"We met when we were kids. A long time ago. I was five and he was seven," Jisung says smiling fondly at the memory.
We step inside the house. It was like a palace. Was I a prince? Did I become a prince?
I clutch my old bunny plushie closer to me. I feel my mother's hands on my shoulders as she speaks to the real estate agent. Father couldn't join us since he was in America for a business trip.
"Jisungie, why don't you go look around and pick out your room," my mother says. Her voice sweet, her smile sweeter. I nod, a happy, childish smile breaking out over my face.
I run up the stairs, I loose count after ten. I make it to the top, panting, out of breath but excitement still burning through me. I rush from room to room, looking for the one that's just right.
The last room I enter, I was loosing hope. None of the rooms had suited my taste yet. I was about to walk out when I heard a sound coming through an open window. I slowly creep over to it.
I peer out into the next door neighbors yard. There sat a little boy, wielding a play sword and wore a hat made of tin foil. He was jabbing his sword at invisible villains, smiling to himself when he hit one. He must be a knight.
I smile at myself. He could be my knight, seeing as I am a prince after all.
I hear my mother's voice ring out from the kitchen. I race down the stairs, almost falling a few times before finally reaching her.
"Jisungie, have you picked a room," she asks. I nod my head and grab her hand, leading her to my new room.
"Mommy, do you know that boy over there," I say pointing to the knight. She lets out a soft laugh.
"Why Yes Jisungie. That's Na Jaemin. His mommy is a dear friend of mine. Speaking of the Na's, they are coming over for dinner. You should get ready," she says, getting off of her knees and walking over to one of the boxes labeled 'clothes.'
A few hours later, the Na's arrive at our house. Mrs. Na greats my mother with a tight hug, Mr. Na greets me with a fist bump, and Jaemin uses his mother as a shield.
"Oh Jaemin, say hello to Jisung," Mrs. Na says looking at her son.
Jaemin waves but quickly looks away from me. A bright smile rises to my face as I wave happily back at him.
"Boys, we're going into the kitchen. We'll call you when dinner is ready," My mother says before our parents walk out, loud laughter filling the barren hall.
"What do you want to do," I ask impatiently, ready to interact with the knight. He just shrugs. A frown settles on my face.
We stand there awkwardly before an idea pops into my head. I grab his hand and drag him towards the gardens.
We step outside and the smell of flowers and fresh air fills my lungs. It was lovely. I slow down and we begin walking down the brick path that I assume leads to the tree house I had glanced at earlier.
We get to the bottom of the great oak tree before I pause.
"Are you a knight," I ask, placing my hands on my hips.
"Y-Yes," he stutters nervously.
"Good, because I'm a prince and this is my castle. Are you going to be MY knight?"
He looks at me shocked. I guess he wasn't expecting that questions.
"Y-Yes. It'll be a pleasure, your royal highness," he says bowing, showing his best fancy voice impressions. A soft laugh leaves my lips. He looks up at me with a bright smile on his.
We climb up the rungs of the latter into the old tree house.
"You have to promise to always protect me, Knight Nana," I say holding out my pinky.
"I promise Prince Ji," he says taking my pinky.
Jisung is smiling softly. A soft, sad smile. He begins rubbing his right ring finger.
There he wears a ring that says 'Prince Ji + Knight Nana.'
"When did you get this ring Jisung," Dr. Kim asks.
"My thirteenth birthday. Jaemin has the same one," he says looking down at the ring.
"He stopped wearing it though. He stopped wearing it after he started dating. I don't even know where it is anymore. I don't even know if he still has it," Jisung says as sadness fills his tone.
