Crack A Smile (Jenlisa AU)

IV

A few months had passed since the first day that the suitors came for Jennie, and nothing has changed. Well, almost nothing.

Jennie still had people trying to make her laugh left and right for her hand and for her throne, but no one was succeeding. No one could even make her smile, yet they still tried relentlessly. Jennie had informed her parents that she only wanted suitors to come once per week after two months of almost daily torture. Her parents obliged, deciding it would provide the suitors with ample time to get their words together, and because they would do anything to appease their little girl.

The one thing that had most definitely changed, however, was Lisa.

Her presence in Jennie's life made her heart feel lighter, despite the tragedy that still weighed it down. While she still did not smile often, the only person who ever saw it was the little flower thief. Namjoon, Irene, and Jisoo had teased her relentlessly over her newfound infatuation with the commoner, and she had no desire in her heart to deny it.

She also noticed that her eyes were becoming brighter once again. They were still dull on most days, but after her encounters with the thief they always seemed to sparkle a little more.

About a month ago, Lisa began to stop taking flowers for her food, but rather to give to Jennie. Jennie scolded her, telling her that sacrificing her own health to give her a flower that she could go down and pluck herself was ridiculous and she would not allow it. Lisa had shrugged, saying, "a flower plucked by your own hands is not a flower from me." So Lisa began taking two flowers at a time, one for Jennie, and one for Chaeyoung so that Jennie would not reprimand her for her malnourishment.

Each flower never failed to make Jennie blush though.

Today was one of those days that Jennie did not want anything to do with the incompetency of the suitors that congregated within her castle walls, so she retreated early, claiming that she was not feeling well.

The princess reached her room, shutting her doors before changing into a much more comfortable gown than the one she had been stuck in all day due to the royals in her halls. Once moderately presentable, she walked out to the balcony just in time to see Lisa climbing the vine to reach her.

"Ah and my favourite little thief continues to grace me with hers," Jennie sassed back.

"Oh how lovely, I'm your favourite," Lisa smirked, causing the princess to roll her eyes, but she couldn't hide the small smile on her lips.

They talked for quite some time, Lisa switching positions to sit on the balcony ledge and face the sunset while the princess stood beside her, leaning against the ledge.

"The sunset always reminds me of home," Lisa says, her voice solemn. Jennie's eyes watched Lisa's face closely. Never had she seen her little thief so sad in all of their days of friendship. Without much thought, Jennie rested her hands atop Lisa's, to show any sort of comfort that she could.

"I'm sorry," Jennie spoke, because it was all she could say. She didn't know what it was that Lisa was going through, but she wanted to be there for her friend.

"It's not your fault," Lisa smiled sadly as she made eye contact with the princess. She looked back toward the sunset and sighed, "I hope you never have to learn what it's like to lose your family, no matter in what way you lose them."

"Unfortunately, I do know what it is like, little thief," Jennie spoke, tears welling up in her eyes.

Lisa looked at the princess and flipped her hand so that their palms were touching and intertwined their fingers. Giving the princess's hand a soft squeeze, and she said, "You don't need to tell me. I understand."

"I want to," Jennie spoke, wiping the tears that were beginning to trail down her cheeks. Lisa waited patiently for Jennie to open up, knowing this was most likely a hard subject for her.

"I am the daughter of King and Queen Kim," Jennie began, "but I was not the sole heir. I am the eldest of three, my brother Jimin and my sister Nayun both younger than I. We were a happy family, and there never was a dull moment between us. We were all so young.."

Lisa watched the princess intently as the tears fell down her cheeks freely, and Jennie made no move to stop them as she continued.

"One day, many years ago, Jimin and Nayun were travelling to the lake just outside the castle walls. Jimin, ever the rebel child, wanted to collect smooth stones to give to our father, and Nayun tagged along, because she wanted to be just like her big brother," Jennie spoke sadly, reminiscing her once happy past.

"What happened to them?" Lisa asked quietly.

"They.. We found them.. face down in the shallow water, two arrows in their backs piercing through their chests.." Jennie choked, finally breaking down into tears. Lisa quickly slid off the ledge onto the balcony to pull Jennie into her arms, allowing the princess to cry against her chest. She rubbed gentle circles onto Jennie's back as she whispered words of comfort into her ear.

"Jennie, m'lady, I am so terribly sorry for what has happened to you and your family," Lisa spoke quietly to be sure not to scare the princess. "They were your happiness, weren't they? The reason you no longer smile or laugh?"

Jennie nodded into Lisa's chest, tears soaking through the thief's tunic. Lisa just held her tighter, as though silently telling that she would comfort her as long as she needed.

Jennie pulled away slowly before speaking again. "We ended up finding the killers, some low life scum that were against the crown and wanted to take us down one at a time. But to kills such young children.." Jennie trailed off as a wave of fresh tears fells from her eyes. Lisa moved quickly to wipe the tears from Jennie's face and cradled it in her hands, making the princess look at her.

"I may not have known them, but from the joy they brought you I can tell they were amazing people. But I do not believe this is what they would want of you," Lisa spoke, looking directly into the beautiful eyes of the princess. "They would be devastated to see you so solemn, would they not?"

"I suppose so," Jennie sniffled, her voice small

"Then I believe you must live, Jennie. Live your life not only for yourself, but for them as well. They would want you to be happy, as would I," Lisa admitted honestly. Jennie only stared at Lisa before wrapping her arms around the thief's waist, her head resting in the crook of Lisa's neck.

"Thank you, Lisa. For not judging me and for treating me with kindness I have not known in years," Jennie whispered, making Lisa smile gently.

"Anything for you, m'lady."

Pulling away, Lisa took her place on the balcony ledge once again as she looked at Jennie who was wiping the last remaining tears from her eyes.

"Not to be rude," Jennie spoke, "but you did promise me that you would tell me your story if I told you mine."

"In due time, dear princess," Lisa smiled sadly. "Too many tears have been shed this evening already. Plus I can't have you knowing all of my secrets just yet."

Jennie smiled at the thief, no her friend, as she descended the vine to the gardens. As she was walking away, she stopped to pluck a single gardenia before running to climb the vine once again. Jennie watched her confusedly as Lisa leaned over to hand the flower to her.

"This is my favourite flower," Jennie spoke slowly.

"I know, I always see you looking at them," Lisa replied smuggle before climbing down once again, offer Jennie a wave as she exited the gardens.

Jennie stared at the flower in her hands dumbly. She should be the one giving this to Lisa in all actuality. The meaning behind the flower was one very powerful to Jennie, and it would be a perfect flower to give to Lisa.

'Secret love,' Jennie thought as she retreated to her bedroom.

A/N: SQUARE UP IS OUT IN 5 DAYS THIS IS NOT A DRILL

- karlalisas