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scene nine:
the breakfast

"I hope it's to your tastes like you
are mine"
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AVA WAS WOKEN UP BY the birds tapping on her window. She sits up and lets out a yawn. She knew it was still very early to be up, even when she has work - it's too early.

"When did birds serve as an alarm clock?" Still, Ava got up from her bed to open the windows.

She blinks a few times from the bright sunlight seeping through her windows. She looks down, wowing at the sight of the kingdom's large garden.

She smiles and stays frozen for a few minutes to admire the garden view from her perspective.

"Wah~ good morning, princess!" She flinched at the sudden voice. She turned to her right first then to her left where she saw Sunoo. Her eyes widened.

"Did you know that our rooms are right next to each other?" Sunoo tilted his head - his hair hanging on the side a little. His bright smile already plastered on his face.

A moment of silence succumbed Ava before her face turned red. She immediately closed the window, embarrassed to let someone, other than her maids, see her just woken up state.

She rushed to the mirror, now she's even more embarrassed. She had a few hair strands sticking out, making it too obvious that she just woke up.

"Ugh- I'm not sure if it's my fault, the birds', or Sunoo's..." She sighs and rings the bell on the side.

"Let's forget it and get ready." Her hands cupped her cheeks. She's certain she's as pink as a pink rose in their garden.

"Good morning, my lady." She hears a knock on her door. She quickly brushed her hair berofe opening the door. She could feel more blood rushing to her cheeks.

The prince waved at Ava, "hello, your wonderful highness! Good morning to you since you just shut the window on me earlier." Sunoo laughed.

Ava turned to the maid behind him. Even she looks defeated as she can't go against the prince of the kingdom she serves.

Ava takes a step back, "it's kind of impolite to come to a lady's room like this, Prince Sunoo."

Sunoo's sunny smile faded a bit as it was replaced by a mischievous one. He rests one arm by the door and leaned closer to Ava's face.

"Oh, really? You look so cute when you've just woken up. It makes me want to see that beautiful face of yours even more." Sunoo said, his eyes bore onto the eyes of Ava.

The princess and the maid behind them was bewildered by his words. Who knew the bright prince of sunshine has this side of his?

"Anyway! Since our dear princess is up so early, let's have breakfast together, okay? Get ready quickly, I'll be waiting for you!"

As soon as Sunoo walked away, Ava's arms held onto the door for support. A shocked expression came to her maid's face as she held onto Ava.

"M-my lady!? Please, hold on much longer!"

Sunoo continued to walk away while he held his laughter.

AVA ENTERED THE DINING ROOM, still embarrassed but now, she could handle the shenanigans of the princes once more.

Her eyes slightly widened when she saw 4 of the other princes there as well. She looked around for the half siblings but they weren't present.

"If you're looking for Sunghoon, Jake, and Jay - they're busy doing work. They won't be able to join us." Heeseung informed her before she took a sit beside Niki who's beside Sunoo.

Ava admired the table. It was full of food suitable for breakfast. Some could be light and some are heavy. There were even sweet and savory ones.

There was less compared to the table when she first arrived, yet all the food served to them was nothing but comfort.

Even if it was just salad, it tasted like how her kingdom makes it. A comforting taste of home. It's just unfortunate that the people there doesn't make it seem that way.

"From the looks of it, you seem like it." Heeseung smiles when he sees his dear friend enjoy the food he helped in making.

It only seemed right to make Ava comfortable with the flavors of her kingdom.

The other boys smiled at Ava as they continued their meals. That is until Niki brought something up.

"Ava, does your kingdom have... What's the coming of age ceremonies like there?" Questioned Niki which brought panic and sudden shock to the other 3 princes in the room.

Ava nodded, "it's just your regular ball to celebrate coming of age."

"Right, right! Kingdom Connect does it too..." Niki gives his spoonful of mashed potatoes to Ava which made her smile softly. "But the thing is - Jake, Sunghoon, a s Jay will be having theirs soon."

Everyone became silent as soon as the words exited Niki's mouth. The youngest didn't seem to notice the shocked stare and glares of tbe older ones.

Ava froze on her seat.

That's right.... To have their coming of age ceremony means having others from other kingdoms attend. That means, it's most likely her family will be attending as well.

She takes another bite of her food. Thoughts filled her head. She doesn't know of she should hide or she should show herself on the ceremony.

Suddenly, Sunoo laughs and makes them all look at him. "The ceremony is next month anyways! Let's not worry about that right now."

Heeseung also nervously laughed. "Right! By then, I'm certain we would already have a plan for you! No need to worry about it, Ava! You'll be fine!"

Ava smiles at their reassurances. She turned to look at Jungwon whose smile speaks assurance as well.

Suddenly, she feels light.