Jewel | XiaoJin Fanfic

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 1

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Yujin

I scrutinized the ball gown I was wearing. Mhm. Acceptable.

The dress had moonstones embedded in the threads which made it sparkle under the light. The tip of the gown had golden linens, just like the waistcoat that emphasized my figure. I threaded my gloved hands into my dark waist-long hair.

"Aw." I winced as I got my hands slapped away.

"Stop touching it! You know that took us since dawn to style."

"Of course, I know. If I remember correctly, I was barely awake when you yanked the blanket off of my shivering body." I raised my eyebrow at my lady-in-waiting, Hiyyih.

The rest of my ladies-in-waiting laughed. I felt my shoulders relax a little at the familiar and easy atmosphere.

All of a sudden the doors to my chambers opened abruptly.

"Everyone, rejoice for I have graced you with my presence!"

I reflexively rolled my eyes at the voice of my friend.

"And what are you doing in the eastern wing, hmm?" I ask as she bustles up to my side, linking her arm with mine on the now crowded sit in front of my dresser.

"Impatiently waiting for the spoiled princess of this forsaken kingdom to wake up and entertain me, of course," Dayeon snickers when Chaehyun suddenly pinched her shoulder. "Chae! That was uncalled for!"

"Your grand entrance was uncalled for! The Princess could have been changing when you suddenly came in, Lady Kim." Chaehyun scolded and I watched their daily quarrel with an amused smile.

A soft knock interrupted the noise inside my room. Youngeun opened the doors and two women dressed in blue came in.

"Good morning, Your Highness." Shiro slightly bowed her head, along with her sister, Yeseo.

I glared at her but I'm sure my smile gave away my nonexistent annoyance. "I haven't seen you in months and you still don't drop the honorifics."

"I think my sister would see that as treason," Yeseo giggled. "Unless you make dropping honorifics in your sole command as a royal decree, we probably won't see the day that happens."

"I'd like to think that you're kidding but I'm almost sure that it isn't." I sighed, as if I was tired.

"Pardon my stubbornness, Princess." Shiro chuckled.

I waved my hand non-committedly as I watched my friends interact with familiar ease.

Honestly, we were a bit of an odd mix. The only thing that tied us together were our families. Then, for some weird work of fate, we became a tight-knit group behind the glamour of power and money.

Chaehyun, Hikaru, Hiyyih, and Youngeun were my ladies-in-waiting that my mother specifically selected for me when I turned 18 about a decade ago. Chaehyun is the sole heir of the Duke of the Eastern Mountains. We've known each other since we were babies. Hiyyih and Hikaru are daughters of a Marquess household in the South. I've only met them during my debutante ball but they're the friends I never knew I needed. On the other hand, Youngeun was probably the least expected choice of the Queen. Youngeun was the daughter of a fallen Baron house. The once healthy baroness was a commoner from a foreign country while her father was the General of the King's Personal guards. The public didn't expect her to be one of my ladies-in-waiting, but they thought that it was due to her deceased parents. However, the truth was that it was a personal wish of mine ever since she saved me from drowning. We were kids back then and I doubt she would still remember it, but when a palace maid took her in after she was orphaned, she jumped into a river I fell in. She didn't even know who I was back then so I promised to myself that I'll help her in my own way. Ever since the four of them came to my side, we became inseparable and not just because of their obligation to the crown heiress.