#Ah but strangers are everywhere! I've seen quite a few on my walks though the difficulty is judging if someone wants to be talked to | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

prodtrouver · 3 years

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➾ My Heart Cannot Be Mended

After the runaway of his older brother, everything became his. The responsibilities, the trainings, the meetings, and especially, the kingdom. Everyone said nothing could break the hard shell he put around his broken heart. All he wanted was to clear his brother's name and to be loved, however, when will that come?

Pairing: prince! Jeno x princess/witch! reader

Other characters: prince! Mark, prince! Jisung, wizard! Chenle, Potionmaker! Jaemin

Genre/warnings: strangers x lovers, angst, fluff, lots of stressed Jeno, mentions of mental breakdowns, mentions of murder and poison, mention of abuse

No. Of words: 3333 words

Jeno shut the book loudly, everyone in the room flinched. His heavy sigh enough to scare or make the surrounding servants nervous. He threw the book on the desk before he looks around once more.

"Find a book that results in poisons. I need to know the poison that was made to kill my father. Bring them to my room," Jeno spat before leaving the library. He knows it's not his brother who did it. Mark would never do that.

He makes his way on the training grounds. The sight of Jisung and an unknown girl sword fighting on the grounds. Jisung's skilled swordsmanship impressed Jeno: he is the best swordsman in the entire kingdom.

However, Jeno might've proven wrong this time. Jisung's leg was kicked and resulted to him falling on the ground. The girl immediately stood over him and pointed the sword where Jisung's ear was.

"I should've never underestimated you, I apologize." Jisung laughed and the girl let out a chuckle. She quickly helped Jisung up and the two of them shortly noticed Jeno's presence.

"Who's this?" Jeno asked as he pointed at the girl.

"Ah, she's a princess from the neighboring kingdom. Meet y/n, a princess very skilled in swordsmanship," you held out your hand. Jeno smiled for a split second before his face has gone cold.

"Jisung, we need to make sure Mark isn't the criminal here and that he was accused of killing father." Jeno grabbed Jisung's hand while something from a far caught your eyes.

You squinted your eyes, only to see a cat watching. Suddenly, its eyes sparkle before it runs away.

"Excuse me?" Jeno broke your trance, and you flinched to look at him. He furrowed his brows and glared at you.

"Can't you see we're talking?"

"Can't you see I got here first and you could easily drag Jisung away, so I wouldn't hear you guys?" You rolled your eyes and walked by the two princes.

Jeno watched you walk away, your presence long gone yet the feeling you left affected him. Is there really a princess who doesn't fancy him?

Meanwhile, Jisung tried to hold his laughter.

Jeno groaned as he shut the last book of poison. Nothing, nothing about the poison or anything that looked similar to it.

His heart shaking at the thought of his brother being imprisoned. His broken heart being torn when he watched Mark run away from his home. All he hoped is that Mark is alright.

"How was it made?" He stared at the bottle of poison that was stuck in a small glass box. The orange liquid moved as he tapped the glass box. It was slightly thick, as if it was a little bit oversaturated.

He flinches when he hears a knock on the door.

"Who's there?" He shouted, and you popped out when the door opened. He got confused: why are you here? You were also holding a tray of food.

"I heard from Jisung that you haven't eaten yet. I'm sure you could get these yourself, but I'm also sure you won't leave your room, so I brought them." You gently placed the tray on the empty side of his desk.

You smell something bothersome. You cover your nose as you waved the hand in the air, Jeno stared at you in confusion.

"Uhh- what's that horrendous smell? Do you even take a bath?" You asked Jeno, who let out a confused sound with a slightly annoyed expression.

"I take a bath!" Jeno spat while you spot candles on the side of his desk. Instantly, you pointed your finger at them and the candles are now on fire.

Jeno's eyes widened while you shook your head.

"Dear lord, take a bath sometime, Jeno Lee," you stated before you exited his room. Jeno sat there confused. You could do magic?

His curiosity to ask got the best of him. He quickly exited his room. However, you weren't there anymore. He slightly flinched when he heard his name called by someone from behind.

"Are you in a rush or something?" He turned around, only to see Jisung's friend, Chenle. The boy looked confused, and he definitely looked slightly annoyed. Jeno softly scoffed and kept his gaze on the wizard.

"Are you annoyed with me, Zhong Chenle?" Jeno crossed his arms, but Chenle shook his head. He walked pass Jeno, the prince watched the boy leave with a weakened expression. Did something happen?

"Why would the castle's wizard be sad?" His heartbeat stopped; you shocked him. He turned around and saw you standing there. Your gaze on the wizard whose figure was getting smaller as he continued walking.

"Have you been there the whole time?" Jeno asked and you bobbed your head.

"I even watched you run out of the room. Were you in a rush? Do you want to chase after me? Do you like me?" You slyly smirked whilst you tilt your head.

Jeno's eyes widen and he let out a confused sound which made you laugh. You stare at him for a few seconds before spinning around.

"You better go to bed, Prince. You have a long day tomorrow to find out the poison you're searching for." You spat as you begin to walk away.

"Wait! How did you know?" He asked, his hand reached out to you as if he wanted to stop you.

"It's quite obvious- although, I do hope you won't overwork yourself." You smile sweetly and Jeno let out a nod. He turns around and opened his door.

"You're right... Goodnight though," he said as he took a step in his room. However, before he could close the door, you stated something;

"It's pointless to read books because such poison can't be made by a human." Jeno's eyes widen once more and turned around to look at you.

But just like earlier, you aren't there anymore.

On the next day, you watched Jeno do his research from above. Books upon books, stacked on the floor. You swore it almost reached his height.

Your gaze moved to the large stained window behind Jeno. The pretty colors shone down on the stressed prince. You moved downstairs and took a closer look at Jeno. The small glass box with the poison inside stood still on the table.

The way how he looked shook something in you. Your heart running around in circles, everything beating for Jeno. However, just from a first glance; you could tell Jeno is heartbroken.

Must've been the fact that Mark ran away. All his responsibilities went to Jeno, not only that but Jeno swore to find proof, proof that Mark was only accused.

Should you tell him? You should, right?

"Didn't I already tell you that it's pointless? Why are you still searching?" You referred to the bottle as you showed yourself. Jeno flinched once more at your sudden presence.

"Will you please stop showing up everywhere!?" Jeno playfully snapped and you let out a chuckle. You moved closer to him and eventually, you sit across him.

Books about poison scattered on the table. It made you confused to why he was working so hard but from the slow heartbeat he has, it was obvious.

"I need to know... What do you mean last night like such poison can't be made by humans?" Jeno asked in an instant.

"The poison is a poison to you but for us, it's a potion." You spat as you used your magic to pull the glass box closer to you.

Jeno, once again looked shocked.

"If it's not obvious, I'm a witch!" You said cheerfully, a sweet smile on your face. That didn't last long though.

You snapped your fingers and suddenly, the bottle was on your palms.

"This potion is mainly made from a poisonous plant, Golden Dewdrop. These are planted in the dark bit of the woods. I could also tell death dust was mixed with it, so the potion could have a painful yet not so slow death." You stated as you examined the liquid inside.

You examined the bottle closer; the bottle was eye-level already as you moved it to where the light shine.

The shape of the bottle was familiar... Perhaps you know where it came from.

"There are fingerprints; female ones," you said.

"How did you know? How are you so sure?" Jeno asked, confused and doubtful. You gave him a blank face before you shook your head.

With a snap of your fingers, all curtains were moved to avoid sunlight. Everything went dark. Everything except the candle you lit.

"Woah- why is it green?" Jeno asked, you didn't answer and moved the bottle closer to it. Immediately, you pointed out;

"From the ridges to the dried up sweat, it's obviously a female. I'm sure of it because I've seen countless fingerprints on bottles." You turned the bottle around,

"However, these aren't regular human fingerprints. It's much more complicated, it looks very similar to a female elf's fingerprint... That's weird, only witches and wizards can brew potions like this." You winced in confusion as you put the bottle down.

With the snap of her fingers again, curtains moved to the side, sunlight came in the room.

"There you go; female elf fingerprints, a death potion that can only be brewed by witches and wizards. A poison made from a poisonous plant and death dust." You leaned back on the comfy chair.

Jeno stared at the bottle before looking at you until it hit him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked you, you titled your head as you stared back.

"To be honest, I don't know either. My father said that it was the king who wanted to see me but I never got a reason out of him." You answered and grabbed a book from the table.

"Also, don't tell anyone about my witch powers. I prefer to keep it hidden rather than reveal it to the world." You stated and Jeno bobbed his head.

He watched you pout your lips as you read the book. You suddenly gasped at what you were reading.

"Woah... Do you know this story where a fairy paints the skies instead of gods and deities?" You asked, your eyes glued on the book, a playful and curious smile on your lips.

At that moment, Jeno felt his broken heart slowly move.

Jeno and Jisung get off their horses, both talking about fairies, elves, and Mark. Smiles on their faces as they returned in the castle.

"We're gonna bring the boy back!" Jisung shouted, only to be shushed by Jeno.

"We can't let them know we sneaked out," Jeno whispered.

"Where did you guys go?" They both jumped at the sudden voice. They both turn to their side to see you standing there.

A lamp on your palm and you looked like you were just roaming around the castle.

"What are you doing? Roaming around?" Jisung asked as he flicked your forehead.

"Please don't do that- I was following a cat, did you see it?" You asked but they both shook their heads. You sighed, where did that cat go?

"Why were you following a cat at this hour though?" Jeno asked, curios of your reasoning. He didn't get the answer he wants tho.

"Enough with questioning me; where did you guys go?" You looked from both sides of the halls, still in search of that weird cat.

"Woods... Our hyung was hiding there and he's going to come back since we have proven him innocent! We met a fairy which is his lover and she told us that the elf wasn't the one who brewed the potion." Jeno spat, slightly excited about their new evidence.

"Did she say the bottle belonged to the Potionmaker in the woods as well?" You asked and they both looked shocked.

"I'm starting to think you know everything, y/n!" Jisung said and softly clapped his hands. You chuckled and lent him the lamp.

"Go back to your rooms, it's time to sleep after your journey." You patted his back and he nodded. He bid a goodnight and walked back to his room.

You turned to face Jeno; his slightly messy hair that was messed by the wind, his eyes that glistened under the moonlight, his pink lips that looks dry because of the cold... Everything about him is perfect.

He could say the same about you as well.

"How did you know it belonged to the Potionmaker?" He asked but you simply shrugged.

"It was the first thing I noticed. The Potionmaker is famous for his incredible sense of potions. He could probably tell what the poison is just from first glance."

"Like you!" Jeno pointed at you but you shook your head with a smile.

"immediately, Jeno- I mean, define what the potion is immediately." You laughed, Jeno scratched his head, embarrassed.

You patted his shoulder which made him flinch. You let out a laugh once more. "You're also so flinch-y, Jeno. Get some rest, I bet you'll be seeing your brother tomorrow." You said and for the first time since you met Jeno...

He smiled at you.

You waved the sword and kicked Jisung's legs. He groaned when he felt his back hit the rough ground. Immediately, you pointed the rapier on his neck as your victory.

"More speed, Jisung- at this point, you'll be killed on the battlegrounds." You stated as you help him stand up. Suddenly, you notice him look behind you.

You turn around and smirked.

"That's why you're trying so hard, go talk to her!" You push him to her direction. His cheeks red and his lips apart from the nervousness.

"Should I?" Jisung turned to you. Unbeknownst to both of you, someone else was watching.

"Go!" You pushed Jisung further as he slowly walked to where his crush is. You let out a chuckle before turning to the side.

You flinched when you saw Jeno. He was leaning by the pillar, his eyes on you. You stared at each other for a while, both hearts rapidly beating. You softly smiled, a plan appearing in your head.

You picked up a rock from the ground and immediately threw it at Jeno with no warning. However, he caught it before it could hit his face.

"You're fast," you hopped back while Jeno stood still. "Can you go faster though?" You threw another rock once more, he caught it.

"Wanna fight?" You asked as you threw a sword at him. He caught it and entered the grounds. He removed his red mantle and faced you.

"Are you sure?" He asked, just from first glance; you could tell his grip is tight. His posture looks less stiff as well, unlike Jisung's.

"Yes?" You said, almost like a question which made Jeno chuckle. His eye smile showed- suddenly, you lunged yourself toward him. The blade of your sword touched his with a loud clang. He was shocked by your sudden attack.

You stepped to the left as your sword aimed for his shoulder. Luckily for Jeno, he was able to shield himself a second later. The expression on his face says everything.

He's troubled, confused, shocked as well. In a blink of an eye, you were gone. He turned around when he heard a step on the rough dirt ground.

Your eyes glow yellow, a smirk stuck on your lips while your sword hit his again. A second later, your eyes became normal again.

"Open," you said and his eyes widen. Immediately, you kicked his waist as he falls to the side.

"You're fast and reactive but not fast enough." You helped him up as you sheathed your sword. You begin to walk away until he called your name.

"How- did you use magic or something? Your eyes were glowing," Jeno stared and you looked at him. You let out a chuckle,

"It happens when my opponent matches my abilities. I believe you only saw it for a split second though, considering you were very shocked when I moved too fast." You cleared but Jeno stayed quiet.

"I do hope I didn't hurt you- that would be bad. For the time being, thanks for the quick match, Jeno!" You shouted before running away from the training grounds.

You hid behind a wall and secretly took a peek at Jeno. The boy looked confused while he stared at his sword. Did you really just beat him?

You let out a chuckle before continuing to run away.

"Father! I told you, Mark is innocent! We had the bottle checked by a witch and a fairy, they both said that it's a female elf who tried to poison you. The poison is a potion that cannot be brewed by humans and fairies. It requires a powerful wizard or witch magic to create such poison." Jeno throughly explained to the king while you only listened.

"Father, Mark cannot brew such powerful poison or potion or whatever. Chenle neither since he is traumatized of poison. Please, father- Mark was accused because the criminal placed the bottle in his room, in hopes that Mark will be banished or bethroned.

Then everyone became quiet- thoughts running inside the king's head whilst the three princes stood in front of him.

You turn your head to the side, your eyes widen see a familiar individual. The cat with yellow eyes in his arms as he stared at you.

"Excuse me, your majesty. I will be on the training grounds," you broke the silence. You did a small bow and left the men to do their talking while you ran out to the grounds where the familiar individual was.

"Is that your cat or should I say person?" You stopped whilst he stared at you.

"How did you know?" Jaemin asked you whilst the cat glared at you. It's yellow eyes glistening under the sun while you let out an annoyed groan.

"Jaemin, you are a fantastic wizard, it's unfortunate you only focus on potions. Eitherway, the potions your brew are powerful, so I'm asking you this, Jaemin- did you brew that one hell of a potion and made this spy take it to the king?" You asked with a stern face.

Jaemin sighed and turned around. The cat still in his arms as he was ready to apparate away.

"No, I didn't brew the potion but I will be covering for this pesky criminal here. Don't bother me, sis- we both agreed to mind our own businesses." He said, about to leave until you placed your hand on his shoulder.

"Jaemin, it was nice to see you again, brother. I hope you live a good life with your love," you referred to the cat. Jaemin looked at you, shocked, the cat looked the same.

"I won't speak about the criminal in your arms right now. Do stay safe, I can't help you if she gets caught. Farewell, little brother!" You begin to walk away as they apparate away.

You entered the castle again; your head hung low and mind full of thoughts. You basically jsut found out the cat is an elf due to its weird aura. Not only that but your brother (who ran away from the kingdom long ago) was covering up for her.

"What got the princess thinking?" You flinched when you saw Jeno in front of you.

"Ah- nothing much. Just some tactics to include to my swordsmanship," you smiled innocently. He seems to buy it though...

You wanted the search over but it wasn't your business to tell. It isn't your problem to solve, therefore, you decided to stay quiet.

Jeno stared at you, silence in the air until he leaned closer to your face. You leaned back a little, confused about his actions.

"Listen, I know you lost to me or something but I swear, I wil-," you freeze. He kissed you. His lips on yours.

Your heartbeats were rapid. Both minds on cloud 9. Jeno pulled you closer to him while you responded to his warm kiss.

"I'm sorry if that was sudden... I'm just very thankful that you told me about the poison and stuff. Without you, Mark's name would've never been cleared." Jeno muttered and you smiled.

You brushed his hair back.

His broken heart that you once felt was being mended again.

"Prince Lee Jeno, your heart is feeling a bit warmer now..." You let out a chuckle while he pouted.

"I adore you so much... Can you be my princess for life?" Jeno asked,

"Woah, isn't this too fast, big man?" You joked while he shook his head.

"If I have your consent then I believe, it is alright."

"Then I'll be your princess for life, prince"

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