Annyeong, Soojin! [Ateez Fanfiction] ✓

17

The Wise Monkey's POV:

The old me is gonna take over in...

3...

2...

And 1...

.

.

The sun was setting and before the dusk could conquer the sky completely, the young maiden, the maid of the royals, Jeong Soojin, affirmed her decision on parting away and retreating back to the palace in a few. She still had time before she was bound to go, technically, only technically. If someone were to see her now, they'd ask her to do it immediately. It was just a horse stable she was in, nowhere too dangerous, and it wasn't too dark, no time too dangerous, not yet at least. What could be the dangers inside the guarded palace premises, one of her stature could be curious. Simply put, the royals didn't want any palace workers to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, they wanted more privacy from the potential onset of rumours; Hence the workers were subjected to the rule. 

Here, still in the stable, she stood with her forehead against that of a charming, grown, white, male horse, hands resting just above his muzzle on either side of his face. It was solemn and peaceful in the stable, the light neighs and sounds of shifting, from the big beautiful animals around, music to Soojin's ears.

"You're quite well behaved today, boy," Soojin said to the horse. "Unordinarily still... Are you unwell?" She pulled back to examine him in scrutiny. "Or did I sadden your mood with the tales of my unfortunate morning? Or maybe you're just shaken by the audacity of the crazy woman who talks to you in human? Did I bore you too much?" she chuckled. "Well, I'm glad to have you as my listener always. And it's good that there's always privacy to speak to you."

Soojin huffed. "It's time to part, my boy." She once again advanced closer to connect their dissimilar forms in a hug. Her head rested on his crest, one hand around it and the other brushing through his beautiful, long mane. And the horse expressed the hug by dipping his head to rest on the maiden's back, his one front leg lifting to rest the knee on the curve of her waist. It was a heart-warming sight to behold, and the only human eyes to witness that bond of the girl and the horse was someone whose presence was still unknown to Soojin.

"Well, I hope you are not unwell, boy," Soojin said against his crest. "You're very dear to me. Just like a certain other who's also dear to me. I have to go meet that someone, so we are parting now, alright?" She slowly tried to pull back, the horse releasing his grip on her as well. She kissed his cheek one last time before stepping back. "Bye, darling."

"You must be really very fond of him," a male voice could be heard.

"I am, really," Soojin said, eyes still on the horse. She then froze and turned back anxiously, convinced it was a ghost she just answered to. Her panic-stricken eyes slightly calmed down when she saw it wasn't a ghost, thankfully. 

"He's a friendly one, isn't he? But I've observed a couple of times that his full limit of that is only when he's with you. You seem to be his favourite human friend." The speaker was none other than Choi Jongho, the best friend of the prince. He was also a distant family member, son of the queen's cousin who married out of royal blood. A half-royal son with his father as an infamous and respectable high official in the town and mother a former princess, he was always welcome in the palace as the childhood friend of the prince who always stayed beside him, studied and grew up together and was considered just like a son by the queen and the king.

"Y-Young master Choi," Soojin stuttered out, bowing as she started. "I did not know you were here. I did not know it was you asking and I replied absentmindedly. Forgive me."