A Night-Long Lament

ball

(Your POV)

The noises of scurrying footsteps abruptly wake you up from a pleasant sleep. Gradually, you rise from your bed and approach the door, when you discern, how did you get here in the first place? All you recalled from last night was Yoongi relaxing his head on your lap with a brilliant smile. You tried to recollect what occurred last, but nothing resurfaces.

Wait.

You suddenly remembered you fell asleep along with him. Deploring your decision, you groan. You get up and get prepared for the day.

Yoongi probably told someone to bring me to my quarters.

Hastily, you put on daily attire and step out the door.

"Jungkook-ah, Taehyung-ah, please go call the designer for the ball preparations." A distressed voice calls from the dining hall.

With tired eyes, you follow the voice and find it belongs to Jin.

"Prince Jin, are you pleasant?" You look up at him as he itches his forehead.

"Oh, Y/N, you're awake, good morning." He manages to give you a small smile. "I'm a bit occupied at the moment, so I can't keep up a good smile. Forgive me." He looks down at a piece of paper and sighs.

"It's alright, my apologies, I'll leave you to your job." You begin to leave, but he gently clutches your hand.

"Can you stay here and help? Oddly, whenever you're nearby I'm relaxed." He tiredly laughs and releases your hand.

"O-Of course, I'll do anything in my ability to try to help you out." You smile and follow Jin.

As he's walking, he looks behind himself and slows down a bit to reply to you. "Quite honestly, just having you around is helping." This time, he displays a genuine smile.

In return, you smile back. "I'm glad to be of help, Prince."

He shifts uncomfortably. "I know this might seem cumbersome or uncomfortable, but can you refer to me as Jin?"

You slightly cock your head to the side. "Not... 'Prince'?"

"Yes, it signifies a better relationship between us."

"Ah... Alright."

A better relationship?

Jin begins to sign several documents and stamps them as well. He hastily trots over to the information book and scans through it.

Practically out of breath, he still manages to hold a conversation with you. "So, have you acquired the knowledge you need for the ball tonight?"

"Hopefully, yes. I've been receiving a lot of support from your brothers, and I'm extremely appreciative." You smile and take a seat near Jin as he sits as well.

"I'm glad they're of help to you." Jin ruffles his hair and sighs. "I overheard you had an encounter with Sehun?" He looks up from the book and meets your eyes.

You shift in your seat. "Um, yes, I did. I was informed that I wasn't supposed to talk to him by Prince Hoseok?"

Jin continues to sort through papers, as he says, "Yes, I'd rather have you away from poison like him. Hoseok-ah merely desires for you to stay unsullied."

"I see... I'm sorry for questioning his authority, Prin-- Jin." At the ring of his name through the room, his face lights up with pure joy.

"We should be just about finished here. The maid will take you around to prepare for tonight." He gets up from the stool and advances to you. "I'm looking forward to seeing you." And with that, he exits the room.

~~~~~~

Dressed in an extravagant, whirling attire, you look out your window to see several people begin to flood in the castle gates. You notice a large number of them are acquainted with a partner who is clinging to the other's arm. With haste, you seek a passing maid.

You look down at your dress, comparing it to the people outside.

"This exposed back is still making me uncomfortable" You sigh.

"Pardon me, ma'am, will there be a required partner for the ball tonight?" You ask, practically out of breath.

She looks at you confused. "Of course, Madam. Did Prince not inform you during the lessons?"

"No, he didn't. Do you know who I'll be acquainted with?"

"That's for the Princes to decide, Madam." She bows and leaves you in the hallway.

Raising your dress off the ground, you search for Jin but instead encounter Jungkook. He's adorned with a matte black suit and white button-up, with a ribbon hanging from the collar. You didn't want to admit it, but he was quite delightful to gaze at.

"P-Prince Jungkook, greetings-" You choke on your words in discomfort.

"Y/N." He gives you a blank stare and walks away.

Annoyed, you turn the corner to find Jin at the entrance greeting guests. Before greeting him, you observe his attire. He is dressed in a maroon suit and a black turtleneck. As Jin turns his head, you spot spectacles hanging on his nose.

H-Handsome...

Blushing, you attempt to leave the room to calm down, but he calls your name just before you do.

"Y/N-ah!" With his soothing voice calling you, you immediately turn around to find him waving at you.

"Ah, Jin- O-Oppa!"

Oppa? Really Y/N?

Approaching him with your cheeks ablaze, you wave. "Jin--you look rather dashing!" You exclaim gleefully.

A soft pink rises to his cheeks. "Aish, Y/N, you're making me flustered. Thank you." He pats his cheeks and looks away from your eyes. "Y-You look astonishing yourself, Y/N. I was looking forward to this event solely because I wanted to see you in a dress, haha." He awkwardly laughs, rubbing his nape.

You laugh with him and thank him for his compliment. "Uhm, I wanted to know, since everyone is entering with a companion, who will you be acquainted with?" You ask, messing with the hinge of your dress.

"I-I don't know, Yuna asked me to, but then she left me for Jungkook. I was hoping... uhm--" As Jin was about to finish his words, Jungkook and Yuna come from behind you.

"Jin-Oppa!" You hear Yuna yell.

Oh lord...

You internally facepalm and turn your body to see Yuna completely strewn over Jungkook. He seems to be ok with it, but you can see a hint of annoyance. As Yuna continues to comes towards the both of you, Jin bows and walks to them before they can.

"Yuna-ah, Jungkook-ah! You both made it in time, you're looking beautiful, Yuna." Jin leans down and kisses the back of her hand.

"Aww, Jin-Oppa, I was going to steal you for my partner, but Jungkook consulted me!" She pouts.

Standing behind all of this, you awkwardly rub your bare arms.

"Jin-Hyung, we need to talk." He pulls Jin aside and lowers his voice.

You clear your throat and straighten your back. "Yuna-ah, you're looking quite amaz--"

"You're lucky I left you with the scraps. I know he isn't the best, but please, bear with me." She snickers and leaves for Jungkook.

Enraged, you run off to an elongated hall, where you're met with someone you don't recognize.

TBC~~