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"I recall every moment without you, moments that  nibble my flesh like a cruel vulture pricking my heart."

꧁-꧂

The two of them cried in astonishment causing Taehyung to wince.

"You did not tell me about such a crucial thing!" Bethilda said disapprovingly.

"It's nothing much significant, mother," He scratched his nape and said in a shy tone. He was aware of how considerable the matter was. Not everyone got a chance to dance with a princess neither everyone had the opportunity.

"Not significant? Tell me, boy. How many princesses you have danced with?" Bethilda narrowed her eyes and blew his forehead lightly.

"My, my. I was wondering if you had managed to persuade any decent young lady but look at you pal! You went for the Princess herself? Impressive..." Jimin teased."But how did you manage to woo her?"

"What was that supposed to mean?" Taehyung dwindled his eyes and asked.

Jimin was about to answer back something but Bethilda spoke.
"Truly, son. As far I know, only men from royal clans can dance with princesses. The general mass is scarcely allowed to go near them," said Bethilda.

"Well, it's quite of a lengthy story...perhaps not that lengthy. It was sort of an arrangement by Her Highness's cousin sister, the Aerys princess. And we- just happened to be chosen a-as partners," The pauses he took between brought about it apparent how apprehensive he was.

"That is just incredible!" Jimin breathed out. "But what was her response to have you as her partner? Was she thrilled? Or did she give any indication of displeasure?"

"Displeasure? What do you imply by that, you Minnie?" Bethilda narrowed her eyes. "He is my son. There is not a maiden who does not lay her eyes on him. Of course, the Princess's heart must have fluttered to have him as her partner. After all, my son is the most handsome man to exist on the earth," She let out a proud sigh.

"Certainly, your handsome son who gets shy more than a maiden does," Jimin snickered.

"He should be grateful that I am always there to counsel him in such matters. Your son is still a child," He carelessly said.

"A child who danced with the princess, you mean?" Bethilda interrupted raising her eyebrow. "Listen, boy, my Tae does not only have handsomeness but also innumerable virtues that would intrigue any woman. He does not need to make any attempt for that," She countered gloriously.

Taehyung stood there; his face draped with both of his hands. He took a deep sigh wondering how these two grown-up persons could contend over such trivial and childlike matters.

"Surly Ma, your son appears to be owning an exceptional virtue of forgetting crucial matters as well," Jimin taunted.

"Jimin!" Taehyung protested with a whine.

"That will do. Stop troubling my son," Bethilda glared at Jimin as he put his hands up in the air admitting his defeat. "But I do have to admit that he certainly has to let go of his forgetful nature. Don't you, Tae?"

Jimin tittered as Taehyung puffed his cheeks pursing his lips together.

"Forgetful boy~," Jimin was intending to poke fun at him again but ceased seeing Taehyung frowning.

"That reminds me," Taehyung interrupted not paying any concentration to Jimin's taunts. "Do you know that the wedlock is going to take place in Antares?" He asked looking at both of them.

"How are we to know that! We were not with His Majesty on his betrothal," Jimin replied in annoyance. "Honestly, is there anything you can speak about before you get reminded about it?"

"I don't do it on purpose! It just happens to slip away from my mind," Taehyung opposed.

"Okay, stop it now. Both of you. And you, sir Kim Taehyung. Would you like to explain a little more to us?" Bethilda ended the clash before it became worse.

"Ah, you both are leaguing against me now. However, His Majesty reckons that Antares too should contribute to this wedlock. He requested the Cressida royalty to let Antares take the liberty to make arrangements for the final ceremony. Hence, the wedlock shall occur on the occasion of the new year; On 1st January of the forthcoming year, precisely," Said Taehyung withholding the anguish in his voice. The more he thought about the wedlock, the more he sensed a sort of scepticism in him.

"That's incredible! Arrival of the new year with the arrival of our queen. 1st of January, eh? Nearly 2 months away, I see," Jimin exclaimed heartily.

"Indeed...but I wonder, what led His Majesty to conduct such generous of an act?" Bethilda mumbled thoughtfully, "However, your pies must be prepared, Minnie. Let's go to the hall room."

"Certainly, M'lady," Jimin scenically bowed and offered her his hand.

"Heaven knows when you will behave, boy," She sighed. "Tae, let's go out, son."

"No, I'm alright here mother. I- want to take a nap. I feel exhausted," He said. He looked fatigued.

"Are you fine, mate? You do look drowsy. Cheer up, it does not look reasonable on you." Jimin patted his shoulder as he glanced at Taehyung with concerned eyes.

"It's just because of the long journey, Jimin. I will be alright. I just need some time alone," Taehyung assured him.

"Alright then. Take care," Jimin smiled.

"As you wish, my child. Get some good sleep. I know you haven't had enough sleep there. Your childhood habit of not being able to sleep when you are away from home- How can I forget that?" Bethilda ruffled his hair and sighed. She kissed his forehead before going out of the chamber.

Taehyung took weak steps towards the door and locked it before he went to bed. He pulled the curtains across the windows staving off any light to pass into the chamber.

He fell into the bedstead and put his hands behind his head. He stared at the unlighted chandelier and scoffed lightly as though objurgating his cruel fate. He wondered how he had never any such emotions towards any woman. And now when he eventually had fallen in love, his heart chose to fall for someone whom he knew he would barely get to see.

"It's past afternoon." He sighed seeing the little glow that had managed to intrude in the chamber.

"Did you visit the cascade today, love? Do you- miss my presence? Ah! Why would you?"

3 weeks. That is the timespan he had spent there and he had been too habituated to realize that it was not something he would be fortunate to experience every day.

Watching her from a distance when she had been occupied in gazing the satin blue crystal water, rushing to say at least 'Good morning' or 'Good evening' for once, having unpredictable talks with her that made no sense- Those had become the rationales why he had been grateful to every breath he had taken. He had been grateful to every dawn he had witnessed; every moonlight he had gotten to cherish.

"Two months, huh? That's ages away..."

༺༻

Returning from the grove, Y/n and Mary found maids rushing inside the palace with platters of different sizes covered with red silk. They kept the platters in her dressing chamber and hurried outside.

Y/n frowned and went forward. She halted two of the maids who were returning from outside with platters in their hands.

"Bertha, Rose? What's happening? What are these?" She asked gesturing towards the platters.

The maids looked at each other. They gulped as Bertha replied, "These are s-souvenirs from the Antares king, your highness. Her Majesty ordered us to place them here."

"Oh, presents from your would-be husband," Mary whispered near her ear.

Y/n sighed in annoyance as she now noticed the regal sign of Antares on the silk covers. She wanted to ask them to throw them away but then her brain came upon a sudden thought. Her lips curled up into an unnoticeable smirk.

"Alright. Gather everyone up here," Y/n mandated.

"As you command, your highness."

The maids bowed and hurried onto their feet where the other maids were. They had a quick talk and the next moment were seen to come where Y/n had been standing.

"What are you up to?" Mary asked furrowing her forehead. She could not decipher her motive.

"Patience," Y/n muttered calmly.

"Is everyone here?" She asked clasping both of her hands causing a low clapping sound.

As the maids answered affirmatively in unison Y/n beamed and spoke, "Alright, then. Follow me."

She walked towards the table where the maids had arranged the souvenirs in a shaft. She ran her eyes over them and unveiled the platters one by one. Each of them was containing the most elegant and expensive ornaments made with the rarest jewels, clothes and other souvenirs that would make one's eyes glint but her eyes did not give any impression of enthusiasm.

Y/n picked up one platter and turned where the maids were standing.

"Anna, come here," She called one of the maid's names.

The maid named Anna swallowed her saliva and timidly took steps forward.

"What are you up to?" Mary whispered in her ear. Y/n said nothing.

"Here, Your sister's wedlock is on the following week, isn't it? Tell her that this is a small token from the royalty of Antares," Y/n extended the heavy platter in her hands towards her.

"B-But your highness, you have already sent presents for her. This-"

"I know, Anna," Y/n spared her no chance to speak. "But this is not from me. This is from the Antares King, William Arthur."

She handed her the platter and allotted a smile.

"T-Thank you, Your Highness. Long live our princess," The maid sincerely bowed conveying her gratitude.

"No, there is no requirement to thank me, Anna," Y/n said. "And about living longer-" She sighed.

The maid stepped back as Y/n called other maids' names one by one and. She bestowed them the presents that her fiancee had sent and breathed out.

"Alright, Off you all go now," Y/n said grabbing the awestricken maids' attention. They could not stop themselves from thanking and bowing continuously that it took Y/n several moments to make them stop.

But no sooner had the maid left her palace with their hands fitted out with the cumbersome invaluable commodities that were just part of fantasy to them, Adelia barged into her chamber, frightened and eager.

"Oh, mother. What brings you here?" Y/n asked shifting her gaze from her unfinished painting that she had just begun with.

"I am your mother, Y/n. Can I not come here to see my child?" Adela asked in a calm and soft voice.

"Certainly you can, mother. But I am afraid that you are too occupied to care about your child," She sarcastically replied swirling the brush on her colour palette. She was disturbed plenty enough at that time. Even though black being her favourite colour, she was not able to utilize it in a proper way. The outcome did not turn out the way she wished it to be.

"I can confide that you are not here to see me only. What is it you want to ask me?"

Y/n heard Adelia taking a deep breath before speaking.

"Y/n, dear. Why did you give the presents to the maids?" She asked.

"They were from your husband-"

"He is not my husband yet, mother," Y/n seized her chance to speak. Her blood simmered to hear one certain word. Husband.

"He is going to be, soon," Adelia sighed. "You should not have done this Y/n. Once he gets to know about this, he would certainly be offended to hear that you have dishonoured his presents."

"Dishonour? You amaze me, mother. How does this offend him? Sir William has offered me those presents which I have accepted and that signifies my rights on them. This means I am at my liberty to do anything with them. He or anyone should not be meddling or taking interest in my concerns," Y/n plainly said. "Furthermore, he should rather be appreciative of the fact that perhaps for the first time his wealth is beneficial to people who actually require it."

Adelia made no answer.

Y/n observed her quiet figure and spoke again, "I suppose I have cleared myself, mother."

Adelia shifted her gaze at her. She understood what her daughter was implying to say. Perhaps she was no good mother, perhaps she never appreciated her the way she was but she understood her words. And the words she had just spoken meant- 'If you do not mind, you can leave. I would be nothing less than happier if you do.' Her each vague word had a complex and rigid meaning behind them which were not be understood by everyone.

Adelia left her chamber with slow steps. Y/n kept the palette and brush on the table beside. She had now lost her concentration by those unpleasant incidents. She again came out of her chamber and made her way to her beloved place.

She reached the cascade and stared around. Scenarios of him standing here did no good to her heart. She wished to scream, frustration bubbling up inside of her like a pot filling with steam. She was homesick- for a place she never had. She longed for the comfort she had never gotten.

"This place now seems to have lost all the charms. But again, why it's calling me towards it again and again?"

She felt as though the cascade was howling at her, screaming- You cannot run forever, because, in the end, you will be left with nothing.

A broken sob left her mouth.

"What have you done to me?"

꧁-꧂

I hope you liked it, please stay tuned and do share your opinions.

-PRIDE