Lost in a Masquerade

16

Jimin paced around the living room with a throbbing heart.

 It was only a matter of a day or two when he had brought the princess here three months ago, but letting the younger stay for he didn't know how long, he feared if he would be able to provide enough for the woman who belonged to a superior world.

"Jimin?" Jessica called, eyes squinted, hair tangled and messy, the small rock shone on her nose as she stared from the door frame at Jimin, who panted and sweated.

"I- I am sorry, princess. Were you calling me for long?" Jimin made sure he filed closer to the princess out of respect.

Jessica's brows drew together and he tilted his head. "What is up with you, counselor? You seemed to have been utterly confident last night. Why do you look right now like your mother caught you in a bed with a stranger?"

"Would you mind if I ask you something, princess?" Jimin asked, the restraint clear in his voice as his eyes also faltered.

"Go ahead," the princess answered in a ruling voice, encouraging the older male, but also not helping him unintentionally with her domineering ask.

"Why did you come here? I do enjoy your company before you think I want you gone. But it's just that I feel you don't belong in a place like this."

Is Jimin insecure about his financial situation?

Jessica was left too stunned for a moment to speak, so she gulped a bit of air. 

The small round diamond on her nose cast a beautiful reflection over Jimin's face, and the older's eyes were stuck at the ornament as the younger thought of an answer. 

The princess had felt much happier in this house than she has felt in his own in a long time. "Can I request you something, please" Her voice wavered because she always had a hard time apologizing or requesting anything.

 She never once used the word 'please' with Jimin, and she would never have apologized to him either for slapping him before leaving if she didn't harbor a soft corner with a few feelings for the man.

"You can command me, my princess. You know that. There is no need to request."Jessica tutted in her exasperated state, shaking her head with closed eyes. 

When her face was so femininely delicate in the night, it now turned dominating by many folds, the same diamond added to both of the precepts, and Jimin couldn't understand how was it possible. Nonetheless, he waited for the princess's response.

"Can you stop treating me like a princess and talk to me the way you did last night?" Jessica asked, without overusing the word 'please.'

Jimin looked down in shame. He was earlier angry at Jessica for breaking his heart, but he had to harmonize his words, irrespective of his sentiments. The counselor knew that Jessica wasn't entitled to return any of his feelings, especially when he had no idea about them.

"Don't do this," Jessica padded ahead and tucked her finger under Jimin's chin as she knew he had to make the older comfortable in his skin in his own house. She often overwhelmed the commoners with the same thoughts that went into Jimin's mind right now. As Jimin's eyes met Jessica's, the latter surrendered his body into a hug, letting the older to hold her instantly. "Does this help?"