The Truth Hurts [exo]

Epilogue

"Mille," I tied the small bundle of flowers upside down as my secretary opened up the window. "Would you kindly ask all suitors to cease their courtship? I am running out of space to dry all these flowers."

"But, Your Highness, there aren't any suitors." He held out his wrinkled hand for me to pass him the flowers but I couldn't let the old man climb up the ladder to hang the flowers at the top of the window. He was used to sitting in a chair all day going over ledgers and correspondences, not helping princesses do their dirty work. "Your father turned away all the mail from possible suitors when you returned."

That caught my attention as I side-stepped old Mille and climbed up the ladder. "He did?"

"Indeed, many things have changed around here without your knowing."

I cut him a look and found that he was shooting the same playful glare right back at me. "Sorry for taking two months to recover from my own kidnapping," I quipped, attaching the flowers to one of the hooks holding up the curtains. "I promise I'm ready to get back to my duties."

"Not to worry." I heard the flipping of pages behind me. "Your father has hired a new set of guards in order to fortify the castle."

I looked outside at the said guards who were training in the courtyard. They were all dressed in black, jabbing at each other with their swords. Masks covered the lower half of their faces from the dust storm that was forecast to begin this afternoon.

Jongin would have been able to take on all of them.

I shook my head and frowned.

Two months. I had given myself two whole months to forget about everything.

I slammed the window shut. One of the guards looked up from the courtyard and I almost waved my hand in apology but something stopped me.

His eyes...

Was he laughing at me?

"Your father has also stopped suitors from sending letters and gifts." Mille's words made me turn around. "Presumably, he thinks you will be marrying Prince Wu...?"

I shrugged and stepped off the ladder. "Nothing is set in stone yet." That was one way to put it.

The last time I had seen the prince was a month ago and I could barely remember how that interaction went down. He was a good and patient man, perfect for the role of a husband, but I just couldn't see him as my future husband.

But none of that made sense outside of my head.

"Well, he is coming in to meet with you this afternoon."

"Again?" I covered my mouth when Mille raised an eyebrow. "I mean, of course. It will be good to see him. Again." I plastered on the most pleasant smile I could muster as Mille sighed and went back to his books.

-

"It's nice to see you again, Princess."

I nodded and smiled up at Prince Wu. There wasn't much to say except pleasantries, because the only memories I really shared with him were that of Jongin.

"How are you feeling?" the prince asked politely.

"I am well," I replied, grazing my fingers along one of the flower beds in the garden as we walked toward the courtyard. "It is nice to get some fresh air again. Thank you for all the flowers by the way."

There was a pause. "Flowers?"

I let out a soft laugh. "Don't try to act innocent. I've been getting bunches of flowers recently and you're the only man my father has allowed near me."