royal blood | sim jaeyun

fourteen🩸

Two days had passed and soon Miyeon found herself inside a carriage on her way to the Decelis Kingdom with Jaeyun sitting by her side and his brother Jungwoo sitting opposite to them. No one uttered  a single word through the entire journey.

As Miyeon stepped into the Decelis Kingdom, the heavy fog and eerie silence immediately unsettled her. The kingdom was dark and mysterious, just as she had imagined. Towering black stone castles with sharp spires loomed over the cobblestone streets, casting long, haunting shadows. 

The sky above was a permanent grey, and the air felt thick with a quiet, unnerving tension. The few people she saw moved like shadows, their pale faces and dark attire blending into the gloom. Everything about Decelis seemed alive with secrets, cold and foreboding — much like Jaeyun himself.

As they entered the castle grounds, Miyeon glanced at Jaeyun, hoping to start a conversation. "Jaeyun..." she began softly, but before she could continue, a stern-faced servant approached.

"Prince Jaeyun, the council awaits your presence for the royal duties," the servant informed him, bowing low.

Jaeyun gave Miyeon an apologetic look. "I'll be back soon," he said, though his voice sounded distant. Without another word, he turned and followed the servant, leaving Miyeon standing alone in the cold, foreign kingdom.

She sighed, watching him disappear into the dark corridors of the castle, feeling more isolated than ever.

Jungwoo then approached Miyeon with his usual smug expression, his eyes glinting with amusement as he glanced over at his brother leaving. "Don't take it personally. That's just the life of a prince. Always running off to handle matters bigger than the rest of us."

Miyeon frowned, feeling the sting of his words. Before she could respond, his gaze dropped, inspecting her pink dress with an exaggerated, disapproving look. He slowly raised an eyebrow. "That dress doesn't quite fit in here, does it? You might want to change into something more fitting for the Decelis Kingdom."

Miyeon crossed her arms, meeting his gaze with defiance. "And what would you suggest?"

Jungwoo smirked, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Something darker, perhaps. Less... human."

He snapped his fingers, and a maid appeared almost instantly, her head bowed in submission. "Take the princess to pick something more appropriate for our kingdom," he ordered, barely sparing Miyeon another glance.

Before Miyeon could protest, the maid gently but firmly took her by the arm and began leading her away. Jungwoo, already turning on his heel, smirked over his shoulder. "Trust me, you'll thank me later."

Miyeon clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. She wanted to argue, to push back against his arrogance, but the maid pulled her swiftly towards the dressing room, leaving her no choice but to follow.

As Jaeyun finished his royal duties for the day, his thoughts immediately turned to Miyeon. He hadn't seen her since they arrived, and he was eager to check on her, especially knowing how unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable the Decelis Kingdom could be for a human like her.

But as he was about to head toward her quarters, Jungwoo stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Going somewhere, brother?" he asked, his voice smooth but laced with that familiar hint of superiority.

Jaeyun's eyes narrowed. "I'm going to see Miyeon. Why? What do you want?"

Jungwoo's smile was all too smug. "Relax, Jaeyun. I've taken care of her. She's being fitted for something more appropriate for our kingdom. You wouldn't want her walking around in that ridiculous pink dress, now would you?"

Jaeyun's jaw clenched. "What did you do, Jungwoo?"

"Nothing that won't help your future image, brother. Trust me," he said, his tone dripping with condescension.

Jaeyun stormed past him, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. But just as he thought he could escape the conversation, Jungwoo called after him with a teasing lilt. "Oh, and don't forget about the Blood Moon tomorrow."

Jaeyun halted, his heart racing. "What did you just say?"

"The Blood Moon," he repeated, a smirk creeping onto his face. "It happens every five years, remember? A perfect time for vampires. Our powers will be amplified, but so will our thirst for blood."

A surge of dread washed over Jaeyun. He spun around, grabbing Jungwoo by the collar and pushing him against the cold stone wall. "You purposely made us come here around the time of the Blood Moon, didn't you?"

Jungwoo met his gaze with feigned innocence, though the glint in his eyes betrayed him. "What? Can't a prince want a little excitement for his kingdom?"

"You're putting Miyeon at risk!" Jaeyun hissed, the protective instinct surging through him. "Do you have any idea what could happen?"

Alaric shrugged, his expression unyielding. "She'll be fine. Just keep her close, brother. After all, she's your responsibility now."

Jaeyun released him and hurried to Miyeon's room, his heart racing. He pushed the door open and stopped in his tracks. Miyeon stood before him in a stunning black dress that accentuated her figure, her usual bright demeanor replaced by a subtle elegance.

"Jaeyun—" she began, but before she could finish, he crossed the room in an instant and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

"Miyeon, I promise I'll protect you, no matter what happens," he murmured into her hair, feeling the warmth of her body against his.

Miyeon  hesitated, confused of this but as she felt the sincerity in his words, her heart began to soften and wrapped her arms around him.