The Garden of Roses | knj✔

Chapter 2

That is how I feel...

The night was still young; the new moon has already appeared on the clear dark sky, stars shining as bright as ever. And there she was, a beautiful princess sitting on a chair in her room examining the reflection of herself in the mirror. Every single detail was perfect on her, from her neatly tied hair bun to her irresistible black dress. The dress was sleeveless, black as the night, reaching the floor. It was tight around her torso, covered with millions of small black gems. God knows how much time the royal tailors spent on sewing them to the dress. From her waist to the floor, he dress widened a lot. The skirt was made out of soft fabric also black colored. She knew her parents will be unsatisfied with her choice of color, but she didn't care to be honest. She wanted to show her dissatisfaction with her future husband. Her maid took her by her soft hand and led her to the hallway. Someone was waiting for her outside.

"Well, hello there, your highness!" A beautiful young woman on her left greeted her. She was a few inches shorter than her, wearing a red mask that covered the area around her eyes all the way to the tip of her nose. Her skin was pale and her hair was long and brown turning blonde on the ends. She wore a tight crimson red dress that showed off all of her beautiful curves. The mask on her face matched the color of her dress and was decorated with small ruby gems. It took a moment for Y/N to recognize her with the mask on.

"Oh, hi Sarah! It's so nice to see you finally. I couldn't recognize you with the mask on." She told her while Sarah was still smiling at her holding a black mask similar to hers in her left hand. She approached Y/N with a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Come on, princess! You are already late to your own party; you sure wouldn't want to miss that." Sarah's voice was optimistic, but Y/N still wasn't really excited about it. With a sigh she accepted the mask that Sarah gave her.

"Do I really have to wear it?"

"Yes, you have to, Y/N. It's a costume ball, you have to have a mask." She helped her put the mask on, hiding half of her tired face. Sarah took her by her hand and pulled her all the way to the main hall where the party has already begun.

The butler on the left side of the hall door introduced her to the big crowd in the room and everyone stopped what they were doing just to look at her, their faces speechless and their eyes glued to her. With zero will to attend this party she stepped inside the hall greeting everyone that she came across. She walked her way to the throne where her father seated. The rage in her eyes was indescribable. She couldn't even look at the cruel man sitting right in front of her. Without a single word spoken she bowed first to her father and then to her mother.

"Good evening, father. Mother." She said looking each of them and slightly nodding her head.

"My dear, why didn't you choose some brighter color? It looks like you are burying your husband, not marrying him." The word marry sent shivers down her spine.

"With all due respect, your majesty, she looks equally stunning in black. If I may say so, princess, you are absolutely irresistible tonight." Someone spoke from behind her. She turned around to meet with a black haired male looking at her with a small smile. He wasn't wearing a mask, like her parents. The man wasn't familiar to her, so she looked at him with a questioning face. "My apologies, your highness, I haven't introduced myself. Prince Jimin, your fiancé." With his right hand he took hers and kissed it with his plump lips. Sweet talker, she thought. He was attractive, to be honest, but still he was a complete stranger to her and she still didn't want to get married, not now.

"I'm pleased to meet you, prince. Princess Y/N." She spoke clearly not interested.

"Oh, princess, the pleasure is all mine. I would love to get to know you. Will you join me on the dance floor?" He took her hand and led the way to the center of the dance floor. Just one dance, she thought, and I will leave.

At that moment the unexpected guests entered the party. Namjoon came in first wearing a blue blazer decorated with golden buttons. His silver hair was soft and his face was covered with a gold mask that covered the upper half of his face. Jungkook behind him was dressed the similar way, but he was wearing all black and Taehyung was wearing a purple suit. All three covered with masks entered the room full of royalty. Namjoon had asked himself if this is a good idea several times on their way to the palace. It is late to think about it now, there is no turning back. The women were all over them, trying to invite them to dance floor, which Taehyung and Jungkook didn't decline. But Namjoon would stay in the corner, sipping a glass of vine watching over his friends and examining the situation. They can't het caught, or they won't leave this palace alive. Everything was bright and shiny; people were enjoying their time and dancing. The women were beautiful in their colorful dresses and with their slim figures. And in the middle of all that colorful mess he noticed the girl completely in black, standing alone in the corner opposite from him. Something with her just drew him towards her. Her aura was dark and sad, like she didn't belong to this whole world of joy and happiness. It took him a moment to decide whether to approach her or to just admire her from a far.

"Namjoon, you seem a little bit off." A butler on his left said bringing him another drink. That was Jungkook's friend that helped them get to the party, Hoseok. He was a servant of the Howard family.

"Hoseok? Ah, it's nothing. I'm just in my head a lot." He said with an innocent smile while putting his left hand on the back of his neck.

"Maybe you should go and just dance. Relax a little bit, everything is alright." Hoseok smiled at Namjoon encouraging him to go and loosen a little bit. That is it; he is going to ask the mysterious dark lady to the dance floor. With his big confident steps he walked towards her trying to start the conversation as smooth as he can.

"What is such a beautiful young lady do here all alone?" He asked her while smiling showing his cute dimples. Suddenly a wave of joy came through her body.

"Let's just say that I wanted to be alone." She smiled and bowed to him. "But I think I might enjoy your company."

"Would you do me the honor to take you to the dance floor?" She simply nodded taking his hand as they disappeared in the crowd.