Characters: Jeongguk & OC 

Setting: Beauty and the Beast

Genre: angst

Words: 1727

Summary: The prologue of the tale as old as time.

Once upon a time there was a young prince in the kingdom. Ever since he was born, his parents and the people adored him. As he grew up he proved to be good at almost everything: horse-riding, swimming, sword-play, dancing, music, languages and science. What is more: he was not only talented in his studies but also kind and considerate toward commoners as well. Everyone admired and cared for him. Thus, as the youngest member of the royal family, he was called Golden Maknae. Being an only child, he was the last hope of Jeon dynasty and believed to become a wise king in the future.

On the other hand, in order to ensure his convenience, he got everything served on a silver plate. Soon, he became spoiled by all the good things in the world and believed he could get whatever he desired. His mother playfully called him a brat and said he would grow out of it just like caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies over time. It was the golden era of the realm. Artisans were doing a roaring trade making their businesses flourishing. People had jobs and enough food, so they were content and happy. The kingdom was at peace.

Until an unexpected tragedy and cast shadow over their lands.

The King and his lovely wife, the Queen were loved dearly by their people. As a result, the whole country was devastated when a storm destroyed their ship and stole their lives, leaving Prince Jeongguk parentless and alone on the throne.

At the age of seventeen, he was already burdened with problems of a whole country. As soon as the grief period was over, other rulers wanted to lay their hands on something that wasn’t theirs: his crown and his kingdom. However, the newly crowned king wasn’t willing to negotiate. He had no intention of giving up the country or humbling himself before anyone. That’s how the war started.

When the first attack came, his soldiers weren’t ready to fight. It had been peaceful for so long, nobody remembered what it looked like. Battles only existed in stories their grandfathers told them. It left a slim chance of surviving. The Jeons only had a few ally from the South but nobody wanted to take the risk of helping him. Not if it meant to get on the wrong side of the vicious Kims. Yet, Jeongguk being stubborn and relentless like always chose his only remaining option: offer himself to save his people from the loss they would suffer.

“It’s funny, Prince Jeongguk, how life works, isn’t it? A year ago you laughed at me and told me you would never ever marry an ugly girl like me. And look at you now, almost begging for me to be your wife.”

The princess of Jeju let out an adorable giggle while the edge of her voice was as sharp as their best swords made of stainless steel. Jeongguk tried his best not to snort at her disrespect.

“A lot changed, darling,” he replied with a hint of sarcasm. He couldn’t give her the upper hand, especially not in this situation. “First of all, I’m a king now, so treat me like one.”

The girl must have recognized she was a guest of the Royal Palace and bowed a little with a wicked smile on her ageless face.

“Arrogant as always,” she hissed and tucked a wavy lock behind her pointy ears. The jewels put in her long blonde hair tinkled every time she moved. With her vivid blue eyes and snub nose, she seemed out of this world, unhuman but most of all, scary.

“I offer you a deal, it’s up to you whether you accept it or not,” Jeongguk said nonchalantly and lifted his glass towards her. He took a sip of his red wine slowly as if he had all the time in the world. “If I recall correctly, fairies are not welcomed on this land. Not even a single soul wants to associate with your kind. That’s why you father came to mine last year. If we get married, we will rule more land than the Kims could ever dream of and you won’t be looked down anymore.”

The king chose his words with extreme care aiming for a certain reaction. Jeju’s princess didn’t disappoint him. Her smile faded immediately and her pale complex went rigid in less than a blink of an eye. Her jaw clenched when she spit at him.

“You, humans, think so highly of yourselves. I don’t need your help.”

The disgust in her voice was so evident, Jeongguk flinched a little but soon composed himself. Both parties had troubles with the Kims and according to the saying your enemy’s enemy is your friend so it was reasonable to stick together. It had been an option earlier and it was definitely an option now with an upcoming battle just around the corner. A year ago he had been young, silly and careless to be so harsh with his words. He hadn’t considered the consequences of his actions. He had only cared about avoiding the girl with unnatural, fluorescent eyes.

“We both know you do. If I lose this war, they will come for your people, too. You must be aware that I’m the only one who stops them from crossing my land and attack your gates,” Jeongguk reasons and he knew he was right. His kingdom was the only one that protected the fairies’ land in honour of their alliance of long standing. “Be rational. It’s just marriage.”

For him, it was. He never had any possibilities to fall in love or even witness that miracle called true love. He accepted his fate that as a king his country came before his feelings. It didn’t change anything if he absolutely despised the idea.

“Just marriage?” the blonde fairy princess echoed choking on her own saliva. “Is it so unbelievable that I want to marry out of love?”

“Love? Don’t kid yourself,” he chuckled at her naivety. “It’s a luxury for people like us. Our duty is to have an heir. Love doesn’t matter.”

A war was going on and he was alone. Most likely he won’t make it until his coming of age day. Might as well die trying. He’d be a fool to waste his time by cherishing dreams like finding his one and only.

The princess thought otherwise.

“You gross me out. You just want to use anyone around you.”

His confident smile faltered at her insult. It hurt, it really did, because he didn’t have a choice.

“Aren’t we all?” he questioned rhetorically. “I’m trying to save my kingdom.”

The blonde girl hesitated, her own burden weighted too much on her shoulders. Surprisingly, her tone was softer when she replied:

“You really think I came here, a land where I know my kind is hated, as an earnest of my good intentions? Believe it or not, I actually liked you once,” she admitted almost too easily. Jeongguk didn’t fall for it, fairies had a habit of lying but right now, he didn’t really care. He needed a yes or no, a definite answer. He had a battle to fight.

“Then it’s settled. We’re going to get married.”

The royal guest shook her head in a sad manner.

“You don’t want my hand. You want my people, our magic,” she pointed out and raised an eyebrow in question.

“It’s the same thing for me,” Jeongguk shrugged. Fairy magic was indeed a very impressive weapon if it was used right. With its help they could have a good chance of winning this war. Without it they were doomed.

“I thought… I hoped you changed but you’re still the same spoiled brat who called me a beast,” the princess sighed and he had to agree that he’d definitely overstepped his boundaries that time. She stood up and picked out a burgundy rose from the vase placed on the table. It was flawless, bright coloured, without thorns. It lightly glowed while she kept talking. “Such a shame to be this handsome yet so ugly on the inside. We will see who’s the real beast between us.”

“You fairies and your metaphors,” he groaned irritably but not taking it seriously. He threw back his head to look at the standing girl properly. “What does that even mean?”

The princess’ smile was ominous and evil. He pressed his mouth in a thin line waiting for another insult. Instead, the fairy’s eyes turned into a lighter shade of icy blue and her suddenly thunder-like voice resonated through the whole throne room.

“King Jeongguk, your people who blindly trust you will finally see who you really are. You’re selfish and empty-hearted, so hear my curse. This rose blooms until you turn 21. If the last petal falls and the flower dies, you shall stay in your monstrous form for ever.”

The king wanted to laugh at her and her nonsense talk but then he felt it: something awful crawling in him, breaking his bones, covering him in blood and sweat and rage. His reflection on the wall looked like a monster from fairy tales. The sight made him cry out which sounded like a roar of an injured animal.

“What did you do to me?” he rattled helplessly on all fours.

The fairy princess ignored him and continued.

“The only way to break the curse is to find someone who truly loves you, someone who can teach you how to love.” Her smile grew wider when she heard the noise of shining armours and guards banging on the door. “Good luck, darling,” the fairy teased back and disappeared into thin air before Jeongguk could utter a word.

The king shattered every mirror in the castle that night until his hands were bleeding and tears finally run down on his hideous face. He locked himself up in his chambers not wanting anyone to see him. He was more alone than ever, counting days and nights like it didn’t matter anymore. He let rumours spread about witchcraft and just stood there watching his kingdom wither. Without their monarch, people fell into despair and they lost the war. Everything became grey and blank. Dark times and miserable years were about to come.

Will anyone be able to save him before the last crimson petal falls?