Night Prince

That Night

Deep in the forest and past the sturdy metal gates stood the castle in its full majestic glory as though it was conjured from a fairy-tale.

Truly, every stone and every structure was built to perfection, even to the eyes of the greatest architects in the world. The well-loved walls were made to protect its inhabitants and to encase them with echoing laughter and joy within its four walls. It was an ancient castle, a home to the many royals in the long line of the Ri royal family.

In the early morning, the cook was bustling around the kitchen, shouting orders as usual in their rush to deliver breakfast in time. In the grounds, the caretaker was busy conducting checks, turning to greet the gardeners who were trimming the hedges.

The royal guards were just changing over as the morning shift bid their loyal friends a good day, vowing to protect the royal family with their lives with every changeover. Back within the four walls, handmaidens and servants were occupied with another day of general housekeeping.

Zooming in on a particular corridor where Prince Ri resided, a young maiden was about to deliver breakfast to him when an older maiden stopped her in a rush.

"Stop!" The older maiden whisper shouted.

The young maiden stood back instantly, wondering if there was a problem.

"You're new, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"You're not supposed to wake the sleeping prince! Come along now." The older maiden chastised her gently, before attempting to pull her away from the door.

Everyone in the castle knew about Prince Ri's sleeping habits. Though it was odd, who were they to question their royal highness? Regardless, it was surprising that the King and Queen allowed their son to sleep through the day and awake for his duties in the later afternoons. One could only speculate what the prince was up to at night for even his handmaidens were told to leave him be past 9 pm.

To the maiden's surprise, the door to Prince Ri's private quarters swung open just as they were about to turn and leave. With dark circles underneath his eyes, Prince Ri's eyes darted back and forth before landing on the two maidens in front of his private quarters.

Despite his evident tiredness, the maidens swooned from the mere presence of the Greek God of their prince standing in front of them in only his silk sleeping robes and slippers.

With wide eyes, the maidens bowed respectfully before exchanging a glance with each other. Clearing her throat, the older maiden tried to appear calm as she asked Prince Ri if he needed anything.

"Please get Mr Park Kwang Beom." Prince Ri commanded with his usual air of confidence.

"Right away, your highness." The maidens bowed before they rushed off to carry out his order.

Sighing softly, Prince Ri closed the door to his private quarters, the gentle thud echoing off the four walls of the castle.

♔♔♔

Over at the town, Seri was just waking up from her slumber, relaxing into the amazingly delicious scent of parchment paper mixed with chestnut and cedar clinging onto the air around her. As her mind drifted in and out of consciousness, Seri simply smiled as she snuggled closer to the silky material before she finally opened her eyes.

Peering sleepily at her surroundings, Seri sat up slowly, stretching her arms above her head as she yawned. The cloak NP left behind fell from her shoulders, pooling on her lap as she froze.

How did she get home? What happened last night?

Panicking slightly, Seri looked around her home as her mind scrambled to come up with a possible explanation before she noticed NP's cloak on her lap.