"So you played with his heart and now he's becoming king. He WILL have you decapitated", he lightheartedly laughed and I smacked his arm.
"I hate that you're right", I stated with doe eyes.
"Hey, but maybe you can become his queen!"
"Yeah, sure thin...
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The dress felt a bit uncomfortable to Taeyang. It wasn't because it didn't fit her body; it actually hugged her in a perfect way, accentuating her thin figure with her hips being the main characters, drawing attention. That's why she was uncomfortable.
She'd been working as a Royal Staff for almost three weeks now, and all her coworkers had seen her in her work clothes. Which were not good at hugging her curves and crevices like this periwinkle dress did.
It also sat perfectly against her skin tone, and the jewelry she had bought back then, before all this started, twinkled under the hanging fairy lights that floated around the ceiling.
Even when Yeonjun had been a constant stressor, the party planner had definitely made this party a miracle. Everything was perfect so far, the guests had arriving in small groups, and Yeonjun was waltzing around making sure to greet them before they could wonder where he was.
So Taeyang had been walking behind him, bowing to the most important people in the country, always making sure to place a hand on her cleavage so no undesired body parts made it to the front pages of tabloids and newspapers. She knew well enough that Yeonjun has chosen this particular dress because it showed a bit more of her chest than she was used to. Well, a lot more than she was used to. And he was enjoying taking goances at her cleavage every so often, his eyes just darting to her newly naked skin for a few seconds before her skin turned into fire and desired for more than just a heated glance and a side smirk.
Her skin desired him. And Taeyang was a little too aware of that situation, that had started the moment they had first looked into each other's eyes. It was a spark she had never felt before, a kind of tingling on her skin that was both too much to bear yet not enough to satisfy her. She wanted more. Her body needed more, yet there was nothing she could do about it.
Not in the middle of the Royal Ball. Not in front of all of the people who literally made Korea proud and the revenue for most of the country's income. Not when everything could crumble into dust just for a mere too-long glance, or a too-greedy smile.
So every time his eyes landed on her cleavage, burning her skin without even touching it, she'd just shrug and try to place her silk bolero just so his eyes didn't wander and her skin didn't call out so desperately for him.
"Your Majesty", a conglomerate businessman bowed towards Yeonjun. The lady next to him did so too, without saying a word. "Such an honor to have been invited to the Ball this year".
"How could we not invite the renowned mister Kim Hyunjae", Yeonjun replied. "Amugi's fish sauce has been a success after your company delved into other sauces than Gochujang and soy sauce. Congratulations".
"Ah, yes. International shipping has increased tenfold in a couple of months, and it has certainly made my wife here very happy", he joked. The woman looked uncomfortable but Yeonjun knew how to handle himself in these situations.
If it was Taeyang, she would've probably stomped on him and called him a prick, yet Yeonjun didn't need to. A small comment like what he was about to say was enough to make the businessman shut his mouth and probably consider any making any comments about his wife being a gold digger in the near future. Even if it was true, it was a bit unclassy, to say the least.
"I bet the one happiest is you, mister Kim. And your happiness certainly is contagious, am I right missus Kwon?"
"Certainly, Your Majesty", the woman smiled bashfully and with her eyes thanked him. The businessman stayed a second or two in mesmerized silence, and then excused himself to go meet some other powerful man on the other side of the room.
"Well handled", Taeyang commented once they started walking around the room. "I would've..."
"Punched the idiot?", his answer was so straightforward that she felt a bit awkward at first.
"Well... yes", she smiled. He smiled too.
"I thought about it, yet we don't want the news about the ball to be of me punching a bad husband more than we want them to be of your excellent garment choice".
"Do not start", Taeyang moved the bolero a bit, her cheeks turning crimson red and her heart skipping more beats than healthy.
"Why? Does it suddenly feel too... hot?", he mumbled towards her while they passed some guests. Taeyang wanted to smack him, but she knew better. No one in this ballroom knew about their little secret, and she was not about to divulge it to the world.
"I'd smack you, you.... your heighness", she changed her words last minute when noticing someone eyeing them a bit too long for comfort.
Yeonjun chuckled.
"I'm having so much fun today", he sounded like a young boy.
"Announcing", the man standing at the top of the stairs yelled. The whole audience fell silent. "The Queen and Princes of Korea".
The whole audience took a deep bow once the woman and her two youngest came along. The Queen looked so beautiful and timeless. She was elegant, powerful, confident. Taeyang wondered what people thought of the Queen, if everyone thought that the woman was completely divine, or if it was just her.
She hadn't had the chance to have dinner with her yet. Taehyun and her had been invited to, but they had declined. Taeyang didn't feel ready to meet the Queen, and Taehyun wouldn't leave hos big sister to have supper alone.
The woman walked down the stairs as if she owned the place (which she did). The party resumed one she stepped on the floor, both her younger sons walking behind her. She made her way towards Yeonjun, and Taeyang started panicking.
She hadn't officially been introduced to the Queen. Not as a Royal Assistant and most definitely not as... whatever her and Yeonjun were.
"Mother", the Queen had arrived in front of her and Yeonjun faster than Taeyang had expected. "You look marvelous, as always".
"Well, you do too, my dear son", she smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. He smiled.
Taeyang longed for this. For her mother to place a tender hand on her cheek, a smile directed towards her, and a kiss on her forehead before going to sleep. Oh, how she missed the woman who gave her life, who fought for her and Taehyun with all she had.
"And who is this young woman hiding behind you, Yeonjun?"
Taeyang smiled nervously and stepped next to the King, bowing lowly towards the Queen.
"Kang Taeyang, your Royal Highness", she replied. Once her eyes met the Queen's, the older woman smiled towards her. "Royal Assistant to his majesty, The King".
"And also...", Yeonjun looked around and once he made sure everyone was minding their own business, he whispered loud enough for the five of them to hear, "my girlfriend".
