Confusion floods through you when Chanhee passes by with only a nod. You pause for a moment, questioning what just happened, before you turn around and look at his retreating back. Never once, in your entire time at the palace, has the prince ignored you like this, and it hurts more than you're willing to admit.
"Prince Chanhee," you call out before you can think better of it.
His movement immediately comes to a halt and he turns to face you with a questioning gaze. The two of you stare at each other for a beat before you take tentative steps toward the other. Once the distance is closed, you search his pretty face for answers, but his face is unreadable.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not at all. Why do you ask?"
His formal words have your guard rising and you shake your head. "Don't. We've never been Iike that before, so please don't start now."
Chanhee looks away from you, and it's then that you notice the tick in his jaw. However, before you can ask about it, his bright gaze finds yours. "I hear congratulations are in order."
Your brows furrow. "Congratulations? For what?"
"Your upcoming nuptials," he answers with a barely contained scoff.
The words repeat in your head as you try to process them, but they're so unhinged you can barely fathom them. Slowly, you say, "I don't have any upcoming nuptials."
Chanhee searches your bemused expression. The tethered anger he's hiding slowly drains away. "You're not getting married?"
"Who on earth would I be marrying?" You ask, bewildered.
"But Jaehyun said -" He stops and takes a deep breath. "I was told you're marrying a Duke from the neighboring country."
A laugh bursts out of you at the absurd rumor. Of course, this would somehow come down to Jaehyun. He was always spreading around every word he heard, regardless if it were true or not. You thought Chanhee knew not to believe everything that little weasel said.
"Chanhee, my cousin wants to marry the Duke… I'm too busy being in love with the prince."
YOU ARE READING
The Boyz Anthology
Fiksi PenggemarA collection of short stories and drabbles that were requested on my Tumblr page.