𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝒑𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 ☁️ 𝙩𝙖𝙚𝙝𝙮𝙪𝙣𝙜

I

Time passed and Ara couldn't help but feel exhausted even though she stayed in her chair most of the night. None of the princes other than Jung Hoseok danced with her. He was a temporary happy drug, he noticed that Ara wasn't as happy as she was and this slightly worried him. They continued dancing together and they both earned some whispers from the people around them that Ara would pick him at the end of the night.

The thought of Ara having to choose a suitor at the end of the night only stressed her out even more. Even though she'd met them all before except for the new prince she wasn't sure who'd she pick. Jung Hoseok was too good of a friend to her to have her pick him.

"Excuse my I believe it's my turn now." a masculine voice interrupted the two causing them both to turn to find the source of the sound only to see it was the new prince. He looked like a flirt just by glancing him up and down a few times. He longer hair than the rest of the princes, it was slightly curled slightly and the hair kind of hid his silver earrings. He had an all black suit with some silver glitter sparkled all over the overcoat. He smiled slightly sticking his hand out revealing some rings on his fingers. A uneasy feeling came over Ara but she shook it off before nodding slightly and taking his hand. He smiled a little bit more leading her away from the prince and to an area close to the center of the floor. He stopped suddenly causing Ara to accidentally step on his foot.

"I'm so so sorry." she apologized bowing once.

"don't apologize, you look lovely tonight by the way." he complimented smiling some more before taking his position before waiting for her to do the same. Shrugging off the embarrassing moment she smiled awkwardly before putting her hands on top of his. He made eye contact with her for a few seconds before turning his head and whispered waiting for her consent to begin as a few other dancers around them had already begun dancing.

¨I'm ready.¨ the feeling of something swallowing her up inside and preventing her from moving and thinking straight. The feeling would often flare up and Ara would be powerless to stop it, this wasn't the first time and sadly it wasn't the last. Most of the night leading up to now had consisted of her having that overwhelming feeling of not being able to do anything, that overwhelming feeling of worry.

The prince hesitantly began leading them both around the floor, the marble reflected the light emitted from the many chandeliers above them lighting their way. Instead of everyone looking at them when she was dancing with Taehyung, no one seemed to care. Ara could tell that he was slightly nervous based on how he was dancing. He almost messed up a few times but he apologized profusely. Then out of nowhere there was a sudden smell of masculinity and a hint of lavender surrounded the two of the dancers. Blinking a few times, she shrugged it off before the song ended and the two took a step back and bowed while the rest of the dancers around them applauded.

¨thank you for wasting your time with me your majesty.¨ the prince smiled showing his pearly white teeth that looked like a bunny smiling causing Ara to smile slightly in return before she bowed again.

¨I enjoyed that thank you and I never got your name.¨ she stood up straight while he led the two to the tables serving all kinds of pastries of all sorts and sizes. Looking over a few times over the platters before choosing an éclair which was at this point glowing in the lighting making it look even more irresistible.

¨My name's Jung Jungkook your majesty I'm sure you don't know who I am, this is a lovely kingdom." He held a silver glass full of champagne up to his lips taking a sip.

¨I-I do apologize I have never heard of you before.¨ she apologized taking a bite out of the tasty snack.

¨How is it for you.¨ he asked out of nowhere shocking Ara yet also confusing her. This could have many meanings, he could be asking what it was like being the daughter of a multimillionaire king, the daughter of all the horrible things her parents have done to reach their fame, to reach the titles they have today. This also kind of surprised Ara that he'd jump straight to the point as if he was looking for something or he was forced to ask this question by somebody.

¨How is it being forced to do this every year since you turned seventeen.¨ he continued snapping her out of her thoughts and letting her sigh in relief.

¨It's not like I have a choice, I never have and I might never have one. I hate every moment of it and I wish I was a completely different person so I could live the life that I desire, but clearly my parents don't believe in such a fantasy.¨ Ara scoffed taking another bite as she looked back at the dance floor seeing more happy couples dancing around without a care in the world, or at least that is what it appears on the outside.

¨I don't mind if you choose another suitor your majesty I hope you can forgive me for saying such a thing but if you don't choose one by the end of the night your parents might force you to pick me.¨ His voice was another one Ara was worried about, she was tired of hearing the same thing every year and yet it never ended. This just caused the feeling to return and this prevented Ara from breathing normally for a few moments. Moments passed and she got her breathing back but the feeling yet didn't leave her body and this only worried her even more.

¨Your majesty I do ask for your forgiveness but I need to speak with you privately.¨ a voice piped up and revealed to be one of Ara's most trusted advisors and would sometimes be her source of her getting rid of her emotions, sadly he wasn't around much these days due to some complications with his family but this shocked Ara to see him back once again after six months. He was wearing a normal tuxedo and was anxiously fidgeting with his fingers, he had dark brown hair combed neatly and a slight piece of hair was sticking out. He had some dark ink showing slightly out of the cuff of his sleeve also shocking Ara, he seemed like the kind of person who would never get a tattoo.

Ara bowed to the prince one more time excusing herself before the advisor pulled her aside and whispered in her ear making sure no one was around.

¨there may be a hitman here to take you out.¨

Ara's blood ran cold.

not again