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sparklingchan · 9 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 10 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 10 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 17 days
Text
A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 18 days
Text
A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 18 days
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sparklingchan · 19 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. But there was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 19 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. But there was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 19 days
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A Duel of Hearts || Kim Seungmin (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Seungmin Word Count: 5k+ Warnings: Suggestive, strong language(ig), mention of suicide (not the main characters). Genre: Royal AU, Friends to Lovers, Dark Academia, Angst mixed with fluff. Description: Caught in a dilemma of affection, Kim Seungmin, a prince, finds himself drawn to you. There was but one obstacle to his pursuit —you've set a single condition for all potential suitors: no royal lineage. A/N: Hello everyone! Here's another installation of the SKZ Royal AU. Idk why but Seungmin has this Dark Academia kind of vibe so I tried to incorporate that here. Hope you guys like it! More to come<3 Do check out the other fics in the skz royal series. (The stories are not interrelated) Here's the link.
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You like to believe that your new dorm room is starting to grow on you.
It wasn't anything like your room back in your parents' house of course; but over the past twelve months, you'd renovated your dorm room enough to feel at home.
You'd replaced the light blue curtains with grey ones, swapped the single candle stand with a lantern to help you study better at night, put on a white table cloth and the list goes on.
A knock on your door pulls your attention.
It must be Wendy, you think to yourself, walking toward the door.
Correction: your only friend Wendy.
"Gosh, I really hate this academy, y/n." She walks in complaining, "I cannot believe they gave me a B in geography. I love geography. I cannot believe they'd ruin my overall grade like that."
"What happened?" You ask, closing the door behind her.
"I don't know! I will deal with this later, anyway," she says, fishing out a note from the pocket of her blazer. "I'm here to discuss a more pressing matter."
"What's that?"
"Of course, it's one of your lovers, y/n. I have two more lover letters in my backpack. Do you need them?"
You half chuckle and half sigh, taking the note from her and tearing it into bits.
"Ouch." Wendy says, staring at you, "Tell me y/n, it's been over a year since you joined the academy. All the boys here would die to even see you across the hallway yet you've kept the door to your heart locked. Why?"
"I am not not open to having a relationship. I just dislike how most of these men who pursue me are of royal blood. And if there's anything I despise most is royalty. That letter you gave me right now? It was from the Duke's son. It's his third letter in a row. That boy just doesn't know when to stop." You press your hand to your forehead, stressed.
Wendy nods her head, "Yeah, he is an annoying brat, I'll give you that, but y/n, I really don't understand your dislike towards royalty? Any girl out there would love to be pursued by royal suitors, including myself."
You smile in response, "It's a secret."
As always, Wendy just chuckles and doesn't push you to answer further because really, you don't know what you'll do if you ever have to explain yourself. It's a secret you rarely even discuss with yourself.
"Come on, we'll be late for our afternoon class." You say and walk towards the door, already tired of the day ahead of you.
*
“But Professor, do you not think that the first king of Taru was a horrible person morally? I mean, he did kill all of his wives when they failed to birth a son.”
If there is anyone in this academy who you think hates you to the core is your History Professor. The amount of times you’d ask him a question and he’d reply very vaguely, never answering to the point was insane. So naturally, you had developed a habit of asking him odd questions just to spite him.
Your Professor looks at you, almost angrily, and answers, “We are no one to judge a historical figure. Miss y/n.”
“But sir, you are portraying him as a role model to the class. Don’t you think that’s wrong? As you said, we are no one to judge him.”
Your professor hisses through gritted teeth and turns towards the board, not bothering to answer you. A subtle smile finds your lips.
“So, class as I was saying. The first King of this country- Taru- built the longest bridge in -”
“Excuse me, sir?” A hand shoots up from among the students followed by a voice, “May I answer Miss y/n’s question please?”
Your professor rubs his temple and sighs, nodding, “Go ahead, Mister Seungmin.”
You turn your head up to look at the owner of the voice, and much to your surprise, it is Kim Seungmin. He’s one of the quieter kids in the class but you’ve worked on a few projects together so you know that there’s more depth to him than just being the quiet kid by the window seat.
“Y/n, I think we could still look up to the King as a leader. Yes, he was ruthless to his wives but we don’t need to look up to him as a husband. He was, on the other hand, a great leader who led his country to become one of the greatest in the world, second to none.”
“Well, does that answer your question?” The professor asks and you nod, bowing towards Seungmin. He bows back.
The professor teaches the class for an hour more, letting you guys dismiss after his daily warning of, “You'll be going to universities next year so do work hard this year,”
You gather all your things and walk out of the class, stomach growling, almost begging you to make your way to the dining area for lunch.
For lunch, the menu rarely changes except on holidays.
And in all honesty, you’re tired of having chicken stew with rice everyday since you stepped foot in this academy, but the other options are extremely limited so you join the line of hungry and tired students, complaining about how difficult this year has been.
Once you have your plate of rice and stew, you seat on one of the empty benches and begin to gobble up the rice like there’s no tomorrow.
“Um, y/n? Mind if I join you?”
“Seungmin?” you ask, almost surprised, “Have a seat, please.”
Seungmin mutters a small ‘thanks’ and claims the seat in front of you, placing his backpack on the sides.
“So what have you been up to?” he asks to break the ice. It seems like you’re more focused on the rice in front of you than him.
“Eating?” you chuckle, “What’s up with you? How’s your preparation for University?”
Seungmin, licks his bottom lip, deep in thought.
How was his preparation for university going, really? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t even remember the last time he opened his books after school.
In fact, lately, his mind has been occupied with something entirely different-you.
You, who acts so indifferent to the rest of the people yet helped Seungmin when he was almost failing a chemistry project evaluation.
You, who says she has no friends yet packs extra food from home for Wendy.
You, who says she is having a hard time adjusting to the academy yet she’s his favorite person here.
How could you not be on his mind?
“Eh, it’s okay. I guess.” Seungmin scratches the back of his head. “How’s yours?”
“Not really well, to be honest . If only that duke’s son would stop sending me those stupid letters, my life would be a lot more peaceful.” you say and it’s true that those letter have been nothing short of a nuisance since you came back from the semester break. You respect his feelings, but you’re not obligated to like him back. Hell, you’ve never even spoken to the man. “He’s so persistent, it scares me, really.”
Seungmin could feel his anger building up. Of course he knows you have quite a few admirers. Even some of his friends are in that crowd. But Seungmin likes to think he always had the upper hand.
Yet he feels annoyed, offended at the thought that someone was pursuing you to the point of fear.
“He might be a duke’s son but he isn’t behaving like one.” Seungmin comments.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. All of these aristocrats and royals believe that the world is at their disposal. They could just command it and everything would go according to them. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re not from a royal line or else we wouldn’t have been having this conversation.” you say and Seungmin’s world stands still.
You think he’s not from a royal family?
You didn’t know who he really was?
He almost wants to tell you the truth, that he, in fact, is the descendant of the very king you were talking about in History today. But he chooses to remain silent. He’s enjoying your company way too much to ruin it in one day.
“Yeah, thank god for that.” Prince Seungmin replies.
*
The next few days pass by in the blink of an eye and the academic pressure gets worse.
"Wendy, could I borrow your lantern? Mine is broken, I think." You ask Wendy one afternoon.
The sun brightens up the inside of Wendy's room.
"Yeah, sure." She passes you her lantern, "I have a spare one. Going to the library?"
You nod.
There's no better place to study than the library. Especially on such a warm and cozy afternoon when everyone just wants to take a nap.
"I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Sure thing."
You walk the corridors, fiddling with your pockets, making sure you'd taken all your stationary. It would be a hassle to walk back to your room again.
As soon as you enter the library, the sounds of the world as if disappear. Not even the tapping of pens could be heard without focusing hard.
You find a suitable seat for yourself by the window and settle down there.
The library feels colder than your room and you're grateful for it. At least you wouldn't be sleepy now.
"Someone's working hard, I see." A teasing voice whispers from behind, "May I join you?"
Seungmin’s voice, much to your surprise, brings a smile to your face.
"Sure." You say, shy like a kid in kindergarten.
He claims the seat across you, setting his books and stationary on the table.
And for the next three hours, the only sound you hear from his side is that of his breathing. Even and steady.
He's busy reading a book and his eyes are focused on the pages, never once wavering anywhere else.
He's quite sincere, you realize.
The sun sets and the students light up their lanterns and immediately go back to studying. Seungmin glances at you for a second, his lips curving into a soft smile. You smile back, albeit shyly.
Hours pass by and you know it's almost time for dinner because your stomach is growling. Louder than ever.
"Y/n," Seungmin speaks to you, putting his book down, "Want to have some warm Noodles? There's a new stall in town which sells delicious noodles."
You contemplate for a second before agreeing with a smile.
"Noodles sound amazing right now."
The both of you pick up your lanterns and walk out the main gate into the streets of the town.
While the town is busy and bustling with activities during the day, at nightfall the town comes to a standstill. Something you've always liked.
"It's not in the market square, I presume." You say as Seungmin navigates through the lanes of the market.
"No," He replies, "But it is quite near to the market."
After a five minute walk from the market square, you finally see an old bamboo hut in the distance, dim and quiet.
But the moment Seungmin and you are seated on one of the wooden benches, you're as if in a trance. The aroma of herbs and spices and chicken broth is nothing like you'd ever felt before.
"Grandma, we'll have two bowls of noodles with a side of Kimchi, please." Seungmin says.
"Sure thing, son." The woman replies with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You're a regular here. " You say to Seungmin, looking around the interiors of the stall. "It's cozy and the noodles smell amazing already."
"Oh, y/n, wait till you taste them. It'll be like nothing you'd ever had before."
And true to his words, the moment you eat those noodles, flavors burst in your mouth.
It is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, but the black pepper adds the perfect spice to the combination of flavors.
"Seungmin, this is amazing!" You say, taking a second bite. "We have to come back here again!"
He can only chuckle at your reaction. If you'd say the word, he'd bring you to this place everyday. Without fail.
The two of you eat quietly, only sharing a glance of amazement once in a while.
"I'll pay, y/n." Seungmin offers once you guys are done eating, bellies full.
"No! Let me pay." You get up immediately and walk up to the old lady.
Seungmin can only shake his head at you.
"How much will that be, grandma?" You ask, taking out your purse.
"Oh, its on the house today. " the lady says, much to your surprise, "Master Seungmin brought his girlfriend out for a date at our place. I couldn't take money from you today."
Seungmin and you stare at each other, wide eyed and speechless and hearts racing.
"Grandma! She's not my girlfriend! We're classmates." Seungmin says, the tip of his ears bright red.
You nod, shyly, "There's nothing of that sort going on between us!"
Grandma smiles as she pours soup into a bowl, "Well, not yet maybe. I have an eye for things like that, you see."
When you exit the hut, Seungmin remains quite, his lips pursed in a line. It's truly endearing to see him flustered like that.
"Well, that was awkward." You say, trying to lighten up the mood.
Seungmin nods, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I don't know why she'd say that."
"No, no, it's okay. She's an adorable woman." You say.
The rest of the walk passes by in silence.
For some reason, you always find yourself in these silent moments with Seungmin. But you like the silence. It's calming, not uncomfortable.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks as the two of you reach the entrance of your dorm building.
You nod. You're about to turn around when he pulls you in for a gentle embrace.
Your heart stops. Your breathing stops. The earth stops.
Without even meaning to, you find yourself melting into the embrace.
The next second, Seungmin pulls back and walks towards his dorm, not even saying a word.
And you're standing there, mouth hanging open.
What are these nervous sensations Seungmin is making you feel?
*
"So why were you not at dinner yesterday?" Wendy asks the next morning, an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Were you with a boy?"
You try to calm the heat spreading to your cheeks, "Kind of. But it wasn't anything like what you think. I swear. We were studying together and then he asked if I wanted to try a new food stall in town. That's all."
And then he hugged you Goodnight. And you haven't been able to forget the way his body felt against yours.
"And who exactly is 'we'?" Wendy asks again, the tone of suspiciousness still present in her words.
"Seungmin and I." You say.
Wendy stares at you, flabbergasted.
Seungmin and you?
You went out on a supposed platonic date with a Prince?
"Y/n, Seungmin is-" Wendy's words are cut off by the ringing of the hourly bell, indicating that your classes are about to begin.
"Wendy, I'll tell you all about it. Promise. See you later." You say and disappear into the crowd of hurrying students but Wendy doesn't move.
Wendy has a different plan in her mind. Something she considers more important than attending boring lectures.
*
"Kim Seungmin, can I see you for a second?" Wendy drags Seungmin by his arm the moment he steps out of his dorm building.
He stares at her, confused.
He didn't have a class yet; he was just stepping out to get some breakfast. Where was she dragging him early in the morning?
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Wendy and him have never even talked with each other before so why this sudden interest?
Wendy stands in front of him, eyes full of doubt. Her hands rest on her hips.
"Are you trying to mess with y/n?" She asks flatly.
Seungmin is taken aback, "What? No! Of course not!"
Why would she even think that? Seungmin almost feels angry.
"Then why are you hanging out with her late at night and why is she oblivious to you being of royal blood?"
Seungmin sighs, "Okay, Wendy, listen. I'm not trying to mess with her or anything. But its true I haven't told her about my family yet. And I will tell her. But I just want her to know me for me. Before she starts to dislike me just because I'm of royal blood. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy thinks for a second before replying, "Well, you don't mean any harm. But...I think you should tell her about yourself. I mean if you're trying to get her to like you back, might as well be honest about your life."
Seungmin’s eyes are wide with shock. How did she even know about Seungmin’s crush on you? Did one of his friends spread the rumor? Did she try to spy on him?
"Hey, don't look so surprised, your majesty." sarcasm drips from her words, "Everyone here knows you like her. We have eyes, you know?"
Seungmin doesn't reply, embarrassed. Of course it is hot gossip when a prince falls in love, isn't it?
People have written sagas and books and poems about it. What is a little academy gossip compared to that?
*
You find out Seungmin hanging out with a female friend the a few days later during lunch, and you try to shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
"Seungmin, could I speak to you for a second?"
The girl looks at you, from head to toe and nods her head. "Hey, she's quite pretty, Seungmin."
Seungmin sighs, "Oh, shut up, Sojong. Don't you have a class?"
His ears are red again, like how they were back at the noodles shop.
"I'm going now anyways. Bye sweethearts!" The girl walks off with a smile, and you're left confused.
"Don't mind her. She's my cousin. An idiot cousin, if I may add."
It feels as if a weight is lifted off of your chest. Your lips automatically curve into a smile.
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the academy."
"Yeah, well. Now you do. So what's going on?" He replies.
"Um.. did Wendy say something to you a few days ago? About you going to the noodles stall with me?"
Seungmin chuckles, "Oh yeah. But it's alright. She's your friend. I get that she's quite protective of you."
You smile, "Thanks for understanding. But , umm...Seungmin, she also might have implied that you kind of want to go out with me."
Seungmin’s soul almost leaves his body. Wendy could not have shut up about it, could she? Now you probably think Seungmin is some kind of creep trying to get into your pants.
"Hey, it's okay. Wendy always exaggerates everything and she wants me to get a boyfriend desperately so I understand if you didn't say anything of that sort to her. She's not very good at conveying messages." You say.
"But I did." Seungmin says, mustering all his courage, "I did say that. To her. And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same way about me. I really do. "
You almost feel like laughing.
You haven't been able to get him out of your mind for the past few days. And he thinks you don't like him?
The both of you had been busy with different classes and tests and projects. The few glances and greetings you shared with him during lunch would become the highlight of your day. And he thinks you wouldn't want to go out with him?
Impossible.
"I do, though. I'm open to the idea of going out with you."
Seungmin was not prepared for that answer. He was sure he'd get rejected, but here you were, looking all shy and sweet while confessing to liking him back?
"Um..so how about tomorrow night? There's a nice restaurant with live music and all. I could book us a table there."
You try to supress the grin that is trying to claw its way onto your face.
"Sounds great. See you then."
"Yeah, see you." He replies, heart hammering hard against his chest.
*
The night finally comes and you find Seungmin standing just outside of your dorm building.
He wears a black long coat and pants, paired with a high collared white shirt and a rose in his hands.
Your legs feel weak the moment your eyes meet. And the gravity of the situation finally dawns on you.
By tonight, Kim Seungmin might become your boyfriend. He's handsome, intelligent and funny, yet he decides to go out on a date with you?
Why? How did the two of you even end up here?
On the other hand, Seungmin feels like he'd been hit by the cupid's arrow. The only thing he can think about as you make your way towards him is how beautiful that long, pink dress looks on you and how he couldn't wait to make you his.
"For the beautiful lady." He says, offering you the red rose.
Shyly, you take the rose.
"Shall we?" He asks, gently taking your hand. Your hand feels warm.
"Yes." You reply, intertwining your fingers with his.
Oh, how beautiful it feels.
To be able to walk hand in hand with the man you admired so much. It feels natural. Like this is how the two of you were always meant to be. Maybe if Wendy had never told you about how Seungmin felt about you, you'd have never made the effort to ask him if he ever saw you in a non-platonic way.
But you're glad everything that happened happened. You're not someone who liked to live with what-ifs.
The restaurant he'd booked just adds to the beauty of this evening. The ambience is nice and a musician plays a beautiful melody on the piano, matching to the aesthetic of the place.
"I had booked a table for two by the name of Kim Seungmin. "
The waiter takes you to your place, a large candle adorning the center of the table.
You take your seats and the waiter takes your order and leaves.
Seungmin gets a hold of your hand again, intertwining your fingers.
"I can't believe we're actually out on a date." He chuckles, tracing his thumb across the back of your palm.
"I can't either. It's surreal." You say, "But I love it. I love being here with you."
Seungmin nods, "I love being anywhere, as long as you're with me."
"Didn't know Kim Seungmin was such a flirt, huh." You laugh, your cheeks heating up.
"Oh, you're in for a long ride, baby girl." He says, pressing his lips softly against your fingers.
Goosebumps.
Indeed, you were in for a long ride.
*
That night, the two of you walk back to the academy campus in silence.
A silence that is so calming and so comforting, it feels almost like a soothing hug from Seungmin.
When you two reach the main entrance of your dorm, Seungmin pulls you in for a hug again.
And just like last time, you melt into his arms.
He smells like smoke and mint and comfort.
"I had a great time, y/n." He whispers, pulling away but keeping your faces close.
He put strands of your hair behind your ears, so soft and tender.
"I did, too." You reply, your hands gently settling on his cheeks.
"Can I kiss you, y/n, please?" Seungmin asks, almost pleads. Like kissing you is what would keep him alive from that day on, like kissing you would fill his lungs with oxygen, like kissing you is the drug that he just cannot quit.
And you can only nod before he crashes his lips onto yours.
And yet again, he's gentle and tender and you sigh into his mouth when he pulls you closer.
He tastes like the tiramisu you had back in the restaurant, sweet and like strawberries.
"I'll see you tomorrow, then." He says when you pull back, breathing heavy. His eyes are shy with a sense of pride in them. He couldn't believe that the girl he'd been crushing on since last year was finally his. He couldn't believe his luck.
And neither could you.
"Yeah, see you!" You say and kiss his lips once again before jogging into the dorm building.
Seungmin goes to sleep that night dreaming of you and wakes up yearning for you in the morning.
And the cycle repeats every day, for the next 2 months.
The two of you had become inseparable, spending every possible moment with each other.
Whenever your schedules would not let you spend a lot of time together, the two of would make sure to have at least one meal together. That single meal would be the highlight of both of your days.
But the final exams loom over you like an ominous grey cloud.
"So, as you already know, our country neighbors multiple other countries, each with their own king and set of rules. I want you all to remember the names of all current kings and all new rules they had added to their country during their tenure. " the history teacher was going on and on, "Remember, you only have a month left for your finals. That final grade would determine the trajectory of your lives. Study well."
And he finishes off with that threat.
You were so busy jotting down notes during the class that you didn't notice Seungmin's absence from the day's class.
You'd been late this morning and didn't have time to even have breakfast before coming to class. Naturally, you'd assumed he'd been in the class.
"I don't see your boyfriend today, y/n." Wendy says after class, as if reading your mind.
"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing." You say, absently, stuffing your books back in your bag.
Wendy tags along with her other friends for lunch and you excuse yourself, making your way towards Seungmin’s dorm building.
You'd been to his room multiple times now, yet everytime you're surprised by how neat it is. The books are neatly lined up on the shelf, the blankets are folded on the bed and his shoes are neatly stacked by the corner of his cupboard.
"Missed you at class today." You say to Seungmin, whose eyes widen with excitement when he sees you enter the room.
"Yeah, I spent nearly three hours solving a problem last night, I didn't wake up on time." He says, patting the space near him on the bed.
You sit beside him, "Can we study together at night? I need your help."
He agrees immediately, pecking your cheek.
"In fact, we could go to the library right now, what say?" He asks.
"Did you forget, Seungmin? We have a field trip today. In the second half. We're supposed to assemble at the playground after lunch."
Seungmin chuckles, "Yeah. A field trip to the old fort of Taru. Almost forgot about it."
Something he'd been dreading for weeks now.
When it was announced that the final year students would be going on a field trip, he was excited in the beginning.
But when he found out the location of the said trip, he was devastated. The old fort of Taru was his ancestral home. His grandfather and great-grand father and great-great grandfather fought multiple wars and ruled the country from that fort and when they passed away, Seungmin’s father had shifted his family to a new palace just outside the city, deciding to turn the old fort into a museum for tourists.
Seungmin didn't dislike the old fort. In fact, he loved visiting that place . Every year, he'd look forward to visiting the old fort to pay homage to his forefathers during special festivals that only the Royal family celebrated.
Yet, he was dreading today's trip. Because at the entrance of the new museum, stands a tall painting of him and his family, welcoming tourists to their ancestral home.
And if you see the painting, his façade is going to disappear and you'll know his identity and that would be the end of his beautiful daydream.
But when you pull him by his collar and kiss him with so much love, he cannot help but wish for this dream to last forever.
*
When the time finally comes to board the horse carriages that would take the students to the fort, Seungmin starts rethinking every single choice of his till date. He knew he was hurting you, he knew you would be devasted to find out who he really is. But he would die if had to lose you.
And his greatest fears come to life the moment he sets foot out of that damned carriage.
Wendy, with her hand on your shoulder, stands near the fort entrance. You'd reached the fort earlier since the girls were sent off earlier. And Seungmin wishes they hadn't been.
You look confused, sad, eyebrows furrowed in exasperation.
When Wendy sees Seungmin, her eyes widen. "She knows." She mouths at him.
Seungmin swallows the lump in his throat, "Y/n, I swear..I swear I didn't do it to deceive you. I really like you and hell, I even love you. Please. Hear me out."
You don't say a word and stare at him with a piercing gaze.
"Y/n, please. I don't know why you hate Royal families but I promise you, I'm not as bad as you think they are. You know me, y/n. I'm your Seungmin!" He insists, trying to hold your hand.
But you pull away.
"You lied to me. You're no better than them." You say, almost a whisper, "Forget about what happened between us. It's over now."
And with that, the love of Seungmin’s life walks out of his life, leaving him in shambles.
*
You'd not slept properly for a week now and even stopped attending any classes. You had buried yourself in your books, revising every single page of every single book for as many times as you could.
The only time you did step out of your room was during lunch and dinner and even then, you made sure to avoid him at all costs.
It had been dreadful, really. You thought it would be easier for you to move on and forget the past few months if you kept reminding yourself of Seungmin’s lies, but it only made you miss him more.
He lied, yes; but he also made you fall in love with him, which was worse. Falling in love and dreaming of a family with Seungmin was never on your cards, you were sure you'd always marry the person your parents would have chosen for you. But here you were. Heartbroken and infatuated; both by the same person.
And today is no different from other days, or so you thought.
At around half past midnight, you hear a knock on your door. Wendy had gone home for a week and would be back tomorrow, so you are genuinely curious as to who would knock on your door at such an ungodly hour.
When you open the door, you see those eyes again- the black orbs that you'd fallen so deeply for.
"Y/n, do you have a minute? Please?" Seungmin pleads when you freeze at the sight of him.
"No. I'm afraid not." You reply, your heart hammering against your chest. The tightness in your throat does not help.
"Please, y/n. I beg you, please."
Across the hallway, a few girls pop their heads out of their doors, wondering where the male voice is from.
Sensing no other option, you pull Seungmin inside your room reluctantly.
"Fine. Say what you have to and then leave." You mutter.
You're doing everything in your power to avoid any sort of eye contact with him because you know that is what your weakness is.
He sits at the edge of your bed, while you sit in your chair, across the room.
"Y/n, you don't have to take me back. But I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you. It is pure, genuine love that I feel for you. I know you hate me because I'm of royal blood but ignoring that part, you did like me, didn't you? Before you even knew about my family. I'm still that person. I may be a prince but that is not all I am."
Your throat gets tighter and your eyes mist over with tears.
"It doesn't matter. Our relationship started from a lie. And as a matter of fact, I cannot ignore that you're a prince. I had one condition for all suitors and I cannot withdraw it for anyone."
Seungmin swallows, his eyes bloodshot, "Can you at least tell me why you hate Royal blood so much? What did they ever do to you?"
You scoff, "You really wanna know, huh? Does it still matter now? Because I'm never going to get back together with you, Seungmin."
"I want to know."
And so you tell him.
"I hate royals so much because I am one of them. I am a princess. A forgotten one, but the blood of royalty still courses through my veins."
You were a little girl of around four when your now parents had adopted you, more or less. You didn't know who they were or why they were taking you away from your mother and father- the king and queen of Nabha- a country neighboring Taru. You only remember crying till your head hurt. You remember your birth mother crying, standing at the gates of the castle while her emerald crown fell at her feet.
When you turned twelve, your adoptive parents told you the truth of your adoption.
Your adoptive mother worked in the Royal Palace as a governess for royal children while your adoptive father worked as a royal architect. They'd both met in the palace and fell in love, eventually married. You were born to the queen and king a year later. Everything was going well.
But as all stories go, yours had a villain too. Your own birth father- the king. He was the worst kind of person. He was cruel, unjust, abusive and hated you because you were a girl. He had prayed to every God known to mankind for a son, only for him to receive a daughter in return. But he refused to crown you the heir. For the next few years, the king traveled to all neighboring countries , looking for some solution to his problem. And then he found it. An oracle that told him to disown his first born daughter, in order to be blessed with a son.
When the king arranged for your adoption, he didn't even bother consulting his wife. One morning, you were in her arms and the next, you were being taken away to Taru by your adoptive parents.
The Queen killed herself the next morning.
"And that was the day I promised two things to myself: First, I would never set foot back in that country. I made Taru, your country my home. Second, I would never marry a man of royal ancestry. Because I know, no matter what happens, I never want to be associated with royals ever again. Betrayal is all we'll receive at the end under the pretense of a greater good."
Seungmin is speechless at this point. He thought your dislike towards royal lineage was just a matter of preference but now, he understands you. Truly. He understands why you'd take his lies as a sign of betrayal.
"Y/n, I-"
"Save it. You have your answers and I have mine. Leave."
He walks out of the room without a word and the moment you lock the door behind him, he falls on his knees, crying. His heart aches for you. For everything you'd been through and for everything he put you through. He cries for you.
But little does he know, behind the closed door, you're on your knees too, sobbing into your hands. Every single fiber of your being begged you to stop him and you chose to ignore it.
You wonder if you'll ever be able to hate Seungmin like you wish you did.
*
Wendy is lecturing you again this morning, her face tense.
"Y/n, we're leaving this academy forever tomorrow. Can you please give yourself the closure you deserve? Just go and talk to Seungmin. You don't have to hate his guts forever. "
The final exam results are out today, which means that your parents would be coming to pick you up tomorrow evening. You'd be leaving this place and all the bitter-sweet memories associated with it forever. It hurts you a little.
But you had to be strong.
"I've got my closure, Wendy. I promise. Can we talk about something else now?"
Wendy sighs, "Y/n, if this is what you want, then I shall support you. But know that I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have ten kids with someone else!"
For the first time in months, you allow yourself to laugh at Wendy's stupid statements. She joins in too.
But her words stick with you throughout the day.
That night, after you're done packing most of your stuff, you crash on your bed, a thousand thoughts circling your head.
I genuinely will always believe that you and Seungmin were meant to be. Even if you get married and have kids with someone else!
Even the thought of marrying another man and having his kids nauseated you. Are you really ready to let go of Seungmin, forever?
You had spent a long time trying to forget Prince Kim Seungmin, his voice, his words, his touch, but had you really succeeded?
After today, you might never see him again. Are you ready to live with that regret forever?
The answer to all these questions is no. You are not someone to live wondering the what-ifs.
So you jump out of the bed, lantern in hand and run towards Seungmin’s dorm.
*
"Y/n, did you come here by mistake?" Is his first reaction when he opens his door, hair messy and eyes alert.
You shake your head, "No. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
He let's you in.
"So, what's up?" He asks, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks nervous. Like the first time he had taken you out for dinner to grandma's noodle shop.
"I've been thinking. About you and about us. And I.. I'm scared. I will not lie. I do not trust royals, but for some reason, I trust you. I know that there’s a thousand things that could go wrong but I still want to be with you. If you'll have me again"
Seungmin is dumbfounded. Literally. How does one even respond to things like these?
"Seungmin, say something!" You insist.
He forces the words out of his mouth, "I'm g-glad you feel that way."
You scowl, hands on your hips.
"I bare my heart open to you and this is all you have to say? Really? Listen, if you've found someone else in these few weeks then I understand, I really do but please at least-"
He kisses you. He kisses you so beautifully, it pains you to even think that you were willing to give up this. And for what? A horrible father who coincidentally was also of royal blood?
His tongue nudges at your tongue playfully, while his hands are cupping your face, thumbs circling your skin in comfort.
You'd never felt so much peace.
When you pull away, he gently presses his forehead onto yours, "I wouldn't dare find someone else. I assure you, whatever prejudices Nabha had, they do not exist here in Taru. I'm not like your birth father and I will never be. I promise. I will do everything in my power to convince you about it."
And for some reason, as usual, you believe him.
You kiss him again, knowing that if you could go back in time, you would not change a thing. You would let Seungmin easily win the duel of your hearts a thousand times over.
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sparklingchan · 1 month
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sparklingchan · 3 months
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The way I love you || Lee Minho (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Lee Know
Word count : 4k+
Warnings : Sexual implications, making out, prostitution, mentions of alcohol, mentions of death, cuss words.
Genre : Romance, angst, royal AU, suggestive.
Description: He was a prince, bound by his duty. She was a harlot, longing for someone to love her truly. In stolen moments beneath the moonlit city, they dared to dream of a love meant to be.
A/N : HELLO MY TUMBLR FAM! I'm back again with the Royal fics haha. And this time it's my boi Lino<3 I hope y’all like this! It's one of my favorites!
And as I promised, I'll make a masterlist for all the Royal fics. Here is the link. Do check out the other fics in this series(the stories are not interrelated)!
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Minho hates coming to the main market; he hates the sticky workers bumping into him, he hates the smell of burnt meat, he hates the sound of noisy instruments people play in the name of music.
The only things he does like about the market is the wine, and you.
"Here for y/n again, my Prince?" One of the courtesans-Taylor- asks him just as he enters the tavern. She wears the brightest of lipsticks and smells like jasmine.
"I'm here for the wine." He says, which is only half a lie.
"As you say, my prince," Taylor giggles, "Your y/n is on the third floor as always. She hasn't had any customers today."
He walks the flight of stairs without breaking sweat and knocks on your door, excitement bubbling inside him.
The door opens and he catches a whiff of your rose scented perfume.
"Well, hello there," you smile at him, "Long time, huh?"
He chuckles, "It's only been three days, y/n."
You pull him inside by his collar, shut the door behind him and immediately draw your mouth to his.
You'd missed him, clearly.
In your dark lit bedroom, many men entered everyday for the purpose of their pleasure. But Minho was the only who entered this room everyday only to please you.
"Excited, aren't we?" He asks you when you push him onto the bed and climb over him, "I missed you, y/n."
You kiss him again; this time with more force, more passion and a lot more tongue. He reciprocates your action with equal enthusiasm.
As the night grows colder and darker, you find yourself cuddling with the man under your quilt. The love bites on both of your bodies barely visible under the light of a single candle.
"I wonder what magic keeps me coming back for more everyday. " Minho says softly, his fingers playing with your hair.
"Oh, does the 'Perfect Prince' not want to be seen in a whore's bed? Does it embarrass him?" You ask, playfully.
His mouth twists into a smirk, "Never. Not even in a thousand years."
He kisses you again and again and again until the last candle dies out and the quilt finds its place in some corner of the floor.
*
"Taylor, it's too early to be bothering me with customers!" You yell first thing in the morning, still sleepy and still cold from the absence of Minho's body against you.
"Y/n, it's not a customer. I need to talk to you." She yells back, "Open the door."
Groaning, you push yourself towards the door.
"What is it?"
Her face lacks the usual cheerfulness. She looks grim. Sad, almost.
"Minho didn't wanna wake you up," she pulls an envelope from her pocket, "He asked me to give you this."
"Okay. I'll read it later." You mutter. It's not unusual for Minho to deliver love letters for you sometimes. What's so special about this one?
"Y/n, read it." Taylor says, "Now."
There's an underlying urgency in her words that she tries to mask but doesn't escape your notice.
You walk back to your bed and open the letter.
Hi, y/n.
This is probably the last time that I'm writing to you. I feel sick even just at the thought of being without you but I have to do my princely duties now.
I'm getting married to Princess Sophie soon. My father commands it.
Y/n, I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday. I really meant it when I said I loved you.
Minho.
Inside the half empty envelope are a few coins of gold.
He paid you. For sleeping with him. For the first time ever.
It's as if the air is forced out of your lungs. You find it hard to breathe, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to even comprehend Taylor's questions.
You're not even in that room anymore.
You are by the river at midnight, with Minho. He'd set up a fire and covered the both of you with a quilt while he sung a soft melody.
You are in the rain, shouting profanities at each other. That was the day when he first told you he loved you.
You are at the tavern's terrace, kissing him for the first time.
You are at the Royal Palace. That's the day he first sees you, bold and loud, not afraid to say 'no' to sleeping with his monstrous father.
You are at the main market, buying a new pair of earrings when an injured Prince shows up at the shop. That's when you first see him.
You only had one regret at present.
You never got to tell him how much you loved him.
*
"Y/n, I know you're grieving but you cannot refuse customers anymore. You know this is what brings food to your table!" Taylor wraps a shawl around your half naked frame, "You always knew Minho could not just leave the palace and come live with you in this brothel, didn't you?"
You'd had another episode today; screaming and punching a customer while he tried to take your clothes off.
That's three days in a row.
If Taylor hadn't been there, the boss would have killed you with his own bare hands.
"I know," you say, "But I just...can't. I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that he burnt down the past year to the worth of a few coins. I have no lust for gold. I have no desire for a family, especially when my own father sold me here. I only loved him and now, he's fucking gone."
Taylor rubs your shoulders gently.
"Y/n, I know. But you have to get yourself together or you will only hurt yourself." She replies, "For all I know, he could be already married now. Sticking his fucking tongue in Sophie's mouth."
You look up at her.
"What do you mean? His wedding is today?" You ask.
She nods, "The city has been decorated like never before."
You force yourself out of her embrace and rush towards your cupboard.
"What are you doing, y/n?" Taylor asks.
"Going to crash a royal wedding."
*
Minho has developed a habit of looking for your eyes everywhere he goes. It's not a good one, but he can't seem to get rid of this habit.
And on his wedding day, as he stands at the alter, holding his fiancé's hand while the priest talks about loving, cherishing and honoring Princess Sophie for life, he cannot stop himself from looking for you in the sea of people.
Rich and powerful people from all over the world are present in the hall but somewhere in between these people, he sees a glimpse of someone he knows. Too well, in fact.
"Y/n?" He whispers to himself, heart pounding against his chest.
"Minho, are you alright? Your hands are getting sweaty." Sophie whispers but he just shrugs, his eyes glued to you.
As were yours, to his.
You didn't think he'd notice you amongst the velvet clad aristocrats but he did. And you wish he hadn't.
The bride and groom exchange wine glasses and have a sip from it.
"If anyone has any objections to this holy matrimony, speak now. Or hold your peace forever." The priest announces and the room goes quiet.
Of course no one would object to this wedding.
No one except you.
Minho sees a single hand raised among the crowd.
"Yes, miss?" The priest says.
"How could the prince marry another woman when his child grows inside me? What about the seed that he left behind? If I choose to give birth to this child, will it be your successor, my prince?"
Minho feels the blood drain from his face.
"You! How dare you?" Minho screams at you, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He would never speak to you in this way, but he has to. To protect you from this mess you'd created, he must be harsh.
He is the prince and he will be safe but you, they wouldn't spare you.
"How dare you?" You yell back, eyes bloodshot, "Do you think a few coins could make up for what you did to me?"
"Quiet! You whore! Dare you to disrupt a royal wedding with false accusations?" The king-Minho's father finally speaks. "Guards! Take her to the guillotine and bedhead her!"
"Father, no! I will deal with this in my own way." Minho says, almost losing his calm. "Guards, take the woman to the dungeons."
Your tears roll down your cheeks and you quickly rub them off with your hand as the guards take you down to the dungeons. You're sure he's gonna get you killed.
You take one last glance at the man you love and smile at him.
So long, Minho.
*
The wedding is called off and Princess Sophie storms out of the wedding hall along with her father. Of course, Minho's father was furious.
"I will kill her. I will kill her with my bare hands!" The king slams his fist against the table, "She ruined everything! Everything!"
"Father, please calm down." Hyunjin-Minho's younger brother says. "We have to think of a way to make up with Princess Sophie and her family."
"He's right. Being angry won't solve our problem." Minho says, twirling the wine in his glass, a playful smile on his face.
The king glares at his eldest son, walks toward him and smashes the glass from his hands.
"How dare you sit in my room, relaxed as ever, while you've fucked up so bad?" He yells, " You slept with a common whore, impregnated her and I have to suffer for it?"
Minho wants to defend himself but he knows it's of no use when the king raises his fist in the air and punches right at Minho's nose.
Minho smells the blood before he sees it.
Hyunjin tries to stop the king and mouths at Minho, leave now.
Minho does as he is told.
That night, as he cleans the blood from his face, he finally let's himself relax a little.
Today was a blunder, a total disaster but at least he didn't have to marry some other woman. He couldn't imagine life with a woman he didn't love. He considered himself a coward for not fighting for you enough, which is why you were in prison. Nevertheless, he swears to himself that he will save you from this mess. It didn't matter what he had to do, he would make sure you're out of prison by tomorrow.
"You're a reckless idiot, y/n." He mutters to himself, "But you're my reckless idiot."
*
You've never seen Taylor look this sad before. Her eyes are bloodshot and the tip of her nose shines red.
"I told you," she says to you, handing you some food, "I told you not to do this. Now look what they've done! Minho has you locked up and you can be sentenced to death any minute!"
"Well, it was worth a shot, really." You say to her.
Taylor snickers at your words, "Also, are you really pregnant or did you make it up to get his attention?"
You chuckle, "Of course I'm not pregnant. I just thought it would add a bit spice to the drama."
"Fine. Whatever. Just do not die on me, y/n. I swear. You're my.." Taylor sucks in a deep breath, "You're my only family. Please."
You blink your tears away before Taylor even notices. You take a spoonful of the porridge she made and stuff it in your mouth so you'd forget about her words. You're too weak for this right now.
"Y/n, just promise me-" Taylor is interrupted by the prison guard.
"Prince Minho is here to see you."
Even the porridge in your mouth does not stop your heart from aching and your eyes from tearing up.
Why is he here?
"Your majesty." Taylor greets him with the basic courtesy. You, on the other hand are looking at everything but him.
"Taylor, may I have a word with y/n alone? My guards here will take you up to my room. I have something important to discuss with you as well."
Taylor nods with a word and follows his guard.
Now it's just you and him. In a jail cell. While your heart breaks knowing he will serve you with capital punishment.
Is it the heavens punishing a common whore like yourself for loving the prince?
Perhaps.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Minho says in a soft whisper. His voice is filled with concern but you cannot look at him. Absolutely not.
If you even as much glance at those eyes you'd fallen in love with, you know you might lose all your will power.
"Fine." You reply sternly, "What do you want?"
Minho sucks in a deep breath, "I wish I had more time to explain but it'll all make sense some day, okay? For now, just trust me."
He offers you a vile of clear liquid.
"It's not anything bad, I swear. Just trust me, please. " He puts it on your palm.
His touch sends shivers down your spine.
And just like that, he turns around and walks away.
You stare at the vile in your hands and for a split second, you wonder if he'd handed you some type of poison. You wish he did.
And when you open the vile and gulp down that bitter liquid, you pray to the gods that you never wake up again because that's when your body hits the ground.
*
Hyunjin is anxious from the moment he wakes up in the morning.
He's anxious while he has breakfast, he's anxious while he avoids the eyes of palace officials to sneak into the old quarters of his mother.
He's especially anxious when he sees you lying on the bed, lips pale and stiff.
"I hope this works for God's sake." He pulls out a vile of purple liquid from his pocket and carefully, pours it into your mouth.
He curses Minho for handing him with the scariest possible task ever.
And as he paces the room, waiting for the antidote to work, he prays to every God, every spirit, every deity he's ever heard of.
Within a few minutes, much to his relief, your eyes open.
You look at Hyunjin alarmingly.
"You..You're his brother." You say, almost as if accusing him of a crime, "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Hyunjin." He seats at the foot of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. But my head hurts real bad." You reply, "Where's Minho? That bastard gave me a bitter drink and disappeared!"
Hyunjin notices your hopeful gaze go from the ceiling of the room to his face and then to his outfit. The mourning outfit.
"Why are you in mourning? And why are you wearing that badge with a dove on it?" Your voice is alarmed and you immediately sit up.
You remember Minho had once told you that the dove badge worn by the Royal family implies a death of a member of the Royal bloodline.
"Is Minho okay?" Your words are almost a whisper.
"Well, y/n, it's a little complicated, I will be honest but if you come with me now and trust me on this-"
"Why the fuck does every keep on asking me to trust them? What is going on? Either let me die in peace or let me leave this palace! I cannot take this anymore. And, for the love of God, would you tell me if Minho is okay or not?"
"He's alive." Hyunjin sighs, " Everyone thinks he committed suicide last night. The city is mourning the death of their crown prince. "
You're confused, "But he's alive, right?"
Hyunjin manages a smile, "Yes, he's alive. He staged his death and is waiting for you by the river bank. "
You jump out of the bed at once, heart pounding against your chest.
"Take me to him, please."
*
The river bank is the most beautiful place in the city, filled with shops and tourists and traders and singers and life. It's beautiful. Unlike your room in the brothel, which was as lifeless as anything could get.
The only one who made that room lively was Minho.
Minho who taught you to play cards, Minho who once beat up a customer because he was harassing you, Minho who promised he'd give anything to get you out of that hell hole.
Minho who loved you.
Now, Minho stands by a boat, wearing a straw hat and gripping his sword tightly. Taylor stands beside him, a brown package in her hands.
And when Minho's eyes meet yours, you run to him as if he'd run away if you didn't, disappear into thin air, leaving you alone in that cold dark room once again.
And oh! Minho is so warm as he wraps you in his embrace. He's warm like the sun on the coldest winter morning, warm like a cup of tea, warm like a freshly baked cookie. He's warm and he's yours.
"What..what is going on?" You sob into his embrace, "Please, will you stay with me? Minho, please?"
Minho is crying too, which is surprising because you've never seen him cry. Upset maybe , but crying never.
Yet here he is crying like a newborn baby, crying because a part of him knows he's managed to save you somehow.
"I'm not leaving okay?" He says, still crying, caressing your cheeks, "We're gonna go far from this city. We're never coming back okay?"
You can only nod as Taylor gently pats your head.
"This is a farewell gift. From me." She smiles at you, handing you the package, "It's a wedding dress that I made. I hope you can wear it when the day comes."
And you're crying again. But this time, you're crying into Taylor's embrace. It's hard leaving behind someone who loved you like a sister.
"We'll write to you. We promise. As soon as we find a proper place to stay, we will write to you both. " Minho says, to Taylor and to his brother.
"Sorry for burdening you with this country. " Minho whispers when Hyunjin hugs him, "I hope you forgive me someday."
"Bullshit. Really, I've always wanted to kill you and get this crown for myself. You only made my job easier." Hyunjin jokes, patting Minho's back.
Minho chuckles. The boatman catches his eye and points to the sun.
"We should get going now, y/n. They'll be holding a prayer in the afternoon and we cannot risk anyone seeing us before we leave."
You nod, kissing Taylor's head softly, holding her gift close to your chest.
"Do visit us sometime." You say to both of them and they nod in unison.
Minho helps you on the boat and hands a few coins to the boatman.
The soft current of the river pushes your boat farther away from the shore, Taylor and Hyunjin wave goodbye to you. You feel horrible leaving behind the city of your birth. You feel empty and cold.
But Minho wraps his arms around you and the coldness vanishes. Minho is warm, and from now on, he's only yours.
*
4 years later.
"Your baby is fucking killing me, Minho." You groan as you get up from the sofa in your bakery.
You'd been sitting and munching on cookies for way too long perhaps.
"Hey, don't curse in front of the baby." He hushes you, caressing your bump. You feel the baby kick again.
You both laugh.
"Come on." He takes you by the hand and drags you to the sofa once again, ignoring all your protests.
Ever since you'd entered the seventh month of your pregnancy, Minho refused to let you do any work. And by any, you meant any work that involved physical activity.
In the mornings, he forced you to watch him sweep the floors whilst you made him breakfast. In the afternoons, he forced you to sit at the cash counter of your bakery and watch him bake stuff tirelessly while you interacted with the customers.
In the evening, he gives you snacks while he cleans up the bakery for tomorrow.
In the night, he holds you close while he whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
It was a routine but you'd come to love this routine.
You wouldn't trade it for the world.
"What are you thinking?" He pulls you closer and plants a kiss on your lips.
"Just something. " You reply, embarrassed.
"Tell me, love. What is it?"
And how could you ever say 'no' to him if he used that tone on you?
"Well, I was thinking," you mindlessly fiddle with his fingers, "Do you ever regret giving up the throne for me? I mean, you're royalty. And here you are washing dishes and baking cookies every day. You could have lived a lavish life, you know."
You sound sad, guilty even.
Minho chuckles at you. But doesn't say anything.
Instead, he pulls your face closer and kisses you. Passionately. Softly. Lovingly.
When he pulls away, you feel breathless.
"Does that answer your question?" His sincere eyes look into yours, his hands on your belly, "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
You pull him back in for a kiss because that's all you'd ever wanted to hear.
And because Minho is warm and he smells like cookies and he's yours.
133 notes · View notes
sparklingchan · 4 months
Text
The way I love you || Lee Minho (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Lee Know
Word count : 4k+
Warnings : Sexual implications, making out, prostitution, mentions of alcohol, mentions of death, cuss words.
Genre : Romance, angst, royal AU, suggestive.
Description: He was a prince, bound by his duty. She was a harlot, longing for someone to love her truly. In stolen moments beneath the moonlit city, they dared to dream of a love meant to be.
A/N : HELLO MY TUMBLR FAM! I'm back again with the Royal fics haha. And this time it's my boi Lino<3 I hope y’all like this! It's one of my favorites!
And as I promised, I'll make a masterlist for all the Royal fics. Here is the link. Do check out the other fics in this series(the stories are not interrelated)!
Tumblr media
Minho hates coming to the main market; he hates the sticky workers bumping into him, he hates the smell of burnt meat, he hates the sound of noisy instruments people play in the name of music.
The only things he does like about the market is the wine, and you.
"Here for y/n again, my Prince?" One of the courtesans-Taylor- asks him just as he enters the tavern. She wears the brightest of lipsticks and smells like jasmine.
"I'm here for the wine." He says, which is only half a lie.
"As you say, my prince," Taylor giggles, "Your y/n is on the third floor as always. She hasn't had any customers today."
He walks the flight of stairs without breaking sweat and knocks on your door, excitement bubbling inside him.
The door opens and he catches a whiff of your rose scented perfume.
"Well, hello there," you smile at him, "Long time, huh?"
He chuckles, "It's only been three days, y/n."
You pull him inside by his collar, shut the door behind him and immediately draw your mouth to his.
You'd missed him, clearly.
In your dark lit bedroom, many men entered everyday for the purpose of their pleasure. But Minho was the only who entered this room everyday only to please you.
"Excited, aren't we?" He asks you when you push him onto the bed and climb over him, "I missed you, y/n."
You kiss him again; this time with more force, more passion and a lot more tongue. He reciprocates your action with equal enthusiasm.
As the night grows colder and darker, you find yourself cuddling with the man under your quilt. The love bites on both of your bodies barely visible under the light of a single candle.
"I wonder what magic keeps me coming back for more everyday. " Minho says softly, his fingers playing with your hair.
"Oh, does the 'Perfect Prince' not want to be seen in a whore's bed? Does it embarrass him?" You ask, playfully.
His mouth twists into a smirk, "Never. Not even in a thousand years."
He kisses you again and again and again until the last candle dies out and the quilt finds its place in some corner of the floor.
*
"Taylor, it's too early to be bothering me with customers!" You yell first thing in the morning, still sleepy and still cold from the absence of Minho's body against you.
"Y/n, it's not a customer. I need to talk to you." She yells back, "Open the door."
Groaning, you push yourself towards the door.
"What is it?"
Her face lacks the usual cheerfulness. She looks grim. Sad, almost.
"Minho didn't wanna wake you up," she pulls an envelope from her pocket, "He asked me to give you this."
"Okay. I'll read it later." You mutter. It's not unusual for Minho to deliver love letters for you sometimes. What's so special about this one?
"Y/n, read it." Taylor says, "Now."
There's an underlying urgency in her words that she tries to mask but doesn't escape your notice.
You walk back to your bed and open the letter.
Hi, y/n.
This is probably the last time that I'm writing to you. I feel sick even just at the thought of being without you but I have to do my princely duties now.
I'm getting married to Princess Sophie soon. My father commands it.
Y/n, I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday. I really meant it when I said I loved you.
Minho.
Inside the half empty envelope are a few coins of gold.
He paid you. For sleeping with him. For the first time ever.
It's as if the air is forced out of your lungs. You find it hard to breathe, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to even comprehend Taylor's questions.
You're not even in that room anymore.
You are by the river at midnight, with Minho. He'd set up a fire and covered the both of you with a quilt while he sung a soft melody.
You are in the rain, shouting profanities at each other. That was the day when he first told you he loved you.
You are at the tavern's terrace, kissing him for the first time.
You are at the Royal Palace. That's the day he first sees you, bold and loud, not afraid to say 'no' to sleeping with his monstrous father.
You are at the main market, buying a new pair of earrings when an injured Prince shows up at the shop. That's when you first see him.
You only had one regret at present.
You never got to tell him how much you loved him.
*
"Y/n, I know you're grieving but you cannot refuse customers anymore. You know this is what brings food to your table!" Taylor wraps a shawl around your half naked frame, "You always knew Minho could not just leave the palace and come live with you in this brothel, didn't you?"
You'd had another episode today; screaming and punching a customer while he tried to take your clothes off.
That's three days in a row.
If Taylor hadn't been there, the boss would have killed you with his own bare hands.
"I know," you say, "But I just...can't. I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that he burnt down the past year to the worth of a few coins. I have no lust for gold. I have no desire for a family, especially when my own father sold me here. I only loved him and now, he's fucking gone."
Taylor rubs your shoulders gently.
"Y/n, I know. But you have to get yourself together or you will only hurt yourself." She replies, "For all I know, he could be already married now. Sticking his fucking tongue in Sophie's mouth."
You look up at her.
"What do you mean? His wedding is today?" You ask.
She nods, "The city has been decorated like never before."
You force yourself out of her embrace and rush towards your cupboard.
"What are you doing, y/n?" Taylor asks.
"Going to crash a royal wedding."
*
Minho has developed a habit of looking for your eyes everywhere he goes. It's not a good one, but he can't seem to get rid of this habit.
And on his wedding day, as he stands at the alter, holding his fiancé's hand while the priest talks about loving, cherishing and honoring Princess Sophie for life, he cannot stop himself from looking for you in the sea of people.
Rich and powerful people from all over the world are present in the hall but somewhere in between these people, he sees a glimpse of someone he knows. Too well, in fact.
"Y/n?" He whispers to himself, heart pounding against his chest.
"Minho, are you alright? Your hands are getting sweaty." Sophie whispers but he just shrugs, his eyes glued to you.
As were yours, to his.
You didn't think he'd notice you amongst the velvet clad aristocrats but he did. And you wish he hadn't.
The bride and groom exchange wine glasses and have a sip from it.
"If anyone has any objections to this holy matrimony, speak now. Or hold your peace forever." The priest announces and the room goes quiet.
Of course no one would object to this wedding.
No one except you.
Minho sees a single hand raised among the crowd.
"Yes, miss?" The priest says.
"How could the prince marry another woman when his child grows inside me? What about the seed that he left behind? If I choose to give birth to this child, will it be your successor, my prince?"
Minho feels the blood drain from his face.
"You! How dare you?" Minho screams at you, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He would never speak to you in this way, but he has to. To protect you from this mess you'd created, he must be harsh.
He is the prince and he will be safe but you, they wouldn't spare you.
"How dare you?" You yell back, eyes bloodshot, "Do you think a few coins could make up for what you did to me?"
"Quiet! You whore! Dare you to disrupt a royal wedding with false accusations?" The king-Minho's father finally speaks. "Guards! Take her to the guillotine and bedhead her!"
"Father, no! I will deal with this in my own way." Minho says, almost losing his calm. "Guards, take the woman to the dungeons."
Your tears roll down your cheeks and you quickly rub them off with your hand as the guards take you down to the dungeons. You're sure he's gonna get you killed.
You take one last glance at the man you love and smile at him.
So long, Minho.
*
The wedding is called off and Princess Sophie storms out of the wedding hall along with her father. Of course, Minho's father was furious.
"I will kill her. I will kill her with my bare hands!" The king slams his fist against the table, "She ruined everything! Everything!"
"Father, please calm down." Hyunjin-Minho's younger brother says. "We have to think of a way to make up with Princess Sophie and her family."
"He's right. Being angry won't solve our problem." Minho says, twirling the wine in his glass, a playful smile on his face.
The king glares at his eldest son, walks toward him and smashes the glass from his hands.
"How dare you sit in my room, relaxed as ever, while you've fucked up so bad?" He yells, " You slept with a common whore, impregnated her and I have to suffer for it?"
Minho wants to defend himself but he knows it's of no use when the king raises his fist in the air and punches right at Minho's nose.
Minho smells the blood before he sees it.
Hyunjin tries to stop the king and mouths at Minho, leave now.
Minho does as he is told.
That night, as he cleans the blood from his face, he finally let's himself relax a little.
Today was a blunder, a total disaster but at least he didn't have to marry some other woman. He couldn't imagine life with a woman he didn't love. He considered himself a coward for not fighting for you enough, which is why you were in prison. Nevertheless, he swears to himself that he will save you from this mess. It didn't matter what he had to do, he would make sure you're out of prison by tomorrow.
"You're a reckless idiot, y/n." He mutters to himself, "But you're my reckless idiot."
*
You've never seen Taylor look this sad before. Her eyes are bloodshot and the tip of her nose shines red.
"I told you," she says to you, handing you some food, "I told you not to do this. Now look what they've done! Minho has you locked up and you can be sentenced to death any minute!"
"Well, it was worth a shot, really." You say to her.
Taylor snickers at your words, "Also, are you really pregnant or did you make it up to get his attention?"
You chuckle, "Of course I'm not pregnant. I just thought it would add a bit spice to the drama."
"Fine. Whatever. Just do not die on me, y/n. I swear. You're my.." Taylor sucks in a deep breath, "You're my only family. Please."
You blink your tears away before Taylor even notices. You take a spoonful of the porridge she made and stuff it in your mouth so you'd forget about her words. You're too weak for this right now.
"Y/n, just promise me-" Taylor is interrupted by the prison guard.
"Prince Minho is here to see you."
Even the porridge in your mouth does not stop your heart from aching and your eyes from tearing up.
Why is he here?
"Your majesty." Taylor greets him with the basic courtesy. You, on the other hand are looking at everything but him.
"Taylor, may I have a word with y/n alone? My guards here will take you up to my room. I have something important to discuss with you as well."
Taylor nods with a word and follows his guard.
Now it's just you and him. In a jail cell. While your heart breaks knowing he will serve you with capital punishment.
Is it the heavens punishing a common whore like yourself for loving the prince?
Perhaps.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Minho says in a soft whisper. His voice is filled with concern but you cannot look at him. Absolutely not.
If you even as much glance at those eyes you'd fallen in love with, you know you might lose all your will power.
"Fine." You reply sternly, "What do you want?"
Minho sucks in a deep breath, "I wish I had more time to explain but it'll all make sense some day, okay? For now, just trust me."
He offers you a vile of clear liquid.
"It's not anything bad, I swear. Just trust me, please. " He puts it on your palm.
His touch sends shivers down your spine.
And just like that, he turns around and walks away.
You stare at the vile in your hands and for a split second, you wonder if he'd handed you some type of poison. You wish he did.
And when you open the vile and gulp down that bitter liquid, you pray to the gods that you never wake up again because that's when your body hits the ground.
*
Hyunjin is anxious from the moment he wakes up in the morning.
He's anxious while he has breakfast, he's anxious while he avoids the eyes of palace officials to sneak into the old quarters of his mother.
He's especially anxious when he sees you lying on the bed, lips pale and stiff.
"I hope this works for God's sake." He pulls out a vile of purple liquid from his pocket and carefully, pours it into your mouth.
He curses Minho for handing him with the scariest possible task ever.
And as he paces the room, waiting for the antidote to work, he prays to every God, every spirit, every deity he's ever heard of.
Within a few minutes, much to his relief, your eyes open.
You look at Hyunjin alarmingly.
"You..You're his brother." You say, almost as if accusing him of a crime, "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Hyunjin." He seats at the foot of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. But my head hurts real bad." You reply, "Where's Minho? That bastard gave me a bitter drink and disappeared!"
Hyunjin notices your hopeful gaze go from the ceiling of the room to his face and then to his outfit. The mourning outfit.
"Why are you in mourning? And why are you wearing that badge with a dove on it?" Your voice is alarmed and you immediately sit up.
You remember Minho had once told you that the dove badge worn by the Royal family implies a death of a member of the Royal bloodline.
"Is Minho okay?" Your words are almost a whisper.
"Well, y/n, it's a little complicated, I will be honest but if you come with me now and trust me on this-"
"Why the fuck does every keep on asking me to trust them? What is going on? Either let me die in peace or let me leave this palace! I cannot take this anymore. And, for the love of God, would you tell me if Minho is okay or not?"
"He's alive." Hyunjin sighs, " Everyone thinks he committed suicide last night. The city is mourning the death of their crown prince. "
You're confused, "But he's alive, right?"
Hyunjin manages a smile, "Yes, he's alive. He staged his death and is waiting for you by the river bank. "
You jump out of the bed at once, heart pounding against your chest.
"Take me to him, please."
*
The river bank is the most beautiful place in the city, filled with shops and tourists and traders and singers and life. It's beautiful. Unlike your room in the brothel, which was as lifeless as anything could get.
The only one who made that room lively was Minho.
Minho who taught you to play cards, Minho who once beat up a customer because he was harassing you, Minho who promised he'd give anything to get you out of that hell hole.
Minho who loved you.
Now, Minho stands by a boat, wearing a straw hat and gripping his sword tightly. Taylor stands beside him, a brown package in her hands.
And when Minho's eyes meet yours, you run to him as if he'd run away if you didn't, disappear into thin air, leaving you alone in that cold dark room once again.
And oh! Minho is so warm as he wraps you in his embrace. He's warm like the sun on the coldest winter morning, warm like a cup of tea, warm like a freshly baked cookie. He's warm and he's yours.
"What..what is going on?" You sob into his embrace, "Please, will you stay with me? Minho, please?"
Minho is crying too, which is surprising because you've never seen him cry. Upset maybe , but crying never.
Yet here he is crying like a newborn baby, crying because a part of him knows he's managed to save you somehow.
"I'm not leaving okay?" He says, still crying, caressing your cheeks, "We're gonna go far from this city. We're never coming back okay?"
You can only nod as Taylor gently pats your head.
"This is a farewell gift. From me." She smiles at you, handing you the package, "It's a wedding dress that I made. I hope you can wear it when the day comes."
And you're crying again. But this time, you're crying into Taylor's embrace. It's hard leaving behind someone who loved you like a sister.
"We'll write to you. We promise. As soon as we find a proper place to stay, we will write to you both. " Minho says, to Taylor and to his brother.
"Sorry for burdening you with this country. " Minho whispers when Hyunjin hugs him, "I hope you forgive me someday."
"Bullshit. Really, I've always wanted to kill you and get this crown for myself. You only made my job easier." Hyunjin jokes, patting Minho's back.
Minho chuckles. The boatman catches his eye and points to the sun.
"We should get going now, y/n. They'll be holding a prayer in the afternoon and we cannot risk anyone seeing us before we leave."
You nod, kissing Taylor's head softly, holding her gift close to your chest.
"Do visit us sometime." You say to both of them and they nod in unison.
Minho helps you on the boat and hands a few coins to the boatman.
The soft current of the river pushes your boat farther away from the shore, Taylor and Hyunjin wave goodbye to you. You feel horrible leaving behind the city of your birth. You feel empty and cold.
But Minho wraps his arms around you and the coldness vanishes. Minho is warm, and from now on, he's only yours.
*
4 years later.
"Your baby is fucking killing me, Minho." You groan as you get up from the sofa in your bakery.
You'd been sitting and munching on cookies for way too long perhaps.
"Hey, don't curse in front of the baby." He hushes you, caressing your bump. You feel the baby kick again.
You both laugh.
"Come on." He takes you by the hand and drags you to the sofa once again, ignoring all your protests.
Ever since you'd entered the seventh month of your pregnancy, Minho refused to let you do any work. And by any, you meant any work that involved physical activity.
In the mornings, he forced you to watch him sweep the floors whilst you made him breakfast. In the afternoons, he forced you to sit at the cash counter of your bakery and watch him bake stuff tirelessly while you interacted with the customers.
In the evening, he gives you snacks while he cleans up the bakery for tomorrow.
In the night, he holds you close while he whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
It was a routine but you'd come to love this routine.
You wouldn't trade it for the world.
"What are you thinking?" He pulls you closer and plants a kiss on your lips.
"Just something. " You reply, embarrassed.
"Tell me, love. What is it?"
And how could you ever say 'no' to him if he used that tone on you?
"Well, I was thinking," you mindlessly fiddle with his fingers, "Do you ever regret giving up the throne for me? I mean, you're royalty. And here you are washing dishes and baking cookies every day. You could have lived a lavish life, you know."
You sound sad, guilty even.
Minho chuckles at you. But doesn't say anything.
Instead, he pulls your face closer and kisses you. Passionately. Softly. Lovingly.
When he pulls away, you feel breathless.
"Does that answer your question?" His sincere eyes look into yours, his hands on your belly, "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
You pull him back in for a kiss because that's all you'd ever wanted to hear.
And because Minho is warm and he smells like cookies and he's yours.
133 notes · View notes
sparklingchan · 4 months
Text
The way I love you || Lee Minho (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Lee Know
Word count : 4k+
Warnings : Sexual implications, making out, prostitution, mentions of alcohol, mentions of death, cuss words.
Genre : Romance, angst, royal AU, suggestive.
Description: He was a prince, bound by his duty. She was a harlot, longing for someone to love her truly. In stolen moments beneath the moonlit city, they dared to dream of a love meant to be.
A/N : HELLO MY TUMBLR FAM! I'm back again with the Royal fics haha. And this time it's my boi Lino<3 I hope y’all like this! It's one of my favorites!
And as I promised, I'll make a masterlist for all the Royal fics. Here is the link. Do check out the other fics in this series(the stories are not interrelated)!
Tumblr media
Minho hates coming to the main market; he hates the sticky workers bumping into him, he hates the smell of burnt meat, he hates the sound of noisy instruments people play in the name of music.
The only things he does like about the market is the wine, and you.
"Here for y/n again, my Prince?" One of the courtesans-Taylor- asks him just as he enters the tavern. She wears the brightest of lipsticks and smells like jasmine.
"I'm here for the wine." He says, which is only half a lie.
"As you say, my prince," Taylor giggles, "Your y/n is on the third floor as always. She hasn't had any customers today."
He walks the flight of stairs without breaking sweat and knocks on your door, excitement bubbling inside him.
The door opens and he catches a whiff of your rose scented perfume.
"Well, hello there," you smile at him, "Long time, huh?"
He chuckles, "It's only been three days, y/n."
You pull him inside by his collar, shut the door behind him and immediately draw your mouth to his.
You'd missed him, clearly.
In your dark lit bedroom, many men entered everyday for the purpose of their pleasure. But Minho was the only who entered this room everyday only to please you.
"Excited, aren't we?" He asks you when you push him onto the bed and climb over him, "I missed you, y/n."
You kiss him again; this time with more force, more passion and a lot more tongue. He reciprocates your action with equal enthusiasm.
As the night grows colder and darker, you find yourself cuddling with the man under your quilt. The love bites on both of your bodies barely visible under the light of a single candle.
"I wonder what magic keeps me coming back for more everyday. " Minho says softly, his fingers playing with your hair.
"Oh, does the 'Perfect Prince' not want to be seen in a whore's bed? Does it embarrass him?" You ask, playfully.
His mouth twists into a smirk, "Never. Not even in a thousand years."
He kisses you again and again and again until the last candle dies out and the quilt finds its place in some corner of the floor.
*
"Taylor, it's too early to be bothering me with customers!" You yell first thing in the morning, still sleepy and still cold from the absence of Minho's body against you.
"Y/n, it's not a customer. I need to talk to you." She yells back, "Open the door."
Groaning, you push yourself towards the door.
"What is it?"
Her face lacks the usual cheerfulness. She looks grim. Sad, almost.
"Minho didn't wanna wake you up," she pulls an envelope from her pocket, "He asked me to give you this."
"Okay. I'll read it later." You mutter. It's not unusual for Minho to deliver love letters for you sometimes. What's so special about this one?
"Y/n, read it." Taylor says, "Now."
There's an underlying urgency in her words that she tries to mask but doesn't escape your notice.
You walk back to your bed and open the letter.
Hi, y/n.
This is probably the last time that I'm writing to you. I feel sick even just at the thought of being without you but I have to do my princely duties now.
I'm getting married to Princess Sophie soon. My father commands it.
Y/n, I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday. I really meant it when I said I loved you.
Minho.
Inside the half empty envelope are a few coins of gold.
He paid you. For sleeping with him. For the first time ever.
It's as if the air is forced out of your lungs. You find it hard to breathe, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to even comprehend Taylor's questions.
You're not even in that room anymore.
You are by the river at midnight, with Minho. He'd set up a fire and covered the both of you with a quilt while he sung a soft melody.
You are in the rain, shouting profanities at each other. That was the day when he first told you he loved you.
You are at the tavern's terrace, kissing him for the first time.
You are at the Royal Palace. That's the day he first sees you, bold and loud, not afraid to say 'no' to sleeping with his monstrous father.
You are at the main market, buying a new pair of earrings when an injured Prince shows up at the shop. That's when you first see him.
You only had one regret at present.
You never got to tell him how much you loved him.
*
"Y/n, I know you're grieving but you cannot refuse customers anymore. You know this is what brings food to your table!" Taylor wraps a shawl around your half naked frame, "You always knew Minho could not just leave the palace and come live with you in this brothel, didn't you?"
You'd had another episode today; screaming and punching a customer while he tried to take your clothes off.
That's three days in a row.
If Taylor hadn't been there, the boss would have killed you with his own bare hands.
"I know," you say, "But I just...can't. I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that he burnt down the past year to the worth of a few coins. I have no lust for gold. I have no desire for a family, especially when my own father sold me here. I only loved him and now, he's fucking gone."
Taylor rubs your shoulders gently.
"Y/n, I know. But you have to get yourself together or you will only hurt yourself." She replies, "For all I know, he could be already married now. Sticking his fucking tongue in Sophie's mouth."
You look up at her.
"What do you mean? His wedding is today?" You ask.
She nods, "The city has been decorated like never before."
You force yourself out of her embrace and rush towards your cupboard.
"What are you doing, y/n?" Taylor asks.
"Going to crash a royal wedding."
*
Minho has developed a habit of looking for your eyes everywhere he goes. It's not a good one, but he can't seem to get rid of this habit.
And on his wedding day, as he stands at the alter, holding his fiancé's hand while the priest talks about loving, cherishing and honoring Princess Sophie for life, he cannot stop himself from looking for you in the sea of people.
Rich and powerful people from all over the world are present in the hall but somewhere in between these people, he sees a glimpse of someone he knows. Too well, in fact.
"Y/n?" He whispers to himself, heart pounding against his chest.
"Minho, are you alright? Your hands are getting sweaty." Sophie whispers but he just shrugs, his eyes glued to you.
As were yours, to his.
You didn't think he'd notice you amongst the velvet clad aristocrats but he did. And you wish he hadn't.
The bride and groom exchange wine glasses and have a sip from it.
"If anyone has any objections to this holy matrimony, speak now. Or hold your peace forever." The priest announces and the room goes quiet.
Of course no one would object to this wedding.
No one except you.
Minho sees a single hand raised among the crowd.
"Yes, miss?" The priest says.
"How could the prince marry another woman when his child grows inside me? What about the seed that he left behind? If I choose to give birth to this child, will it be your successor, my prince?"
Minho feels the blood drain from his face.
"You! How dare you?" Minho screams at you, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He would never speak to you in this way, but he has to. To protect you from this mess you'd created, he must be harsh.
He is the prince and he will be safe but you, they wouldn't spare you.
"How dare you?" You yell back, eyes bloodshot, "Do you think a few coins could make up for what you did to me?"
"Quiet! You whore! Dare you to disrupt a royal wedding with false accusations?" The king-Minho's father finally speaks. "Guards! Take her to the guillotine and bedhead her!"
"Father, no! I will deal with this in my own way." Minho says, almost losing his calm. "Guards, take the woman to the dungeons."
Your tears roll down your cheeks and you quickly rub them off with your hand as the guards take you down to the dungeons. You're sure he's gonna get you killed.
You take one last glance at the man you love and smile at him.
So long, Minho.
*
The wedding is called off and Princess Sophie storms out of the wedding hall along with her father. Of course, Minho's father was furious.
"I will kill her. I will kill her with my bare hands!" The king slams his fist against the table, "She ruined everything! Everything!"
"Father, please calm down." Hyunjin-Minho's younger brother says. "We have to think of a way to make up with Princess Sophie and her family."
"He's right. Being angry won't solve our problem." Minho says, twirling the wine in his glass, a playful smile on his face.
The king glares at his eldest son, walks toward him and smashes the glass from his hands.
"How dare you sit in my room, relaxed as ever, while you've fucked up so bad?" He yells, " You slept with a common whore, impregnated her and I have to suffer for it?"
Minho wants to defend himself but he knows it's of no use when the king raises his fist in the air and punches right at Minho's nose.
Minho smells the blood before he sees it.
Hyunjin tries to stop the king and mouths at Minho, leave now.
Minho does as he is told.
That night, as he cleans the blood from his face, he finally let's himself relax a little.
Today was a blunder, a total disaster but at least he didn't have to marry some other woman. He couldn't imagine life with a woman he didn't love. He considered himself a coward for not fighting for you enough, which is why you were in prison. Nevertheless, he swears to himself that he will save you from this mess. It didn't matter what he had to do, he would make sure you're out of prison by tomorrow.
"You're a reckless idiot, y/n." He mutters to himself, "But you're my reckless idiot."
*
You've never seen Taylor look this sad before. Her eyes are bloodshot and the tip of her nose shines red.
"I told you," she says to you, handing you some food, "I told you not to do this. Now look what they've done! Minho has you locked up and you can be sentenced to death any minute!"
"Well, it was worth a shot, really." You say to her.
Taylor snickers at your words, "Also, are you really pregnant or did you make it up to get his attention?"
You chuckle, "Of course I'm not pregnant. I just thought it would add a bit spice to the drama."
"Fine. Whatever. Just do not die on me, y/n. I swear. You're my.." Taylor sucks in a deep breath, "You're my only family. Please."
You blink your tears away before Taylor even notices. You take a spoonful of the porridge she made and stuff it in your mouth so you'd forget about her words. You're too weak for this right now.
"Y/n, just promise me-" Taylor is interrupted by the prison guard.
"Prince Minho is here to see you."
Even the porridge in your mouth does not stop your heart from aching and your eyes from tearing up.
Why is he here?
"Your majesty." Taylor greets him with the basic courtesy. You, on the other hand are looking at everything but him.
"Taylor, may I have a word with y/n alone? My guards here will take you up to my room. I have something important to discuss with you as well."
Taylor nods with a word and follows his guard.
Now it's just you and him. In a jail cell. While your heart breaks knowing he will serve you with capital punishment.
Is it the heavens punishing a common whore like yourself for loving the prince?
Perhaps.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Minho says in a soft whisper. His voice is filled with concern but you cannot look at him. Absolutely not.
If you even as much glance at those eyes you'd fallen in love with, you know you might lose all your will power.
"Fine." You reply sternly, "What do you want?"
Minho sucks in a deep breath, "I wish I had more time to explain but it'll all make sense some day, okay? For now, just trust me."
He offers you a vile of clear liquid.
"It's not anything bad, I swear. Just trust me, please. " He puts it on your palm.
His touch sends shivers down your spine.
And just like that, he turns around and walks away.
You stare at the vile in your hands and for a split second, you wonder if he'd handed you some type of poison. You wish he did.
And when you open the vile and gulp down that bitter liquid, you pray to the gods that you never wake up again because that's when your body hits the ground.
*
Hyunjin is anxious from the moment he wakes up in the morning.
He's anxious while he has breakfast, he's anxious while he avoids the eyes of palace officials to sneak into the old quarters of his mother.
He's especially anxious when he sees you lying on the bed, lips pale and stiff.
"I hope this works for God's sake." He pulls out a vile of purple liquid from his pocket and carefully, pours it into your mouth.
He curses Minho for handing him with the scariest possible task ever.
And as he paces the room, waiting for the antidote to work, he prays to every God, every spirit, every deity he's ever heard of.
Within a few minutes, much to his relief, your eyes open.
You look at Hyunjin alarmingly.
"You..You're his brother." You say, almost as if accusing him of a crime, "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Hyunjin." He seats at the foot of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. But my head hurts real bad." You reply, "Where's Minho? That bastard gave me a bitter drink and disappeared!"
Hyunjin notices your hopeful gaze go from the ceiling of the room to his face and then to his outfit. The mourning outfit.
"Why are you in mourning? And why are you wearing that badge with a dove on it?" Your voice is alarmed and you immediately sit up.
You remember Minho had once told you that the dove badge worn by the Royal family implies a death of a member of the Royal bloodline.
"Is Minho okay?" Your words are almost a whisper.
"Well, y/n, it's a little complicated, I will be honest but if you come with me now and trust me on this-"
"Why the fuck does every keep on asking me to trust them? What is going on? Either let me die in peace or let me leave this palace! I cannot take this anymore. And, for the love of God, would you tell me if Minho is okay or not?"
"He's alive." Hyunjin sighs, " Everyone thinks he committed suicide last night. The city is mourning the death of their crown prince. "
You're confused, "But he's alive, right?"
Hyunjin manages a smile, "Yes, he's alive. He staged his death and is waiting for you by the river bank. "
You jump out of the bed at once, heart pounding against your chest.
"Take me to him, please."
*
The river bank is the most beautiful place in the city, filled with shops and tourists and traders and singers and life. It's beautiful. Unlike your room in the brothel, which was as lifeless as anything could get.
The only one who made that room lively was Minho.
Minho who taught you to play cards, Minho who once beat up a customer because he was harassing you, Minho who promised he'd give anything to get you out of that hell hole.
Minho who loved you.
Now, Minho stands by a boat, wearing a straw hat and gripping his sword tightly. Taylor stands beside him, a brown package in her hands.
And when Minho's eyes meet yours, you run to him as if he'd run away if you didn't, disappear into thin air, leaving you alone in that cold dark room once again.
And oh! Minho is so warm as he wraps you in his embrace. He's warm like the sun on the coldest winter morning, warm like a cup of tea, warm like a freshly baked cookie. He's warm and he's yours.
"What..what is going on?" You sob into his embrace, "Please, will you stay with me? Minho, please?"
Minho is crying too, which is surprising because you've never seen him cry. Upset maybe , but crying never.
Yet here he is crying like a newborn baby, crying because a part of him knows he's managed to save you somehow.
"I'm not leaving okay?" He says, still crying, caressing your cheeks, "We're gonna go far from this city. We're never coming back okay?"
You can only nod as Taylor gently pats your head.
"This is a farewell gift. From me." She smiles at you, handing you the package, "It's a wedding dress that I made. I hope you can wear it when the day comes."
And you're crying again. But this time, you're crying into Taylor's embrace. It's hard leaving behind someone who loved you like a sister.
"We'll write to you. We promise. As soon as we find a proper place to stay, we will write to you both. " Minho says, to Taylor and to his brother.
"Sorry for burdening you with this country. " Minho whispers when Hyunjin hugs him, "I hope you forgive me someday."
"Bullshit. Really, I've always wanted to kill you and get this crown for myself. You only made my job easier." Hyunjin jokes, patting Minho's back.
Minho chuckles. The boatman catches his eye and points to the sun.
"We should get going now, y/n. They'll be holding a prayer in the afternoon and we cannot risk anyone seeing us before we leave."
You nod, kissing Taylor's head softly, holding her gift close to your chest.
"Do visit us sometime." You say to both of them and they nod in unison.
Minho helps you on the boat and hands a few coins to the boatman.
The soft current of the river pushes your boat farther away from the shore, Taylor and Hyunjin wave goodbye to you. You feel horrible leaving behind the city of your birth. You feel empty and cold.
But Minho wraps his arms around you and the coldness vanishes. Minho is warm, and from now on, he's only yours.
*
4 years later.
"Your baby is fucking killing me, Minho." You groan as you get up from the sofa in your bakery.
You'd been sitting and munching on cookies for way too long perhaps.
"Hey, don't curse in front of the baby." He hushes you, caressing your bump. You feel the baby kick again.
You both laugh.
"Come on." He takes you by the hand and drags you to the sofa once again, ignoring all your protests.
Ever since you'd entered the seventh month of your pregnancy, Minho refused to let you do any work. And by any, you meant any work that involved physical activity.
In the mornings, he forced you to watch him sweep the floors whilst you made him breakfast. In the afternoons, he forced you to sit at the cash counter of your bakery and watch him bake stuff tirelessly while you interacted with the customers.
In the evening, he gives you snacks while he cleans up the bakery for tomorrow.
In the night, he holds you close while he whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
It was a routine but you'd come to love this routine.
You wouldn't trade it for the world.
"What are you thinking?" He pulls you closer and plants a kiss on your lips.
"Just something. " You reply, embarrassed.
"Tell me, love. What is it?"
And how could you ever say 'no' to him if he used that tone on you?
"Well, I was thinking," you mindlessly fiddle with his fingers, "Do you ever regret giving up the throne for me? I mean, you're royalty. And here you are washing dishes and baking cookies every day. You could have lived a lavish life, you know."
You sound sad, guilty even.
Minho chuckles at you. But doesn't say anything.
Instead, he pulls your face closer and kisses you. Passionately. Softly. Lovingly.
When he pulls away, you feel breathless.
"Does that answer your question?" His sincere eyes look into yours, his hands on your belly, "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
You pull him back in for a kiss because that's all you'd ever wanted to hear.
And because Minho is warm and he smells like cookies and he's yours.
133 notes · View notes
sparklingchan · 4 months
Text
The way I love you || Lee Minho (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Lee Know
Word count : 4k+
Warnings : Sexual implications, making out, prostitution, mentions of alcohol, mentions of death, cuss words.
Genre : Romance, angst, royal AU, suggestive.
Description: He was a prince, bound by his duty. She was a harlot, longing for someone to love her truly. In stolen moments beneath the moonlit city, they dared to dream of a love meant to be.
A/N : HELLO MY TUMBLR FAM! I'm back again with the Royal fics haha. And this time it's my boi Lino<3 I hope y’all like this! It's one of my favorites!
And as I promised, I'll make a masterlist for all the Royal fics. Here is the link. Do check out the other fics in this series(the stories are not interrelated)!
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Minho hates coming to the main market; he hates the sticky workers bumping into him, he hates the smell of burnt meat, he hates the sound of noisy instruments people play in the name of music.
The only things he does like about the market is the wine, and you.
"Here for y/n again, my Prince?" One of the courtesans-Taylor- asks him just as he enters the tavern. She wears the brightest of lipsticks and smells like jasmine.
"I'm here for the wine." He says, which is only half a lie.
"As you say, my prince," Taylor giggles, "Your y/n is on the third floor as always. She hasn't had any customers today."
He walks the flight of stairs without breaking sweat and knocks on your door, excitement bubbling inside him.
The door opens and he catches a whiff of your rose scented perfume.
"Well, hello there," you smile at him, "Long time, huh?"
He chuckles, "It's only been three days, y/n."
You pull him inside by his collar, shut the door behind him and immediately draw your mouth to his.
You'd missed him, clearly.
In your dark lit bedroom, many men entered everyday for the purpose of their pleasure. But Minho was the only who entered this room everyday only to please you.
"Excited, aren't we?" He asks you when you push him onto the bed and climb over him, "I missed you, y/n."
You kiss him again; this time with more force, more passion and a lot more tongue. He reciprocates your action with equal enthusiasm.
As the night grows colder and darker, you find yourself cuddling with the man under your quilt. The love bites on both of your bodies barely visible under the light of a single candle.
"I wonder what magic keeps me coming back for more everyday. " Minho says softly, his fingers playing with your hair.
"Oh, does the 'Perfect Prince' not want to be seen in a whore's bed? Does it embarrass him?" You ask, playfully.
His mouth twists into a smirk, "Never. Not even in a thousand years."
He kisses you again and again and again until the last candle dies out and the quilt finds its place in some corner of the floor.
*
"Taylor, it's too early to be bothering me with customers!" You yell first thing in the morning, still sleepy and still cold from the absence of Minho's body against you.
"Y/n, it's not a customer. I need to talk to you." She yells back, "Open the door."
Groaning, you push yourself towards the door.
"What is it?"
Her face lacks the usual cheerfulness. She looks grim. Sad, almost.
"Minho didn't wanna wake you up," she pulls an envelope from her pocket, "He asked me to give you this."
"Okay. I'll read it later." You mutter. It's not unusual for Minho to deliver love letters for you sometimes. What's so special about this one?
"Y/n, read it." Taylor says, "Now."
There's an underlying urgency in her words that she tries to mask but doesn't escape your notice.
You walk back to your bed and open the letter.
Hi, y/n.
This is probably the last time that I'm writing to you. I feel sick even just at the thought of being without you but I have to do my princely duties now.
I'm getting married to Princess Sophie soon. My father commands it.
Y/n, I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday. I really meant it when I said I loved you.
Minho.
Inside the half empty envelope are a few coins of gold.
He paid you. For sleeping with him. For the first time ever.
It's as if the air is forced out of your lungs. You find it hard to breathe, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to even comprehend Taylor's questions.
You're not even in that room anymore.
You are by the river at midnight, with Minho. He'd set up a fire and covered the both of you with a quilt while he sung a soft melody.
You are in the rain, shouting profanities at each other. That was the day when he first told you he loved you.
You are at the tavern's terrace, kissing him for the first time.
You are at the Royal Palace. That's the day he first sees you, bold and loud, not afraid to say 'no' to sleeping with his monstrous father.
You are at the main market, buying a new pair of earrings when an injured Prince shows up at the shop. That's when you first see him.
You only had one regret at present.
You never got to tell him how much you loved him.
*
"Y/n, I know you're grieving but you cannot refuse customers anymore. You know this is what brings food to your table!" Taylor wraps a shawl around your half naked frame, "You always knew Minho could not just leave the palace and come live with you in this brothel, didn't you?"
You'd had another episode today; screaming and punching a customer while he tried to take your clothes off.
That's three days in a row.
If Taylor hadn't been there, the boss would have killed you with his own bare hands.
"I know," you say, "But I just...can't. I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that he burnt down the past year to the worth of a few coins. I have no lust for gold. I have no desire for a family, especially when my own father sold me here. I only loved him and now, he's fucking gone."
Taylor rubs your shoulders gently.
"Y/n, I know. But you have to get yourself together or you will only hurt yourself." She replies, "For all I know, he could be already married now. Sticking his fucking tongue in Sophie's mouth."
You look up at her.
"What do you mean? His wedding is today?" You ask.
She nods, "The city has been decorated like never before."
You force yourself out of her embrace and rush towards your cupboard.
"What are you doing, y/n?" Taylor asks.
"Going to crash a royal wedding."
*
Minho has developed a habit of looking for your eyes everywhere he goes. It's not a good one, but he can't seem to get rid of this habit.
And on his wedding day, as he stands at the alter, holding his fiancé's hand while the priest talks about loving, cherishing and honoring Princess Sophie for life, he cannot stop himself from looking for you in the sea of people.
Rich and powerful people from all over the world are present in the hall but somewhere in between these people, he sees a glimpse of someone he knows. Too well, in fact.
"Y/n?" He whispers to himself, heart pounding against his chest.
"Minho, are you alright? Your hands are getting sweaty." Sophie whispers but he just shrugs, his eyes glued to you.
As were yours, to his.
You didn't think he'd notice you amongst the velvet clad aristocrats but he did. And you wish he hadn't.
The bride and groom exchange wine glasses and have a sip from it.
"If anyone has any objections to this holy matrimony, speak now. Or hold your peace forever." The priest announces and the room goes quiet.
Of course no one would object to this wedding.
No one except you.
Minho sees a single hand raised among the crowd.
"Yes, miss?" The priest says.
"How could the prince marry another woman when his child grows inside me? What about the seed that he left behind? If I choose to give birth to this child, will it be your successor, my prince?"
Minho feels the blood drain from his face.
"You! How dare you?" Minho screams at you, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He would never speak to you in this way, but he has to. To protect you from this mess you'd created, he must be harsh.
He is the prince and he will be safe but you, they wouldn't spare you.
"How dare you?" You yell back, eyes bloodshot, "Do you think a few coins could make up for what you did to me?"
"Quiet! You whore! Dare you to disrupt a royal wedding with false accusations?" The king-Minho's father finally speaks. "Guards! Take her to the guillotine and bedhead her!"
"Father, no! I will deal with this in my own way." Minho says, almost losing his calm. "Guards, take the woman to the dungeons."
Your tears roll down your cheeks and you quickly rub them off with your hand as the guards take you down to the dungeons. You're sure he's gonna get you killed.
You take one last glance at the man you love and smile at him.
So long, Minho.
*
The wedding is called off and Princess Sophie storms out of the wedding hall along with her father. Of course, Minho's father was furious.
"I will kill her. I will kill her with my bare hands!" The king slams his fist against the table, "She ruined everything! Everything!"
"Father, please calm down." Hyunjin-Minho's younger brother says. "We have to think of a way to make up with Princess Sophie and her family."
"He's right. Being angry won't solve our problem." Minho says, twirling the wine in his glass, a playful smile on his face.
The king glares at his eldest son, walks toward him and smashes the glass from his hands.
"How dare you sit in my room, relaxed as ever, while you've fucked up so bad?" He yells, " You slept with a common whore, impregnated her and I have to suffer for it?"
Minho wants to defend himself but he knows it's of no use when the king raises his fist in the air and punches right at Minho's nose.
Minho smells the blood before he sees it.
Hyunjin tries to stop the king and mouths at Minho, leave now.
Minho does as he is told.
That night, as he cleans the blood from his face, he finally let's himself relax a little.
Today was a blunder, a total disaster but at least he didn't have to marry some other woman. He couldn't imagine life with a woman he didn't love. He considered himself a coward for not fighting for you enough, which is why you were in prison. Nevertheless, he swears to himself that he will save you from this mess. It didn't matter what he had to do, he would make sure you're out of prison by tomorrow.
"You're a reckless idiot, y/n." He mutters to himself, "But you're my reckless idiot."
*
You've never seen Taylor look this sad before. Her eyes are bloodshot and the tip of her nose shines red.
"I told you," she says to you, handing you some food, "I told you not to do this. Now look what they've done! Minho has you locked up and you can be sentenced to death any minute!"
"Well, it was worth a shot, really." You say to her.
Taylor snickers at your words, "Also, are you really pregnant or did you make it up to get his attention?"
You chuckle, "Of course I'm not pregnant. I just thought it would add a bit spice to the drama."
"Fine. Whatever. Just do not die on me, y/n. I swear. You're my.." Taylor sucks in a deep breath, "You're my only family. Please."
You blink your tears away before Taylor even notices. You take a spoonful of the porridge she made and stuff it in your mouth so you'd forget about her words. You're too weak for this right now.
"Y/n, just promise me-" Taylor is interrupted by the prison guard.
"Prince Minho is here to see you."
Even the porridge in your mouth does not stop your heart from aching and your eyes from tearing up.
Why is he here?
"Your majesty." Taylor greets him with the basic courtesy. You, on the other hand are looking at everything but him.
"Taylor, may I have a word with y/n alone? My guards here will take you up to my room. I have something important to discuss with you as well."
Taylor nods with a word and follows his guard.
Now it's just you and him. In a jail cell. While your heart breaks knowing he will serve you with capital punishment.
Is it the heavens punishing a common whore like yourself for loving the prince?
Perhaps.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Minho says in a soft whisper. His voice is filled with concern but you cannot look at him. Absolutely not.
If you even as much glance at those eyes you'd fallen in love with, you know you might lose all your will power.
"Fine." You reply sternly, "What do you want?"
Minho sucks in a deep breath, "I wish I had more time to explain but it'll all make sense some day, okay? For now, just trust me."
He offers you a vile of clear liquid.
"It's not anything bad, I swear. Just trust me, please. " He puts it on your palm.
His touch sends shivers down your spine.
And just like that, he turns around and walks away.
You stare at the vile in your hands and for a split second, you wonder if he'd handed you some type of poison. You wish he did.
And when you open the vile and gulp down that bitter liquid, you pray to the gods that you never wake up again because that's when your body hits the ground.
*
Hyunjin is anxious from the moment he wakes up in the morning.
He's anxious while he has breakfast, he's anxious while he avoids the eyes of palace officials to sneak into the old quarters of his mother.
He's especially anxious when he sees you lying on the bed, lips pale and stiff.
"I hope this works for God's sake." He pulls out a vile of purple liquid from his pocket and carefully, pours it into your mouth.
He curses Minho for handing him with the scariest possible task ever.
And as he paces the room, waiting for the antidote to work, he prays to every God, every spirit, every deity he's ever heard of.
Within a few minutes, much to his relief, your eyes open.
You look at Hyunjin alarmingly.
"You..You're his brother." You say, almost as if accusing him of a crime, "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Hyunjin." He seats at the foot of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. But my head hurts real bad." You reply, "Where's Minho? That bastard gave me a bitter drink and disappeared!"
Hyunjin notices your hopeful gaze go from the ceiling of the room to his face and then to his outfit. The mourning outfit.
"Why are you in mourning? And why are you wearing that badge with a dove on it?" Your voice is alarmed and you immediately sit up.
You remember Minho had once told you that the dove badge worn by the Royal family implies a death of a member of the Royal bloodline.
"Is Minho okay?" Your words are almost a whisper.
"Well, y/n, it's a little complicated, I will be honest but if you come with me now and trust me on this-"
"Why the fuck does every keep on asking me to trust them? What is going on? Either let me die in peace or let me leave this palace! I cannot take this anymore. And, for the love of God, would you tell me if Minho is okay or not?"
"He's alive." Hyunjin sighs, " Everyone thinks he committed suicide last night. The city is mourning the death of their crown prince. "
You're confused, "But he's alive, right?"
Hyunjin manages a smile, "Yes, he's alive. He staged his death and is waiting for you by the river bank. "
You jump out of the bed at once, heart pounding against your chest.
"Take me to him, please."
*
The river bank is the most beautiful place in the city, filled with shops and tourists and traders and singers and life. It's beautiful. Unlike your room in the brothel, which was as lifeless as anything could get.
The only one who made that room lively was Minho.
Minho who taught you to play cards, Minho who once beat up a customer because he was harassing you, Minho who promised he'd give anything to get you out of that hell hole.
Minho who loved you.
Now, Minho stands by a boat, wearing a straw hat and gripping his sword tightly. Taylor stands beside him, a brown package in her hands.
And when Minho's eyes meet yours, you run to him as if he'd run away if you didn't, disappear into thin air, leaving you alone in that cold dark room once again.
And oh! Minho is so warm as he wraps you in his embrace. He's warm like the sun on the coldest winter morning, warm like a cup of tea, warm like a freshly baked cookie. He's warm and he's yours.
"What..what is going on?" You sob into his embrace, "Please, will you stay with me? Minho, please?"
Minho is crying too, which is surprising because you've never seen him cry. Upset maybe , but crying never.
Yet here he is crying like a newborn baby, crying because a part of him knows he's managed to save you somehow.
"I'm not leaving okay?" He says, still crying, caressing your cheeks, "We're gonna go far from this city. We're never coming back okay?"
You can only nod as Taylor gently pats your head.
"This is a farewell gift. From me." She smiles at you, handing you the package, "It's a wedding dress that I made. I hope you can wear it when the day comes."
And you're crying again. But this time, you're crying into Taylor's embrace. It's hard leaving behind someone who loved you like a sister.
"We'll write to you. We promise. As soon as we find a proper place to stay, we will write to you both. " Minho says, to Taylor and to his brother.
"Sorry for burdening you with this country. " Minho whispers when Hyunjin hugs him, "I hope you forgive me someday."
"Bullshit. Really, I've always wanted to kill you and get this crown for myself. You only made my job easier." Hyunjin jokes, patting Minho's back.
Minho chuckles. The boatman catches his eye and points to the sun.
"We should get going now, y/n. They'll be holding a prayer in the afternoon and we cannot risk anyone seeing us before we leave."
You nod, kissing Taylor's head softly, holding her gift close to your chest.
"Do visit us sometime." You say to both of them and they nod in unison.
Minho helps you on the boat and hands a few coins to the boatman.
The soft current of the river pushes your boat farther away from the shore, Taylor and Hyunjin wave goodbye to you. You feel horrible leaving behind the city of your birth. You feel empty and cold.
But Minho wraps his arms around you and the coldness vanishes. Minho is warm, and from now on, he's only yours.
*
4 years later.
"Your baby is fucking killing me, Minho." You groan as you get up from the sofa in your bakery.
You'd been sitting and munching on cookies for way too long perhaps.
"Hey, don't curse in front of the baby." He hushes you, caressing your bump. You feel the baby kick again.
You both laugh.
"Come on." He takes you by the hand and drags you to the sofa once again, ignoring all your protests.
Ever since you'd entered the seventh month of your pregnancy, Minho refused to let you do any work. And by any, you meant any work that involved physical activity.
In the mornings, he forced you to watch him sweep the floors whilst you made him breakfast. In the afternoons, he forced you to sit at the cash counter of your bakery and watch him bake stuff tirelessly while you interacted with the customers.
In the evening, he gives you snacks while he cleans up the bakery for tomorrow.
In the night, he holds you close while he whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
It was a routine but you'd come to love this routine.
You wouldn't trade it for the world.
"What are you thinking?" He pulls you closer and plants a kiss on your lips.
"Just something. " You reply, embarrassed.
"Tell me, love. What is it?"
And how could you ever say 'no' to him if he used that tone on you?
"Well, I was thinking," you mindlessly fiddle with his fingers, "Do you ever regret giving up the throne for me? I mean, you're royalty. And here you are washing dishes and baking cookies every day. You could have lived a lavish life, you know."
You sound sad, guilty even.
Minho chuckles at you. But doesn't say anything.
Instead, he pulls your face closer and kisses you. Passionately. Softly. Lovingly.
When he pulls away, you feel breathless.
"Does that answer your question?" His sincere eyes look into yours, his hands on your belly, "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
You pull him back in for a kiss because that's all you'd ever wanted to hear.
And because Minho is warm and he smells like cookies and he's yours.
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sparklingchan · 4 months
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Reaper is everything.
The respect he had for the other tributes. The grave he made for the fallen tributes. He was completely exposed and could have been killed by anyone, but recognizing those kids and respecting them the way they deserve was more important to him. The way he tore down the symbol of the government that was supposed to protect them, and used it to cover the bodies of the kids it failed so badly. His calm demeanor. The love he had for his sick and fragile district partner. The love he had for Wovey. The way he protected those gentle souls the best he could. He didn't even try to fight. He knew he wasn't going to kill any of these kids. He's the original revolution. He wasn't going to play the capitol's games. He didn't let them turn him into something he's not. He is everything good.
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sparklingchan · 4 months
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“oh I’m too old for stuffed animals” skill issue. sorry you can’t appreciate little creatures made to hang out with you, I on the other hand am full of joyous whimsy and therefore vastly superior.
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sparklingchan · 4 months
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The way I love you || Lee Minho (Stray Kids)
Pairing: Reader(fem.) X Lee Know
Word count : 4k+
Warnings : Sexual implications, making out, prostitution, mentions of alcohol, mentions of death, cuss words.
Genre : Romance, angst, royal AU, suggestive.
Description: He was a prince, bound by his duty. She was a harlot, longing for someone to love her truly. In stolen moments beneath the moonlit city, they dared to dream of a love meant to be.
A/N : HELLO MY TUMBLR FAM! I'm back again with the Royal fics haha. And this time it's my boi Lino<3 I hope y’all like this! It's one of my favorites!
And as I promised, I'll make a masterlist for all the Royal fics. Here is the link. Do check out the other fics in this series(the stories are not interrelated)!
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Minho hates coming to the main market; he hates the sticky workers bumping into him, he hates the smell of burnt meat, he hates the sound of noisy instruments people play in the name of music.
The only things he does like about the market is the wine, and you.
"Here for y/n again, my Prince?" One of the courtesans-Taylor- asks him just as he enters the tavern. She wears the brightest of lipsticks and smells like jasmine.
"I'm here for the wine." He says, which is only half a lie.
"As you say, my prince," Taylor giggles, "Your y/n is on the third floor as always. She hasn't had any customers today."
He walks the flight of stairs without breaking sweat and knocks on your door, excitement bubbling inside him.
The door opens and he catches a whiff of your rose scented perfume.
"Well, hello there," you smile at him, "Long time, huh?"
He chuckles, "It's only been three days, y/n."
You pull him inside by his collar, shut the door behind him and immediately draw your mouth to his.
You'd missed him, clearly.
In your dark lit bedroom, many men entered everyday for the purpose of their pleasure. But Minho was the only who entered this room everyday only to please you.
"Excited, aren't we?" He asks you when you push him onto the bed and climb over him, "I missed you, y/n."
You kiss him again; this time with more force, more passion and a lot more tongue. He reciprocates your action with equal enthusiasm.
As the night grows colder and darker, you find yourself cuddling with the man under your quilt. The love bites on both of your bodies barely visible under the light of a single candle.
"I wonder what magic keeps me coming back for more everyday. " Minho says softly, his fingers playing with your hair.
"Oh, does the 'Perfect Prince' not want to be seen in a whore's bed? Does it embarrass him?" You ask, playfully.
His mouth twists into a smirk, "Never. Not even in a thousand years."
He kisses you again and again and again until the last candle dies out and the quilt finds its place in some corner of the floor.
*
"Taylor, it's too early to be bothering me with customers!" You yell first thing in the morning, still sleepy and still cold from the absence of Minho's body against you.
"Y/n, it's not a customer. I need to talk to you." She yells back, "Open the door."
Groaning, you push yourself towards the door.
"What is it?"
Her face lacks the usual cheerfulness. She looks grim. Sad, almost.
"Minho didn't wanna wake you up," she pulls an envelope from her pocket, "He asked me to give you this."
"Okay. I'll read it later." You mutter. It's not unusual for Minho to deliver love letters for you sometimes. What's so special about this one?
"Y/n, read it." Taylor says, "Now."
There's an underlying urgency in her words that she tries to mask but doesn't escape your notice.
You walk back to your bed and open the letter.
Hi, y/n.
This is probably the last time that I'm writing to you. I feel sick even just at the thought of being without you but I have to do my princely duties now.
I'm getting married to Princess Sophie soon. My father commands it.
Y/n, I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday. I really meant it when I said I loved you.
Minho.
Inside the half empty envelope are a few coins of gold.
He paid you. For sleeping with him. For the first time ever.
It's as if the air is forced out of your lungs. You find it hard to breathe, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to even comprehend Taylor's questions.
You're not even in that room anymore.
You are by the river at midnight, with Minho. He'd set up a fire and covered the both of you with a quilt while he sung a soft melody.
You are in the rain, shouting profanities at each other. That was the day when he first told you he loved you.
You are at the tavern's terrace, kissing him for the first time.
You are at the Royal Palace. That's the day he first sees you, bold and loud, not afraid to say 'no' to sleeping with his monstrous father.
You are at the main market, buying a new pair of earrings when an injured Prince shows up at the shop. That's when you first see him.
You only had one regret at present.
You never got to tell him how much you loved him.
*
"Y/n, I know you're grieving but you cannot refuse customers anymore. You know this is what brings food to your table!" Taylor wraps a shawl around your half naked frame, "You always knew Minho could not just leave the palace and come live with you in this brothel, didn't you?"
You'd had another episode today; screaming and punching a customer while he tried to take your clothes off.
That's three days in a row.
If Taylor hadn't been there, the boss would have killed you with his own bare hands.
"I know," you say, "But I just...can't. I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that he burnt down the past year to the worth of a few coins. I have no lust for gold. I have no desire for a family, especially when my own father sold me here. I only loved him and now, he's fucking gone."
Taylor rubs your shoulders gently.
"Y/n, I know. But you have to get yourself together or you will only hurt yourself." She replies, "For all I know, he could be already married now. Sticking his fucking tongue in Sophie's mouth."
You look up at her.
"What do you mean? His wedding is today?" You ask.
She nods, "The city has been decorated like never before."
You force yourself out of her embrace and rush towards your cupboard.
"What are you doing, y/n?" Taylor asks.
"Going to crash a royal wedding."
*
Minho has developed a habit of looking for your eyes everywhere he goes. It's not a good one, but he can't seem to get rid of this habit.
And on his wedding day, as he stands at the alter, holding his fiancé's hand while the priest talks about loving, cherishing and honoring Princess Sophie for life, he cannot stop himself from looking for you in the sea of people.
Rich and powerful people from all over the world are present in the hall but somewhere in between these people, he sees a glimpse of someone he knows. Too well, in fact.
"Y/n?" He whispers to himself, heart pounding against his chest.
"Minho, are you alright? Your hands are getting sweaty." Sophie whispers but he just shrugs, his eyes glued to you.
As were yours, to his.
You didn't think he'd notice you amongst the velvet clad aristocrats but he did. And you wish he hadn't.
The bride and groom exchange wine glasses and have a sip from it.
"If anyone has any objections to this holy matrimony, speak now. Or hold your peace forever." The priest announces and the room goes quiet.
Of course no one would object to this wedding.
No one except you.
Minho sees a single hand raised among the crowd.
"Yes, miss?" The priest says.
"How could the prince marry another woman when his child grows inside me? What about the seed that he left behind? If I choose to give birth to this child, will it be your successor, my prince?"
Minho feels the blood drain from his face.
"You! How dare you?" Minho screams at you, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He would never speak to you in this way, but he has to. To protect you from this mess you'd created, he must be harsh.
He is the prince and he will be safe but you, they wouldn't spare you.
"How dare you?" You yell back, eyes bloodshot, "Do you think a few coins could make up for what you did to me?"
"Quiet! You whore! Dare you to disrupt a royal wedding with false accusations?" The king-Minho's father finally speaks. "Guards! Take her to the guillotine and bedhead her!"
"Father, no! I will deal with this in my own way." Minho says, almost losing his calm. "Guards, take the woman to the dungeons."
Your tears roll down your cheeks and you quickly rub them off with your hand as the guards take you down to the dungeons. You're sure he's gonna get you killed.
You take one last glance at the man you love and smile at him.
So long, Minho.
*
The wedding is called off and Princess Sophie storms out of the wedding hall along with her father. Of course, Minho's father was furious.
"I will kill her. I will kill her with my bare hands!" The king slams his fist against the table, "She ruined everything! Everything!"
"Father, please calm down." Hyunjin-Minho's younger brother says. "We have to think of a way to make up with Princess Sophie and her family."
"He's right. Being angry won't solve our problem." Minho says, twirling the wine in his glass, a playful smile on his face.
The king glares at his eldest son, walks toward him and smashes the glass from his hands.
"How dare you sit in my room, relaxed as ever, while you've fucked up so bad?" He yells, " You slept with a common whore, impregnated her and I have to suffer for it?"
Minho wants to defend himself but he knows it's of no use when the king raises his fist in the air and punches right at Minho's nose.
Minho smells the blood before he sees it.
Hyunjin tries to stop the king and mouths at Minho, leave now.
Minho does as he is told.
That night, as he cleans the blood from his face, he finally let's himself relax a little.
Today was a blunder, a total disaster but at least he didn't have to marry some other woman. He couldn't imagine life with a woman he didn't love. He considered himself a coward for not fighting for you enough, which is why you were in prison. Nevertheless, he swears to himself that he will save you from this mess. It didn't matter what he had to do, he would make sure you're out of prison by tomorrow.
"You're a reckless idiot, y/n." He mutters to himself, "But you're my reckless idiot."
*
You've never seen Taylor look this sad before. Her eyes are bloodshot and the tip of her nose shines red.
"I told you," she says to you, handing you some food, "I told you not to do this. Now look what they've done! Minho has you locked up and you can be sentenced to death any minute!"
"Well, it was worth a shot, really." You say to her.
Taylor snickers at your words, "Also, are you really pregnant or did you make it up to get his attention?"
You chuckle, "Of course I'm not pregnant. I just thought it would add a bit spice to the drama."
"Fine. Whatever. Just do not die on me, y/n. I swear. You're my.." Taylor sucks in a deep breath, "You're my only family. Please."
You blink your tears away before Taylor even notices. You take a spoonful of the porridge she made and stuff it in your mouth so you'd forget about her words. You're too weak for this right now.
"Y/n, just promise me-" Taylor is interrupted by the prison guard.
"Prince Minho is here to see you."
Even the porridge in your mouth does not stop your heart from aching and your eyes from tearing up.
Why is he here?
"Your majesty." Taylor greets him with the basic courtesy. You, on the other hand are looking at everything but him.
"Taylor, may I have a word with y/n alone? My guards here will take you up to my room. I have something important to discuss with you as well."
Taylor nods with a word and follows his guard.
Now it's just you and him. In a jail cell. While your heart breaks knowing he will serve you with capital punishment.
Is it the heavens punishing a common whore like yourself for loving the prince?
Perhaps.
"Y/n, are you okay?" Minho says in a soft whisper. His voice is filled with concern but you cannot look at him. Absolutely not.
If you even as much glance at those eyes you'd fallen in love with, you know you might lose all your will power.
"Fine." You reply sternly, "What do you want?"
Minho sucks in a deep breath, "I wish I had more time to explain but it'll all make sense some day, okay? For now, just trust me."
He offers you a vile of clear liquid.
"It's not anything bad, I swear. Just trust me, please. " He puts it on your palm.
His touch sends shivers down your spine.
And just like that, he turns around and walks away.
You stare at the vile in your hands and for a split second, you wonder if he'd handed you some type of poison. You wish he did.
And when you open the vile and gulp down that bitter liquid, you pray to the gods that you never wake up again because that's when your body hits the ground.
*
Hyunjin is anxious from the moment he wakes up in the morning.
He's anxious while he has breakfast, he's anxious while he avoids the eyes of palace officials to sneak into the old quarters of his mother.
He's especially anxious when he sees you lying on the bed, lips pale and stiff.
"I hope this works for God's sake." He pulls out a vile of purple liquid from his pocket and carefully, pours it into your mouth.
He curses Minho for handing him with the scariest possible task ever.
And as he paces the room, waiting for the antidote to work, he prays to every God, every spirit, every deity he's ever heard of.
Within a few minutes, much to his relief, your eyes open.
You look at Hyunjin alarmingly.
"You..You're his brother." You say, almost as if accusing him of a crime, "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Hyunjin." He seats at the foot of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. But my head hurts real bad." You reply, "Where's Minho? That bastard gave me a bitter drink and disappeared!"
Hyunjin notices your hopeful gaze go from the ceiling of the room to his face and then to his outfit. The mourning outfit.
"Why are you in mourning? And why are you wearing that badge with a dove on it?" Your voice is alarmed and you immediately sit up.
You remember Minho had once told you that the dove badge worn by the Royal family implies a death of a member of the Royal bloodline.
"Is Minho okay?" Your words are almost a whisper.
"Well, y/n, it's a little complicated, I will be honest but if you come with me now and trust me on this-"
"Why the fuck does every keep on asking me to trust them? What is going on? Either let me die in peace or let me leave this palace! I cannot take this anymore. And, for the love of God, would you tell me if Minho is okay or not?"
"He's alive." Hyunjin sighs, " Everyone thinks he committed suicide last night. The city is mourning the death of their crown prince. "
You're confused, "But he's alive, right?"
Hyunjin manages a smile, "Yes, he's alive. He staged his death and is waiting for you by the river bank. "
You jump out of the bed at once, heart pounding against your chest.
"Take me to him, please."
*
The river bank is the most beautiful place in the city, filled with shops and tourists and traders and singers and life. It's beautiful. Unlike your room in the brothel, which was as lifeless as anything could get.
The only one who made that room lively was Minho.
Minho who taught you to play cards, Minho who once beat up a customer because he was harassing you, Minho who promised he'd give anything to get you out of that hell hole.
Minho who loved you.
Now, Minho stands by a boat, wearing a straw hat and gripping his sword tightly. Taylor stands beside him, a brown package in her hands.
And when Minho's eyes meet yours, you run to him as if he'd run away if you didn't, disappear into thin air, leaving you alone in that cold dark room once again.
And oh! Minho is so warm as he wraps you in his embrace. He's warm like the sun on the coldest winter morning, warm like a cup of tea, warm like a freshly baked cookie. He's warm and he's yours.
"What..what is going on?" You sob into his embrace, "Please, will you stay with me? Minho, please?"
Minho is crying too, which is surprising because you've never seen him cry. Upset maybe , but crying never.
Yet here he is crying like a newborn baby, crying because a part of him knows he's managed to save you somehow.
"I'm not leaving okay?" He says, still crying, caressing your cheeks, "We're gonna go far from this city. We're never coming back okay?"
You can only nod as Taylor gently pats your head.
"This is a farewell gift. From me." She smiles at you, handing you the package, "It's a wedding dress that I made. I hope you can wear it when the day comes."
And you're crying again. But this time, you're crying into Taylor's embrace. It's hard leaving behind someone who loved you like a sister.
"We'll write to you. We promise. As soon as we find a proper place to stay, we will write to you both. " Minho says, to Taylor and to his brother.
"Sorry for burdening you with this country. " Minho whispers when Hyunjin hugs him, "I hope you forgive me someday."
"Bullshit. Really, I've always wanted to kill you and get this crown for myself. You only made my job easier." Hyunjin jokes, patting Minho's back.
Minho chuckles. The boatman catches his eye and points to the sun.
"We should get going now, y/n. They'll be holding a prayer in the afternoon and we cannot risk anyone seeing us before we leave."
You nod, kissing Taylor's head softly, holding her gift close to your chest.
"Do visit us sometime." You say to both of them and they nod in unison.
Minho helps you on the boat and hands a few coins to the boatman.
The soft current of the river pushes your boat farther away from the shore, Taylor and Hyunjin wave goodbye to you. You feel horrible leaving behind the city of your birth. You feel empty and cold.
But Minho wraps his arms around you and the coldness vanishes. Minho is warm, and from now on, he's only yours.
*
4 years later.
"Your baby is fucking killing me, Minho." You groan as you get up from the sofa in your bakery.
You'd been sitting and munching on cookies for way too long perhaps.
"Hey, don't curse in front of the baby." He hushes you, caressing your bump. You feel the baby kick again.
You both laugh.
"Come on." He takes you by the hand and drags you to the sofa once again, ignoring all your protests.
Ever since you'd entered the seventh month of your pregnancy, Minho refused to let you do any work. And by any, you meant any work that involved physical activity.
In the mornings, he forced you to watch him sweep the floors whilst you made him breakfast. In the afternoons, he forced you to sit at the cash counter of your bakery and watch him bake stuff tirelessly while you interacted with the customers.
In the evening, he gives you snacks while he cleans up the bakery for tomorrow.
In the night, he holds you close while he whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
It was a routine but you'd come to love this routine.
You wouldn't trade it for the world.
"What are you thinking?" He pulls you closer and plants a kiss on your lips.
"Just something. " You reply, embarrassed.
"Tell me, love. What is it?"
And how could you ever say 'no' to him if he used that tone on you?
"Well, I was thinking," you mindlessly fiddle with his fingers, "Do you ever regret giving up the throne for me? I mean, you're royalty. And here you are washing dishes and baking cookies every day. You could have lived a lavish life, you know."
You sound sad, guilty even.
Minho chuckles at you. But doesn't say anything.
Instead, he pulls your face closer and kisses you. Passionately. Softly. Lovingly.
When he pulls away, you feel breathless.
"Does that answer your question?" His sincere eyes look into yours, his hands on your belly, "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
You pull him back in for a kiss because that's all you'd ever wanted to hear.
And because Minho is warm and he smells like cookies and he's yours.
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