interxstitialâ
with every second he spends by the pond, jiwon understands with increasing clarity why vesper visits it so often. these waters house a certain peace not found elsewhere on the castle grounds, especially at night, when the moonlight dances so brilliantly on the waterâs surface. the koi fish are adorable, too, far more pleasant company than most of the people still in the castle. whereas all those royals and associated nobles demand only the highest luxuries, all these fish require is food. adding company and entertainment would only be spoiling them, and jiwon is certain vesper does just that.
out of curiosity, the prince swipes some of the snacks his head knight has been feeding the fish. however, he makes the mistake of keeping the food cupped in his palm as he lowers a hand just below the water. in less than a second, a horde of koi fish come darting for his hand, all eager for a late night treat. even after no food remains, they continue to nip and suckle at his fingers as if more would reappear. it all happens so fast, but jiwon jerks his hand out of the pond with a shriek of excitement. a few fish chase after him, mouthing at the surface of the water, but jiwon has fallen back to sit cross-legged and out of reach.
hands wet with water from the pond, boots mottled with grass and dew, suit ruffled from spending so long crouched by the edge of the pond. itâs all decidedly not very princely. if he were with his etiquette instructor, heâd be marked zero points for the day and find himself sat in the library all afternoon re-reading manuscripts of cultural customs. (perhaps it wouldnât be so terrible, though, considering vesper would still be by his side even then.) rather than fret over manners and proper posture, jiwon basks in what little excursions like these make him feel. chest light, smiles wide and easy, laughter generous. if only one of these suitors could do the same, perhaps the prince wouldnât have to run away so often.
itâs at this point that vesper speaks once more. somehow, the knightâs words are both just what jiwon wants to hear and not. and how he wishes the hand on his shoulder would have landed just a bit lower, a bit firmer. these thoughts, too, are terribly unbecoming of a crown prince. such notions should remain reserved for the person he will one day wed, and itâs both terrifying and comforting how easily they come when it concerns vesper. âi suppose iâll continue searching then,â jiwon decides quietly with a tiny smile, never breaking eye contact with his head knight. âi wonât settle for just anyone.â
âyour highness!â
startled by the voice of another knight, somewhere across the gardens, jiwon reaches out and shyly takes hold of the lapel of vesperâs suit, eyes begging: no, not yet. just a moment more, please.
when jiwon takes the snacks that vesper feeds to the koi fish, he doesnât protest nor say anything. not because jiwon is the prince but really, he doesnât mind it. he even adores how the fish come flocking once jiwon brings his hand into the water, a laugh emitting through the knightâs lip. âyour highness.. you shouldnâtââ but it was too late and the shriek that emits from the other only causes more laughter to fall from his lips.Â
adorable, truly. vesper thinks.
he hadnât been quick enough to capture the prince before he had stumbled back upon the koi fish still looking for food, but he crouches down as he fixes up the princeâs hair, snickering as he gazes at the future king. one knee on the platform, while he rests his forearm on his other knee. he holds his hand out for the prince to take only to snap his head towards the direction of another knight calling out for Your Highness. he turns and he sees that look in jiwonâs eyes.Â
heâll be reprimanded for this, not having fetched the future king in a timely manner to return to the ball they had planned for him but vesper doesnât think much of it. he brings his forefinger to his lips before resting his hand on top of the princeâs head. a silent gesture that allows the prince to know to keep quiet as he diverts the knight. he then jogs up enough for the other knight to hear him.Â
âcheck the corridors, he is not here. but i will keep searching.â
the knight is quiet before yelling out a âyes sir!â before he hears the other jogging away, the footsteps fading as the distance grows. once silent, he sighs and walks back to where he left jiwon. his head turns but this time itâs to music that plays at the ball. he hums as he sways to the music before he brings his hand out. he gazes at jiwon, perhaps he really is too bold, but he wouldnât allow this moment to be wasted and so he brings his other hand behind his back, much like how heâs watched the classes.Â
âprince jiwon, may i have this dance before i return to your search?â regrettably so. he adds in his head. âplease donât settle for anything less.â and it is at that time that vesper wishes so badly that things would be different. but of course, it is all but wishful thinking. so he shall be selfish for this moment, should jiwon take his hand in his and dance with him.
vesper will deal with the consequences the following day. ready to do so.













