Your vows specifically. I briefly wondered if in my vows that fateful day of union, I would admit to him finally that I had loved him for such a long time. Or, should you keep your secret locked up in your heart forever as to not ruin what could be a happy enough marriage. I shook my head, it was clearly Jimin's insistent pushing to make you confess getting to you. I had already made your mind up, I couldn't change it now.
The song of harp and whistles ended and i almost immediately drew myself away from my husband-to-be. Before he could reach out and stop you from retreating he was flocked with all sorts of visitors. Women asking to dance- to which he cannot refuse- and men wishing to converse of trade and business with him. He watched over a sea of heads as i ran off until he couldn't see you anymore.
I had retreated to a wall hidden by a table with glass flutes of a sweet alcohol. Typically, i avoided the beverages, but just this once i decided to indulge just a little. It was a white wine, clear as crystal but not as delightful to drink as the fountain's shrine water.
"Good evening, My Lady," a man addressed from beside you. I was unaware of his approach and his opening startled you. Turning, I saw a man who was undoubtedly from somewhere far inland I imagined. "I am Cha Eunwoo . I watch over a small country stead far from the coast of the mainland. I must say, your song earlier was beautiful."
His flattery felt nothing like Taehyung's words. His cheap words did not make your heart flutter or your stomach toss. Though, he was being kind and so as to not ruin the merry mood of the ball, you humored him- as much as you wanted to be left alone.
"Thank you very much, kind Eunwoo" I spent a small amount of energy carrying general conversation with the fella of the mainland as i kept my guard up. I never did trust the men from off the island, your recent visit abroad having one too many encounters with rude, entitled ones.
I smiled when i was cued to smile, and i laughed at his small attempts at humble humor, but i just wished for the conversation to end and him to be on his way. Instead, he began to persist in the idea of a dance with you.
Trying to politely decline the offer, he tried convincing you- obviously not taking no for an answer. Ready to put my foot down, merrymaking be damned, I felt that familiar hand on my back before it slid around to encase your waist and rest just above My white laced stomach. It was no surprise- or perhaps it was- to see Taehyung at your side as he held you to his chest.
"I do believe she's already refused a dance. Go find a different partner if you would, Cha Eunwoo." Not in a position of authority to begin to argue, the Eunwoo just lowered his head and went on his way into the crowd to find some other poor woman to give in to his pressure. "Dahyun," he called as I looked up at him from where you were once watching Eunwoo's retreat. "Dance with me again just once more."
He had been watching Dahyun as soon as he could locate her after she left him after the dance. When that Eunwoo approached her and started making her smile, something in his chest lurched. He felt irked just knowing she was conversing so happily with a stranger and not with him. He was distracted as he danced with a lady from the mainland and he quickly left her abandoned mid-song at the look of distress on the maiden's face when the guy wouldn't depart from her presence.
However, he would never disclose that to her. He didn't even understand how he felt, all he knew was that he felt better when she was beside him like this.
"I'd be honored to dance with you again, my Prince," i agreed with a smile up at him and the pain in his chest soothed instantly. I chalked it up to my imagination, but it felt like during this dance Taehyung held you tighter than before.
