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In a throne of a certain palace, in a far away kingdom, King Namjoon sat on his regal throne.
With his left hand supporting his head.One would perceive that he was in deep thoughts if not for the loud snores echoing throughout the throne room.
"Her Royal Majesty! Queen Yoonji!"
A voice bellows, startling the King as he quickly wipes the drool off his face and fixes his posture.
"I am thinking!" He blurted out earning an eye roll from his Queen.
"We have more crucial matters to think about than what you are thinking." The royal spouse spat as she sat on the throne next to her husband.
"That is what I am thinking about!" Namjoon counters which earn a scowl from his spouse, immediately shutting him up.
"His Excellency! The Chancellor!"
Enters the Chancellor, an old man wearing a monocle on his left eye. He gave a courtesy bow towards the two royals before speaking.
"Your Majesties, the young Prince Jungkook will be arriving today. Based on the previous correspondence, it seems like he seeks to ask her Royal Highness' hand in marriage."
"I assume that he's not aware of anything yet then." Yoonji sighs.
"Well, Prince Jungkook traveled from faraway lands. Stories about our princess' great character and noble disposition were the only ones he knows of."
"Of course! Who would dare to tell him that my daughter is .... not .... of beauty " the King sighs as well.
"Your majesties, her royal Highness' beauty is quite elusive if I may say ." The Chancellor backs up.
"Ah yes!" Yoonji chimes in "It eluded my eyes, your eyes and everyone else who had seen her. Do you know what happened to the Court Painter after he painted Soojin's portrait? He quits and was now focusing on landscapes!"
"Her Royal Highness is the nicest person I know. I still believe that her outstanding disposition will be of-."
"Stop with the nonsense." The Queen waves her hand at the Chancellor. "Do you remember what happened on the Love Tournament we held two years ago?"
"Pardon me your majesty, as I was abroad at that time."
"That makes sense then." The queen then continued.
"We invited sons of royalties and nobles from different Kingdoms, stating that the tournament's champion will marry the princess and be the next king. They all rode their horses towards the arena ready for battle. Then when they saw Soojin for the first time, all of them jumped from their horses and assumed a posture of defeat! All of them!" She cried as she dramatically put her hand on her forehead.
"I was quick to caught one who had his foot stuck on the stirrup. So I declared him the victor." Namjoon supplied.
"Then on the betrothal night, your predecessor Chancellor announced that as per our country's law, the groom-to-be needs to answer a riddle before marrying the princess. So I made the riddle my self! What has four legs and barks like a dog? And the answer was a dog!" Yoonji exclaimed.
"Do you now get it?" Namjoon, gestures towards the Chancellor.
"Yes your majesty. It was an easy riddle."
"It was a give a way!" Yoonji added. "But alas that fool answered a table, a mountain, a chair, a serpent, the day, the night, tomorrow!"
"Well I kinda applaud him for at least trying." Namjoon commented, earning another glare from the Queen, so he clears his throat and continues. "He finally answered death and that's when I knew I had to make a call. I congratulated him and said that it was the correct answer. We immediately set their wedding for the next day."
"He then went missing and was never found." The queen sighs as she turns at the Chancellor.
"Do you now understand why Soojin's character and disposition does not matter?"
The Chancellor nods at that.
"I find it odd though. Why does her Royal Highness lacks the attribute of .... beauty when both of you, your Majesties have supreme looks."
Namjoon sighs and cowers at the question as Yoonji once again glared at him.
"IT'S NAMJOON'S GREAT GOD PARENT'S FAULT! I told you that Great Fairy Hoseok is already too old to be our child's god parent but you presuaded me!"
"He is not old! I knew he was very powerful! He was my grandfather, my father and my own, god parent and he granted me the wisdom of a great king. I did become a wise King." Namjoon argued.
"But my own god parent had blessed Soojin with the greatest beauty across the land. Then Great Hoseok made his cryptic blessing! What were the words again?" Yoonji turns to her husband, who thinks for a while.
"I remember it goes like this:
I give you this kiss
A wedding day surprise
For Ignorance is a Bliss
Tis folly to be Wise
The lines were actually neat. I just wasn't able to get what it meant clear-"
"We can clearly see what it meant." The queen interrupted. "Soojin was given beauty and the great Hoseok, being the more powerful one, had taken it away! The wedding day surprise is not having any wedding at all!" The queen cried as Namjoon tried to console her.
"My love, do not fret. We still have your plan. We just need to-"
"Her Royal Highness. Princess Soojin."
Soojin then entered, gracefully threading with her dress. She was followed by her lady in waiting, Jimin.
"Greetings, Father, Mother and Sir Chancellor. Did I interrupt a discussion for any state affair?" She cheerfully greeted. "Shall I leave then?"
"No my darling. Please stay, in fact, your presence is needed right now." Namjoon softly smiled at his daughter. "We need to discuss something."
Soojin curiously tilted his head, a habit which Namjoon adores. If only his daughter was gifted in the looks department, she'll be the most perfect princess in the world.
"Soojin, you're aware that Prince Jungkook will be arriving today right?" Yoonji started.
"Yes mother, in fact they already arrived and now waiting for the drawbridge to be let down."
"Arrived! We must make haste!" Namjoon panickly jumps, crown almost falling from his head.
"Oh father, you know what the drawbridge is like. It will probably take an hour or two for it to be down." Soojin gleefully giggles at her father.
"Oh-." The king relaxes as he sat once again. "It needed to be oiled."
"It needed to be replaced, father."
"Yeah, yeah. Chancellor go ahead and supervise at the drawbridge. Make sure to welcome Prince Jungkook." At the command, the old Chancellor excuses himself and leaves.
"Have you told Soojin about the plan." Yoonji started which makes the King visibly nervous.
"I was looking for a chance but then-"
"I will talk and prepare the girl, you tell Soojin." The Queen stands and gestures at Jimin to follow her.
When the two left, Namjoon gestured to his daughter as they both settled in the large window, overlooking their territory.
"Soojin, I know we discussed this before, but you know the importance of your marriage for the future of our Kingdom, yes?"
"Yes, Father."
"In our history, all princes and princesses were blessed to find their true love."
"Yes, Father."
"Even I and your mother, despite our constant bickering were proof of that." Namjoon smiled. "The thing is, a marriage for a prince or a princess should have been easy. It was easy for the past four generations but-"
"There are exceptions." Soojin smiled as she holds her father's hand. "You don't need to beat around the bush for me father. I am aware that in the past all the princesses were beautiful, and I might have been the exception."
Namjoon sadly smiled at his daughter. He remembers how when the princess was young, nobles and people around would snicker on how she looks. He knows Soojin knew it too, she was a smart kid afterall. Yet, she grew up so gracefully and kindly. The most graceful out of all the princesses in the world.
But in this world where the first perception is made through sight. It was hard to make people see the beauty within oneself.
"Soojin, you are an impeccable princess, believe me. But I also taught you the reality of life. Right now, me and your mother were desperate to find you a husband. Yours and the Kingdom's future lies on this marriage."
Soojin nods at that.
"That is why me and your mother have a little plan..."
Before they continued, they heard some noises from the distant halls.
"OH PRINCE JUNGKOOK! I AM HAPPY TO MEET YOU!" It was Jimin shouting aloud.
Followed by the Queen's nagging.
"I told you, be enthusiastic but do not shout! Also, don't bow too low in making a curtsy! Remember that the first impression matter!"
"Is that part of the plan as well?" Soojin giggles as she pictures the scene.
"It is." Namjoon sighs, but Soojin's laughter easens his worry. "Your lady-in-waiting, Jimin is pleasing to the eyes, and we plan to have her pass off as the princess."
"Jimin is indeed lovely." Soojin nods in agreement. "But father, I still need to face the prince in the altar to get married am I not?"
"Yes. Yes. Of course you're still the one getting married. We will say that it is customary for our brides to wear a very, very thick veil. Which will be lifted once the ceremony is done."
"Should I confine to my room then, before the ceremony to avoid the prince and his attendants?" Soojin queries.
"You don't need to, but you need to wear much simpler clothing. For now it would be better if you would assume Jimin's identity. "
"I understand father." Soojin nods, still a glimpse of doubt in her face.
"Worry not my darling, I am pretty sure this trick has been used once or twice throughout the history."
👸🤴
Jungkook breathes heavily as he successfully landed on one of the castle's window. Exhausted, he settled immediately on the nearest seat available.
Then a lady came in, her quite shabby clothing is quite a contrast to her elegant face.
Jungkook was stunned and wondered if he actually fell off the moat and had gone to heaven instead.
"Oh...Who are you? How did you got here?" The lady asked.
"It's a long story.... Why won't you sit down and I'll tell you?" Jungkook then gestured the seat next to him.
"Um... that's the King and Queen's thrones." The lady answered.
Jungkook frowned at that. "It's too hard to be a throne." He said patting the seat cushions.
"Well a leader's seat is not meant to be comfortable. Again, who are you and how did you get here?"
Jungkook can't help but smile at the show of wit.
"Ah, pardon my insolence." He finally stands up from the throne. "My name is Jung- I mean Taehyung. I am one of Prince Jungkook's attendants."
"Oh! I am an attendant of Princess Soojin as well, my name is Jimin ." The lady curtsy at him.
"Then you must know why I am here then. We hear that Her Highness was a beauty, and she was quite hard to please. It was said that two years ago, men across the lands have gathered to woo her, and no one was successful."
"Where did you hear that?" Jimin chuckles .
"Well, I traveled from distant lands - I mean with Prince Jungkook, and it's always the talk of the town."
"I guess stories would vary from places to places." the maiden said with a mysterious smile. "If you are already here, I assume that the Prince is now in the palace as well?"
"Erm... well, the drawbridge is taking some time coming down... I got a bit bored, and I can't stand the noise it makes." Jungkook recalls the aggravating sounds and massages his ear. "It needed to be oiled."
"What it needs is a new one." The lady corrected. "It was indeed terrible. But... how did you get here?"
The way her head tilts as she ask is so adorable that Jungkook wanna coo at her.
"Well...um... I could only find one way ... See that large old tree across the moat? I had taken a large swing and grabbed onto this window. I was hanging for a few minutes before I managed to climb up. That's why I am bone tired." Jungkook dramatically exhales at that.
"Oh! You cross the moat from there?! That's extremely dangerous!" Jimin exclaimed.
"Well, It did rack my nerves for a bit since it's my first time swinging that far." Jungkook can't help but boast his amazing feat in front of the beautiful maiden.
"Yeah, I was so nervous too, when I did it for the first time. It's a good thing I was lighter than you." She answered casually that Jungkook's gloating quickly zaps out.
"What?! You mean you swung across the moat as well??" The prince had stood up from surprise.
"Oh, I did it often."
"Often?!? And here I am thinking I was so brave for doing it just once!" Jungkook gasped astounded.
"You are! It's great that you managed to land on the first try. I crashed down and had to swam and do it again." the lady said as if it's something normal. "I actually discovered a way to cross the moat easier, with lesser risk of falling!"
"Maybe you can show me some time. You can also teach me how to swim while you're at it."
"Wait, you don't know how to swim?!" It was the lady's turn now. "You are really outstanding! You risked it even though you weren't able to swim, did it on the first attempt, and to think that I am a lot lighter than you!"
"You keep on talking about how light you are that it makes me curious. I would like to try it for myself, can I?" Jungkook then gestured as the lady stood up and gave permission.
The prince then carried her, their faces coming closer together.
"You're right, you are indeed light, I think I can hold you forever." He can't help but stare at the lovely being in his hands. "You're so beautiful... Do you know how lovely you are?"
With that, the lady giggles and then laughs softly.
"Why are you laughing." Jungkook asks as he carefully puts her down.
Jimin composed herself as she walked away from the throne towards the large windows, sitting on the wooden long chairs meant for the attendants.
"Well, I laugh as I remembered a little private joke of mine, only one other person in the world know it." She said, smiling.
"I would really love to hear it. In exchange, I will also tell you a secret that only one other person knows." Jungkook eagerly follows and sat down but keeps a respectful distance.
"It's a deal then. Here's mine, when I was born, one of my godparents blessed me with a beauty that would encompass all the beauty all throughout the land."
"Well, she certainly had granted you that." Jungkook eagerly agreed.
"But my other godparent, Hoseok, said this:
I give you this kiss
A wedding day surprise
For Ignorance is a Bliss
Tis folly to be Wise
Nobody knew what it meant, until I grew up very ... plain. People think that the Great Hoseok had made a mistake and cursed me instead. It did make me sad that I tried running away on my tenth birthday. That is when I met Great Hoseok in that forest. He then explains what his blessing meant....
"Seokjin-ah, your beauty is indeed unrivaled all through out the land, but I am afraid that you would grow up spoiled and vain from the people's praise and admiration, so I make the others see you rather plainly, until you meet the one who would love you truly. I wanted you to be assured of yourself and not seek validation from others, I want you to be wise and nurture other aspects of beauty aside from the physical appearance."
.... After that, I had fun when people thought I was ugly, while my mirror would tell me otherwise." she finished her story with a chuckle.
"Your great godparent Hoseok is really, really wise, and talking with you for a short while, he succeeded in what he wanted. You are indeed more than a beauty." Jungkook said with an amused laugh.
"My, well, thank you. Now I think it's your turn to spill your secrets."
Jungkook had gone quiet for a while, obviously getting nervous to narrate his story.
"This might not be as amusing as yours, but here it goes. There was a prince, the youngest of his family, who loved traveling, he loved divulging people's culture. You see, when he had enough of his travel and decided to settle down, he realized he didn't know how to socialize with people of nobility. Several of his matches were unsuccessful due to his over nervousness, that after just a couple of years, it diminished his confidence and accepted his fate of being alone. So when he heard of a beautiful princess that was looking for a match herself, he decided to try his luck again. Then, when they were just a couple of town closer, an idea had struck him. You see one of his attendant was of nobility and know how to act more "princely", so he instructed him pretend to be the prince, ask for the Princess' hand and on the wedding day they would switch places."
"How would they do that?" The lady looks genuinely intrigued. No judgment marred her beautiful face.
"Well, they will tell that as part of the prince tradition, he would marry in full armor with his visor down, covering his face." Jungkook explains.
That seems to be the final straw as Jimin burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that tears were starting to form her eyes.
"Hey, I now it's quite a unique secret, but why are you laughing that hard?" Jungkook finally asked as the lady wiped a tear in her eye.
"Well.... that would be another secret of mine." The lady smiles sweetly again.
Oh, how Jungkook loves her smile already.
"Then I would exchange another secret for it." Jungkook said.
"I think you should go first then."
Jungkook breathes in deeply. He stands up, hoping to ease his nerves as he looks at Jimin in the eyes
"My name is not Taehyung, I am Jungkook! I am the Princ - ow!"
He wasn't able to assess the lady's reaction as he felt the cramping of his leg, forcing him to sit down again.
"What is it?" The lady comes closer, concern in her voice.
"Bad cramps - I am Jungkook!" he said again.
"Let me help massage it." she then rubs his cramping leg.
"I am the Prince."
"Do you now feel better?" The lady seems to be more focused on his leg than the grand information he just told.
"I am Prince Jungkook." Now, his voice is laced with desperation.
"I know."
"How!?"
"You told me plenty of times." the lady said, looking at him and removing her hands from his leg.
"Why are you not acting surprise or something? That's the biggest secret of my life." Jungkook said, a bit relief but not really.
"Why? History had similar schemes!" the lady said a bit playful.
"Really, I thought my plan was original." Jungkook blinks as the lady let out a chuckle again.
" Not really, in fact, my secret is of very similar circumstances. You see Princess Soojin, her parents, to be precise, see that their child as very, very plain, ugly even to the royal standards, so they made a ploy. They had one of her pretty lady in waiting to pose as the Princess. Then, on the wedding day, they would switch places as per their makeup tradition. The bride will appear in a thick veil to cover her face."
It's now Jungkook's turn to laugh heartily, realizing the scheme the two of them had done. Soojin then joins in, the warm afternoon light adding to that jovial warm feeling.
Then they heard the cheering crowd from afar, ending that moment.
"Are you all celebrating like that when the drawbridge gets down." Jungkook asked with a smile,
"Yes and by this time your attendant Taehyung is now professing his passionate love to my lady in waiting, Jimin. And if I am not clear enough, I am the Princess Soojin." she stands up, and Jungkook follows.
"Well, I am not actually surprise. History had similar schemes." he reached for Soojin's hand and kissed it. "Even when you are not the Princess, I made up my mind that it's you that I would like to marry."
Soojin smiles as she blushes.
"You see when you called me beautiful so genuinely, I know for a fact that you were the one Great Hoseok had promised to me. Even when you are not the prince, it's you I would like to marry." she answered wittingly.
They soon heard voices outside of the hall. They both knew they had to part ways and go to their respective parties.
Before they do, Jungkook boldly grabbed Soojin's hand again.
"When we met at the altar, I would lift my visor so that you can see my eyes as we speak our vows." He promised.
"Then, at the altar, I will also lift my veil for you to see my face as we speak our vows. Goodbye for now, my prince."
"I will see you again, my princess."
👸🤴
That night, the throne room was littered by nobility as they witnessed the foreign Prince formally asking their Princess' hands. If they noticed how their princess looked seemingly different, they knew it best to stay quiet.
The king and queen entered arm in arm, followed by the Prince (Taehyung) and the Princess (Jimin).
Their attendants, follow as well.
As the king sat down on his throne, he noticed a new face besides the Prince.
"Who is he?" Namjoon curiously asked.
"Ah, he is my attendant. He meant to assist me through my wedding preparations." Taehyung explains as Jungkook made a curtsy bow.
The chancellor then made an announcement on the final test for the royal hand.
Yoonji subtly pinches her husband. "You arranged everything, right." she whispered.
"Yes, I told him the exact answer a while ago." Namjoon whispers back.
"As per our country's tradition, someone who would ask the royal princess hand shall pass a final test of wits." Taehyung straightened his posture at that. "It is also written that a question can not repeat ever, and so I myself had prepared the question. What has four legs and meows like a cat?"
"A dog!" Taehyung speaks proudly.
The King visibly pales as he heard Yoonji stood up, whispering something about finding a sword.
The chancellor looked at the paper he was holding, letting out a cough before continuing. "According to the records, the correct answer would be - "
"Your majesty may I have the permission to speak." Jungkook interrupted.
"Yes, yes, please." the panic stricken Namjoon pleaded as he came to his senses and urged his Queen to sit down.
"You see, the prince and I had traveled to far a way lands, there we witness the difference in culture, traditions and even languages." Jungkook explains as Taehyung enthusiastically nods beside him. "You see in our country, there's this animal we call a "dog", it sits at the fireplace, purrs, and loves to drink milk. It also had four legs and mews."
"Yes, yes, remember that ginger colored dog who loves to climb at my neck?" Taehyung supplied.
The chancellor seems to nod in understanding.
"Of course I do. Now, Your Majesties, I am aware that in some countries it is called a cat, but in the place we are from we called the creature a dog."
"Thank you for clarifying!" Namjoon immediately backs him up, "I think it makes everything clear, right, Chancellor?"
"I agree. With that, I would like to congratulate His Royal Highness on solving the riddle and successfully passing the test."
The crowd booms into a cheer as Namjoon stands, clapping.
"I would like to invite everyone to the Grand Hall to prepare and celebrate the upcoming royal wedding! Chancellor, may you see to it that everything went well!"
As the chancellor exits, one by one, the people start leaving the throne room.
Before Jungkook can turn to leave, the King had called him.
"Young man, I admire your swift reaction and wit, It would be my great pleasure to reward you with something you wish as a way to commend you." Namjoon states.
"Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty. I would love to have such a reward after the ceremony." Jungkook quickly finds Soojin, and a knowingly smile was exchanged between them.
He then bows and takes his leave.
As everyone except the Royal family has left the room, the King and Queen quickly turns their attention to Soojin, who seems to be surprisingly different now, yet they know it was their beloved daughter.
"What do you think of Prince Jungkook, Soojin?" The queen asked.
"I adore him, mother. I think we will be happy to be with each other." She said, smiling brightly.
"Yes, of course. Now go and prepare for your wedding." Namjoon said as their daughter sweetly bids them goodbye.
The royal couple sat in silence for a while, staring at the now empty room.
"We should congratulate ourselves for this successful ruse." the king started.
"That should be after the wedding." Yoonji grumbles.
"Have you noticed something different with our princess? She seems to be glowing...very beautiful even." Namjoon added.
"It's the wedding glow." Yoonji once again dismisses, eyes closed, wanting to relax in the silence.
"Ah, that could be it." Namjoon smiles as he joins his wife.
In the middle of the forest, Great Hoseok also smile.
-FIN