Sacrifice

Chapter 5 : The Prettiest Flower in the Garden

"Good morning, Princess," Jake murmurs groggily as he enters the kitchen. You, Jay, Sunoo, and Jungwon are currently gathered at the designated dining area in the room, enjoying the freshly made breakfast the second eldest prince had just prepared. Your jaw falls slack when Jake swoops down to plant a chaste kiss on your cheek and the princes sitting around you chuckle at your flustered state. Instead of pulling away, Jake leans in a little further, trailing the tip of his nose down your cheek until he nestles into the crook of your neck, inhaling deeply right at your pulse point. "Oh, you smell really nice."

"Your scent is extra strong this morning, petal. Almost reminds me of the fragrance you used to use in your past life," Sunoo agrees, propping his elbows onto the dining table's surface to lean his chin on his hands. The fox-like prince observes you keenly from his seat next to you and you nod slowly, slightly surprised he was able to pinpoint the scent so easily.

"I took a bath last night and Riki showed me the soaps I used to use."

"Your soaps? We haven't refilled those in forever. We dumped them out a few years after we lost you in fear of it expiring. Did we miss some?" Jay murmurs in confusion from where he's sitting at the table across from you. The younger prince sitting next to him sinks down a little in his seat, shifting his weight side to side in an antsy manner. Jay quirks an eyebrow at Jungwon's reaction and the dimpled prince ducks his head down sheepishly.

"I may or may not have been swapping out and refilling the princess's soaps throughout the years. It felt weird if I didn't make a batch of her soaps along with ours," he admits. You stare in awe at the timid prince and the older princes collectively coo.

"Always so soft and thoughtful, Won-ah," Jake grins, stalking over to the younger male to ruffle his hair before scurrying away to grab himself a bowl of breakfast with a playful grin spread wide on his lips. Jungwon groans in annoyance, reaching up in a hasty attempt to smooth out the new tangles.

"You've also changed clothes too, little one," Jay hums pointedly, his gaze casually glancing down to where the collar of the oversized shirt has shifted and exposed the smooth expanse of your collarbone. You follow his gaze and nervously readjust the fabric.

"Isn't that Riki's shirt?" Jake examines closely, taking the empty seat next to you, to which you nod in confirmation.

"Oh, you would never guess how I found the princess this morning!" Jungwon suddenly beams, straightening in his seat to share his discovery with the older princes. "Our youngest seemed to have slipped into her room at some point last night because I found them cuddled up together in her bed this morning."

"Wasn't Riki supposed to be on night shift?" the pyrokinetic prince questions.

"You pretend as if you don't know he asks his animal friends to do all the work while he plays around all night," Jay snorts which piques your interest. Riki confided in you about his shifts last night under the assumption that the other princes were unaware. But by the looks of it, the older princes are very much aware but allow their youngest to have his fun anyway.

"I told you Riki always had a soft spot for you," Sunoo smirks, bumping his shoulder with you and you have to bite back your smile.

When Jungwon had walked into your room this morning to wake you for breakfast, he was surprised to see the youngest prince's sleeping form pressed flush against you, an arm draped protectively around your abdomen. You, on the other hand, had already been awake, lying on your side gazing out the window from your relaxed position.

"How long have you been awake, beloved?" he greeted.

"Not too long," you shrugged honestly. "I just don't want to get up in case I wake Riki." Instead of responding, Jungwon sent you a mischievous smirk before walking over to the younger prince's sleeping form. You were startled when he roughly shoved Riki away from you. But to your amazement, Riki remained asleep for the most part. At most, he groaned softly and Jungwon quickly soothed him.