𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓾𝓪𝓰𝓮 ( A park sunghoon fic)
Pairing : prince sunghoon x princess reader
Warnings: minor character death, mention of injuries and blood. Child neglect, alot of miscommunication. Inaccurate depiction of mute people and sign language.
Synopsis : betrothed to a prince she's never met, a princess visits his kingdom.the two not communicating to know one another, she presumes him out to be rude and unfeeling.but how is one to tell her he is mute?.
Word count : 10,300? Ish.
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Pitter-patter, ragged breaths,and agonising wails filled the usually quiet, enormous royal chambers that now felt stifling."You have to keep at it your highness! Your baby is in as much pain as you are currently" the stoic voice of the royal physician made every individual in the room shudder in worry and despair.
"Why is it so hard, I feel like.. GOD i- i am being ripped apart" whimpered out the woman, thats all she was within moment, she was another woman being talked down on while her life hung by a thread, along with the very flesh and bones of her unborn child that seemed to be having difficulty emerging out into the muggy world that already had more beings than it could house.
"You have to push the baby yourself or it will be more torturous for me to use my surgical tools!" Seethed the man who had been around for the birth of the current king, his sibiling along with the queens first born the crown prince, "please, GOD where is my husband! I can't" she wailed and felt her spirit dwindling just at the thought of being cut open like some cow.
"His highness can not be here, we have talked about this!, focus on the royal baby" piped the old man impatiently "I heard you!" Bellowed the frantic husband who barged in despite the yells of the improperiety of his actions, he was just a man wanting to be with his beloved who needed him during a time of pain she couldn't make go away on her own.
"I am here my love" he rasped, taking her hand in his he kissed her knuckles encouragingly "my wife is the strongest women this kingdom has seen, there will be no mention of surgery! Do all means nessasary to make sure both mother and child are okay, or so help me god, you or anyone in your lineage will not practice medicine ever again!" declared the king, voice booming,everyone within the vicinity quivering in fear.
And just in that instance, she pushed with all her might and the smaller life came out in the world, covered in fluid from his mother's womb that housed him like a sanctuary but for the past hour was a shrunken prison as the umbilical cord had been wrapped around his tiny neck.
The room fell into silence aside from the pained breaths of the queen, there were no shrill cries of an infant, the joy on the king and queen's faces was short lived, growing worried they looked at eachother and then at the old man holding their son "what is it, Why is my son not wailing like how his brother did?" Inquired the king, his worries now projected onto the newborn.
"The cord seemed to be attached around his neck, it is rather rare that it happens but it did" the physician held the baby up and gave it a firm smack on it's tush, everyone held their breaths anticipation suffocating even the proud king, the infant opened its mouth as to wail and cry from being smacked but nothing came out but wet gurgled sounds that didn't ease the atmosphere one bit.
"What is it, what's wrong with my son?" Cried out the mother "it appears that your son has been born mute, and no clear indicator of what might have caused this" the midwife slowly took the shaking newborn to clean him up while the king fell to his knees by his wife's bedside.
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"Do you want anything from my excursion?" Whispered the 13 year old crouching to look at his 6 year old brother, the timid younger only held onto his brother's sleeve and shook his head, taking his hand he signed "don't go" .
The older only hugged him in comfort "i will bring you those candies you like okay, and i will make sure you finally get your own horse, i will convince father this time" he perked up slightly at the mention of a horse, his smaller eyes twinkling under the grand chandalier, his smaller hand reached infront of the older, his pinkie showcasing the need for promise.
"I promise" they interlinked their pinkies, after all his big brother never broke a promise, eager he waited for his older brother to come back, in the meantime, he decided to try and up-ease his dear mother, one who hardly spared him a glance, for acknowledging him meant accepting what he was.
A disappointment, a paradox of flaws, more than some signifying her incompetence at creating a whole human, her son's lack of voice meant she could only ever hear one person address her as mother, and as cruel as it was of her, she couldn't be the sacrificing mother of a child that required more attention than her previous one.
And oh he was aware, how he ached for her arms, the king on the other hand paid attention, but not to him. To his studies, it was made sure of, that he received the same royal treatment from his tutors and governess, he was well taken care of but once again he fell short due to his inability to voice his thoughts like a prince should.
On the other side, crown prince junghoon stood next to his father, the king was faced with another,standing on the grounds of their allied kingdom. One that was grieving the loss of his eldest, his son, his very young and adoring son.
Thats all he was when he passed, someone's son, not the crown he was supposed to be in about 20 or so years time, he was a dear son and an even dearer older brother to his 2 younger sisters, gone at the small age of 10, junghoon had been here before, in this very palace when their second born came out into the world, their first princess.
It was 5 years ago, and yet he still remembered where every hall lead to, his feet took him towards the princesses room, the guard announced him and he stepped in, the small frame curled into her knees made him think of his brother.
He crouched down and gently patted her shoulder to get her attention, sniffling she rose her head, the older could only frown, but out of the sudden the young princess threw herself into his arms- surprised it took him a second to hug her back, his arms wrapping around the 5 year old securely until she herself was the one that let go.
She shook silently crying like how his brother did, god how his heart ached, he patted her back like he was used to with his own, he wanted to talk to her and tell her he would be her brother, but for now no talking was required, by the doorframe the queen watched her daughter finally cry.
It had been any normal day in the palace, the sister played tag with her dear brother, the older laughed chasing her while their governess watched along with their nanny, it was a harmless game of fun.
The railing wasn't supposed to break, they were not supposed to be in danger within their own home, yet tragedy struck and somehow in the balcony when the sister suddenly slipped while running, she crashed into the rail.
The metal rattled and gave away, the scream shook the witnesses, next thing they saw, the little girl was grabbed right before she fell "shhh, brother's got you" he whispered holding her shaking frame as she wailed, the nanny rushed toward them and grabbed the shaking girl, the governess sighed in relief, the young prince felt guilty for chasing his sister all the way here.
And just when they had thought the worst had passed, his ankle twisted and backwards he fell, and silently he went down. The older woman turned around to give him an earful she found him nowhere, gulping down worry she inched towards the rail and looked down.
The scream she let out alerted everyone, there on the rose bush, punctured with thorns was the 10 year old prince, the king and queen rushed down and both broke down into hysterics, the queen more so "MY SON! MY POOR SON" she wailed clutching his warm body, his crimson blood seeping into her blue dress.
The very color that her son stated bought out the shine in her eyes, oh how could fate be so cruel as to take away a peice of her soul, the king only held onto his wife and son like how he did when he was born.
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The carriage halted infront of the grand staircase of the palace, the coachman got off and opened the door, hand extending to help the beloved crown princess down "thank you kibum" she smiled patting his arm, her dress flowed downwards as her feet touched solid ground,walking up the the stairs with him holding his hand for balance she faced forward while doing so.
Her handmaid's trailed right behind, holding her belongings "I told mother i did not need a whole new wardrobe and ofcourse she persisted, alas here I am with more suitcases than nessasary" "her highness just wishes you have a pleasant stay at the palace before the engagement is to be announced" chimed in yeri, her close confident, her headbmaid.
"Her royal highness, princess y/n kim, crown princess of Celestria" announced the guard as a series of staff lined up in greeting infront of the doors that opened showing the grandiose inside of the palace.
"Welcome to Elysira, hope your journey wasn't bothersome" came down junghoon, his wife standing beside him in greeting "it was a pleasant journey, thank you" she gave him a genuine smile that reached her eyes.
"Well if it isn't the future queen of celestria, my you have grown up into a fine young lady" came the booming voice of king park, his wife giving her a curt smile in greeting, she did a curtsy to both "your majesty" "rise young lady, you are to be family soon" that exclamation caused her to falter momentarily, ofcourse she was well aware about as to why she was here.
The prince she had never met, the second son she was supposed to marry and take him as her king consort, he was nowhere to be found, alas she still kept up her practiced smile as they exchanged pleasantries.
He stood by, right behind some of the staff, simply watching, observing her, his heart hammering in his chest was making him way too aware of her. She was beautiful, she even had a beautiful voice. God how could someone as such even spare him any affection when not even his own parents did.
Unbeknownst to him he had been seen, he stood out in between the composed staff, his eyes unlike their lowered gazes, were directly on her.and she felt the intensity of his observation, what was he trying to make out?, Whether she was worthy of what she was given, or if she was worthy to be with him with or without love?.
Settling into the room she was given, she had junghoon specifically come along with his wife, sohyun, the two of them gave her a grand tour "oh angelface you will love the stables, our horses are all well-tempered, didn't you say you loved riding along the grounds?", that nickname, the same one her older brother had given her, one junghoon had teased her about at the celebration of her 5th birthday.
That year junghoon had come to her home twice, once for celebration and the latter for mourning the loss of his greatest friend.
Now it didn't carry that teasing, rather it carried the warmth her brother voiced whenever he called out to her, she smiled nodding as the tour continued.
"And that's the wing that belongs to sunghoon, did he come to greet you or not?" Inquired the older turning to her whilst she had a momentary lapse in comprehension as to what to say "actually he did, I saw him and he saw me, that's about all the interaction we've had as two strangers, let alone as betrothed's" junghoon sighed in exasperation while sohyun patted his arm giving her a smile.
"Sunghoon is rather reserved, but fear not, he will come along, if I remember correctly you both have alot in common" the tour was cut short due to junghoon having matters to attend to while sohyun had to go rest due to her being pregnant.
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And then came dinner time, it was an odd feeling, people at the dinner table were talking, well junghoon and his wife were conversing along with the king and queen, sunghoon who had been the first one at the table sat quietly eating his food, she had to talk along and laugh at the bleak jokes the king made, the queen laughing loudly as if to make up for something, something that was missing.
She felt it again, the intense gaze, ever so stubborn she met his eyes. He was unnervingly- composed.she did not know what it was about him that made her feel so warm with anger, did he think he was above her due to the nature of his sex?.
He wasn't going to get the upper-hand anytime soon over that , thats something she was going to make sure of. Ever so cunning, her lips tugged up slightly, a quick slip of a polite mask, replaced with another whilst she quirked a brow bringing the fork up to her mouth for a bite.
Chewing with mirth her gaze assessed him, he was the first in averting his stare. Victorious she chuckled under her breath, he had a stoic face and yet here his own ears gave him away. Red as beetroot.
And when in her room she sat infront of the vanity whilst yeri brushed her hair "do you think he will actually come around to talk?" "Whom do you mean your highness?" "Prince sunghoon.. he looked at me as if he had a thousand words and no idea how to bring them outside of his mind" the princess gave out a tired sigh.
"You can leave now yeri, I will sleep" "goodnight your highness" the maid bowed before leaving, left alone she finally felt like she could breathe as a person. It was hell to put up a mask even at such a time all because she was in the presence of others.
Alas she laid in bed, aching from travel she found sleep consuming her as soon as her head hit the pillow.
"These are all her majesty's favorite flowers, she picked all of them representing her family, the camellias are for his majesty, the iris's are junghoon, the hyacinth are for me and the daffodils are for the little one" sohyun spoke proudly and adoringly as she showed off the arrangement of flowers around the garden.
What about sunghoon? She thought, her brows knitting together while the older woman went on about how long each flower took to bloom. She could care less, this wasn't normal, did they forget the second prince in the small detail such as flowers?.
And then in the afternoon when she was having a stroll around the halls, she heard it. The music, someone was playing cello and it sounded beautifully captivating, without much resistance she went towards the source and opened the door slowly.
There with his eyes closed playing the instrument he sat, the sunlight cascading down on him through the stained glass, illuminated by the gentle hues of of pinks and yellows. The sight allowed her to take in his appearance correctly and rather shamelessly she stared.
That is until the music suddenly halted and his steel gaze met her awestruck one, "why did you stop? You play very beautifully" she smiled trying to start what she thought was a pathetic attempt at a conversation, he put the cello in a servants hands and dusted his cloths.
It almost looked like he was going to come up to her and have a talk, god she was dying to know what he would say to her, but all hopes were thrown through the glass when he walked right past her, was she a ghoul and she wasn't even aware ?.
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How dare he make her a fool, he had no reason to be treating her like this, as if she wanted to be with him and not the other way around, she did not need him, he needed her to become a king, the princess's resolve hardened, if he wanted to be indifferent and stuck up, fine, she was going to show him the same thing back.
The very next day she sat in the grand library, opening a book and sat down at the study table. before she could begin reading the Jane Austen book her eyes settled on the neatly arranged margins on the book.
And at the start was a note written rather neatly "if I fall for thee, would I be seen, or overlooked by scrutiny" her eyebrows knit together, who could have written this, could It be? No hes way too stuck up to even open a book such as pride and prejudice.
Elated she read, and read, and read until she heard a distant voice calling out to her "your highness? It is time for supper and i think you should get ready" chimed yeri standing by the table and ushering her along.
Wearing her evening dress she curtsied with a smile which the king and queen reciprocated as much as they allowed themselves to.once again she faced him as she sat to eat dinner with his family, their idle conversations not doing much for her as she studied him, was he just too into his own head to converse with his family?.
How could anyone sit with their flesh and blood and not speak about anything and everything, speaking of flesh and blood. "Your majesty, I saw the gardens, the flowers are quite beautiful" that seemed to bring a smile to her face "oh yes, the flowers are carefully chosen with thought regarding everyone" "i couldn't help but notice, why is it that everyone has a representative flower aside from prince sunghoon?" A tense silence fell at the table.
Behind a maids breath hitched, sohyun grabbed her hand looking at her to not comment further bur she had to, how come something family oriented was so imbalanced? It was simply unjust.
"I think my wife will retire early" the king wiped his mouth with the napkin and got up, hand holding the queen's he left abruptly, she noticed though. The way the woman's eyes shook,was it fear? Disgust or guilt.
The sound of utensils clattering on a plate echoed through the huge dining hall as sunghoon got up, his chair making a protestant noise. Looking right into her eyes for a solid second he tried searching, what was she trying to accomplish? Did she think she was some messiah ? He did not need one.
"What's with him? He's always so quick to leave" she huffed bring the spoon up to her mouth as she ate her dessert happily, junghoon groaned "you have the same spoilt attitude as him, and i am to blame for both of your brattiness" he turned to his wife "please make sure our baby isn't like his aunt or uncle" "with you raising them?" She chimed, a teasing smile grazing her lips as she wiped them.
"She's got a point" laughed sohyun, the crown prince could only sigh but smile nonetheless, he was well aware the kind of father he was going to be, one that was in no way like his own. One that wouldn't differentiate between his flesh and blood, treating one like a runt all because of one set back.
Some days went by like that, she would try to act indifferent and yet she found herself wanting to see what he was doing. She had finished all the books she found to her liking and that was one thing that saddened her.
On the vast grounds outside the castle there was a path that lead to a maze, one she wanted to explore and map out, so thats what she did. She spent an hour trying to find a way to the middle, taking different turns and getting lost had her feeling exhausted, but she was stubborn and in no way was she going to give up.
It took her another half hour to finally reach the middle, and the sight caused her breath to hitch. It was captivatingly beautiful,a fully grown willow tree that was presumably as old as.. him, and that idea only made her admire it more.
Beside it was a pond containing koi fishes. The bench beneath the tree felt inviting enough, so she sat. And for a second she closed her eyes, briefly she let herself get lost in the serenity of her surroundings. The sound of rustling caused her to eyes to open and there standing above the koi pond stood her betrothed.
He was.. feeding the fish? Oh so he had the capability to care for somethings, abruptly she got up determined to have a talk with him but he turned around out of the sudden and looked right at where she was stepping.
Confused she didn't realise he wasn't looking at her feet but rather at the branch that she hadn't seen, which meant her foot had stepped on it and forward she stumbled, he couldn't even react fast enough before either of them knew, she was in the pond and the fishes were frightened on one side.
A hand reached out infront of her, he stared at her with a face void of any emotion, she stared at his hand, stubborn embarrassment making her wish the pond was deeper so that she could drown than having to face him.
Putting her pride aside she hesitantly put her hand in his, a surprised noise escaped her lips as he suddenly pulled her up with surprising strength, her nose bumped into his chest as she scrunched it, she felt it, both butterflies and the feeling everyone dreads in the presence of another.
"A-choo" she sneezed, he felt his lips tug ever so slightly, the princess being to occupied with wiping her nose with her glove she hadn't noticed, ofcourse she didn't in cases of the subtle things right infront of her, she could be rather dense.
He looked at her downwards, her dress was soaked through and she was starting to shiver.he was a stubborn prideful git, but above all, he was a gentleman. So he did what he at the moment thought was the best case scenario.
He put one hand on her waist, the other behind her legs, up he held her like a bride, her breathing picked up realising how close they were, he smelled intoxicating, like some cedar mixed with pine with a note of roses.
Arms around his neck she held tight, her eyes travelled all over his face, he had moles, ones that she somehow wondered, would they tickle if she were to kiss his face, mapping out each and every blemish? .. no, she shouldn't be having such thoughts, he was rude and arrogant! He did not like her.
Swiftly without fail he went out of the maze, she gaped at him like a fish, he could feel her intense stare at the side of his face, digging holes while the gears turned in her head.but he ignored it,having her this close, drenched and pressed up against him, wasn't good. She was igniting such primal feelings in him by looking at him with those eyes, the needy curiosity in them only making him restless.
"Oh my!, your highness what happened" staggering at the sight, with her hand on her mouth cried out yeri.sunghoon put her down on her feet as other maids suddenly ran bringing a towel "i fell in the pond" sighed the princess, she turned to thank him for helping her but he was gone.
"YOUR LEG!" Cried yeri seeing the blood on her leg that seemed to have been sctrached "oh.. i did not even feel that" she chuckled fidgeting like a child that got into trouble." What will i do with you" sighed the maid " i will take care of that, first lets clean you up, a hot bath will do!" And she was being ushered along by yeri and other palace maids, leaving her no room to protest.
Out of the bath, clad in a silky night gown, the princess felt relaxed, her leg bandaged and disinfected. Feeling around her neck she felt the need to fidget with her necklace.. her necklace, where was it.
Her eyes darted around the entire room, before she knew it, she was toppling everything around the room and searching while praying for it to just be somewhere she could find.
But since fate had a way of punishing her, she couldn't find it anywhere "is something the matter- What's wrong?" inquired yeri, worry clouding her face at the sight of the panicked princess.
"My pendant, it's- god yeri if I can't find it i don't know what i will do" she breathed, her chest feeling compressed all of a sudden."i will inform someone to look for it" with that the maid ran out and almost bumped into him by the doorway.
"Oh, pardon me your highness" she bowed before leaving. He had heard it all, so to make up for being stuck up before, he put his pride aside and went towards the maze, he knew his way around it thus it took him not much time to get to the middle.
There glinting under the moonlight was her necklace in the koi pond. Slowly bending down he picked it up, the fishes crowding around his hand made a tiny smile tug at his lips. they were well acquainted to his presence around the water seeing as he was the one to feed them.
He checked the pendant, the golden oval seemed to be broken, the clasp was bent and needed fixing. so straight to his room he went.Settling on his desk the prince spent the entire night cleaning and fixing her necklace until dawn.
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Unknowingly waking up with the sunlight filtering through his window while the birds chirpped at his windowsill, disoriented he narrowed his eyes at the object taunting him from his periphery.
Seeing more clearly he realised it wasn't in his peripheral vision, rather it was on his forehead? Sticking over his eye. A note he had written on a peice of parchment, it seemed.
"I should give this to her" he thought to himself reading the note once over and checking the necklace. Set on seeing her smile, he hastily got ready. His cloths already being put on his bed "i wonder if she'll forgive me" thoughts as such kept clouding his mind as the bath ran cold while he seemed to be in a trance.
"Will she be disappointed if I give it to her directly?" "She has tried conversing with me and yet how will i say anything back when she doesn't even understand how to read me" throwing his head back he exhaled loudly, the tension in his bones releasing.
"Are you a hundred percent sure that you checked everywhere in the hedge maze?" She shook the poor girl who nodded frantic "yes, I deeply apologise your highness but we could not find it anywhere" a groan slipped her usually composed mouth.
Right outside her door a servant stood holding something wrapped in paper "what is that" inquired yeri, taking hold of the wrapped item. Giving it a once over she huffed "there is no note or anything, who sent this?" She pressed causing the younger servant boy to cower "it is sent by his highness, prince sunghoon" huh.. that surprised both princess and maid as they exchanged a meaningful glance.
"Okay, you may leave" she shooed him away, the princess gestured for her maid to open it "MY NECKLACE" excited she whisper-yelled, yeri too consumed by the sheer happiness on her face didn't bother correcting the pitch of her voice.
"Huh? There's a note" taking it from her, the princess read the contents "I hope the pendant isn't crooked still, I tried fixing it, and the book is a gift" her eyes finally caught onto the book the title being "Sense And Sensibility" she read aloud, a gracious smile breaking out on her lips.
"Oh how did he know" she felt it, the fluttering in her stomach, one she read about in her books. Was she starting to like her betrothed? She was certain of one thing, she did not hate him one bit.
Eager to thank him she put her necklace back on with the help of yeri, and with hurried yet graceful steps she went to where he usually was found at this time. in the hallway she heard it again, the cello wasn't the only one being heard this time, no, she could hear the piano playing simultaneously as well.
Yet they did not sound compatible in the slightest, it felt as if the piano was consuming the cello's sound entirely. Peeking from the door her eyes settled on him, eyes closed focusing, then her gaze wandered onto the piano, the one playing it turning out to be the queen.
"You are not playing it like how I taught you, AGAIN!" she heard the shrill voice of the woman she had barely heard speak since her week at the the palace. All of a sudden the cello started, the sound coming frantic and broken, his eyes opened and caught hers.
A silent gasp causing her mouth to open slightly, the sound getting caught in her throat at the vulnerability in his irises. He had picked up his pace while the queen yelled "STOP!" Continued he played like mad "SUNGHOON STOP THIS INSTANT!" her boisterous voice somehow being drowned out by his playing.
Suddenly the strings snapped , the woman that was supposed to be his mother stared at him in disbelief "you-, you insolent!, wretched boy!" she hissed, and he only looked at the woman with the same empty gaze he usually put forth, the raw vulnerability he showed the princess, gone like usual.
Pushing the instrument to the ground ,the prince speed-walked out of the room. He almost walked passed her without notice, but she did, she saw the blood streaming down his hand and somehow it only made her angry, how could a mother be so ill, so cruel to her own child, no matter of what age.
In the hedge maze he sat under the willow tree, his hand seemed to have stopped bleeding, yet he still hadn't taken care of the wound. She was aware she should leave him alone, to not be in his space yet how could she? He barely had anyone that seemed to care.
Finding the middle had gotten easier due to her quick memorisation skills, her eyes settled on him under the tree. His shirt seemed dishevelled, the collar was askew, and the jacket was thrown to the side while he rested with his eyes closed.
He looked beautiful, so peaceful. Yet she was well aware with a home like this, no peace was permitted for long. Settling beside him she looked at his hand And there was the wound, the dried up blood seemed ghastly.
Tsk-ing she softly took it in her lap, that stirred him from his rest, eyes fluttering open and settling on her focused form.she felt his gaze, yet there was nothing negative in how it was making her feel She felt like gold being upraised, he didn't move,he didn't grunt.
She took the bandage she had bought along, cutting a half she wet it in the pond. And ever so attentively she cleaned his hands. He looked at her, really looked at her,and his heart, his foolish little heart skipped a beat, or maybe 2, he was too deep in admiring her to keep count.
"There, all bandaged up" she grinned at him, his mouth twitched, a little. But she saw, the slight curve of his mouth, but it was so brief she barely saw it. "I wanted to see you, i swear i wasn't there just to eavesdrop, I actually heard the music so I assumed you'd be there and then i also heard the piano so I wanted to see who was playing with you..i am chattering like a fool".
She gave him an apologetic smile "what i am trying to say is, thank you, for finding my necklace and for the book, I didn't think you noticed" her voice became small by the end, and it made him sad. He didn't want her to be sad because of him.
He didn't know how to talk to her, he should get junghoon to translate, convey what he wanted to tell her "i am probably intruding, my apologies, seeing as you haven't said a single word in reply, I'll take my leave" that statement caused his brows to jump up.
Was she not aware he was mute? Why- unless... He suddenly got up startling her, and once more she almost fell back into the pond but this time he grabbed onto her,his hand had slid onto her waist and pulled her close.
The princess crashed into his chest, her heart hammering against her ribs so fast she was afraid he could feel it, he looked her over with evident worry in such a way that the reprimanding words that she wanted to utter,died at the back of her throat.the princess could only be confused, why was he so quick to change expressions.
He gave her a once over and seeing her unharmed, he steadily let go of her, and off he went.he needed to inquire.. if what he was assuming turned out to be true,oh so help him god, he was not going to be so accepting towards his parents for such absurdity.
Seething and red with rage, he barged into his brother's study.the older looked up from his papers and found his younger brother standing by the door, dishevelled and looking the definition of anger.
"Can i help you? Why do you look like you wish to throw someone out of the window" he quirked a brow, trying to joke and see that annoyed yet tickled look on his brother's face, but his face did not even twitch.
"Does the princess know I am mute?" He signed, the crown prince opened his mouth, closed it, and took a second to register what he was just asked. "Why wouldn't she? I mean she's here, she can't be oblivious" sunghoon exhaled sharply.
"Well she asked me why I don't talk to her" he had a bitter look on his handsome face, seemingly pained by the betrayal. Junghoon felt his heart drop, no, it couldn't be... they wouldn't do such a cruel thing to the both of them.
"I have to ask them" the crown prince earnestly got up and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder "I'll sternly inquire about this okay, don't react" he went ahead to the meeting room he was sure the king and queen would be in.and there they were exactly sat in their seats, conversing with advisors.
"Mother, father, advisors" he gave a curt nod, and did a gesture with his hand indicating they empty the room,and they did exactly as told. "What is it son, Why are you dismissing my meeting?" Questioned the king, voice confused yet authorative.
"You see, i have come to find out something that I do not find amusement in, not even the slightest bit" he breathed, voice not carrying the usual calm, the king only looked at him, urging him to go on "the crown princess, y/n, is she or is she not, made aware of sunghoon's lack of voice?" The inquiry sat in the room, heavy and charged.
The king only laughed, thinking it a joke. "Oh you're serious" he rubbed his forehead disgruntled "ofcourse she was told, i mean she's here is she not?" He added. "She asked sunghoon why he does not talk to her" he threw in the bomb, the king turned to the deadly quiet queen of his, the older woman only scoffing.
"And even if she wasn't what's it to do for the alliance" that did it, the king looked like he had seen a ghost, junghoon however, felt consumed with fury "THAT IS NOT FOR YOU TO DECIDE!" he belowed, voice echoeing in the vast room, the queen faltering at the sudden loudness of the gentle prince she had raised.
"What,Did you think anyone would give their daughter to him? He can't speak! I DID WHAT I HAD TO, FOR HIM, FOR THIS KINGDOM!" she yelled, he took in a deep breath and let out an incredulouse laugh.
"You are not okay in the head!, you think we are pawns on your chess board? we are humans with feelings, how dare you play with two of the most important people to me" that was it, junghoon could no longer stand his mother.
"Your wife has played mad queen for far too long, and i am done standing idle like you" the announcement only had the king slouching back into his seat, he was far too old to put up with any of this anymore,he knew it was time to let junghoon descend the throne.
The crown prince only sighed, the disappointment settling in his bones "you have not been parents to him in the slightest, and yet I am glad it was me who raised him, i did a far better job than the likes of neither of you" with that he walked out without sparing them a second to react properly.
"Well does she know?" Signed Sunghoon, his hands moving quick yet gracefully. "She does not, it was all mother" sighed the older, the younger licked his teeth, this was beyond cruel to her, how could she do this.
On the other end the princess had accompanied sohyun to the stables, she wanted to check out the horses "oh my god she's beautiful" awed the princess, her hand reaching to stroke the beautiful black horse's coat "that menorquín's sunghoon's she's spirited and feisty, and doesn't let anyone but him touch her" just then the horse snorted loudly and kicked a bucket aside.
"What's her name?" She inquired looking at the mesmerising animal "misty" laughed sohyun gesturing for her to come along and see the others "did he pick the name?" She inquired walking behind the older woman "yes he did!, he adores that horse, and she hardly let's the stable hand go near her, prefers eating apples by his hand and his hand only" she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yeah only a person like that can have such a feisty horse" "and this one here is Chester, he's junghoon's second horse and very much in love with misty" that caused her to laugh wholeheartedly as she looked at the ivory coat having horse.
"He's a free man,loves people" chuckled sohyun stroking the horse's main as he kneeled into her palm "he's also an attention seeker, so don't let his sad eyes fool you, he is a happy boy" the horse exhaled loudly as if opposing her comment.
The both of them spent the rest of their time at the library, sohyun helped her find the interesting books and they had their tea there as well meanwhile sunghoon was spiraling, he didn't know how he could make up for whatever he had made her think he was.
She probably thought he was stuck up by default, he pinched between his eyebrows "quit pacing like a mad man, if you want to make amends, take her out into town. She wanted to see it anyway" suggested junghoon, his paperwork long forgotten on the table as he stared at the younger who looked as if he was about to self implode.
"You are a god send" the grin on his face made junghoon chuckle "go make her happy" the younger quickly signed "love you" and proceeded run out, he knew just what would make her happy the carnival was happening and today was the last day, she'd love it.
He wrote to a servant and asked them to fetch him the masks from town and that's exactly what the servant did, riding into town he had gotten the exact type of matching pair that stood out, an hour later the servant returned and handed him the masks.
Sunghoon couldn't help but grin, they were beautiful and he knew she'd choose her best to match the colors. Putting a note wrapped behind he sent the maid to give it to her.
"No i believe Jane Austen was very much right with naming her most beautiful character after herself, hell i would too" that comment earned her a laugh from the older "okay i agree with you, i am tired and it is time for me to sleep, good night princess" with that she left, and alone the princess sat feeling the loneliness sink into her posture.
"Your highness? This was sent by prince sunghoon" taking the item from the maid she told her to leave.and confused she stared at the mask, a rather intricate mask, it was beautiful.she stared at it for a second and turned it over,wrapped into the satin tie was a note.
"Would you like to accompany me to the carnival? It is the last day and I always go today p.s wear red and black" that bought a smile to her face "yeri!" She yelled for her maid who darted in looking around scared "what is it, WHO IS IT!" yelled the poor maid, a hairbrush in hand, eyes darting around for intruders , finally looking at the princess's face she quickly composed herself with a sheepish smile.
"Yes my princess?" She could only laugh at the antics of her friend "he wants to take me into town and show me the carnival" yeri jumped into action, pushing her into the bathroom and telling her to be swift whilst she prepped her cloths.
"A carnival.." eying the mask she thought up an outfit just in time as she emerged from the bath "ok we need to get you ready before anyone questions anything" the devious grin on her maids face had her questioning her sanity.
Within time she had yeri help her get ready, and soon enough, she stood infront of the mirror feeling extravagant yet not the polished minimalistic elegance one she usually felt, she quite liked the extra colors on her face "I have attended my fair share of carnivals, it is the time no one questions who you are, if you blend in, you will do good" .
"Oh and the coachman is waiting at the back entrance, seems like his highness already departed for something" that caused her to feel nervous "what if he doesn't show up?" "He extended the invite,did he not?" The implication allowed her to think, he wasn't so egostical after all.
Sat in the carriage, the ride into town was around an hour and a half long, she was ecstatic yet nervous. "I was instructed to leave you here, and here is a note his highness left for you" the coachman had a slight smile on his aged face,it put her at ease.
Thanking him as he helped her get down, she took the note from him. Tipping his hat he got on and rode off. Putting her mask on she read the note, it seemed like a clue of some sort.. was he trying to take her on a hunt to something?.
"The smell brings one closer to the none talking beauty of inexpectant grace, who am I, and where must you find me?" She hummed in thought as she looked around "inexpectant beauty and a smell that is good?.. FLOWERS yeah okay so I must go to a flowershop?" Hesitant she walked into town, after walking for 5 or so minutes she stood infront of a flower shop.
"Here goes nothing" she stepped inside and the smell of all the different flowers allowed her to take in her surroundings easily"looking for something beautiful?" Came an inviting voice from behind, turning to face the source of it she looked at the florist.
"Yes well, i don't know i am looking for someone" she smiled without thought, then it struck her, she was wearing a mask. "I think i have something of yours" he held up a finger indicating for her to wait.
"Here, a gentleman left this for you" he handed her a beautiful bouquet.and the beauty of the arrangement caused her heart to tug, they were beautiful. A mix of lilies and graceful orchids with baby's breaths in between.
Right in the middle was another note, tsk-ing in both admiration and mock annoyance she read it "you are beautiful like these flowers and sweet like honey, but can one come to the capital of Elysira and not have the famous delicacies it offers, p.s i couldn't come up with another riddle on the spot" That admittance caused a surprised yet genuine laugh out of her.
So he wanted her to go to a bakery? Asking around she received instructions to the most famous spot. A quaint family owned bakery stood infront of her, two girls were serving customers whilst an old man was bringing out a fresh batch of pastries.
"Oh, hello, welcome to fuku's pastry house" grinned one of the girls, her enthusiastic greeting only making her feel excited about what they had to offer "I was hoping to find someone" she shyly mentioned as the other girl looked like she remembered something "oh right!, your husband came and asked us to serve you our famous chocolate hazelnut tarts, don't tell anyone we did though, we had to put aside some ingredients to make extra for your order since we run out of those the quickest" that was surpringly thoughtful and within that moment she felt her stomach grumble.
"Here is your order miss, enjoy the carnival!" The girls enthusiastically bid her goodbye, now holding a bouquet and a box of tarts she didn't know how to eat without drawing attention, so off she went.
He was nowhere to be found and it was starting to worry her. Peeking into the box she found yet another note "I know, i know you must be tired, but fret not my dear, i am right where I say next, follow the lights as the sun sets, into the heart of the town i adore" the setting sun illuminated the entire street in hues of pinks and oranges.
And she followed the lampposts until she was right in the middle of town, where a huge fountain stood.and as if in cue, the fountain came alive lights engulfed the entire street.looking around she realised, no one was looking at each other, and as yeri said, no one cared for titles within that moment.
So tugging her mask atop her head, she ate a tart and oh the delicate chocolate could almost curl her toes. She watched the fountain, the statues on it were intricate with details she couldn't dare try catching within one night.
Finishing the two small tarts she dusted her hands and stood up, just within that moment someone grabbed her hand and tugged her along causing her to yelp, but the familiarity settled in when he stood right infront of her in the dimly lit alley.
"Sunghoon!?" She questioned, and just then he turned around asking for her to untie his mask. With shaky hands she did as asked, the prince slowly turned around and looked at her, his heated gaze traveling over her features. She hadn't done such an over the top look, ever, so under his intense gaze she felt awfully bashful.
"What? Do you know how astonishingly unsound one has to be to invite someone out and then not even show up?! i went around for almost 40 minutes!, like a fool-although the flowers were beautiful and the tart was delightful, yet don't think I would forgive your uncalled ignorance of my effo.. the flowers, lilies for renewal, orchids for admiration you don't mean-" rolling his eyes he leaned down and captured her lips into a kiss.
For once, her head was quite, embarrassingly enough, she melted right into it. She couldn't just.. she was a lady! A crown princess, one that didn't kiss princes in alleyways right after having a sweet tart, but oh!, how he held her face and the grin against her lips had her forgetting all her protests so she did what any insane person would, she gripped the laples of his coat and pulled him closer.
The sound of fireworks caused them to pull apart, their breaths coming out in uneven puffs, her lips were smudged and swollen, his weren't looking much better either,smiling at her far away look, she got kissed to quietness. He couldn't stop the grin that had shown up lighting his face in a carefree manner.
And she admired him,he looked like a normal townsboy.one that was able to take away her ability to chatter on and on. Oh she was gone!, this was bad for her reputation, but how softly his mouth had engulfed hers...
Tugging her mask down he leaned over to tie it behind her head, all she could do was stare. He turned around once more and she did the same for him,hand in hand the two stood by a now forming crowd of well dressed individuals.
And then the crowed came alive, the parade had started. The performers doing tricks while the carts were being pulled by huge horses, which were also clad in flashy cloths She felt alive within that moment, this was it, the memory she was going to keep of her first time in his kingdom.
The coachman had picked them up an hour after that, and taken them straight to the palace. she hoped he'd finally say something to her, confess, hell talk about the weather even yet he didn't say a single thing and she looked at the side of his face wistfully.
Her chest hurt, it was as if she was 5 again, and her voice had decided not to break through the confines of her mind. She wanted to scream at him, tell him not giving her a reason for his silence was cruel, and devastatingly so. She could only breath silently, her shoulders slouching as she looked out the window.
When they arrived at the front entrance, sunghoon got down first and extended his hand, stubborn and hurt she didn't dare take it, so without his help, without sparing him another look she walked past him.
His resolve wavered, was she not happy? He apologised, what is it that she wanted!? God he'd bring heaven down for her if she only mentioned it once, yet what was it that made her not like him when they were back in the palace?.
Distraught, the prince went to his room his shirts loosening his shirts collar as he slouched on his sofa he knew he was not meant for softness.he was accustomed to that since he gained consciousness, yet why did it hurt so badly that she did not want him like he wanted her?.
༉‧₊˚.︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.
A few days went by once more, and the two yearned to catch a glimpse of one another, but duties overtook their desires.alas her family also joined her at last, and reunited she had momentarily forgotten her disappointment.
Her younger sister, jooah, was excited to see her brother to be!, oh she was chatting her sisters ear off and the older could only listen, she wasn't cruel to break her expectations so soon.
And around dinner time, it seemed that the weather had gone awry, and her sister had a fear of thunder. so to console her she had beckoned her towards the library to read with her "yeri will keep you company, i shall go and fetch us some treats to enjoy until the storm calms down" kissing her sister's head she went out with a candleabra in hand.
But the conversation she overheard caused her to stumble almost "What What do you mean he is out there in this weather!!" She yelled, the stables boy cowered under her gaze, her voice echoeing through the entire hallway.
"It was misty, the thunder startled her, i was locking her door and she ran out.. i got thrown into a bucket while she got out h- his highness ran after her to bring her back" he rambled on, his explanation falling on deaf ears.
"No, no, he's out there alone!" Urgent she didn't dare waste a second, putting the candleabra aside she ran towards the stables and tried to get onto junghoon's horse "you're not going! Are you out of your wits?!"yelled the crown prince just as thunder clapped loudly causing her to jump.
"you don't get it!" She pleaded looking at him as the older gauged the desperation in her voice the quivering of her lips only caused him to give in "i'm coming with!" He did not leave room for negotiations as the two got onto the saddled horse.
And off they went into the vast grounds, the horse was more courageous than either of them within moment.she thought the worst as the rain pelted down on them, the heavy droplets making it hard to see due to the sheer absurd amount and speed.
And within a distance they saw a horse, it was misty, and then what she was crouching down towards made them gasp in horror. for right in the mud, all wound up was he, seemingly unconscious, and yet his hands were wrapped in misty's reign.
Before the horse could fully halt, she dismounted hurriedly.the mud splashing and getting all over her, shaky she dropped to her knees and pulled him close patting his cheek "hey, HEY!" she muttured, voice coming out broken and out of breath.
His eyes opened briefly, unfocused and distant, his hand softly touched hers that was cradling his cheek,and that was a sign enough as she softly cried pulling him against her chest. afraid he'd dissappear if she softend her grip.
with the help of some servants they had gotten the carriage over into the mud and out, carrying him inside the physician had been rushed in, the time that followed was brutal, luckily he had not sustained any life threatening injuries, but he did have a leg fracture and severe bruising on his side, and was given medication to put him to sleep for a day or 2.
Those were the longest days of her life as she stayed curled up in her mothers lap, her sister also tried distracting her with her new hobbies and the new languages she had started learning, but nothing worked.
So she went to the one who was also worriedly awaiting his wakening "i didn't even tell him I love him, god, brother i do not care if he never talks to me or loves me even as much a fraction of my own, I am willing to put up with that in return I want him to be happy, free and healthy" a broken sob broke out of her.
Sohyun turned to her husband, a confused frown forming on her lips "but sunghoon can't speak?" She questioned the princess, her crying seized as she turned to her sister-in-law to be "whatever do you mean by that?" She hiccuped, her face contorting confused between sadness and anger.
"What she means is that.. sunghoon can't speak, he was born without sound, do you remember when you were 5? Up until the age of 10, when you didn't speak- well it is like that for him but he has never spoken, even as a newborn he had no cries" the confession felt like a slap across her face.
"All this- god! all this time i thought he just thought so low of me he didn't want to speak in my presence, i am so ashamed" she bent down into her knees and cried, like how she did as a child.sohyun and junghoon both engulfed her into a hug as she shook silently.
The next morning she awoke, got ready with little to no enthusiasm, greeted her parents,and even his though the latter pair did not sit right with her after what junghoon had told her.cruel people that had reduced their flourishing son down to his disability, god they made her fume with anger.
"He's awake!" Came an excited jooah, bursting through her room as she sat up from the windowsill "that is not a funny joke joo" she scolded as the 16 year old huffed folding her arms "oh heavens sake!, come" with that she dragged her towards his quarters.
"Go ahead, open it" looking at her sister she felt nervous all of a sudden, was he really awake? Would he hate the sight of her due to her inability to try and understand him from the start? pushing all those thoughts down she prayed and opened the door.
The sight beholding her made her breath catch in her throat he was sat upright and having what seemed to be soup of some sorts.his eyes flicked over to her, putting the food in the hands of a servant.ever so softly he beckoned her over,how could he look at her so kindly?, even after she hadn't been the same towards him.
Wavering slightly,she sat down by his legs and watched him. Having alot to say, oh where could she even begin, then as if moving without comprehending, her hands started signing without sparing a second "i am sorry for not realising, I know the word sorry is very fickle in itself, but that is all I am currently" .
The sight of her using sign language caused his mouth to open in surprise then a wide grin broke out on his lips "you know sign?" He inquired as she nodded "i have known since I was little, my father had a hearing impaired sister, and as a kid I had selective mutism, so I learnt sign as a whole to communicate with my family, they learned themselves to understand me better" the easy and delicate way her hands moved, it only made him feel his love was outgrowing his body, and he couldn't bother hiding it anymore.
"I think you are an olive branch from the Universe, you are the greatest gift i have received in my life" that was it, she couldn't help the warmth that travelled up her neck and onto her face"since when do you use flattery like that" that earned her a half smirk from him as he let out a silent laugh "maybe i just want to compliment the woman i love" her breath stuttered at that.
His eyes searched her face, she seemed shocked, he somehow did not regret admitting his feelings "no matter how shocked you appear, I will not take back what I just said. it is true, I love you princess" that was it, this was the moment she waited for so earnestly.
"And i do not want you to take back your words, because i am madly in love with you" that only made him smile and and pull her closer, the princess yelped in surprise and looked at him worried"but what of your injuries" he only huffed and kissed her head, so without much of a fight, she let him hold her.
Somehow when he had been told by the physician that he was cleared to see others, he hadn't wasted a second to meet her parents properly, and the sight of them responding to his signs without judgement, made his heart grow twice its size, and within that moment he realised, maybe he was allowed happiness if it were with her.
The engagement was announced at the annual winter ball, the towns nobles and royalty from other kingdoms were in attendance celebrating the happy couple. They danced to their hearts content as their journey of understanding one another had just begun.after all,they had a lifetime of learning eachother's language ahead of them.
A/n : this was fun to experiment with, I was inspired by a tiktok edit i saw and was like hmm, and the ideas kept flowing smoothly.
