Royal Adviser!Wenjun AU
A Birthday Post for @hunscatattoo | Length: 1.2K | Masterlist | Fem!Reader
The masquerade ball was one of the most exciting times of the year
Royals from across the land were invited to come to the annual event and almost no one ever missed
You were the youngest princess of the northern kingdom and had only been to the masquerade a few times before
As you and your family were busily preparing to leave, your sister was parading around the castle showing off her ostentatious dress and mask to match, boasting about how she would surely catch Prince Zeren’s eye
You thought it looked like a rainbow had thrown up on her, she would most certainly catch everyone’s eye...
You on the other hand were dressed in a dark blue velvet, which almost looked black at times, and sported a mask that mapped out the night sky in diamonds
Arriving at Prince Zeren’s castle you bounced your leg nervously in the carriage
While you were certainly looking forward to the masquerade for some reason you were feeling particularly nervous this year
A guard opened your carriage door and helped you and your sister step out into the cool evening air
Taking a deep breath you put on a smile and pushed back your anxieties
Your sister flounced off ahead of you, already on the hunt for the Prince
You didn’t have the heart to tell her that you had heard the Prince was already smitten with someone else
You adjusted your mask and followed her into the castle
Most of the guests had already arrived and a few were milling about talking to one another on the fringes of the ballroom.
A good number of guests had already found partners to dance with and were spinning around the floor laughing and smiling as they moved to the music
You spotted the Prince at the front of the ballroom talking to Prince Xinchun who you had met a few times before
However the one who really drew your eye was the person standing next to Prince Zeren slightly off to the side and keeping a keen eye on all the party goers
You didn’t recognize him, but you had a suspicion of who he was
You had heard a lot about Royal Adviser Wenjun
Mostly from your sister’s gossiping.
But no one had told you how handsome he was
He carried himself as if he was a prince himself, back straight and tall, head held high, and an inscrutable expression on his face
He was the only one in the room, besides the guards and servants, who wasn’t wearing a mask
You wondered why
You hadn’t realized you were staring until the man in question’s eyes caught yours and you quickly looked away, a blush staining your cheeks
Scurrying off you went to go find someone to talk to, the gaze of the royal adviser burning the back of your head
You made small talk for awhile with a few people you recognized despite the masks, but soon found yourself in a corner sipping something that tasted a lot like strawberries
The ballroom had become much more crowded and you were beginning to feel warm with all the people moving around close together
You were starting to consider making an escape outside for some fresh air
“I’m afraid that I haven’t had the pleasure of an introduction.” A voice said to your left surprising you out of your thoughts
Looking over you were even more surprised to see Royal Adviser Wenjun standing beside you, looking at you with that same inscrutable gaze
You curtsied in his direction as you introduced yourself which he returned with a bow
“I’m surprised I haven’t seen you here at the masquerade before Adviser Wenjun” You spoke up
Wenjun gave you a small smile and bowed his head. “Ah well I usually find myself busy with work. I must admit I wouldn’t even be here now if Prince Zeren hadn’t insisted I come”
“That must explain your lack of mask at this masquerade” You quipped and you could have sworn you saw his cheeks redden slightly
“Yes I am rather unprepared aren’t I” He replied his smile growing
You tried to fight back a blush
Another visiting dignitary stumbled into you and almost spilled his drink down the front of your dress, but you were pulled out of the way just in time and found yourself in the arms of Adviser Wenjun
You blinked up at Wenjun, your hands resting against his chest, his arm wrapped around your waist. That blush you were fighting now dusting your cheeks and ears
Wenjun looked down at you, eyes wide, as if he was surprised as well by his actions
He let go of your waist and you stepped back letting out an awkward laugh
“Thank you” You stuttered out grateful your dress hadn’t been ruined
“Of course” Wenjun nodded and now you were certain you saw a blush on his cheeks.
“Um would you care to walk with me in the gardens. I doubt we will have to worry about intoxicated guests throwing drinks on us” He suggested and you readily agreed following him through the throng of people and out into the garden
The cool air was a welcome change and you found yourself leaning your head back and letting out a sigh as you looked up at the night sky
The music that played in the ballroom trickled out into the night air following the two of you as you walked
“Have you been enjoy the masquerade?” You asked Royal Adviser Wenjun
“Well if I’m being honest I think I’m enjoying it more now. I can’t say I’m particularly suited for these types of parties” Wenjun answered. “And you Miss Y/n are you enjoying the masquerade? I noticed you haven’t taken the opportunity to dance with anyone tonight.”
You smiled slyly at the royal adviser “Have you been watching me this evening Adviser Bi? I say I must have been a boring study”
This time you got a real smile from the adviser, one which took your breath away “I’m afraid you’ve caught me, but in my defense I was just curious about the prettiest girl in the ballroom”
You scoffed looking down at the glass in you hands which was almost empty “You don’t even know what I look like. How can you say that when everyone’s wearing a mask?”
“Mm my intuition. But you could always take the mask off and I can confirm what I already know”
You suddenly felt hot under the mask at the thought of him seeing your face
Wenjun raised his hands up to your face and you held your breath as his fingers brushed lightly against your cheeks
He paused for a moment as if waiting for your approval, which you gave with a slight nod of your head feeling slightly dizzy
He lifted your mask from your face and gave you another smile as he looked down on your face now free from the mask “There...just like I said, the prettiest girl at the masquerade”
Without the mask there was no way to hide your blush now
“So Y/n, the most beautiful girl at this ball,....may I have this dance?”
