The Wise Monkey's POV:

The old me is gonna take over in...

3...

2...

And 1...

.

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The sun was setting and before the dusk could conquer the sky completely, the young maiden, the maid of the royals, Jeong Soojin, affirmed her decision on parting away and retreating back to the palace in a few. She still had time before she was bound to go, technically, only technically. If someone were to see her now, they'd ask her to do it immediately. It was just a horse stable she was in, nowhere too dangerous, and it wasn't too dark, no time too dangerous, not yet at least. What could be the dangers inside the guarded palace premises, one of her stature could be curious. Simply put, the royals didn't want any palace workers to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, they wanted more privacy from the potential onset of rumours; Hence the workers were subjected to the rule. 

Here, still in the stable, she stood with her forehead against that of a charming, grown, white, male horse, hands resting just above his muzzle on either side of his face. It was solemn and peaceful in the stable, the light neighs and sounds of shifting, from the big beautiful animals around, music to Soojin's ears.

"You're quite well behaved today, boy," Soojin said to the horse. "Unordinarily still... Are you unwell?" She pulled back to examine him in scrutiny. "Or did I sadden your mood with the tales of my unfortunate morning? Or maybe you're just shaken by the audacity of the crazy woman who talks to you in human? Did I bore you too much?" she chuckled. "Well, I'm glad to have you as my listener always. And it's good that there's always privacy to speak to you."

Soojin huffed. "It's time to part, my boy." She once again advanced closer to connect their dissimilar forms in a hug. Her head rested on his crest, one hand around it and the other brushing through his beautiful, long mane. And the horse expressed the hug by dipping his head to rest on the maiden's back, his one front leg lifting to rest the knee on the curve of her waist. It was a heart-warming sight to behold, and the only human eyes to witness that bond of the girl and the horse was someone whose presence was still unknown to Soojin.

"Well, I hope you are not unwell, boy," Soojin said against his crest. "You're very dear to me. Just like a certain other who's also dear to me. I have to go meet that someone, so we are parting now, alright?" She slowly tried to pull back, the horse releasing his grip on her as well. She kissed his cheek one last time before stepping back. "Bye, darling."

"You must be really very fond of him," a male voice could be heard.

"I am, really," Soojin said, eyes still on the horse. She then froze and turned back anxiously, convinced it was a ghost she just answered to. Her panic-stricken eyes slightly calmed down when she saw it wasn't a ghost, thankfully. 

"He's a friendly one, isn't he? But I've observed a couple of times that his full limit of that is only when he's with you. You seem to be his favourite human friend." The speaker was none other than Choi Jongho, the best friend of the prince. He was also a distant family member, son of the queen's cousin who married out of royal blood. A half-royal son with his father as an infamous and respectable high official in the town and mother a former princess, he was always welcome in the palace as the childhood friend of the prince who always stayed beside him, studied and grew up together and was considered just like a son by the queen and the king.

"Y-Young master Choi," Soojin stuttered out, bowing as she started. "I did not know you were here. I did not know it was you asking and I replied absentmindedly. Forgive me."

"You did nothing wrong, miss," he said and looked at the horse and smiled. "Maybe he is only social and intimate with the women, do you not think?" He let out a chuckle of humour.

Soojin's eyes widened just a bit. Was Jongho trying to advance with the type of talks the other vile noble men always did to her? But it couldn't be, she contradicted in her mind. Jongho had always been one of a very respectable disposition, mannered and refined just like the royal siblings she worked for.

Jongho cognized how his attempt at humour could have come across as from the young maiden's expression. "I have always seen him very social around the princesses and now you. Maybe females give him a sense of comfort. I think I should learn from you all to handle him better. Rubs and pats? What else? Talking to him as if he's a human? I think that is the key." He amusedly laughed.

The white horse neighed.

"I think he agrees," said Jongho, his laugh getting louder and merrier. Soojin looked at the ground, embarrassed.

"I am sorry," Jongho suddenly said when his sight landed on her. "It was just my attempt at humour. Perhaps, I am not so talented at it. I apologize if it made you feel humiliated, that wasn't my intention."

"I'm fine, sir, really. I could tell it was humour. It is fine," Soojin said and stood still again, not knowing what to do.

Jongho nodded. "Should you not be heading to the palace? It's getting dark."

"Ah, yes, sir," she said and bowed once again before speeding up to leave the stable.

"Wait," Jongho called after and Soojin halted. "Tell hyung that I'll be in the library later."

Soojin nodded and just as she was about to leave again, she turned and looked at him. "I'm not sure who you really meant sir," she said, a hint of fear seeping through her voice. Did he mean the prince? The prince? Why would he think she'd relay the message when the prince resided in another building, one she wasn't allowed to visit after sunset?

"Oh, you know who I mean, miss. The one you're heading to meet," he calmly replied, eyes busy observing all over the stable.

Soojin quietly gasped and ran away grabbing her heart as fast as her panicked form could.

Jongho chuckled and stepped towards the white horse, hand patting his face as he looked at him. "Are you really unwell, boy? Hmm?"

Soojin entered the dimly-lit confines of one of the many rooms, used for different various purposes that she did not know of( she wasn't allowed in this part, after all), of the palace. 

The palace was bigger than usual, all rooms bigger and spacious than usual, with higher ceilings. It wasn't a traditional palace, no. It wasn't methodically a palace at all( although bigger than an average palace), just the way the royals were not the ruling royals like in the past. It was the result of the territorial invasion, the original royals only have their titles left now, the body who ruled were what was evolved from the years under the foreign rule. There was no royal monarch now, but the royalty did hold their titles and reputation and had some influence on the sovereign. The royal family who Soojin served for were what was left of their noble clan. The original traditional palaces were all under government protection now, but instead, the royals were gifted modern palaces to claim. And that was how this particular 'palace' had Japanese architecture mixed with English style for the most part. It was odd and unique and definitely grande.

Soojin slowly advanced with bated breath, examining all the corners of the wide room in undeterred scepticism, she was particularly jittery after the conversation with Choi Jongho. There was no one in sight, which was good. But also, there was no one, and that made her confused and more anxious. She frantically improved her speed, impatiently trying to look around again but someone grabbed her hand from behind and turned her. Her face planted on a chest. She pulled back just a few inches and looked up at the face of the individual and the other's one hand circled her waist and as another grabbed her chin.

Soojin smiled but the other's face had far from a pleasant sight; an offended and apathetic looked was painted on his face as he looked at her. Soojin's smile fell.

"May I ask why you are here? You aren't allowed to be. You had some audacity to go against a rule," he said in crisp words and Soojin immediately stumbled out of his grip to create a respectable distance. 

She bowed as deep as she could and stayed in that position. "I'm so sorry, your highness. Please forgive me. My foolish self did not think of the rule, I was merely here to deliver a piece of information to you. But it is my fault. I'm sorry, please forgive me." She stood back up but her head still hung low.

She heard sounds of footsteps and soon enough the polished pair of shoes were in her line of sight. But before she herself could look up, her chin was guided up by the delicate touch of the prince, his other hand once again circling her waist. "I was just joking with you, darling. Did I go too far?" The prince asked. Soojin relaxed. He claimed her parted lips in a slow-paced, tender kiss full of emotions and she reacted with the same passion. They pulled back in synchronization. "I am sorry, my dear. I should not have scared you," he said.

"I really thought someone was around, it was scary."

"I know. I'm ready to receive any punishment from you." He kissed her forehead.

"You know I cannot ever punish you, my prince. Never intentionally. You know that," Soojin answered.

He smiled. "I love you, my Soojin."

"I love you too, my prince," she said and laid her head on his chest.

He hummed pleasantly. 

"I think you will manage just fine if we ever were to get caught," he said. "Your lie and the look in your eye was convincing. Came to deliver a piece of information, eh?"

"It was convincing because it was a partial truth. Also, it was why I was so overtly scared today."

"What do you mean?" he pulled back from the hug, hands still on her shoulder.

"Prince Jisoo, you did have a notification from young master Choi, he said to tell you that he'd be in the library later sometime."

"He told you to relay this information now? Your quarters are way too distant from here, why would he tell you that?"

"That is why I'm scared, my prince. He somehow knew I was heading towards you. I think he knows of our relationship," Soojin frowned.

Jisoo nodded with a huff. He cupped Soojin's face. "Ease up, my dear. He's trustworthy, he would never betray me. It was time he would get a whiff of what I was up to. It was meant to be, he's my closest friend, he'd have figured out eventually."

"I suppose so," Soojin said, still unsure.

"Look at me, darling. Tell me how he was like when he told you that, his attitude. Did he sound cold or angry, or disappointed or disgusted? Tell me."

Soojin shook his head. "No, he looked pleasant like he always does, smiling and cheerful. His tone was rather teasing."

"Well, there you go! Do you believe me now? He wouldn't tell anyone, I tell you. He would never."

Soojin smiled. "I believe you. I have complete faith in you."

Jisoo exuded a smile that resembled raw child-like excitement and merry. He could only ever be so liberated to express his emotions like this with his lover. No scrutiny, no judgements, just love and care and understanding. Despite the gaping hole in congruency of their status and background.

"How was your day, darling?" he asked her.

Soojin's expression suddenly plummeted. 

"Why, what happened, my dear?" Jisoo asked concerned. "Did anyone bothered you?"

"No, no, no one did. I was just a bit sick this morning. And I had to hide it from the others and pretend to be fine when I was not."

"What? What happened? And don't hide it, Soojin, others can only help you if you tell them. You don't have to work if you are sick, you should remember that."

"No one likes me here, prince Jisoo. If I tell them they wouldn't care, rather I would be criticized for being indolent and not doing my best."

"What? You don't deserve that, my love. You deserve to be liked and loved by everybody. They should at least be ethical co-workers to you if not a friend. I'll see to this."

"No, no, they did nothing wrong," Soojin panicked. "Please do not involve in this. You cannot ever seem like you're biased. And about them, they don't deserve any unnecessary punishment when I never tell them anything, whether I'm sick or not, in the first place. Maybe it's just insecurity in my head that tells me that they wouldn't care."

"You should tell them if it happens next time, darling. But I would wish for you to never be sick again."

"I will try."

"But what sickness was it?"

"Ohh," she trailed off. "N-Nothing too much."

Jisoo raised his brows in question. "By the looks of it, it doesn't appear to be true. You can tell me anything, you know that, dear."

"Vomiting. First thing in the morning. My head was spinning and I was quite fatigued till I had a big lunch, surprisingly, after that, it got better, still not the best. I have quite an appetite now. Even now, I-I feel, um...hungry, yeah."

"Well, I hope you have a big dinner then. Eat as much as you can."

Soojin looked him in the eye. She did not know why she was hoping for a different response. Did she want him to be panicked and surprised? Just like how she was feeling about it in the depths of her heart. Somewhere in her mind, she had inscribed that it was all signs of pregnancy sickness. So why didn't that thought cross his head? He was a learned man. Maybe she was imagining too much.

"Y-Yeah," she said.

"What is it? You seem nervous."

"Nothing," she said. She shouldn't need to worry when she wasn't sure yet, she decided. "Nothing at all. I'm really better than how I was in the morning. I think it was just some infection in the stomach. I'll be perfectly well by tomorrow."

"I hope that is it too. Tell me if the sickness continues tomorrow and without a doubt, go visit a physician. Do you promise me that?"

If the sickness continued, she wouldn't know how to disclose the news to him. She didn't want it to continue, she hoped it was just an infection. She hoped to God.

"I will," she lied to him. But then continued with a truth. "I love you very much, my prince."

"So do I, my dear," he replied.

The hands that were on his chest slid up to rest on either side of his face and as he saw Soojin slowly leaning in, he attacked her mouth in a passionate, hungry kiss. Their bodies entangled, Jisoo's hand rubbing up and down her neck as he held her in a strong grip and Soojin's arms around his shoulders and palms caressing his scalp, fingers relishing the feel of smooth black hair through it. They were enjoying their kiss to its best.

Both of them pulled back smiling ear to ear, eyes locked on each.

"You've grown bolder, my lady," Jisoo said. "These days you don't shy away, there was once when your cheeks would flush red merely when we held hands. I like this."

Soojin's flush red face appeared back as soon as the words left his mouth. "Don't act like you don't know why I'm bolder now," she said, playfully hitting his chest. 

Jisoo, confused yet very amusedly by the situation, still maintained a playful smile. "I don't, but I would like to know," he leaned to whisper in her ears making her more flustered.

"We shouldn't speak of such things here, your highness!"

"What kind of things?" he chuckles, still finding contentment in Soojin's coy and merry attitude. The apples of her cheeks were pink and her flustered smile displaying her perfect set of pearly whites were lightening the whole room. It was a sight that Jisoo never wanted to turn away from.

"Stop it, I'm shy," she said, hiding her face in his chest. He kissed her forehead delicately.

"Anything for my darling," he said and Soojin looked up. His eyes were on hers, just hers, there was no one else in the room, but even if there was, she knew it'd just be on hers. He never looked at her chest, or her hips, or the swaying form of her figure, or her lips or her neck. He never looked at her like the other men did. His eyes would always find their way on her orbs first. Even though they had been connected physically in the bodily form of love, he didn't leave her, he was genuine, and he still looked at her eyes; a true, gentlemanly, genuine lover. His eyes contained an innocent kind of joy in them as he looked at her, and it was always there, the stars in his eyes. It was a sight that Soojin never wanted to turn away from.

She suddenly pecked his chin. And he leaned in for a sweet kiss, yet again.

A/N:

Guys, this is a work of fiction, so the timeline of the past, the mannerisms and culture at that time, the government form and the architecture etc is created by me, and I could create it only through inspirations from the history of various different places around Asia. It does not represent how Korea was exactly during the time because I'm not Korean to fully learn the history like how it's taught in the education system there(I have done some research tho). This is all fictional. If you happen to know about Korean history then you are free to tell me in the comments, but I still won't be changing how it's in this book cuz it's fictional. I'm just interested to learn, that is it.

Soojin's last name is diff in the past. And so is Jisoo's(Joshua's), I found out Hong isn't a royal clan(but a scholar clan) so he can't be Hong Jisoo in this.

Once again, did I tell you how much I LOVE JOSHUA aka HONG JISOO?

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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AOTM JUNG WOOYOUNG WAS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤