Kingdom

108. Daydream(2)

Mira keeps talking about the picnic. During their whole journey from Nori's residence to the East Gate, the Lady is giggling and gesturing as she praises Hoseok for presenting them with an excuse to get out of the Palace. She is more energetic than ever and her wide, charming smile doesn't leave her face.

Nori can hardly keep her eyes open. She nods and smiles but doesn't have the energy to do much else. She is walking on instinct, unaware in what direction they are going or how long they have been walking.

Thankfully, they dressed her in a simple purple hanbok and she doesn't have to carry the weight of heavy Royal robes and hair extensions. In her attire Nori looks like a common noble Lady going to the market to buy ribbons. Which is liberating.

Mira told her that the trip will be casual, organized only for the King and his closest people. Hoseok is already at the location where the picnic will take place - he left very early in the morning to make sure everything is ready for their arrival. Besides him, the other guests of the event are Nori, Mira and Namjoon. Seokjin will stay behind to deal with some state affairs.

Nori would have liked the idea of such a trip much more if she wasn't so damn sleepy. And if the thought of meeting the King didn't make her feel so damn embarrassed.

She can't bear to look Yoongi in the eyes, not after everything she saw, and everything she did last night. She would rather hide in her room for a couple of years, gathering the courage to talk to him again.

Seeing the King from afar makes her face burn hotter. Yoongi doesn't notice the approaching Ladies, busy talking with his two tall guards. He is dressed in a humble-looking navy blue hanbok, yet he looks as attractive as ever.

Nori stares at her feet, her heart racing.

If he asks her about the magic pool, she will deny going there. Until the end of time she will deny that she saw him naked in the water, or that she felt his emotions, or that she thought of him while ...

"Nori.." Mira calls for her.

"Yes?"

"Why did you stop? We are almost there, come on, they are waiting for us."

Nori nods and follows the Lady, eyes still glued to the ground. Even when the King greets them, the Princess keeps staring down, and it is only when she hears Jungkook's voice that she lifts her gaze.

"Let me come with you." Kook says, trying to catch his breath after running this way.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" the King says with a stern voice.

"I am feeling fine."

Nori examines the guard's face - his big eyes are full of enthusiasm, the healthy color of his face has returned and he the fidgety movements of his body give up his impatience to get out of this Palace.

Jungkook has regained his energy; even the magic around him feels stronger than before. Yet he fails to convince the King that he feels good enough to travel. Mira and Namjoon are quite concerned to learn that Kook suffered from a "food-poisoning" last night and also insist on him resting. But the guard reassures them he is feeling excellent and he is ready to do his job.

"We have enough guards with us, five of my best men to be precise." the King says. "We don't need you."

"The Princess needs me," Kook insists, trying to sound as respectful as possible."I am her personal guard."

"Do you want him to come?" Yoongi shoots a quick glance at Nori - it's the first time he looks at her since she arrived. She jerks her head sideways, unable to bear his gaze.