Ecstacy of Love (vsoo)

27. Is it that hard to feel my feelings.

Edited

Author

As Jisoo, Chaeyoung, and Jennie entered the palace’s grand get-together hall, the atmosphere shifted. The lavish décor and the hum of polite conversation filled the space, but there was a sense of curiosity in the air, too. It wasn’t just the excitement of the gathering that had people’s attention—it was the presence of the second prince, Kim Junmyeon, who had just caught sight of the newcomer.

As Jisoo walked past, her gaze fell momentarily on the group of courtiers nearby, one of whom couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from Chaeyoung. The man's smirk was too obvious to ignore, and his scrutiny made Jisoo feel uneasy for a moment. She quickly turned her attention back to Chaeyoung, who was eagerly chatting with Jennie, oblivious to the attention they were drawing.

Meanwhile, Junmyeon, still standing near the entrance, watched the ladies enter, but his focus quickly shifted to the man who had approached him. The other man—someone Junmyeon had met recently—stood in front of him with an air of familiarity and confidence. His presence wasn’t one to be ignored, and his words carried weight.

"Greetings, Your Highness," the man said, bowing low in respect.

Junmyeon briefly glanced at the retreating figures of Jisoo, Chaeyoung, and Jennie before turning his attention back to his old friend. The man’s face was one Junmyeon had seen before, but today, there was a different air about him—a more serious, purposeful demeanor.

"You’re finally here," Junmyeon said, his tone half-amused, half-mocking. "Well, now that you’re here, tell me—how are things going? Are you still so enamored with my lady?" His words were laced with a teasing smirk, but there was a slight edge to them, as if he knew more than he let on. The man’s gaze shifted, avoiding the second prince’s teasing remarks, but it wasn’t hard to see the flicker of irritation behind his cool demeanor.

"I’m not," the man replied, his voice steady but edged with purpose. "I’m only after one thing. For that, I need your help." His eyes scanned the room subtly, making sure no one was paying too much attention to their exchange. The royal court was always buzzing with gossip, and it wasn’t wise to speak too openly in such a setting.

Junmyeon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the shift in the conversation. "My help?" he asked, his voice dripping with curiosity. "What is it that you need from me, young master? I’m not good at much, though," he added with a soft chuckle, as if dismissing his own abilities. But his expression was one of genuine interest, knowing this conversation wasn’t going to be casual.

"I thought you were interested in becoming Crown Prince," the man continued, his tone suddenly more serious. "If that’s true, then I’ve been working on securing a position for you—something... powerful." The man’s words were measured, and the weight of what he said hung in the air between them.

Junmyeon’s eyes widened with surprise. "Wait, you want a minister’s position?" he asked, his disbelief evident. "But you’ve never been involved in politics before. Why now?" He was clearly caught off guard by his friend’s sudden interest in such a high-stakes game.

"My dear friend, that was the past," the man said with a casual shrug. "I have desires too, and I know you have them as well." He reached out and placed a hand on Junmyeon’s shoulder, his tone almost conspiratorial. "I’m ready to do whatever it takes to secure that position. And I believe you’re the only one who can help me do it."