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prettywordsyouleft · 4 years

Text

Written In The Books

trishmarieco said:

I hope I make it! I dare you to insert Jung Hae In somewhere in either 'Overruled', 'Fly Away Home' or 'The Only Choice' worlds! Congrats again sweetie!!

Pairing: Jung Haein x reader

World: Fly Away Home (read HERE)

Genre: royal au

Warnings: none

A/N: I knew when I saw this dare, I had to go back into this world. It posed a challenge since I wrote Jongin into the first one, but I think I worked around that well enough! You could probably read this without the original story but I recommend you read the first so the interactions with some characters make more sense! I have linked Fly Away Home above.

Word count: 3000

The news had reached his kingdom; the Princess set to marry Prince Jongin was dead. If anything, the news should have come as some sort of comfort to Jongin’s eldest brother Haein, especially after the mess Jongin had caused over the past few weeks.

But it didn’t ease him any.

He mourned for her loss of life. Although he hadn’t wanted to clean up the mess of his immature brother, Haein had prepared himself for the upcoming nuptials that would join the two kingdoms politically. And unlike his brother, Haein was aware that they had relied on such a union for future trade prosperity. He now had to concern himself over how to ensure the deals given to his father would be still met.

“Have you heard brother?!” Jongin’s voice rang through the study, the man stopping just in front of the desk Haein was working from. Haein didn’t lift his head to greet him, focusing on the ledger before him instead. His sibling chuckled. “Well, everything works out for a reason! You no longer have to marry the princess of the kingdom over. Though I don’t wish anyone to die, this is wonderful for you! And I!”

“Have you no tact?”

“Whatever do you mean? I never wanted to marry her, that’s why I rushed to marry the Countess. And you said you would cover-”

“Someone has died and all you consider is how liberating this feels for you. You have no sense of responsibility whatsoever,” Haein stated, his brother now blinking rapidly. He sighed, it wasn’t the prince’s fault he had been raised with a silver spoon firmly attached in his mouth. His mother had babied him and thus he had never felt the weight of a single consequence.

Unlike Haein.

Whilst he still had his life, he felt the years of sacrifice heavy upon his shoulders. What he had given up for this kingdom, for this family, he could no longer count upon his hands. And in the face of adversity, his immature brother had married the countess to forfeit his role of becoming the new king with the princess he was arranged to marry.

At least, this was a blessing to some. Haein had been worried about the fall of this kingdom in the hands of someone who cared so little for politics and knew his advisor would have merely made him a puppet king. In the very least, Haein would have stepped up to save the fall of his people now that his father’s health was failing.

Still, it was another sacrifice.

With a hushed apology, Jongin departed the study and Haein leaned back in the chair, removing his glasses so he could pinch the bridge of his nose and release some of the tension. Haein had no idea of what would work to tie the two kingdoms together now. They needed the support from over the border and they needed it fast.

And yet, there had only been one daughter. With her passing, there was no obvious connection to be made and the deal would fall at his feet. Haein couldn’t afford this and nor could he simply sit and wait it out either.

“Where do you plan to go?” his father inquired of his eldest son, hesitant to let him leave the kingdom right now. He had begun to rely on Haein steadily as the days went by, pulling him out of his medical studies just so he could become king.

“I will set out and speak with the King myself. Surely, we can find a way to push forward with some unification.”

“He just lost his child, do you think it’s wise?”

“Stalling will only make us forgotten, my Lord.”

The king sighed heavily before nodding once. “See that you come home with something prosperous.”

Haein rode out the following morning, heading along the path that the Princess would have taken. He witnessed the damage in the township where the fire had broken out and after stopping to pay his respects, Haein continued with his trip to the neighbouring kingdom.

The king greeted him halfway with his convoy, fear evident in his weathered features. “Have you seen?”

“I have, My Lord. It was burned to the ground. I am terribly sorry for your loss.”

The king shook his head. “Did you see any evidence of her?”

“Well, no but-”

“Then we must search the land around it. She may still be alive.”

Despite his concerns for the elder’s denial, Haein devoted himself to supporting the king in his search for his daughter. Days passed by and there seemed to be no true sighting of the princess.

At least, that was what Haein told the King when he returned to his side later in the evening.

“Please, do not tell him I’m still alive,” she had exclaimed when Haein stumbled across a girl hiding in the woods, watching on as a man helped with the repairs of the burned village. She was desperate, her eyes pleading with Haein to not turn her into her father. He could feel the pain of her decision and with a glance in the direction of the man her eyes followed around, Haein sighed heavily.

“You sacrifice your status for love?”

“Wouldn’t you? I’m sure you wished for me to marry you but truth be told, I am in love with another.”

“I don’t actually wish to marry you,” he told the princess and she smiled lightly. “I do however need to secure trading agreements with your father. Marrying you was meant to do just that.”

“And it is not your fault I have perished. My father is a man of his word. If he offered such an agreement for our marriage, then I believe he will have no choice but to follow through.”

“Here,” Haein offered, unhooking his pouch from the side of his horse. He smiled. “You need this more than I.”

“How will I repay you?” she asked and Haein smiled, looking towards her lover once more.

“Make your life and love worth giving everything up for. We royals sacrifice a lot for others. I’m allowing you this only because I know all too well what it’s like to give up something you cherish.”

“May you be graced with the same opportunity in your life, Prince Haein,” she offered and he merely nodded, climbing aboard his horse.

Looking down at you, he grinned. “The Princess is dead. Now you can be who you wish to be.”

“Are you sure, there was no one in the forest?”

Haein smiled weakly before shaking his head. “I’m afraid not, Your Majesty. Only a wild bird flitted about in there.”

The older man nodded slowly, rubbing at his temples. “I’m afraid I will have to let that bird fly then, won’t I?”

“It seems to like where it’s found itself, yes.”

“I suppose you feel the burdens of being unwedded?”

“I just want what we agreed upon. I am willing to work for you in whatever way we must to find a happy union.”

“Come with me for the year. Your father’s health will last that long before you are crowned King, correct?”

Haein nodded. “I believe we may have as long as that before I must return. May I ask why you are taking me in?”

“You kept her safe despite having the ability to come tell me she was alive and well. You chose to sacrifice more than you needed to for a mere stranger. I like your sense of responsibility and believe you will make a fine King. Until then, I wish to return the favour you have bestowed on my little bird.”

Haein enjoyed his time during the neighbouring kingdom a great deal. The king had seen to it that he was immediately put into training, furthering his understanding of international trade and developing what kind of ruler he wanted to be. His own father had waited far too long to bestow Haein with such knowledge, too focused on his many wives and concubines until he realised he was coming to an end in this lifetime. The way Haein had fished their kingdom out of troubles each time over the years had been down to sheer luck most of the time and usually with a loss on his behalf.

Now, Haein was confident he could lead his people in a way that he wouldn’t need to give up what he cherished in order to do so.

Unlike the princess, and perhaps because of his observation of his father with women over the years, Haein felt free to live his life without finding love as the main goal. He had no need for it in his plans to rule, focusing on how to strengthen his people skills than marrying for any political unification.

Yet, there was one person who caught his eye more than once over the months he had been residing in this castle.

“Astronomy today, My Lord?”

Glancing up from the book he was perusing, Haein smiled at you and nodded. “Yes, I wish to learn more of the world above us.”

“May I suggest a book then?”

“I would be delighted if you did.”

With a smile, you walked over to the wall in front of him that was lined with books from the ceiling to the floor. Back home, the royal library looked nothing as grand as this, and Haein could tell you took great pride in ensuring the books housed here were well looked after. You climbed the ladder, reaching the sixth shelf for a specific book. Watching over your efforts, Haein stood immediately when it appeared you couldn’t quite reach the book from where the ladder was situated.

He smiled as he grabbed the base of it and you looked down at him. “Would you mind taking me to the left?”

“But of course,” he offered graciously, instead wheeling you to the right.

“This is not left, My Lord!”

“Oh really?” he teased, scratching at his head briefly. “Your left or my left?”

“Well, to be fair it’s the same. Your left is mine.”

“How foolish of me,” he exclaimed playfully, wheeling you around to the farthest point the ladder could go to the right. You were giggling when it stopped, soon glancing down at the man grinning up at you.

“I believe this is the wrong way.”

“Again? Oh, let me fix that.”

Haein wheeled you back to the left, smirking when your hand reached out for the book once more. Instead of stopping he continued, both of you laughing together. And then you let out a little huff of air. “I feel you may be charmed by a minx that lives in this library. Are you feeling jubilant today?”

“I feel very satisfied, yes.”

“Because you will return home soon?” you offered, this time grabbing the book as he wheeled you back. Haein stopped with the ladder, his smile fading. You descended the ladder, taking his outstretched hand when you were close enough to do so. And then you sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you any.”

“I am not offended. As much as I want to lead my kingdom into greatness, I cannot help but wish there was more time to stay here. My presence and status have been validated by many around me here. Back home, it’s not quite as clear cut.”

“You’ll find a way to change that.”

“Do you believe so?”

You nodded. “For a man studying the stars, if you are that interested in what exists above us at night, then I’m sure you have a greater interest in protecting those who live below it.”

“Why are you the only person who I feel gets me?”

You blushed, the faintest of red touching your cheeks. It was a pretty shade and Haein couldn’t help but reach out to touch it himself. “I’m simply a lady who is in love with books, My Lord. I do not know how to connect with others outside of this library.”

“You connect well with me in here,” he offered, uncharacteristically eying you with renewed interest. He had always believed you to be splendid, and right now he was becoming aware of just how beautiful you were up close.

Perhaps you had been all along and through the books you had offered him over his stay, slowly he had read your pages as well. He wanted this to be the chapter where he finally confessed you were someone he thought of day and night.

Yet you placed a finger to his lips, shaking your head softly. “Do not say it, please.”

“Why not?”

“Because when you leave, I’ll be left with just these books we have read together and I do not wish to taint them any further by witnessing a short bout of passion.”

“Would you not consider another library in the future?”

“Where?”

“In my kingdom. Though, you would be shocked at the state of it,” Haein admitted and your eyes widened, blinking slowly.

“You wish to take me with you?”

“No, I wish to ask you would you like to accompany me.”

“Is that not the same thing?”

Haein smiled as he shook his head. “No. Whilst my wish is for you to join me, I do not want it to be because of just my library. Therefore, I will leave the decision in your hands.”

“I am not born of noble blood for such an offer.”

“Being a certain status in society means little when the heart calls out for the other. A little bird once taught me that you can lose all that means everything to who you are as a person as long as you have affection for your companion.”

“And you would wish to raise me to your level?”

Haein smiled, leaning in. “On the contrary, I feel I have so much more to learn from you before I can meet yours.”

You didn’t travel with Haein when it was time for his return to his kingdom. Though you had shared many kisses together in the library, you had decided he must travel alone.

“You have a kingdom to rebuild, is that not your goal for the near future?”

“Will you watch over my progress from afar?”

“Surely, a King will have time to write of his accomplishments to a mere librarian, at least now and then.”

He leaned in to kiss you, smiling into your lips. “If you think I will not write a letter for every day we are apart, then you are in for quite the surprise.”

Once home, Haein did have to establish several new orders in the running of the kingdom. His father had held out long enough to see of his return, eager to hear of his learnings. When he realised Haein had done all that he needed and more to prepare for his crowning, the elder gave over his title to Haein. Of course, not everyone was thrilled he was back and now the king, but Haein worked hard to resolve the resentment and build prosperity in his lands.

He also kept to his promise, writing you a letter every day for a year. Yet, he had not heard from you in response for over a week now, worry taking over his mind whenever he had time to ponder over you.

“My Lord, you have an appointment now,” his advisor announced, Haein looking up from the ledger he was working on and frowned.

“Now? I was under the impression I was not needed until four today.”

“The renovations in the royal library need your approval, sir. It cannot wait.”

“Then I must see to it,” Haein agreed, pushing back his chair as he headed for the door. He made his way along the corridor to the grand staircase, in which he descended with ease, making a left turn down another hallway until he pushed through the double doors of the library. It was empty and he frowned.

“Percy, did you not say I had someone waiting for me?” he called out, unsure if his advisor had followed him or not. Haein jumped when he heard someone move in behind him, causing him to whip around hastily.

“I hear there is a position open for a librarian?”

He merely stared back at you, emotions overwhelming him the longer he took you in. You were finally here, holding a stack of his letters nonetheless. Slowly, he grinned. “Yes, I’m looking for someone who will treat my books as if they were precious individuals.”

“That sounds awfully time-consuming. Especially with the state of this place.”

“Someone organised will no doubt find the job easy to complete.”

“Does it come with many benefits? Will it be a stable position?” you continued, walking around slowly, taking in the changes he had made. Haein followed you, his heart thumping in his chest.

“I plan to marry such a person if she sees the position fit for her.”

You finally turned around, smiling warmly up at him. “I am no Queen.”

“I feel as though you have been one in my eyes long before I became King.”

“I missed you,” you mentioned, stepping closer to him. “I couldn’t take the distance any longer.”

“We never have to be apart again, if you wish for it.”

“Then I think you might have just found your perfect librarian,” you murmured right as his lips found yours, caressing you with a longing that carried you both into further kisses. And soon, those kisses turned into oaths, your life intertwining with Haein’s through marriage and helping him rule the kingdom.

He had sacrificed so much over the years, and when the princess had died, he had never thought he would be capable of having such greatness in his life afterwards. Yet here he was now with you at his side, and your first child together growing inside you.

He knew all that he had given up had led to the greatest reward.

You.

_________________

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