few hours.”

“But you will sing for me now, won’t you?” he asked, a hopeful glimmer in his eyes.

You couldn’t help your lips from stretching into a wide grin. “It is only fair for me to do so.”

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