Cursed - Enhypen FF

Her

Sunghoon didn't want to wake up.

He had had such a beautiful dream that night and some part of him wanted just to lay in bed and imagine what could have happened next.

After all it wasn't everyday that Sunghoon dreamt about Jake that way.

Dreamland had become the young man's only escape this week. After their failed attempt to escape, the princes had been kept busier than ever and Sunghoon didn't even see the week go by. It had only been a succession of nights, breakfast, crazy schedules and sleep again. He hadn't had any opportunity to talk with his friends. Servants and tutors and made sure of it.

However, no one would let him stay in bed today, even if he had been sick. In fact, he could hear a servant passing by the hallway that would soon be asking him to come down.

~

The throne room had been meticulously decorated. Flowers had been arranged around the columns and in big vases. It looked like they would be throwing a party celebrating the arrival of Spring.
However, it wasn't Spring that had been invited in Hyube's castle.

It was Princess Jayoung.

The other princes were already there and Sunghoon's heart stopped when he saw how insanely handsome Heeseung was.

A little frown passed through his face, embarrassing him.
The servant guided him next to his father, King Park.
Just like that the seven Queens and Kings of Hyube waited on their thrones, their children standing next to them. No one dared to speak and Sunghoon already felt overwhelmed. He wanted time to stop. He wanted to disappear.

After a few minutes of silence passed, until finally they heard a trumpet. A whole orchestra soon joined and the two doors of the throne room opened widely.

A young woman entered the room.

She was alone, but her aura filled the whole throne room. She was wearing a delicate white dress, but Sunghoon couldn't focus on her attire right now.

No, he was to busy being fascinated, just like everyone else in the room. In fact, she had made such an impression that the rulers of Hyube had forgotten to stand up for a minute.

She moved her head as she was about to bow and suddenly the Queens and Kings stood up.
They all bowed.

"Welcome, Princess" said Queen Yang.
"It's an honor to have you here with us" added King Lee. "I hope the journey didn't tire you too much."

She stood back up, planting her eyes into King Lee's.

"Thank you so much for inviting me" she replied, smiling.

Her eyes shifted, but Sunghoon couldn't see at whom she was looking.

That didn't really matter, because Sunghoon felt as he had just woken up. He hadn't even realized it but he had zoned out, but that he had "woken up", it was obvious.
He shook his head. He needed to be focused. This was an important day, no matter if it was in a bad way for him.

The rulers introduced themselves and their sons, each smiling kind of awkwardly to the princess. A huge banquet followed, and it took the whole day. The princess had been assigned a seat in the middle. She was surrounded by the Queens, Kings and Princes, with Sunoo to her right and King Sim to her left.

The conversation was polite and quite uninteresting to Sunghoon. He didn't care about anything going on around him. He just wanted to talk to the princes. After all, it was his first time seeing them after four days of solitude.

Fortunately, the cooks soon brought a thousand desserts, distracting him.

"Some tiramisu, Prince Sunghoon?" asked the cook.

He hadn't asked for it, which made the surprise even better. He nodded and let the man serve him.
Nothing like his favorite dessert to calm his nerves.

After a very long banquet, the parents allowed the princes and the princess to go to the garden patio, so that they could get to know each other.

The princes tried to act natural and not to show too much emotion, but they were all overwhelmed. No one was expecting such a golden opportunity to be alone.

~

Tea had been served and Sunghoon sipped, his eyes on Jayoung. She seemed less intimidating now that they were outside. The sun shone in her beautiful brown hair and on her face, which did add something to her natural charisma.
Her smile was gentle and her voice was cheerful.

All of that wasn't good.

It'd be easier to despise her if she wasn't like that.

"So.." she said once the eight of them were finally alone. "This wedding.."

The princes were uncomfortable.

"It sucks" she added.

Sunghoon opened his mouth in shock.

"What?" he heard himself asking.
"Well I don't like the idea of getting married without even knowing my grooms" she said. "And I'm certain that you all feel this way."

Some of them nodded, but all were surprised.

"But since we're stuck together, I suggest that we try not to think about the wedding and just try to.. I don't know.. just get to know each other and see where it goes?" she asked.

Sunghoon tilted his head. He liked that idea.

~

Some days passed since Princess Jayoung's arrival and to the Princes' surprise, she was quite amazing.
She fenced with them, knew how to play their favorite games and got along with all of them.
It did feel as if she had been part of their group for longer than that.
Sunghoon had also noticed how she had grown quite close to Sunoo, and he was happy about it. Sunoo's personality could use a little change and spice sometimes, and she was just that.

~

The boys had almost forgotten about the principal reason for the Princess' presence in their castle.

"It has been set" whispered Queen Nishimura.
"Fifteen days?" repeated King Park.
"Everything will be ready by then" added Queen Kim.
"We'll announce it tomorrow then" said Queen Yang.

All the rulers nodded, satisfied.