Cursed - Enhypen FF

Fifteen

Air got stuck in Heeseung's lungs.

Fifteen days...

The oldest prince had imagined that the wedding would come up quickly, but the Princess hadn't been in the castle for a month and the rulers of Hyube already wanted to make the union official.

None of the young people seemed upset by the news, but Heeseung knew it was only a mask. He knew the princes despised the idea just as much as he did internally.

However, they all knew that contradicting their parents in front of the Princess would be considered as trahison and it would bring shame to their own parent, so they kept silence.

"Everything will be organized by then" said Queen Park.
"Today you will all receive our most talented tailors. They will take measurements for your wedding's attires" added King Sim.

The Princes and Princess nodded. They was nothing else to do anyway.

They left the throne room and Heeseung breathed out. At least, he'd get to meet his tailor, who he really liked.

"What are we going to do?" Jake whispered next to him.
"I sincerely don't know" replied Heeseung.

The eight of them walked upstairs, accompanied by servants.

"We'll have to talk later" added Heeseung, almost inaudibly.

Jake simply nodded, which relieved the older. He hated not to know whether he could speak freely or not. The servants walking with them had been by their side since birth.

But could they trust them?

~

"Sir Lee!" greeted the tailor as he bowed to the Prince.
"Mister Jung" greeted Heeseung, happy to see him.

Heeseung had been fascinated with clothes for as long as he could remember. It amazed him how something flat like a fabric could take shape through needlework.
On top of making clothes, mister Jung was a true artist and could embroider anything perfectly.

"I'm here to take some additional measurements for your weeding attire" explained the tailor politely.
"I've been told, yes" replied Heeseung, looking at the measuring tape mister Jung was holding.

At moments like this, Heeseung wished he could have a normal life. He could picture himself having a little workshop, working to earn his food, coming home to his family at the end of the day.
He could even see taking apprentices under his wings at some point.

A sigh left his mouth as he let his fantasy go.

That will never happen.

"Is everything alright, Sir?" asked the tailor, bringing the Prince back to reality.
"Oh yes, let's get to work" he replied, shaking his head to chase the reminisced thoughts still lingering.

~

There's gotta be a way...

I mean, she is gentle and funny, but that doesn't mean we have to marry her.

That doesn't make sen-

"I'm sorry"

Heeseung frowned, unsure he had heard well.

"It's not your fault Jayoung" said Sunoo, smiling at her.
"I know, but I'm still sorry" she added.

The Princes and Princess were in the garden, taking an afternoon walk alone.

"We're not the only ones being forced. So are you" added Niki.

Heeseung saw the Princess make an unusual face, on which he couldn't pin an emotion. He did however see something there that he had already noticed quite a few times.
She was looking at Sunoo.

The two of them had grown closer to each other, which wasn't a problem per se, but it did make Heeseung uncomfortable anyway.

The oldest Prince waited for an occasion. He needed to talk to Sunoo, alone.

~

That moment happened sooner than expected. In fact Jake suggested they played a game and Sunoo said he wasn't in the mood. Heeseung said the same.

"But go on and play, I'll stay with Sunoo" added the oldest.

The others agreed and Heeseung made a hand gesture towards Sunoo, inviting the latter to walk just the two of them.

As soon as they were alone, Heeseung took advantage of it.

"Hey... I noticed you're quite close to Princess Jayoung" he said with a friendly voice.
"Yeah, she's amazing" replied Sunoo. "We have a lot in common."

Heeseung smiled. Even though he was bothered by it, he still felt grateful that Sunoo had made a friend.

"We spent a lot of time together and have a lot in common" added Sunoo.
"Is Niki jealous?" asked Heeseung. 
"Wha- No, why would he be jealous?" asked Sunoo, stuttering a little.

Heeseung just side eyed him.

"Yeah, right no reason" replied Heeseung, making it clear that there was a reason.
"Oh yeah?" asked Sunoo, with a smirk. "Same reason you seem to be making heart eyes at Jake one week and at Sunghoon the next?"

Heeseung choked on his saliva big time.

"So, hum, yeah, we were talking about the Princess" replied Heeseung in a half mumble.

Sunoo smiled, he knew he had won the game.

"To be honest, I don't think Niki is jealous" said Sunoo. "He knows there's nothing weird. She is my friend, that's all."
"Has she said something about the marriage?" asked Heeseung, making Sunoo frown.
"Why are you asking me?" replied the latter.

"Cause I'm not close to her, but I am to you. I'm not comfortable asking her, and unfortunately by the time of the wedding it would be too late" answered Heeseung.

Sunoo took some time to think about Heeseung's question. Eventually he made his decision.

"Well, we made it pretty clear that we didn't want to get married to her"started Sunoo. "At first.. I thought that she was upset, but turned out that she also didn't want this marriage."

Heeseung frowned. The "at first" bothered him.

"At least we are all on the same page" said Heeseung.
"Maybe not" said Sunoo.
"What do you mean?" asked Heeseung.

"I wanted to tell you all together, but maybe it's good to check the waters with you first" replied Sunoo.

They stopped walking. Sunoo hadn't even noticed how far in the garden they had walked.

"I might have a way out of it" said Sunoo, a spark in his eyes.