𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊───
"Dance for me." The figure on the throne said.
Her throat felt dry. Even in the dark, she could sense his eyes on her, tracking her every move.
She couldn't place what it was, but something about his intimidating aura made...
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Ji-ah opened her eyes and found herself looking at a splash of colours. She tilted her head, trying to figure out what she was looking at.
Before her stood an oil painting, depicting a lush field of flowers that seemed to dance with life.
"What are you doing here?" A baritone voice sounded from behind.
Startled, Ji-ah turned around to find herself face-to-face with Jungwon. His tall, imposing figure towered over her, his sharp features softened by the warm glow of the afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows.
"I was merely admiring the paintings, sir." Without thinking, Ji-ah found herself speaking with confidence she never knew she had.
"Are you a debutante?" He asked.
A what-
"I am. And you are?" Ji-ah spoke again, as if she knew exactly what he meant.
Jungwon's lips quirked in a subtle smile, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. "I am simply one of the Lord's younger sons," he said. For some reason, his demeanour is noticeably more relaxed than usual.
"Oh, I see."
"Taking a break from the festivities, are you?" He said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Yes, I find it rather boring. All of this just for the prince?" Ji-ah said while rolling her eyes. "He's not even fit for the throne yet, what's with the rush?"
Jungwon raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You think so?"
Ji-ah shrugged, her gaze wandering back to the painting. "It seems like a lot of fuss over someone who's still learning the ropes."
Jungwon's lips curled into a half-smile. "You're not wrong there. But sometimes, appearances are everything, especially in the royal court."
"Appearances can be deceiving," Ji-ah countered, her eyes still fixed on the painting. "What matters is substance, not just a facade."
Jungwon's expression softened, a hint of intrigue gleaming in his eyes as he leaned in slightly. "May I ask for your name?" he inquired, his voice gentle.
"Ji-ah," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she met his gaze, feeling a flutter of nerves in her stomach.
"Ji-ah?" Jungwon repeated, his lips quirking into a faint smile.
Ji-ah.
Ji-ah.
"Wake up!!" A voice called. She felt somebody shaking her shoulders.
Blinking rapidly, Ji-ah's surroundings came into focus, and she realised she was back in her own room, lying in bed. The voice urging her to wake up belonged to Seo-yeon, who stood beside her with a concerned expression.
