The Suitors | T&J | ✔️

T W E N T Y - S I X

JK adjusted the towel around his waist, his back facing me. I watched the muscles in his shoulders roll around, before he turned his head, his hair falling in front of his smiling face.

"Well that's not fair" I breathed out, looking down at his small waist.

"What?" JK asked, turning to face me now.

I cleared my throat, "you know what"

"I don't know what you are on about, my love" he breathed out, using that pet name that made my heart skip a beat.

I pursed my lips as I walked past him, hiding my smile as I went out onto the balcony, and stood against the wall, looking over at the beaming sun over the ocean.

I took in a deep breath as I saw his hands, go either side of me on the wall, and his long arms leant back, as I felt his lips press against my bare neck as a passing kiss.

"You know I won't ever pressure you. I don't want you having to go into another room, just because I'll be naked" he said quietly.

"I know you won't. It's just that it will test my willpower, honestly. I'm not sure if I am ready... emotionally" I replied, turning around in between his arms.

His chest was glistening, from being still slightly wet. I reached up and tucked his hair behind his ear, making him give me a wrinkle nosed smile.

"You test me hourly, on not just picking you up and taking you to bed. You are beautiful, Alessia" he said with a deep voice.

That warm feeling spread around my chest.

"It doesn't bother me, if we are intimate before the wedding, because I know you will be my husband. And you are very hard to resist" I breathed out.

JK gave me a small chuckle, moving his hands around my waist and bringing me into his chest.

After dinner, JK went with Jimin, to go over to see Samuel and Brody, who were moving into the Palace grounds in the guards quarters.

I busied myself in the library, and just as I finished the last few things, a knock came at the door.

"Your Highness, Princess Clara has requested to come in" the guard said as I opened the door.

I creased my eyebrows together, that was unexpected.

I nodded, leaving the door open as I went into my bedroom, and out onto the balcony. I heard the bedroom door shut behind me, and I turned to see the small woman.

She bowed her head as she walked to the balcony, but then I noticed the sheer shawl over the head, covering some of her face. I knew the confusion was showing on my expression.

"Are you alright, Princess Clara?" I asked.

I had to follow my gut, and just by the way she was standing, with her hands linked together in front of her stomach, she looked like she was nearly shaking.

She slowly looked up at me, from keeping her head tilted towards the ground.

My lips parted, as I struggled to keep my expression natural.

There was a cut on her eyebrow, as the purple bruising was coming down her left eye. It looked quite painful. I moved over to her, and put my hand on her forearm.

Clara looked like she was about to burst into tears, as her bottom lip quivered, "I'm so sorry, Your Highness"

I shook my head, "for what? Are you ok?"

Clara sniffed as he tears fell, and she glanced down at the ground once again.

"I don't know how to say this. It feels like I'm betraying my country" she said quietly.