It's been a week since their last proper conversation.
Now the Princess and the Guardian of Light only exchange a few words when necessary, it's like they turned back time to the first week they met and relive it once again. The hostility between them didn't go unnoticed by Kyungsoo and Suho either, but they didn't question them about it because they thought that Baekhyun just got into a fight with his 'cousin' after all and they will reconcile anytime soon.
When Baekhyun comes back to his room, Taeyeon will always pretend to do something else to avoid sharing any eye contact with him. He will place a generous amount of food on the table for her and leave without a word.
It is better for either of them that way.
Acting like strangers so that they won't cross the line on each other.
Until one day an intruder came into their nest.
Taeyeon stared at the intruder and instinctively circled her arms around the puppies because the intruder had his eyes on the puppies instead of her. He didn't seem to be surprised by her presence. Like why is a girl in Baekhyun's room? Why is there a girl under the same roof?
He just crouched down and tried to play with the puppies. Ginger warmed up to the intruder first and sniffed his hands and boots to get familiar with him. Then it's the corgi's turn.
Taeyeon just stared wide-eyed at him before she opened her mouth to speak.
"Hi?"
He looked at her at the sound of her voice. And as if he just noticed her presence, he fell back like a clumsy giant before getting back up again and taking a few steps back away from her. "W-Who are y-you?"he stuttered.
"I'm...Baekhyun's cousin."she introduced herself as she slowly stand up from the floor. "Nice to meet you."she flashed a friendly smile his way.
Chanyeol just looked at her and back at the puppies as if the puppies can further explain to him what is going on here. It was pretty awkward because Chanyeol didn't say anything for a long time and Taeyeon just waited for him to say something next.
"Park Chanyeol. The name is Park Chanyeol."he finally spoke, reaching out his hand for her to shake.
She nodded and shook his hand. She was about to pull back her hand until he caught her fingertips. She looked up at him questionably, wondering why this stranger is not letting go of her hand.
Isn't this how greeting works? You shake hands and let go?
She thought to herself as she stared at their hands.
"Hi. I don't think we have met."he said, looking star-struck by her alluring beauty. He slowly pulled back his hand as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "What? Why? How are you in here when I have never seen you leave or enter the room before?"he asked, looking as confused as ever.
"I..."Taeyeon trailed off as she glanced at the door. Baekhyun usually does the talking for her. It's around afternoon right now, so she isn't sure if he's going to be back soon. She scoffed mentally and rolled her eyes when she thought of him. She can perfectly take care of herself, she doesn't need to rely on him to do the simple introductions for her. "My name is Byun Taeyeon. I have been staying here because my parents arranged a marriage between me and this guy I have never met."she said.
"Oh poor you. Baekhyun never mentioned about a cousin."Chanyeol said.
"He doesn't like to talk about family."she said. "You know how Baekhyun is. Always so hostile. Cold. Bitter."she slowly trails off as she thought about Baekhyun. "But sometimes caring...a gentleman...kind..."she continued the further she went into her thoughts.
Chanyeol just chuckled and said, "You sound like you are idolising him."
"Do I?"She asked as she pointed at herself. "He's my cousin. So naturally, I look up to him."she mumbled, looking down at her fingers. "He's like an older brother I never had."she continued, trying to convince herself more than Chanyeol.
"Uh yeah."Chanyeol was out of words. He didn't know how to reply to that. He finds it rather odd that Baekhyun has a cousin that suddenly appears after 17 years. Baekhyun and him went way back. They have known each other ever since they were in diapers. And Chanyeol thought he knows everything about his friend. "Anyways, he kept you a secret from all of us?"
"Yeah. He didn't want me to disturb you guys."she said.
-
"Dude, why didn't you tell me about Taeyeon?"Chanyeol nudged Baekhyun in the waist. Baekhyun snapped his head up to his friend and looked around them before pulling Chanyeol away from the living room.
"When did you find out?"he hissed.
"This afternoon."Chanyeol replied. "Your cousin is gorgeous. Why didn't you introduce her to me sooner?"his friend chuckled.
"Just keep her a secret from the others for me please."Baekhyun said. "She told you the reason right?"he asked him.
"Yep. Don't worry, my lips are sealed."Chanyeol promised, making a gesture of sealing his lips close together. "But can I court her?"he asked Baekhyun. He is attracted to Taeyeon's beauty the first time he saw her. It's like love at first sight as cheesy as it sounds.
"Court her?"Baekhyun looked taken aback by the question, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"Yeah! She's my type."Chanyeol said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Uh...yeah sure."Baekhyun said, pretending to be nonchalant about it. "Go ahead."he added as he forced a smile on his face. He wasn't happy hearing about that.
He can't say no even if he felt his heart sank when he said that he is okay with Chanyeol going after the Princess.
Who is he to stop him anyway? Taeyeon's doesn't belong to him. They were never together. And he believes that Taeyeon will get attracted by his friend since he's tall friend is quite attractive too.
"Erm...see you tomorrow then."Baekhyun nodded at him before going to his room as Chanyeol jumped excitedly to receive Baekhyun's blessing. When he closed the door behind him, he saw Taeyeon sitting on the bed with a book in her hand. She didn't even greet him as he grabbed a towel and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Hearing the sound of the tap running, she finally looked up from her book.
Should I tell him that another person found out about me?
She thought as she stared at the door.
Nah. They are friends. I'm sure Chanyeol already told him about it.
She shrugged her shoulders and resumed reading her book.
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a/n : yay! two updates today because i know that im going to be very busy this week. really short chapter, but contains quite a highlight. love triangle anyone?
chanyeol found out! which encounter of the Princess with the other guardians are your favorite?
Mr Yoda has taken an interest on the Princess. Baekhyun is okay with it. But what about Taeyeon? ;)
