There are many duties that distinguish the position of a Princess.

But, the most important duty - the one that is stressed the most - is to be sociable.

And unfortunately, that is the one quality that I seemed to have missed out on. And when I say ‘quality’ it means that you are born with it. You can develop it or practice it all you want, but you can never really truly be great at it compared to someone who is a natural at it.

At this current moment, I am attending another oh-so-fun banquet with my father. If I had a choice, I would most definitely pick doing paperwork and memorizing more history facts over this. But, I wasn’t given a choice. So here I am, standing among many other guests who were invited, with the fakest smile I can muster on my face.

This time, the banquet is being held by one of the nearby kingdoms in the region of Kkum. In this world that we live in, there are in total, four regions in the country of Korea – the region of Kkum, the region of Sowon, the region of Him, and the region of Yoggu. Each with their own kingdoms and leaders. And here at this banquet, held the very leaders with their heirs. 

So to speak, being an heir to the kingdom of my father’s in the region of Kkum, it is part of my duty to be here.

So, back to my problem.

My duty is to be here and not only to create small talk among the most troublesome people on the planet, I also need to have the ability to establish connections with the future Kings and Queens of this country of Korea.

This is where being sociable should come in.

Due to my lacking of this certain quality, I do try my best to pretend but it’s just wasn’t meant for me. At each gathering I attend, this fact has only been proven more and more.

“Haewon, you promised me that you would try.”

I had my arm linked with my father’s as he mumbled my disgraced promise to him. We entered the banquet together and ‘happily’ greeted the guests.

“I said I would try my best, can’t you tell that I am?” With a quick of my movements, a smile returns as I greeted another King.

My father tries his best to hide his chuckle, “I trust that you’ll behave…and make some friends.”

With those last words, he unlinked our arms and left me to myself. I tried to reach out for him but he quickly dodged my silent cry of help. If there was one thing I didn’t want, it would be to be left alone. I will never say it is a fear but it was close to it. Especially when Yongguk was nowhere to be seen.

I glanced around the hall - an immense hall that was heavily decorated to match the people who attended this event. So basically, the decorations were overly done.

On each of the four walls, the countless Werewolves belonging to each kingdom lined up against it. Eyes focused on wherever a threat may enter and the positions of their own royal family. Ours happen to be the three black suited Werewolves at each corner of the room. That included Yongguk’s father. The golden emblem on the upper part of their arm makes them naturally stand out. While the three were here, I assumed the other two were with Yongguk, finishing up their own assignments.

As I focused back, I couldn’t help but feel so overwhelmed in a room so large and with so many people I have only seen and not personally met. And it was things like these that made me miss Yongguk even more. 

But nonetheless, I took a breath to calm myself and straightened my back. If there was one thing I learned, it's that when you are around people who are confident, you need to be just as confident. You need not to feel inferior. Simply because it is at these gatherings that you will find a wide spectrum of various different people. People ranging from the soft-spoken to the ones that are sly and devious. In truth, many are here with some type of motive. Whether it be to establish connections or to gain foothold in this world of many kingdoms. Behind those smiles and laughter, there are sometimes conniving thoughts.

In a world where there are the ‘powerful’ and the ‘powerless’, there will be greed.

That is one of many reasons why I don’t particularly get along with the people who attend these gatherings. But, there are sometimes exceptions to that thought.  

Without much effort, my eyes drifted from the people in the banquet hall towards the windows and glass doors leading out to the balcony. How easy would it be if I walked over and took a moment to step out –

“What are you thinking about?”

I spun around at the sudden voice. Before me stood, who I assume, is a Prince. Which? I couldn’t tell you. No matter how many times my teacher tried to get me to memorize the faces and names of all the Princesses and Princes, it would go in one ear and then out the other.

A smile manages to appear on my lips effortlessly, “oh, nothing.” I would have to leave him first if I wanted to get close to those doors. A waiter passes by and hands me a glass of water and I thankfully took it from him. No matter how I wanted to leave, I knew I needed to at least try to be…sociable.

“Nice to finally meet you, I’m Youngjae.” He went ahead and gave a polite bow.

Youngjae: 18 years old

I returned the bow. “Likewise - Haewon.”

Youngjae chuckled, “I already know of the antisocial Princess.”

Well there goes all my effort. I’m already known for the opposite of what I have been trying to do. “Is that what people say about me?” I wasn’t offended…just surprised. Normally gossip will remain said behind another’s back but Youngjae openly told me.

He nodded his head and soft laughs left his lips, “but, I wouldn’t fret about it.”

Unknowingly, a smile tugged at my lips. “I agree, I wouldn’t lose good sleep over it.”

“That’s the attitude,” he brightly responded and nudged me. I looked down at the spot on my arm he touched with his elbow, slightly taken aback by how casual he is. “When you let it get to you, that’s when you lose.”

“Sounds like you have experience.”

“Not particularly, I’m actually quite loved.” 

“That just means you know how to please them.” I was now more than entertained with the young man in front of me.

He shrugs, “years of practice. Definitely useful when you have to meet so many people.”

I couldn’t help but feel charmed by the young man in front of me. No one here has ever not bored me to death. “You know, you should be proud. You have kept my attention longer than anyone else here has.”

“It has been like three minutes.”

I gave him a close-lipped smile. “Exactly. That’s quite a feat if I should be honest.” He laughed and we turned around to look out into the vast room. The loud chattering from the people present rang throughout the brightly lit and extravagantly decorated room. For once, I didn’t feel like I wanted to disappear but instead, I actually wanted to carry on a conversation. “Prince Youngjae, do you know why we always hold these banquets and parties?”

“Royalties like to get together,” he simply provides an answer.

“That –“ I answered with a smile, “ – and the fact that everyone here likes a false sense of security.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Maybe