Lost in a Masquerade

04

In the evening, Jimin waited in the great hall for the crown princess, who was the only one absent from the occasion. His bleary eyes were cooled when the woman in question walked into the hall in black slacks and a white off shoulder top. The princess had avoided styling her neck with any accessory and only wore flower shaped diamond studs in the ears.

Lee Hamin beamed at the crown princess and she reciprocated with matching zeal as she came forward and sat with his mother who was settled over a chaise lounger. "Did you rest well, honey?"

"I did, mother," Jessica held the mother's hand that brushed her hair and kissed it before putting it back over her thigh. "Let's start the evening."She fixed her hair right after, as her eyes screened through the room, stopping at every face.

When Jessica's eyes met Jimin, she quickly tore them away and got up. The counselor was in a black turtleneck and bell bottoms with black heeled boots. His hair was combed up and his only pair of silver earrings were bejeweling him. Jessica noticed that Jimin's hands were always laden with big, silver rings on three fingers each. She wondered if they were of significance or if the beautiful man wore them to doll himself. She couldn't deny that the rings did bring out manliness, regardless of the reason.

From the initiation of the night, Jimin observed how Jessica stayed close to Hamin and successfully paired with him too by cheating. Everything was opening itself sooner than he'd imagined. He knew what the problem was, if not how it originated. But he needed proof and collection of data to be able to present it to the king.

Lee Geon avoided Jimin and excused himself after his supposed headache. It was soon that Jessica spoke something in Hamin's ear and walked towards the king where Jimin also sat. "I am afraid I am done for today, father. I shall leave now and I will see you tomorrow."

"Of course, daughter. We are here to just have our own time and relax. Do as you please." The king assured her and stood up to hug the princess. Jimin's eyes remained on the face that softly rested on the sturdy shoulders before Jessica grinned and pulled away.

Jimin looked at Hamin, who expectedly asked permission to leave too. As he was left alone with the couple, he knew he could talk to them now, but there was still something that he wasn't entirely sure of, so he needed to know before he could give his final words.

"Young man, are we enjoying ourselves, or do I need to up my game?" The king chuckled and Jimin suddenly bowed, zapping out of his thoughts.

"My king," he trailed off cautiously. "I asked you if the princess was involved with any boy." Jimin looked with sincerity at the king.

"Don't keep it with you, Jimin. Be out with it," his highness motivated the young counselor.

"Forgive me for my honesty, but do you think it is possible that the princess is in love with a man."  He pressed his lips together, gawking at the response and as seconds passed, his heart drugged with emotions when the king didn't speak.

The queen with her maids looked at them, suddenly stopping the smile on her face as concern replaced it and she began to walk towards them. "Is everything okay, my king?" She asked carefully, reading the expressions and waiting curiously to hear only one thing that mattered to her. "Jimin, what is it? Is my Jessica fine?"

"She's fine," the king took the burden of answering on behalf of Jimin and smiled at his wife. "I and Jimin will take a walk and I will be back in a few minutes, my queen." The king kissed the forehead of his wife before turning on his feet and walking away.

" I hope my daughter trusts us enough to talk to us about it."

" I think once she is fond enough of me, I will start the therapy sessions and we will hope that she opens up soon," the king nodded in his deep concentration.