Beauty & The Beast

The sun was slowly rising over the beautiful city of Seoul, and the streets were coming to life with people starting their day. Carriages and horses could be heard trotting along the cobblestone streets as they made their way towards the Kim palace, where the arranged marriage of Prince Jeon Jeongguk and the next King of Korea was to take place. Prince Jeongguk had been raised in the southern coastal city of Busan, far away from the political intrigues of the capital. He was a handsome young man with piercing dark eyes, long lashes and full lips. His raven hair was styled neatly, and he wore a traditional hanbok that matched the colors of the southern seas. As the carriage approached the palace gates, Prince Jeongguk could not help but feel a sense of unease. He had never been to Seoul before, and he knew nothing about his soon-to-be husband, the next King of Korea. His elder brother, Prince Jeon Seokjin, had arranged the marriage, and Prince Jeongguk had little say in the matter. Prince Seokjin was a tall, elegant man with broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and a commanding presence. He wore a western-style suit that was popular amongst the elite, as he was keen on adopting the latest trends from the western world. He had accompanied his younger brother on the journey from Busan to Seoul, and he sat opposite Prince Jeongguk in the carriage, trying to calm his nerves. "Jeongguk, my dear brother, I know this must be hard for you," Prince Seokjin said, as he placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "But you must understand the importance of this marriage. It is not just about you, it is about the future of our kingdom." "But Seokjinnie hyung, I don't even know who I am marrying. How can I marry someone I have never met?" Prince Jeongguk replied, his voice filled with frustration. "You will meet him soon enough, and I assure you, he is a fine young man. The Kim family has been ruling this country for generations, and they have always been just and fair rulers. You have nothing to fear, Gukkie," Prince Seokjin said, trying to reassure his younger sibling. As they approached the palace gates, Prince Jeongguk's eyes widened in amazement at the sight before him. The palace was a massive complex of red and gold buildings, with intricately carved wooden doors and walls. The gardens were immaculately landscaped, with ponds filled with koi fish, and cherry blossom trees blooming in full glory. Prince Jeongguk was awed by the beauty of the city, and he realized that he had never seen anything like it before. He felt a sense of pride in his heart, knowing that this was the capital city of his kingdom. The carriage came to a stop at the palace entrance, and a group of guards dressed in traditional uniforms came forward to escort the princes inside. They were led to a large room where King Kim Namjoon and Queen Jung Hoseok were waiting for them. King Namjoon was a tall man with broad shoulders, a strong chin, and piercing eyes that seemed to look right through you. He wore a traditional suit that was adorned with intricate embroidery and gold accents. Queen Hoseok was a petite man with delicate features, and he wore a beautiful suit that matched his husband's. As they entered the room, Prince Jeongguk felt a sense of unease wash over him. He had never been in the presence of royalty before, and he felt intimidated by their imposing presence. "Your Majesties," Prince Seokjin said, bowing deeply in respect. "Welcome, Princes," King Namjoon replied, his voice deep and commanding. "We are pleased to have you here for this joyous occasion." Queen Hoseok smiled warmly at them and gestured towards the seats in front of them. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss." As they sat down, Prince Jeongguk tried to calm his nerves, but he could not help feeling like a fish out of water. He was not used to being in such formal surroundings, and he could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "Prince Jeongguk, we are pleased to have you here," Queen Hoseok said, his eyes filled with warmth. "We understand that this is a difficult time for you, but we hope that you will find happiness in your new life." "Thank you, Your Majesty," Prince Jeongguk replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Prince Jeongguk, I understand that you have concerns about the marriage," King Namjoon said, his eyes studying the young prince closely. "But I assure you that our family has always been a fair and just ruler of this kingdom. We have your best interests at heart." Prince Jeongguk looked up at the king, his eyes filled with uncertainty. He did not know what to believe. He had heard rumors about the Kim family and their rule, but he did not know what was true and what was not. "I understand, Your Majesty," Prince Jeongguk replied, his voice trembling slightly. "But I do not know the person I am marrying. How can I marry someone I have never met?" "Prince Jeongguk, I assure you that your soon-to-be husband is a fine young man," Queen Hoseok said, his voice soothing. "He is kind, gentle, and just. You will come to know him in due time." Prince Jeongguk nodded, but he still felt uneasy. He did not know what to expect, and he could not help feeling like his life was out of his control. As they talked, Prince Jeongguk could not help but admire the beauty of the room they were in. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings of landscapes, and the furniture was intricately carved and adorned with gold. He felt like he was in a dream, but he knew that this was his reality now. After a while, Prince Seokjin stood up and cleared his throat. "Your Majesties, I believe it is time for us to prepare for the wedding. We have little time left." King Namjoon nodded in agreement. "Of course, Prince Seokjin. We have arranged for a room for Prince Jeongguk to prepare for the ceremony. We will see you all shortly." With that, the two princes and their entourage left the room and made their way to the room that had been prepared for Prince Jeongguk. As they walked, Prince Jeongguk could not help feeling like he was walking to his doom. The room was large and ornately decorated, with mirrors and a large wardrobe. A man named Park Jimin was waiting for them there, and he was introduced as Prince Jeongguk's head servant. "Your Highness, please sit," Park Jimin said, gesturing towards a chair in front of the mirror. Prince Jeongguk sat down, and stylists began to work on his hair and makeup. Prince Jeongguk watched as his reflection in the mirror was transformed into a more formal version of himself. He wore a British-style suit with a bow tie and a top hat, which was the latest fashion trend among the elite. As he was getting ready, Prince Jeongguk couldn't help but wonder about his soon-to-be husband. As Park Jimin stand beside him, Prince Jeongguk couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Jimin-ssi," he asked, "can you tell me about the Crown Prince? Is he handsome or ugly? Is he deaf or blind?" Park Jimin hesitated for a moment, looking at the other servants in the room who were avoiding eye contact with the prince. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but it's not my place to speak of such things." "But I'm going to marry him in just a few hours," Prince Jeongguk protested. "Don't you think I should at least know what he looks like?" "Your Highness," one of the other servants spoke up, "the Crown Prince is a member of the royal family. It's not our place to speak of his appearance or personal details." Prince Jeongguk sighed in frustration. It seemed like he wasn't going to get any answers out of the servants. He turned back to Park Jimin. "Well, can you at least tell me if he's kind or cruel?" "I'm sorry, Your Highness," Park Jimin said with a small bow. "I have not had the pleasure of meeting the Crown Prince myself." Prince Jeongguk frowned. It seemed like everyone was keeping secrets from him. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of person the Crown Prince really was. As the servants finished getting him dressed, Prince Jeongguk tried to push his worries aside and focus on the task at hand. He was getting married to the Crown Prince of the Kim Empire, one of the most powerful rulers in all of Korea. He couldn't afford to let his nerves get the best of him. When he arrived at the church, he was struck by the beauty of the venue. The walls were decorated with intricate carvings, and the pews were filled with elegantly dressed guests. The women wore long dresses with tight bodices and full skirts, while the men wore black suits with top hats. Peeking through the partially open door, Prince Jeongguk observed the grandeur of the church and the guests filling the pews. His eyes fell upon the empty seat reserved for the Crown Prince, who he was about to marry despite having never met him before. Nerves began to set in as he took his place at the front of the church, trying to ignore the uncertainty and apprehension that swirled in his mind. But as the minutes ticked by, he began to feel a sense of panic rising inside him. What if the Crown Prince was cruel or ugly or had some kind of deformity? What if he didn't like Prince Jungkook at all? Finally, when there was only an hour left until the wedding was supposed to start, Prince Jeongguk disappeared. Park Jimin searched frantically for him, checking every room in the palace and asking every servant if they had seen the prince. But he was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, the guests were beginning to grow restless. The church was starting to fill up, and everyone was wondering where the groom was. As the minutes ticked by, Prince Seokjin began to grow increasingly worried. "Where could he have gone?" he muttered to himself. "We can't delay the wedding any longer." ***** The sun was shining down on the palace gardens, casting a warm glow over everything in sight. The flowers were in full bloom, their vibrant colors filling the air with a sweet fragrance. In the midst of all this beauty stood Jeongguk, dressed in a magnificent royal blue gown. The fabric shimmered in the sunlight, making him look like a celestial being that had descended from the heavens. Jeongguk was feeling restless and anxious. He couldn't bring himself to go through with his wedding to the crown prince, no matter how much he tried to convince himself that it was for the good of the kingdom. He needed to get away, to find some peace and clarity in his thoughts. Jeongguk stood in the garden, gazing up at the towering stone walls of the castle. It was the day of his wedding to the crown prince, and he couldn't bear the thought of being married to someone he didn't even know. His heart was filled with fear and uncertainty, and he knew that he had to escape. That's when he decided to climb the wall that surrounded the palace gardens. He had seen the wall many times before, but he had never attempted to climb it until now. Jeongguk thought it would be an easy task, but he soon realized that it was much harder than he had anticipated. He struggled to find a foothold on the smooth wall, slipping and sliding down every time he tried. But he didn't give up. He kept trying, grabbing onto the brushes that had grown over the wall, hoping that they would give him some traction. Dressed in a beautiful white gown, Jeongguk had climbed up the wall several times before, but he always fell back down. He was determined to make it this time, and he grabbed onto the vines and brushes that had grown over the wall, hoping they would help him climb up. As he was halfway up the wall, a voice startled him from behind. "What are you doing?" the stranger asked, and Jeongguk froze. He didn't turn to see who it was, but instead continued to climb. When the stranger persisted with his questioning, Jeongguk became annoyed. "It's none of your business," he snapped. "Just go back to the church." The stranger chuckled. "Fair enough. But don't you think it's a little dangerous to be climbing that wall? It's not exactly easy to climb." Jeongguk scoffed. "I can handle it." The stranger raised an eyebrow. "You seem pretty determined. What's up there that's so important?" Jeongguk hesitated, not wanting to reveal his true intentions. "Just...something I need to see." The stranger nodded slowly. "Well, be careful, kid. I don't want to see you get hurt." Jeongguk grunted in response and started climbing again. This time, he used the brushes that had grown over the wall to help him climb up. He made it about halfway up before he heard the stranger's voice again. "You know, you still haven't told me your name." Jeongguk rolled his eyes. "Why do you care?" "Because I like to know the names of the people I talk to," the stranger said with a smile. Jeongguk huffed. "Fine. My name is Jeongguk." "Nice to meet you, Jeongguk."Jeongguk didn't respond, instead focusing on his climbing. But as he neared the top, he slipped again, his foot slipping on a loose rock. He let out a yelp as he tumbled back down to the ground, landing in a heap at Taehyung's feet. "You okay?" The stranger asked, a concerned look on his face. Jeongguk groaned as he tried to get up, rubbing his sore back. "I'm fine. I just...can't seem to get up there." The stranger crouched down next to him. "Maybe it's not meant to be," he said softly. Jeongguk scowled. "I need to get up there. It's important." The stranger tilted his head. "And what's so important that you're willing to risk your neck for it?" The stranger wouldn't give up. He kept asking questions, trying to understand what was going on. Jeongguk, frustrated and scared, continued to climb without looking back. He began to explain his situation to the stranger, telling him how he didn't know the crown prince and was afraid he would be marrying a beast or a troll. The stranger listened silently, and Jeongguk finally stopped to catch his breath. That's when he asked the stranger to help him climb the wall. "Just carry me from my hips," he pleaded. But the stranger refused. Jeongguk was furious. "I'm soon to be the crown prince's husband," he declared. "No one should disobey me." But the stranger stood his ground. "I don't want to help you escape," he said firmly. "I don't want to be alone on my wedding day." Jeongguk was about to climb up again when he suddenly turned around and saw the stranger's face. It was the crown prince himself. "Y-your majesty" As Jeongguk stood there, trembling with fear and uncertainty, he could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. He had been so sure that the crown prince was a hideous beast, a monster of a man, and that he was doomed to a life of misery if he married him. But now, as Taehyung spoke to him with such kindness and compassion, Jeongguk felt something shift inside him. He looked up at the crown prince, his eyes wide with wonder and disbelief. Taehyung smiled at him, and Jeongguk felt himself melt under that warm gaze. For a moment, he forgot all his fears and doubts, and simply basked in the radiance of Taehyung's gentle spirit. "It's alright," Taehyung repeated, his voice soft and reassuring. "I understand how you feel. But you don't need to run away. I promise that I will treat you well and make you happy." Jeongguk could hardly believe what he was hearing. Here was the crown prince, the most powerful man in the kingdom, speaking to him as if he were an equal, as if he were someone worth caring for and protecting. "A-apologise y-your majest" He felt his throat tighten with emotion, and he struggled to hold back tears of gratitude. "Please, don't call me your majesty," Taehyung said, placing a hand on Jeongguk's shoulder. "Just call me Taehyung. We're going to be married, after all. We should be able to speak to each other as equals, don't you think?" Jeongguk nodded, unable to find words to express the depth of his feelings. Taehyung's kindness had opened a door in his heart, a door he had thought was sealed shut forever. He felt a glimmer of hope, a spark of joy, and he knew that he would follow Taehyung anywhere, to the ends of the earth if need be. "Thank you," he managed to whisper, his voice barely audible. "Thank you so much, Taehyung. I...I don't know what to say." Taehyung smiled again, and his eyes sparkled with a warmth and sincerity that took Jeongguk's breath away. "You don't have to say anything," he said. "Just know that I'm here for you, always. And that I love you, just the way you are." ***** Jeongguk stood at the entrance of the church with the crown prince by his side, and they were greeted by his brother Seokjin. Seokjin's expression turned sour as soon as he laid eyes on Jeongguk, and he scolded him, "What are you doing here, Jeongguk? You're supposed to be getting ready for your wedding!" Jeongguk hesitated, "I...I needed some fresh air. I was feeling suffocated inside." Seokjin's voice grew stern, "You can't just leave your own wedding like that. Do you know how much trouble you've caused? Our family's reputation is at stake." Just then, Taehyung stepped in and saved the day by saying, "Actually, Seokjin, I asked Jeongguk to meet me outside. I needed to talk to him about something important." Seokjin's expression softened as he looked at the crown prince, "Oh, I see. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding." Jeongguk breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully at Taehyung. Together, they went inside the church, and Jeongguk was amazed by the grandeur of the place. The walls were adorned with beautiful frescoes, and the sunlight that streamed in from the stained-glass windows cast a colorful glow on everything. As they walked down the aisle, Jeongguk felt all eyes on him. The members of the royal family were there, dressed in their finest attire, and they watched him intently. Jeongguk felt uncomfortable, but he reminded himself that he was marrying the crown prince, the man who had just promised to make him happy. Finally, they reached the altar, and Seokjin handed Jeongguk's hand to Taehyung. Jeongguk looked up at him and saw how his eyes were fixed on him. All his doubts and fears faded away, and he felt a rush of love for the crown prince. The ceremony was beautiful. The priest spoke in a solemn voice, and the choir sang hymns that filled the church with their melodious voices. Jeongguk and Taehyung exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other until the end of time. When it was time to exchange rings, Taehyung took out a small box and opened it to reveal two rings, one gold and one silver. He slipped the gold ring on Jeongguk's finger, and Jeongguk felt a warm sensation spread through his body. He looked at Taehyung, who was smiling at him with so much love and affection. The ceremony ended with a kiss, and the crowd erupted in applause. Jeongguk felt a sense of happiness wash over him, and he knew that he had made the right decision in marrying the crown prince. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, and they would do it with love and commitment. The End Inspired by : Queen Charlotte