Night Prince

Prince Charming

Murmurs filled the castle that morning for one sole reason. Prince Ri was awake.

It was morning and the sleeping prince was awake. Of course, there were rumours going around yesterday regarding the odd phenomenon that the two maidens encountered but no one would believe the "rumour". 

That was until this morning when Prince Ri strode out of his private quarters, nodding politely in greeting at the palace staff as he headed straight for the throne room. He was barely aware of the heads he was turning as he walked, easily shrugging off the quiet whispers behind his back.

Slam!

The sound of the prince's heavy footsteps could be heard before the door behind him slammed shut with a resounding thud. The king and queen looked up in surprise to see their son awake in the early morning.

"Adeul." Queen Yoon Hee got up from her throne.

"Abeoji, eomeoni." Prince Ri greeted them formally.

"Is something wrong, son?" King Choong Ryeol asked gruffly, still caught in his shock.

"I want to request for a town visit." Prince Ri wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

"A town visit? We don't do that anymore, son. You know the dangers-" The king began.

"It's about time we stop hiding behind the castle walls, abeoji." Prince Ri cut in firmly.

A stern gaze from her eomeoni caused Prince Ri to clear his throat before he bowed in apology. "I apologise for interrupting you, abeoji. But, it is time we pay the townsfolk a visit."

"Yeobo, he's right. It's been long enough." The queen patted her husband's arm gently, looking at him with sad eyes.

There were just some scars that could never be healed and a mother losing her child was one of them.

The king let out a huge sigh, knowing his wife and son was right. It has been long enough and it was about time the royal family showed their faces to the world again. Their citizens deserved that much.

"Very well. You can set off in an hour." The king agreed to the proposal.

"Gamsahamnida, abeoji." Prince Ri bowed.

"Adeul, would you like to have breakfast with me?" The Queen called out to her beloved child.

"That sounds wonderful." The prince smiled gently at his eomeoni.

♔♔♔

The sound of trumpets could be heard as the townsfolk gathered outside to check out the sudden commotion. To their surprise, the royal entourage was present as a tall, handsome man strode up to greet them.

"Presenting to you, our royal highness, Prince Ri!"

"The prince?"

"He's so dreamy!"

"Look at that jawline!"

"What's going on?"

Murmurs and praises filled the air with liveliness as the town welcomed the prince for the very first time. During the whole commotion, Seri remained blissfully unaware of Prince Ri's sudden visit until Myong Sun came rushing into the cookhouse.

"Seri-ah, stop daydreaming! The prince is here!" Myong Sun grabbed her hand to pull her out.

"What? The prince?" Seri was a ball of confusion as she let Myong Sun unnie drag her out to the street.

The town has never been livelier than now as everyone cheered and tried their best to get the prince's attention. From afar, Seri could barely see the prince due to her height as she tried to take a peek over the crowd in front of her.