The Masquerade Ball

~ Years later

♤°• Kingdom Fervour •°◇

The chandelier shone over the huge hall, the decorations shimmering in their golden hues. In the front, by the side of the the King and Queen's sitting, they set a blue multiple layered cake, mini creatures of swordsmen and horsemen sitting on it, adding a goofy look. The royal servants all wore smiles while working, putting their heart into the decorations. After all, it was their golden kid's birthday.

"Jungkook-ah! Kook! Are you not ready yet?"

"Eomma I'm almost ready!"

"Come on then show eomma!"

A clumsy boy comes out almost too busy tying the knots of his new suit, to notice his mother standing and adoring her young and now a legal boy. His head bumps into her shoulder and then he notices,
"Ah... Eomma... sorry..."

The queen stumbles a little but then smiles again,
"It's okay, you look so handsome my son."

"Oh... Eomma, thank you. Wait... are you crying?"

She stops her tears from falling, fanning her eyes, and with a sniff she smiles again and denies. The truth is, she actually could cry seeing her little son grow into such a handsome man but she didn't want her son to worry, not at least today. She steps closer to her son and helps him with the knot to his suit. He awkwardly smiles to his mother at her gesture.
"You're all set, you should go and look at the decorations, they look alluring and your suit colour matches with the cake! I'll take a look at Jaehyun now."

"Yes, Eomma. He probably isn't even ready yet, you should hurry!"

His mother chuckles at him, telling to give her younger son a good scolding if that is really the case, she makes her way out of his room.
Jungkook stands in front of his mirror, admiring his outfit. It's a royal blue suit, not too standing out on a guy, rather decent. Jungkook remembers how he had ordered a black one but of course, his mother likes colours. Strangely, it reminds him of his other favourite girl, with a colourful personality of her own. He fixes the strange knots of his white shirt under his coat, he dislikes them already. His favourite part are the fril arms of his shirt emerging from under the arms of the coat, covering on his hands. He likes the gentle touch put on to his masculine suit. He then sets his hair to his own liking, adding a big wave to one side. He wears his rings, his favourite and personally designed ones. Lastly, he on purpose loses the first two buttons of his shirt and puts on his pearl locket. It's an ancient one adding a different look to his attire but he smiles as its white shines whenever he moves even a little from any angle of the light. It's just a pearl to the world, but a precious possession to him. Because of course, he matches it with his favourite person.

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The ball starts and he's eager and it shows. He can't help but feel anxious at not spotting his most awaited guest.
"Haha...Hyung looking for someone special?"

"Shut up Jae."

"Ooh someone's bitter too..."

To this Jungkook only passes his younger brother, Jaehyun, a glare. Jaehyun only replies with a wider grin. He is about to make a snarky comment but his mother interrupts them,
"Alright my boys, time to get your faces more dolled up!"

"Eomma do I really have to do this?"

"Jaehyun quit complaining already."

While handing the masque to Jungkook, she says,
"Jungkook try not to be too obvious. Act normal, and if you find some beautiful lady out there, do tell your mother without any hesitation."

"As if he has eyes for someone else other than-"

"Eomma tell him to shut up already, he's talking too much since the evening."

"Jungkook, mind your language. You're a prince. And Jaehyun, behave, you're one too."
Jungkook shows an annoyed expression while wearing a dark blue masque, covering his handsome face. He personally loves the thrill of being a no one but his eyes are eager for something else or may be someone else.

It takes them no time to enter the big hall, already full of people, people from neighbour kingdoms and allies from across the sea. Their kingdom is known to be a friendly one. King Jeon MinHae, of Kingdom Fervour, is known as a wise and kind ruler not only to his own empire but to other Kingdoms as well. He has too many friends, the world could say. But to him, being wise includes befriending even your enemy. Because friends make it easy, be it your defeat or your win.
The King and Queen will also be amongst the crowd. Normally, the King brings out his old age as an excuse to not participate in such events but it's his precious son's day and he can't be any more happy and in the mood for a celebration. The difference would be people will be aware of the King and Queen's presence.
After observing his surroundings for a while, Jungkook smiles as he observes his parents getting ready to take their position and start the ball. He's giddy about not finding her, but it could be one of her mischievous tricks, knowingly he smiles wider, fixing his masque once again he gets into the crowd of people.

The King and Queen standing out with their garnet red, and gold glimmering attire, matching with each other come in between, holding out their wine glasses, they raise a toast. The King roars with pride,
"To Fervour's shine, my dear son, Jeon Jungkook!"
With the clanking of glasses from other people, the orchestra starts their magic, couples taking their lover's hands start slowly swirling with the music together.
"You haven't aged even a little, my Queen."
The King whispers in the Queen's ear, earning him a slight slap to his shoulder and his favourite chuckle,
"And you haven't become even a little less cheesy, my King."
The couple smiles at each other, enjoying their time, their hearts full of joy and pride for raising their two sons through thick and thin.

On the other hand, Jungkook's still impatient, holding hands of a young beautiful girl, swaying to the music, his eyes are looking for someone else.
"Aham... Am I not dancing good?"
The young girl speaks, having his attention for the first time.
"Ah... no, my apologies, Miss. Not only are you dancing good but you look good too."

The girl visibly blushes at his words,
"Oh my... you're too sweet."

"Ah... haha, not at all miss, I only state the truth."

The beat changes and it's time to change partners, with a smile he lets go of her hands and off he goes to another girl. He visibly groans, thinking about the only girl he wants.
"Ah... Are you that annoyed of my presence?"

His eyes widen, his hands tighten on the girl's hands. He looks at her and smiles widely, his bunny teeth showing,
"You're here and..."
He's lost of words, taking in her full appearance. She looks ethereal to him, clad in a sky blue gown, puffed shoulders with long sleeves, a V - cut neck, his eyes desiring to stay there long. He sees his matching pearl around her neck and something inside him feels different and new. Her body is covered elegantly in the gown, not showing off too much of her curves. Her eyes hold a little shine behind the matching masque and he likes the change of soft make up added to her brown skin. Her hair are set in a beautiful braid, with side french braids, decorated with blue matching flowery clips.
"Stop staring, pervert!"

"Ugh... Don't ruin the moment. You look beautiful, let me take it in..."

"Wah... Look at you being so blunt today and earlier you were so bitter at my presence, I'll change partners, no worries."

But he swiftly, manages to dodge the exchange and smiles at the stranger then at Y/n, she looks at him with wide eyes about to say something but he interrupts,
"I was looking for you, woman! And.. um..."

"Ha! And what? You were not at all doing that! Instead you were busy flirting with another girl. I want to exchange partners, don't you dare pull that trick again."

"Ha! I was not- Wait are you jealous?"

"Ah... not at all, Mr-so full of himself."

Jungkook smiles at her twisted expressions, about to say something but the next exchange happens before he can do something about it, it's too sudden and for a second, he felt it might have been forced. Ugh, Is she upset with me? He wonders.
He looks to where she had gone, but her figure is hidden with a tall man in front of her, a new girl comes to his hold but he's busy staring at her, slowly losing her sight in the crowd. He focuses on his dance then matching his moves and changing his direction to where Y/n might be.

"Oh my God..."

"Are you okay, my lady?"

"Ah... I... I'm good, I just didn't see that change coming..."
Y/n observes the man, she is now paired to dance with. His face covered in a white masque, she can't help but notice the mole on his nose that can be barely seen with the masque on. He's dressed in a beautiful off-white suit, with silver designing at the borders. He smiles at her, interrupting the silence,
"You've grown into a beautiful lady."

"Have we met before?"

"Ah... you don't remember me, do you?"

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I personally like the vibes of this chapter.

Vote and comment, if you enjoyed <3