(Original) REGINA ROSÈ (Bts ff)

The Castle (Prologue)

Prologue

The castle itself was the true visage of antiqal beauty, it looked far outdated for it's time, it's origins going back to times of the sword, of armies and their philosophy of pillage yet the meticulous upkeep had it looking good as new, so there it stood, towering over Jungkook as if conjured from some kind of storybook.

"Who lives there?" He marvels, eyes wide with curiosity as he directs his attention back to the merchant again, who in turn gives him a weary smile.

"Look kid, I wouldn't go around asking about the castle if I were you."

"Why not?"

"Because curiosity really does kill the cat in this village and there's something weird about that place."

Something evil,

And It's that same evil that works under the cover of moonlight, rising like the bile that leaves that bitter taste in the back of our throats. That same evil is suspected to be the reason behind so many villagers going missing through the years. It's been written deep into the history of the place for centuries now and there's a strict curfew, an unwritten rule not to be out past 10pm. It's nearing that time now and the merchant, is trying his best to wrap up their conversation Jungkook can tell, so he takes his bag, bids his fairwells and makes his way back out into the night.

It's beginning to rain now, soaking through the brown paper bag his groceries are swaddled In and before long the bottom gives out, dropping fruit and vegetables in its wake and Jungkook quickly drops to his knees, hands padding through inches of snow to grab at his belongings. As soon as he's finished the rain ceases and is replaced with a thick fog, in the softest of whites that embraces the village, cocooning it until the morning heat returns.

"You missed something."

Jungkook whirls around coming to face another man, he's dressed strangely as though he's stuck in the wrong time period, a large white poet sleeve shirt unbuttoned halfway to reveal the smooth expanse of milky skin beneath with a black silk scarf tied loosely around his neck. Though the most shocking thing was the colour of his hair, it was silver, bright silver like the stars littering the skyline, an unnatural colour that he'd never seen before and suddenly he's all to aware of his own disheveled appearance.

This man was so breathtakingly beautiful that Jungkook almost drops the bag again and has to snap his mouth shut to avoid gaping at the stranger. His reaction seems to amuse the man though, because there's a faint smirk tugging at the lips as he begins to walk forward holding his hand out to reveal a shiny red apple.

"Oh, that's... not mine."

"Isn't it?"

"No, I don't think so." Jungkook smiles, looking up shyly. "You should keep it."

"I don't like apples." The man laughs, stepping closer. He seems so insistent that he wants Jungkook have it, and though it's a kind gesture, he doesn't feel comfortable taking something that's not his, even if he'd like to. "If you don't have it then it's gonna go to waste."

"Oh uh, okay." He laughs awkwardly taking the apple from the other man who instead of just letting it go, takes ahold of Jungkook's hand instead, turning it over to inspect his palm.

"What is your line of work?... Your hands are marred."

"Oh? I'm a Carpenter." Jungkook stills when he sees the way the other man frowns, and he wonders how he's gotten himself into such a strange situation. "It's not that bad, really. Honest work you know?"

When the stranger says nothing in response Jungkook speaks again albeit hesitantly. "Well I best be off now it's getting awfully late and you know what they say."

The man raises an eyebrow tilting his head in query.

"No? What is it they say?"

"Something about how you shouldn't be out past ten, that it's dangerous. Just silly folklore I guess."

"Just Folklore?" The man drawls his gaze bordering on salacious as he begins to run his index finger over Jungkooks arm, tracing his veins with rapt attention before abruptly stepping back to put distance between the two of them.

"Well then, I'm sorry for keeping you, get home safely." The mysterious stranger smiles before disappearing off into the night as quickly as he'd arrived.

Weird.

It's not till the following morning that it hits Jungkook how unusual last night's encounter had been but he kind of forgets about it after the time it takes for him to get to work.

That morning a young woman walks into the shop and as soon as she does the room falls silent, there's a black veil and incredibly large sun hat hanging low over her face despite the weather being particularly gloomy and she's dressed head to toe in a heavy black brocade dress with gold embellishments hand sewn into the fabric. She stops at the counter raising a gloved hand to the catalogue laying on top before flicking through till it lands on a page of elaborately designed wardrobes.

"Can I help you miss?" Jungkook smiles sweetly.

"Yes, thank you. I was looking to get one of these made." She turns the catalogue to show him, her voice soft and alluring and though despite not being able to see her face all that well Jungkook would guess she was very pretty, perhaps in her early twenties if not slightly younger. "This Late Georgian style mahogany breakfront bookcase... but with gold drawer handles, it's for my mother's birthday, is there any chance it'll be able to be assembled tomorrow evening? Perhaps 9pm ish?"

He doesn't usually work so late, none of his colleagues do, not even the plumbers or electricians but this job looks very well paid and he'd hate to turn her down.

"That should be fine ma'am."

"Thank you ever so much." She smiles before pulling her purse from the bag and dropping a small velvet bag of gold coins on the table. "You're a life saver."

Jungkook opens it tipping them into the safe before realising the sheer amount of money she'd just given to him and turning back in shock.

"Um- Miss this is far more than needed to cover the cost." He jitters before handing back another 5 coins which the young woman abruptly pushes back.

"Keep them."

"But-"

"It a long walk up to castle having to carry all that wood by yourself, I'll have my brothers help you." She smiles, repositioning her hat so Jungkook can see her face and my god is she beautiful. Her eyes look him up and down before frowning ever so slightly and Jungkook almost lets the fact she just said 'The castle' go over his head. "Please just take the money. Whomever you work for isn't paying you enough anyway, you look half staved."

Instead of saying anything Jungkook just nods, he can almost feel the pity radiating from her, and it's an uncomfortable feeling to bestow on someone.

"Thank you Miss."

She nods, before circling her residence on the town map and handing the small slip of paper to Jungkook, turning on her heel and walking out. "I'll see you soon."