Royalty I K.SJ [SLOW UPDATES]

Seven: Cheosnun-e Banhaneun Salang (첫눈에 반하는 사랑)

The Emperor stood proudly before his fine-looking offspring, seemingly satisfied with your astonished reception of the seven men.

You were still so stuck in Prince Seokjin's gaze that you barely noticed the Emperor, or anyone for that matter, was still in the throne room. The Prince had not taken his eyes off you, staring deeply into your eyes since the moment he was introduced to you. It made you confused and interested at the same time. Never has a man made your insides squirm so uncontrollably with a mere look.

The hypnotic spell the Goryean heir broke as sovereign interrupted your unspoken connection with an invitation.

"We shall have a proper celebration to welcome you in the coming days, Princess," he explained, "I would like for you and your uncle to have a private dinner with my family tonight."

"It would be an honor, Majesty," you smiled and bowed while blinking to regain your composure.

You needed to maintain your royal poise to earn the Emperor's respect and admiration. This Prince, no matter how captivating, could not distract you.

"Excellent," he Emperor clapped satisfactorily while abruptly motioning for his guards to shoo away the royal court of spectators and invite your uncle and his top knights to his private dining hall.

You stood patiently, waiting for the Emperor and his family to exit the throne room so you could follow politely with Michault as your escort. However, the leader seemed to have different ideas.

After walking back up the throne stairs to fetch his wife, he grabbed Prince Seokjin by the shoulder and brought him over to you. Your eyes widened and heartbeat increased rapidly as the handsome man drew closer.

"Allow my heir to respectfully accompany you to the dining quarters," the Emperor insisted with a delighted smile, but the Empress pursed her lips.

She seemed as though she was not enjoying the closeness her husband was insisting you have with her eldest son.

You gulped slightly, looking up at the tall, god-like man who now donned a small grin on his thick lips.

"Yes, Majesty," you mumbled shyly.

Prince Seokjin quickly held out his arm to you and you slowly moved forward to take it gently by the elbow. Again, you became trapped in his eyes, now noting how they sparkled like bronzed gems in the candle light of the hall.

This man was beauty in every aspect of the word.

He smiled down at you as he placed his opposite hand on top of yours, pressing your fingers more firmly onto the crook of his arm. Silently conveying he wanted you to hold him tighter. You felt the apples of your cheeks warm as you gazed back at his endearing gesture, not being able to help the small smile you shared back to the Prince.

"Excellent," the Emperor grinned cunningly as he watched you and the Prince become caught in each other's gaze.

A gentle clearing of someone's throat caused you to pull your stare from Seokjin, blinking your eyes in a startled manner at your uncle who was glancing watchfully between you and the Goryean heir. Behind him Michault was doing the same, but seemed to have a menacing glare for the Prince.

"Shall we?" the Emperor smiled widely before leading the group out a side door.

Seokjin guided you behind his parents and you were followed by your uncle along with the younger six Princes. The hallways you walked through fitted the same fashion of the rest of the palace, colorful and ornamented with splendor.

However, you barely had time to enjoy the scenery due to the glances you and Seokjin kept taking at one another down the entirety of the halls. He still had his hand placed atop your own, holding your fingers tightly to his own as his thumb gently rubbed across your knuckles. His actions were bold, but made your heart stutter as his caress was almost... caring?