Royal (Jeon Jungkook)

Four

Golden rays of the setting October sun sent sparkling reflections against Antoinette's cheek, as a way to tell the time that passed since she had left for the palace. Almost two hours already.
Her advisor, Hoseok apparently, had been driving in silence since their introduction. But as long as he wasn't Pierre, Antoinette couldn't care less who was her advisor. Aside from Soo-bin.

A frown formed on her face as she was once again reminded of her guardian. Sure, she had strange rules for Antoinette growing up, but Soo-bin still raised her.

"So quiet~" Hoseok suddenly broke through the silence with a small smile. Antoinette giggled before she could stop herself, but his voice had gone high like he knew he needed to lighten her mood. Antoinette adjusted herself on the seat and offered a small smile to her advisor.
"Aish, you already read me well, don't you?"

She could see Hoseok glance up at her in the rear view mirror, then laugh, like a school boy who found the smallest thing hysterical. But that was the good thing about Hoseok so far. He brought this calming, bright presence to Antoinette in the midst of the most stressful situation.

"I guess so... but you and I are alike, aren't we? We can be easy to read except for the moment when we're stressed to high hell."
Hoseok still smiled, regardless of how dark his sentence was.
"I... I wouldn't say I'm stressed-"
"Your highness, I hate to interrupt but you really have every reason to be stressed. You're marrying some man you've never met, and as far as the stories I've heard; you just found out about being the princess of The Kingdom of France ... yesterday, right?"

Antoinette nodded, her lips pressed in a taught line as she had been caught in her lie.
Hoseok sighed and ran his long fingers through his black hair. If this were any other situation, Antoinette would have thought Hoseok to be attractive. Yet, she really couldn't see past the fate growing closer with each spin of the SUV's tires.

"So... I'm not wrong for hating this? I wanted so badly to just run off to France once I found out who I was, and in the end, I tried so hard to... you know."
"Act like you didn't care that your life was decided for you? Yeah, believe me, I've seen enough princes and princesses escorted to their fiancé's in my days."

"What do you mean? How old are you?" Antoinette squinted, as if she could read Hoseok's age above his head. He snorted.

"I'm only 27... aish do I look that old?" Antoinette went to defend her statement, but Hoseok already continued, "I grew up in the palace just as the royal family did. My father was king's advisor until he passed on, then I took his place until Jungkook's father passed as well. It was a sad day at the palace, but the prince is much stronger than we gave him credit for... in more ways than emotionally."

Antoinette narrowed her eyes. "How so? Isn't he like... about to be king? He has to be strong-"

"No I mean physically. He can pick me up with zero hesitation and believe me, he does." Hoseok giggled a bit and pulled up to a garage, which was attached to the biggest mansion Antoinette had ever seen. Well, more so palace than a mansion. But regardless it was modern, and white and purple flags were whipping in the harsh breeze on every corner.

The palace was way out of her league, but she had no choice.
"I'm in for a lot, aren't I?" She said with a harsh gulp of nerves.

Hoseok chuckled and opened Antoinette's door, offering a hand to help her out of the awfully raised SUV. "Princess, one thing you have to remember is I, Jung Hoseok, will never lie to you. You're going to be happy here, I promise."

His eyes were squinted into a smile, as well as to protect them from the blazing sun that was setting behind the fir trees.

Antoinette nodded. "Okay. And... Hoseok?"

"Yes princess?" He said with a quick turn, as if she had fallen.
"Don't call me that anymore. Call me Ani, okay?" Antoinette finally smiled, as she was feeling more relieved.

"Aish... you Royal girls and your rules... it's better than most of what has been requested... Alright then, Ani. I'll escort you to your room. I believe you're gonna love it!" Hoseok bounced before he took off into the palace.

Antoinette smiled to herself as she watched him vanish into the building. Then, it faltered.
I hope so...