Bittersweet | l.fx au

Chapter 14

Felix is muttering to himself, papers lying on the desk in front of him. There's numerous books in piles and scribbles of his writings clash with the printed handwriting of the records. Both Yeji and you and trying your best to organize this chaos of a mess. Lia comes back from getting tea and sets it down on the table that has nothing but a vase with a flower on it.

It's probably the only thing in the entire room that was free of books.

There's incoherent words tickling your ears from his deep voice muttering strings of sentences together. Yeji and you have been helping with returning books and taking books from the castle's library all day in between the breaks of organizing the books and papers into piles. You never had so much exercise in an entire day. Considering the library was quite far from the room Felix stays in.

A few minutes pass before Felix takes a break to stretch. He rolls his shoulders and leans his head against the chair. He faces the ceiling for a bit before suddenly, snapping his head forward. "Let's all take a break!" He says, eyes glittering with the need for one.

Felix gets up and strolls to the window. He rolls his neck this time, hoping to relieve some of the pressure he has from reading this entire time. The afternoon sun reflects off the water into shimmering diamonds. It must be calling to him as he turns with a smile. "Let's go down to the shore."

"The shore?" Lia echoes his question.

"Yes!" He starts to walk away from the window. "I think a break is needed, don't you think?"

"I would like to disagree." Yeji mumbles. She told you last night that she wasn't fond of the ocean. It scared her and she was uneasy about it.

Felix is polite to Yeji. "It's okay Yeji, you may stay here in the castle and you can have Lia accompany you. Is that okay?" Lia has a look on her that means something since Felix is quick to pick up on it. "Don't worry, Y/N will be there."

You're quick to bow. "If that is what you wish, Fourth Prince."

Lia contemplates for a moment but she cannot disobey the Fourth Prince. "Understood Fourth Prince. We shall take our leave." Lia and Yeji leave the room and it's quiet before Felix shoots you a grin.

"Shall we?"

You nod and the two of you leave the room. Other maids of the castle pass you by, greeting the two of you. Ever since the incident from that day, the staff of the castle had been on their best behavior and you hadn't run into anything else since that day. After a few minutes of traveling through the castle, and the small gardens they had, you finally enter the beach behind the castle.

You stand there, taken by the beauty of the sea. The sun reflects on the water, shimmering like a million diamonds and the sun is so warm. As you take in the scenery, your thoughts drift back to home. Taeyeon is juggling between your father, your little sister and the burden of money. You bite the inside of your cheek. You don't feel like you belong here, enjoying the scenery in front of you while your sister works herself to death.

There's conflicting emotions swelling up inside you. After the death of your mother, you went to the darkness where you didn't think what you could do from now on. But your sister on the other hand, she had only cried that night and the next day, she had gone straight to work, aiming to bring a little extra money, taking care of everyone and the new addition of little Ryunjin. 

You're pulled out of your thoughts when Felix enters your vision. "Are you okay there, Y/N?" His expression is one of worry. "I called out your name a couple of times."

"I am alright Four-, I mean, Felix."

He doesn't look convinced but he doesn't press on. Instead he nods. "Okay, but do tell me if there's anything that you want to talk about."

"I can't do that."

"Why not?" Felix questions. "I often complain about my own problems to you guys so I don't see the difference."

You shake your head. "Well there's an obvious difference of class and-"

"You know I don't care about that." Felix turns serious. "It does not matter if I am of royal status or if you are not. I don't care about that as I respect that work everyone puts in for me and I want to be able to become a friend to you all."

You stare at him, taken back by his words. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that someone of such high society cares about someone like you. And perhaps it's because he's such a kind soul that you begin sharing what's on your mind.

"I'm just worried about my family back home. I fear that my sister is taking on everything, ever since I started working," You start off. "She's been working and taking care of the family ever since my father got injured. I do give everything I earn to my sister and I feel like I shouldn't be here now."

"I am sorry to hear that," Felix's face looks genuine. "What if I hire someone else to help take care of your family?"

You shake your head. "No, that seems not right..."

"Not right?" He questions. "I'm afraid I don't understand. What's wrong with helping you out?"

You shake your head. You could only imagine the rumors flying if someone were to find out. A prince giving money to someone like you? That would be terrible, you're not sure if you could handle it. "No, please do not trouble yourself with anything. I'm going to provide for my family by myself."

Felix is silent. His expression is thoughtful but he doesn't say a word. You don't know if he agrees or disagrees. The movement of the waves keeps on going and it's when Felix starts to walk forward. He's only a couple of feet away when he turns back towards you; though he reaches out his hand with a bright smile on his face. "Come, let's go play in the water."

Your eyebrows raise a bit in surprise at his words but you don't disobey him. You take his outreached hand, and you distract yourself with a ludicrous thought. Your hand fits perfectly with his. Felix must radiate the sun so badly as his hand feels warm. He pulls you forward, stopping before the shoreline to take off his shoes and he gestures for you to do the same. You copy his movements. Felix is fast to take off when he takes off his shoes and rushes into the water.

The splashes he creates sends up the glittering diamonds of water everywhere and with how the sun reflects his personality, you fear that you have shot yourself in the foot. With every passing moment, you can't deny that you may have started to fall for the prince.

This spells trouble for you but it will be okay. For he will never know what secrets your heart holds.

"You want to... go out?" You are completely baffled. It's the way he words it that has your mind reeling from the fact but you know that Felix means something completely different.

He smiles that smile that seems perfect for him. It should be etched onto his face forever like a statue. "I hear there's a tavern here that has some interesting food and drink specials. And I know you'd be willing to go, right? It'll be fun!"

You sort of chuckle because of your delusional mind. "That sounds fun but are you going to sneak out? So no telling anyone else?" You're prepared to make sure you watch over the prince and not let anyone else know.

"You know me too well." He replies with a satisfied nod. "I'm sure Prince Hyunjin would be appalled at my going out and I don't think Lia and Yeji would appreciate it..."

"I thought Lia or Yeji would always sneak out with you?" You question, watching as Felix ties a robe on that has a hood on.

He shrugs as he finishes up tying on the string. "I usually go by myself but you seem like good company? Or that you listened to my problems, you know?" He then opens the window while you process his words, letting the sea salt air fill the room.

You smile to yourself, seeing how he already found a way to sneak out of his room. No wonder why any of the maids have been called in at night.

"Ready?" He asks, a twinkle in his eye.

"As ever as I'll ever be." You take off your maid apron and take hold of the hand that he holds out, stepping out into the cover of the night.