His Bride - A Minsung Story

十ニ

Jisung's POV:

"I'm sorry."

A smile spreads across my face, "Thank you, I forgive you."

I see the guilt permanently fade from his eyes and face; Minho really is an open book of emotions sometimes. He gives me a small nod and turns around, "The library is this way, pay attention so you can find your way back later."

I jog to catch up to Minho and pout at him, "I don't think I'll ever learn the hallways in this castle, sorry."

Minho turns to me and raises an eyebrow, "Why not?"

I scramble to think of an answer, the real reason is that I want to spend more time with him but I obviously can't say that so I completely avoid the question, "Can you promise to escort whenever I need it? I am new to this whole royal thing."

Minho scoffs and bumps my shoulder playfully, "I promise but it's not my fault if you're lost one of these days. Don't blame me."

"I could never," I respond, and Minho gives me a look of disbelief but doesn't comment further. So that was a total win if you ask me, now I have an excuse to see him more. Now that he's apologized I can see the difference in his eyes, they don't carry the same coldness as they once did. I think we bonded over that small plan we pulled against Chanlix, maybe he's opening up to me more.

I notice that we've reached a dead end but my puzzled expression quickly leaves my face when I see a plaque on the wall reading: Library. I squeal in excitement, "Can we go in??"

"Literally what did I bring you here for?" Minho opens the door and I race into the room. The library is an open space with three stories of books, seems I was right about rich people having a lot of books. I bet they haven't even read a single one. I run through some of the shelves and brush my fingers against the covers of hundreds of old books. Unexpected giggles escape me as I run up and down the aisles. Something about being around the comforting smell of a library brings up my mood. It reminds me of Hyunjin and simpler times before this whole royal fiasco.

My smile quickly disappears when I remember how I left both my family and Hyunjin behind without a single explanation. I wonder how they're doing, is my family doing okay without me? How is the small library of the corner doing? Did Hyunjin close it because it's too hard to manage without me? Is he overworking himself? Before I know it, endless negative questions circle my head, each one worse than the next.

"Jisung-ah! Where did you go?!" Minho's voice pierces through my thoughts and reminds me to stay in the moment. I wipe the stray tears that escaped my eyes while I was zoned out.

"I'm over here!" I yell into the silent library. Minho quickly finds me and his face flashes with worry once we make eye contact.

"Why are your eyes red? Are you alright?" Minho stops less than an arm length away from me.

"Oh they're just tears of pure joy! Have you seen this place??? It's amazing!" I ramble and look around the library with newborn excitement, "And I haven't even gone up to the third floor! Let's go!"

I must've been blinded by pure happiness because I don't think twice before grabbing Minho's hand and dragging him up the spiral staircase all the way to the top. When I finally realize what I've done I blush, but I decide to leave our hand intertwined, it feels.....right.

"There's a special area over here where you can see the whole library," Now it's Minho's turn to drag me along. I see a small doorway that could be easily missed and we ascend a small flight of stairs to the very top of the library, "I'm pretty sure no one knows about this place except me. Now you too."

Minho steps aside to reveal a small room with a few blankets and a small balcony that overlooks the library. The entrance is easily missed for the average person or maid who enters the library.

"Woww, it's so cozy," Then I remember something, "Yah! Wait, you read!?"

"Of course," Minho deadpans, "Besides me and Seungmin, I'm pretty sure no one ever steps into the library. I haven't even told Seungmin about this secret room so shush."

I giggle at his explanation, I can't believe he decided to show it to me before his own brother, "It can be our little thing, I won't tell anyone, I promise."

A small smile finds its way onto my lips as I realize that I'm the first person Minho has shown this to. It makes me feel special, like he really does care about me somewhere in that cold heart of his. 

I think we're getting somewhere

Minho's POV:

I watch as Jisung continues to look around the small room hidden in the library. My heart beats slightly faster and I swear it's getting hotter in here, it is certainly a weird feeling but I'm choosing to embrace it and see where it takes me. Never before have I felt something like this and something is telling me to never let go.

"You're welcome to come in here anytime," I tell him.

He turns to me with wide eyes, "Really!?"

"Really," I give him a very small smile to show him that I'm serious.

Jisung's smile blinds me with its beauty, "Thank you Minho!"

My heart skips a beat.....I must have a heart condition.

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Thank you for reading this chapter!!!! Have a great day/night!

*Alex <3*

Word Count: 929