『JenSoo Short Stories』

Lend Me Your Hand (4/4)

'Your friend' my !

"Those are two extremely different scenarios!" Jennie stands as the two go head-to-head. Thankfully, they were far enough from the rest of the crowd to which no one could take notice of their heated back and forth even as their voices started to raise.

"How so?"

"Because I-" Jennie stops herself.

"Because what?"

Jennie just grunts out in frustration, "I can't- I can't do this with you right now. I'm leaving!"

She starts to storm off and she can hear Jisoo follow behind her.

"Princess, don't be ridiculous-"

Jennie turns around with anger, "You're calling me ridiculous?! You want to know what's ridiculous? You meddling into my love life! What's ridiculous is you telling my father that you know what's in my best interest!"

"Oh! So now I'm the bad guy for wanting what's best for you!? For wanting... For knowing that you deserve so much more?!" Jisoo starts getting riled up now too. "I understand that you like the man, but-"

"Don't you get it?!" Jennie finally reached her breaking point, so she speaks out in frustration. "I don't like him, you jerk! I like you!"

In an instant, Jennie covers.

"Jennie-"

"Don't," Jennie's voice cracks and she starts backing away. "Don't follow me."

"But-"

"Call Jungeun to me home and tell the Duke that I'm sorry and I'll see him later. Just... Just enjoy the rest of the luncheon with Roseanne, okay?"

Jennie finally turns away with tears starting to stain her cheeks.

-----

The time has finally come for the grand finale of the courting season. It was the day of The Royal Ball hosted by none other than the King and Queen themselves.

"Good morning, Jungeun," Jennie greets when she's met with her secondary guard as soon as she opens her bedroom door.

Over the past month, this has become Jennie's new routine. Following their fight at the luncheon, Jennie was told the following morning that Jisoo had requested time off. The Princess assumed that her primary guard would only be gone for a few days, but then days turned into weeks and now to a whole month. And honestly, Jennie wasn't sure if she was relieved, sad or even mad about Jisoo's sudden absence.

"Good morning, your Highness," Jungeun bows. "I was informed to let you know a couple of things before you start your day. First, Miss Park will be arriving with your gown in a few hours. Second, the King and Queen would like to meet you later on to discuss your opening speech for the ball. And lastly, the Duke will arrive thirty minutes before the ball starts so the two of you will be able to enter together-"

"Has there been any news about Jisoo's return?" Jennie finds herself asking, maybe a bit too eagerly.

"Oh, um... Not that I am aware of, your Highness," Jungeun replies awkwardly. When Jennie's eyes fall, the guard clears . "Would you like to head down for breakfast now?"

"That sounds great," Jennie puts up a smile and straightens herself up. "Let's go."

--

Jennie plops down on her bed even though she's probably wrinkling her elegant dress. The ball hasn't even started, but Jennie already feels worn out for the day and the bitter coffee she drank that morning hadn't helped. The meeting with her parents went longer than expected, with her father constantly revising her speech to the point where it started to sound less like her and more like him. Thankfully, her mother often sided with her so Jennie's glad she won't sound like a complete robot when she has to speak.