Coup De Foudre // Joo Seokhoon × Bae Rona (feat. Lee Minhyuk) AU 🌃🌌🌙

7// Harsh Realities Of A Princess

Year 1910
The Great Ha Kingdom
Palais de la rêverie

'What seems to be the problem princess? Your gown looks exquisite on you.'

Eunbyeol nods as she crosses eyes with her older brother through the reflection of the mirror.

'Indeed it is beautiful.... For that I also commend and thank you Pierre for sparkling your magic on this piece yet again. However, unlike oppa and Rona.... I don't have a escort to bring me to my own ball. '

Realizing Eunbyeol's dillema, HaRu sighs and swiftly pulls off his white gloves. Slowly approaching his dejected sibling, the handsome prince waves his hand and orders all the servants and staff to leave them alone.

As the door closes, the 2 royal siblings were soon left to stand alone in the tailor's studio.

Reaching out to rest both of his hands on Eunbyeol's shoulder. Haru chuckles and gently squeezes her for a little bit of reassurance.

'Hey..... This is gonna be your special day. Don't feel too down, I don't want my youngest sister to feel bitter when it's gonna be a huge celebration for your birthday right?'

Stroking the princess's cheeks, Haru smiles as he takes his youngest sibling into a warm and sweet embrace. As he pats her back, he continues with his sweet and melancholic almost comforting tone.

' I shouldn't be telling you this but.... Abbeoji has asked Prince DoHyun to be your escort during that day. So technically you won't be without a escort. DoHyun had agreed and I bet he'd stay by your side the entire night.'

At his remarks, Eunbyeol's eyes widen as she gently reaches out to slap the elder male's chest.

' Shut up Oppa!!! What if someone hears you. Anyway, I thank appa for asking Dohyun oppa for me but.... I just feel like it's too forced.'

Scowling at his youngest sister's remark, Haru gently holds the female's hands and pull her towards the beautifully crafted artisans sofa that was made with maroon cushions and gold linings.

After settling down on the sofa, HaRu finally continues with a wise and serious tone.

' I don't know if you'll believe it or not.... But oppa will tell you a secret that only I know.'

Leaning forward to whisper beside her ear. Haru smiles and continues.

'Prince Lee Dohyun also likes you.... A lot.'

Retracting back to his normal position, Prince Haru had a bright grin on his face as he scans Eunbyeol's face to see her reaction. But what he got instead was a scowl and a slightly painful slap yet again but this time on the shoulder.

' Oppa!!!! I told you so many times before to stop joking about those sort of things.'

Holding onto his shoulder with a pout on his face. Prince Haru slightly raises his voice as he defends himself.

'Aishhh!!!! It's true I tell you, your too dense.... You don't even notice when a man shows affection and interest in you. Do hyun and you may have a huge age gap. I still think your both cute and perfect for each other.

Plus, if something does happen between you two. I'm sure his majesty and her majesty will approve.'

Falling silent at HaRu' s comment. Princess Eunbyeol looks down at her lap and smiles sadly as she shakes her head.

'No, they won't.'

Tilting his head in confusion, Prince Haru scrunches his forehead and replies.

'What do you mean they won't? Your a beautiful young princess and his a handsome and eligible prince of his kingdom.

Frankly, it's a match made in heaven plus it'll bring our kingdoms together.'

Eunbyeol waves her hand and looks up at her brother. With a dejected and silent tone, she finally explains.

' If the purpose is to simply bring our kingdoms together.... That will never happen. Because there will be another marriage that will surely take place to bring the Lee and Ha kingdom together.

That's right, it's Rona and Minhyuk' s union. Although Rona keeps saying she won't marry Prince Minhyuk, we all know it'll happen anyway. What's there for me to hope that I still have a chance with Prince Dohyun ?

You know better than anyone oppa.... There can never be double marriages between the same kingdoms.

The probaility of me getting married would have to lie on abbeoji's decision. Which is for me to fulfill my duty as princess of this great kingdom and marry another kingdom's prince for economic development and more alliances. '

Prince HaRu could only stare at his sister sadly.

It was true !

That was the sad reality of each princesses, sure they were born to riches and raised around gold, silk and the most beautiful and precious jewelries. But far from the fairytales of grandeur and luxury was a painful truth that simply stinged and left a bittersweet aftertaste to the crown's beholder.

The princesses were treated as hostages for their kingdoms. Come to think of it, Haru had belatedly realized Rona was also being put into a forced marriage which basically meant both his sisters will never be able to escape the world of forced unions and fake love just for the sake of their kingdoms and power.

Snapping out of the heavy and deep thoughts. Prince HaRu glances at Eunbyeol who also seemed to be too buried in her own dilemmas and insecurities.

Grabbing and stroking her hand in his. The eldest brother could only give a sympathetic smile as he once again brings his youngest sister in a warm and brotherly embrace.

No one will know what the future held yet. What was planned and sure for now was that Rona is too marry... And so far everyone knew who the groom would be. But if that were truly to continue then Princess Eunbyeol and Prince Dohyun's possible love story might never even get to see the light of day.

As Prince HaRu sympathetically comfort his sister, Eunbyeol smiles and mumbles as she lays her face on her brother's chest.

'I'm very relieved though.... Even if we live our dutiful and sad lives as princess. At least Rona's possible future groom is someone she knows very well and someone who truly cares for her.

At least, she won't end up in a loveless marriage like how Princess Seola and Prince Kang started out to be.

Although, It's just so sad.... How even our own decisions can't be chosen by ourselves.'