"They told me you broke something, so I'm here to watch over you."
Was what Jeongin said. I kicked the mattress away. They were really treating me like a kid.
The night royal class was not fun. Never. The woman taught me the basic attitudes a princess needs. How can something like that be fun like mother said? Worse, I'm all alone!
Jeongin was there but he just watched or read his novel. I needed to do something productive at night. My body was not used to sitting for an hour listening to same, old, boring lecture. I have learned that all when I first got here.
It's just I didn't want to do it. It looked too formal, polite and feminine.
It made me look weak.
Groaning, I left my bedroom and went straight to the guestroom, where Jeongin was. I knocked on the door. It took a minute for him to open it. "Are you a girl?" I mumbled with my eyebrows knitted.
He tilted his head in confusion. "Am I wearing a dress?" he examined himself from down to his chest. I rolled my eyes. "What do you need? It's near pastime."
"Again, I don't have pastime," I pointed my finger towards him. "I need you to come with me."
Jeongin shut the door behind him. He looked from left to right. The hallway was empty. Only the steeled armies stood there, 'guarding' each room. I had no idea why they put the non living thing in this hallway. It looked creepy.
"Where?" he whispered.
"There's no one eavesdropping," I whispered back. He stifled a laugh. "To the guards. I want to apologise."
"Ooo, it's unusual for you to say sorry."
I sealed my mouth shut. He was not wrong. But I don't talk too much either. I only say sorry to my family, not really towards Eunji because she was an ass but yeah- I don't apologise often.
Maybe because of my ego?
The guards looked confused when we approached them. Jeongin grinned, put up a hand and waved. "What are you doing out here late at night, Your Highness?" the first guard asked.
"To apologise," I said straightforwardly. Their eyes widened. "For putting you at risk. You almost lost your job."
They bowed, "It was our fault, Your Highness. We don't deserve your apology."
"You do." I gritted my teeth. Instantly they looked up and visibly gulped. I sighed.
This is why I don't like apologising. People would tell me it was not my fault and that just made me feel more guilty. I don't like to be read, so I had to keep it to myself.
I looked away to the sky, another small sigh escaped my lips. I felt like an oldie for sighing too many times but what can I do? I'm trapped here. If that day did not happen I would be in the woods right now, practicing.
Two hands grabbed my shoulders gently. He slowly massaged it, relieving me. "Thank you, and don't worry I'm looking after her." Jeongin politely said. I could feel he was smiling at the guards. After that he turned me around, walking inside.
"Don't be too harsh." his hands were still on my shoulders, walking behind me as if I was a baby who just learned how to walk.
"You know why I hate saying sorry."
He walked next to me and nodded. We did not say anything after that. The walk to my room was a little further than usual because of my injured leg.
"If you need anything just knock on my door. But don't barge in. Have a goodnight." Jeongin patted my head.
I nodded weakly. He chuckled lightly before wrapping his arms on me. My face buried on his chest, hands clutched on his shirt. We stayed like that for a moment.
He knew what I needed at the moment.
Warmth.
"It's alright, you'll get used to this soon. I'm here to accompany you. And you'll get to go to school next week, that's not too long."
I closed my eyes, letting him talk.
"Don't let the thoughts eat you. At least they didn't take away the swords."
He's right. It should not affect me this much.
He released the hug. "Good night Eunkyung."
"Good night, Jeongin. Thank you." I sent him a small wave before closing the door. I tried not to sigh but it happened again.
Just for a while.
༆
"Still limping?" Seungmin jogged towards me with a teasing smile.
"What are you seeing right now?" I asked back. Yes, my feet have not fully healed yet. It was getting better than the first day but I still couldn't walk properly.
The guy's smile widened. "A princess who needs help."
"Exactly."
He giggled. What was he giggling for, I had no idea. But that small giggle was enough to make my heart scream cute. "Does Your Highness need a wheelchair or-"
"I still can walk!"
He presented his hand, "Or you want me to carry you like last time?" he finished. I gritted my teeth, sending curses through my glare but he kept the smile on. I picked up my bow, giving it to him.
With another playful smile, he wore the bow on his arm while the other arm wrapped around my waist.
Just like the other day.
He was rather tall. My head only reached his shoulders. No, maybe lower than that. He had to bend down a little to let me wrap my arm on his neck. My hand hit the arrow case which then later it hit his head.
Seungmin puffed his cheeks, "Don't strangle me."
"I could do that when we're alone," I replied. "To death."
He chuckled, lightly shaking his head as we continued walking. The students could see us from afar so I asked him to let go of me. He did.
"Goodluck, you'll hurt yourself more."
"That's reassuring, really." I walked past him and he followed closely behind.
After seems like forever we arrived. Seungmin handed my bow and left to his friend, Felix. The blonde guy had a bright smile on his face when Seungmin approached him. I'm surprised he did not get blinded by that.
He was bright, it hurt my eyes but in a good way.
As they talked I just realised I was staring at them. It stopped when Felix tilted his head to the side and our eyes met. He waved.
I became flustered. The universe must hate me for giving me so many embarrassing moments in one day.
Nodding my head, I looked away. Archer Kim arrived shortly with a black horse. There were gasps from the students.
"I think it's been quite a long time since we did this," he grinned, patting the horse's body twice. They nodded and multiple yeses were heard. "So grab your horses and bring them here! I'm giving you ten minutes!"
In a second the field was emptied. Only me, Archer Kim, the horse and Seungmin left.
Seungmin turned to me with a knowing smile.
Which was why I looked down to my feet and hoped the world would end quickly.
༆
"Felix is going with us to make sure we don't get lost in the woods again." Seungmin announced while helping me to get on my horse. Said guy was already on his brown horse, which he named Lyon. His chest strides forwards with triumph as he took Lyon on a short walk.
I eyed the guy, "He looks like the one who's going to make us lost."
Seungmin laughed while he got onto his horse easily. "You're not wrong."
Felix came to me and smiled, "Good evening, Your Highness."
I replied with a small smile, "Good evening, Felix."
Don't blame me. I'm socially awkward.
"What's her name?" he pouted his lips to my horse.
"Winter."
"Because she's white?"
"Probably." I shrugged.
Felix mouthed an 'oo' before he went cheerful again. "Let's go then! I'll be your warrior for today."
"The princess said you are going to make us lost in the woods." Seungmin monotonously interfered. I snapped my head to him with a glare but he raised both his shoulders.
"That's not true. Lyon is here with us. Do you know what Lyon means, Your Highness?" Felix asked with enthusiasm. I couldn't ignore him just like that. He looked excited.
"Lion?" I guessed.
"Yes! And do you know what a lion resembles? Warrior and brave. That's why we're going to be safe today!" He cheered as our horses started walking, following the other students. He was about to continue but again, Seungmin interrupted.
"That's Lyon, not you."
"Can you stop, killing his enthusiasm?" I whispered, not so whisper because we were apart but Felix did not hear us.
"Do you know what Felix means, Your Highness?" Felix raised his voice a little bit because he was in front of us. I replied with a "no".
"It means lucky and successful. And do you know what Seungmin means?"
How many words he was going to ask me today?
"It means fall, descend and failure."
I stifled a laugh and looked at the said guy who had a bored look on.
Then he hissed, "And do you know what Yongbok means, Your Highness?" he gave me a threatening smile.
"Don't you dare-"
I knitted my eyebrows, "Who's Yongbok?"
"Annyeonghaseyoooooongbok."
That's when I heard a loud, deep voice roaring his full name. In a flash both Seungmin and Felix, along with their horses were gone.
Leaving me behind.
༆
AAAHHHHH THANK YOU FOR 200+ READS T^T
also after this chapter i'm gonna write more than 2000 words because if i limited it only until 1500/1600 words i'm afraid if i'm dragging the story longer. hope you understand!
and have a good day! please take care of yourself and stay hydrated, if you can take 3 meals a day to stay healthy aaannndddd look in the mirror, tell yourself you're doing great and don't forget to smile!
show yourself the beautiful smile, worth it ;)