Prince of Hearts

Chapter 21: Twisted Truth

"May I speak frankly, Your Highness?"

The queen pursed her lips and turned her nose. "Eleanor, dear?"

The girl started in her seat, dropping the silk handkerchief she had been twirling between her fingers.

"Would you go and get me a refill of my smelling salts?" She shook a glass bottle at Eleanor. "I'm afraid I have run out."

"Right away, Your Highness?"

"Right away."

Her eyes darted to you for a moment. She stood, plucking the bottle from the queen's hands before marching to the door.

As her footsteps faded away, the queen clapped her hands once. A guard poked his head through the door.

"Your Highness?" His eyes flitted between the two of you.

"Would you give us some privacy, Lieutenant?"

Something unspoken passed between the two of them. He nodded.

Soon, the door was shut. The shuffling outside the door told you that the guards were leaving their posts. Then it was quiet, and you were alone with her.

The queen stood. Her gown, made of something translucent, flowed like water over her form and trailed to the floor. She was taller than you had thought.

She walked to the side table and opened a drawer. She took out a wooden box. It was plain. Unmarked.

She opened it. You caught a glimpse of a solid grey block inside. She broke off a piece, lifted the cover of the incense-burner and dropped it in. The incense glowed. Smoke curled up from it in white tendrils.

Her eyes had a strange gleam in them as she sat back down.

For a moment, you smelled. And then it hit you.

The smell of earth after the summer showers. The smell of grass. The smell of maple trees and wildflowers.

You were home. Late afternoon. The sun's rays slanted over the lake, making the surface glitter. Yellow wildflowers swayed in the breeze. A butterfly, white wings flapping, skimmed among them.

"Ready or not, here I come!" A boy's voice called out.

You slid back into the shadow of the tree, pulling the hem of your skirt up to avoid being seen.

"Princess?" The boy called.

As if you would answer.

You suppressed a giggle and peeked out from behind the tree. Hoseok ran around as he looked for you, his bare feet leaving impressions on the damp soil.

"Princess? Where are you?" His voice rose and fell.

You glanced down at your gown that had brown and green stains all over it. Mother wouldn't be happy, but you couldn't bring yourself to care. Not when the grass was so soft under your feet and the air was so warm after the summer rain.

"Princess! There you are."

You groaned, lifting your head to look at the floppy-haired boy.

"Princess?" The queen snapped her fingers in front of your face.

You blinked and gasped. "What—what just—"

"You said you were going to tell me something," the queen said. "And then you went quiet."

Yes, you were going to tell her something. Something about...Jimin? Something about—