♤♡◇♧♧◇♡♤

She glances over the table, her eyes passing the faces of her mother, her father, her sister, the Queen, and stopping at the Prince.

It is an odd visit for sure; the Queen and her son came to have dinner with her family. It is no doubt that she, too, belongs to the royal family, but only because her parents are Baron and Baroness.

She looks down at her untouched plate, suddenly feeling full. She decides she doesn't want to eat, and slowly stands up.

"Excuse me." She bows at the Queen. "I don'tㅡ"

"Yisun," Her mother cuts her off, her lips pulled into a thin line, "it is rude to leave the table before the Queen does."

"Oh, nonsense," Says the Queen, smiling, "let her be. You're off to go, dear."

Yisun smiles gratefully and bows again, then makes her way out of the dining room. She walks down the hallway, her long dark hair sweeping behind her.

She hears footsteps and fastens hers, knowing very well who is behind her.

"Yisun?"

She turns around at the mention of her name. There, a few metres away from her, stands a young man. His shoulders are broad, his face is handsome and his posture is straight. Formal. He's fitted in a suit, red and gold hugging his slim body. His hands are behind his back, his smile is genuine.

It doesn't take her long to recognize him. Memories flood her mind. Lovely childhood, silly adventures, and light-hearted laughter.

Prince Kim Seokjin.

But it's not the same anymore. Everything has changed now. They have changed now. So she holds her dress, and formally bows her head at him.

"Your Highness."

He's slightly taken aback at her formality, but an emotion flickers in his eyes. She fails to know whether it's sadness, disappointment, regret, or all.

"May I ask for a favor, Lady Yisun?," He asks, his voice loud and clear.

"Anything, your Highness," Yisun replies, her eyes fixed on the tiles beneath her.

"I'd love to ask for your hand in marriage, my Lady." The words slip off his tongue as if it is the simplest thing ever.

She looks up, her eyes widening. "May I beg your pardon?"

"You heard correct," He assures, now taking a few steps forward, "I am asking you to be my wife..."

"My Lady," He adds quickly.

"Why?" The words escape her lips before she can comprehend.

The Prince halts his steps and stays silent. He looks down at his shoes, then slowly up at her.

"I heard the King has fallen ill," She says, "this is why, am I right? This is why you and your mother came to have lunch with us. Because of the throne. You want to rule the Kingdom before your brother does."

Seokjin is silent, his eyes darting in every direction. He refuses to look at her.

"My Ladyㅡ"

"Oh drop it, Jin!" Her outburst is sudden, and Seokjin doesn't know if he should be happy that she dropped the formalities or not.

"I'm not an object," She continues calmly, "you can't just come back as if nothing has ever happened and ask me to be your wife! And it's only because you want the throne!"

"That's not the only reason."

"Then what other reason there is?"

He takes one step forward. "I want to make up for my mistake."

"There are other ways, Your Highness, and they're much better and much more efficient than proposing," She scoffs.

"It's final," She adds, "I'm not marrying you. I don't love you and I don't want you. Now, excuse me."

She turns around and walks away, and the Prince keeps standing there, lost in a trance.

♤♡◇♧♧◇♡♤

"There is no way I'm marrying him, mother!"

"Yisun, he's the best for you."

"You only want me to marry him because he'll be King!"

"And don't you want to be the Queen?" Her mother asks.

"No! Not his Queen!"

"Why? You and Prince Seokjin have been friends since you were children."

"Had been, mother. We haven't seen each other in so long," Yisun huffs and sits down on her bed.

"Listen, young lady, the Queen talked to me about it and I already told her yesㅡ"

"You said yes?!" Yisun gasps. "And what about me?! What about what I want?! What about your daughter? I'm the one getting married, not you!"

"Enough arguing." A deep voice cuts through their quarrel, and Yisun sighs at the sight of her father.

"Yisun, your mother is right," He starts, "She already agreed and there's no turning back. Tomorrow your mother and the Queen will discuss the wedding. It shall be held soon."

And with that, he is out of the room.

Yisun holds back her tears and clenches her fists.

"You only want to be known as the new Queen's parents, nothing more," Her voice cracks, "And who even said Seokjin will be King soon? The King is only ill, no one said anything about him dying."

"But if it reached the point where the Prince wants to marry as soon as possible, then the King is definetly dying," Her mother says, "Anyway, that's all for now. Good night."

She walks out of her daughter's bedroom, and shuts the door behind her.

Yisun's tears finally fall down her cheeks and she doesn't hold them back.

She had always dreamt of marrying someone she loves, someone who she would choose herself, not her parents. It is true, Seokjin and she had been friends before, but that was before what happened had happened.

Perhaps she is being childish, but she surely feels like her life is being ruined. She never wanted to be Queen, not even a Princess. Maybe when she was young, it was her dream, but now that she grew up and understood the real world, she doesn't want any of that.

But it is already decided. A week later, it is announced that Prince Kim Seokjin will marry Lady Choi Yisun.

And all Hell broke loose.

♤♡◇♧♧◇♡♤

A/N: wooooooo it started

This fic is probably one of my best works (I say this everytime I publish a new book smh) but maybe I'm serious about this one

It's gonna be a long ass ride (well not so long but I wanted to use this line)

Throne is coming soon, stay tuned.

Edit: Published. Have fun yall B)