The sun was just peaking over the horizon when you woke up, the beginnings of a warm glow shone through the thin curtains and for a few seconds, you lay in your bed looking for a reason to leave the warmth for the cold morning. Then you remembered Seokjin had been discussing a feast for tonight and you sat up, thinking about the delicate tarts you intended to make for the visiting royalty.
A loud creak echoed through the room as you sat up; the old bed wasn't pleased with your sudden movement but you were used to its complaints, stretching your arms above your head as a groan slipped from your lips.
Your blurry vision fixed on the sleeping tabby at the end of your bed, stifling a yawn before moving forward to stroke at its soft ginger fur, your lips curling into a smile as the supposed mouse catcher purred and nuzzled into your hand. It had been a few years since you'd found the kitten and promised Jin that it would keep the small cottage mouse-free, but really you couldn't bear to see it abandoned.
A cold feeling ran up your spine at the thought that this mindset came from your own childhood and you quickly shook your head at the thoughts, drearily looking at the cat's pretty face to calm your heart.
"Morning princess," the low rumble of a voice made you yelp in surprise, almost falling out of bed at the idea you hadn't noticed someone else was next to you. You jumped back in shock and for a second you were sure going to fall before a hand grabbed your arm and pulled you into a warm, golden chest that belonged to the crown prince of the human kingdom of Iliako. He looked down at you with a bright smile, "did I scare you, princess?"
The same prince you had proclaimed to be your enemy as a young child, also kept your bed warm every now and then, but you still frowned at the nickname, "don't call me princess."
A frown nestled into your brow as you glared up at Hoseok who watched as your hands gripped his shoulders in an attempt to push him away from you, but he only laughed and stayed sat on your bed, "you always were so friendly in the mornings."
You pulled your feet up and tried to kick him off the bed, but instead, his hands wrapped around your ankles and he grinned at your frugal attempt to try and make him leave. Some mornings, Hoseok wouldn't go until everyone else was awake and you'd have to deal with the knowing looks of all of your chefs.
Everyone knew that no matter what you said and grumbled, Hoseok appears dishevelled in the morning every now and then. They also caught the way he would look at you whilst you were baking and the darkening of your eyes whenever a new member of the court snuck into the kitchen to flirt with Hoseok.
Giving up with trying to get him off your bed, you leapt to your feet and began scooping up his articles of clothing, "get dressed and get out!" Hoseok caught the items as you threw them at him with a small smirk that made your knees weak at the memory of last night, "you fake prince!"
Instead of rising to your childish taunts Hoseok hummed in agreement, pulling his trousers back on and glancing at you to find that you were standing staring out of the window, hand pressed against the fogged glass as you traced the peaks of the castle that loomed ahead.
Slowly, you created a silhouette of the majestic castle and watched the windows brighten up as the maids lit the candles and fires in each room. The pastel colour of the spires contrasted the slowly brightening sky and even though you saw the same view every morning, it never failed to bring a smile to your face.
"You want to live in the castle?" Hoseok had appeared next to you, staring out at the view as his fingers worked on fastening his buttons. You turned to him and scoffed but he shook his head and pressed his hands to his heart, "it's a shame it'll never happen little apprentice!"
He giggled and ran off before you could pull his silky black hair, winking at you before he ran down the worn down stairs. The sound of his heeled shoes against the bare wood was too loud and instead of chasing him you sat on the top stair and listened to him slam the door loud enough to wake up the rest of the inhabitants.
Prince Charming definitely didn't exist.
