Episode 1: One Summer Nig (1/1)

Yelling after the lady he just saw and by the way waking up all residents of the house wouldn’t be a good idea. Taehyung thought and few times rode alongside the wall which surrounded the garden. “How come? He wondered and kept peeking above it, hoping to see her again. To think that I was right here to witness such a marvelous phenomenon? Maybe she was just a mirage caused by my tired senses? He thought. Or true nymphs have taken over this part of the kingdom? Taehyung shook his head at a total lack of sense in his way of thinking.  “Things like that, don’t happen without a reason.” His mother would’ve said, he was sure of it. A smile of pure delight radiated from his face, til he heard the sound of few riders coming after him.  Taehyung rolled his eyes at the sight of four of them coming his way. However after getting surrounded by his own guards from each side, he welcomed them with a bright smile.  “I can’t believe you would act so foolishly!” the tallest one, Namjoon scolded Taehyung right away, making him sigh in response.  “Seriously?” Yoongi, another one who was dressed the most nobly out of all of them added while shaking his head “I was certain the whole time that he would come out with such an idea.”  Taehyung opened his mouth and then pouty replied “It’s not my fault that you guys are so slow at keeping up with me. When I say that we should race, then we should race.” he shrugged his shoulders and smirked evilly, still thinking that parting with them a while ago was the best idea he could ever come up with. “And of course, everyone acted how our majesty commanded~” Hoseok – the third one of his dear friends said with undeniable irony, making the forth one – Jimin giggle.  “Yah~ did you forget that I’m here as one of you? It’s Yoongi who’s playing the crowned prince now. Don’t forget that.” Taehyung snapped at them and looked around if anyone heard them. Hoseok and Jimin looked at each other and then at Taehyung apologetically. “Sorry~” Both of them said. “Playing the crowned prince – another idea of yours…” Namjoon sighed at Taehyung’s words. Out of their group, he was the most rational and overthinking everything one. “How foolish it is of you, to start a relationship with your future wife with such big, fat lie?” Namjoon couldn’t get it.  “Foolish? I don’t think any of you can teach me anything about being a husband, huh? So zip it~” Taehyung tilted his head slightly while looking at Namjoon. It irked him that someone questioned his choices and decisions he made while being in no position to do so. Knowing that someone underestimated him, pushed him into acting even more recklessly.  “I want her to fall for me – do you understand? Not for my wealth or position. If I’m to spend my life with her, I’ll let her at least see the real me. Is that way of thinking foolish in your opinion?” Taehyung smiled mockingly at his wise friend. The one he always listened, but usually acted other way around to the advice he received. “You just want to have fun, just admit it.” Namjoon touched his temples already tired by the perspective of next two weeks they were supposed to spend at Minister Oh’s house. The house of Taehyung’s future father-in-law. “C’mon! Who said I’m not going to fall for her as well?” Taehyung tried to sound and look all innocent “If a little bit of fun comes along, I’m just going to go with the flow and I advise you to do the same – my friends.” he added with a playful wink which made them all sigh defeated.  “Wah, so evil.” Namjoon scoffed and others nodded, but Taehyung already rushed his horse to move forward “I’m telling you again Taehyung-ah – this is so wrong.” Namjoon yelled after him still unable to somehow influence the plan of the young crowned prince.  “Relax, won’t you?” Taehyung said and after taking one last look at the garden, he fastened the horse with a short whistle and rode away as the first one. In a matter of seconds the other four men followed after him. They headed straight to the main gate of the household Taehyung’s interest in boosted up since few minutes ago.  Was that sudden interest awakened by discovering the true beauty in the garden he accidentally passed by while trying to look for a shortcut? Indeed. Taehyung thought and a smile couldn’t seem to leave his face from now onward.  Meanwhile a group of women arrayed simply just as maidens should be dressed, crowded around one young lady in the middle of her lit by the first sunbeams chamber.  “Quick~” Miran flinched as her first maiden said and then pulled her hands above her head, to have her sleeping garments being taken off.  “Why are we in such a rush?” Miran asked when the other maiden begun brushing her messy, black hair. “Guests arrived, my lady. Very important guests. To know that we’re already late because of your visit in the garden – it is not appropriate my lady.” The most talkative maiden replied swiftly and got immediately shushed by her supervisor. The eldest maiden, who Miran knew since early childhood. “I’m sorry…” Miran felt apologetic right away but still kept asking “Who are they exactly? Why am I even needed there if those are my father’s guests? I never had to greet them in right away. Father rarely insisted on bringing me along.”  Instead of getting an answer, her maidens pushed Miran into washing and drying off her face with a white towel piece. “I asked you all a question?” Miran repeated when they still kept being silent.  “It was forbidden to tell by your father, my lady.” the first maiden finally said, leaving Miran offended. Not because they listened to their employer, but because as always, father didn’t consider her worthy of knowing how he was going to influence or plan up her daily activities.  “Forbidden?” Miran mumbled emotionless and in silence let her maidens prepare her for the welcoming ceremony. Why was it kept in such secret? Miran couldn’t stop thinking. A situation as today’s never occurred, so what was she supposed to think of it?  Could it be? She felt her heart speeding up uncontrollably after figuring out something. Miran knew the one true fact that has been giving her quite a headache since she ended sixteen years. In this part of the kingdom – she was the only, unmarried, noble lady of her age. He wouldn’t just decide on his own, right? Miran hoped while thinking about her father.  “Perfect.” the voice of the youngest maiden brought her back to reality. “Huh?” Miran blinked at them few times dumbfounded. “I’m sure you’ll flaunt all those men with your appearance, my lady.” the first maiden said and handed Miran the so called mirror. A piece of polished metal reflected her dolled up face, leaving her embarrassed at her own sight.  White skin, red lips and tightly braided hair embellished with a golden, imitating a butterfly pin. Clothing in colors such as red and navy blue, those which paid her fair skin the biggest tribute. With flowers in her hair and braids of various thickness embracing her head like a wreath. There was literally no flaw in her outer appearance… except the inside is rotten. Miran thought and touched her cheek.  “There’s no time, my lady – we should go now.” the maiden stated and Miran had no other choice but to listen. If she didn’t, all these women trying to keep their jobs, would’ve probably taken her to her father by force. Miran thought. The sound made by the material of her hanbok as she moved on, seemed to be the only sound Miran’s ears could pick off. In her overwhelmed head, going forward through the corridors was like heading straight to the place of an execution. The execution on her dear freedom. She felt her heartbeat speeding up even more as they moved farther from her chamber. Tiny steps she had to make in the heavy shoes, hands of the maidens who kept on fixing her dress and all the layers of it she had on, all of it tired her greatly. Till the point Miran almost lost her breath when guards she has seen for the very first time in her life opened the door leading to the main hall – where every great event organized by her father took place.  However she could recognize the royal symbol on the guards’ clothing right away. What is the meaning of this? She was beyond confused, but then the sight of the hall filled with people such as her father’s and unknown eunuchs, maidens, noble men and even more guards opened before her.  When everyone, with her father – Minister Oh in the middle, turned their heads at her, Miran as well felt like sinking into ground. As if dozens of sizzling cols were thrown at her face, she felt her cheeks burning.  Her feet kept shaking while she tried to smoothly walk in accompanied by maidens. She then noticed her father walking slowly towards her, pulling his hand out so she could take it – This is bad… Miran thought instantly, but still gave him her hand. Even if he was never to appreciate it, Miran was always a good daughter.  “Be glad my daughter, great honor and fortune fell on your family Miran-ah.” Miran stared blankly at her father speaking to her as he lead her to the middle of the hall. When was the last time we talked, father? She thought unable to say anything back.  “My beloved daughter – your highness~” Miran had to process her father’s words for a moment and even though she was in deep shock to be introduced to someone from a royal family straight away, nothing of it could be seen in her expression or behavior. Highness? She repeated in her mind. What does it mean? She couldn’t lift her sight from the floor.  “Let me introduce Miran, my young, black orchid. The only daughter of house Oh.” her father continued speaking, making her feel more and more uncomfortable. He used to call her with that title whenever her pretty face could pay off to him in any way.  The silence that occurred after his words pushed Miran into glancing up swiftly. She gasped soundlessly and looked at the crowned prince’s shoes.  There were five people in front of her. Being the shortest one around, Miran felt even smaller under their burdening eyes. Of course, she recognized the prince right away because of the way he was dressed up. With dark blue clothing on and a royal emblem presenting the golden dragon covering his chest, he stood out from the men in front of her the most. “Your highness~” Miran had to bow down to the ground, while still trying to look as graceful as possible. What am I doing? She asked herself in despair.  “From the moment I and the great king of this country made a promise of our houses uniting for the next ages to follow with marriage, your destines were bounded together – my children.” Miran tried to keep up with her father’s words, but each one was like a poisonous dart shot straight through her heart.  Her father pulled her closer towards the crowned prince and handed her hand to him. The prince’s eyes were cold and arcane, Miran glanced. Seeing though him, she somehow felt as if he had to push himself to grab her hand. Even though she was probably the only one to notice – it made her feel humiliated in front of all the others gathered there.  Yet, it didn’t stop her from noticing how rough the skin on his hands seemed to be. Naturally curious, she glanced at the prince for another short period of time and this time saw a slim, barely discernible line, something like a scar slightly above his left eyebrow. Not even realizing when, she became to wonder what could’ve happened to him.  “Hopefully the bond between you is going to grow tight and strong during our majesty's stay at our poor estate.” Miran internally cringed at her father’s words.  Her thoughts of making a scene and escaping to simply hide somewhere no one could ever find her blurred out under fafther’s piercing gaze. Honor, fortune and… family – the last one was never important to you, father. She wanted to say to him.  Through the rest of the day she had to accompany the prince whenever they were sent by her father. Accompanied by a group of eunuchs, his guards and her maidens following few steps behind the two of them – Miran didn’t even had a chance to exchange a proper sentence with him. Whenever she spoke of something she considered important – for example about how the sun reflected differently in the surface of a lake that was nearby whenever seasons changed, he replied her with nothing. Just stared at the water nonchalantly and headed forward without a word. Every time he did that, Miran pursued her lips into a tight line harder and harder – to the point they almost went numb and with gritted teeth followed after him.  This is pointless… she thought after an n-th attempt of starting a conversation. She was unable to see any bright side of the situation she found herself in. Used, unwanted, treated like air. If her life was supposed to continue like that – how was she supposed to let it be? Blanked out she continued to be the perfect, young lady – maybe not trying to impress her future husband, oh no~ - but at least trying to not turn him against her more than he already was. “My lady?” Miran looked at her concerned, youngest maiden who tried to check how she was doing during the evening, welcoming feast paid as a tribute to the crowned prince. “It’s fine.” Miran replied while sending her a fair smile and again while no one else paid attention to her – she begun thinking, how would it be if she left all of this behind.  She could feel her shaky breath coming out of her throat. If she was to speak at that moment, she would probably just broke out into tear