The House of 7 rings

The gown of secrets

I experience a bad aura surrounding me like I was in a terrible unwelcomed place. I was suffocating as tears were running down my face like a newly-created river of desperation.

" I need to get out of here" - I murmured to myself.

But my whole body felt so heavy, like many weights were tied up to my arms and legs.

I screamingly started praying to the angels again, even though I said that they were on my enemy's side. That's when I hear the door open again...

Two grown women quietly tip-toeing my way.

I tried to hide my face as they get closer so they can't see me like that.

"Oh dear, you look like a mess. Don't worry we won't hurt you. We'll be by your side now." – One of them said.

"W-who are you?" – I stuttered.

"I'm Rose and this is Lina. We work for the royal family." – She explained.

*What does she mean by royal family?...Am I really in the Busan Palace?!*

"Royal family?" – I muttered.

"Yes, – Lina said – you don't know anything, do you?"

*I got dragged here without my consent, how would I know what is going on?! Did I do something bad? Am I going to DIE??*

Y/n: W-why am I here?

Lina: "Lets talk in the bathroom while we get you cleaned up, ok?"

They carried me to the bathroom. While both of them were making the bath ready, my mind was going in places. I needed Jakie by my side as I felt lonely.

The maids helped me get undressed and put me down in the bath. I felt the warm water hitting my spine, making me feel alive again. Rose and Lina started rubbing my body with a really nice-smelling conditioner. The strong smell of alcohol becomes more and more unnoticeable as the aroma of spring flowers wears my body.

Rose: You are a lucky one, Y/n. Prince Jin chose you himself.

*So that jerks name is Jin, huh? Wait...Prince Jin??*

Y/n: How do you know my name?

Rose: Well, prince Jin told me to do a background check on you. I know you moved from Ulsan not a long time ago, so you are not really familiar with the way that things work here.

Lina: We are sorry you had to be brought here like this! But I feel like you won't miss your life with your father that much...

*Rose whispers to Lina telling her to shut up*

*She is right...Everywhere is better then "home". It never felt like a home to me at least.*

Lina: You see, the King is getting sicker each day. Busan might be in need of a new king.

Rose:Although we live in a modern society, some things never change. The King has seven boys, but the throne will be passed to only one of them. The seven princes need to get married to a girl, in order for them to become the King and rule the place. The King put up posters all over the city, expecting to find a well-mannered girl who will marry one of the sons. Only 7 girls were chosen...and one of them was you.

*Why me? I don't even like that brat!*

Lina: Since prince Jin chose you, you need to look like a real life doll. He will show you to his brothers too.

Y/n: Pardon?

Rose: The law book of Busan says that if a princess is chosen by a prince, he shall show him to his brothers. If the brothers are not interested in her, she shall marry the prince immediately. If the opposite, the princes shall compete to win the princess' heart.

Y/n: That is stupid, what?!

Lina: Hahahaha, we know. Soojin the 2nd was the one who wrote this rule. Both his sons loved the same girl. They dueled on a fair sword fight, but ended up being blind by love. Jikook, the younger brother, killed his hyung, Taekook. He could not handle the fact that his hands were smeared with Jikook's blood, so he sliced his own head.

Y/n: That's terrible! What happened to the girl?

Rose: She had a heart disease. Her health problem got worse and she died from a heart attack.

Lina: Anyways, let's not talk about the past. You are ready know...let's get you dressed up.

*I still can't belive this is happening*

Rose pulled a chic long grey-ish gown with shining stones all over it. I was amazed by its beauty. Lina carefully helped me put it on. I had never wore a dress like this! It made me feel more powerful and confident. It was the perfect size, like it was sewed only for me.

*Maybe this is my dream coming true. Maybe the angels were by my side after all. I mean I have always wanted this, right? Why do I still feel sad, though? It's like I miss something...Plus I don't even like that jerk! Let's hope his brothers are more well-mannered then him... He even took it as far as kidnapping me! I wonder what Jakie will think of this. UGHH..I'm still really frustrated and confused!*

Y/n: What about the brothers? When will I meet them?

Rose: You'll meet them on the right time...Now go, explore the palace. And don't think of running away, the security here is really strict. *she said smilingly*

I leave the room with my extravagant gown and expensive high heels to look for any clue about my place in this unknown palace. As I'm walking down the hall, I think of the maids. They looked really nice. I get blinded by the amount of shining furnitures and well-made paintings on the wall. But one painting caught my eyes. It was really brightly drawn, but all the brush strokes and all the light colors made it look astonishing. I noticed how it wasn't signed by anyone...

*I wonder who painted this*

Everywhere I go, I see real life guards standing still as I awkwardly pass them. In the end of the hall, an enormous door hits my head. I get fascinated as I try to open it with my delicate hands. A big room full of books stands in front of me. It is so big, it almost felt like it was a whole library.

*Maybe I can find something here*

I start searching for whatever catches my attention. A lot of books look pretty familiar to me. Reading has been my favorite thing to do after drawing. I used to read books in Jakie's shop every day after my part-time job. I just wanted to escape real world and enter a new universe with a happy ending.

I saw a notebook standing on the highest shelf. I tried to reach it but it was to far up. The heels weren't doing any better job then a stool either.

*Shit! Why am I so short!*

I tip-toe while holding my gown with my hand but before I grab it, I tripped, almost falling to the ground. Except, I fell into someone else's arms...