Stray Kids | oneshots

The prince | Lee Know

In the heart of the royal castle, where stone walls echoed with whispers of centuries past, mid-spring painted the world in hues of newfound life. As the morning sun filtered through stained glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic patterns upon the polished marble floors, anticipation hung heavy in the air.

Within these hallowed halls, where intrigue danced hand in hand with tradition, Y/N was immersed in her art lesson that unveiled in the royal garden. Together with here on the lesson were other residents of the palace: a few young man and ladies, who were kids of important people to the country and royal family; and, of course, the prince himself. Prince Lee Know, with his brown silk hair cascading in effortless waves, commanded attention wherever he went. His dark brown eyes held a spark of mischief, hinting at depths of complexity beneath his stunning exterior. In the art lesson, amidst the tranquil beauty of the garden landscape, he appeared disinterested, his pencil skittering across the paper with the finesse of a child's hand. Yet, in music and dance, he reigned supreme, a maestro of melody and movement. When he took to the floor during the royal ball, every eye was drawn to him, his graceful steps weaving tales of elegance and allure. However, beneath the enchanting facade was a discerning judge, leaving many a hopeful partner crestfallen in the wake of his critique.

Y/N loathed Prince Lee Know. His constant belittling and criticism cut deep into her already fragile confidence, leaving wounds that festered with every encounter. Surrounded by a lot of stunning women who seemed to effortlessly capture his attention, she felt inadequate, perpetually striving to match their allure despite her own doubts about her beauty.

That's why she often was hiding in an only peaceful place in the whole palace - her pottery studio. There, amid the spinning wheel and the earthy scent, she molded her frustrations and fears into tangible forms of art, finding comfort in the gentle rhythm of creation. The clay yielded to her touch with a soothing responsiveness, mirroring the tenderness she so often longed for in her interactions with others.

Moreover, it was within the halls of the library that she truly found rest from the chaos of palace life. Surrounded by towering shelves laden with the weight of centuries-old wisdom, she sought solace in the company of books whose pages whispered tales of worlds far beyond her own. No one seemed to visit the library a lot, only to grab some books and leave quickly, however Y/N loved staying there to read. Though the presence of Prince Lee Know loomed like a shadow in this quiet haven, since he found the liking to stay at the library too. She often feared his cutting remarks, however it seemed like the ambiance of the library took an effect on him too, so he paid little to no attention to the young lady.

"Y/N, dear, trust me, this is for the best," her mother's gentle voice soothed as she stroked Y/N's trembling head. "Lee Know is not only sweet but a Prince. Marrying into royalty is an unparalleled opportunity," she continued, her words heavy with conviction. Y/N couldn't fathom why she, of all people, was chosen to wed Prince Lee Know. While every girl would leap at the chance to become queen, she couldn't shake the nagging sense of inadequacy. Despite her family's close ties to the royals, she lacked the political or financial leverage usually associated with such unions. She wasn't the most beautiful or witty in the castle, at least in her own estimation. So why her? And why would Prince Lee Know agree to it? Their interactions, save for the occasional exchange of books in the library, were strained, devoid of any genuine connection. Y/N longed to confront him, to unravel the mystery behind their impending marriage, but the mere thought sent shivers down her spine.