Their Royal highnesses were on their way to the one of most strongest kingdoms, Daegu, the land of honours nobelmen, evergreen war fields , bravest worriers in the eastern-world.
Yes, evergreen-war-fields , the Kingdom of Daegu, infamous to slit any throat open, to maintain their land's protocols or rather if said their lord, the king of Daegu's rules and protocols wouldn't be incorrect. The rulers made their rules and turned even worst when the current Emperor Min Kyung started ruling the empire. Even with grey hair and a limping leg he's capable to win any war, against any army, in the world. He took great pride in his skills and the kingdom he built. These were the mere yet useful information the princess could acquire before their journey to the Kingdom of Daegu. She's deep into her thoughts, how everything will get aligned and how life may throw circumstances at her? A sudden halt to the swinging sensation brings her back to the present atmosphere.
" We've reached the Kingdom of Daegu, your highness...", the hand maiden announces to let the princess know, she bows as Nari opens the window of the palenquin to take in the view of the grand palace gate: a beautifully sequenced masterpiece, engraved with works of art, from heavily plated with different gold artistic structures and carvings over the Golden entrance gate, making it shine different shades of rays from sunlight.
The princess gasps at the site of the artwork. " Elegant..." , she mutters unconsciously. She would love the place...Who wouldn't right? Her reaction says it all. A scoff escapes her gape as she steped out of her royal palenquin.
"So , this is the Grand Palace of Kingdom Of Daegu ! " , Taehyung steps down off his carriage seat. His eyes caught the glimmering-sparkling light of the gold plated enterance gate which reflected the colours of royal yellow gold in the broad daylight, 'cause of the rays from the Sun ; and decided not to shift his gaze to any other direction.
Anyone from other kingdoms would have fallen for the lucrative view of the kingdom's wealth , the Royals had spent a ton of royal treasure to put on a show for sure, but princess? The Royal princess had been raised in golden cradle. The show off of the richies didn't caught her in the web of greed for wealth. She came from a prosperous kingdom . The only thought that picked in her mind was - " They would have used this money to feed the poor. "
" Oh come on Nari ! Just appreciate the view of Daegu. " The second prince smirks at his sister and turns towards the eldest.
Although she denied it, she was impressed with the castle gauded with such discipline .
The guards at the entrance seemed to be enough to be sent for in a war and ensure a promising victory of their nation. The number of maidens at their service was equal to the maidens swiped their shifts at noon at the Palace of the princess, their quantity was huge! Again, the soldiers in armours didn't fail to catch the Royals' observation.
A woman in maiden's attire comes forward and bows low infront of their highnesses from Gwacheon.
"You're welcomed to the Palace of Daegu, your Royal highnesses!" The lady bowed again and the other maidens behind her , followed the same after her.
Seokjin steped down his carriage and walked between his siblings.
He nodded at the maiden.
"I'm the head maiden in the Grand Palace of Daegu. I'll be at your service, the days of your stay your highness. " Jin gestured them to raise.
"Were only y'all sent to greet us at the entrance? No one from the higher ranks came?" Seokjin scoffs as the maiden again falls down on the ground to bow low.
" Kingdom of Daegu? Hmm..." , Taehyung scoffs while chucking and shakes his head. He fans himself with the hand-fan he brought from Gwacheon.
" I'm sorry your Royal highness-"
" The crown prince of Gwacheon! Kim Seok-jin! My son, how could you expect that low of our Kingdom? Did you thought we would send only these lowly peasants like them (stares at the maidens) to greet you at your arrival to the Kingdom of Daegu? " The woman jolts on the floor as she was cut short by a hard male voice as he continued to chuckle in between his question.
" Apologise to upset you dear, I was caught up with the Royal affairs. You know, these ceremonies take so many things to prepare. " The princess stayed silent the whole time.
"Who's he ?" She wonders. Her flesh quivers under her skin when she heard her eldest brother addressing the person infront of them, who was standing tall with proud broad shoulders. His chuckles make her mouth taste bitter yet she bites her own tongue and looks down; the siblings bows to the Emperor of the kingdom Daegu.
" Greetings to the Royal majesty of the kingdom of Daegu!" The two princes of Gwacheon greets the King.
Nari clenches and unclenches her jaws , her breathings turn heavy, her heart pounding in her chest, her knuckles turns white for gripping her skirt too tightly. Her head feels dizzy unable to take in their conversation anymore.
"My dear sister, do you plan to bow for longer?" Taehyung teases his younger sister. Seokjin sternly gestures his siblings with his eyes to join them, him and the King .
Nari looks at them and nods immediately ignoring her brother's teasings. Her hand maiden investigates, " Are you feeling okay, your highness?" She was genuinely worried the princess noticed.
" Just tired, I'm fine!" The princess says.
Entering the porch of the palace the princess catchup with the others and listens close to their conversation.
" I'm glad you showed your interest to our invitation. It's such an honour to have you hear!" The king turns towards the crown prince of Gwacheon as he smiles back.
" The pleasure is all ours, your majesty! " Jin answers. " His majesty has apologised for not been able to make it today with us but he wanted to show his gratitude and has sent these..." Jin gestured the maids , servants and porters to bring all the luxurious gifts they bought from Gwacheon, "...the friendly gifts, infamous items of our kingdom Gwacheon, most specially hand picked by experts just for your majesty's and your highness's, soon to be the crown prince of Daegu, delight. " Jin smiles lifting his eyebrows at the end of his speech as a habit.
The King smiles back and pats his back, impressed by the young crown prince. His etiquettes are visible in his each gesture, the king thought to himself.
" I must say I'm impressed and flattered at the same time by your father's thoughtfulness! I would make sure to return such warm gesture someday when in need." The king says proudly. " I've prepared splendid accommodations for your stay at the Grand Palace , so please enjoy your time here. The servants will show you all your respective chambers, they would be at your service- 24/7, hence, please do feel free to take pleasure of our services." The king laughs, his hands resting behind him.
" Thank you, your majesty! We appreciate it." , Taehyung thanks and bows folding his fan and passing it to his maiden to hold it for him.
While observing them Nari forgets she should introduce herself . Unfortunately the King noticed her staring, dead at him. Seokjin noticed the King's perplexed expressions so did Taehyung, they both turn towards the direction he was looking at: Nari.
" She's our sister, your majesty. " Taehyung spoke with tact, he stepped beside her and elbowed her to bow upon curtsy which caused her to snap back to reality.
The poor girl almost leaped on her spot and immediately bows showing her respect to the old man.
" G-greetings, your majesty! I me-mean, I'm Nari , the princess of G-Gwacheon ." She mentally facepalmed herself for stuttering and messing up her own introduction to the King. " Well ... excellent Nari !" She cussed mentally.
The King crackled at her perplexed state. He could see how embarrassed she was.
Seokjin speaks, " I think she's tired and beaten by the long journey, your majesty. " The king nods, " It's quite evident and understandable. Very well! Rest well. The ceremony is in three days. You three have to attend the event too. I hope you enjoy your time here!" says the King .
" Lead them to their chambers and take good care of our special guests. " he orders the servants while specifying the end of his sentence. " And look for the princess's requirements , there shouldn't be any lack at her services. Did you got that?!" The king shouted at the maidens to which they all nodded immediately, intimidated by his voice.
The three siblings exchanged eye contact with each other.
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