❛ 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ❜ | jsc

4

aera stared out of her window, waiting for the maiden of her father walked away before closing the window with a loud noice and pulling the dainty dress from her body.

she pulled on the soft material of her comfy clothes on and sighed, knowing that if her father saw her roaming around the castle in a less than presentable state like this, she would be done for.

she was a lady and it was her duty to look and act the exactly like that, at least that's what they said.

aera made her way out of her room before wandering through multiple hallways on her way to the training grounds. there she could find her friends, haechan and renjun as they were both part of the guards.

she passed the beautiful garden of the castle and peered inside it from where she was, knowing not to break the rules by entering it.

she had always wanted to explore the garden. it seemed so peaceful and relaxed, unlike the daily life in the castle.

but it was off limits to her and she was going to respect that, knowing that the king's temper was short and she didn't want to be kicked out.

"aera you'll get in trouble for being in the training zone," renjun's voice sounded from directly behind her and she stumbled back in surprise.

"renjun don't sneak up on me like that," she exclaimed startled as she pushed him lightly with a pout.

renjun let out a chuckle. "it's fun."

this earned him another push as aera went away from him to approach haechan. "haechaaannn" she sang out as she skips over to the boy "where's nahee?" she asked.

haechan smiled at the mention of his lovely girlfriend "nahee's probably still sleeping, i swear she never leaves her bed."

aera smiled too as she suddenly took haechans sword out of his hands.

startled, haechan tried to grab it back, only to have aera twist the sword around artfully and hold it to his neck. she laughed and held it out for him to take it back.

haechan blinked a few times before sheathing his sword carefully, "where'd you learn that?"

aera shrugged his words off as if it was nothing. she felt proud to know that her moves were appreciated. "renjun has taught me a few moves."

"that's breaking the rules you know," haechan pointed out. he didn't want his friends to get into trouble.

aera raised a brow at him. "and when were you ever the one to follow the rules?"

haechan wanted to argue with her but knew she was right. "good point. good point," there was a pause, "funny. you're the exact opposite of my best friend. he always follows every single rule."

aera glanced at him. "you mean the crown prince?"

haechan furrowed his brows. "how'd you know i was talking about him?"

"hyuck, everyone knows you're friends with the prince," renjun had joined in on the conversation and stood next to aera, his arm resting on her shoulder.

aera shoved his arm off, making renjun pout at her actions. "i wished he'd show his face a bit more, he's never around here. maybe you could invite him sometime." she mentioned.

haechan's face grimmed a little. "i don't think so. he has a lot going on with all his duties and such. it's pretty hard for him"

renjun nodded. "and i hope as his best friend, you're helping him through it all?"

haechan chuckled nervously. "i mean i try..."

the conversation was cut short as a tall figure approached the three of them, coming from the garden.

it was someone aera swore she had seen before and she looked at him curiously, forgetting that she wasn't really supposed to be there.

the tall boy hadn't seen the girl standing besides two guards. aera wasn't the tallest, renjun had grown past her. as she stood in his shadow, she wasn't very visible. taking a small step to her left, she managed to make herself visible for the familiar boy.

therefore he was momentarily taken aback when she came into view. he swore he had never seen her before, but something about her seemed familiar.

he stared at her curiously before haechan cleared his throat, "do you need anything sung-"

sungchan cut haechan off, taking his hand out to cover the guards mouth, "yes my name is sung. that's it. just sung." he awkwardly brought out.

sungchan eyed haechan. at first he didn't get what his best friend was trying to say but after some short seconds he finally managed to understand the message. "ah yes... this is um sung. my friend who also lives in the castle. but uhm.. on the other side, he doesn't get out much." he lied, trying to sound convincing.

sungchan smiled at the trio, doing his best to act as natural as possible.

renjun stepped forward, eyeing sungchan. "that's a bit strange, i thought no one was allowed on the other side of the castle?"

sungchan's eyes widened, as he gave an awkward chuckle. "well this is a special circumstance."

renjun was skeptical but he let it go, still giving sungchan a look.

aera patted renjun on the arm, a signal for him to calm down. renjun slowly took a step back, taking his place of a minute ago once again.

haechan looked at the pair in pain as the awkward tension became to much for him. "right, so sung, this is renjun and this is aera." he said as he introduced his friends.

as sungchan was about to say nice to meet you, aera spoke up.

"have i met you before?" she asked bluntly as she peered into his doe-like eyes.

sungchan was slightly taken back by her question. suddenly he remembered where he had seen her, making it clear to him why she seemed so familiar. he thought back at the night where a girl had spotted him on the balcony. a girl with beautiful glistering eyes, curiousity clearly seen in them.

he saw it in aera's eyes, the same look of curiosity shining in her gorgeous eyes.

"i think you have" he slowly brought out.