The Suitors | T&J | ✔️

E L E V E N

Thankfully everyone sat down, as the food was plated, as my Father and I, with Jimin and the captain of the King's guard stood behind us, were facing everyone.

"How is it going with the Princes?" My Father asked.

I kept an emotionless face as people were glancing to us every few seconds, "fine so far"

"I'm glad. I hope in the end you have a very long and happy marriage" he smiled.

I nodded at him with a small smile on my lips.

Soon after eating, the band was playing slow music, encouraging the lean into the heavier part of the evening where I knew people could relax more.

"Your Highness" a Lord said as I was drifting around the room.

I smiled at him, as we got into small talk.

A few minutes later, I watched as the Lord look behind me, and quickly tilted his head down in a bow, I turned my head to see Tae standing there, giving me a small smile.

"Excuse me" the Lord breathed out, giving me a friendly smile before leaving.

I turned to face Tae, raising an eyebrow with a small smile playing on my lips, "ah my hero"

He flashed a boxy smile, "I could see the life draining from you"

I chuckled, as he offered his arm to me and I accepted it, he quickly snuck us out of a side door nearest to us. I knew full well Jimin knew where I had gone, as he always had an eye on me in a room with this many people in it.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" He asked as we settled at the edge of the balcony.

I nodded, "I am, but I enjoy it more when the attention isn't solely on me. I'm used to people fussing over my Father, not me"

Tae gave me a little smile, "that's something you will need to get used to"

I pursed my lips, knowing he is right.

And then he surprised me as he picked up my hand from my side, his long fingers going around mine, and just before he brushed my knuckles against his full lips, he whispered, "Happy birthday"

I couldn't help but nearly melt. He could tell by my expression the affect he had on me, and smiled as I felt it with his lips on the back of my hand.

"Thank you" I said quietly.

"You've got a present in your chambers" he murmured.

I rose an eyebrow, "you shouldn't have"

He flashed me wink, which made my heart skip a beat as I looked away to compose myself, and in the corner of my eye I saw him grin at himself, before looking out at the ocean in front of us.

As I turned back to look at him, the conversation I overheard earlier couldn't help but play on my mind. Tae looked curiously at me, as I let a small smile play on my lips.

"It seems that the high born ladies in the party are gossiping about you" I breathed out.

He tilted his head to the side, "that doesn't surprise me"

I nodded, "you haven't told me much about your past courtships"

I watched the expression change ever so slightly on his face, he bit at his bottom lip as he glanced down at the floor, before looking back up at me.

"There isn't really much to tell, and it's viewed as bad manners to talk about the past courtships, that didn't work out to possible future spouses" he muttered.