Prince of Hearts

Chapter 1: Sweet Escapades

[Recommended Background Music: Bright Future - Peder B. Helland]

[Y/N]

The bells were ringing.

"I told you to leave early, didn't I?" Hoseok said, his voice reproachful. "They should be looking for you."

You wanted to retort, but he was right. You tossed your sword to the ground, at his feet. It clattered against the stone.

"Keep it safe", you said to him, picking up your discarded maid outfit and pulling it over your head.

You adjusted it over your body, pulling and tugging, making sure that it was at least presentable. There was no time to worry about the fastenings.

You could hear Hoseok mumble something to himself as you pushed your way out through the tangle of vines that covered the entrance to the cave.

The stream wasn't deep, but the water would be cold this early in the morning. You gathered your skirts, lifting them above your ankle as you crossed it. Hopping from rock to rock.

You had done this a hundred times before. You knew which rocks were stable, which ones were loose. Which ones were slippery and which ones weren't.

The narrow path beyond the stream ran through the woods.

Covering your head with a worn scarf, you walked swiftly. Clinging to the shadows and taking care not to step on any twigs.

Every step taking you closer and closer to the bells.

It didn't take long before you finally reached the wall. A tall, ugly stone structure, cracked in places and covered with moss. Creepers covered it, their tendrils clinging to each crevice and cranny.

You picked the strongest vine-- the most familiar one to you.

Wrapping your hands around it, you braced your feet against the stone, one after the other.

The bells were still ringing as you pulled yourself up, carefully placing your feet on the stones that jutted out from the structure.

You heaved yourself to the top with a grunt.

The castle looked peaceful, as usual.

Or as peaceful as it could, for a day like this.

Servants and stable boys and maids ran around, their buzz of excitement palpable.

They wouldn't spot you now-- they were too busy.

You let yourself fall, landing on a haystack on the other side.

Pulling yourself to your feet, you took a moment to brush the hay off your body, checking to make sure that the maid outfit was covering the garments you wore underneath.

And then you slipped past the stable, into the mayhem.

Everyone was carrying something with them-- pitchers of wine, platters of meat, fruits, flowers, candles.

You walked briskly, keeping up with their pace.

And that was when you felt a strong grip on your arm.

"You-- what are you doing here?" A gruff voice sounded from about the height of your elbow.

Your heart flipped.

Did I get caught?

You turned around to see a stout woman, as wrinkled as a raisin, glaring at you.