astrocrats || l.mh x h.js

drei

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CHAPTER 3

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☾

"S-slow down already Jisung!" Jeongin panted as he ran after the prince. Not noticing the older had stopped running, the red haired man ran right into him.

"Why did you stop?" Glancing at the male, he followed his line of vision. Past the balcony they stood on, inside of the Great Hall, was Prince Seungmin, together with Hyunjin. Just as Jeongin had said.

Storming down the stairs, Jisung called out. "Seungmin!"

Upon hearing his name, Prince Kim Seungmin turned around to face him. He stood tall, adorned in fine silks that was native to the district he hailed from.

"Dear King to be" He wore a playful smile as he fake bowed. "To what do I owe the pleasure of you seeking me out?"

"I haven't seen you in so long! I didn't even know you'd be here!" Jisung spoke animatedly, his face still flushed from running.

The last time he had seen Seungmin was when they were still little. Their fathers had formed an allegiance during the Great War, so they were constantly with each other. However, upon the end of the bloodshed, Seungmin returned back to District 9, and Jisung hadn't seen him since.

Remembering why he had dashed all the way over here, the young prince turned his head to face his butler. "Hyunj-"

"My beret! It's gone!" The redhead suddenly exclaimed, his hands flying up to his head. 

"How did you not notice something like that, Jeongin?" Seungmin questioned the younger, messing up his hair. "H-hey! It's not my fa--"

"Are you perhaps looking for this?" A deep voice accompanied by expensive dress shoes clicking against the pale floors resounded.

"F-Felix!?" 

Prince Lee Felix stood before them, also wearing extravagant white clothes, with a familiar white beret in hand. "I believe this is what you're looking for, Jeongin" He extended the headpiece out to the younger, a happy smile on his face.

"Felix, are you also here for my coronation?" Jisung asked, shocked to be seeing all these familiar faces once again. "Why, of course I am Jisung! I can't afford to miss such a big event!"

Everyone happily chatted, catching up on lost years and uncovering stray memories. Until Hyunjin loudly clearing his throat, halting all conversation. Just as he was about to open his mouth of speak however, the loud booming noise of the pendulum clock sounded throughout the hall.

"We'll see you out there Jisung!" The three prince turned and walked into the ballroom, leaving Jisung alone with Hyunjin.

"Dear Prince, why must you ruin my efforts?" The butler spoke in a light tone, smiling softly as he began to fix Jisung's clothing, running his long fingers through his dark hair.

Brown eyes locked with ebony black ones.

"Do you think I'll be a good king?" Jisung questioned, his voice dry.

"Mmm" Hyunjin only hummed, instead focusing more on the task at hand. Deeming it to be fixed, he removed his hand, before rummaging around in his white blazer. Retrieving what he had been looking for, Jisung's mouth parts in awe as a beautifully jeweled mask was revealed to him.

"It is a masquerade after all, no?" He laughed lightly before placing it on the young king to be, tying the blue ribbons tight behind his head.

"Hey Hyunjin..."

"Yes, young prince?"

Swallowing deeply, Jisung looked his butler straight in the eyes.

"What did you mean by what you said earlier?"

Looking momentarily stunned, Hyunjin opened and closed his mouth for a bit before beginning to answer.

"I-"

"Ladies and gentlemen! Let the night begin!" The loud, prideful voice of the King of Levanter resounded in the empty hall.

"That's your cue" Pushing him towards the grand doors separating them from the ball, he opened it wide.

"I'll tell you later" He smirked playfully, placing his finger over his mouth in a 'shush' motion.

Pouting, Jisung could only sigh, the best he could in his corset, before walking out into the extravagant ballroom. Momentarily glancing behind him, he saw Hyunjin waving to him while smiling. 

But why did his smile look so sad?

☽

To be continued . . . 

A/N: Next chapter is when things start to get interesting, so please remain patient with me! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter of 'astrocrats' !!

-suhyeon