Prince

二

In total, on his first day, Taehyung sat down on his own with his own space for fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes to collect his thoughts and calm the nerves that threaten to overtake him and control him, it's definitely not enough time.

However, his life essentially is now owned by the king and queen and there isn't anything that he can do about it because he truly needs the money and at this point, this is the best option. It could always be worse he reminds himself when tiredness begins to form as an ache in his limbs but those thoughts in itself remind him of his earlier conversation with commander Kim.

What is his true job in this castle? It can't be the just the mundane jobs that everyone sees because if it was, it surely can't be that awful.

"Mr Kim, the princess has asked for your assistance"

Taehyung looks up to see one of the many maids bustling about the Princess' quarters to help her prepare for tonight's engagement, Taehyung's first, and he nods abruptly. The maid smiles at him sympathetically,

"You'll get used to all of this I promise you"

"Thank you"

"If you ever need any help, we are all here for you"

Taehyung's bows to her and thanks her again but something about the glint in her eye tells him a very different story to the one her mouth is speaking. Something tells him that actually, they would love to set him up to fail. After all, if you can get into the king's good books, you can get much more out of this job; especially respect.

Without another thought, Taehyung confidently walks through the large door into the princess' chambers where all of the maids have left and the princess is the only one in the room. As soon as he sees her, Taehyung bows deeply and holds it there for a few seconds as the princess turns around with one of the brightest smiles he has ever seen.

She's practically radiating happiness.

"Mr Kim! It's great to finally meet you. My brother told me he saw you this morning when you arrived and he said you looked a little nervous,"

The princess walks over to Taehyung and holds out her hand to shake his casually, she's much more relaxed than Taehyung would have thought.

"Please don't hesitate to ask me or my brother anything and if we can help you in any way we will. I know this is a very odd life to walk into and it's hard at first"

Her voice is soft, delicate and its comforting which is something that Taehyung really needs right now. He's been thrust into a entirely brand new world and to him, nothing at all makes any sense, It's all foreign to him.

"Thank you very much for your kind words and hospitality your highness"

The princess frowns, eyes fixed on Taehyung's own,

"When we are alone and out of the way of everyone else, you can call me Jiwoo. I'm just a person the same as you and the fact I was born into a different family than you doesn't make me any better or different to you"

And Taehyung is officially rendered speechless at the princess' words. Never in his life had he had someone of a higher social standing say anything like this to him; normally they rub it into his face that they are better and have more money.

He simply nods and agrees to do so because he truly doesn't know what else to say. After that, the pair make small talk while Jiwoo explains the way that everything needs to go this evening at the dinner. It's Taehyung's job tonight to escort Jiwoo down to the ballroom, to escort her around all evening and cater to any and all of her needs.

It doesn't seem too intimidating when she's explaining it all to him but an hour later, as they're walking down the grand staircase, Taehyung's stomach twists.

As it turns out, it's more nerve racking than he thought could be possible.

"It's okay, just smile and bow to everyone and you'll be alright" Jiwoo whispers hastily into Taehyung's ear as they reach the bottom of the staircase.

Jiwoo's long ball gown sparkles behind them from the mass of sequins, the train of the dress sweeps across the floor and all eyes turn to her the very second they step foot into the ballroom. Taehyung can see the envy and jealousy in multiple people's eyes but what really catches his attention is the male standing at the bottom of the stairs, girl on his arm and sadness in his eyes.

The prince.

"May I ask something your highness?"

Jiwoo nods silently and turns her full attention to Taehyung,

"Your brother, the prince, he looks sad"

Jiwoo gulps and casts her eyes down to the floor,

"He's always sad now days. This is what happens when you can't be your true self"