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"Seokjin, why are we here?" I grimaced at the man walking down the bustling street beside me.

He stretched out his hands, yawning loudly. "Don't you feel stuffy?"

"Yes," I answered obviously, but I was still uncomfortable with how he suddenly dragged me out of the castle after telling my maids to dress me in a plain dress and wrap a sash around my head. He himself was also dressed in a poor outfit akin to rags. But he was bursting with glee, smiling more genuinely to the point his cheeks must had been hurting.

I sighed. "Let me rephrase my question. Why am I here with you?"

He chuckled. "Oh, dear Bada. I wouldn't want to leave you when I'm out here enjoying my secret outing."

Him tenderly addressing me had my breath hitch, but I kept my frown as he kept glancing at me.

"But we didn't have to run away from the knights! We don't know what might happen if someone attacked the King and the future Queen with no security around!"

He suddenly leaned in closer, making my heart jump. "Shush. Don't go around announcing who we are now. With these clothes, almost no one will recognize us in the streets."

I put my hand on his chest to push him away, face suddenly burning up from the proximity. It was unfair how he still looked handsome and his eyes shining with delight were captivating my gaze. It was rather nice seeing him smile genuinely. No hidden ploys. Not a cunning smile, but a carefree one.

What was so nice about walking down the street filled with hundreds of citizens?

Merchants were yelling and calling for people to buy or try their items. One of them pulled my robe to catch my attention and I stumbled while walking. I scowled at the impudent action and was about to yell when Seokjin wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me back on the path with "Oh my wife! Please don't get lost now."

"Whatever," I huffed out, flicking his hand off myself.

A man bumped sharply into my side, making me yelp and stagger. Seokjin put his arm around my waist to hold me closer and prevent me from falling.

"Watch where you're going, you stupid woman," the impertinently rude man spat, making me boil with anger.

"You-!"

"I apologize for her," Seokjin said quickly and pulled me to walk faster. "Be careful, Bada."

"Why did you apologize?! He should be the one apologizing!"

He smiled. "That's just how it is. If you're mad, I'll do anything to make up for it. Don't let that ruin your day."

I grumbled while we walked and he held my hand to pull me closer to himself to avoid more people from bumping into me. I let him do so since there was nothing else I could do. But my heart was acting strange, beating louder, and I was more focused on the warmth and slight movements of his hand against mine that the chatters and yells of people were muffled and distant.

My stomach growled loudly and my hand flew up to hold it when Seokjin turned his head to look at it. People passing by were glancing at me as well.

My cheeks burned when he chuckled, "You didn't have your lunch? So a royalty can get hungry."

He bought me a bread-like food from a stand after I told him I did not want a meal. He assured me that it was tasty when I eyed it in suspicion. My stomach growled again and I munched on it to stop it from embarrassing me further. My eyes widened when the flavor burst in my mouth. It was nothing like the food I would eat but very warm and delicious.

"Glad you like it," Seokjin whispered and held my hand again to continue walking.

The breeze was nice and the sun was shining right on top of me, enveloping me in warmth. Children were running around laughing and I began looking closely at the people talking with each other, buying and selling things, and those who were simply taking a stroll around the fountain like us. Now that I thought, I had not done something like this in my life. If I visited the citizens, they would only stand and bow to me without moving.

"So this was how people were living," I thought to myself.

"Ah, there it is."

I followed Seokjin's eyes and saw lavender colored trees lined up. A gasp left me.

We walked up to them and my eyes could not be pried off from the purple flowers. They were like purple rain falling down from the trees.

"It seems you haven't seen them before," Seokjin said as I approached them and gently brushed the flower petals with my fingers. "These are wisterias. The symbol of our kingdom."

A very sweet smell wafted from them. I was fully mesmerized. "How beautiful..."

"I know you're an amazing person who can handle any work, but I hope you can take breaks every now and then."

I turned to stare at him in surprise. "What...?"

He smiled sheepishly, putting his hands behind his back. "To thank you for everything, I wanted to take you here. Do you... like it?"

Speechless, I could only stare at him as he looked at me for approval. Was there anything to gain from taking me here? More importantly, he was nervous and fidgeting. Although foolish, another thought came to mind.

He walked closer with a worried look. "Do you perhaps not like flowers?"

I stared at him as he stood right in front of me. I liked flowers. The flowers were beautiful. And him... He was beautiful.

"I like it," I whispered, our eyes locked.

He breathed out in relief and his smile widened. "I'm honored."

I had lived in the castle with him for months and I was getting used to things more and more. He treated me with respect since I came back and always looked out for my well-being. Even beyond that, he took me to nice places, gave me more and more power, and unveiled his self to me. I was on edge, dreading for the day he would push me off, but he was pulling me off the edge, closer and closer to himself.

The air was so sweet and comforting. My whole body relaxed.

My eyes drifted off from his, flitting across his face before settling on his plush lips. I swallowed thickly, throat suddenly growing dry.

"What? Are you falling in love with me now, Princess?"

My eyes flew back up to his amused ones and my heart started beating in my ears. I squeaked out, "You? Me? You wish."

He laughed gleefully, walking past me. "That's the Princess I know."

I held my pounding chest.

What was wrong with me?

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More than me, there was something going on with Seokjin lately.

"Feast? All of a sudden?"

He nodded. "This is a display of status. After all, I'm the King."

I glanced at the court officials around him who seemed greatly pleased with the idea before looking at Seokjin. "Is that really necessary?"

"Of course. A King should show the power he holds. We'll do it every week." He furrowed his eyebrows when I gawked at him. "Or are you going to insult me and call me commoner again?"

I blinked in shock. "What? No, that's not what I was thinking, Your Majesty. But a feast every week is-"

"I have the power now. No one can tell me what to do," he curtly said, dismissing me.

The sudden change in his demeanor was incomprehensible that it occupied my mind all the time. Every time I requested audience with him, he was always busy. The court officials who were his companions during the rebellion took all his free time that I could do nothing but my own work.

I visited the seaside and the wisterias alone until they withered away.

He was growing further and further away from me.

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Cheers 🫶✨