In The King's Court

Chapter 5

Jimin and I had been practicing for only about four days now, but the more we practiced the more I actually wanted to stay.   Taehyung had been keeping me company and keeping me from being bored out of my mind.  I had run into Prince Namjoon a couple of times from the times that I had been in the library looking around.  Today I was notified that one of the Princes wanted to take me on an outing today.  Which was seen as a big deal among the Collection so Yumi made sure that I looked the part of a potential princess of Bangtan to be.  I didn't know which prince was taking me out, nor did I know where we were going or what we were doing.  I arrived at the entry of the castle, ready to be picked up. 

  I fidgeted nervously with the hem of my dress as I was waiting to see who had called for me.  I nearly jumped when someone walked up behind me.  I spun around, kinda hoping that it was Taehyung and we would get to go out and do something fun...it was not Taehyung, it was...Prince Seokjin?  I was confused.  I had hardly spoken more than basic greetings with the 1st Prince.  Why would he suddenly want to go on an outing with me?

     "Your Highness."  I quickly bowed to him.  

"Lady (y/n), Its nice to finally meet the Ace that Nai Min-Sun would speak so fondly of."  smiled Seokjin.  

    "Glad to make your acquaintance, Prince Seokjin."  I smiled in return.  He waved his hand.

"Please, call me Jin, Prince Seokjin is such a mouthful."  he brushed aside.  

    "Then you may call me (y/n),"   I told him.  "If you want to of course."  I quickly added.  I hadn't met him before, and I didn't know much about him other than he was pretty charming and very handsome.  

     "Alright then (y/n).  Are you ready for our outing?"  he asked as he lent me his arm.  I looped my arm around him as he led me outside.  

     "May I ask where we are going?"  I asked him. 

"I thought that you might like to get some fresh air off of castle grounds.  Initially, Taehyung wanted to take you out into the city, but our father needed him to stay behind so I thought that it'd be nice if I got to know you and took you out instead,"  explained Jin.  I felt a smile faintly grown on my face at the mention of Taehyung.  I couldn't help but be a little disappointed that Taehyung couldn't take me out, but I wasn't going to tell Jin that. 

    "I heard Tae told you about the upcoming cut of the Collection,"  Jin said as he looked out the window of the carriage that we were riding in.  

   "He did,"  I replied quietly.  

"Did you tell any of the other ladies?"  asked Jin. 

    "No, no, I didn't tell anyone.  I promise!"  I slightly panicked only for Jin to let out a chuckle as he looked at me.

    "I didn't mean to frighten you.  I was just curious.  Personally I don't really care one way or the other.  I'm not really surprised Tae told you.  I've heard from Jimin that you are an excellent dancer.  You've been learning quickly."  Jin informed me.  I couldn't help but feel my face heat up at the compliment.  

    "Jimin is an excellent teacher."  I smiled lightly.  

"I have high hopes for you.  We are really hoping you work out for Jimin to dance with.  As you know he has gone through many partners and the festival is coming up.  It would be a shame for him to not be able to perform due to a lack of partnership."  commented Jin as he leaned back in his seat.  

    "I hope I won't disappoint then,"  I replied lightly as I looked out the window to see the city developing around us.  People were looking and pointing at the carriage and whispering.   Now, this was something I wasn't super used to as I usually didn't ride in a carriage that was obviously from the royal family.  My family's estate was near a small town near a river.  Everyone there pretty much knew my family so seeing us in town wasn't really something to gawk at.  

    "You'll get used to it,"  Jin said as if he had been reading my mind.

"It's still a bit strange.  Doesn't it feel weird to you to be gawked at...?"  I trailed as I caught myself saying something more out of turn then I should have.  This only caused Jin to chuckle.

     "I've lived with it my whole life.  It'd be nice to go somewhere and not be recognized, but being recognized comes with the title, and I wouldn't want to trade my life for any other."  He told me as he looked out the window at the people.   Suddenly the carriage stopped, and I realized that we were now in what looked like the center of the town square.  The door to the carriage opened, and Jin was the first to get out.  I heard cheers and squeals from the crowds that had gathered around us.  He helped me out of the carriage as the lights slightly blinded me of now setting sun in comparison to the darkness of carriage.   People began to whisper as I took in my surroundings.

    "Who is she?"

"I've never seen her before?"  

    "Is she a princess?"

"Where is she from?"  

    "Is she apart of the Collection?"

Were all things I heard being whispered around.

     "Prince Seokjin would you like to introduce us all to your lovely guest for the evening?"  asked a well dressed middle-aged man who greeted Jin.  

     "Ah yes, my guest here for this evening's performance is Lady Nai (y/n) of Simjang.  As you may have guessed she is indeed one of the selected members of the Collection.  I'm sure you will see and hear more of her soon.  Be sure to stay tuned to the ROYAL broadcast tomorrow night as announcements about our first cut in the Collection will be happening."  Jin informed the crowd with an award-winning smile.   I kinda felt like I was being used as propaganda.  People began all trying to talk to us at once.  It was all almost too much.  I think Jin began to notice I was a little overwhelmed before he swept us away towards the theater.   I followed along quietly the whole time as we were led up to balcony seats for the performance.

    "Did you just want to take me out to show me off?  Advertise the Collection to the public?"  I asked a little hurt.  I actually thought that he was trying to be nice.  Not just using me as part of a political agenda.

    "It was just an added fact of the matter.  No harm in making sure to keep up public opinion in favor of the royal family nor is it to keep up moral.  I did take you out to bring you here, though, I thought you might like to watch the visiting ballet troupe that is visiting us right now.  It's might not be as fun as going out on the town with Tae, but I thought it might suffice as a nice consolation."  smiled Jin.  I let out a little sigh as I smiled back at him and gave his hand a small squeeze as I reached over towards his seat.

    "That was thoughtful of you, thank you."  I thanked him honestly.  I turned to see that the performance was starting.  I watched the entire performance in awe.  I loved how they not only used ballet, but the troupe also Incorporated other cultural dances into the performance.  I was so engaged in the performance that I was actually sad when it was over.  Jin seemed very entertained by my excited ranting about the performance as we were on our way back to the castle.  I kind of lost my guarded formality with him as he let me talk freely about my response to the dancers, he even prompted more by asking me my opinion on different parts of the performance.  We arrived back at the castle and Jin walked be back to my room.

    "Thank you for the wonderful evening, Jin.  I really enjoyed the performance.  I hope you did too."  I smiled at him.

     "It was a good performance,"  he affirmed.  "Now you better go get some sleep.  You'll have a busy day tomorrow."  he reminded me.  My face faltered a little.

    "Ah, yes.  The broadcast of the cut is tomorrow...have the decisions for tomorrow already been made?"  I asked.  "How does it work?"

    "I can't tell you, you'll have to find out with all of the other girls tomorrow.  Don't worry, you'll be fine.  Good night (y/n)."  he smiled as he lifted my hand up and kissed the back of it lightly before leaving me alone at my door.  I stood there shook.  That was unexpected.