it has been strange to be back home, back in her kingdom. or rather, her parents’ — her father’s kingdom, later to be her brother’s. bitterness coats the back of her tongue with its acridity and she swallows it down as she does so many things that want to surface from her lips. she hadn’t asked for this life, hadn’t asked to be shipped off as cattle to a foreign kingdom, bartered as a good to be traded for the peace of the nations. she had been born the crown princess, the one destined to inherit the throne, and all of that had been thrown away callously without a thought when her brother had been born.
it would be a lie to say that she was over it. she isn’t. she still cannot get over the fact that her father had sent her away like she was worth nothing to him, to the kingdom, nothing but a bargaining chip that completely disregarded the years of training and dedication she had put into preparing to rule the kingdom.
don’t get her wrong — she adores her brother. the little boy isn’t the one at fault here. no, her resentment is laid solely on the shoulders of the father who had tossed her aside and the mother who had done nothing to stop him. hence why she had agreed to come back to the kingdom for a visit (when had it stopped being home to her? was it when she had begun to realize that seojun was not shallow, incompetent, witless, like she had unfairly accused him of being? was it when she had dared to consider that maybe, maybe, she could be happier there, rather than miserable?), accompanied by her betrothed, as per her parents’ demands. there were some books she had hoped to retrieve, in any case, and seeing her brother would never be a bad thing.
but this whole trip has been rather strange, as though she’s a cog out of place. there are subtle differences that have left her off-kilter, so when seojun had suggested a picnic out on the grounds, she had accepted much more readily than usual. he, at least, has not changed over the journey and in the castle.
as they settle down, lunch unpacked and blankets spread on the ground, she pauses before she takes a bite. “i never thought i’d say this,” she admits with a small frown, “but i almost miss your kingdom.”
— the story of im hyejin and ahn seojun // { @moondvzed }
the trip is one that he had expected but not expected so soon. they weren’t to be married for a while yet, as both sets of parents had wanted seojun to court hyejin properly. or as properly as he knew how to, considering he had never done this before. he had heard stories of grand, romantic gestures but after meeting hyejin and getting to know her better—he knew that she wouldn’t appreciate something like that.
so he plans nice dates and casual hangouts for them to chat and get to know each other better. despite it being a strategic move for their kingdoms, or something like that, he knows that it will be much more pleasant for the involved parties (i.e. the two of them) if they were at least friends.
(and it will be uh ... less awkward in the future when they have to wed and give birth to an heir, yadda yadda. you know.)
it feels like a lot of work considering they’re literally, practically married. he’s doing this for them but he hates that both of their parents are on their backs too.
(a better kingdom, a better future, yadda yadda. he hasn’t listened to them much as of late.)
either way, seojun thinks that he and hyejin have come to a mutual understanding and appreciation (more on his part than hers, he’s sure) of each other as of late. their conversations are no longer as stilted or as awkward anymore, and it doesn’t feel like pulling teeth when they have to meet everyday. he’s been looking forward to talking to her, considering she had been set to be queen and it’s kind of fun picking at her brain for thoughts of the future. if anything, he’s happy to have her by his side if it means smooth sailing for the sake of his kingdom. which he loves very much, but would much rather not take part in running.
he had held out hopes of his parents giving birth to a younger brother for him, because they had always been understanding of his passions that lay outside the realm of ruling. but they were growing older and with his mother’s recent health issues, seojun knew that he had no choice anymore.
the idea for a picnic had been his own idea, thinking that it would be nice to get out of the castle at least. he had had a feeling that hyejin was not as happy to be home as they both had thought she might be, and that thought is confirmed with her first words once they’re settled comfortably on the plethora of blankets he had requested. just because they would be sitting on the ground did not mean that they should be uncomfortable while doing so.
he doesn’t respond straight away, having busied himself with one of the rolls that the kitchen staff had given them and he’s examining it carefully. he’s not doubting their skills or thinking that they were going to poison him—that would be considered treason of the highest standard—but more considering how nicely it had been cut. popping a piece into his mouth, he chews quietly as he mulls over her words.
“is it because of your father?” he asks tentatively, letting out an appreciative hum at the taste that had flooded his mouth and he offers her the container, smiling enough for his canines to show. “i thought that you would be happy to be home.”
