Out Of The Castle (Soobin X Reader)

Prologue

As the sun gently peeked over the hills and valleys, it was quite apparent that festivities were taking place. It was the break of dawn and the townspeople had already begun to decorate the village that lay at the foot of the castle walls. Handmade banners were strung from the lamp posts, gently swaying in the chilly morning breeze. Wives held the ladders for their husbands as they secured the strings, ensuring that no matter how rowdy the festivities became, the decorations would be secure. Everyone was in merry spirits, excited to wear their best clothes. After all, it wasn't every day that the eldest princess in the kingdom is married.

  The negotiations had been underway for a long time. Meeting upon meeting, dowry upon dowry, all for the hand of the eldest daughter of the Kang Kingdom.

  Those in the village had grown nervous throughout the negotiations, worried that it all didn't go well, the Northern Kingdom ruled by the Kang family, and the Western Kingdom ruled by the Choi family, would go to war. Such a war would ruin both kingdoms.

  When the King had expressed his intentions to marry off his daughter, there were many suitors. They all presented themselves and their bride price within a blink, but none of them had proposals as thorough as those from King Choi from the West. The alliance brought about by the joining of the two kingdoms would bring happiness and prosperity to all. Not to mention that prince Choi Yeonjun was liked by the people, not only for his handsome face, but also for his charm and chivalry. Being the eldest son meant that he was the heir to the throne.

  Naturally, this marriage was important to the entire continent. The entire Northern Kingdom was abuzz with excitement of the Western Kingdoms arrival. It was decided that since the princess would move to the Westernmost Kingdom, that it would only be fair for the wedding be held in the north as a fond farewell to the eldest princess.

  "This is a joyous day indeed," the bakers wife chimed, her voice wavering as she attempted to suppress her pure joy.

  "To think we get to celebrate the Royal wedding! What privilege!" he hummed to his wife, hanging a banner from the arches at the entrance of the village. His wife had spent so long hand painting that banner in order to congratulate their princess on her marriage.

  "Everything must go perfectly! If the village is this busy, I wonder what the castle must be like."

The farmers from the outside of the village were busy picking the finest produce to offer as a gift and a well wish to the happy couple. Their blistered hands worked tirelessly to prepare the offerings and they were simply beaming with excitement.

"Papa, why must we work so hard today?" His daughter whined as she looked at her hands that were once soft, but now we're rough and caked with dirt, proof of her hard labour.

"The princess is getting married today. We must offer our best as thanks," he explained. His forehead also dripped with sweat and he wished his children did not have to participate in such hard labour, but it was the only way he would have all of his produce ready for the princess and her new husband.

"Thanks for what? We've never seen the princess before? What's to be thankful for?" His son huffed, throwing down one of his tools as he sulked.

"Hold your tongue!" The farmer scolded, his voice seething with anger. "The king and his children offer protection and security so that we may live as well as we do! I will not have my children speaking against the Royal family!"

"They're the ones living in luxury whilst we must break our backs for their benefit!" His son spat. "And now the kings wealthy daughter shall marry into a wealthier family? What is the purpose of this? A display of wealth?!"

"You know not the diplomatic ties that shall be formed through this marriage, nor the work and effort put into their immense wealth. With the knowledge they have and the peace they fight for, I would gladly soil my own hands for them," the farmer lectured his son, picking up the tool and forcing it back into his sons hands.

"What knowledge?" The boy mumbled under his breath, beginning to work again.

"Don't you know, brother? Even the princess can read! Not just the king and the Prince," his sister chimed in.

"How fortunate they are to be able to provide education for the princesses," he sarcastically murmured.

"You may not like it, but we will celebrate the princess and her marriage to Prince Choi. When they ride through town, you will smile and wave at them."

Despite the young boy who had doubts about his ruler, the majority of the village were excited. Not many people had the guts to doubt the king. They had been safe all of their lives despite scarcely seeing their patriarch and his children. Rarely did they leave the castle. They always had such pressing matters to attend to. The town was excited that the royalty would finally come out of the castle.