royal blood | sim jaeyun ✓

six🩸

The evening air was cool, carrying with it a whisper of the coming night. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the castle grounds as Miyeon and Jaeyun waited outside for the arrival of his family. The torches along the walls flickered, throwing erratic shadows on the cobblestones.

Miyeon fidgeted with her hands, unable to still her anxious heart. Her parents remained inside, preparing for the meeting that would inevitably shape her future. In a few minutes Miyeon would have to come face to face with Jaeyun's family.

Jaeyun stood beside her, hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, observing her every movement.

Miyeon's eyes darted to the gates and then back to her hands. She could feel the weight of Jaeyun's gaze on her, but she refused to meet his eyes. Instead, she tried to steady her breathing, to calm the racing of her heart.

"You're nervous," Jaeyun noted, his voice low and surprisingly gentle.She glanced up at him, her brows furrowing slightly. "I'm not," she said, but her voice betrayed her. It was strained, filled with unease.

A light chuckle escaped Jaeyun's lips. "You're a terrible liar, Miyeon." Miyeon sighed, shoulders sagging slightly. "I don't know what to expect from them," she admitted reluctantly. Jaeyun tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "My family is... discerning," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But they're not impossible to deal with. Just be yourself."

"Yeah easy for you to say," muttered Miyeon. Then, the distant sound of hooves echoed through the night, followed by the creaking of a carriage approaching the castle gates. "They're here," Jaeyun murmured.

The grand black carriage, decorated with the crest of the Decelis Kingdom, a silver bat with outstretched wings came to view drawn by midnight black horses. It moved with a slow, deliberate grace, as if it was announcing its own importance. Miyeon's breath hitched. She could feel the tension tightening in her chest as the carriage rolled to a stop.

Jaeyun glanced at her, his expression returning to its usual cold demeanour. "Remember," he said bluntly, leaning closer, his breath cool against her ear, "Don't let them see your fear."

Miyeon nodded, swallowing hard, and forced herself to stand taller. She was a princess of her own kingdom, after all. She had to be strong, even if she was trembling inside. As the carriage door opened, she steadied herself, preparing to meet the formidable figures.

Jaeyun's family stepped out of the carriage with an air of elegance and authority filling the space immediately. His father, King Beomseok, was the first to leave the carriage. His silver hair flowed down his back, and his piercing eyes seemed to see straight through Miyeon. He was dressed in a dark, regal cloak that seemed to swallow all the light around him.

Following him was Queen Seoah, her beauty cold and untouchable. Her long, blonde hair framed a face that bore a striking resemblance to Jaeyun's sharp, angular features softened only slightly by her crimson lips. She moved with the grace of a predator, every step deliberate and poised.