ATEEZ Imagines

Seonghwa ✦ Runaway Royals

Word count: 5,400

DO NOT read or interact if you're under 14

This is a request by yunhosloveletterstoyeo0 on Tumblr from my 1K event over there. Requests from this event were supposed to be Tumblr exclusives, but I've been stuck on ideas for Seonghwa, so instead of keeping you all waiting, I decided to cross post this one
The others are available to read on Tumblr :)

"Tonight." You vowed.
Seonghwa nodded. "Tonight."
Your whispered words went unheard by those around you, a quiet promise for later that evening when the sky was blanketed in shadows.

When darkness fell over the kingdom, the shackles of obligation would no longer bind either of you. Not anymore. This was a calculated plan that had been carefully curated for weeks. You and Seonghwa would finally be free.

There was an arranged marriage, your arranged marriage. You were set to be wed in a month to the widely-admired Prince Yunho. He was charming in his own right, but he wasn't Seonghwa. You couldn't develop romantic feelings for him, they just weren't there.
Seonghwa had been with you through the highs and lows of your life. He was from the neighboring kingdom and your families were thick as thieves. Yunho, however, was from a kingdom a few villages away. His parents were into imported goods and their expertise could benefit your town. So your parents arranged for you to meet Prince Yunho. That very day, they broke the news to you that he would be your fiancé. As it turns out, there had been conversations behind your back between your parents and Yunho's.
You voiced your displeasure to your mother and father, insisting that Yunho was still a stranger, but they were adamant, giving you no freedom of choice.

Under the cover of night, you slipped through the marble halls of the castle, peering around every corner. You packed light, carrying only a duffle bag with you. Pulling the heavy front doors open, you squeezed through the gap, emerging outside.
The bushes clustered along the edges of your massive home rustled and Seonghwa's head poked out.
"Did anyone see you?" He whispered.
"I don't think so." You reached up instinctively to tug your hood further over your head.
"Good." He climbed out of the shrubbery and offered his hand.
His palm was warm against yours, contrasting with the cool night air. The gentle heat helped to soothe some of the anxiety simmering under your skin.

Ahead lay a forest with trials used by those who wished to remain unseen. You took a moment to glance back at the home you were running away from, the towering spires and peaks bathed in moonlight. That castle was nothing but a gilded cage.
"Y/n, let's go." Seonghwa whispered.
You nodded and headed into the woods. Using the light of the moon, the two of you navigated the thick trees and roots littering the barely-noticeable dirt path. The plan was to escape by boat, provided by Seonghwa's fisherman friend. You'd flee to a nearby island where you'd abandon the boat and figure out where to go from there. Hopefully hitch a ride on some ship and go somewhere far away. It wasn't a well thought out plan, but anywhere would be better than home.