A Crowned Heart

{6}

The palace was a maze of obligations, a place where Y/N often felt trapped in her role as a princess. But today, she had managed to slip away, finding a rare moment of freedom. She wandered through the palace gardens, the scent of blooming flowers mingling with the crisp air, and for once, she felt like she could breathe.

As she rounded a corner near the fountain, she nearly collided with someone. Startled, she looked up, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was.

"Lieutenant Kim," Y/N greeted, her voice a little breathless. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Taehyung smiled warmly, his expression softening as he met her gaze. "Your Highness," he replied, bowing slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just taking a break from the training grounds."

Y/N's lips curved into a small smile. "No need to apologize. I'm actually glad to see you. I've been meaning to thank you again for our conversation the other day."

"There's no need to thank me, Your Highness," Taehyung said, shaking his head. "But I'm glad if our talk brought you some comfort."

"It did," Y/N admitted, her gaze meeting his. "It's rare for me to have such honest conversations."

Taehyung's expression softened further. "Honesty is important, especially in a place like this. There are so many... masks that people wear."

Y/N nodded, feeling a connection in his words. "It's exhausting sometimes, trying to navigate all the expectations."

"Then why not take a break?" Taehyung suggested, a playful glint in his eyes. "We could walk together for a while, if you'd like."

Y/N was taken aback by the suggestion, but the idea of spending more time with him was strangely appealing. "I'd like that," she said softly.

They began to stroll through the gardens, the sound of their footsteps blending with the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. For a while, they walked in comfortable silence, the peacefulness of the garden wrapping around them like a warm embrace.

Eventually, Taehyung broke the silence. "Do you come to the gardens often, Your Highness?"

"Whenever I can," Y/N replied, glancing at him. "It's one of the few places where I can just... be myself. No court, no expectations."

"I can see why you like it here," Taehyung said, his eyes taking in the vibrant flowers and the neatly trimmed hedges. "It's peaceful."

Y/N smiled. "What about you, Lieutenant? Do you have a place where you can escape?"

Taehyung chuckled lightly. "The training grounds, I suppose. It's not exactly peaceful, but it's where I feel most in control."

"In control?" Y/N repeated, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"When I'm training, it's just me and the sword," Taehyung explained, his tone thoughtful. "Everything else fades away. All the worries, the doubts... they don't matter in that moment. It's a form of clarity."

Y/N nodded, understanding what he meant. "It sounds freeing, in a way."

"It is," Taehyung agreed, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "But it's also lonely sometimes."

Y/N looked at him, sensing a deeper meaning behind his words. "Lonely?"

Taehyung hesitated before speaking, his voice quieter. "When you're focused on duty, it's easy to forget that there's more to life than just responsibility. You start to miss out on the little things, the connections that make life... meaningful."

Y/N's heart ached at his words. "I know exactly what you mean. There are days when I wonder if I'll ever experience life outside of these walls."

Taehyung turned to her, his gaze intense but gentle. "You're more than just a princess, Y/N. You deserve to have a life of your own, with moments that are just for you."

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her at the way he said her name, so personal and sincere. "Thank you, Taehyung," she said softly. "I don't hear that often."

"Then let me say it again," Taehyung said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You deserve happiness, Your Highness."

Y/N felt a flutter in her chest, a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time. "It's kind of you to say that. But what about you, Taehyung? What makes you happy?"

Taehyung thought for a moment, his expression contemplative. "Moments like this," he finally said, his voice sincere. "Being able to talk to someone without pretense, just... being myself."

Y/N's smile widened, a genuine happiness blooming in her chest. "I feel the same way."

They continued to walk, their conversation flowing naturally as they shared stories of their pasts, their dreams, and their fears. With each word, Y/N felt the connection between them grow stronger, as if they were both finding solace in each other's company.

At one point, they reached a small clearing where the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow on the soft grass below. Taehyung stopped and turned to face her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Y/N," he began, his voice gentle, "I know we come from different worlds, but... I feel like we understand each other in a way that not many others do."

Y/N's heart raced at his words, a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling within her. "I feel the same, Taehyung. It's like... we've known each other longer than we actually have."

Taehyung took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. "I don't want to overstep, but... would you like to meet here again? Just to talk, like this?"

Y/N's breath caught in her throat, the idea of spending more time with him filling her with an unexpected sense of joy. "I would love that," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Taehyung's smile was soft, genuine, as he took her hand in his, a simple gesture that felt both comforting and intimate. "Then it's a promise."

They stood there for a moment, the world around them fading into the background as they shared a quiet connection, a moment of understanding that needed no words.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the garden, Y/N realized that this was the first time in a long while that she felt truly content. And as she looked into Taehyung's eyes, she couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, she had found something—someone—worth holding on to.

With that thought, they slowly made their way back to the palace, side by side, both feeling a little less alone in the world.