I felt exhilarated when I finished practicing with Jimin. It was very new for me to actually be dancing with a male partner, in this style of dance. All noble males and females were expected to know how to do basic ballroom dancing, but branching out into more advanced dancing such as contemporary and ballet, it was left more towards entertainers and some select elite dancers who loved the art. I was lucky that my parents could afford for me to have the training that I did. I barely noticed how late it actually was until Yumi came and found me in my room.
"M'lady! We need to get you changed! You are going to be late to dinner with the royal family!" panicked Yumi pushing me to get ready. I quickly changed into a simple, but pretty formal gown and Yumi pinned my hair back in a simple way just so that it looked nice and neat. I was in a hurry as Yumi practically shoved a small circlet headpiece on my head as she was pushing me out the door. I stumbled out and nearly knocked over a person right outside.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry..." I started before I actually realized who it was and then I really began to freak out. "Prince Taehyung, I'm so sorry, please forgive my clumsiness." I bowed apologetically. Taehyung just grinned as he looked at me in amusement.
"Oh it's okay, no harm done Miss...ah! You were the girl that Jiminie picked out as a dance partner. Lady Nai (Y/n), yes?" he questioned. I nodded quickly.
"Yes, Your Highness." I affirmed.
"Awe, you are adorable. I can see why Jiminie picked on you right away." He cooed at me causing my face to burn bright red as I looked away from him.
"Uh, we are going to be late for dinner, Prince Taehyung." I urged, hoping to get myself out of this situation.
"Yes! Dinner. Lets go, shall we?" he grinned as he walked past me, looping his arm in mine in the process and nearly dragging me along with him. My eyes were wide with shock at his forwardness. It felt weird for him to be touching me. I was so used to being basically surrounded by an invisible bubble where no man dared lay a hand on me for most of them feared my status or I just didn't seem approachable...maybe? Here in this castle it seemed that the Princes had less fear, maybe because they didn't have to worry about status as I was here to potentially be a bride for one of them. Why would they be scared to come near me?
I let Taehyung lead the way as I was still not very familiar with the castle anyways. I was actually a little grateful that I did happen to stumbled across him as otherwise I'm sure I would've gotten lost on my own.
"So where are you from Nai (y/n)?" He asked. "Who are your parents?"
"My father and mother are the Duke and Duchess Nai of the Kingdom of Simjang. My father, Nai So-Won, the older brother of Queen Min-Young." I informed him.
"Ah, that makes sense." he said with a nod in understanding. "I was wondering why your name sounded familiar, but I had never seen you before. I've been to Simjang court many times, how come I've never seen you there before?" he inquired as we walked down the halls.
"I usually stayed away from court with my mother. My father and older brother would usually stay in court. They didn't want me to be coiled up in the dealings at court. They wanted to wait for a betrothal until..." I trailed before catching his eye.
"Until, what?" he pushed. As we arrived at a door.
"Until I was old enough to bare children myself and a suitable match that both my father and brother approved came to be." I finished uneasily.
"Does your brother happen to be Nai Min-Sun?" Asked Taehyung suddenly surprising me slightly.
"Yes." I replied in surprise. A huge boxy grin grew on his face.
"You're Min-Sun's little sister!? You're Ace!?" he exclaimed. Ace was a nickname that my brother had given me when I was little. He always liked to tell me that I was his number one go to for anything, the ace in his hand. My father also called me this and it caught on with my family members quickly.
"Ace is a nickname Min-Sun gave me when I was little." I replied with a small smile at the thought. I hadn't seen him in months as he had been away at court. I had heard from my mother that he was getting betrothed soon.
"All of us in the Royal family are close with Min-Sun. I'm surprised he didn't tell us his sister was being put into the Collection." he thought aloud.
"I don't get to see him often. He's usually busy working with my father. We actually just moved here to Bangtan recently. My father and brother will be coming here to the kingdom as diplomats for Simjang." I told him softly. I could see Taehyung's eyes soften a little at my words before he opened the door to the dining hall. He walked in with me still on his arm and all eyes were on us...mainly me. I felt like I wanted to shrink away. Its not that I hated dinners, but I hated having everyone looking at me like I was a piece of meat on a silver platter. Taehyung led me over to a pair of empty seats and had me sit down between himself and a man who I recognized as Prince Namjoon. Prince Namjoon smiled at me brightly as I sat down next to him. I couldn't help but notice the cute dimples that show on his face that I felt the sudden urge to touch, but restrained myself.
"You must be Lady Nai (y/n). It's a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance, I'm Prince Kim Namjoon." he introduced himself to me. I bowed my head respectfully.
"Likewise, Prince Namjoon." I smiled lightly. Our greeting was cut short as the king called attention to the head of the table before letting us all eat as food was brought out in droves. I was impressed by the amount of food that was put on the table, and also at the lack that some of the girls were eating. I couldn't help but think they were foolish for being picky or for thinking that eating food makes you seem weird. As a dancer I know that if I don't eat enough I will get weak and dizzy. I could see the dirty looks that some of the other girls were giving me as we all ate. I looked over at Ha-Na who didn't seem to have a problem eating as she was seemingly daydreaming out one of the windows. I followed her eyes to see that she was watching a cat that happened to be walking atop of one of the castle walls. I felt a nudge on my arm to look over at Taehyung who was looking out the window as well.
"Are you watching Mr. Mittens too?" he asked me suddenly. I had to hold in a laugh at the name of the cat.
"I guess I am. I was trying to figure out what my friend was looking at and it seems she spotted your cat." I explained. He looked away from the window back to me.
"Which friend would that be?" he asked curiously as he cocked his head to the side. I turned my head to look down the table at Ha-Na who was still studying the cat as she was now snacking on a piece of bread.
"Princess Kang Ha-Na of Simjang. She's also my cousin." I informed him as I pointed her out. He followed my gaze to look at Ha-Na's distracted form. I watched Taehyung's eyes widen as he looked at her and I couldn't help but fangirl a little in my chair.
"Beautiful." I heard him say under his breath.
"Do you want me to introduce you to her after dinner?" I asked him suddenly, surprised at my own offer. He looked at me with his wide eyes.
"Really?!" he whispered excitedly before recovering. "I mean, uh...actually I can't I have to meet with my brothers and parents. We have to start making choices on who we want to bring with us to upcoming events, take on dates, and other outings. I know my father wants this to be over sooner than later...don't tell anyone else but the first cut of the Collection will happen most likely next week already." he whispered to me.
"So soon?" I asked amazed as he nodded.
"Tae, what did we say about telling the girls that kind of information?" Namjoon suddenly scolded causing both of us to freeze and look at him. Taehyung pouted.
"She won't tell anyone else, right (y/n)? Besides we all know that she won't be one that'll be leaving in the first cut." countered Taehyung. I let out a breath of relief that I didn't know I had been holding. Didn't I want to go home sooner rather than later? Why did I feel so relieved to hear that I was staying?
"You don't know that Taehyung." replied Namjoon as Taehyung gave him a look of 'really?'.
"Hyung, you really think Jimin is just going to let his new dance partner leave?" asked Taehyung.
"If she doesn't meet his expectations he will." Namjoon said suddenly making my heart race. Could I really disappoint Jimin so much that he'd send me home? Maybe even on the spot?
"Hyung, stop it. You're gonna freak her out. Don't worry, (Y/n). I'll make sure you're not sent home next week." Taehyung assured me as he made eye contact with Namjoon who just rolled his eyes before going back to talk to one of the other girls to his right.
"Don't worry. Don't let Namjoon scare you. He's just isn't very into the whole idea of all of this." Taehyung shrugged before he got distracted by one of the girls asking him a question. I couldn't help but become lost in thought over all of this. Did I really want to go home next week already? Or maybe I could stay...just a little bit longer wouldn't hurt. Right?