A Night-Long Lament

veiled

(Your POV) 

After the lessons from Hoseok, you head over to your room to try to get some more rest before you have to continue anything else. Just before you make it, you spot Namjoon coming out of the library. 

"Oh, Y/N-ah. You're up this early?" Namjoon approaches you with several books in his hands. 

"Yes, I was dancing with Prince Hoseok." You spot his struggle with holding the books, so you quickly grab a couple before he topples. "Here, I'll take some." 

Namjoon looks at the number of books you're carrying and shows a small smile. "Thank you, we're going to my father's quarters to drop them off." 

You nod and follow Namjoon, trying to keep up with his long strides and fast pace. Gaining the curiosity to look at the books, you look through the covers and pages, soon realizing that the books are all based on a person who has conquered a region, according to the summaries. 

"Is the King ambitious?" You suddenly ask, running up next to him to catch up with his pace.

"Ambitious...?" He looks at you, then to the books. "Oh. Yes, he's known to be a very pretentious and egotistical man over the course of the years. He loves to research on previous idols who had accomplished the same." Namjoon doesn't move or bat an eye.

Why would such a vain man as him want to look at other people's success?

"Ah, I see." You shift your hold on the books and look ahead. 

After the both of you continue to walk in dead silence, you make it to a large corridor which you've never seen before. The hall is unusually dark compared to the window filled castle, so it gives you odd vibes.

"This is where the King resides?" You ask, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Yes, it's a little dark, so if you want me to take all the books, I'm ok with that." Namjoon stops and turns around to look at you. 

"No, it's ok." You give an encouraging nod and follow Namjoon down the hall. 

Once you make it to the end of the corridor, Namjoon stops to open the large french doors. As soon as he does, a gust of wind flies out the door hitting your face. You blink several times to readjust your view of the room, only to see it essentially empty. 

"Namjoon?" A deep, hoarse voice rings throughout the empty room. "Come in."

Namjoon nods and walks into the room, and you follow right behind him. 

The voice continues to talk to Namjoon but soon pauses once you come into sight. "Why is she here?" The king narrows his eyes while getting up from his chair. 

"She offered to help carry the books."  Namjoon shifts in discomfiture. 

The king walks up to you and crouches down at your height. "Give me the books." In an instant, you drop the books in his hand and bow. "You may leave." His stands back up and approaches Namjoon, saying something. 

Some king he is.

You leave the room in anger and discomfort. 

Oddly, you find yourself in the courtyard. The echoes and hushed whispers coming from the other side of the walls start to make you uneasy. 

"Y/N!" The voice makes you jump, but you soon see Namjoon trying to catch up to you. "Where did you go after? I thought you were going to wait for me." He asks, slightly bitter.

"I thought you were going to take longer, so I just left." You sigh. "And I didn't particularly want to be around the King currently, he was making me uncomfortable."

"You shouldn't say that around here," Namjoon replies in a faint voice. 

You fiddle with the hinge of your shirt. "I'm just being honest, before I got... chosen, he offered to release me before everyone made their choice." 

Flashback--

You walk angrily through the halls, pacing around. 

That Jungkook, telling me to do this and that. I was just talking to Jin--

You stop and spot the King out of the corner of your eye. Squinting your eyes, you confirm that it is the king, and he's just staring at you. 

"Ah, sorry, I'll head back to the dinner table--" You begin to leave, but the King thinks otherwise.

"No. Come here." He gestures for you to enter a room. "I have something to discuss."

In hesitance, you follow him in the room. He waits, arms crossed. "I'm going to offer this once. Do you want to leave this place?" He asks.

"Y-Yes, but--" 

"Then, leave, I'll cover your tracks. You're no good here for my boys." He cracks his neck and looks back at you.

"No-- I'm ok, I'll do it the right way."  You say quietly.

Why is he offering this?

"Alright. That was your choice Y/N. Proceed."  He waves his hand and leaves through a back door.

End of Flashback--

Namjoon doesn't reply or say anything back. 

"Y/N--" Just as Namjoon begins to break the silence, a maid bursts between you and Namjoon.

"Madam, Prince Yoongi is requesting your presence." 

You look at Namjoon and look back at the maid.

"I'll take my leave. I'll see you later, Prince."