"I told you already that you won't be getting anything from me. What's the point of all this then? ", I asked Miami, the old lady-in-waiting, who happened to be the only other living soul in this huge castle of endless rooms and labyrinths.

" It's Taehyung's order that you be dressed up as he says", she muttered while ignoring my protests and struggling to do my hair, "and since he gets what he wants, it's pointless to disobey him".

Miami, as I gathered, wasn't much of a maid, but rather like a mother-figure to Taehyung, and so she was comfortable calling him by his name. She seemed to be kind, and her company made me feel relieved unlike what I feel when alone in this gloomy castle, or worse, when with him.

Last night, he had confronted me again.

"You better tell me where the other ring is".

" I already told you, you won't get
that from me".

"Pretty brave of you to talk back, considering you are all alone in this castle, and I can always have my way with you, and believe me, not a single soul resides within miles around so you have no one to save you even if you scream your lungs out and die".

" My dead mouth won't tell you where the ring is, would it? I already told you it's not with me, and no one else knows where it is, so it would be stupid of you to loose your only chance".

"Don't try me princess, I have my ways.
You'll know soon".

" Why do you keep addressing me as 'princess'? "

"Isn't it obvious? Because you are one".

Surprised, I scanned his face to check his reaction. He had the same smug smile on his face.
There was no doubt about it, he knew.

" The mark on your neck gives away, else your guise was quite deceptive "

And that's how he had known it all along. All royal members of Adele are marked with the emblem of a flower at their birth, and I was no exception, and now he knows who I am.

I was sure it was going to make things difficult.

For Taehyung, on his part, was extremely shrewd, and knew how to get what he wanted. He had guessed that the ring was still somewhere inside the Palace Of Adele, so he would now use me as a bait to threaten my father to hand over the ring.

The ring was not with him though. They had send it over to the palace of Prince George and it was to be kept there, till exchanged on the day of our marriage.

Nevertheless, I was forced to dress up in an eloquent, glamorous gown, studded with glittering gems and delicate laces- a typical claustrophobic overall of any Adeleian princess.

Miami led me into a dark chamber (I haven't been to any room in this entire castle which isn't gloomy ), where I saw him bending over a huge crystal ball, setting it up for today.
It was similar to the one which Samantha has and seeing it, I suddenly regretted not telling her my plan to run away.

Maybe she would have supported me, knowing that I was doing this to protect the ring, for the well being of our kingdom and it's future; she would have told me better ways to pull the task off, and I never would have ended up here.

"Shall we first speak with your to-be husband? ", he questioned rubbing his hands together, " he would be delighted to see you".

Throwing me a mocking smile, he turned back and mumbled some spells to bring the crystal ball to life.
The crystal ball, apart from predicting one's destiny, could also be used to communicate with another person possessing the same .

Taehyung's POV

The hopes of being able to recover the other ring sprang back to life, as Prince George's countenance slowly formed on the Crystal Ball's glassy surface.

"It's an honor to meet you Prince George, and I presume you are already well acquainted with your lady here", I nodded towards her as she sat bound against the chair, fuming with rage.

She thought she could outsmart me. I could practically sense her spite and surprise when she realized that I was communicating with Prince George, and not her parents. Everyone in the kingdom knows that their wedding is just a couple of days later, and she thought I wouldn't guess where the ring might be.

Com'on man, I'm the best thief alive for a reason.

"Can you just stop beating round the bush and tell me what you want with me?" he sneered, his face displaying no signs of concern for her whatsoever.

"I want the Ring, Prince, I know it's with you. If you want her back safe and, well, alive, send me the ring by today. Else she won't see another day I-"

"Did you call me here for this?"

His audacity startled me, and I found myself fumbling for words, "I don't give empty threats Prince George. Either give me the ring, or I'll have her dead".

Leaning back in his chair, he let out a relaxed sigh, " Oh believe me, I would have given everything to have her back but I am the prince of Veraenao, and I cannot risk the lives of the people of my Kingdom and of those residing in Adele. Duty comes first mate", with that he got up and his image disappeared, the crystal ball turning turning transparent once again.

I sat there staring blankly at my own visage reflected on the spotless glassy walls.

Who the fuck gives up on his fiancé for the sake of his kingdom?

"If you are done I would like to leave", I jolted at the coarse voice, barely above a whisper.

Turning around, I saw her fidgeting with the ropes that bound her to the chair, trying to force them open. She refused to look at me, but I could see her moist eyes gleaming like glass beads.

I had been so eager to communicate with Prince George that I never noticed her properly till then. The dress looked absolutely stunning on her, highlighting her tiny waist and her soft curves. I couldn't help but notice those beautiful curls that curtained her forehead, cascading down to hide her bare neck. She looked altogether different from how she appeared when she had her ridiculous guise on, which she had apparently put on to deceive others.

"I thought you said you were getting married to him this week. Doesn't he love you enough to give away the ring? " I remarked, but immediately regretted doing so.

Her head snapped up, and I saw the molten fury burning in those soft dark orbs, threatening to spill out the tears she was trying so hard to contain.

" Give up on his duty? On his people? No, you don't expect a prince to do that. He is safeguarding the ring, he is safeguarding his people. Duty comes first", she said, all the while avoiding to look at me, as if chanting out a lie she has been taught since birth.

Finally being able to tear apart the ropes with her trained fingers, she stood up, proceeding to leave.

"Then why did you run? "

She stopped short at my question, slowly turning back to look at me.

"Maybe I never wanted to be with a prince", she smiled a bit. " I doubted the honesty of the to-be King of our land, I tried to keep the rings away from him. I ran away from my duty. I am a failure, it's a good thing they don't want me back".

She said as the tear drop finally cascaded down her cheeks.

a/n:
most of this chapter was written during late nights, with the me giving up on the very few hours of sleep that i get, thus it is hoped that you'll forgive me for all the shortcomings.
love y'all a lot<33