Written by: OneOfTheGuys17
Please check the author's note below :)
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"Your Highness,"
From looking at the beautiful view of the sunrise, Namjoon turned to one of his servants.
"Yes?" He placed his hands behind his back.
"Why are you up this early, Your Highness?" His servant politely asked him, concerned. "I heard you were busy the whole night."
Namjoon, the middle son of the current king, spends most of his time in the Palace's library. But the previous night, he spent even more time there than usual.
"I couldn't seem to feel drowsy last night so I just read more books." He informed her.
"Why couldn't you fall asleep, Your Highness? Is something bothering you?" Eric, being the closest servant to Prince Namjoon, had gain confidence to be this nosy since Namjoon lets him.
"Not at all, Eric." He shook his said, reassuring him with a smile. "I'm quite fine. I just didn't feel like sleeping, that's all."
"You know, Your Highness, if ever something is bothering you, I'm willing to listen." He earned a full dimples smile from the Prince.
"I appreciate it, Eric." He nodded. "I'll remember that."
"I must get going, Your Highness." He bowed.
"Be careful."
"Thank you, Your Highness." was the last thing he said before bowing 90° and leaving the blue blood behind.
Namjoon sighed as he turned back. He lied to him. Something was bothering him. It was the reason why he spent the whole night in the library, just trying to feel drowsy.
For quote some time now, he has been exchanging letters with a princess whose family rules the neighboring kingdom. Yet he hasn't seen Princess Jennie, he knew he fell in love. She was humble and a great person to talk to. His heart races so fast as he imagines meeting her one day. Although, he somehow dreads that day to come.
Having such gorgeous brothers, Namjoon looks down on himself a bit. Aside from his out of this world beauty, Taehyung, his younger brother, was known for being an outstanding instrumentalist and music prodigy. His older brother, Seokjin, was known for his excellent culinary creations and for being an all-rounded athlete. Like his eldest brother, Taehyung was also sporty and like his younger brother, Seokjin has a knack of playing instruments enchantingly. Along with their bright personalities and kindhearted characters, girls are drop-dead smitten for them.
Namjoon was known for his intelligence. He had intelligence that everyone wished they had, intelligence that could make him bring peace, harmony and excellence to his country. Unfortunately, people believed he only had intelligence. The rest of his character was to dread for.
Aside of the belief of his people that he was the reincarnation of the god of destruction, many looked down on him for intelligence was the only thing he had. He wasn't athletic nor was he capable of playing instruments. He didn'teven have beauty.
There were rumors that he was an illegitimate son of the king and his alleged concubine many years ago. But these were just rumors. The king showed so much fidelity to the queen and loved her ever so dearly. His brothers, therefore, didn't believe this rumor either.
However, this didn't change the fact that Namjoon hated himself. He thought he was hideous. Lacking. Weak. Therefore, he didn't want to show Jennie that she has been conversing with a hideous creature. That she's better off to marry either one of his brothers, even though if it hurts him.
And what made him even more anxious was Jennie and her father will be visiting their kingdom later to discuss matters in uniting their kingdoms and whatnot. Namjoon massaged his aching temples thinking about her and her father staying in the kingdom until the wedding.
If Namjoon's just peacefully staring at a distance from a hidden balcony in the Palace, the whole Palace was in somewhat chaos. Everyone was busy for the visitors. Cleaning, decorating, and other preparations. Everyone was busy except for Namjoon. He didn't wanna be involved so that she won't have to see him.
(Time skip brought to you buy our leader-nim's wonderful dimples ...)
Unlike the stressed prince, Princess Jennie was so excited to see him. Although everyone was so accommodating, she didn't quite appreciate it because she only wanted to meet Namjoon. She didn't even notice the two gorgeous men infront of her until the younger one snapped his fingers.
"Uhm princess," Taehyung titled his head.
"Your Highness, is everything alright?" Seokjin waved his hand infront of her face.
"Oh, sorry." Jennie bowed her apologies to the two princes who were instructed to greet her first and tour her around.
The brothers glanced at each other. They perfectly know why she's acting so distracted- Namjoon. For the past few months, Jennie was one of the many things Namjoon mostly talked about so they're not surprised the female's as smitten as their brother.
"I'm so sorry if I'll be rude but I'm just wondering." Jennie fell short, making the two beautiful men curious.
"Yes?" They asked simultaneously, as if it was intentional.
"Where's Prince Namjoon?" She asked shyly.
They both saw this coming.
"Namjoon-hyung's under the conflict-"
"Excuse me?" Jennie's eyes widened at Taehyung's reply to which Seokjin glared at him for his tactlessness.
"I mean he's ill." He corrected himself but didn't lessen Jennie's worry. "That's why he didn't have the energy to go out."
"I apologize for my younger brother. He has a problem with his vocabulary." Seokjin placed his arm on Taehyung's shoulder, smiling awkwardly at the cat-faced princess. "He he he he."
As much as she's disappointed for not able to see Namjoon, she's kinda weirded out of Seokjin's behavior.
"Oh, it's alright." She managed to smile. "I hope he gets well soon."
"So here's the..." She couldn't seem to show care for the places Namjoon's older and younger brothers were introducing to her, she was just anxious of how her pen pal was feeling.
...
"WHAT?!"
If he were Crown Prince Kim Seokjin, he would've shouted, 'Hey why did you just shout at me? I'm 3 years older than you!' But he was Prince Namjoon and just flipped the book his reading whilst his younger brother gasping at his favor.
"No hyung, I won't do it." Taehyung strongly denied.
"Why not?" As if he wasn't breaking inside, he replied while reading the new page. Amazing multitasking there, gorgeous dimples.
"I won't be a snake and steal my brother's love. Hyung, I'm sure you know something called bro code?" Taehyung said with an for-your-info sass.
Namjoon bitterly sighed. "But it's for the best."
"Hyung, what good would come out if this? The kingdoms will just be in chaos because she loves you, she doesn't love me." The youngest prince replied.
"She'd probably won't like me anymore when she finds out I'm just smart." Namjoon turned to a new page of the book. "It kinda seems like you're her ideal man." He shot a quick glance at Taehyung. "I might just bring bad luck to her life. I don't deserve her."
Namjoon's insides were just aching more. Despite having all the attempts to hide from her earlier, he finally saw what she looks like. Particularly, when his brothers showed her the main garden of the Palace.
"Wow," After being so distracted of thinking about him, Jennie managed to focus at the beauty around her. Everything was so clean and neat and beautiful.
But the garden was not as beautiful as her. Especially when the sun slightly touches her face when she walks to fast that the umbrella couldn't catch up andwhen the wind caresses her luscious hair. She just has that beautiful and enchanting glow that could attract eyes around, especially her pen pal.
"I see you're also amazed by the fountain over here." Taehyung smiled as he motioned to the Palace's fountain. The fountain was known to be one of the best features that were outside the palace.
"Princess, are you wondering what happens if the flow of the fountain becomes stronger?" Seokjin suddenly caught the amazed princess' attention. He got his brother and Jennie curious.
"What happens, hyung-nim?" Taehyung asked.
"It becomes a flower." And the eldest prince let out his infamous windshield laugh.
Like Taehyung, Jennie was not impressed by the joke. It didn't even seem like a good one. From the balcony, Namjoon gave himself a face palm. He knew perfectly if his older brother laughs and the people around him look dead, he was sure he made a joke.
Seokjin was so immersed in laughing that he didn't notice that a big spider was infront of him. As soon as his eyes noticed the arachnid, he quickly latched on his younger brother.
Everyone couldn't help but giggle. Seokjin may be a brave guy when it comes to sports but when it comes to creepy-crawlies? Not so much.
"Taehyung, kill it! KILL IT!" Seokjin hid behind Taehyung as he squealed his heart out. The servants tailing behind them quickly took into action and killed the black-colored creature.
But the comedy doesn't end there. Seokjin suddenly shrieked when he saw thespider slightly move, making Taehyung lose his balance and his butt had contact with the ground. This is where Jennie loses her sht.
'I'm done being lady-like.' Jennie thought to herself as she cackled. She just couldn't ignore the brothers' unintentional comedy show. Her laugh was so contagious that the servants couldn't contain themselves anymore. Luckily for them, the royal brothers aren't that sensitive about it. Everyone needs a good laugh. They believe when royals attempt to make one happy, they appreciate it by laughing.
Now this is the first time Namjoon as ever seen her laugh. He thought being happy suited her. Her husband should make her this happy for the rest of her life. And he thought he shouldn't be her future husband. He'll just burden her and make her die early out of stress.
"HEY KIM NAMJOON!"
Namjoon snapped out of his thoughts as the Crown Prince suddenly yell.
"Hyung-nim?" He titled up to look at his eldest brother wearing an apron, having red ears and wide eyes.
"You little prick, you weren't even listening to me!" Seokjin blurted out. "You're just like your bride, you don't listen to me when I talk. She was distracted the whole time while I was talking."
"Sorry, Seokjin-hyung." He apologized.
"Namjoon, you should stop hiding from her because she'll only be distracted, thinking about how sick you are and how you looked like." Seokjin ranted, annoyed of the little lie they had to tell her.
"Why are you so scared to show yourself to her? Namjoon-ah, you're our brother, of course you'll be as gorgeous as us. But, of course, no one is as handsome as me." His two younger brothers sighed at how much their older brother loves himself.
"But hyung-nim, even 'our' genes of beauty hated me. You have them, then they avoided me to go to Taehyung." Namjoon reasoned out.
"Hyung, don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure she'll love you even more, especially if you show yourself to her." Taehyung patted Namjoon's shoulder.
"I love her, very much. She deserves the world. Greatness, happiness. And I won't be enough for her. I just cant show her a run-down part of myself." Even though he just muttered, his brothers heard him loud and clear. "She deserves to be happy with either of you." He looked up to his brothers.
"Nope! Not me!" Seokjin walked away from Namjoon with hands up in the air. "I already have someone."
"Who? Jisoo-ssi?" Seokjin squealed at Taehyung's tease.
"Taehyung-ah, stop! Don't make me think about her." He, with flushed cheeks and grin, squirmed like a worm attacked with salt.
"Yup, he's smitten." Namjoon and Taehyung sighed. Seokjin was permitted to keep seeing Jisoo since she's the prime minister's daughter.
"I think they're gonna be fine, eh hyung?" Taehyung whispered to Namjoon. "Scholars say if you look like your lover, you're destined for each other. Seokjin-hyungnim's lucky she's a noble or a situation will happen before they could be together." Namjoon nodded, agreeing with the younger prince.
...
He didn't have to deny to himself that he's jealous with his hyung. He's so happy in love. He believed if he was as handsome and as talented as his brothers, he won't even think twice to show himself to Jennie.
Every night, he always passes by the garden of flowers before going to his room. The sight and scent of the beautiful flowers and the fresh wind gets his mind out of problems, even for just a little while. But this time, instead of lessening his internal burdens, being in that garden made him more problematic.
He saw Jennie attempting to pick a flower. Even though he either wanted to go the other way or just pass by her, he reluctantly approached her. Thankfully, if it weren't for his robe that only showed his eyes, he wouldn't even dare to go near her.
The disguised Prince Namjoon approached her. "Your Highness,"
Although the voice was deep and soothing, Jennie was unutterably startled. Why wouldn't she? She was caught red-handed.
"Oh, I deeply apologize." Jennie quickly bowed her head 90°, admitting her shame. Her fear drastically increased when she didn't receive any vocal response. She was preparing herself for a sermon or of some sort, when she heard the calming voice again.
"What should you be sorry for, Your Highness?" She moved half of her body upwards to see the entirely covered man offering her a freshly picked blue flower.
Though she was hesitant to receive it, she kindly took the piece of beauty from his big hand and said her gratitude.
"Thank you, Mister ...?" She blinked at him, not knowing what his name was.
Namjoon gulped his saliva behind his robe. "You can call me Mister Park."
"Thank you, Mister Park."
"I'm honored, M'lady." He bowed. "If it's alright to ask. Why are you still awake, Your Highness? You should be having your beauty sleep."
The princess chuckled when she heard beauty sleep. "I just couldn't seem to sleep." Now this was a lie. She snuck out, hoping she could bump into Prince Namjoon when she got distracted by the rows of blue flowers.
"Would you like me to escort you back to your room?"
"I'm really thankful but you don't have to." She turned down his offer shyly. She has a strong sense of direction and memory. She never gets lost.
"But I insist, Your Highness." Since his mouth couldn't be seen, he smiled through his eyes which she was slightly attracted by.
"Alright." Then she smiled back before kinda leading the way.
The walk was dead silent. Both of many thoughts going through their heads. The disguised Prince Namjoon was blushing so hard, his heart fluttering as he walked with this beloved lady whilst the princess was slightly sad she didn't see Namjoon, unaware she was with him.
But she was kinda bothered how covered her companion is right now. Then thought popped into her mind, making her have hope.
"For how long have to been working here, Mr. Park?" She broke the silence.
"For quite awhile now, Your Highness." He replied politely.
"For whom do you usually serve? The Emperor? The Crown Prince? For ..." She trailed off for awhile, making Namjoon nervous.
He was still arguing with himself whether to say anything related to him but eventually answered, "For Prince Namjoon."
Jennie's face brightened. "Really? You do?" He nodded in response, slightly hating himself.
"I was actually on my way to check up on him." Namjoon, what the fck did you just tell her.
"I know this might seem wrong but can you show me where his room is?" She moved closer to him, making his heart pump faster.
"I greatly apologize, Your Highness, but he forbids any visitors when he's under the weather. He just wants to keep everyone else healthy."
Namjoon's heart broke slowly as Jennie frowned. "Is he really that sick?"
Though he didn't wanna lie to her again, he did anyway. "Yes, Your Highness."
"I just hope he recovers soon." She said sincerely, thus making Namjoon's heart palpitate again.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, he will." But he'll never meet you.
The two fall silent again.
Even though he didn't want to, he wanted to communicate with her in real life. But she still doesn't know it's him.
"I don't wanna be rude but the prince talks about you a lot." Namjoon bit his lip.
Her mood improved when she heard this."Really? What does he say?"
"That you're very passionate of what you love, diligent, intelligent, secretly rebellious." He whispered the last part.
She secretly sneaks out of their Palace to disguise as a local and roam around to see what's beyond her palace. Sometimes, even getting herself in brawls and swordfights with thugs who want to harass her. Thankfully, due to her more than enough training, love for swordfighting and agility and body strength, she manages to return in piece. But, of course, with ripped and bloody robes.
"He's often worried about your wanderlust and curiosity. He says he wants to go there and be with you on your secret travels so that he could protect from those bad guys."
She blushed and chuckled.
"As he probably can't stop you from going out."
"That's why, he should really get some rest so he could finally do those things that he said." She grinned at the thought they would hang out together, out in the open and face those bad guys.
Namjoon felt even worse. He really wanted to fulfill those things but he thinks that she'll end up saving him instead of him saving her. He didn't want her to go through that.
"We're here." And they stopped infront of a door of the guestroom of the Palace.
"Thank you for escorting me, Mister Park." She whispered. "Thank you for the flower, too."
He bowed exactly 90°. "Anything for you, Your Highness." She smiled at his courteousness.
"I hope I actually helped you to feel drowsy." He said from bowing at her.
She nodded. "Yes, you did."
"I must get going, Your Highness. I need to check on the prince." He bid her goodbye before walking to his room.
Jennie took a sniff of the beautiful flower. She was too excited of the wandering thoughts in her head that she forgot to ask him something. "Wait!" She whisper-shouted. To her dismay, the person who was known as Mister Park to her was too far to hear her. And she can't even shout. She can't be rude to wake up others.
I forgot to ask him what Prince Namjoon looks like.
...
Maybe back then
A little
Just this much
If I got the courage to stand before you
Would everything be different now
"Yes, nice." And he continued writing.
I am crying at this
Disappeared
Fallen
Sand castle that's left alone
Looking at the broken mask
And I still want you
At early dawn, he could already be up and stay in the garden of blue flowers, composing songs. He usually comes this early so that no one will know and he'll find good inspiration for song composition. No one has to know, what he usually says to himself. Not even his brothers have an idea.
He has been doing this for a long time already. He thinks it's best to write thoughts that are bothering him. And in his case, he writes songs.
Though his brothers, along with his father, have been encouraging him to reveal himself to Jennie but he decided to let her marry Taehyung, thinking it would be the best for the kingdom and for her. Unlike other kings, Emperor Kim, his father, greatly disagreed to this. He knows how much he loves Jennie and only he can marry her. His father only wants his sons to be truly happy while applying their ethics. He said they're willing to wait until he's ready to face her, even if it'll be after a long while. But Namjoon believes he's never ready. He looks down on himself too much.
"Bloomed in a garden of loneliness,
A flower that resembles you,
I want to give it to you,
After I take off this foolish mask,"
He slightly started singing out some of the lyrics.
"But I know
I can never do that
I must hide
Because I am ugly
I am afraid
I am run-down
I'm so afraid that you will leave me again in the end
I wear a mask again and go to see you"
He started to tear up.
"What I can do is
In the garden
In this world
I bloom a pretty flower that looks like you
And breathe as the me that you know
But I still want you"
Little did he know someone was watching him the whole time.
She was amazed at how good he sounded and how amazing the unfamiliar song sounded. Sounded nicely composed but painful.
"What does he look like?"
"Let me describe him as a person first. He's very respectful, polite. He's very sincere. For what he looks like ... he quite lanky if you ask me. He's taller than the Crown Prince and Prince Taehyung. He's quite good-looking. Oh, and do you remember telling me you thought dimples were cute?"
"Yes, Father. I do remember you telling you such."
"Well, he has dimples."
Jennie was sure that the tall guy with the soothing deep voice was him.
Namjoon almost broke the chair as he stood up, sharing eye contact.
"Your Highness."
A/N: Hi guys. So LOVE YOURSELF: TEAR was freaking amazing. It's kinda obvious what my favorite track is; The Undelivered Truth ... The Truth Untold. Meh, I think the song has two titles. Anyways, this kinda popped in my mind as soon as I saw the translation. I think it's kinda lacking and short but I hope you guys liked it.