I shivered in anticipation that night and when my mom asked me if I had my eyes set on anyone, I nodded. But I was unable to tell her which one. She pursed her lips, slightly excited.

               “Tomorrow, I’ll invite all of them back so you can tell me okay?”

               I nodded absentmindedly, not caring. All I could picture was my rendezvous later with the mysterious prince. I had to hide a smile. He seemed to be the perfect prince. I pictured the way his lips curved when he smiled under the mask and the large, cat shaped eyes. I bit my lips and asked to be excused but my mom grabbed my arm.

               “Are you really serious about this? Have you found anyone?”

               I yanked my arm away. “I have! Just let me try and remember who he was!” She let me go and nodded and I rushed upstairs, trying to not feel too excited.

               I slipped into my bed chamber and dismissed all of my maids. I grabbed a brush and did my hair myself, letting it flow down my back loosely and I wore a dress that was light, made for summer nights.

               I pushed aside the heavy curtains and walked out the balcony. I peered down into the gardens and saw him, the same dark figure.

               “Psst!” He looked up and the same heart stopping smile appeared on his lips.

               He grabbed onto a vine that was hanging and agilely pulled himself up. I gasped lightly when he landed next to me. He smelled good. There was something earthy about the way he smelled and I took a step back.

               He smiled briefly. “You got prettier.”

               I blushed and whispered, “You don’t even know how I was before. You can’t go around flattering girls.”

               He chuckled. “Five years later and you already forgot about me.”

               I cocked my head and stared at him. He slipped off his hood but his mask was still on. I cautiously ran a hand up his cheekbones and touched the mask. I swept a finger over his lips and he shivered. I tried to place the sharp jawline and the beautiful eyes. “Who are you?”

               He sighed and took off his mask. “Really now, little miss princess?”

               I felt my breath catch. It can’t be. He was supposed to be dead. I bit my lips and without thinking, hugged him. “You’re back. Are you really back?”

               He smiled and grabbed onto my back. “Yes, I’m back.”

               The tears started to come and he cracked a smile. “Still crying over me princess?”

               I hugged him. “Eunhyuk, where have you been all this time?” He smiled and led me through the thick curtains and back to my room. We sat on my bed and I leaned against his shoulder.

               He wrapped an arm around me. “Remember that night of our engagement party? Well, the enemies of our kingdom came and attacked you because they wanted me. They knew I was there and wanted to kill me or at least capture me. My parents were prepared and had a backup plan. They knew that they wouldn’t hurt the rest of you so they had an escape route. I was to go to China and train to be a King there.”

               I looked up at him. “Then why are you back?”

               “Cause I’m done training silly. And also because my parents refused to let me lose you to the other princes.” He wrinkled his nose. “They’re so unworthy of you.”

               I laughed. “When can I show you to my parents?”

               He stood up and picked me up with him. “Hey, Princess, do you really love me? I still remember you hating me back in the day. If I recall correctly, you wanted to refuse me.”

               I blushed and stared at my feet, “I realized how much I like you.”

               He smiled and tilted my chin up. “It’s okay, Princess. I guess I was a jerk too. I love you.” He pressed his lips against mine and I placed my arms around his neck. I felt something slide down the back of my dress and screamed, pulling away.

               A piece of rope dangled from his hand and he winked. “Can’t have you getting soft now that you love me, little miss princess.”

               I rolled my eyes. This would be what I had to live with for the rest of my life. 

thank you to justhalftheasian (tumblr) for requesting this. 

I hope you enjoyed it sweetie ^^