royal contrast. | 지민 √

16

"I knew they were together." - Park Jimin 

The next day came along, Eun-Byul's mind still going haywire over who the prince could like. She hit her head a few times, trying to remove it from her brain.

"My gosh, just shut up, conscious!" She exclaimed, leaving her room. However, she stopped in her tracks as she heard a familiar laugh, however, bonded in with another... feminine laugh.

She quickly peeked around the corner of her room, seeing him bonding with a maid. Eun-Byul felt a little pang in her heart, and it wasn't the good kind.

'She must be the one.' She thought, sighing silently before going back into her room. She reached for the telephone that was placed near her vanity, dialing a number before pressing it up to her ear.

"Hello~, Ga-Young speaking?" Ga-Young stated, making Eun-Byul chuckle a bit.

"Hi, sis! Long time, no talk." Eun-Byul replied, making Ga-Young gasp from the other side of the telephone before whining.

"It's been so long, Eun-Byul! How's being a princess- well, a future queen?" Ga-Young asked, making Eun-Byul sigh once more.

"Sis, I... don't know. I... fell in love with the prince... however, he might be in love with someone else." Eun-Byul explained, making Ga-Young hum in response, listening closely.

"I thought he had feelings for me... but maybe I'm wrong?" Eun-Byul asked.

"Well, sometimes, things aren't meant to be. Unless it's clear Jimin doesn't have feelings for you and he's soon going to be with that girl all the time, stay in your position. Maybe you should hang out with someone else, as well." Ga-Young replied, making Eun-Byul nod.

"I guess so, maybe to just get him off my mind," Eun-Byul said, making Ga-Young hum in response.

"Anyways, I'll have to get going. Bye love, see you soon!" She exclaimed, soon ending their talk.

"Bye," Eun-Byul mumbled, putting the telephone back to where it was. She frowned, jumping onto the big, soft bed.

Someone was on the other side of her bedroom door, hearing the conversation between Eun-Byul and her sister.

Namjoon.

Of course, he knew it would happen from the start; they were supposed to get close and get married. Although, he was still disappointed.

He thought, if only he had made the first move before any of this happened, would it all change?

He quickly put on his act, his eyes having a happy glow as his smile widened. He went inside her room, chuckling at her.

"Wake up, future queen of Busan." He stated, making her groan.

"Oh be quiet." She replied, the two of them laughing. He helped her off the bed, grinning at her. Eun-Byul gazed upon him, feeling something... wasn't right.

She knew... something wasn't right.

But Namjoon wasn't one who would say his imperfections and problems so easily unless it was necessary. So, all she could do was secretly worry.

"Would you like to cook breakfast with me, just like to old times?" Namjoon asked, making her grin. He offered his hand, making her giggle and grab it.

"I would love to." She replied teasingly, the two running out of the bedroom and to the kitchen.

Jimin watched from afar, the maid chuckling before nudging the prince.

"Jealous? Your plan isn't working." She stated, making Jimin sigh.

"How do you know?" He asked, making her gaze over at him.

"Knowing Eun-Byul from afar and how kind she is, she understands love and will do anything to let you have your happiness." The maid sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "She's changed you, Prince Jimin. It's either you get her... or you lose her." 

Jimin sighed, looking at the maid. "Can you go check up on them? Please?" Jimin asked, making the lady hum in response and leave him.

She went to the kitchen, smiling at the pair of friends. "Hey!" She exclaimed

As Namjoon and Eun-Byul started to cook, she looks over at the maid and smiles, hiding her painful feelings. "Hello." They both say.

The maid comes over, giving Namjoon a side hug. "What are you guys cooking?" She asked, making Namjoon chuckle.

"Soup. Don't worry Ms. Oh. We won't burn down your kitchen." Namjoon replied, making her giggle.

"Don't call me Ms. Oh! I am the same age as you. Speaking of which-" She turns to Eun-Byul, grabbing her hands. "You are such a pretty lady, my gosh." She complimented, making Eun-Byul smile slightly.

"Thank you..." She trails off, not knowing the girl's name.

"Oh Chan-Ri."She replied, making Eun-Byul nod and smile even more.

As time passed and Chan-Ri helped them cook, Eun-Byul could only think of how nice the lady is.

"Alright, I'll be going. See you all later!" She exclaimed, making the pair nod and say goodbye.

"No wonder Jimin likes her. She's so beautiful and so kind." Eun-Byul muttered, sighing silently before going back to her meal.

As Chan-Ri went back to an impatient and slightly-jealous Jimin, she grins.

"Don't be mistaken, Jimin. They are close friends. There's nothing between them." She explains, making Jimin sigh.

"But-" She stops him, walking away. He groans silently, going to the kitchen to see for himself.

---

Eun-Byul couldn't help but think. Why couldn't Jimin tell her? Was it because she wasn't as girly or feminine as he thought and he was afraid of her? Was she just not worthy of hearing who he likes?

She was so conflicted; why was everything becoming harder as she was getting closer to hearing an answer?

Namjoon watched as she spaced out, a look of dismay plastered on his face.

"Eun-Byul?" He tapped her shoulder, making her look over at him, humming in response.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, making her sigh as she placed the kitchen utensils down gently.

"I... honestly don't know." She lowered her head, tears brimming her eyes. 

"Chan-Ri is so nice and gorgeous, no wonder Jimin must like her. I'll be honest, Namjoon. I fell for that fool of a prince. Jimin was so nice, I fell for every part of him. But now, I only know now that he'll only like me for his future queen, and Chan-Ri will always be the one he loves." She sniffles, tears falling down.

He's never seen Eun-Byul so vulnerable, so weak. She's always been one to come back up and rise. Jimin really has her in his hands.

He quickly embraces her, Eun-Byul sobbing into the side of his chest.

"I hate how he makes me. I feel like this is the end." She sobs, making Namjoon shake his head before pulling away, softly grabbing her face.

"He doesn't just like you for a queen, Eun-Byul! He likes you as a woman." Namjoon explains, but she only shakes her head.

"Eun-Byul. You're beautiful, kind, and any boy would be willing to love you..." Namjoon still complimenting her, frowning.

Perfect timing, isn't it?

Because soon enough, Jimin enters, hearing Namjoon's compliments towards Eun-Byul.

He creeps his head around the corner, seeing him holding his future queen's face.

His heart had felt crushed, but in reality, he was mistaking the whole scene.

"I knew they were together." He mumbled, looking away from the scene before walking away.