Anima

Chapter 2: The King

          Enyd was utterly bored, very, very bored. Everyone around was discussing politics or mindless gossip, and her brother Yoongi was never much of a talker, so he didn't help. The girl had decided not to join any conversation, after all it was adult talk and she was barely nineteen. If this were the usual situation she would be bouncing about, dancing and chattering the night away, but in circumstances like this she had no idea what to do, so the polite thing to do was to stay put next to her parent's side.

Suddenly all noise ceased, if a pin were to be dropped at that very moment everyone for sure would hear it. The youngest Min turned her gaze towards one of the entrances in the room, and there she saw a man. He was clad in black like everyone, but his attire was rich and a red sash crossed his chest. The figure could be considered very handsome, but he looked haggard, red shadows situated themselves beneath his eyes.

"Thank you, all of you, for being here," soft and tired words escaped his lips. "My wife loved gatherings, she loved having a full house, so I am sure Yoora would be ecstatic...I-I wish she was here to see this...but she isn't, and I am greatly grieved by that. In moments like this, we should be together, come together as one and overcome this adversity. My wish, her wish, is that we honor her memory, and always remember her and keep her in our hearts."

Enyd's eyes watered, the king's word had warmed her heart. She could clearly see it, the ruler loved this wife so much, and now she had been ripped away from him. The words had barely managed to make it past his lips. There was some movements from her left, she turned, and saw that her father walked slowly towards the king. It surprised Enyd as her father placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, and firmly said. "It may not be much my king, but we are your people and we stand by you. My family is at your disposal, if ever you find yourself needing something."

"Thank you Jaehyuk, my friend. You have always been so loyal to us, you have no idea how much your words mean."

Enyd's eyebrows shot up, she had no idea her father was that close to the king, but apparently he was, enough for the ruler to know his name. Min Jaehyuk came back to his family and grabbed his wife's hand, said woman turned to look at him and smiled.

The rest of the day was spent in the palace, until it was time to go. Once again the younger Mins rode in their carriage, the late night scenery setting a different mood. Enyd noticed her brother's silence, it was different from the usual, something was bothering him. She saw his eyebrows pulled together, hazel eyes staring intensely into space, lips pinched together.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she said.

Not changing his stance, Yoongi replied, "The Prince wasn't there."

"The Prince?" Enyd questioned. She had been so immersed in the king's presence and his loss the girl had not noticed his son, the heir to the crown, was missing.

"Yes, Enyd, the Prince. I know him, he is a very lively character. Queen Yoora's passing must have been a fatal hit to him, from what I have heard from his cousins they were quite close."

The younger Min tilted her head slightly, "Maybe he wasn't ready to come out, didn't want people to see him."

Yoongi just shook his head, ending the conversation. The Prince was like his parents, in every sense of the word. A lively kid, social, and faithful to his duty, so Yoongi couldn't fathom what had happened to the younger that made him abandon his duty on such an important day. Had, perhaps, the death of his mother really hit closer to home than what he thought?

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Enyd had finally arrived home, she was eager to get to her bed and shed all the heavy uncomfortable skirts of her dress, especially to get rid of the suffocating corset. Hurriedly, she climbed off her transportation, and walked quickly all the way to her room. The ravenette pulled all of her clothes off, gulping a big breath once the damned corset came off. A small smile played on her lips, and she dressed herself in a light cream colored home gown. With her slippers place on her feet, Enyd headed to the dining hall of her home. She made her way down the set of stairs, dragging her hand along the railing, a soft tune escaping her lips as she hummed.

In the dining room the maids were setting down the meal for dinner. A chicken was placed in the middle, and the complements were placed beside it in different plates. Salad, berry dressing, mashed potatoes, rice, everything was there. Enyd took her place on one side of the long table, next to Yoongi's seat. One by one her family descended and sat down. Jaehyuk, being the father, sat at the head of the table, his wife to the left and to his right Yoongi and next to him Enyd.

"Thank you for the food," Aera said, and with that they all started to serve themselves.

Dinner went smoothly, not much talk going on, until Aera addressed her daughter. "Enyd, sweetie, I have been invited to tea tomorrow with Lady Park at the palace. Her husband and her are staying there to accompany the king, after all Lady Park is the queen's sister. She encouraged me to bring you along so you could see the queen's garden."

"The queen's garden? Am I even allowed there?" Enyd questioned puzzled.

Her mother laughed, "Of course silly. I mentioned once to Lady Park and Queen Yoora that you loved flowers, and well her highness insisted that one day you go visit. It seems that Lady Park remembered, plus it will be good company for you. Both of you kids are too pale, maybe some sunlight will do you good."

Enyd just nodded and Yoongi replied, "Well I am going to the Jung's tomorrow, Hoseok has been requesting my presence for three days now."

With that said, dinner ended shortly after. Each bidding each other goodnight and heading towards their respective rooms. The girl changed into her night gown and washed her face. With her hair brushed and braided she laid down. Her curtains were open, and outside she could admire the numerous stars. She sighed, closing her eyes and drifting off towards tomorrow.

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Hey guys, so this is chapter two. Welcome to my first story here, I hope you enjoy it. Please give me lots of love.

-V