Royal Flush | pjm; jjk

Chapter Twelve

Nora opened her eyes, expecting for Jimin to start banging around, just to find everyone still sleeping.  A soft smile landed on her face, realizing how living with the boys affected her. She sat up slowly, not wanting to wake anyone up. Sleep has left her eyes the moment she opened them, so there was no more use laying in bed. Nora decided to walk around the premises and enjoy the sunrise.

She took a stroll down the same path as yesterday, hoping to be able to breath in more of the magnificent gardens that surrounded the buildings. Nora really wanted to relax next to a pond and her eyes kept searching, until she noticed one just below a tree. It was a small man-made pond, filled with tiny fish and lilies. Nora quickly sat down next to it and crossed her legs,  enjoying the calmness of the nature and the first rays of sun.

"We keep meeting like this." Nora heard a voice and quickly turned around. Prince Jungkook was leaning towards her, hands crossed behind his back and smiling. Barely managing on her feet, Nora quickly jumped up and bowed. "Your Highness." She bit her lip, still not lifting her head. Various thoughts were rushing through her head: was she allowed to be here? Was she allowed to leave the chambers at all?

"Please sit down, there's no need to worry." Jungkook stated calmly, and sat on the grass, patting next to him. Nora stood there awkwardly, not really understanding how she could sit down next to the Prince. "Are you going to ignore me?" He said, lifting his eyes to her. "Are you going to make me look up at you?" He added, still keeping his tone firm, but the corners of his lips indicated a smile. Nora quickly shook her head and sat down, keeping a bit of a distance.

They sat in silence, Nora kept playing with her fingers, worried that someone might see them and get a wrong impression. "What's on your mind?" Jungkook finally spoke. He felt that the girl was uncomfortable and he hated it. He knew of his status, he knew who he was, but he simply wanted someone to be normal around him.

Nora pondered for a moment of what she should say, when a question, that was the last on the list of things she wanted to know, somehow fell out. "Why did you write me that letter?" She turned to him and seeing his surprised face quickly added, "I mean.. Did you write letters to everyone? Your Highness." Nora stumbled on her words and quickly turned away, feeling the blush coming up. Jungkook released a small giggle. "No, I wrote only to you."

Nora kept sitting in silence, still not sure of what to say. Jungkook didn't push her either. After a moment of barely breathing, she finally mustered the strength to speak again. "Why?" This time Nora looked straight at him, not allowing her eyes to waver. Jungkook smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders. "You didn't lie to me. Your story intrigued me. I guess I simply want to know more about you, and the life that you've lived. Do you know that I've never left the palace? Not even once." Jungkook answered somberly, and Nora shook her head in response. Jungkook smiled again. "You've lived a hard life, that I understand. But you've also lived a free life. You've seen so much.." He sighed and laid his eyes on the pond. Nora followed his gaze and focused her eyes on the lilies.

"Would you like to go with me one day? I could show you some places. Your Highness." Nora suggested, quickly adding the title. Jungkook turned at her and lifted his eyebrow, devious smirk forming his lips. "I would love that. I'd also like you to address me as Jungkook when it's just the two of us. Would that be ok?" Nora stared at him, holding her jaw clenched, afraid to say something wrong. She knew that in no way she could do what he was asking, but also saying no to those doe eyes seemed quite difficult. Instead of answering, Nora simply smiled and stood up. "I'd better be going, I don't want to miss the second trial." She bowed, and walked away, fearing that he might stop her, but he didn't.