Narrator
"Are you sure you're not in love with her?" Y/n's wife asked.
"You're the only one I love," Y/n lied like always.
Y/n was trying to ignore Minji's presence from across the room.
Just like Minji was trying to not steal glances in Y/n's direction...
~ Minji POV ~
It hurt.
It hurt to see Y/n with their wife across the room.
"Princess Kim, how lovely of you to attend," The Monarch of Caelum greeted.
I gave him a respectful bow, as my husband followed.
"I happened to come across Majesty Y/n earlier in the evening. I requested a dance between you both, as you both have the same status with the kingdom people. What do you think?" The Monarch politely asked.
I gave him my softest smile, while my heart ached, asking... "What did Majesty Y/n think of the matter?"
The Monarch began to chuckle and said... "The Majesty thinks it's a great idea!"
I forced a giggle out and tried not to steal a glance in Y/n's direction.
I knew Y/n didn't really want to dance with me. Y/n had only agreed because it would have been disrespectful to refuse such a request.
Aside from it being disrespectful to a Royal Monarch, it would be disrespectful to the people. Y/n and I had been given similar titles by the people.
I was known as 'The Sweetheart of The People' and Y/n was known as the 'The Chivalrous Knight of The People'.
It only seemed right to give the people what they wanted.
"Very well, if the Majesty agreed then I would be delighted!" I tried to keep my feelings underneath my royal skin.
"Great. I will announce it in a few minutes!" The Monarch of Caelum explained with glee.
I gave him another respectful bow and he went on his way with a huge smile.
I knew he was happy to make a spectacle of Y/n and me.
"You should've refused his request. We could have danced together instead," My husband sternly spoke into my ear.
"You know that's not what he wanted," I coldly responded.
"Besides, this will bring great publicity to all our kingdoms," I glared at him.
My husband scoffed but kept up his perfect royal farce.
~ Y/N POV ~
My wife and I were peacefully enjoying our evening when the trumpets suddenly began to sound.
I took a deep breath, knowing what was to come.
*TOO-TOO-TOO-TOOMM*
The King of Caelum stepped up to the center of the room and announced, "And Now, a special performance from The Princess of Exulto and Majesty of Delicae!"
For the first time in the night, Minji and I locked eyes.
My wife walked me off to the center of the room, as Minji's husband walked her to the same destination. Our partners respectfully bowed and handed us off to one another.
Minji and I gave each other a royal bow, before getting in position to dance. I gently rested my hand on the princess's waist, as she rested her hand on my shoulder.
"Ready?" I softly asked.
Minji nodded in response and the music began to play.
Princess Kim and I began to dance around the dance hall.
All eyes were on us.
I noticed the way Minji was holding a distance, and I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, so I gently pulled her closer to me.
Minji's head dropped. I could see her heart breaking just like mine was.
"Chin up, Princess. Don't let anyone see your love or your heartache," I coldly ordered.... with a forced smile.
I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea based on the way we were handling ourselves.
It was cruel really.
Everyone in the room could get the sense that we deeply loved each other. They all knew our hearts were tied together by a string. It was just unfortunate that our kingdoms did not allow for our marriage.
I did my best to keep a neutral gaze, but my eyes kept getting lost in Minji's beautiful brown eyes.
"Hold your tears. It'll be over soon," Minji softly whispered.... also with a forced smile.
~ Minji POV ~
I wanted to just rest my head on Y/n's chest. I wanted to cry and tell them how hard it had been to have been away for the last 3 years.
I wanted to tell Y/n how much I missed them.
Most importantly, I wanted to tell Y/n how much I loved them...
But I couldn't.
I knew Y/n lied to their wife just like I lied to my husband.
Whenever I said, "I love you", it wasn't directed at my husband. I was merely putting the words out there.... hoping Y/n could somehow hear me...
"Let's just enjoy these few moments together," The Majesty suggested.
I nodded, too choked up to respond.
Our dance soon came to an end, and we both bowed to the cheering crowd. Y/n then handed me back off to my husband.
The rest of the night went as expected.
My husband was off in bed with a different woman, while I watched Y/n dance with their wife.
I didn't care if my husband was cheating. We didn't marry out of love anyway. We had never even slept in the same bed.
I just cared that he was making me look bad in front of Y/n.
~ Y/N POV ~
"Okay," I lowly answered.
My wife had notified me of her plans for the rest of the night.
I never understood why she always acted so jealous of Minji, when she didn't really love me herself.
I kissed my wife on the cheek for show and then allowed her to go do as she pleased.
"I hope I didn't overstep with my request," I suddenly heard The Monarch state. I turned in his direction and tried to laugh the uncomfortable feelings off.
"None at all. Princess Kim, and I, are both happily married!" I politely answered.
"I wouldn't be so sure," The Monarch responded... signaling me to look in a certain direction...
I deeply exhaled as I caught sight of Mini drinking wine alone at her table.
The Monarch gave me a little push and I found myself walking over to talk to Minji for the first time in what felt like forever.
My hands started to sweat and I became nervous. I wasn't sure what I was going to say. So, I settled with the first thing that came to mind.....
"Is your husband getting his needs met just like my wife is?" I asked.
It was a weird thing to ask, awkward really, but I was really curious. Even if it wasn't the case, I at least wanted her to know that I wasn't as happy as it looked.
"Seems so," Minji cutely giggled.
Oh, how I missed her laughed.
"Good to know we're both miserable," She joked
"Minji, I- love-, would you like to dance?" I caught myself almost making a mistake.
"We can't. It will start rumors," Minji coldly responded.
I thought we were having a decent conversation...when Minji suddenly excused herself and walked upstairs to her guest room...
~ Minji POV ~
I ended up having to wait out my husband's dirty deeds. I couldn't enter our accommodations, as he didn't even have the decency to at least be respectful of our shared space for the night.
I ended up in the upstairs lounge quarters, watching social media go crazy about my dance with Majesty Y/n.
For a while, I thought I was alone.
Until, I suddenly heard someone ask, "Can't get into your room?"
It was Y/n.
"Can you?" I playfully sassed.
"Yeah, why don't you come sleep with me tonight?" Y/n boldly asked.
I gulped at the sudden request.
"You can sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the sofa. I don't want anyone seeing you out here like that," Y/n clarified their intentions.
A nervous laugh suddenly escaped my mouth, but I accepted the gesture.
Y/n led me over to their accommodations and respectfully allowed for me to get a feel for the situation before entering the room themselves.
"It's your room, I'm in no position to make complaints," I signaled Y/n to enter the room.
Before I knew it, I was getting ready for bed.
I slowly took off my dress. Ignoring the fact that I could feel Y/n's loving gaze falling on my bare back.
"Could you come help me?" I softly requested.
"I'm sorry," Y/n whispered in response.
I exhaled deeply, knowing that was the correct response.
Y/n knew just as well as I did.
If either of us got too close, there would be no stopping our love.
Still, I enjoyed Y/n's gaze...
But of course, Y/n redirected their eyes in a different direction.
Soon enough, I found myself in bed. While Y/n laid on the sofa.
My heart ached more than it ever had in the last 3 years.
To be so close, yet so far away from the person I love the most.
It broke me more than anything else ever had.
"Minji," Y/n suddenly whispered in the darkness of the night
"Yeah?" I whispered back.
"I love you," Y/n softly followed
My heart sank to my stomach, as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"I love you too," I shakily responded.
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