"EVERYTHING WILL BE fine," Verine straightened Tahani's saree at the back while Lucia rubbed at her pleats, "I'm sure Tovi will love him."

"I mean, there's no reason to not like him, right?" Lucia stood up, eyeing her older sister and she shook her head.

"Of course not. But, you know, I'm still worried."

"Tovi will definitely grill him—"

"As she should," Elena cut her off.

"—but that doesn't mean she won't love him, okay?" Verine continued.

"Nini, Nini, Nini," Clover's eager voice filled the room and they all spun to see her leap in, "He's here!"

"Ah, okay," sighing, Tahani looked in the mirror one more time. Flattening her hair, she eyed her appearance; makeup, jewellery, saree.

Satisfied, she turned on her heel and followed the girls to the front entrance.

Tova stood tall, hands on her hips with Sae beside her as she, too, tried to look as intimidating as possible. Estrella and Rowan stood behind the two as they tried to hide their excitement and that calmed Tahani's nerves a little.

Just a little.

The large, majestic doors opened to reveal the one man who would continue to steal all the breath from her time and time again. The man who stared back at her with a million suns in honeyed eyes and stardust dripping from chocolate hair.

Today he donned a simple black blazer and matching slacks over a familiar white button up shirt. The clothes, although plain, seemed tailored for him, seemed as though they were worth a large sum of money.

"Hello," he held his hand out to Tova, "I'm Jimin, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise," Tova shook his hand before Sae did the same.

"I brought some bread for your table," he said as he lifted a basket of food, gorgeously arranged with flowers.

Clover gasped, shuffling over and taking it from him, "Thank you!"

He smiled at her, eyes then lifting to scan the rest of the girls there. He looked as though he wanted to offer a handshake to all of them but Tova had started walking to the dining room, motioning for everyone to join.

Tahani hung back a few seconds, waiting for them all to follow Tova before trailing behind with Jimin.

"Hi," she whispered, stepping in close to him.

"Hi," he hissed back, voice laced in nerves too, "Can you tell I'm shaking?"

"No," she lied, "You have nothing to worry about," she lied again, "They will love you."

"This is the crown princess we're talking about," he took in a deep breath, "and the nine other princesses. I have everything to worry about."

"Eight," Tahani corrected, saddened by the absence of Kalliste, "But again, you have nothing to worry about."

"You forget that I can tell when you're lying," he looked up at her then, taking her in from head to toe, gaze softening immediately when he did so. "You look beautiful, by the way. I don't know if I'll be able to take my eyes off you tonight."

She bat her eyes, as if that would stop the fierce blush that was rising in her cheeks. "Uh- You look b-beautiful too, Jimin."

"Thank you," he whispered back swiftly as they reached the room, "Well. Here goes nothing."

He settled into his designated seat in front of Tova and Zoë, motioned to by Elena. Rowan had the seat next to him and he was thankful for the familiar face.

"Nini hadn't told us if you had any food preferences, so I hope everything is to your taste," Verine told him and he nodded.

"Oh, yes. I'm not particularly choosy with food so that's fine. Thank you so much for inviting me over for dinner."

"Tani would have killed us if we didn't do this sooner or later," Sae snickered and Tahani sent a glare at her sister.

"No, no I wouldn't have."

"Tell me about it," Estrella rolled her eyes from across the table, "Guys, you have to meet him," she mocked, "He's perfect. He's the light of my—"

"Oh, look at the food!" Tahani exclaimed, cutting her other sister off, causing the girls—as well as the butler—to jump a little.

Through the corner of her eyes, she could see the smug smile that was starting to form on Jimin's face and she made a mental note to kill her sisters later.

Dinner was spent chatting about Jimin's hobbies—he loved to draw when he had the time and play music with the neighbours' instruments. This led to a lot of bonding between the more artsy sisters, Tova and Lucia not being able to stop discussing different aspects on that topic.

The conversation then switched to Jimin's family, his childhood and schooling. He had a younger brother who he didn't speak to anymore, which saddened him greatly. Especially with his mother and father gone. But he tried not to let that get him too down, turning to the other members in the village as if they were his family instead.

The girls were in awe of his story, constantly asking him for more. Tahani was so glad that they got along well. She didn't know what she would do if the sisters she loved so deeply didn't accept him.

Finally, Tova and Zoë had asked Tahani and Elena to help arrange the desserts before they were served. Which, usually, Tahani would have no objection to. But she was hesitant to leave Jimin alone.

He sent her an assuring smile, and she knew he was saying 'It'll be alright. I'll be alright.'

Looking over to her eldest sisters then, she realised they had probably agreed on having a small conversation with Jimin without her. So she sighed, taking Elena's hand in her own and dragging her feet out of the room.

"Nini," Elena giggled once they were out of earshot, "Nini, you're fine. Tovi and Liv love him, just like you said they would."

"But you never know with those two," Tahani groaned, "Tova could be acting all nice but while hiding her resentment."

"Oh, you know she's not like that."

"Well—" she thought, "Liv could be."

"Yeah," Elena squeezed her older sister's hand, an adorable grin spreading across her face, "But something tells me that they're not lying."

Tahani reluctantly let the topic go, walking into the kitchen with Elena. She prepared the food at lightning speed, wanting to get back outside as soon as possible. All the while, Elena couldn't stop laughing. She didn't remember the last time her sister had ever moved that fast.

Once they were back out, she was faced with the girls' content smiles, small conversations here and there about trivial things. But her eyes travelled straight to Jimin's, examining it for any changes in expression.

Keeping her gaze trained on him, she tried to go through her thoughts like a checklist. He didn't seem miserable, nor did he seem terrified. He wasn't scared, and he wasn't sad either.

Gulping, she looked to her older sisters then. But was surprised to see them chatting together about something, occasionally allowing for Jimin to join in, yet, he was all too comfortable to watch as well.

Relieved, Tahani shuffled to his end of the table, placing the tray of food in front of them while Elena did on the other side.

Slipping into the seat next to Jimin, she watched him as he thanked the butler for the food, taking a cake slice after Estrella and Zoë had. Tahani's eyebrows scrunched when she noticed he wasn't paying her any attention, heart sinking a little when she thought of what that might mean.

Soon, the evening had come to an end and they were bidding Jimin farewell after giving him a basket of food to take home. Tahani told them she'd walk him to the carriage that they had arranged for him and so they waved a final goodbye before leaving them alone.

And again, her heart started to churn at the intense silence between the two as they strolled. Every step piling a stone on top of the organ, pushing it further and further down.

"Uh, Jimin?" she finally managed to croak. Nothing had happened and yet she was terrified.

"Hmm?" he hummed, as if he were deep in thought. She pondered if that was why he hadn't spoken to her for the later part of that evening.

"Are you alright?" she asked, and then even more carefully, "Are we alright?"

They were finally at his carriage when he turned to face her. The breathtaking boy with suns in his eyes.

His face lit up then, and her heart immediately felt ten times lighter, "Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm," he nodded again, and although he was smiling, something about his short replies still made her uneasy.

"O-Okay."

What's wrong? She'd wanted to ask. Why did the silence irk her?

"Can I see you again tomorrow? In the evening?"

"Of course," she responded quickly, not even thinking twice about sneaking out now.

"Alright then," he wore her favorite smile, and she wondered if he knew how she loved it. The way his eyes turned into upside-down crescents and his dimples protruded. "I'll see you tomorrow, Tahani."

"Okay," she rasped, "See you tomorrow, Jimin. Sleep well."

"You too," getting into the carriage, he waved her a goodbye and then he was gone. Leaving her to stare at the empty space where the ghost of him stood.

Stomach still whirling at the change in his demeanour, she turned and headed back into the palace.

Searching for Tova and Zoë, Tahani entered the common room, finding them both there, talking about something over a drink. Storming up to them, she plonked herself into the spare seat, causing them to jump and turn to her.

"What's your problem?" Tova asked and she leaned into the table, eyes narrowing at them.

"What did you tell Jimin? What did you say to him?"

Their wide eyes relaxed, a sly smirk gracing both their faces.

"Why?" Zoë asked, stifling a laugh, "What did you two do outside?"

"What?" Tahani blinked, "Liv!"

"We're really happy for you, Nini," Tova rolled her eyes at Zoë, "Really happy you found him."

She raised an eyebrow, very confused now. "You're—what?"

"Don't let him go, angelo," this time Zoë winked at her. "I think he's a unicorn."

yes another chapter! i thought it was only right after making y'all wait a million years for the last one! i hope you liked this, the princesses all (apart from one) in one room together. uwu, when i tell you i love my girls, i mean it with all my heart

oh also jimin, i love him too :')

what kinda chocolate do you guys like?