ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗬-𝗧𝗪𝗢
─◌✰್ 𝗎𝗉，
❝𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆.❞

"We're here, Your Highness."

The quiet limo driver held your door open for you, while Jeongin, who was on the passenger's side, beat him to helping Mya out. The look she gave him was a cross between a smile and a grimace.

You eyed them carefully. This trip was already off to an... interesting start.

Part of you wished that you weren't here at all. While of course you wanted to help convince JJ to come back to the mansion, you mostly just wanted to be back with Minho. After your conversation last night, how could you not?

Just the thinking about what you had said caused your stomach to twist, and your toes to tingle delightfully. Had you really worked up the guts to confess your feelings? And had he really said it back?? You'd stayed up most of the night, grinning up at the ceiling like an idiot, replaying your words over and over again in your mind. While it hadn't exactly been the smoothest of admissions, you'd done it. And not only that, but you'd admitted to your other insecurities at the same time?? And it had felt good, when he reassured you?? Life really was crazy.

"What are you grinning at?" Mya came to stand next to you, poking you in the ribs. "It looks like a good smile."

You smirked back at her. "Hell yeah it's a good smile. I'll tell you all later, when we find JJ."

Mya nodded in determination. "Yeah, let's go get our girl!"

Rolling your eyes, you nudged her too. "Your girl??" You said disbelievingly. "Just because you danced with her once, doesn't make her yours."

Mya giggled and shrugged. "It's more than Hyunjin's done, right? And he's supposed to have a crush on her, or something!"

"Yeah, well he did try to murder her," you corrected her. "Isn't that why we're here in the first place? I don't think he's much competition."

Jeongin laughed at your words, as you made your way towards the Jang mansion. "Hyunjin may have a hidden dark past, but he's really not a bad guy."

"Did you have any idea that he was a murderer?" Mya raised a judgemental brow at him, and he frowned.

"No, of course not!" He shook his head. "But I also know that he's my friend, and I'll be there for him. But I won't defend his bad behavior. He was definitely wrong, and that's a big reason why I'm here."

Mya pouted, but accepted his answer.

As the Jang's butler let you inside, it felt like coming home, in a way. You'd spent a substantial amount of time in the Jang mansion, with JJ and Lanhua. Whether it was studying for an exam, or sneaking vodka in your backpacks up to her room, you could always make things fun. And it always helped that her parents didn't give a shit what you guys got up to. All these memories sent a wave of nostalgia washing over you.

"Excuse me, do you know where Duchess Jang is?" You asked the butler, a kind but professional man named Cho Ji Ho, as he closed the door.

Ji Ho smiled and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness, she is eating breakfast out in the garden. Would you like me to take you there?"

You shook your head. "No, I know where it is, thank you Ji Ho." You smiled at him, before leading Mya and Jeongin down the hall, and outside.

The Jang family garden was a stunning landscape, a private oasis of peace, standing in stark contrast to the harsh, dark lines of the mansion. Tall trees let the sun filter down in the softest rays, allowing you to bask in the warmth without burning. Flowers of all shape and color bloomed wherever they pleased, letting off a sweet aroma akin to candy. Tomato plants twisted up the trellises that JJ and Renee had planted earlier that spring, along with cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, and more. Your mouth watered at the thought of all the delicious salads and soups Renee had prepared over the years, with vegetables straight from this very plot. This was the place JJ spent much of her time, either tending to the plants, skateboarding along the flawlessly paved paths, or sleeping in one of the hand-crafted woven hammocks.

"JJ?" you called, hoping she hadn't caught wind of your arrival, and hidden. You had no idea what state of mind she was in, after her near-death experience. She was usually so calm and collected, but almost getting murdered would send anyone into a spiral.

When no one answered your call, you turned to Mya and Jeongin, who were looking back and forth through the many vines and branches, hoping she would appear.

"This garden is so big, she could be anywhere!" Mya exclaimed. "Do you think she might be hiding from us, so we can't take her back?"

You sighed. "I hope not. I know JJ, and she wouldn't do something like that. She would at least want to talk to us first."

"Why don't we all split up and try to find her, and meet up if we do?" Jeongin suggested.

You and Mya nodded, before each heading in opposite directions. You certainly hoped JJ would come out and speak to you. As well as you knew her, you were currently talking out your ass.

As you walked past a patch of bright red poppies, petals wide open to expose their lush black centers, you thought you heard quiet snoring, just around the bend. You knew from past experience that was where a copse of trees stood, with two hammocks hanging. You also happened to know that was where JJ often laid when she was sleeping.

"JJ?" you called again, approaching the hammocks. There was a figure in the center of one, weighing the fabric down. You sighed. You wished you didn't have to wake her, but unfortunately, this was important. According to Mya and Jeongin, there was more urgency than you fully understood. You wished you'd had time to ask Minho...

Shuffling from inside the hammock distracted you from your thoughts. Suddenly, JJ's head popped out, hands rubbing at her bleary eyes. She blinked a few times, before registering the sight before her.

Tilting her head, she said, "Tess? Is that you? What are you doing here?? Did something happen?" Her eyes widened, nervous energy zipping across her gaze.

You shook your head, hurrying over to her. "No, no nothing has happened! I'm here with Mya and Jeongin. Let me go get them."

As you called to both of them, and they came running around the bend, JJ hopped out of the hammock so she could stand with the three of you. Confusion was written in her expression, as she furrowed her brows and pursed her lips. Her hair was wild from sleep, and she had deep bags under her eyes, proof that slumber may have been a rare occurrence for her since she'd gotten back. A pang of guilt flashed through you. Maybe you shouldn't be trying to convince her to come back. It might be better for her to stay home.

Neither Mya or Jeongin seemed to notice, though. "JJ!" Mya exclaimed breathlessly. "We need you to come back to the mansion, now!"

Jeongin nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we need you. Things are getting even more intense, and we need the whole group there to help."

Both you and JJ frowned in confusion, but you knew now wasn't the time to ask questions. Hopefully, they would fill you in when you got back.

Hopefully Minho would fill you in, more like. If the whole group was hiding something about the goings-on at the mansion, and you were left in the dark, he should be the one to tell you, right? Whatever it was, you needed to know.

But again, now was not the time. You needed to focus on bringing JJ back, if only for the sole reason that you wanted your friend in the house with you.

"Why do you need me?" JJ frowned. "There's nothing I can do. I'm not sure what kind of shit is happening back at the mansion, but I don't want any part of it. Im out."

"Don't you understand??" Jeongin pressed. "These are some really important things, things that affect you. With Yeonjun, between both kingdoms, everything. We think there might be something going on involving Obsidian, and why Hyunjin tried to-"

"Don't talk about that!" JJ interrupted, sounding more angry than you'd heard her in awhile. "I don't want anyone to make excuses for Hyunjin. He made his decision, and it was a bad one. I don't ever want to associate with Obsidian men ever again. And sorry Jeongin, but you're included in that."

"JJ..." you sighed, reaching out and grabbing her hand. Thankfully, she let you. "I honestly have no idea what's going on, because no one has told me, either. But I trust Minho, and I trust that if he believes you need to come back, then it's important. I promise, all of us will keep you safe from Hyunjin."

"He's told us who hired him to kill you, and we're trying to figure out why," Mya added. "And while it was still wrong of Hyunjin to take the job, he's not the real bad guy here."

JJ scowled, but nodded slowly. "If I go back, I don't want anything to do with him."

"But... you'll come back??" Mya said hopefully.

JJ sighed. "Let me get my bags. I haven't even unpacked, and I'm going back? Fuck my life."

While Mya and Jeongin cheered, and Mya actually allowed Jeongin to hug her, your cell phone began to ring. Frowning, you pulled it out of your pocket. It was from an unknown number.

"Hello...?" you said cautiously. You had hundreds of contacts in your phone, from literally all over the kingdom. There weren't that many people you didn't know.

"Hello, Princess Lee." A hoarse voice came through the speaker, and you knew exactly who it was.

"How did you get my number, Yeonjun?" you frowned. "And why are you calling me?"

"I have all the contestants phone numbers," Yeonjun responded. "And I called you, because I have a question."

"Well, what is it?" you demanded. Did this man ever get to the point in a hurry?

"I wanted to know how your parents are doing," he continued. "Particularly your father. How is he?"

"Uh... good, I think," you said cluelessly. "I haven't seen them since the show started. But I assume they're good. You probably know better than me."

"Well, why don't you pay them a visit? You know, before you leave with Duchess Jang?" Yeonjun suggested. "See how they are."

You paused. "Am I allowed to do that?"

"If I say so, then yes," he replied. "Oh, and while you're there, tell them hi from Yeonjun, won't you?"

"Okay..." you trailed off, before hitting end on the call before Yeonjun could make anymore strange requests. You weren't going to question it. You had to admit, you missed your dad quite a bit. Your mother... well, you supposed you'd have to see her at some point, right?

"Hey Mya, Jeongin!" You turned back to the duo, who were awkwardly looking around at the flowers. Jeongin was trying to speak to the duchess, who was attempting equally as hard to ignore him. "That was Yeonjun, suggesting that I go see my parents. So... I'm gonna go. They're very close, I'll only be a few minutes! Will you both be okay without me?"

Mya nodded. "We can wait for JJ-"

Jeongin cut her off. "Do you think Yeonjun would be okay with me going to see my parents, too? I know we're not in Obsidian, but I miss them. It's not too far of a drive, if we left now."

You shrugged. "Fuck it, why not? It's such a short drive, through the mansions. Should we plan to meet back here in two hours?"

Jeongin nodded, before glancing at Mya. "Would you like to come with me?"

Mya paused, glancing at you almost desperately. You raised your brows, deciding not to come to her defense. It might be for them to hash out whatever was still going on between them.

"Erm... yeah, sure I'll go with you," she replied, after a long pause.

With the two of them taking the limo across the border to Obsidian, you decided to trek the twenty minutes to the Lin castle on foot. After telling Ji Ho where you all were going, you took off towards the Lin castle.

Twenty minutes later, you arrived at the door, where the butler welcomed you inside, giving you a gracious bow and a smile.

"Tessie!" Kai stopped short in the doorway when he saw you, eyes wide with surprise. "What are you- you're here!!" He hurried over to you, embracing you in a warm hug.

You hugged him back, sudden tears pulling at your eyes. You would never admit that you missed him, or he probably wouldn't shut up about it. "I'm here to talk to our dad and... mother!" you mumbled against his shoulder. "Do you know where they are?"

Kai nodded, pointing to your dad's study. "They've been in there, talking to someone on the phone for the past couple hours. I tried listening in. I think they're talking to King and Queen Lee about something."

"I guess I'll go interrupt them then!" you said energetically. Pissing off your parents - namely your mother - was one of your many strong suites.

As you approached the door, you pressed your ear against it, hoping to hear something more useful than what Kai had given you.

"I know we made this agreement, but I don't know how long it can last. As I've said, that man is crazy! I don't think we should have signed away all those rights. Even if he had us killed, at least our kingdoms would be safe. Yes, Tessa would make an amazing queen. No, I have no idea why he wanted our children to marry. You know I don't."

Your heart began racing in your chest, nausea building. Were your parents working with Yeonjun? Had they planned this - your marriage, the dating show, everything - all along?

You entered the study without even knocking, knowing that if you did, your mother might lock the door on you. And based on what you'd just heard, you needed answers. Now.

As you walked in, your dad stared at you, shock covering his face. Your mother looked at you like you'd just shit on the floor.

"I'm going to have to call you back, I apologize. Speak to you soon, goodbye." Your dad hung up, before turning to you with a charming smile. "Tessa! What are you doing here? Are you already back?"

You shook your head, trying to keep calm. "No, but Yeonjun said I could come back and say hi. Who were you on the phone with?"

Your mother shrugged a bony shoulder, frowning at you. "It was rude to enter without knocking." Was all she said.

"Well, I knew you'd lock the door on me, and I wanted to come and say hi. Is that allowed? Now answer my question." You raised a brow. She glared back in response.

Your dad sighed, but shook his head. "No, no we're very happy you're here. And that was King and Queen Lee on the phone. They wanted to talk to us about some ah... economic dealings. Nothing important."

"Since when was my marriage an economic dealing?" you countered, not caring that they would know you were listening. Rage was boiling hot in your blood. "And since when did you two make deals with complete strangers?"

Your dad's face paled, and your mother reddened. They both opened their mouths to speak, but you knew you'd caught them.

"What could Yeonjun possibly have over you that would make you sign my life away like that??" you cried, holding back tears. "Why would you allow him to change the laws that made people happy? Why were you okay with destroying so many people's lives, including your own daughter's??"

"Honey, you have to understand," your father began, "that man is incredibly- incredibly smart. He knows things about our kingdom that we can't let people find out about."

"And he was going to kill us!" your mother trilled. "You wouldn't want that now, would you?"

When you hesitated, your father frowned. "Don't answer that," he cut in. "What matters is, we made a mistake. We should not have agreed to this. If I could go back, I would-"

"I don't care what you would have done," you interrupted, throat clogging with emotion. "All I know is that you chose your own lives over your daughter's happiness, and over the rest of your kingdom. I thought you both stood for making good in this world! You wanted to see people marry for love. But instead, you threw that all away to save yourselves, even if it meant handing the kingdom over. I-I can't believe you! You two are the worst parents, and the worst rulers I've ever known."

As an afterthought, you tossed over your shoulder, "Oh, and Yeonjun, your buddy, he says hi."

And with that, you marched out of the study, down the hall, past Kai's concerned calls and the butler's questions, and out the door. Then, you started the walk back towards the Jang mansion.

Hands shaking from that intense encounter, you called the unknown number from before, hoping Yeonjun would pick up. You were itching to ask more questions. You needed to know so many things.

"Princess Lee." Yeonjun picked up on the first ring, as if he expected you to call. "What can I do for you?"

"You- you were responsible for me marrying Minho??" you blurted, words falling out of your mouth in vitriol. Towards who, you had no idea. Your parents? Yeonjun? Both? "And you blackmailed my parents into signing all those law changes?? And you were going to kill my parents if they didn't agree?? And why didn't they tell me? Why didn't you tell me??"

"Please calm down, Princess Lee," he silenced you, but your anger heightened further. No one told you to calm down! "I have no answers for you."

"That's a fucking lie, and you know it," you spat, not caring that you were speaking to a very powerful man in this way. "You have all the answers! Literally every single one. So you will tell me, right now."

"You will understand, when you come back with Duchess Jang," Yeonjun said smoothly, "if you talk to Prince Lee. I believe he has even more important things to tell you than I do."

"Is that so?" you snapped, but your anger was waning. You were tired, and you wanted to give up. If everyone was keeping secrets from you, what was the point? "And what important things would that be?"

"Just ask him about your father. Your real father."

laska's note —
well, wasn't tessa's journey back to moonstone just a treat? it seems like she had so much fun 🫠 not only did she find out that her parents were lying to her, but she's also about to find out some other not-so-savory truths about her husband, and what a great job he's been doing at communicating with her... at least jj is coming back, though! hopefully her friends will be able to protect her from hyunjin, or maybe he will have changed? and the adventures aren't over yet! what are jeongin and mya yo to at the yang mansion? with all their history, these got to be some hurt there. how are y'all feeling about all this craziness??

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟰𝟯 - 𝗯𝘂𝘁
┊ ⇄ ◁◁ II ▷▷ ↻ ┊