Crack A Smile (Jenlisa AU)

III

Princess Jennie had been sitting at her throne for the better part of four hours now, listening to countless men and women try to coax her into laughing. She hated the feeling, honestly. The only thing that kept her sane were the thoughts of the little flower thief that had been visiting her every day.

Jennie was stunned that someone so low on the hierarchical scale could have such an impact on her. After a few visits, the guards began watching Lisa closely due to suspiciousness, but were stopped immediately by Jennie. That evening, after Lisa had left, she informed Namjoon to tell the guards that Lisa was allowed full access to the royal gardens without suspicion. Namjoon smirked at Jennie, saying something about enjoying looking at pretty ladies, before leaving to tell his guards what the princess had ordered.

As much as she would hate to admit it, Namjoon was right. Lisa was a beautiful girl, and she caught Jennie's eye constantly whenever she was around. Her hair fell down past her shoulders in chocolate waves, her brown eyes sparkled in the light of the sunset and especially when she smiled, and her laughter made Jennie's stomach flutter with an emotion she hasn't felt in a very long time. Her jokes we absolutely awful but Jennie appreciated her regardless. She knew it was a dangerous prospect, developing a soft spot for one so common, but she couldn't help it. Jennie had developed a soft spot for her chef, for Jisoo and in a vicarious way, for Chaeyoung. Now she was growing one for the flower thief.

A handful of suitors were removed from the list alongside Yoongi; a duchess named Sana from the Minatozaki kingdom was removed for her arrogance, a jester named Jackson was removed for punching a prince (he was probably punished severely for his stupidity), and a duke named Lucas was removed for touching the princess both inappropriately and without her permission. Jennie actually ordered Namjoon to throw him into the dungeons so that he may never disrespect another woman again.

After the incident with the duke, Jennie informed her parents that she was finished with suitor business for the day and quickly retreated to her room before anyone could complain or ask questions.

Bursting through her doors, she slammed them hastily before laying her back against them. Jennie's breathing became shaky as the tears began to trail down her cheeks, and she slipped down to the floor as she began to cry. She held her face in her hands and she cried, upset that the imbecile thought he could touch her like that and that she was doomed to be unhappy and alone.

A noise from outside her window made her silence herself quickly, tears still streaming as she listened intently. The noise was faint, too hard to hear from her doorway, so she stood quietly as she moved towards the balcony.

Was she hearing....singing?

Peaking out her balcony doors, she saw her little flower thief Lisa wandering aimlessly through the gardens, a beautiful tune filling the air as it left her lops. Jennie was absolutely stunned. Never in her life had she heard a voice so beautiful, and Lisa looked so effortless doing it. She leaned against her balcony ledge and watched the thief run her hands across the flowers as she sang her song.

When the song came to an end, Lisa jumped slightly at the sound of clapping coming from the balcony. Looking up, she saw the beautiful princess clapping for her with an actual smile on her face. Lisa gasped loudly covering her mouth to contain the sound.

"That was amazing, Lisa." Never have I heard a voice quite like yours," Jennie said, still smiling.

"And never have I seen a smile as beautiful as yours, m'lady," Lisa said, still gaping in awe at the princess.

Jennie seemed to realize that she was smiling and blushed furiously, moving to cover her face with her hand.

"Please don't stop smiling!" Lisa yelled somewhat desperately.