Be My Pride

Chapter 22: An Unlikely Pair of Friends

For a moment, Yeona is too dumbfounded to speak. She can only sit still and look at her friend dressed in black. His raven bangs covering his feline eyes, hiding his sadness. Yoongi has not noticed it yet, but Yeona's face is filled with guilt. She feels horrible. Truly very much so.

Yeona knows she must keep her true identity hidden. To tell him the truth now will only cause unnecessary trouble. Yet, Yeona also knows that by asking help from him this time, her friend is soon to find out who she is anyway. What reason is there to hide from him any longer?

Yes, princess Kim Yeona is known to be cold-blooded.

But ever since she first laid eyes on Jeongguk... she's felt he is harmless and in desperate need of support. Yeona just wants to help him.

Still, she must be careful with her words. One wrong move and her good friend might just lose his marbles! That is something Yeona rathers to avoid at all cost.

Sitting straight and composing herself, "I can help you."

Yoongi looks up then. His eyes are slightly red from having fought his tears for a while, yet hold not a single emotion. His eyes are void, his expression furthermore isn't, and betrays all kinds of suspicion and curiosity. "You've heard about him."

Not a question. A declaration. Yoongi knows, although that's about all he can tell.

Yet, his tone of voice is unusually cold, and Yeona cannot help shudder. She nods though, "something like that."

"Something like that?" Yoongi repeats her words questioningly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Yeona feels she should probably explain a little before getting to the point. So she ignores the other's question for now. "When we first acquainted we agreed our identity and life weren't to be taken in question, they were not important. Remember?"

Yoongi nods wordlessly.

"It's why we kept it secret," Yeona continues, "but things are gonna change. Someone I know had his true identity exposed to someone important to him, that didn't go so well... I must say I'm a little worried here."

"We both agreed. Despite the things we didn't know, we still agreed. I have no reason to disregard you just for who you really are, and the same goes for you." Yoongi says all this with a monotonous voice, matter of factly.

Yeona feels much relieved. Her muscles untense.

"Then... it's time to expose the truth to you," Yeona tells her friend.

Yoongi says nothing. He doesn't nod, neither does he shake his head.

To Yeona, it feels he awaits what is to come in silence.

"I don't just know about your brother. I actually met him."

No word from Yoongi still. But his eyes do grow wide in shock.

"I heard he'd arrived so I was curious and paid him a visit. Gifted him a puppy, because I can't help feeling sorry for him. He's a good boy, your brother. He's also stubborn and very brave."

"You're princess Kim Yeona." Again, it is no question.

Yoongi knows very well Jeongguk has been forced to enter the imperial palace. This generation has only four women with status, all being princesses. Of them four is there only one who is known to be busy with the inside matters of the palace. And that person is princess Kim Yeona.