Nara wondered how long it would take for the boys to realize that fourteen of them were no longer there with them as she worked on a budget report in her study.
Nara could hear the music coming from the ballroom, blasting throughout the palace as the boys completed their dance lesson. She sighed as she stared at the report in front of her, surpressing the urge to join the boys inside the ballroom.
By the time Nara had finished the report, it was late into the afternoon. The men would be having their free time now, most likely exporing the castle.
Nara put her pen down, handing her report off to a maid to give to her father before heading out of her study. She was surprised by how quiet the palace seemed to be. Perhaps the men are relaxing in their rooms. The dance lesson must have been exhausting.
As Nara made her way to the centre of the garden maze, she noticed a boy sitting in front of an easel, painting the fountain. Nara was impressed at the progress he had made, knowing that their free time had only started an hour ago. During that time, Renjun had somehow found the centre of the maze, set up the easel, sketched the landscape, and had began painting.
"Renjun?" Nara said as she approached him. Renjun put down his paintbrush, giving the princess a faint smile before standing up to greet her.
"Hello, your highness." Renjun said before sitting back down. Nara glanced at his painting.
"How did you find the centre of the maze?" Nara asked him. Renjun pointed to the palace.
"The balcony of my room is above the maze, so I sketched it and found the way to the centre." Renjun said, passing her a sketch of the maze.
"I also had a bit of help from Jaemin." Renjun added, motioning to the boy taking pictures of the flowers. Nara was surprised to see Jeno by Jaemin's side.
"Did the three of you come together?" Nara asked. Renjun nodded.
"It was Jaemin's idea. I told him that I wanted to paint the garden and he told me he would come with me. Jeno also wanted to tag along. I probably wouldn't be this close to finishing my painting if the other two didn't help carry my stuff." Renjun admitted.
Nara nodded, taking in his words. She glanced at the easel in front of him. "You have such a lovely talent."
"I mean, I do paint for a living." Renjun said with a chuckle. He glanced at Nara before picking up his paintbrush again.
"Do you enjoy painting landscapes or portraits more?" Nara asked as she watched him paint. She had to admit, Renjun's movements were light and graceful, each stroke done with perfection.
"To be quite honest, landscapes. But unfortunately, people are more interested in portraits these days." Renjun said with a sigh.
"Ah, well you're always free to paint the landscapes of the palace gardens during your freetime." Nara told him. Renjun hesistated before shaking his head.
"I wish I could paint more, but unfortunately, I only brought one canvas." Renjun confessed.
"Oh, that isn't not a problem. Let my know what size canvas you need and I will make sure you have it." Nara told him with a smile. Renjun stopped painting to look up at her.
"Really?" Renjun asked, a shimmer in his eyes. Nara nodded.
"Thank you, your highness." Renjun said, standing to give her a bow. Nara let out a small laugh before motioning to him to sit down.
"I believe you have a talent Renjun, and I don't want it to go to waste." Nara told him just as a loud fit of laughter errupted from the two other boys. Renjun must have noticed her glance over at them.
"Your highness, you may join them if you'd like. I know I'm not the most lively when painting." Renjun told her.
"I will see you at dinner then." Nara said, giving Renjun a small pat on his shoulder before making her way towards Jaemin and Jeno. The two boys exchanged glances as she approached them.
"You two seem to be having a blast." Nara said putting her hands on her hips. Jaemin gave her a mischievous grin as Jeno looked at him with worry in his eyes.
"Would you like to see something?" Jaemin asked, raising an eyebrow but Jeno quickly stuck his arm out.
"I wouldn't recommend it." Jeno said, begging with his eyes. Unfortunately for him, Nara's curiosity was to great.
"Jaemin show me." Nara said. Jeno quickly stood up.
"Jaemin, don't you dare!" Jeno exclaimed but Jaemin simply laughed before showing Nara the a photo of Jeno crossing his eyes. Nara couldn't help but giggle to herself as Jeno whined.
"Why did you have to show her." Jeno said, pouting. Jaemin simply shrugged his shoulders.
"It was funny." Jaemin said. Nara nodded her head.
"It was funny. Made my day." Nara said. She noticed Jeno's eyes light up.
"Really?" Jeno asked. Nara nodded.
Nara noticed Jaemin glance at the two of them before looking at his watch.
"I promised Lucas I'd help him take some photos before dinner, Jeno will you and Renjun be good to exit the maze on your own?" Jaemin asked.
Nara noticed the look on Jeno's face which was an obvious no so she gave Jaemin a smile instead.
"Jaemim, go ahead. I'll guide the two of them out." Nara told him. Jaemin nodded before waving at the two.
"I'll see you later then." Jaemin said, waving. Nara turned to face Jeno.
"Would you like to walk with me?" Nara asked. Jeno gave her a small smile before nodding.
"That would be nice." Jeno responded. Nara took his arm and told Renjun that they would be back to help him before walking through the maze.
"Jeno, you should guide me." Nara suggested.
"Me? But I don't know which way to go." Jeno pointed out.
"That's the point. I wouldn't be fun if we went the right way." Nara told him. She watched as Jeno chuckled to himself.
"Alright, but don't get mad if we're constantly hitting dead ends." Jeno said.
"I won't." Nara reassured him. They walked peacefully, her arm wrapped around his as they admired the greenery of the maze.
"Nara, do you have any hobbies?" Jeno asked, breaking the silence. Nara thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Not really." Nara admitted. Jeno stopped moving to stare at her.
"Really?" Jeno asked, surprised. Nara nodded.
"My days have always been so filled with lessons and work, that I don't really have any." Nara told him. Jeno bobbed his head, continuing to walk again.
"That sounds quite sad." Jeno said. Nara couldn't help but smile at his little pout.
"Do you have any hobbies?" Nara asked, leaning closer to him. Jeno seemed to shy away from the question.
"Um... I play guitar." Jeno told her. Nara was impressed.
"Wow, I didn't know actors played music." Nara said but Jeno shook his head.
"They don't. I learnt from my mother, she was a Five before marrying my father." Jeno told her.
"My mother was a Five as well, but you probably already knew that." Nara said, as a smile spread on Jeno's face.
"Indeed, I did." Jeno said.
"You should play for me sometime." Nara suggested to him. Jeno raised an eyebrow before giving her a smirk.
"Princess, are you asking me on a date?" Jeno playfully asked. Nara stopped to stare into his eyes.
"Princess?" Nara asked. Jeno's face turned into one of concern.
"Do you not like being called that?" Jeno asked. Nara shook her head.
"It's just that no one really calls me that." Nara admitted.
"Oh, should I not call you that then?" Jeno asked. Nara quickly shook her head.
"No, it's fine Jeno. I was just surprised." Nara told him, giving him a smile. Jeno quickly smiled back.
"Well, princess, you didn't answer my question." Jeno pointed out.
"About the date?" Jeno nodded. Nara let out a small giggle before tightening her grip on his arm.
"Perhaps I am, Jeno." Nara said, turning to face straight ahead to prevent Jeno from seeing the blush on her cheeks.
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Jeno is quite handsome. I like how he looks very real and natural, not the typical kpop boy look.
Also, last night i decided on what my next dream book will be so once this is done, i'll be working on that... which won't be anytime soon :/
I actually make the cover of and kind of summarize them first so i did that last night :)