#nct prince

[neoculturedumbass]

29-26 liners

[noname-friend]

Stuffy Prince (Jaehyun x Reader)

Summary: Lady Y/N has been invited to a masquerade at the castle, gladly she goes. She dances the night away with a masked man, only to find out he's the most stuck up prince in the kingdom.

"Y/N the carriage is here, hurry!" Your brother Taeyong called from downstairs.

"I know, I know!" You called back, checking your appearance one last time before making your way downstairs.

"That's not the dress you picked out yesterday, is it?" Taeyong looked at you confused, he offered your mask.

You shook your head no, "I found this in mom's closet. I think it's much better." You put your mask on, turning to Taeyong and fixing his collar.

"I agree, you look like the moon." He helped you into the carriage.

"That sounds like it could be an insult or compliment." You fiddled with your rings.

"Whatever you prefer, my lady." He teased, getting in across from you.

"Ok, strawberry man." You chuckled.

The carriage ride felt fast despite the palace being so far from your town, probably because Taeyong was there to entertain you. Once you arrived and you both stepped out, Taeyong pointed to a tree.

"That's where we'll meet afterward, just in case I can't find you later." He said, running his hand through his hair.

You quickly smacked it away and fixed it, "Sounds good to me, don't drink too much."

He laughed, "I was just about to tell you the same."

The two of you hooked arms to walk in together. Once at the hall, Taeyong was quick to leave you after finding some of his friends. You shook your head with a smile, the snack table catching your eye. You saw a chocolate-dipped strawberry and picked it up. Taking a bite, you were hit with its sweetness, so good. You scanned the table and saw the drinks, you went over and poured yourself some. You took a sip and when you turned around, a tall man stood before you. He had black hair and a brilliant red mask with gold embroidery, matching the rest of his outfit.

You curtsied to him, "My apologies, excuse me." When you tried to step to the side, he matched your step. The two of you did it a few more times before you stopped. Surely he's doing this on purpose.

"Do you need something? Or are we in sync?" You asked with a polite smile.

"You're not here with someone, are you?" He asked. When you shook your head no, he offered his hand, "Come, dance with me then."

"Very well, I like this song." You put your drink down and took his hand.

He guided you to the middle of the dance floor then you began to dance. You could tell he was strong yet graceful, light on his feet but seemed confident in his movements. What a mysterious man, you thought to yourself.

"You don't seem familiar, do you come to the palace often?" He asked.

You shook your head, "I cannot say, tonight is a night of mystery."

He chuckled, "Mystery doesn't mean I can't ask a few questions, I'd still like to get to know you."

"I don't recommend trying to do so in such a loud room, it's hard to hear." You replied.

"Then let us go somewhere quieter, follow me." He led you outside, to a garden. You walked far enough for the music to be muffled, but the building was still in sight. You sat on a bench next to this beautiful fountain with stone flowers as decoration.

"Wow, how pretty this is." You touched the flowers delicately.

"You definitely aren't from the palace." He commented, sitting beside you.

You looked to him, the moonlight being bright enough to see his dark brown eyes. "Maybe I am, maybe I just never had time to come here."

He laughed, "Everyone's seen this old garden, except those who don't come often."

You laughed, "You caught me then, I'm not a palace lady."

"Are you a noble?" He asked.

"Too personal of a question, I choose to skip it." You playfully replied.

He rolled his eyes, matching your energy. "Fine, fine. What's something you like to do for fun?"

"There you go. I really enjoy baking with my mother these days. We usually don't end up eating it, though. The town enjoys it for us."

He seemed satisfied to get you to answer a question.

You turned and said, "Your turn, what about you?"

"I don't have time to have fun these days. If I had to choose... I think I'd say playing music." He looks at the sky.

"You must be a busy person." You nod at his response, "Hm, what are your parents like?"

"Isn't that too personal?" He raised an eyebrow at you.

"I didn't ask for names. What do you think of them?" You restated.

He chuckled, "My mother, is a good woman. She's weak though, she's gotten really sick recently. She seems to be sick all the time, growing up my father always told me to leave her to rest so I guess I don't have too many memories of her." He paused, "My father is a busy man. He's always working, forcing more on that than us. Of course, he's training me and my brothers to take over for him one day."

"I see. It sounds like there's some pressure on you. I hope your mother gets better, perhaps we can send you some of our baked goods." You replied.

"Sure, shall I tell you my name then so you can know the address?" He teased.

You shook your head, "I could just leave it here for you to pick up, no need for all that."

"It was worth asking." He shrugged, "I have another question."

"Go ahead," You looked at the water of the fountain.

"Since you aren't a palace lady, what do you think of the princes?" He asked, sneaking a glance at you.

You quickly looked to him, "I'm not sure I can answer that unless you promise not to tell them." You joke.

"Oh? You don't like them?" He leans against the back of the bench.

"I didn't say that, I just don't want a bounty on my head tomorrow for speaking about the princes." You counter.

He nods, "I won't tell if you don't."

"Good. There isn't much to say about the princes anyways. The eldest doesn't want to be king, he'd rather be a general so he's probably a little temperamental. The 2nd, I've heard is stuck up. I know he's a prince and all but there's no need to look down so heavily on others in the palace, he seems hard to get along with. I feel bad for his future wife. The youngest, on the other hand, I hear Prince Yoonoh is the kindest and most fun to be around."

"So if you were to choose one, it'd be Prince Yoonoh because Prince Jaeyuk seems difficult and Prince Jaehyun is just off the table?" He asks, sounding more interested than before.

"Definitely, Prince Yoonoh seems like the best choice. Unless their rumors are all wrong, but it's hard for that to happen considering how widespread it is." You nod confidently.

"Interesting way to think of it." He gets up, "Well, Lady Glimmerbrooke, the masquerade's almost over. We should head back." He offers his hand once again.

You reach to grab it but pause, "How did you-" You looked up at him.

He begins laughing to himself, "You are the Lady from Glimmerbrooke? I was just taking a guess. My my, I guess you failed to hide your identity."

You froze, "You're going to forget everything I said tonight, right? I'll get seriously in trouble if the palace nobles hear what I said."

He grabbed your hand and helped you stand, "Don't worry, I am a man of my word. I won't tell anyone. Now go."

You curtsied to him and quickly walked off, catching Taeyong under the tree talking to some lady.

"Our carriage is here, I hope I'm not interrupting." You cross your arms looking at them jump.

"Oh yes, ah I apologize, I must go." He kisses the lady's hand and goes off with you.

"I didn't expect you to meet the love of your life tonight." You tease.

"Quiet, don't think I didn't see you sneak off with that man." He sticks his tongue out at you, which you retaliate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day your mother calls you into the kitchen. She's packing a basket of freshly baked goods.

You reach out and grab a bun, tasting it. "Mmm, these taste great! What are you making them for?"

"You're taking these to the palace." She passes the basket to you.

"What? The palace? For what?" You place a cover over the top of the goods and close the basket.

"A certain someone asks to taste our sweets. I wonder how he could've known about our little hobby." Your mom hums as she checks on other treats in the oven.

"Don't tell me it's him. Mother, what if he's a bad man? Are you going to let your only daughter meet some sketchy guy from the palace?" You try to use your puppy eyes.

She blows some flour in your face and laughs, "Trust me in his letter, he introduced himself. He's not just 'some guy' my dear, so you better be on your best behavior since he seems to enjoy your company."

"I'm just too charming, I should've known he would've fallen in love after dancing with me." You say dramatically but your mom pays you no mind, "I guess I shall just run away with this mystery man and never ever see you or Taeyong again."

She chuckles again, "The palace carriage is here already, don't keep them waiting too long or you might actually get your head cut off."

"Not funny!" You pout, cleaning your face and going to the carriage.

Once you arrive at the palace again, you walk around aimlessly. Soon you realize the palace is a lot bigger than you remember and you had no idea who or where you were supposed to be meeting. Maybe he'll be at the fountain again. You look around and catch sight of the garden, making your way to the fountain and bench you were at the night before. With the fountain in view, you see a very well-dressed man and dread fills your stomach. Shoot, it's a prince- he's probably just trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. You try to back away but nearly trip on a rock. The commotion makes him turn, and now you can see that it's none other than Prince Jaehyun.

You curse to yourself and go up to him, bowing. "My apologies, your highness. I didn't mean to disturb you, I'm just here to drop off some pastries for a noble around here. You wouldn't happen to see someone else around here?"

His emotionless stare at you makes you shift between your feet. You glance around the two of you. About to leave, you notice his face crack for a moment. As if this interaction couldn't have confused you more.

"Lady Y/N, you are very different without the confidence of your mask." He says, with a grin.

You stare. Then your face flushes immediately, "Don't tell me- You- Oh man- Listen, your highness, that was the drinks talking last night not me."

"Yes, of course, the drinks said I was stuck up and hard to get along with. And here I thought we had a good time last night." He replies, arching an eyebrow.

You smile guilty, "If it makes it any better, these are freshly baked." You hold up the basket, which he takes and opens.

"If these taste good, I may consider forgiving you. If not, my bad temper may have you beheaded." He sits on the bench and takes a pastry out.

You panic, "Ah there's no need for all that, your highness. You are quite generous I hear, surely you can forgive my slip of the tongue last night."

He takes a bite and nods. "For the sake of your brother, fine. I owe him one anyways."

"What- How does Taeyong know you?" You just keep getting more and more confused.

"He's a scholar, I would hope I've run into him enough." He adds, finishing up the pastry and going for another.

"Oh right, that makes sense." You mutter to yourself. You put on your best smile and crouch beside the bench, "Oh so gracious Prince Jaehyun, is there any baked food that you like best? Perhaps I can make you it as an apology?"

He thinks for a moment, "Hm, I don't know. I don't have pastries often. I guess you can't apologize."

"Oh, come on, there's something I could do for you, your highness. Even if I can't, my brother can do some things as well." You offer.

Jaehyun shakes his head, "I think I enjoyed this more when you didn't know you badmouthed a prince and his brothers to his face."

"You're teasing me, right?" You deadpan.

"Maybe, who's to know. My temper is just so unpredictable." He shrugs.

"Your highness, you don't hold onto grudges, do you?" You look up at him.

"Who knows?" He replies again, taking another pastry.

You bury your face in your arms on the bench and exhale dramatically.

You can hear him chuckling and you look at him pouting, "Enjoying yourself?"

"Very much I've never had someone talk to me like this. It's fun." He chuckles.

"Well, if you behead me, you'll be bored again." You offer.

"That's a good point," He's quiet for a moment, "Alright, I know how you can make it up to me."

You perk your head up, "I'm listening?"

"Come visit me often. You can either bake for me or entertain me." He suggests.

"Your highness, I'm busy as well. I run the town with my mother, you know." You stand up.

"I know, and your mother already said it'd be fine." He looks up at you with a slight smirk. "Of course, you'll be compensated."

"You're so lucky you're a prince and I'm not." You squint at him.

"Is that a threat?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Of course not." You put your hands up defensively. You sigh and put your hand out.

"What's that for?"

"Well, we're making a deal. I'll come to treat you or sass you 2 times a week." You say.

"6 times a week." He replies.

"3 times." You counter.

"4."

"Fine. 4 times a week." You sigh loudly.

He stands up and shakes your hand, "You better keep your promise."

"Not a promise, strictly business." You correct.

He laughs, "Fine, strict business visits. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You are ridiculous, your highness." You pause, "I'll await your summon. Bye now."

He watched you walk off, smiling to himself. What an interesting girl to have around, finally something to save him from this stressful and dull life.

You smiled to yourself as you walked too. Half embarrassed but also thinking you must be the luckiest person to get out of that situation alive.

[herwonderland7]

♥ Introducing King Jaehyun's family! ♥

Jung Yoonoh Jaehyun, King Jaehyun

Our Queen Aera's soulmate and to our King Jaehyun, Aera will always be his greatest and forever love

but at the same time, she is his greatest sorrow

Jaehyun is, and has always been lucky that he had support from the people he loves - he received helping hands on raising his 6 kids, the people who helped him has been personally approached by Aera herself, back when she was still in Wonderland

Aera and Jaehyun are like star-crossed lovers, circumstances doesn't allow them to be together

honestly, Jaehyun doesn't take it well for like a few years - according to the Neo royal housemaids and royal knights, whenever they walked passed King Jaehyun's room, there are days that they could hear muffled cries and other days they would hear objects being thrown here and there followed by loud screams of frustration.

everyone kind of knew what or whom made him all crazy and thank goodness the children weren't in the palace during these days - those days were called as 'one of those nights' by Jaehyun

and those nights continued until his condition got worse with Jaehyun falling really sick and somehow his 'vampire' side out of nowhere came alive which was him craving for blood so bad for unknown reason

hence he unknowingly drank blood of the royal housemaids in result of killing them - as traumatizing as this sounds, the twins Jinyoung and Junyoung who were just 16, kind of figured out what their father has been going through after noticing more royal housemaids going missing

with the help of the twins along with Aeria as the older sister guided them with the studies of healing from cosmic energy, as well Jia's cordial, Jaehyun finally felt much better - receiving the positive energy thanks to the his children

fast forward, because of that incident, Jaehyun felt guilty of what he has done at the same time, he felt like he made Aera and the kids disappointed - so he decided to do what Aera has always been doing, even when she settled down

which was to help the people all around Wonderland who are suffering with different issues, hence Jaehyun brings along with the eldest two of the Jung siblings to help settle issues that was occuring in Wonderland - they sail all around Wonderland and went to wars (and this was after defeating the great battle of the Ice Warlock)

and also, with the help of his brothers - mainly Yuta, Winwin, Lucas, Renjun, Jeno and Jaemin, he set up a business & law firm known as JUNG Corporation.

The company provides services regarding accounting and consultations, providing assistance to the ones in need regarding healthcare and education.

♥ Jung Junwon Peter

Jung Junwon Peter, well-known as both Prince Peter and Prince Junwon, is a remarkable young man with a striking appearance and a sense of responsibility beyond his years. As the firstborn son of King Jaehyun and Queen Aera, he carries the weight of expectations and the role of leader for the Jung siblings. At 23 years old, Junwon embodies the title of "golden boy," originally bestowed upon him due to his naturally golden hair, which has since transformed into a slightly dirty blonde shade.

Physically, Junwon is a blend of his parents' features, creating a captivating and unique appearance. While he inherited Jaehyun's eyes initially, over time, they have taken on a resemblance to Aera's, causing confusion even among the other members of the royal family. It is as if Junwon embodies the best qualities of both his parents, both in terms of appearance and strength. He shares his mother's fortitude and his father's determination, which has proven invaluable in his participation in numerous battles alongside his father and sister.

Despite being revered by many as the golden boy, Junwon remains humble and clueless when it comes to matters of the heart. While his good looks may lead others to assume he has been in relationships, the truth is that he is completely inexperienced and often oblivious to romantic advances. His sisters, Aeria and Jia, worry about his lack of knowledge in this area and have taken it upon themselves to offer guidance through personal discussions.

A gentleman and mature man in public, Junwon's true nature shines through when he is with his family. Although he can be a bit rough with his brothers, he deeply cares for them. His softer side emerges when he interacts with his sisters, but it is Jia who holds a special place in his heart. Junwon's affection for Jia is evident, and he finds himself acting like a fool for her.

Brave and adventurous like his mother, Junwon has proven his mettle by fighting in countless battles alongside his father and sister. One particular accomplishment he takes pride in is his involvement in the slaying of the red-eyed alpha king. He once used to be a Mummy's boy, but with Aera's return to Earth, Junwon has found solace and inspiration in looking up to Jaehyun. Despite his mother's absence, Junwon never resents her, believing that she is always watching over him from afar.

While Junwon is initially destined to follow in his father's footsteps as the next crowned prince, his future path remains uncertain. Although he is expected to assume the role, Jaehyun, recognizing his son's potential, encourages him to pursue further studies instead, given his own good health and vitality. As a result, Junwon finds himself in a state of confusion, torn between his duty and his personal aspirations.

♥ Jung Aeria Venusia

Publicly known as both Princess Venusia or Princess Aeria, Jung Aeria Venusia is a captivating and radiant young woman who exudes beauty and possesses extraordinary powers, much like her mother, Queen Aera. As the first daughter of King Jaehyun and Queen Aera, Aeria, at 22 years old, embodies her mother's youthful traits, characterized by her breathtaking appearance and a touch of rebelliousness.

Inheriting her mother's force-field generation ability and cosmic energy, Aeria's powers were no surprise to her family, as Aera had forewarned them of her daughter's unique abilities. Physically, Aeria is a mirror image of her mother during her younger years, which only enhances her allure. However, as she grew older, Aeria also developed a nurturing and motherly nature, taking on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, Yoel, Jia, and the twins.

Aeria's childhood was marked by her love for cooking and a fondness for gardening, which showcased her nurturing side and her connection with nature. She stepped into her mother's shoes to provide care and guidance for her siblings, especially during challenging times when her brother Yoel faced difficulties with his home-schooling. A fierce advocate for her brother, Aeria fearlessly confronted the professors in Neo, unknowingly revealing her glowing pink eyes—a testament to her immense power.

Being a spitting image of her mother, Aeria possesses a deep admiration for Aera, which earned her the title of a true Mummy's girl. She constantly looks up to her mother, even during Aera's absence, thanks to the stories shared by their father and the support of their extended family, including the Neo uncles and Morian aunties. Consequently, Aeria harbors no resentment or hatred toward her mother, fostering a deep sense of love and respect.

At the tender age of 14, Aeria experienced a powerful connection with her mother when she managed to communicate with her while Aera was on Earth. However, the strain of channeling such immense power resulted in Aeria falling gravely ill the next day. Determined not to succumb to sadness, Aeria believes that expressing sorrow weakens her powers, a belief reinforced by past experiences when her powers diminished after her first heartbreak involving Prince Jaebeom's son.

Aeria's resemblance to her mother extends beyond her physical appearance, as she has also engaged in battles alongside her older brother and father. However, her powers manifest in a distinctive pinkish glow, setting her apart from Aera's signature red glows. Despite her exceptional abilities and adventures, Aeria has also experienced the ups and downs of teenage romance. She was in a relationship with Prince Jaebeom's son, Lim Leon Juno, which was marked by their on-again, off-again dynamic, becoming the talk of their school before Aeria set sail for other parts of Wonderland, leaving her education behind.

♥ Jung Yoel Evander

Jung Yoel Evander, publicly known both as Prince Evander and Prince Yoel, the second son of King Jaehyun and Queen Aera, possesses a striking resemblance to his mother and holds a unique place within the royal family as the middle child. At 20 years old, Yoel is shy around strangers but maintains impeccable politeness, earning him admiration from royal princesses and girls in general. His demeanor exudes a prince-like quality, characterized by his reserved nature and the ability to speak only when necessary.

While Yoel may be reserved with outsiders, he displays a different side with his own family. Known for his sharp wit and sarcastic comments, he doesn't hesitate to engage in banter or share his opinions. This occasionally leads to stubbornness, especially when clashing with his older brother, Junwon. Yoel possesses his father's deep laughter and the frowns that reflect Jaehyun's contemplative nature.

Yoel plays a vital role as Junwon's right-hand man and has proven himself to be a skilled swordsman, earning the approval of both Junwon and their father, King Jaehyun. During their school days, Yoel would stand by Junwon's side, supporting him in fights that arose due to others mocking the belief in their mother's existence. This unwavering loyalty showcases Yoel's strong bond with his family.

In addition to his familial relationships, Yoel shares a close friendship with Lee Yujin Anaria, the daughter of Taeyong and Aurelia, as well as Moon Taegeun Scorpio, the son of Taeil and Queen Zelenia. His polite and gentlemanly demeanor adds to his charm, reflected in his habit of placing his hands behind his back.

Yoel possesses extensive knowledge of mystical creatures and has a special connection with them. His childhood best friends include a dragon named Green, a gift from Grandma Kim, and a gryphon named Speed, bestowed upon him by Queen Aerina. These mythical creatures have become a significant part of Yoel's life, offering companionship and aid when needed.

Participating only in the great battle against the Ice Warlock and Aerina's royal household, Yoel proved his mettle alongside his older siblings. This battle held immense significance as many of Aerina's citizens from previous generations were lost. Yoel's life was nearly taken during this encounter, saved by Green the dragon and supported by Speed the gryphon, as well as the intervention of the twins. Although injured deeply, Yoel's life was saved through Jia's healing powers and Junyoung's assistance.

However, due to the traumatic experience, King Jaehyun forbid Yoel from returning to the battlefield. Unaware of the true reason behind his father's decision, Yoel believes he is being treated as a child, leading to disagreements between him and Jaehyun. These conflicts further fuel Yoel's desire to prove himself as a capable and independent individual.

Furthermore, Yoel serves as an assistant to Jia in caring for the twins, the sons of King Jaehyun and Queen Aera. This responsibility demonstrates Yoel's nurturing side and his commitment to supporting his family in any way he can.

♥ Jung Jia Valentia

Known as Princess Valentia and Princess Jia, Jung Jia Valentia, the second and youngest daughter of King Jaehyun and Queen Aera, is a 19-year-old with a unique blend of characteristics inherited from both her parents. With a face shape and nose resembling her mother's, Jia holds a special place in Jaehyun's heart, who fondly bops her nose as a child. Her appearance reflects a mixture of both her parents, showcasing their shared traits.

Jia possesses a charming and slightly flirtatious nature, which makes her charismatic and captivating to others. However, she also experiences moments of introversion, becoming more reserved. Her casual demeanor towards everyone often requires Yoel's guidance in matters of royal etiquette.

Compassion and empathy define Jia's character, as she is filled with a deep concern for the well-being of others. She demonstrates a shy nature but displays a boost in confidence when she feels comfortable in her surroundings. Jia is also known to be somewhat sensitive, making her highly attuned to the emotions of those around her.

Faith plays a significant role in Jia's life, particularly when it comes to magic and her belief in her mother's return. Jia vividly dreams about her mother, witnessing Aera surrounded by children. Seeking answers, she visits the Athenian palace to consult her cousin and best friend, Moon Taeri Celeste, daughter of Taeil and Queen Zelenia. Taeri confirms the truth of Jia's dreams, explaining that Aera is currently on Earth but it is not yet time for her to return to Wonderland. This revelation strengthens Jia's faith, and she patiently awaits her mother's eventual return, even if it takes centuries.

Currently on a break after graduating from high school, Jia aspires to assist the royal family while planning to continue her education next year. Her desire leads her to enroll in her Uncle Doyoung's renowned school, where she intends to study astronomy, inspired by her sister, and delve into the studies of magical creatures and magic in general.

Jia's love for animals is boundless, including even the creatures that many dislike, such as snakes, spiders, and insects. She shares a passion for caring for and understanding animals, drawing her towards a future career as a veterinarian. Despite people assuming she would pursue prestigious roles like a royal doctor or high-class jobs, Jia's true calling lies in nurturing and healing the animal kingdom.

Not only is Jia known for her unique appearance, particularly her naturally born orange hair, but she has also gained recognition for her exceptional academic achievements. Throughout her high school years, Jia consistently earned straight A's, establishing a reputation for academic excellence.

♥ Jung Jinyoung Jonah

Jung Jinyoung Jonah, also known as Prince Jonah and Prince Jinyoung, is an 18-year-old fraternal twin to Jung Junyoung Joel, who is known as 'Jinnie' by his twin. With a striking resemblance to his father Jaehyun, Jinyoung carries a blend of Jaehyun's features with a touch of Aera's sharpness. He exudes a bad boy persona, being labeled as the tsundere and mysterious one among the Jung siblings.

Sporting full sleeve tattoos on his arms, Jinyoung intimidates everyone around him, including the royal housemaids. His piercing gaze and perpetually clenched jaw give him an air of unhappiness, leading others to fear his presence. However, behind this façade, Jinyoung is exceptionally observant, often saving the housemaids from potential trouble caused by royal guests, a role they are unaware he fulfills.

The garden holds a special place in Jinyoung's heart, where he finds solace and ease. It was a space he and his siblings once shared, spending time together, having tea, and indulging in gardening activities. Resembling his father, Jinyoung possesses Jaehyun's intense eyes, which can mirror cold gazes and annoyance, much like a viral video of Jaehyun at an airport, enduring fan invasions.

Jinyoung frequently finds himself in trouble with professors, particularly during his time at Neo Palace. He shares a strong dislike for the royal system, knowing that his mother was forced to return home, which fuels his resentment towards the royal family. However, he remains unaware of the circumstances surrounding his mother's departure.

Like his oldest sister and mother, Jinyoung possesses extraordinary powers. Specifically, he wields cosmic energy, similar to his sister Aeria, but his abilities mainly revolve around manipulating others. He possesses formidable telepathic powers, distinguishing him from his older siblings. Jinyoung's reservations with strangers, particularly those from royal families, translate into an indifference towards nobles and royal highnesses, earning him labels such as "rude," "arrogant," and a "heartbreaker."

Currently residing in Athenian Palace, where his uncle Taeil and his family reside, Jinyoung enjoys a break from school. He attends the School of Neo, along with his twin, as members of the House of Aerina. The strained relationship with his father, King Jaehyun, serves as another reason for his stay in Athenian Palace. Jinyoung feels that Jaehyun has been absent during critical moments in his life, though Jaehyun persistently attempts to soothe his son's heart. Interestingly, Jinyoung possesses the power to manipulate his father mentally, adding another layer of complexity to their relationship.

While he may project a rough and closed-hearted exterior, Jinyoung shares a deep bond with his siblings, albeit in his own unique ways. He listens to Grandma Kim, Aeria, and Jia, valuing their guidance. Despite enjoying teasing Jia, he is exceptionally close to her. Additionally, his similarities with Yoel bring them closer, though Yoel embodies a softer personality, contrasting Jinyoung's roughness. Lastly, Jinyoung's twin, Junyoung, holds an irreplaceable place in his life, as Jinyoung cannot imagine a day without his presence.

Ultimately, only those closest to him truly understand Jinyoung's character. Behind the rough exterior lies someone who harbors a deep desire to help those in need, a trait that emerges when given the opportunity to showcase his true nature.

♥ Jung Junyoung Joel

Publicly known as both Prince Joel and Prince Junyoung, JungJunyoung Joel, also affectionately known as "Junnie," is the youngest of the Jung siblings and the younger twin of Jung Jinyoung Jonah. With his bright-colored hair, particularly platinum blonde, Junyoung stands out as the brighter and more carefree twin. In his early years, there were jokes about him being swapped with one of Doyoung's children due to his unique hair color. However, his resemblance to his parents became evident as he grew older, sporting Aera's eyes during infancy, which eventually transformed into a resemblance to Jaehyun.

Known for his fashion sense, Junyoung inherits his father's impeccable style. He is also the more exuberant and boisterous twin, often heard laughing or loudly expressing himself while playing board games or video games with the generals. His infectious laughter and passionate outbursts are reminiscent of Jaehyun to the extent that Neo royal housemaids mistook Junyoung's presence for that of King Jaehyun himself.

Junyoung assumes the role of mediator between Jinyoung and those with whom his twin has conflicts. Whenever Jaehyun and Jinyoung argue, Junyoung finds himself in the middle, utilizing his powers to separate and defuse the situation. However, he often faces scolding for using his powers on his father, even though he takes it lightly and doesn't let negative or disheartening words affect him. Junyoung possesses an uncanny ability to let negative words pass through one ear and out the other, refusing to let them take root in his heart.

The bond between Junyoung and Jinyoung is unbreakable, as wherever Jinyoung is, Junyoung is sure to follow. They are inseparable, despite Jinyoung occasionally complaining about Junyoung being a troublemaker. Both twins possess the same powers: cosmic energy manipulation, but Junyoung is less skilled in the manipulation aspect. However, his exceptional ability lies in clairvoyance, granting him the power to see things from a distance and perceive events beyond his immediate surroundings. This ability allows him to catch glimpses of their mother on Earth, though he is aware of the dangers of interfering in the mortal realm.

In addition to clairvoyance, Junyoung has inherited his mother's healing abilities, capable of restoring health to living beings. He also shares strong telepathic powers with Jinyoung, enabling him to hear his twin's thoughts from a distance. Their connection runs deep, and Junyoung can sense Jinyoung's presence even when they are physically apart. Together, they possess remarkable power, as demonstrated when they intervened to stop their father, Jaehyun, from succumbing to his bloodlust during a period of intense grief. Jinyoung forcefully put Jaehyun to sleep, while Junyoung expended tremendous energy to heal their father, enduring physical strain in the process.

Currently residing in Athenian Palace, where their father, Junwon, and Aeria have sailed to different parts of the islands, Junyoung and Jinyoung remain inseparable. Junyoung frequently visits Yoel and Jia in Neo Palace, participating in various activities and social gatherings with his cousins. He often brings Jinyoung along, particularly for grand dinners or birthday celebrations organized by their extended family.

Junyoung serves as the bridge between Jinyoung and everything that Jinyoung deems unnecessary to know. While Jinyoung maintains a rocky relationship with Jaehyun, Junyoung harbors deep affection for his father. He acts as a messenger, conveying Jinyoung's feelings and health updates to Jaehyun. Junyoung also endeavors to help Jaehyun soothe Jinyoung's heart, although he sometimes struggles to understand his twin's emotions due to Jinyoung's self-imposed mental barriers.

NEO FAMILY

[markleesthighs]

Hello~ I really love your "Mea Bella" story and was wondering if you can do another royal themed drabble: Male reader (if you can) x Yuta as a prince, where Yuta is having a royal gathering and M/n, the mysterious foreign prince attends. M/n is gossiped about due to him being a foreigner and his cold exterior. An unexpected turn of events occur where Yuta runs into a dangerous situation and m/n protects him. Maybe a secret of m/n's gets uncovered? Then they begin to form a relationship of sorts.

-I haven’t written Mea Bella in so long haha this one will be cute!

Lily of the Valley

The annual International Congress of Future Leaders Ball, around this time of year you would have burned the invitation and moved on with your royal duties. It wasn’t a shock that your parents thought you were anti-social, spending time with your head in books and wandering the gardens. In hopes of increasing networking and your social ability they forced you to accept the invitation. You hated this ball, it was full of snobby princes talking about how excited they were about their father dying so they can take over their respective kingdoms. Since you’ve been missing all of the balls for the past couple of years, most people assumed you died or something.

But prince Yuta was shocked to hear you were attending this year, he hadn’t seen you since you were tweens, complaining about your voices cracking and fencing classes. You hated preparing for the ball, constant fittings for your suits, manners classes, and dancing lessons. You were dreading the ball as the days got closer and closer. Your parents would always remind you about it at dinner like a countdown timer, so you couldn’t find a way to ditch it.

The day had come, you groaned getting out of bed. The maids put your suit on perfectly fitted, showcasing your kingdoms signature green color and white accents. You hopped onto the carriage as it took you out of your woodland forest castle to the Nakamoto’s lavish mansion. You hopped out as several guests looked shocked at you, and began to whisper about you.

“I thought he was dead”

“He’s probably here because someone made a bet about him coming”

“Still as cold as ever, nothings changed about him.”

That would have made 13 year old you feel like crap but now, as an adult you really didn’t care. As you opened the doors, you greeted the announcer as servants blew the trumpets and announced your name to the crowd of princes who had already arrived. No claps or cheers just a bunch of whispering as you cascaded down the stairs. As your foot touched the ballroom floor everyone cleared space for your path. New princes to the congress cowered in fear against you while ones you were familiar with rolled their eyes.

“Why is he here?”

“Shouldn’t he be busy turning people to stone?”

“You’d think he’d learn to greet people during his time in solitude.”

“m/n!!”

Yuta caught your sight as Yuta excitedly dashed over to you.

“m/n, i’m so happy you could make it! I wanted you to meet the new people to the committee! What have you been up to?”

“Studying.”

“Always studious aren’t you, here, meet Shotaro Osaki, he’s new here.”

“Hi.”

“O-oh hello! Are you also new?”

“No.”

“Oh, ok.”

The conversation fell silent after that. Yuta laughed awkwardly as he took you away from the confused Shotaro.

“Look, I know you’re not the biggest fan of socializing, but it’s a party, let loose a little.”

“I don’t ‘let loose’ prince Yuta, I’d rather be at home right now. Besides people don’t want me here anyways.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m a foreigner to them regardless if I talk to them or not they’re minds won’t change about how they feel about me...”

“They just haven’t seen your charms yet m/n, I bet they don’t know you’re a world champion in fencing and archery. I could always keep you company if you want.”

“I wouldn’t want to keep you away from your other guests.”

“I’m f-“

“Prince Yuta watch out!”

You tackled Yuta to push him out of the way of the falling chandelier that shattered behind you. You were on top of Yuta as you saw everyone in the room fall silent. You got off Yuta checking out the chandelier as he called the guards to scan the area.

“m/n, you saved my life, how can I ever thank you?”

“Let me go home early.”

“Seriously you are still thinking about leaving after you just saved me?”

Shotaro then approached you.

“I just wanted to say what you did was really cool.”

“Oh, thanks, I guess.”

Others eventually joined in asking about your training and you had a good time meeting new people and learning about their interests. You then noticed that the roles have changed now Yuta’s the one alone while you had all the attention. You excused yourself to see how Yuta was doing.

“Hey, is everything alright?"

"We called security to search the place, apparently it was an angry peasant against princes is who snuck in." 

You noticed Yuta had a cut near his forehead. You called a maid over for a first aid kit and took Yuta aside into a bedroom to clean him up. Yuta hissed at the rubbing alcohol touching his wound. You placed bandages on his forehead and he thanked you. 

"Hey m/n?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you so insistent of going home all the time?"

You sighed. "Well, my home is all I've ever known. I'm an only child to my parents, so they pushed me hard to train in everything I can to become the perfect king one day. They thought if I went to other castles for parties or play-dates that I would get distracted. I would become soft in a sense, letting friends get away with crimes and picking up rebellious behavior, for example. My grandfather was almost killed by his second in command, so my family has a lot of trust issues.  So, I've never really learned how to make friends or socialize properly. But recently, my parents are seeing how their tactics have caused me to become cold and introverted. When I made a commoner's baby cry, that's what pushed them to let me out of the castle."

"I see, but what about those times when I'd come visit?"

"My parents saw that you made me happy and was fit for competition, but you know I'd win anyway."

"Hey! No fair! I haven't had the change to train as much as you!"

"Clearly." You said poking his wound, Yuta pouted in response. 

"m/n, thanks for sharing this with me. I know trusting people for you isn't easy."

"Thanks Yuta, you're one of the few people I can trust." you said with a warm smile.

"There's a saying in my kingdom, I'd say you're becoming a lily of the valley."

"What does that mean?"

"The lily of the valley is a symbol of a return to happiness, a start of something new, growing to be happier every day." 

"I know I'll be a happier prince with you, Yuta."

"Me too, m/n."

[dreamsafterhours]

10:44pm: rebel spy!you say nothing as crown prince!jeno’s eyes straighten out and widen as he registers the knife you hold against his throat, your beaming smile long gone, replaced with a stone cold look of piercing intent. royal guard!jaemin watches in horror, unable to act without risking jeno’s life that now hangs so precariously in your hands, as jeno scans the memories you made together from months and months prior for hints of your betrayal. were all the laughs, the sunsets, the teasing and tears mere lies? were those all part of an act? did he mean nothing more than a target to you?

[flwrskz]

[10:26 pm]

You stumbled against the doorframe as you tried to make out the shadowy figure by one of the many kitchen counters, the only source of light being a dim candle held by the figure.

Who would in the kitchen at this hour? The royal family had gone to sleep and the last kitchen duties were finished by servants half an hour ago.

Soon an all-too familiar scent wove through the air.

Coffee. Bitter, bitter coffee.

You let out an exasperated sigh, scaring the shadowy figure.

"Your highness, how many times must I remind you to not drink coffee at this hour, especially not your devil concoction. Your mother will practically behead you if she finds out again." You say as you approach the prince.

Jaemin sighs as he puts the candle down on the counter and turns to face you, his features still handsome as ever even with scarce lighting.

"Y/n, you know I can't help it. Especially if it means that I get to see you," He says as he wraps his arm around you, pulling you closer, "Also, how many times must I tell you to call me by my name, especially when we are alone." His brows furrow at his last sentence.

You blush, the proximity between you and Jaemin was something you still weren't used to.

You smile up at him, the scent of his devil coffee becoming stronger by the second.

Jaemin leans in to kiss you, and as soon as your lips meet you can taste his awful coffee that is unfortunately his favorite.

You pull back with a face, "Jaemin, I love you so much, but please refrain from drinking your devil coffee before kissing me."

Jaemin chuckles and kisses your cheek softly and buries his face in your hair. "I'm sorry, love, I will try to remember next time." He whispers into your hair.

The two of you stand there in your position, comfortably nestled into each other until you hear the clinks of a guard's boot coming closer. Jaemin give you a quick peck on your lips and slips away, presumably to his room.

You watched his figure blend into the darkness. Perhaps there may be a day where you and Jaemin could be together.

[minhyung127]

Prince - Jisung

Request: Helolloo could I get a prince jisung and jaemin??♡♡ °•°

A/n: I haven’t written something for jisung in so long 😔 so thank you!! Jaemin is coming soon!!

Word Count: 341

➥ Masterlist

You have known Jisung ever since elementary school

you two grew up together being best friends

when you were younger you obviously didn’t question some of the things that happened

like why you never hung out with him at his house

or why he always got a fancy packed lunch

or why he seemed to be cleaner than all the other boys

all of those things went through your head

but sooner or later with your constant questions

Jisung admittedly told you that he was a prince

the day he told you you didn’t take him seriously

until he finally gave you actual excuses for not being able to hang out with you

with excuses like ‘dance classes’, ‘royal studies’, and having to go to royal events

that’s when you knew he wasn’t joking

but Jisung being a prince didn’t matter to you at all

you’ve known Jisung for so long that this little secret couldn’t change the way you viewed him

everything had been great

and you were really grateful that Jisung chose to go to public school for some normalcy

but now that he nearing a becoming of age time he was getting more and more busy doing royally stuff

and as much as Jisung wants to ditch all of it

his parents made him stay in on the weekends to prepare for his adult years as a prince

which sucked for the both of you

you were stuck doing nothing on the weekends since Jisung couldn’t hang out

and Jisung was bored all weekend without having you around

so after awhile Jisung decided to just bring you along with him

I mean there wasn’t a rule against it

plus it brought you closer to Jisung’s royally side

sure you got him in trouble a few many times

but neither of you would want it any other way

Jisung really wanted you along with him on his royal becoming

and you were more than happy to tag along and maybe snicker at his weird suits he has to wear. 

[jaeminlore]

Adventure // Na Jaemin

-

the prompt: can you write a prince!jaemin au bc i love that boy sm pls.

words: 4800

category fluff + minor angst

author note: i love him sm too. also this is lowkey from a tolkien quote: “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”

- destinee

-

You sat around the dinner table with your grandparents, unable to return the bright smiles they sent your way.

Did they even hear themselves?

“What do you mean the prince is going to live with us? This is a joke, right?”

Your grandfather patted your shoulder comfortingly in a way only grandfather’s can do. “With the threats to the castle, Her Majesty has requested that we hide him here. No assassin will think to look in a blacksmith’s home.”

“You work for the queen,” you argued. “Won’t they suspect you and the rest of the staff when they can’t find the prince?”

Your grandmother butted in. “Her Majesty has made her decision final. Prince Jaemin will come to be under our secret care until the assassins are caught.”

“What do we do with a prince?” You asked in confusion. As far as you knew, he was probably spoiled and not used to working. What would he do while you and your grandparents were working?

“He’ll help you with your rounds around the town.” Your grandmother answered calmly, as if she and your grandfather had already discussed it.

As your grandfather was a blacksmith, you often delivered the orders he finished to the customers. It wasn’t a hard job, and after delivering you usually arrived home and helped your grandfather clean the tools and weapons he had worked on that day.

“When is he coming?” You asked.

“Tomorrow morning,” your grandfather replied, “Your grandmother will be going to the healer tomorrow so I need you to go to the market and pick him up. Then you can pick up our groceries.”

“Okay,” you replied, knowing it was useless to argue with him.

Even if you were skeptical about the prince coming, you definitely weren’t going to defy your grandparents. You had lived with them since you were a child, and you knew there was no use in trying to argue with them.

You struggled to sleep as you anticipated what would happen the next day.

-

Despite your grandparents’ protests, you didn’t wear your nicest clothes to meet the prince.

The last thing you wanted was to stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of the market. You didn’t care if Prince Jaemin stuck out on his own; that was his problem.

You walked to the market with your rucksack hanging from your shoulders. You were told that the prince would be arriving in a carriage near the strawberry stand.

“Mark!” You said cheerily as soon as you saw your friend who worked the strawberry stand. “I’ll take a pound of strawberries, please.”

“A pound?” Mark laughed as he began to weigh the red fruit. “That’s a lot more than usual.”

“Well, Grandmother want to make a strawberry pie for a guest we have.”

Mark’s father was also close to the royal family, being their top agricultural worker. “Oh, right. I’ll go let him know you’re here.”

You handed him the proper amount of change and packed the strawberries safely in your rucksack before Mark went back behind his stand.

“Y/n, this is Jaemin. Jaemin, this is Y/n,” Mark said, pulling a tan boy behind him.

You watched him, only to widen your eyes and look down. You didn’t remember the prince being that handsome. His black hair was a bit too long, and his smile was wide. You had never seen whiter teeth in your life.

“Hi, Y/n.” As if he wasn’t in line to be the future king, Jaemin held his hand out for you to shake. “Call me Jaemin, since I’m incognito.”

Indeed, he was. Dressed almost identical to you and Mark, he looked ready to face the village in his brown leather trousers, his tucked in and baggy beige shirt, and his knee-length boots.

You could tell they weren’t his everyday clothes, for they were far too clean, showing no blemish or tear anywhere.

“Hi, Jaemin. We’ve got some shopping to do before we get home. Is that okay?” You spoke formally, wondering if you would be thrown in jail for saying something wrong or looking the prince in the eyes.

Jaemin must’ve noticed, because he stopped you and placed both hands on your shoulders. He pushed them so they weren’t so tense and smiled at you. You really weren’t sure if you were ever going to get used to that smile.

“Just speak casually, Y/n.” Jaemin widened his smile. “We’re friends so let’s talk like it.”

“Alright,” you spoke, gently moving out of his grip. “Then we need flour, sugar, and eggs before we return home to help Grandfather.”

“What’re we making?” Jaemin asked. There was a certain bounce in his step that you couldn’t pinpoint. Perhaps he was just a peppy person.

“My grandmother wants to make you a strawberry pie.”

Jaemin walked beside you, quiet for a moment. Then he piped, “What if we make the pie for your grandmother?”

“What’s the difference?” You asked, stopping at the booth where a local was selling flour. You accepted the large sack after you paid and turned, handing it to Jaemin.

The prince didn’t complain, he only shifted the bag in a more comfortable position and kept walking. “The difference is that your grandmother doesn’t have to bake a pie! She’ll be so surprised!”

“That’s a sweet idea,” you sighed, “but I don’t know how to bake a pie.”

“You don’t have to know. I know how to bake pies.” Jaemin surprised you with his words. “My servant taught me how to cook and bake.”

Your furrowed your brows. “Why would a prince have to learn how to bake?”

“I didn’t have to,” Jaemin corrected you. “I asked her to teach me. I surprised my mom with an apple pie for her birthday and the smile on her face was so worth all the effort. So, let’s make a pie for your grandmother. I’ll help you.”

“Okay,” you whispered. “Let’s hurry home then, because I still have to deliver my grandfather’s orders this morning.”

“I’ll help you with that, too. That way we’ll finish two times quicker than you would doing it alone.”

By this time, you had found the woman who sold sugar, and you hastily paid her for the correct measurement you needed. Then you led Jaemin out of the marketplace, toward your home.

-

You were glad Jaemin was so good at keeping conversation up. The boy never seemed to run out of anything to say. Especially when the two of you arrived at your grandfather’s smithing shop after dropping the ingredients and Jaemin’s luggage off at your house.

He just couldn’t believe how many swords and other miscellaneous weapons covered your grandfather’s walls. “This is the same design our knights have,” Jaemin said to you in fascination.

You ignored him, not out of rudeness, but out of lack of anything to say. Instead, you turned to your grandfather. “How many orders today?”

“Only one,” he replied, handing you a pair of long knives wrapped tightly in burlap. “Deliver this to Madam Burk across the lake, and then you’re done.”

“What does Madam Burk want with long knives?” You asked skeptically.

Jaemin walked over and peaked over your shoulder. All that could be seen of the knives were the carefully carved hilts. “Wow!”

He traced over the intricate details on the stained wood. “How long did this take?”

While he and your grandfather bonded over weapons, you felt far too aware of how close the prince was to you. His chest kept brushing against your shoulder and any time he laughed he would look at you, perhaps wondering if you laughed as well.

You were well aware by now that Jaemin had no respect for personal space. The boy was playful and curious, and he wasn’t about to let something silly like personal boundaries keep him from discovering new things around him.

It was cute to you, the way his eyes lit up when he saw something he found interesting. He was currently nodding his head eagerly as he listened to your grandfather explain the painstakingly boring process of staining wood. If he nodded his head any more, you were sure it was going to fall right off his neck.

“I should really get these to Madam Burk.” You interrupted their talk. “You guys can stay here and talk, though. I’ll be right back.”

Jaemin shook his head and followed you out of the forge. “I’m coming with you! I want to see Madam Burk.”

“You don’t know Madam Burk,” you told him calmly.

“I want to know her,” Jaemin pointed out.

You let out a breathy chuckle. He never ran out of curiosity, that was for sure. “Let’s go then.”

-

Although you were used to a busy schedule with your grandparents, you certainly weren’t used to doing any of it with the level of enthusiasm Jaemin had.

You still weren’t sure how he got the grumpy Madam Burk to smile for him and invite the both of you in for tea.

This little unplanned visit set your schedule back slightly, so you and Jaemin were quick to return to your house to prepare the pie for your grandmother.

“She should be back within the hour,” you told Jaemin as you cut up the strawberries.

He was busy kneading the homemade dough, “So, at the least, it would be in the oven when she returned. That would be just as well.”

While you cut the fruit in silence, you noticed Jaemin staring at you from the corner of his eye. “What?”

Jaemin chuckled and looked away. “I just find it odd that you haven’t asked me about my life as a prince yet. Don’t you want to know what the castle looks like on the inside? Or how many servants we actually have?”

“Should I?” You asked. “None of those matters concern me in the slightest.”

“You aren’t the least bit curious?” Jaemin pondered aloud, sounding offended.

“You can tell me if you want,” you permitted. “I’m just letting you know that I haven’t really wondered about it before.”

“I’ll take it,” Jaemin said contently. “Let me tell you about my dream: to be a knight.”

Jaemin began to roll out the properly kneaded dough, shaping it into the pie plate accordingly. “So, your grandfather obviously does a lot of the castle’s weapon work. In fact, my mother gave me the option of staying with Mark’s family, since I knew him, but I wanted to go here instead because I look up to your grandfather.”

“Really?” You found it hard to believe. Sure, your grandfather was a lovely man, but he wasn’t extraordinary or anything.

“Yeah,” Jaemin smiled. “Your grandfather was never a knight, but his craftsmanship for weapons really inspires me. Ever since I was little I wanted to become a knight and be the best swordsman in the kingdom. I wanted to go on quests with my fellow knights and sleep outside by a campfire, fending off wolves with nothing but a stick and a flame.”

“You seem to have thought about it a lot,” you mentioned.

“Of course; it’s my dream.” Jaemin then changed the subject. “Let’s make the filling next.”

You grabbed a large bowl and brought it over to the counter. While you dumped the cut strawberries into the bowl, Jaemin measured out the additional ingredients.

“Tell me more about this dream of yours,” you spoke up, now intrigued.

“Well, there isn’t much more to it,” Jaemin sighed. “The reality is that I’m a prince, not a knight. It’s my duty to stay in the castle and prepare to rule the kingdom one day. While I do have swordsmanship lessons, it’s nothing like a knight’s training. It’s okay, though. One day, when I’m king, I’ll go on my own quest.”

Without thinking, the words popped into your brain. “We could go on a quest now.”

Jaemin dropped the wooden spoon he was holding, and watched as it clattered to the ground. “What?”

“We could have our own adventure!” You said.

“What would we do?” Jaemin’s eyes suddenly widened in excitement. “Where would we go?”

You pondered his questions as you poured the filling into the pie crust. “Let’s stick this in the oven and then we’ll talk about it.”

Once the pie was safely in the oven, you and Jaemin went to your room to talk about the quest in secret.

“There’s a waterfall in the forest,” you said. “We could go jump off of it. Or we could go search some of the caves nearby and see if we can find something cool.”

“We could look for jewels!” Jaemin said, agreeing with your second option. “We’ll need to bring pickaxes, in case we want to go mining for stones.”

“Okay,” you said. “Tomorrow, after our chores, let’s go on an adventure.”

-

“I honestly don’t think your grandmother would’ve let us leave if we hadn’t baked her that pie,” Jaemin said as he two of you walked towards the forest.

You rolled your eyes. “You’re the prince. She probably didn’t want to get on your family’s bad side.”

“Even so, it’s great luck that your grandfather had some pickaxes for us,” Jaemin spoke, holding his own pickaxe over his shoulder. “Do you think we’ll find anything?”

“I don’t know,” you said.

At that, the two of you stayed silent for the rest of the journey. The forest outside of the kingdom was very dense, with tall oak trees growing so close to each other their branches intermingled with each other.

It created a foliage roof for the two of you to walk under. Protected from the hot sun, you and Jaemin both enjoyed the fresh air at a slow pace. You were in no hurry to get to the caves.

“Woah!” Jaemin stopped, and since he was a bit ahead of you, you ran into his back.

“Oomph!” You grunted in discomfort. “Why’d you stop so suddenly?”

“Look.” Jaemin pointed to a small animal standing in the middle of a trail. “I’ve never seen one in real life.”

“A rabbit?” You found yourself giggling at the frigid look on the prince’s face. “Here, let’s go say hello.”

Jaemin opened his mouth to protest as you grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to the animal. Once you were only a few feet away, you slipped your bag off of your back and pulled out a carrot.

You handed it to Jaemin. “Hold it out for the rabbit.”

Jaemin refused. “What if it bites me?”

“It won’t,” you assured him.

“Do it with me, please.” Jaemin said, cutting his gaze to yours.

You obliged, finding humor in the situation. “Hold your palm out.”

You placed the carrot in Jaemin’s open palm and held his wrist. “Now wait for the rabbit to notice.”

With a few clicks of your tongue, you got the animal’s attention. The rabbit’s nose twitched as it noticed the orange vegetable.

You felt Jaemin tense in nervousness, so you patted his shoulder with your hand. “Rabbit’s really aren’t that scary, Jaemin.”

When the rabbit hopped over and sniffed the carrot, both of you stilled. Finally, Jaemin broke into a soft smile when the rabbit grabbed the carrot with its teeth and pulled it away from you both.

“See? They’re harmless.” You said, helping Jaemin to his feet.

The prince breathed a sigh of relief. “To be fair, I thought their teeth were a lot bigger than that.”

-

The caves consisted of around five cave openings that started at the end of the forest and all connected together. Eventually, they led into a mountain, but no one ever went that deep into the caves. It was said to be as virtually impossible to escape as a life size maze the deeper you went, so you were sure to warn Jaemin not to wander off.

Guess who didn’t listen to you?

“Jaemin!” You rounded yet another corner of the cave and looked around for the prince. “We need to stick together.”

You weren’t sure what kind of trouble the prince would get himself into. Truthfully, you were more worried about the creatures that could possibly live in any of these hidden crevices.

“Y/n!” Jaemin’s voice suddenly shouted.

You darted towards the voice, worried that he had somehow gotten hurt already. “I’m coming!”

When you found him, he was not hurt at all. In fact, he looked fairly content, crouching in front of the lake that was hidden in the cave’s interior.

He stirred the water with his finger. “Look, Y/n. There are little fish here and they aren’t scared of me.”

“That’s because they’re blind.” You said, and followed up by explaining why.

“Oh,” Jaemin looked disappointed. “I thought they were just really brave fish.”

You snorted. “You have a naive mind. Has anyone ever told you that?”

Jaemin looked up. “Yeah. My mom says I need a more practical sense of the world if I’m going to rule the kingdom.”

You dropped you bag and rolled your shoulders back a few times before sitting beside him. He was still stirring the water with his fingers.

“I don’t think being naive is necessarily a bad thing,” you said. “As long as you have other qualities as well, I don’t think you have to be practical to run a kingdom.”

“What qualities?” Jaemin queried.

“Well, for instance, compassion. Or being a hard worker. Having empathy for others, especially in a lower position than you is a great trait as well. I think your mother might be worried about your willingness to trust people so quickly. Once you’re king, people will want to use your friendship for selfish reasons, so I think she just wants to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

“That’s exactly why I’m making friends now,” Jaemin said. “So when I’m king, I can have loyal people by my side, helping me with the qualities I might lack.”

You were silent for a moment. Jaemin really was a mystery to you. Since he was usually hyper and fully of vigor, you never expected him to be this solemn. Then again, he was only a teenager, so it must be hard on him knowing he must rule the whole kingdom one day.“

“Is that why you want to be a knight?” You dared to ask him.

“Yeah,” Jaemin breathed. “I could be myself if I was a knight. I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. A knight’s greatest trait is loyalty, and I can offer that easily.”

You nodded in understanding. It seemed that was all Jaemin needed. Perhaps letting his worries out in the darkness of a cave was good for him, for he went right back to his normal self, eager to dig for jewels.

Neither of you found any jewels or special stones that day, but maybe that was never what the journey was about anyway.

-

Your grandparents let you and Jaemin sleep in the next day, after being exhausted from your adventure. After all, two seventeen year olds need their sleep, no matter how much they might assure you they don’t.

Still, you and Jaemin only slept in about an hour later than usual. Some of his energy must’ve transferred to you, for you found yourself wanting to go on yet another adventure.

Instead, you were stuck inside, thanks to lightening and pouring rain that occurred outside. Your grandmother was still under the weather, so you did her usual work while Jaemin hung out with your grandfather in the forge.

Once you were done with your work, you made sandwiches and brought them into the forge.

“Y/n! You’re alive!” Jaemin showed you his never-wavering grin as you walked in.

You set the plate of lunch down and eyed the longsword in Jaemin’s hand. “What’re you doing?”

“Your grandfather said I could whet a design into the hilt. Want to help?”

You agreed and dragged a stool over to watch him. You nibbled on your sandwich and watch over his shoulder as he struggled to carve a design into the wood. “What design are you going to do?”

“I want to do my family’s crest, but I think it’ll be too hard to do.” Jaemin said. “Since this is the only chance I have, I want to design something simpler.”

“Why don’t you make your own crest,” you suggested. “Something easier but just as significant. It could remind you of the time you spent here.”

Jaemin pondered your suggesting for a moment before nodding. “I should do our initials!”

“No!” You protested, color rising into your cheeks at a quick rate. “That could be taken a wrong way.”

“So?” Jaemin chuckled. “I want to remember our time together. We don’t know when I’ll have to leave, so I want to enjoy our friendship while it lasts.”

Your grandfather announced that he was going to go check on his wife, and grabbed a sandwich on the way out.

“You know you’re welcome back anytime,” you told Jaemin. There was nothing you liked about the idea that he might not come back.

The prince had wedged his way into your heart in a mere three days, and you weren’t about to give up that easily.

“I wish,” Jaemin said. “And I promise I would if I ever have the time, but my schedule is so busy nowadays. I’m sure it’ll be worse when I get back, since I’ll be behind.”

You frowned. “Well, can’t I come visit? I know I’m not royalty or whatever but I could help you with your princely duties or something.”

Jaemin chuckled. “I doubt you want to help with all the boring stuff I do. But I would love for you to be there, just as company.”

“You mean it?” You asked.

“Of course I do,” Jaemin said. Then he bumped your shoulder playfully. “Don’t think you’re the only one who feels this way.”

You could only blush and look away.

-

Jaemin felt closer to you after that. Somewhere along the way, between the second and third week of living with your family, he decided that you would appreciate it if he clung onto you like a koala whenever he felt like it.

Which would explain your current predicament, struggling to clean your grandfather’s tools while Jaemin had his arms around your waist and his chin on your shoulder.

Not only could you not concentrate, you also couldn’t breathe properly because of his close proximity.

It was no surprise to you when you began to like Jaemin as more than a friend. Although you regretted it sometimes, it wasn’t like you could just erase your feelings. If Jaemin wasn’t so clingy, it would be much easier to smother your feelings deep down until he left to go back to the castle.

“Can I help?” He asked.

You turned to look at him, but quickly terminated the action when you noticed how close his face was to yours. “Yeah, just grab a rag and a tool or weapon.”

Jaemin let go of you and grabbed a rag and a dagger that seemed particularly dirty. You didn’t watch as he cleaned, having your own object to polish. That was why you were so surprised to hear Jaemin hiss in pain a drop the dagger onto the stone table nearby.

“What happened?” You asked, eyeing the cut that ran down the prince’s palm. It was bleeding steadily, so you told him to sit while you ran to get some supplies.

You returned only a few moments later to Jaemin sitting on the stool with his head down.

“Alright, Jaemin. Give me your hand,” you ordered him gently.

He held out his hand, which you could already see was swollen and infected from the dirty blade. “Now, can you explain to me what happened?”

While he explained, you poured disinfectant onto a clean rag. “I was just cleaning the dagger.”

“How did you clean it?” You asked, apologizing quickly afterwards as you began to dab the medicine on his wounds.

Jaemin hissed quietly, the veins in his wrist tensing for a moment before returning back to normal. “I rubbed the rag up and down the blade.”

“Did you hold circle your palm around the blade?”

“I thought that’s what you were supposed to do,” Jaemin defended himself.

You began to wrap his hand. “No, you should never do that. Next time, try a buffering technique.”

“What’s that?”

“Umm,” you struggled to explain. “Like, wipe the sword with the rag but only clean one side at a time. Use circular motions, I guess? I’ve never explained it before, but I’ll show you how to do it eventually.”

“Thanks.” Jaemin grinned and held up his wrapped hand. “I dare say you could be a healer with this kind of skill.”

“I’m just doing what I was taught.”

“You know, I never asked. What’s your dream, Y/n?” Jaemin asked, peering at you inquisitively.

You hummed in thought before answering. “I don’t know yet. I kind of just want to get married and have a family. Isn’t that too plain for a dream?”

“No.” Jaemin smiled at you. “That’s a nice dream to have. It offers security.”

“I think so,” you agreed. “I mean, obviously I want to do a bunch of stuff before I get to that point. For instance, I want to find a rare jewel before you do.”

Jaemin returned your teasing smile with a laugh. “No way! I’ll definitely beat you with at that dream.”

-

A few nights later, a messenger from the castle came and informed your grandparents that the assassin was captured and Jaemin was to return to the castle the next morning. You ended up taking the news harder than you thought you would, but you able to hide your emotions while you hung out with Jaemin.

Now, however, it was nighttime and you were on top of your roof, watching the stars twinkle in their vast environment. Up here no one could stop you from moping.

You didn’t want to lose Jaemin. He was your closest friend. As much as you despised the idea of the prince living with you, now you wouldn’t trade these past weeks for the world.

“You just had to hide somewhere I didn’t know, didn’t you?” Jaemin’s voice brought you out of your reverie.

“What are you doing up?” You asked. He had been asleep when you left.

“Well, I woke up and wanted to see if you would take a walk with me. I guess you’re a step ahead, though.”

“Not quite,” you said, “I’m not walking.”

“Even so, this seems like a nicer option than walking. Do you come up here often?” Jaemin sat beside you, close enough for your shoulders to brush.

“When I want to be alone, this is where I go,” you answered. Then, seeing the recognition on Jaemin’s face, you retracted your statement. “I don’t mind you being here though!”

“Oh, good, because I have something to tell you.”

“What?” You asked, curious as to what he would say.

This could be the last time you ever talked to him. You weren’t sure what the future held, and you were honestly afraid of what was coming.

A small part of your heart didn’t want to admit it, but you weren’t sure you would be able to forget Jaemin easily. He had become your favorite person, and all you could think about was that tomorrow, you would go back to being strangers.

Jaemin sat up and grabbed something out of his back pocket. “Here. I win.”

You caught the box he threw to you and opened it. The black velvet should’ve warned you what was inside, for there was a ring topped with a bright red ruby.

“I found it a few days ago,” Jaemin explained. “Granted, it was at a stall in the marketplace and not inside of a cave. I thought you would like it anyway.”

“I do,” you assured him. “What’s it for?”

Jaemin inhaled nervously, “Well, since I’m leaving tomorrow, I thought about how much I wanted you to remember me. So, if you want, it’s a promise ring. A friendship ring, even. Whatever your comfortable with. This way, you won’t forget me.”

You slipped it over your finger. “I promise Jaemin, I could never forget you.”

“Good,” he said, staring at you as you looked at the ring. “Because I won’t forget you either.”

-

The next morning came quickly, and in a blur.

You couldn’t quite pinpoint the emotion you were feeling as Jaemin climbed into a carriage that would send him back to the castle.

Heartbreak seemed too extreme, and yet it seemed too tame as well.

You held onto the ring as the carriage began to drive down the road.

Please don’t forget me, Jaemin.

~to be continued~