Where lilies bloom pt 1 | Jo Yeong
Pairing: Jo Yeong x [F]Princess!Reader
Genre: Fluff, Angst, mutual pinning, comfort, brother’s best friend, canon compliant
Warning: Violence, mentions of war, mentions of death, spoilers for The King: Eternal monarch
Summary: It’s not easy being a princess, but when your brother’s best friend and right hand man is handsome and you have him all to yourself whenever you please, it’s not so bad. How can you not fall for someone who would die for you?
Soft light and white curtains framed the open windows. A gentle breeze carried the smell of pink lilies in from the garden.
“Yeong-ah?!”
“Yes, your majesty.” Soft, rosy lips smiled back at him as he stood in position.
“What do you think about this one?” Her warm voice and kind eyes were turned in his direction, for his attention only. She flicked her hair back over her shoulder as she waited for his watchful eyes to scan over the object in question; a rose gold necklace adorning her delicate neck.
“Well?” She quirked a perfectly shaped brow at him as his eyes turned to meet hers.
“It’s very beautiful, your majesty.” She sighed with a bored look and turned back to the open window.
“Is that all you wanted, your majesty?” He waited in silence for her command.
“Has my brother returned from his ride with Maximus yet?” She only slightly turned to glance over her shoulder at him.
“Yes, his majesty is in the stables. He should be returning to his office shortly.”
“Never mind that, I’ll go wait for him in his room.” She said as she turned to leave the room, heels clicking against the wooden floors.
“Yes, your majesty.” Yeong swiftly followed.
“Brother.” (Y/N) smiled as she walked into the king’s bedroom to find his taking off his jacket. “Did you have a pleasant time with lady Maximus?” Gon returned the soft some as she stood in the open door.
“Oh yes, very much. Prime Minister Koo came by for a chat.” (Y/N) couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the mention of the woman who had been trying to steal her brother's heart lately.
“So not as pleasant as it could have been? I’ll have to join you someday.” Gon chuckled at his sister’s outright words before he folded his jacket and put it on his bed.
“Do you have anything else on your heart? I imagine you have a lot more important things to do.”
“Hmm. . .” She agreed dismissively. “This time I do not, actually dear brother I was hoping you would join me for lunch for once. It’s been a while.” She smiled at him. “And Yeong-Ah too.” Her lips stretched into a grin as she looked over her shoulder at the stoic man behind her.
“Yes, your majesty.” He nodded. Gon sighed.
“Not today, dear sister. I have the rest of the day booked. I’ll make sure to work hard so we can eat together soon.”
“Sooner rather than later, I’m going away soon remember?” She sighed.
“Ah yes. Yeong, accompany her to lunch, that’s an order.” He finished off sternly and winked at (Y/N) playfully as he passed her. She smiled sadly as he went.
The king’s study was dark and gloomy at midnight, with no one to turn on the lights or warm the couch. Jo Yeong walked in with desperation filling his mind at the king's disappearance. He didn’t halt or slow down when he noticed the princess sitting in the brown leather chair.
“Yeong-ah. Do you think my brother is happy?” She wore no emotions on her beautiful face as she held a simple pen between her fingers. Yeong looked down at the polished stone floors for a moment before he looked up to meet her solemn gaze.
“I can only hope so, your majesty. Rest assured we’re doing everything we can to find him.” She nodded slowly before standing. She placed her hand above his heart as she stood in front of him. His chest was firm even under the layers of his suit.
“I trust you, Jo Yeong. I just hope he’s well. . .” Her hand slid down, leaving his body cold in its absence as she walked towards the door. “Come by my room before you retire for the night.” Her words were no order but merely a wish as she left.
“Brother!” (Y/N) rushed into the office just as he was being scolded by Court lady Noh. “You’re back.” She sighed in relief as her brother smiled at her.
“What are you up so late for?”
“I heard you were back.” She said a bit embarrassed as she tightened her night robe around herself.
“Yeong, escort my sister back to her room. (Y/N), we’ll talk more tomorrow okay?” He smiled before leading Court lady Noh out of the office while complaining that Yeong was staring at him weirdly. She followed him with her eyes before turning back to Yeong with a tiered smile.
“You better make up for not coming by the other night.” She teased as she turned to walk out.
“Lower the security level for prince Buyeong and keep it at level green.” Yeong announced in his in-ear before hurrying to follow (Y/N). The king and court lady could be heart continuing their bickering from down the hall.
“Let’s take a walk through the garden before returning.” (Y/N) said as she made a turn.
“It’s dangerous right now, your majesty.” He warned.
“That’s why I have you with me.” She chuckled as he sighed defeatedly. “The weather’s nice. It’s almost a full moon tonight.” She noted as their feet made soft noice in the gravel. Despite the nice weather, a gentle breeze swept in, tousling her hair and making her shiver slightly. Yeong glanced over at her before removing his jacket to drape over her shoulders.
“It’s still late. We should hurry inside so you don’t catch a cold.”
“What has you being so nice for lately? Is it that my brother has been keeping you worked up?” She teased as she grabbed at the jacket around her.
“You should head to bed early tonight, you have a long schedule tomorrow, your majesty.” Yeong said as he dropped her off in her room.
“Thank you.” She smiled warmly as she returned his jacket. “I will. Good night, Yeong-ah.”
“What do you mean I can’t see my brother?! Let me in!” (Y/N) yelled desperately as the guards tried to stop her from entering her brother’s room. “I will not leave the palace without meeting with him first!” The door was abruptly opened to let her inside. The king stood in his white Navy uniform.
“Brother, what are you thinking? They can do this without you there. You don’t have to risk your life like this.”
“It’s my duty as king. And as a brother I want you safe in case something happens.”
“But I want to stay by your side.”
“If anything happens to me, you have to be far away from danger as possible. So if worse comes to worse, you can take over after me.”
“Nonsense! Don’t talk like that.” Frustrated tears gathered in her eyes.”
“Your majesty, it’s time to leave.” One of the guards stood ready by the door. Gon nodded at her with a reassuring smile.
“Everything will be fine, but I don’t want to risk your safety. I love you.” He said as he brought her into a warm hug. (Y/N) shut her eyes tightly, willing the tears to go away but they slipped down her cheeks regardless. Yeong and court lady Noh stood to the side in silence as they waited.
“Yeong-ah.” She swallowed harshly as she tried to stop crying. “Get my brother home safe, or I’ll have you executed.” The man nodded.
“Yes, your majesty.” He followed her with his gaze as she walked up to him. “And you stay safe too, got it.” She tried to laugh it off but the sound was dry.”
“Yes, your majesty.” He said quietly as he gave her a small smile. She nodded with a wet sniffle before she turned to follow the other guard waiting for her.
“Your majesty.” Yeong called out as he rushed after (Y/N) and her escort. She turned around in surprise at his voice.
“Give us a moment.” She glanced at the other guard and they waited for him to leave before Yeong spoke up again.
“Your majesty, I-“ He stumbled over his words as he blinked.
“Just be quiet.” (Y/N) mumbled as she stepped closer, pressing their bodies against each other and tilted her shin up. His breath was hot against her face as he closed his eyes.
“You seem nervous, Yeong-ah.” She teased quietly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, really.” She looked down and sighed. “I really have to go.” She said in a whisper before she continued after the guard. He watched her go with furrowed brows as his hands balled into fists.
“I heard you were back. A lot of things seem to happen when I’m away?” (Y/N) quirked a brow at her brother as she entered his study in a hurry. “You brought a guest here, literal war almost broke out and you’ve left the palace more times than anyone can count.” She sighed. Gon looked up at her from his computer with a chuckle.
“It’s good to see you too, dear sister. How was your trip to the north region?” He returned his attention to his work.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not.” He reassured. “And the visitor was here before you left.” He corrected absentmindedly and a smirk crept onto his lips as her audible frustration.
“And I didn’t know?” She sighed before composing herself.
She glanced at Yeong with a shy smile as he stood by the side. Frowning when he seemed to be acting weird, she glared at her brother.
“What’s wrong with him?” Gon sighed as he shared a look with Yeong.
“You’re the one person I can be one hundred percent sure will always be on my side.” He began.
“Of course brother, like we always said.” She frowned.
“That’s why I do not doubt trusting you with this.” He stood up. “I’ll tell you where I’ve been.” He gestured for her to sit with him on the couch. “I’ve been travelling to an alternative world, and this is not Yeong.” He sighed.
“You switched him out?!” She hit him on the shoulder before looking at not-Yeong. The man had moved over to sit in the seat opposite them with a lazy smile. She frowned and his smile deflated.
“Yes, I did. This is Eun-Seop. Yeong is staying in the other world to protect Jung Tae-eul.”
“You found her? Was I really away for that long?” She sighed thoughtfully but smiled at her brother. “I’m happy for you.” Her hand was placed on top of her brother’s much larger one.
“She’s been here once already but it had to be kept a secret- even from you.”
“You didn’t tell me you met her?!”
“She only stayed for a night and a day.” He reassured her as he patted her hand with his free one. She frowned and looked the other way as he tried to get her attention again.
“I will tell you more later, I promise.” She sighed.
“Whatever, I’m going to bed. At least I know you’re alive this time too. And Eun-Seop, my apologies. Now, goodnight..” She stood up and left with a sulking face.
“She’s in love with Yeong, isn’t she?” Eun-Seop smirked as he let his posture relax against his seat. Gon looked at him with a knowing smile.
“Wooh, he’s lucky that one, having a princess falling for him.”
“My sister doesn’t fall, she walks straight ahead knowing exactly what she wants.” Gon sighed with a chuckle.
(Y/N) entered the kitchen to find her brother and the doctor talking. She smiled politely as the doctor passed her through the door.
“Brother.” Her voice was tiered, void of emotion after the last few days. Prince Buyeong’s passing feared but no less a chock to the siblings after they knew Lee Lim was traveling back to their world.
Gon stood over the counter, cooking as she approached him. Tears quietly fell down his face as his shoulders shook. She could see the broken look in his face. He took a sudden deep breath and tried to speak but the words died in his throat. She wrapped her arms around him as he leaned over the countertop with weak legs and she held him tightly as he turned and held onto her before falling to the floor. Her own salty tears made her vision blurry as they both laid their heads on each other’s shoulder. She let his cry his heart out in violent sobs that shook their bodies and filled the room with a sorrowful echo.
“Why am I always the last one to hear about these things? Huh?!” (Y/N) yelled frustratedly as she walked down the hall with brisk steps.
“What is this I hear of my brother washing rice in his Navy uniform?” She called out with a chuckle as she entered the kitchen, her step faltering as she met eyes with a woman.
“Oh~ that’s why.” She grinned as she walked up to the two. “He has a pretty girl with him.” She hid a giggle behind her hand as she glanced over at her brother by the stove. “You must be Jeon Tae-eul? It’s an honor to finally meet you.” Tae-eul stood stunned for a moment before shaking her head.
“Yes, hello.”
“This is my sister.” Gon smiled as he moved about making the food.
“Oh-“ Tae-eul looked between the two nervously.
“I heard what happened last night. Are you okay?” (Y/N) frowned as she looked her over.
“Yes, I’m alright.” She smiled
“I’m glad, Unnie.”
“Unnie?”
“You’re older than me, right? Can I not call you that? If you’re gonna be his queen, we should speak comfortably from now on.” She reassured her.
“Don’t scare her.” Gon scolded his sister lightly as he finished up the food. “Go sit.” He nodded to the dining table.
“There’s enough for me too?” Gon couldn’t help notice how his sister had a childish playfulness to her this morning.
“Of course, there’s always enough for you.” Tae-eul watched the siblings as Gon bought the food over to the table and (Y/N) eagerly took a seat.
“Unnie, sit.” She smiled happily as she eagerly patted the table opposite her. “His food is always the best.” Gon took a seat next to his sister with a fond smile.
A guard walked through the door.
“Princess, Jo Yeong requests your presence.”
“Tsk, what does he want? I’ll go as soon as possible, don’t wait for me.” (Y/N) sighed as she looked down at the food and the guard left.
“We’ll go visit Eun-Seop later.” Gon nodded.
“She knows about Eun-Seop?” Tae-eul asked.
“Of course, she’s my sister and. . . It was inevitable, she noticed he was being weird right away. She’s too clever, my sister.” He smiled proudly as he patted her shoulder.
“I can take her to the changing room.” (Y/N) waved the guard off and grabbed Tae-Eul’s hand and started walking.
Once she was changing, (Y/N) sat outside and waited for her.
“I see why I’m no longer my brother’s number one.”
“Don’t be silly, I could never take your place.” Tae-Eul tried to get rid of the slightly awkward feeling in her chest.
“Don’t worry. I have found my own number one. I know you will take care of my brother well. I can see how much he loves you, Unnie.”
“Noona!”
“I don’t like this one, why did you switch them?” (Y/N) made a face as she leaned in to whisper to her brother, watching Eun-Seop cry over Tae-eul.
“Don’t worry, it’s only for a while longer.” He chuckled and she shook her head.
“What's that? Is that for me?” Eun-Seop asked as he noticed the bag in his hand.
“The roll cake you wanted. I went to the Royal Bakery myself and got it made just for you.”
“Wow, you really didn't have to. All right. Cut me a large piece.”
“It’s raining.” (Y/N) noted to herself as she sat in her fluffy robe in the plush chair by the window overlooking one of the court yards. “I wonder how Yeong-ah is doing.” Her face fell from contentment into a neutral pout while she nursed the less than hot mug of camomile tea in her hands. With a sigh she put it on the side table next to her, abandoned to cool down like the day turning to evening.
“At least Oppa is happy.” She opened the window slightly and put her head on her folded arms to breath in the smell of rain and wet earth as thunder started crackling nearby. She sighed as she closed her eyes.
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