within the forest | chapter 4
pairing: fairy!Chan x princess!reader word count: 2.8k words summary: a plan that didn't go well a/n: I'm writing something but I'm scared of how it'll turn out.
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[10 YEARS LATER]
“Princess Flora, please leave the kitchen.” The head chef spoke out, causing the long-haired woman to spin around to meet his stern gaze. She sighed lowly, hearing that name slip out from him again although countless times she reminded him not to call her that unless it was outside of the palace or her future husband was coming.
Her arranged future husband is coming today. Since she’s 19 years old and next in line to take the throne, her father has asked her to get married to someone to help reign Stellious. She dislikes it, yes but she had to obey it. It’s the only way to maintain Stellious peace with other kingdoms that may appear as a threat to them.
“You always recognize me, Simon.”
“Your hairpin, your majesty. Now, please leave the kitchen or the king will be upset with me.”
Her hand automatically reached for the lily hairpin tug on the back of her hair whilst smiling softly. Of course, how hard she tried to blend in with the crowd, the palace people would know it was her by her custom hairpin. So disguising as one of the cookers was impossible with the hairpin on.
“How about let me go this time? I want to help prepare the food for the prince. I’ll cover you up if Father finds out.”
Simon shook his head, disapproving of her idea. He abruptly raised his head when hearing heavy footsteps approaching the kitchen area. He held the princess by the shoulder, pushing her to the staircase that led to her room.
“Princess, the prince is coming. Please head to your room and get ready. The king wouldn’t be pleased to see you here.”
“Fine, see you in a bit.” She ran off. Her silhouettes slowly turned blurry in Simon’s vision as she parted from him. He released a sigh of relief and shook his head before returning to the kitchen. The sole daughter of the king had always something up in her sleeve.
Maybe after 3 hours, we’ll meet again. She muttered and ran to her room with a big smile and exhilaration crawling inside her although it was a bummer she didn’t get a chance to cook for him, as in Bang Chan. She never intended to cook for her future husband once she set foot in the kitchen. She was embarrassed because Chan was the one who prepared meals for her when they were hanging out.
Shutting the door, she changed into new clothes, a much simpler one and took her archery set between the interjected dresses. Grabbing the black feather off the table, she held it tightly and filled her mind with his image but the creaking of the door interrupted her.
“Princess Flora, why haven’t you changed yet?”
“Ummmm….I will but can you give me a moment, Sara?”
The maid averted her eyes from her face to the object she held. Quickly, she grabbed Y/N’s hand gently.
“Let go of the feather, Princess.”
She glanced, cocking her brows. She was bewildered by the request. Does the maid know where she is heading? Her father must have told her already about her disappearance without a trace a decade ago.
“I apologise but I don’t want to.”
In a blink, they vanished from her room, leaving the door wide open for anyone to witness their sudden disappearance.
Y/N let go of the feather, realising the surroundings had changed from the bedroom with brownish walls to an open meadow. Birds chirping the sweet melody of the morning soon entered their ear. Sara observed around while confusion struck as her hand slowly fell to the side.
“What am I going to answer him now..?” she whispered while walking back and forth between the door and Sara, dumbfounded by the situation. She’d promised Chan not to bring anyone with him to the cottage. Bringing Sara with her was an incident, she never thought Sara would hug her the moment she teleported here.
“Should I knock… ugh!” she shut her eyes for a mere second, gaining back her composure before heading toward Sara, only to be greeted by empty air. Agitated, she glanced at every corner(although there weren’t any corners because it was a huge forest) searching for Sarah's small figure until a peal of laughter entered her ears. The voice was coming from behind her.
“Sara!!” she made her way toward her and kneeled beside her. Sara was too absorbed with her watching until Y/N had to call her name twice for her to notice her existence beside her. Sara’s shoulder jolted in surprise.
“Your Highness! I’m sorry I ran without your permission!!” She instantaneously rose to her feet, bowing her whole body - a sign of begging for forgiveness. A sigh left Y/N’s lips as she commanded Sara to stop what’s she doing.
“Did this flower and butterfly attract you?”
“Yes, they did, your highness. My mother doesn’t allow me to step out of the kingdom. All I saw and breathed in my 18 years of life were flying dust from the carriage and the suffocating smell of mixed charcoal and freshly baked bread. My life isn’t beautiful like it is in your palace.”
Sara spoke as her chin rested on her arms. It looks like Sara shared an almost similar story with her.
“I didn’t mean like am I hating on Stellious. This kingdom is beautiful! I simply describing the environment in the late evening!”
“Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, Sara. It’s not like I will punish you for speaking ill about Stellious. Honestly, I never feel happy in the palace. It’s empty since my father keeps me away from everyone but luckily I found this place and him.”
As in queue, the screeching sound of the door along with his voice came. A voice that sounds like home to her.
"Y/N, I thought you wouldn't be here today." He spoke from the door. She emerged along with Sara. A bright and beautiful smile rested on Y/N's countenance and lit a smile on Chan's lips. She went to Chan.
"Didn't I promise to come yesterday? I want to continue our practice."
A chuckle escaped as he shook his head; entertained by her child-like attitude. Although she grew up, she always his little flora.
"Never forget how excited you were when I said I can teach you archery.”
He raised his head and came in contact with Sara’s eyes. Her figure was frozen, stunned and speechless by his appearance perhaps. Unsure of what to do, Chan just sent her a small smile.
“You bring someone with you today.”
She sheepishly grinned at him.
“She was hugging me while I was holding the feather. So, here we are” She spread her arm widely, lightly chuckling.
“I’m sorry, Chan.” Her arm fell to her side as a sigh escaped.
“It’s fine, little flora. Sometimes it’s more fun to have extra company. Her name was Sara, right?”
She nodded. “Sara, come in!” He waved his hand, gesturing for her to come closer to them. Seeing the gesture, Sara headed to them cautiously. After everyone got inside, he shut the door.
“Let’s go to the backyard. I have prepared everything in the back.”
He pushed the teak door open, leading them to the back. Y/N followed him behind but stopped when she didn’t hear Sara’s footsteps. She looked behind and mentally face-palmed herself. Sara didn’t move a bone or her eyes; stuck in the same place and her gaze was fixated on his dark wings. She grabbed Sara’s wrist, dragging her with her as the arrows in Y/N’s sling bag clicked against each other, filling their walk with a repeated sound.
“We’re here,” Chan announced and headed to the set-up table and two seats. On the table, sandwiches were plated and three to four pure water were seated there. The backyard almost looked identical to the front yard except it was more lively. Flowers in different colours and varieties spread out through the meadow.
“My apologies, Sara. I didn’t know you were coming so I didn't prepare any extra,” He glanced at her with an apologetic smile. Sara shook her head and hand, denying his word in every way possible.
“No! My apologies mister because I accidentally follow your highness. I’m sorry I have burdened you!”
“You’re not burdening me, Sara, don’t worry. Anyway,” He glanced at Y/N.
“Should we begin our practice now?”
She placed her sling bag down and snatched her bow and arrows from the bag while Sara settled down on one of the seats, awkwardly running her eyes elsewhere other than Chan’s gigantic wings. It wasn’t her fault that she was astonished by Chan; a species that every folk in Stellious was afraid of. Both from their ‘special’ features and abilities. For centuries, the king had to hunt them down because they were a threat to the kingdom but were they?
Chan stood beside Y/N, watching her close her right eye and aim for the bullseye at the round sharped target across them.
The First shot, failed
The Second shot failed
The Third shot failed
She let out a heavy sigh and dropped the bow to her side, disappointed at her current mark. The first and second arrows were on the white circle meanwhile the third one was on the black circle. Sure, she was a beginner and shouldn't push herself to make the arrow land on the yellow circle but she was hoping to get it at least once.
“Don’t push yourself too hard, little flora. Just relax.”
He went behind her and placed his hand on top of hers, positioning the bow. His touch was gentle as if holding her hand hard enough would shatter it. He correctly fixed her shoulder and hips and stepped aside.
“Think about someone you dislike and with a deep breath, you let go of the string. Ready?”
She hummed in response and took a deep breath. She aimed for the bullseyes again but this time with an image of someone she dislikes currently. She doesn’t hate him but dislikes his abrupt decision. A decision that he made without considering her feelings. She still loves him, so much in fact. Releasing the bowstring, the arrow landed on the bullseye. Chan smiled, glad his technique worked.
Now he wondered, who was in her mind?
“Who are you thinking?”
“My father…He arranged a marriage for me since I will reign Stellious soon.”
She placed the arrow in the bow and let go of the string.
Bullseye again.
“He said I'm incapable of ruling the kingdom alone and need a husband by my side. I hate arranged marriages because it's like pushing my feelings aside.” She’d said in a low and dissatisfied tone. She placed the bow on the grass, glancing at him afterwards.
“I’m sure he has his reason, little flora. No father will do something stupid unless it’s for his daughter's bright future. Your future husband will take care of you if I’m not here anymore”
Her eyes widened as he uttered the last sentence. She punched his shoulder lightly as her lips dropped, forming an upside-down smile.
“Don’t say that, Chan. I’ll protect you from whatever coming for you. I promise”
She shoved her pinky toward him and he intertwined it, giggling at her statement. Just like the little girl he met 10 years ago, she was unaware of what danger coming upon him. Not even she could protect him from it. She shouldn’t know the truth because he knew it would be the reason her happiness died. Let him conceal the painful truth with his smile and white lies.
“Okay! Let’s continue!”
After a couple of minutes, they stopped training. How exhausting it might be but she was satisfied with the result of today's hard work. Sara, who had been seated and watching her was surprised by the princess’s skill. Ever since taking care of Y/N, she never saw the princess doing this activity. The princess schedule is often packed with manners class and history classes. It was a rare sight to see the princess doing something that only the boys and the women warriors were allowed to do in the kingdom.
“Good job for today, little flora.” Chan ruffled her hair as her ears turned a hint of red. She isn’t used to Chan’s way of showing his affection although she did it to him when she was little.
“I can do better but it’s fine. I can always try tomorrow and the day after.”
“True. Since you did a good job you should be rewarded with a present.”
“I’m not a kid, Chan.”
“Who says only kids deserve presents? Let’s hurry up before the sun goes down.”
Carefully, Chan took her hand and pulled her to the side of the backyard, forgetting Sara’s existence there for a while. Sara followed them behind quietly, afraid of disturbing their leisure time together.
Upon arriving, Y/N gasped at the sightseeing. They were a river streaming through the middle, splitting the meadow into two. The trees were high in height and their stems stretched out toward the river, covering the illuminating sunlight for anyone who was resting there. She was sure she wasn’t dreaming but the place looked exactly how she would describe her haven. Quiet and serenity with him.
Chan patted the space beside him, inviting her to sit with him. She sat beside him and immediately rested her head on his shoulder. She likes being this close to him, it reminds her that she has a friend, a friend that she could rely on, a friend that she already assumed was her blood brother.
“So, how was he? Is he a kind man?”
“I hope so. Today, supposedly, is my second day meeting him. My father expects me to get to know him better today.”
“But you run away. The day before too.”
She laughed, throwing her gaze at the slow-streaming river.
“If you were me, you would run away as well, Chan. I don’t like talking about myself because I don’t know myself well. There’s no point telling him lies.”
“You grow up well, little flora. I’m proud of you. I can’t wait to see you as a queen.”
“A queen…such a heavy word for me”
“Hey, I’m here for you if you need any extra hands”
From the reflection, she can see his wings moving to the front, hugging her shoulder. Taking the opportunity, she caressed his wings. Letting her fingers run through the black wings, brought her back to the first day she met him. A meeting that began her joyful life.
“I love you, Channie”
His hand went for her shoulder, pulling her into a hug.
“I love you too, let’s stay as best friends okay little flora?”
“You like calling me little flora.”
“People in the kingdom called you Flora because the king asked them but for me because the little you had changed my life into a beautiful one. Like flora, they decorate the forest and people’s homes so it becomes more comfy and stunning”
“Thanks for those unwanted words of affirmation, Chan”
From afar, Sara became an audience. Today's event proved all of her assumptions about Chan’s species wrong. A fairy can be kind-hearted toward humans. One could not fake a sincere smile for a long time. They’re not wicked as the king told them. Was the king lying to them? To the civilians of Stellious? If yes, what for?
What could be more mortification than your daughter doesn’t show up when the prince was in your palace? No, she disappeared magically while changing and the cat got your tongue trying to give a good excuse. A bad way to end your day, huh?
The king slammed his hands on the table, and the loud thudding rang throughout his medium-decorated office. A flushed red face, clenched fists and bared teeth as he contends the madness that crawled inside him from leashing out. His right-hand man couldn’t defuse him unless he wanted a punch in his face.
“Gale, did you send the guards to search after the princess?” He asked sternly. Gale nodded his head
“Good. I’m going to check her room” The king exited the office and headed straight to the princess' room. An instinct came to him but he brushed it off because he believed his only daughter wouldn’t do that, not to him. His steps died as he caught a glimpse of the slightly creaked door to the princess’s room. Somehow, he felt his instinct was right.
He pushed the door widely and from the corner of his eyes, he saw black powder scattered on the floor. His anger raised when he kneeled to get a better view of it. That fairy...
“Command the guards to expand the search in the forest, now!!”
A peaceful and gorgeous evening for the princess but an unforgettable one for the king. The evening when the king's patience exploded and the only left was madness, he wanted blood under the fairy's body. For him, the fairy had crossed his limits.
