The Silla palace was quite the powerful kingdom.

You were the princess of the kingdom, raised among silk robes, etiquette lessons, and ministers who watched every move you made. Jungkook was only the son of a palace maid of the queen, your late mother. When he was young, his mother often had no choice but to bring him along while she worked in the royal quarters. That was how the two of you met.

Two children running through the same elegant courtyards, climbing stone steps while playing hide and seek, and hiding near the lotus pond whenever your tutors became too strict.

Most people in the palace disapproved. A princess should not spend her time with a mere servant’s child. But neither of you cared much about that when you were young.

As the years passed, life slowly pulled you in different directions. You were trained to become the proper princess the kingdom expected. Jungkook left the palace for several years to train with the royal guards.

When he returned, he was no longer the boy who used to sneak you sweets from the kitchens. He had grown taller, stronger, quieter. A knight now, dressed in the dark uniform of the royal guard. He never said it out loud, but becoming a knight had always been for one reason. To stay close enough to protect you.

Now the palace had entered a new chapter of your life. Princes from neighboring kingdoms had begun visiting Silla, one after another, all recommended by your father. Political alliances disguised as courtship meetings.

This afternoon had been another one of those meetings. The sun was beginning to lower over the palace gardens, warm light spilling across the stone terrace where tea had been prepared. You sat quietly at the table, in your night gown as it was late. Jungkook stood nearby, maintaining the respectful distance expected of a royal knight. He glanced at you for a moment before speaking.

“Your Highness… how was your day? And the meeting with Prince Otis from the Rien Kingdom?”

A small sigh escaped him as he leaned slightly against one of the wooden pillars nearby.

“That makes seven princes the king has recommended now. I heard this one is decided though.” His eyes moved back to you, stoic face.