Beauty and the Monster-A Namjin AU story

Chapter 5

The palace's youngest inhabitant was a teacup named Jeon Jungkook. With only his father, Jimin, and a ton of boring adults for company, life at the castle became dull rather quickly.

But it wasn't going to be boring tonight. There was a new person in the castle! Someone he had never met before! Someone who was bound to be hungry for dinner and would probably love some tea with it.

For a breakable teacup, Jungkook was practically bouncing off the walls.

"Oh, there's a boy here! A boy in the castle!"

"Yes, Jungkook, we know!" Jimin groaned, at his wits end. There was so much preparation to be done!

"How do you think he likes his tea? Herbal, oolong...chamomile..." he let out a squeal. "I'm too excited!"

"Slow down, Jungkook, you'll break your handle!" he warned. 

Truth be told, they were both extremely excited. It had been far too long since the castle had a guest. And, of course, one could never forget the possibility of this guest being the one.

There was so much work to be done!

On the other end of the castle, Namjoon had heard everything. They dared give his prisoner hospitality? What was the point of that dungeon if it couldn't lock people up?

"You're making him dinner!" he seethed.

"Master, please," Taehyung tried to soothe him, "We just assumed you wanted the company."

"Master," Yoongi butt in,"I'd like you to know that I didn't come up with any of this. The dinner, the outfit, the bedroom in the east wing..."

Namjoon glared at him. "You gave Seokjin a bedroom?"

"No, he gave Seokjin a bedroom."

"It's true," Taehyung admitted, "But sir, if it's at all possible that he is the one to break the spell, you have to get to know him. And charming him with dinner is a great place to start."

"That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard," Namjoon scoffed, "Charm a prisoner!"

"But you must try, master. With each day that goes by, we become less and less human," he pressed.

"He's the son of a common thief. What kind of person do you think that makes him?"

"Oh, you can't judge people by their fathers, now can you?" Taehyung said.

He had hit Namjoon's soft spot.

They walked down the palace halls until they stopped at Seokjin's room which was, of course, closed.

"You'll join me for dinner," he growled through the door, "this is not a request."

"Gently, master, the poor boy lost his father and his freedom in one day. He's probably scared out of his wits in there," Taehyung said.

"Now remember," he continued, "Be gentle! Kind!"

Hoseok fluttered into the conversation. "Charming!" he added.

"And when he opens the door, give him your best smile!" Taehyung was happy giving instructions.

"Let's see that smile!" Hoseok cooed.

Unfortunately, when the enchantress cursed Namjoon, she did not spare his smile. His already-fake-smile masking his rage was far from charming. It was downright scary. His servants cringed. That wouldn't do.

Namjoon's face fell for a split second. Forget the smile, then...

"Will you join me for dinner?" he asked in his most jaunty tone.