PROMISES

warning: genderbender (fem!sehun)

There are a lot of things Jongin is used to, courtesy of Seyoung’s wild, impulsive and not perfectly lady-like personality, but this - this is new. He’s never seen Crown Princess Seyoung, in such an attire before, hair tied up in a messy bun, grime smeared all over her delicate features - that are, if he is permitted to say so, beautiful despite the dirt covering it. She’s dressed in a kitchen helper’s uniform, rough, simple linen clothings full of stains that do not belong on a person of high rank. Seyoung is going to be a queen one day, and such a dress does not befit her.


“What are you doing here?” Jongin hisses as he is pulled aside, scared out of his mind that they might be discovered by one of the other royal guards. As a staff member of the security department, he is supposed to stay on his spot and not let anyone dubious enter. He is not allowed to leave, but that wouldn’t be the only crime he’s committing. The other one, even worse than this - that is if one was to judge by the perspective of the Crown and the public - is the hand that is holding Seyoung’s, and the words that he’s elicit from her countless time.


“I love you, so I came to visit,” Seyoung whispers, quiet laughter bubbling up. Jongin feels elated as much as he’s frightened - scared for his own measly life, but even more worried for Seyoung. If people were to find out they are lovers, he will be taken from her, death being the punishment for dirty hands touching Royalty. And once he has left her, who will be the one she can lean on? Who will be the one to protect her frail heart?


Seyoung is an angel, sent down to earth to heal the people, to make them forget about the war that has scarred nations. She is people’s hope of a new, bright future, promised to be married off to the household that has once been the enemy. Jongin knows that, and Seyoung knows that, too, and yet-


“Don’t think too much, we’ll be safe,” comes Seyoung’s reassuring voice, a gentle squeeze to his hand, and when he turns his head to look at her face, she is smiling, too. An angel indeed, he thinks, feeling that he is undeserving of this too great luck. He surely didn’t expect Seyoun