"You're beautiful tonight." - Park Jimin

-long chapter coming :)

The next few days that past by, Jimin didn't bother getting near Eun-Byul nor Namjoon after the scene he saw in the kitchen.

The other princes had worried about what was happening between Eun-Byul and Jimin, wondering what had happened between the two.

Frankly, Jimin was the only one to know. Eun-Byul was really struck by Jimin's new behavior.

But all she had thought was about Chan-Ri. That this all had happened because Jimin had someone in his heart, and sadly, it wasn't her.

"Eun-Byul!" Someone exclaimed as she walked, dragging her feet before looking up for the voice. She saw Jungkook, running towards her before grinning.

"Oh, hello, Prince Jungkook." She greeted, making him chuckle.

"Don't worry about calling me a prince! You are my soon-to-be sister-in-law anyways." The boy giggled, making her feel down after hearing his words.

"Yeah... I guess so." She mumbled, making Jungkook gaze upon her before he cleared his throat.

"Anyways, I heard there was a royal banquet tonight. You have to go." Jungkook looked at her, her eyes a bit emotionless.

"Thank you for informing me." She replied, gulping slightly. Jungkook nodded, looking at the time on his watch awkwardly.

He wanted to ask Eun-Byul what had happened so desperately, but he knew it would only make the mood worse. So, he decided to keep quiet. However, it didn't stop him from asking how she felt.

"Oh, guys!" Another yelled, the pair looking behind them as Prince Taehyung joined them. He wrapped his arm around Eun-Byul, making her glance over at him.

Jungkook saw the uneasy look on her face, making him push the boy's arm off her shoulder. "You're making her uncomfortable." He muttered, making Taehyung nod.

"Sorry." He apologized, making Eun-Byul chuckle.

"It's fine, Taehyung." She stated, a bit of hesitation since she didn't address him as a prince. However, Taehyung only grinned.

"Eun-Byul?" Jungkook started.

"Hm."

"Are you okay?" He asked, making her look over at him before giving him the best smile she could and nodding.

She had to put on this facade if that meant reassuring her fellow friends in the castle to be not worried for her. She had to be independent and somehow... just somehow... get over it.

"Jungkook, Taehyung, I'll see you both around. I'm going to prepare for tonight." She spoke up, making the friends quickly nod as he let her go ahead. He watched her walk away from behind, his head slightly tilted.

Jungkook looked over at Taehyung, a look of dismay written on his face as Taehyung exchanged the same.

"We have to figure this out." Taehyugn sighed, raking his hair back a bit.

"We're going to have to think of something. We have to tell the hyungs about this." Jungkook replied, Taehyung nodding before they ran off the other way.

<<<>>>

Finally, night had come over the day, and people had started to enter the Busan Palace. Eun-Byul just sat on her bed, her hands fiddling together.

A loud knock was heard on the door before the door was opened. It was her mom, Mrs. Lee.

"Hey, mom." She greeted, smiling as much as she could. Mrs. Lee could see right through her daughter like any mother could, but kept quiet.

"Hi, love. Here's your dress." She passed her daughter a long, sky blue dress. All Eun-Byul could do was look at it in awe.

"Wow! This is so beautiful~" Eun-Byul said, making her mother giggle as she grabbed a pair of flats from her daughter's closet.

"I'm glad you like it. Jimin had picked it out for you." Mrs. Lee replied. Eun-Byul quickly snapped her head up to her mother's eyes, her thoughts roaming around as her tummy twisted in happiness.

However, she remembered Chan-Ri.

'He probably just doesn't want me to embarrass him.' She thought, having second thoughts as she changed into the dress.

"Thanks, mom." She smiled as she put on the flats, Mrs. Lee brushing her hair.

"Of course." She replied, the two sitting on the bed. "Remember there's a lot of representatives from many kingdoms. I know you'll do great!" Mrs. Lee exclaimed, making her daughter giggle.

"Thanks, mom. I'll make you proud." She replied, putting up her fist as her mother did the same and grinned back.

Eun-Byul got up from her bed, walking out of her bedroom and towards the banquet hall. Then, her eyes met a pair of eyes. A too familiar one.

Jimin.

He looked at her up and down before meeting her eyes once more. He coldly looked away, looking anywhere but her eyes.

Eun-Byul sighed, her heart tightening until someone grabbed her arm.

"Namjoon!" She exclaimed, a fake smile placed on her face.

"Hey, Eun-Byul. You're looking stunning." He compliments, making her giggle and bow.

"Thank you." She replied, the two getting into a conversation.

Jimin watches from afar, his own heart feeling a tight clench as he looked towards his shoes, sighing quietly.

After a short conversation, it was soon time to enter the banquet hall. Eun-Byul greeted her friend goodbye before hesitantly strolling up to the prince, looking down as she was stood beside him.

It was quiet between them as they slowly walked in a line as a pair to the front, names from every kingdom being announced.

Jimin gazed upon her before grabbing her hand, slowly running it up until they both linked arms.

Eun-Byul felt a spark run through her body as she still looked away from him, gulping from the amazing feeling.

"You're beautiful tonight." He commented softly, making her look over and bow her head slightly.

"Thanks." She stated, letting out a silent sigh as they reached the front.

"Upcoming King and Queen of Busan, Lee Eun-Byul and Prince Jimin." The announcer called out, everyone's eyes watching the young ones come down.

The pair smiled, walking down the stairs as whispers were heard. The females looked at Eun-Byul's dress in envy, the stunning look giving everyone a surprise.

The pair went to sit down at their table with the family, Queen Park giving Eun-Byul a cold stare as they sat right in front of them.

Eun-Byul quickly let go of the prince, the butterflies soon dying down in her stomach. The brothers and the Gwacheon brothers, as they arrived, all looked at each other, their eyes having a conversation as they saw the cold Jimin only looking away from everyone.

The Min Family soon joined them, and a couple more all at their table.

"It's been so long, Eun-Byul!" Hyo-Ri exclaimed, giving Eun-Byul a shock before smiling widely. The two hugged, Hyo-Ri sitting beside her as they started to talk.

Soon the banquet hall was filled with different kingdoms, all had different tables as loud chatter was heard and food was being passed around by waiters.

The other princesses had started to talk to Eun-Byul, enjoying the girl's company. However, there was one person who hated it the most.

"So, Eun-Byul." Someone called out to her. Hyo-Ri widened her eyes as she heard her dad, King Min, speak out to the future queen.

"Yes?" Eun-Byul looked up to the King, smiling respectfully as their table all went quiet.

"It's funny to know that a commoner like yourself could change the normal sequence of the kingdom." King Min chuckled sarcastically, his eyes darkening. "I didn't know Busan had changed its rules until you've come." King Min added, "I mean, look at these princesses and princes, having fun instead of being proper. Queen Park, do you approve of this?" King Min asked, making Queen Park shake her head and scoff.

"I do not!" She exclaimed, giving a cold glare to the people around the table as they straightened up, scared of Queen Park. 

"I even wonder how smart you are. Are you sure you're fit to be the next queen?"  King Min scoffed,  Hyo-Ri covering her face as she nudged her father right next to her.

"Dad, stop it," Hyo-Ri mumbled, humiliated of her father's remark.

Everyone at the table heard it loud and clear, especially Jimin. His eyes had flared in anger as Queen Park smirked. She wondered how the "commoner" would react.

As Jimin was about to fire back at the king, Eun-Byul chuckled lightly and raised her chest up to meet King Min's eyes.

"I apologize if we're being too loud or we are breaking protocol, but you see, It's just been such a pleasure to talk with other princes and princesses and getting to know each of their kingdoms. We were just so excited to come up with ideas to forge better relationships and strengthen our kingdoms when Jimin and I become King and Queen, that we forgot the royal protocol during banquets." Eun-Byul started. 

"Lastly, with all due respect, King Min, sometimes things change for the better. For example, as a commoner, I wasn't able to fully realize my dreams as a doctor. However, I know that what I learned during my time in pre-med, would help me become the best queen I can be. King Min, I know you are busy as a King running a great kingdom but did you know that most commoners in not only your kingdom but all kingdoms, lack the knowledge and don't have the resources to fight common sicknesses. Thus, many suffer? For example, parents may get sick and lose their jobs, and kids don't have the chance to follow their dreams because they soon have to support the family themselves. Due to my background and knowledge, I'm grateful that I will have the chance as queen to change this fact and help the commoners, which will help our kingdom." She added. Everyone had stood silent, awe of her wise answer.

"Besides..." She broke the silence. "Who knows, if I wasn't a commoner and bound by the rules, I would have been a doctor someplace else. Then, I wouldn't be selected as the queen and  wouldn't have had the chance to eat with such lovely and important people like yourselves." Eun-Byul said with a smile, causing every to crack a laugh except for Queen Park and King Min.

Jimin had a proud smile on his face but went a bit doubtful as Eun-Byul had kept an emotionless look on her face, staying silent after the confrontation.

"Let's not forget the time she stopped our kingdom from getting into an unfair treaty with you as well. That's what I call smart, King Min." Jimin added, the brothers letting out a chuckle as King Min rolled his eyes in anger.

King Park quickly changed the topic, everyone starting to talk again for a while.

<<<>>>

"Alright, if everyone has finished eating, we invite you to the ballroom for a dance tonight. Enjoy yourselves!" An announcer exclaimed as many people started to leave the room, much more loud sounds as they exited the room.

Eun-Byul followed after them, her head a bit down as she left the banquet hall. Jimin silently followed after her, his eyes keeping a watch on her until she went a different way.

Jimin felt a pang of confusion hit him until he followed after her, seeing her enter the deck with her back faced to him.

Eun-Byul silently sighed, holding her arms from the coldness of the outside. She watched as the stars twinkled, the night giving out a bright light.

Jimin quietly entered after, taking off his tux and placing it around her shoulders. Eun-Byul quickly flinched as she felt his hand brush her shoulder, before letting the tux keep her warm.

Jimin leaned on the railing beside her, keeping his eyes away from her's.

"I'm really proud of you for saying that to King Min. He should've never degraded you like that." Jimin started, fiddling with his fingers before looking over at her. "I'm glad I have a perfect girl to fit into the job as queen." He added quietly, Eun-Byul still listening to his words.

But, as Eun-Byul faced Jimin, tears had welled up in her eyes. Jimin looked at her worriedly, frowning.

'Did I say something wrong?' Jimin thought, sighing silently.

"What about Chan-Ri? Don't you like her?" Eun-Byul brought up, making Jimin confused.

"Why are we bringing up my maid? Also, what about you and Namjoon?" Jimin replied, making Eun-Byul look at him weirdly as she wiped the tears about to fall from her eyes.

"What do you mean Namjoon and I? There was never an us." Eun-Byul stated, making Jimin let out a soft "Oh."

She chuckled, shaking her head.

"Don't misunderstand. Namjoon and I are clearly just friends." Eun-Byul stated, making Jimin nod and smile.

"Don't cry. I'm sorry if I said something wrong." Jimin apologized, grabbing her hand. Eun-Byul's mind went crazy.

The two both met eyes and all Jimin could feel were these butterflies in his chest.

'I need to tell her about the plan. About everything, especially my feelings for her.' Jimin thought.

"Eun-Byul, I have to be honest. Chan-Ri and I-" She cut him off, her mind going haywire at the mention of her name.

So, she gently pulled away from his hand, averting her gaze.

"Let's just go dance. It's quite cold out here." She replied, making Jimin nod slightly, looking dejected as they both walked back in.

<<<>>>

It felt as if the night had flashed by in an instant, everyone starting to leave.

Now, Eun-Byul laid here in her bed, wide awake as she started outside the window in her nightgown.

She sat up on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly as her mind flashed back to the moment on the deck.

She remembered as they both met eyes, the good feeling in her chest being replaced by dejection as Jimin mentioned Chan-Ri's name.

 As much as she likes Jimin and wishes the marriage to be real, she has to keep in mind that they can't be more than friends because Jimin has feelings for Chan-Ri and not her. 

As she kept her mind on that thought, a loud knock erupted on her door. She looked over, narrowing her eyes as she threw the pillow onto the floor and stood up.

"Who could be here at this hour?" She mumbled, opening the door and looking up. Her eyes widened as the beautiful pair of eyes met her's, his eyes staring right into her's.

"I can't sleep." He said, gulping. 

Jimin.

"Oh." Was all Eun-Byul had said. "Well, my mom usually says that hot chocolate can help you sleep. Shall we go to the kitchen?" Eun-Byul asked, making Jimin nod hesitantly as he put his hands into his pajama pockets.

The two walked down to the kitchen in silence, Eun-Byul looking through the cabinets until finding the ingredients.

Jimin just observed from behind, leaning on the counter. 

After a while, Eun-Byul passed Jimin the hot chocolate, the two leaning against the counter as they looked anywhere but at each other.

All they could do was stay silent. It was weird for them now, especially over what had happened these past days. They'd usually talk with each other a lot.

But now, they were much quieter than an ant.

That was... until Jimin spoke up.

"Eun-Byul." He said suddenly, making her surprised. She flinched and spilled hot chocolate on herself.

He widened his eyes as he moves quickly, grabbing her hand as he pulls her to the sink, turning on the cold water and massaging her hand under it.

Being overwhelmed by her emotions and Jimin taking care of her, she calls out to him.

"Jimin." She croaked, making him look over at her and stop what he's doing.

A tear fell down her cheek, making her quickly wipe it before smiling weakly, looking the other way from him.

 "I know I can't have your heart fully, but can we be friends? As much as it will kill me, I will let Chan-Ri have your heart." She smiled, but Jimin narrowed his eyes.

"Why would it kill you?" He asked, making her gulp as she moved away. She was about to leave until he grabbed her wrist, holding her back.

"Let me go." She started to tear up, not wanting to look at him.

"Why would it kill you?" He asked again, the feeling of hope erupting in him.

She quickly pulled her wrist away, looking at him before sighing.

 "Why would it kill me? I'm going to be your queen and your wife. I'm supposed to be the one who has your heart but I hate that another girl will have it instead! I hate that I'm going to be in a loveless marriage." She replied harshly as her voice cracked, staring at him straight in the eye as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Lastly, I hate that I'm falling for you!"