🎶 We are still kids, but we're so in love; Fighting against all odds; I know we'll be alright this time 🎶
requested by: @taurusjaehyun
It’s eerily quiet. Well, it is well past midnight. The sky is dark and cloudy; the moon peeking through the thick clouds every now and then. A light shower earlier in the evening dampened the gardens, the grass staining and sticking to your bare feet. You tread on through the barely lit path, reaching the entrance of the 8 foot maze of thick hedges with floral vines creeping along its planes.
You look back at the castle, looking for signs that someone had noticed your absence in your chambers. You tighten your hold around the shawl you threw around your thin nightgown as a breeze blew by; a sense of uneasiness comes over you, as if you felt someone watching… or something.
Creatures of all sorts were known to duck into the maze, but royal guards would always comb through them every three hours to capture or slay unwanted beings. Just this morning, a lone wolf was captured; and its’ pack was bound to be close.
You start to regret coming out here, if not for the monthly routine you’ve grown accustomed to.
A hand touches your shoulder and you whip around, ready to scream, but the sound of your distress was drowned by a mouth that moved over yours. When you recognize the soft, brown hair, you let out a moan of relief and melt into the kiss.
“You’re insufferable, Prince Jaehyun! You nearly gave me a heart attack.” You harshly whisper with a scowl.
“I couldn’t help it, princess. Forgive me.” He chuckles lowly, pulling you into his arms.
“I wish we would stop meeting like this.” You sigh, resting your head against his chest.
Mayhaps, you will stop seeing each other after tonight. He and his father had come from the neighboring kingdom in hopes of forming an alliance with yours through marriage. Your father had easily agreed; you were next to be wed off, luckily the same age as Jaehyun although it would be a few more years before you’re of age. You steadily accepted your fate; you were raised to be wed off, to bear children and continue your lineage, to stand by a king as his queen and serve him. You were taught that this was inevitable. You didn’t have a choice. You could have been wed to some disgusting old man if you reached the proper age and no suitor had come, but you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
But the gods must have heard your silent cries at night as you try to sleep, because when Jaehyun entered the courtroom behind his father; standing just as tall and proud as him, you couldn’t take your eyes off of him. He was beyond beautiful, like he’d been carved straight from the purest ivory with delicate hair spun from the finest threads. He could pass as a king on looks alone.
Although your father had agreed to the proposition, you and Jaehyun weren’t able to formally meet until later in the evening when everyone had slept and you crept out of your room to visit the garden, a habit you picked up when you found it useless to cry in your room and opted to enjoy the night air surrounded by nature. Coincidentally, Jaehyun had the same sentiments in mind, already seated at a bench and watching the stars above.
Your secret affairs began from there; you two were clearly attracted to each other and you had him take you in the shadows of a shrub, beneath the stars. You met every night during the entire duration of his stay. When he had to return home, he came to visit every month; snuck into the castle as per your instructions and met you in the maze.
But nothing lasts forever; as it turns out, Jaehyun’s father had plans to overthrow your father once your kingdoms merged and had even slain your uncle, who acted as a messenger. War was coming. You could practically smell the scent of iron from the blacksmith. Clearly, you and Jaehyun’s arranged marriage was over.
“Do you love me, my princess?” He whispers, pressing the chastest kiss on your hair.
“With all my heart, my prince.” You raise your head to face him, “I love you.”
He smiles a smile that doesn’t reach his ears; the type of smile that doesn’t bring forth the dimples on his plump cheeks. “Run away with me.”
“Elope with me, [Y/N]. Our kingdoms are seconds away from war. They’ll never approve of us, my father had slain your father’s brother with his own hands. I want to be with you, [Y/N]... Will you love me without my status as prince?”
“Of course.” You quickly answer, “I will love you no matter what… but… Jaehyun, this is treason. If we get caught… we’ll be killed.”
“Then let’s go now, we’ll be miles away by dawn.”
You make a sound of disbelief, “You’re insane! I can’t leave - not like this, I’m barely wearing anything! There must be another way. Maybe we can reason with them… stop the war before it happens-”
He cups your cheeks into his hands, warming them up. “Blood’s been shed, princess. The war is inevitable now. Do you think they would listen to us? Do you think they’d believe we’d have an inkling of what love actually is at our age?”
“Then how do you know we truly are in love?”
“I love you enough to leave my kingdom. I, the only heir to the throne, am willing to decline it to be with you.”
Your heart is beating furiously in your chest, “And where would we go? We have no gold nor silver on us. We barely have clothes to keep us warm if we leave now.”
“Then we’ll leave tomorrow night. Pack a light bag of what you need, eat a heavy meal, and meet me back here when the entire castle sleeps.”
“What about you? Do you have what you need?”
Jaehyun gives you a little grin, taking your hand and kissing your fingers, “If you come with me, then that’s all I need.”
A slightest sliver of doubt befalls you and he senses it, kneeling down on one knee.
“I might not be your future king anymore, but I will be your husband. You don’t have to worry about whores and concubines, or me going off to wars; you don’t have to serve me for I will serve you. I will do everything to give you a life of freedom from all the responsibilities you were born into. I have nothing to give you but my arms for warmth in the cold night, my shoulder for you to cry on, my back to carry you when your feet are tired, and my heart for you to love.”
Breathing deeply, you usher him to stand up and once he does, you kiss him, “That’s hardly nothing - that’s all I could ever ask from you… But I think it’s best if we leave now… give me a moment to grab proper clothes.”
It took you no more than half an hour to gather what you needed as quickly and quietly as you can, evade patrolling guards on the hallways. You returned to Jaehyun with an excited smile and as he gives you the same exuberant grin, he takes your hand and runs with you through the maze he had easily memorized. You can’t help but giggle at the events as you clutch onto the skirt of your dress because this is it; the fairytale your lady-in-waiting read to you every night as a child, the stories you wished but knew could never come true. But here it is, unfolding in front of you as he helps you mount his stallion and sits behind you, kissing your shoulder with a breathless laugh. You had your prince, now your happy ending awaits; and with one last look at him, you ride off in search for it.
a/n: mayhaps i shed a tear or two
