The Ugly Duckling [Jinkook, Minjoon, Taegiseok]

3: Hide the Hideous

Ages at the moment:

Jin and Yoongi: 14

Hoseok: 13

Namjoon: 12

Jungkook: 9

~~~~~

It had been a year since they were told of the marriage arrangement, and nothing too drastic had happened yet. But that was about to change.

Jin was in his room on the far side of the castle when there was a knock on his door. He sat up on his bed, putting down the book he was reading.

"Come in!"

The door opened and the new maid who was assigned to him entered the room shyly. The maid was only around the same age as he was, and so far they got along decently.

"Prince Jin, your parents are expecting you at the dinner party tonight in one of your better suits."

"What time is the party?"

"The party starts in two hours. Would you like me to help you get ready?"

"No thanks, E. I can get ready by myself."

E bowed politely and left the room, slowly closing the door behind her.

Jin sighed and fell back on his bed, not wanting to get up. This dinner party was for no particular reason other than for the royals and nobles of Seoul to boast about their riches and beauty. Jin didn't feel like he belonged in a party like that. Although he was royal, he wasn't gifted expensive things from his parents, and he had no beauty that could match even the most average of human faces.

Jin hated these parties and usually stuck quietly to the sidelines, every once in a while having a word or two with his brother Namjoon. Namjoon was the only one really willing to talk to him, because Jungkook and Yoongi weren't invited to these parties.

But knowing that he would be in some trouble if he was late, and not to mention the fact that he would have a lot of extra negative attention, he got off of his bed to start getting ready.

He went to his closet and pulled out his favorite suit, knowing that it would give him some comfort, and that at least his body looked good in that suit even if his face didn't match the greatness of his body.

He took his time getting ready as if to put off going as long as he could, as if it would slow down time.

Once he was ready he started making his way to the ballroom of the castle. With only 10 minutes til the start of the party, all of the refreshment tables were out and full of delicious foods. That was Jin's favorite part of these parties. He could eat all of the expensive foods he wanted before going back to eating the leftovers he was given everyday.

Almost as soon as he entered the room, he was called over by his parents.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"We don't want you talking to Namjoon tonight in front of the other guests," his father stated.

"What?" Jin blinked. "Can I ask why, sir?"

"Because Namjoon is the future king. During these parties he should be looking around to pick our future queen. He doesn't need you distracting him, and he certainly doesn't need you tainting his image just from being around him."

Okay, so maybe Jin wouldn't be able to talk to his brother tonight.

Jin quietly nodded his head as his heart sunk in his chest. He would never want to hurt Namjoon's future by being around him and causing him to get negative attention. Namjoon was handsome and smart, and still quite young, and he didn't deserve or need any negative attention like Jin did. He wasn't ugly like Jin, so he didn't deserve to be treated badly like him.