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scene one:
𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍

"The sweetest prince is often
said to say sweet and very
joyful words..."
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✧˖*°࿐

Ava enters the garden and was greeted by the tall hedges. Flowers, mostly roses, grew from them.

The moon shone down upon her and her unfitting attire. A ball was happening and she's here wearing casualties.

Other than that, she was relaxed with the soft breeze that accompanied the moon.

The flower petals slightly blown away by them and fireflies flew around the large endless-like garden.

It was lovely... It was like watching little stars move around her and saying hello to her.

She continued to walk through the tall hedges that were taller than her.

She turned around to see light come out from a window of the ballroom. People still looked happy and entertained.

She saw her brother, Beomgyu talk to guests like it's normal, well... It actually is.

He just has to put a facade on. All royalties have to put a facade on or else, no one will count on them.

It was just sad, the life of a royal was sad. That is unless you really want the throne.

For Ava, she didn't want the throne, even if she's aware she's the next one in line. After all, only royal blood must stay in line.

For future queens, they must marry. Many still thinks women are dependent, hence, the tradition of marriage before coronation.

It's for all the people to know that if the queen does not succeed, there will always be the king to handle her things.

Even if the queen stays on throne.

She didn't want that, she didn't want control, and dependence. That's not what her ceased grandmother told her.

That's also not what her mother taught her.

"What ever is the princess doing here?" She spun around at the sudden voice.

Another one, Ava sighed. She faced the prince who has at least a quarter of his face covered by the gorgeous navy blue and black mask.

"Shouldn't I be asking that? I keep seeing you and your fellow princes," Ava crossed her arms.

The prince removed his mask and smiled at her. Once more, Ava felt that feeling again.

What is with them? What's this constant emotion?

"We cannot stay in one place for long. I apologize for their behalf," he did a bow.

"Oh, no- I didn't- well- okay," Ava tried to comprehend.

"Oh, I apologize too for my late introduction. I am Sim Jake, one of the three brother princes of Kingdom Connect," he stated.

There's brother princes? Ava swore she's heard of them, just their looks remain unknown.

"Brother princes?" Ava muttered, he heard her puzzled words. He nodded his head but a softer smile stayed.

"Our family tree is complicated..." Jake showed her a picture of the three brothers together.

"I came from a different father, the oldest came from a different mother, and the youngest came from our father's current wife."

Ava stared at the picture... They looked very happy despite coming from different parents.

"So you're all half related?" She asked to which Jake answered with a 'yes'. She returned the picture.

She knew there were kings like that. Going around and spread themselves to ensure they have a heir on the throne.

"Since he ended up with 3 sons, he wasn't sure who to crown... It basically just depends who will get married first," he lets out a defeated sigh.

"I see... But why can't it by age?" She asked, his expression went dim again.

"We're all born on the same year, just different months. In our kingdom, months doesn't matter," he sits down by the bench.

Ava was surprised, she has never heard of that. It would always be by month if both child were born on the same year.

Maybe, she could add that in her list of royalty things that does not make sense.

"That's unfortunate, do you want the throne?" Ava asks Jake, she sits beside the troubled prince.

"No, I don't... One of my brothers wants the throne, however, he isn't blood-related," he said, obviously defeated.

"The throne is given to one of us Prince Brothers... Truly sad, isn't it?" He turned to face Ava who nodded at his words.

"Same goes for me... I don't want the throne and get married," Ava stated.

Jake hesitantly pat her head, his delicate touch surely made her feel things.

"I despise that too. Just because society sees women as frail, it doesn't mean they are. I hate that picture," Jake leaned back.

His chocolate brown eyes stared at the evening sky that has nothing but thin clouds. The breeze was nice though.

"Especially women like you. You are independent and a very strong woman. You are truly amazing," Ava felt her heart flutter.

No one has ever said that, not even her own brothers. None of them even sees her as a woman... If they do, they've never told her.

"You are very sweet, Prince Jake." Ava replied with a compliment. The prince looked surprised, the unforeseen compliment threw him to a surprise.

"I do hope to find love soon, although, I know it will take time. Do you think I'll be able to find it?" Jake hummed at her question.

"I'm sure you will," his smile widened.

Ava felt comfortable with his warm aura. The prince was surely a delight and was surely sweet.

"I better go, I aim to be in my room before my brother finds me," Ava gets up, saddened by her separation with the prince.

"I think you should as well. Prince Yeonjun looked like he was pressing you," Jake stood from his seat, his hands on his back.

"He always is, Jesus... I'll get going now. I hope you enjoy the night," Ava did a little courtesy before she walks away from the garden.

Jake watched her go, the soft smile hurting his cheeks.

He finds her astounding, he never knew he would feel so delighted meeting her.