𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐑 [Kim Taehyung FF]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫

Princess Fiorella sat in her room, her mind a whirl of thoughts. The sun had barely risen, casting soft, golden hues through the windows.

She stared absently at her reflection in the polished silver mirror, replaying the incident from five days ago in her mind.

Since that morning, they had not crossed paths, and the palace felt emptier, quieter.

A soft clink of porcelain pulled her from her thoughts. 

Fiorella glanced over to see Hye Ji, her loyal maid, was setting down the breakfast table.

Hye Ji's usual cheerful demeanour is replaced by a cloud of sorrow. Fiorella watched as Hye Ji’s hands trembled slightly, and she looked a little lost somewhere.

Fiorella’s brow furrowed with concern as she observed this.

“Hye Ji,” she called softly, 

“Are you not feeling well? You're always so cheerful, What troubles you today?”

Hye Ji paused, her eyes downcast, as if searching for the right words.

“Princess, I apologize. It is not my place to burden you with my worries.”

Fiorella rose from her seat and approached Hye Ji with a tender expression,

Her voice is soft yet insistent. “You’ve always taken such good care of me, you’re more like a friend. Please, tell me what’s troubling you.”

Hye Ji’s eyes welled up with tears as she met Fiorella’s gaze. 

“It’s my brother, Your Highness. He’s a soldier in the palace guard. Administrator Ju-Won has accused him of breaking a rule, and his royal badge is to be taken away. He will be dishonoured soon.”

Fiorella’s heart ached with empathy “What rule did he break?" 

Hye Ji’s voice trembled as she replied, “He was found outside the barracks after curfew. He was helping a sick friend, but Administrator Ju Won didn’t listen. He only saw a rule being broken, not the reason behind it. My brother’s future is at risk, and I feel helpless.”

Fiorella felt a surge of indignation at the injustice. “This is not right, he's innocent" 

“Hye Ji, perhaps you could talk to the Emperor. Explain the situation to him yourself.”

Hye Ji shook her head,

“I’m just a mere servant, Princess. My place is to serve, not to trouble the Emperor with my personal woes. Besides, this problem may be huge for me, but to him, it’s just a small matter. He has far more important things to worry about.”

Fiorella’s eyes softened, understanding the weight of Hye Ji’s words. “But your brother’s honour is important too. "

Tears of gratitude filled Hye Ji’s eyes. “Thank you, Princess. Your care means more to me than you can imagine. I have no words to express how much this means to me.”