Within The Forest | Chapter 5

within the forest | chapter 5

pairing: fairy!Chan x princess!reader word count: 1.5k words summary: Taehyun arrives at Chan's cottage bringing both good news and bad news.

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[2 days later] 

He flipped through the pages and was ready to begin another story until a knock on the front door tore his gaze away. He placed the book on the small table and headed for it, hoping it was him. Opening the door, he met face-by-face with a brown paper grocery bag and white transparent wings flapping a gentle wind to him. The figure behind it tilted his head, and his smile stretched from cheek to cheek. Tailing him were a bunch of rabbits, their little hand gripping the paper bag, while on the curly blonde boy rested a white dove, glancing at Chan with narrowing eyes.

“You bring a little company, Taehyun” Chan uttered, voice slightly low unlike how he usually greeted Taehyun.

“Yep, I hope you don’t mind Chan. Need an extra hand and these little buddies come into rescue.”

Taehyun chuckled, walking toward the kitchen counter after Chan permitted him to enter.

Chan darted his eyes at the blonde boy.  Crouching down to the rabbits, Taehyun thanked them. Envious and anxiety dominated Chan in silence.

“I'm always jealous of you because you’re so approachable, Hyun” Chan spoke, a hint of disappointment in his voice

He perked his head up, lips turned thin at the remark. Taehyun stood up with a rabbit sitting on his open palm. He approached Chan, gesturing for Chan to take the rabbit from him. Chan did as he told and the rabbit jumped to Chan’s hand. It’d looked at Chan with its wide black eyes before flashing a smile at him. The fairy was speechless for a moment. He sat on the floor, putting the small fluffy animal on his lap and patted him.

"They approach a pure soul despite their look. Try leaving the cottage and I'm sure thousands of animals will come to you. Animals aren’t like humans, Chan. They judge someone from the soul, not the appearance."

“Thank you, Taehyun. Both for the grocery and the comforting words”

“Chann-”

Both boys’ heads snapped at the sudden voice. Y/N’s eyes trailed to the sight of Chan playing with the rabbit - a sight that warmed her heart. At least, the animals aren’t afraid of him so he has company when she is away.

“Oh, hi! Who are you? Are you Chan’s friend?”

“Indeed, I am. You’re Princess Flora, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I was taking something from Chan. I’ll be leaving”

She gave Chan a quick hug and exchanged a smile with Taehyun. Chan waved her goodbye.

After Y/N left, the animals left too. A once brimming countenance changed into a worried one, Taehyun’s brown at unease motion.

“Why is the princess here, Chan?”

“I met her 10 years ago at my mom’s place and somehow the friendship was born. I love to have her around, she makes me look forward to upcoming days. With her around, I felt like I had a little sister.”

Taehyun sighed, messaging his forehead with both thumbs. Chan has opened his heart to someone - that’s a relief - but never came a thought that someone was the princess. To make matters worse, her father was hunting the fairies down. He pondered how to tell him about the news he was supposed to say minutes ago. Should he tell him the cold truth or cover it with nice words? Lying sometimes wouldn’t hurt…right?

“Tell me what’s on your mind, Taehyun. I can tell from your face that  my action will get me killed”

“EXACTLY! Chan, please tell me you expected the consequence”

He nodded

“Then, I wouldn’t feel guilty delivering this news to you. The king had begun a search for you. Unfortunately, they expanded the search to the forest. You need to be careful. You only live once, Chan. Don't let your heart kill you"

Chan hummed and replied with a dry thanks to him. In the circumstances, nothing could change if they advised him now. Things would change if they did it in the past.

“Since you’re here, would you go with me to the town? I want to buy some flowers for her”

“You must be joking with me, Chan. Are you out of your mind?! I told you about the search a second ago and you already made an imprudent decision?” 

Chan has lost his mind - Taehyun’s mind came to a quick conclusion. The one he cared for was mature and wouldn’t let his feelings decide the matter. Did everything change because of the princess? The princess must have changed his life, leading him to make such decisions.

“They have never seen my face, Taehyun. I’m sure they don’t know it is me. After all, I got nothing to lose in my life”

“Can’t I buy it for you? It’s less risky.”

“Taehyun, just this time. You helped me so much, hyun. You helped me find my parent's cottage back when I had no home. This time let me do it by myself" ” He pleaded.

Being the soft-hearted friend that he is, Taehyun agreed. He snapped his fingers twice and their wings disappeared under the raining dust. They exited the cottage, unaware of the small fairy watching them from the window sill, nibbling on his sugar cube - a sugar cube twice his size. His eyes gleamed with excitement and curiosity as he saw a letter slipped under the oak door.

“This is gonna be exciting!!”

Stepping into the town without tomato chunks and juice on his face was unusual. Right, he received that greeting if he was with his parents - which lasted when he was 5.

Horses with carriages pass non-stop on the cobblestone path. They were sending out folk's groceries or continuing their journey past the huge silver gate. It was the busiest part of the day for Stellious. Rows of cobblestone houses lined from both of their sides. Some of them were left unpainted. Taehyun grabbed Chan’s arm, pulling him toward a florist shop.

True enough, the king was searching for him. Wanted posters of him scattered all around the city lamp post. Luckily, his picture wasn’t included. A wave of relief washed over him- for a moment. Glancing at the flowers displayed, he immediately asked the owner to wrap a bouquet of purple lilac for him.

“Here he is!!” A voice rang through the shop, a loud shout that managed to attract everyone wandering nearby. Chan gave a quick glimpse to Taehyun. The bouquet exchanged hands. Chan dragged the man out of the store to the alleyway, ignoring the looks the folk gave them. He held the man by the shoulder, slamming him to the wall.

His grey eyes glowed as he stared at the man’s eyes. Soon, he let go of the man and left him. The old man rushed out after that. Taehyu’s brow furrowed.

 “I changed our encounter into an awkward one in his memory.”

“You could do that?! What else have you been hiding from me?” Taehyun whispered, surprised.

“A lot, Taehyun. Let’s go back before the other finds me”

“I warned you, Chan. If they saw you out here, I’m scared they would chase after you.”

The prince stepped inside the garden with his guard, the moist air after the rain filled his lungs, helping him to calm down his nervousness of meeting with the princess. After countless tries, he finally could meet the sole heir of Stellious. The guard motioned his hand to one of the gazebo that someone occupied. The girl sipped her tea while she stared at the dancing butterflies across her. 

The prince had asked the guard to stay where he was and he approached the girl, each of his steps felt difficult for him. He halted before he arrived and took a deep breath before calling out to the princess.

“Princess Flora?”

The girl spun her head as she placed the cup away. The gentle breeze blew strands of her hair away, allowing the Prince to fully observe the other’s face. Her eyes were sparkling as if reflecting the soft morning’s light. His heart had lost its original rhythm as his eyes laid on her. There was no doubt what the Stellious’s citizen told about their princess’s beauty.

“Oh, Prince Seungmin. Please to meet you, have a seat.”

And Seungmin did. She poured the tea into the empty cup and continued drinking. Seungmin licked his lips out of habit and glanced at her. Her attention seemed to linger on the insects and flowers, never once on him. 

“Hey, it’s my first time meeting you. Can we know about each other a bit?”

“I believe that is not necessary. Whether I know you or not, I’m still going to get married to you.”

The evening went on with silence hanging in the air. Seungmin couldn’t find a way to start a talk after what she had said, every word he attempted to speak beginning to form a lump in his throat. She glanced at Seungmin and abruptly stood up.

“I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today for you. I’ll be leaving.” She bowed and without sparing another glance at him, exited the garden. He sighed with his head hung low. This is going to be difficult.

“Will I be able to talk to her at this state?”

🥹🥹🥹🥹

Wish you back: nine

Ex!Seo Changbin x sick!reader

Summary: you and Changbin have been off and on for years, and even though he knows he's made countless mistakes, he can't figure out why you're so set on staying apart this time. Can he get you back if you aren't you anymore?

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Masterlist

I'M CRYINGGGG, THIS HURTS MY HEART. And chan as the fairy godmother ;-;

My Favorite Princess | Hyunjin

ᑉ³pairing; Husband! Dad! Hyunjin x Reader

ᑉ³genre; Fluff

ᑉ³warnings; none

ᑉ³Authors Note; Hope you all enjoy :)

As you prepare for your daughter, Areum's Cinderella-themed birthday party, the air is alive with anticipation. Your little princess has been dreaming of this day for weeks, and you're determined to make it a fairytale come true.

With Hyunjin by your side, you dive into the task of transforming your home and backyard into a magical kingdom straight out of a storybook. The party decor team bustles around, hanging shimmering streamers in shades of blue and silver, while fairy lights twinkle like stars in the night sky.

"Let's place the Cinderella carriage centerpiece right in the center of the table," you suggest, pointing to the elegant coach adorned with sparkling crystals. "And we can scatter glass slipper confetti around it for an extra touch of magic."

As you direct the placement of each decoration, you can't help but feel a surge of joy at the thought of your daughter's delight. This party is more than just a celebration—it's a chance to make her dreams come true.

"Mommy, Daddy, look at this!" your daughter exclaims, twirling in her blue tulle dress as she examines the decorations. She is dressed in a custom-made Cinderella gown. As for you and Hyunjin, you've opted for a more casual approach to your attire, both donning outfits in shades of blue to match the party's color scheme.

"It's like I'm really in Cinderella's castle!" she continues.

You smile at her enthusiasm, feeling a warmth spread through your heart. "It's all for you, sweetheart." 

Hyunjin crouches down to his daughter's level, his eyes sparkling with affection as he takes in her excitement. "You look absolutely beautiful, just like Cinderella herself," he says, his voice filled with warmth.

She giggles, twirling once more, the skirt billowing around her like a cloud of magic. "Thank you, Daddy!" she chirps, reaching out to take his hand. In her other hand, she clutches Jiniret, dressed like one of the mice from Cinderella. "I'm so happy!"

Your heart swells with love as you watch the tender moment between father and daughter. Despite the stress of last-minute preparations, seeing the joy on their faces makes it all worth it.

Hyunjin takes her hand gently, his touch reassuring as he leads her out towards the backyard. The sun casts a golden glow over the meticulously decorated space, where shimmering streamers in shades of blue and silver dance in the gentle breeze. A canopy draped with twinkling fairy lights adds a touch of enchantment to the scene, creating an atmosphere fit for a princess's celebration.

Meanwhile, you continue to oversee the placement of decorations, your attention focused on every intricate detail. Each corner of the backyard and house is adorned with magical touches. Banners depicting scenes from Cinderella's story flutter gently in the wind, adding to the whimsical ambiance.

As the party guests begin to arrive, your home fills with laughter and excitement. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked treats, from cupcakes adorned with edible glass slippers to sandwiches cut into pumpkin shapes. Tables are adorned with bowls of fruit arranged artfully to resemble a majestic castle.

Areum eagerly greets each newcomer with a radiant smile, her eyes scanning the crowd in anticipation, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "real-life Cinderella." She can hardly contain her joy as she awaits the arrival of the enchanting princess she's been dreaming of meeting.

"Daddy, Mommy, when is Cinderella coming?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Hyunjin chuckles warmly, ruffling her hair affectionately. "She'll be here soon, sweetheart," he assures her.

Your phone suddenly buzzes with an incoming call. With a furrowed brow, you step away to answer the incoming call. You were eagerly awaiting the delivery of the cake, and were hoping it wasn't a last-minute hiccup.

"Be back soon," you murmur, offering a reassuring smile before stepping away. "Hello?" you answer.

On the other end of the line, you hear a hurried voice speaking, delivering the news you had feared. "I'm sorry to inform you that the princess performer has fallen ill and won't be able to make it to the party," the voice says, its tone apologetic.

Anxiety begins to creep up within you as you hang up the phone, your mind swirling with worry. How will you possibly break this devastating news to your daughter? And more pressing still, how will you salvage her dream birthday party now?

In the background, curiosity sparkles in your daughter's eyes as she turns to Hyunjin. "Daddy, what do you think Cinderella's like?" she asks, her voice filled with wonder.

Hyunjin grins down at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I think she's probably very kind and brave, just like you," he replies, his voice soft and reassuring.

Your daughter beams at the comparison, her heart swelling with pride. "Do you think she has a prince, like in the story?" she asks, her excitement growing with each word.

Hyunjin's smile widens as he considers her question. "I think so," he says with a playful wink. "But let me ask you something, my little princess. What do you like the most about Cinderella?"

Your daughter's brow furrows in thought as she considers his question.

As she nods enthusiastically, she reaches out to squeeze Hyunjin's hand. "I love that Cinderella's prince always finds a way to be there for her when she needs him the most."

Hyunjin chuckles at her observation, his eyes shining with affection. "Ah, so you're a fan of the prince, then?" he teases, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"He's like a hero," she declares, her eyes shining with admiration.

As your daughter's excitement fills the air, your thoughts race, scrambling for a solution to the sudden dilemma. It's already an hour into the party, and with the festivities in full swing, so finding a replacement princess performer seems virtually impossible.

Hyunjin's laughter breaks through your frantic thoughts, drawing your attention back to the present moment. His gaze flickers briefly to you, sensing something amiss. A subtle shift in your demeanor doesn't escape his notice, and a furrow creases his brow as he registers your troubled expression.

"Mommy, are you okay?" your daughter asks, her concern mirroring Hyunjin's.

You force a smile, attempting to reassure her. "I'm fine, sweetie," you say, your voice catching slightly. "Just... thinking about somethin-"

But before you can even finish the sentence, he's already spinning a new tale. "Oh my goodness, look who's here! Your best friend Ha-ri just arrived!" he exclaims, his voice filled with excitement.

"Really?" your daughter gasps, her eyes widening with anticipation.

Without another word, she darts off towards the entrance, her Cinderella gown billowing behind her as she races to see her friend.

As your daughter bounds off to greet the guests, Hyunjin's playful demeanor fades, replaced by genuine concern. He stands beside you, his hand gently squeezing yours as he senses your distress.

"Is everything alright?" he asks softly, his eyes searching yours for any hint of what has occured.

You take a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves. "The princess performer... she's unable to make it," you explain, your voice tinged with disappointment. "I don't know how to tell our daughter."

Panic continues to bubble within you, your mind racing with thoughts of your daughter's shattered expectations. She had been so excited for Cinderella to be there, and now you're at a loss for how to break the news to her.

"She's going to be devastated," you murmur, your voice catching with emotion. "All she wanted was Cinderella... she didn't even ask for presents."

Hyunjin's expression softens as he listens to your words, his heart aching for both you and Areum. He wraps his arm around you, pulling you close in a comforting embrace.

"I don't know what to do, Hyunjin," you admit, your voice trembling with worry. "How do we make this up to her?"

Hyunjin's arms tighten around you, his touch a comforting anchor in the storm of your emotions. "Shh, love, we'll figure it out," he murmurs, his voice gentle and soothing. "We'll make her birthday unforgettable, even without Cinderella."

Your words hang heavy in the air, the weight of disappointment pressing down on both of you. "But we'll never live it down if it doesn't happen," you whisper, tears threatening to spill from your eyes.

Hyunjin's touch is tender as he brushes away a stray tear. "Don't worry about that," he says softly, his voice filled with determination. "You worry about greeting the guests and looking pretty. I'll take care of it, okay?"

His words wrap around you like a warm blanket, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness of your despair. With a shaky nod, you lean into his embrace, finding solace in the strength of his arms.

"Okay," you whisper, your voice barely above a breath. "Okay."

As Hyunjin presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, you feel a sense of calm wash over you. With a shaky exhale, you reluctantly release yourself from his embrace, returning your focus to the tasks at hand.

As you make your way to the backyard to check on the guests, Hyunjin disappears into the depths of the house, determined to salvage the birthday celebration. Amidst the hustle and bustle of serving guests and attending to last-minute details, you lose track of time.

An hour passes in a blur, and as you glance around , you realize that Hyunjin is still nowhere to be found. A sense of worry hits you.

Where could he be?

Before you can dwell on your concerns any further, your daughter's voice interrupts your thoughts. She stands before you, eyes wide with anticipation, hope evident in her voice.

"Mommy, is the princess coming soon?" she asks eagerly.

You search for the right words to soothe her, but the truth catches in your throat.

"I... I'm not sure, sweetheart," you reply, your voice faltering. "But let's focus on enjoying the party, okay?"

As your daughter's questions become more persistent and her restlessness grows, you feel the weight of your uncertainty bearing down on you. Each inquiry chips away at you, until you're on the brink of revealing the truth to her.

But just as you open your mouth to speak, the sound of hoofbeats and the creak of carriage wheels cut through the air, stopping you in your tracks. 

Your daughter's eyes widen in wonder as she turns to you, a spark of hope dancing in her gaze. "Mommy, do you hear that?" she asks, her voice tinged with excitement.

Before you can respond, the source of the sound emerges from around the bend, and there, coming into view, is a magnificent horse-drawn carriage led by a majestic steed.

Your heart skips a beat as you recognize the unmistakable look of a horse-drawn carriage. At the reins is Minho, dressed in regal attire from head to toe. And in the carriage, dressed in shimmering all-white attire, is Hyunjin, a dazzling smile gracing his features.

As the carriage comes to a stop before you, your daughter's face lights up with sheer delight. "I get to have my own carriage!" she exclaims, her voice filled with joy.

Hyunjin chuckles warmly, stepping down from the carriage and sweeping your daughter into his arms. "Of course, my dear," he says, his tone tender. "Why bring Cinderella when you are already a princess? My favorite princess, at that."

Your daughter beams at the compliment, her cheeks flushing with happiness. "And every princess needs her prince, right?" she says, her eyes shining with adoration.

But the surprises don't end there. Coming out of the the carriage is Chan, dressed in an elaborate costume that can only be described as the Fairy Godmother.

Chan, with an exasperated sigh, straightens his posture and adopts a stern expression. He clears his throat.

"Hello, I am Chanita, your Fairy Godmother," he announces in a deadpan tone, clearly not thrilled about his role. You watch as Minho snickers in amusement.

But before he can continue, Hyunjin elbows him so hard that Chan's tone changes abruptly, now filled with excitement. "And I'm here to grant all your birthday wishes!" he exclaims, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

As Chan waves his wand theatrically, a burst of glitter fills the air, and your daughter's laughter fills the space around you. "Fairy Godmother!" she cries with glee, running towards Chan.

Your daughter giggles with delight as Chan scoops her up in his arms, placing her gently inside the carriage. She squeals with excitement as he lifts her, her laughter echoing through the air as she settles into the plush seat.

Meanwhile, Hyunjin descends from the carriage and comes to your side, a grin playing on his lips.

"How did this happen?" you ask incredulously, shaking your head in disbelief.

Hyunjin chuckles, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I may have called in a few favors," he admits, his tone teasing. "You know, just to make our little princess's birthday extra special."

You raise an eyebrow, unable to resist pressing for more details. "And how on earth did you convince Chan to be the Fairy Godmother?" you inquire, still trying to wrap your head around the unexpected turn of events.

A grin spreads across Hyunjin's face as he leans in to whisper in your ear. "Well, let's just say Changbin wasn't available, and Chan and Minho both lost a bet and owed me a favor," he confesses, his voice laced with amusement.

As your daughter's joyful laughter fills the air, she calls out to Hyunjin, her voice echoing with excitement. "Daddy, come ride with me!" she exclaims, her eyes alight with anticipation.

Hyunjin's eyes sparkle with amusement as he glances at you, a silent question in his gaze. With a nod and a smile, you encourage him to indulge your daughter's request.

As Hyunjin climbs into the carriage, he keeps his gaze fixed on you, his eyes filled with so much love it's palpable. A smile blooms on your lips, and the warmth in your eyes doesn't go unnoticed by your daughter.

"You really love mommy, don't you?" she observes, her voice filled with curiosity.

Hyunjin's smile widens as he turns his attention to his daughter, his heart overflowing with affection. "Yes, sweetheart," he confirms, his voice tender. "Your mommy is my favorite princess."

Your daughter's eyes light up with understanding, and she snuggles closer to him, her small hand finding his. "That's why you're always going to be my favorite prince."

"Why?" Hyunjin asks, his gaze softening with affection as he looks at his daughter, waiting for her answer.

"Because you love mommy more than anyone else," she continues, her gaze unwavering. "And I want to be just like you, loving someone so much it makes magic happen."

Hyunjin's heart swells with pride as he listens to his daughter's heartfelt words. "That's right," he murmurs, his voice filled with tenderness. "Your mommy is the most special person in the world to me."

He intertwines his fingers with hers, holding her hand gently as he speaks. "And you, my dear, are the most precious princess," he continues, his eyes shimmering with love.

With a shared smile, they set off on their enchanting carriage ride, the gentle clip-clop of the horse's hooves accompanying their journey.

As the wind tousles their hair and the golden sunlight bathes them in its warm glow, Hyunjin leans in to whisper in her ear. "Happy birthday my sweet girl," he says softly, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand promises. "I love you."

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within the forest | final chapter

pairing: fairy!Chan x princess!reader word count: 1.5k words summary: the end.

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No one’s POV

The figure closed the door and dropped her hand after entering the room. Her head turned to the boys hugging each other on the bed and she sighed. The princess’s eyes widened as she realised who the figure was.

“Mom… Why did you stop me?” She shouted, her voice ringing with frustration.

Her mother immediately covered her mouth and told her to keep her voice down. His father’s office was not far from them and a shout was enough to attract unwanted attention. Nothing passed her mother’s lips, only her shoulders slumped after she took another look at the injured boys.

“You said it yourself: if no one breaks the cycle, everyone becomes a monster. If you kill your father, you become a monster. Do you think I’m going to let my daughter become one? I would be the cruellest if I did that

She looked away as she chewed on her lower lips, which were beginning to bleed. Her knuckles had turned white when she let go of the dagger. The object clattered to the floor and tears ran down her cheeks. She buried her face in her palm, her body shaking violently. She had tried to stop it.

Her mother threw the weapon away before putting her arm around the princess. The queen had gently pressed the princess’s head against her shoulder. She ran a finger through Y/N’s hair and whispered that she would be fine.

“You're crying a lot today. I’m impressed,” she giggled, rocking her like a newborn.

Soon her crying died down as she moved away from the queen and a dry giggle escaped her.

“Tell me… why did you try to kill your father?”

She lowered her head. She was embarrassed to tell her mother because it might be seen as a nonsensical excuse to express her anger. Her mother’s hand reached for hers, gripping it lightly, signalling that it was okay to tell her.

“He killed Chan, brutally. His heart was gone, and it was probably on display for everyone to see. Chan didn't do anything wrong! He used to… but he changed when I met him. Dad doesn’t deserve a happy ending when he just ended someone else’s.”

The grip on the queen’s hand tightened, “Maybe I was the reason he started hunting the fairies in the first place. Chan nearly killed me.”

“But he didn’t. Chan saved you instead and hurt himself in the process.”

Her mother lifted her chin with her index finger and looked at her tenderly.  She was speechless after her mother confirmed the matter. Chan tried to kill her

“I admit it, I hate them when I know they are the cause of our civilians losing their families. But that night, he opened my heart.”

“I saw big black wings, half burnt, and behind them was you. I thought they were the ones who killed you. I was wrong. Not every fairy is heartless. Maybe some were forced to do it for a reason.”

“After that night, I realised that I had abandoned the fairies’ side. I never thought about their story and I was ashamed of myself.”

“I tried to convince your father, but it was in vain. He is so hard to convince.”

Her thumb wiped away Y/N’s tears and placed her palm against Y/N’s cheek. “Sweetie, you’re not the reason. This cycle began in your grandfather's generation. No one has tried to stop the cycle since.”

“I hope you and Seungmin can end it once and for all.”

She nodded as she felt herself filled with determination. Her mother had placed a lot of hope in her, she wouldn’t let her down again.

“Can I go away… for a week or so? I can’t face him… knowing that he killed Chan” It felt hard to let it out, but it was for the best. The anger wouldn’t go away if she pretended nothing had happened.

The thought of having to leave her mother again in a situation like this made her legs feel like they were chained together,

“Of course. I’ll tell Seungmin and them about it. I’ll cover it up for you.”

The two… Taehyun and Beomgyu. How would they live after that?

“Thank you, mom. I appreciate it.”

She wrapped her arm around her neck, warm tears falling down her arm and into her mother’s brown hair. She hoped this was the last time she could experience this.

She slipped a folded paper under the pillow. When they woke up, at least they would know where she was.

She tucked the old journal into her pocket and blocked the door with a chair and other heavy objects she could reach. She fastened the rope around the foot of the bed and jumped out of her bedroom. Slowly, she dropped to the floor and ran off, leaving the palace behind her. From behind, she heard heavy footsteps following her.

Adrenaline rushed through her as she ran, deeper into the forest. Taking a glance behind her shoulder, she stumbled over her steps. Y/N toppled to the ground. She reached out a hand to break her fall and felt a sharp pain on her wrist. Her arms shook beneath her as she tried to get back up. Her body had long since given up after the fall.

The sound of clanging metal was very close to her ear.

They were close. A shaky breath escaped her dry lips as she reached for the scraps of dust in her pocket, pressing them into her trembling palm and praying to escape this situation. She didn’t want to suffer the consequences - not if she had to avenge Chan’s death.

If you can hear me, please take me to Chan’s siblings. I have to tell them the truth about their brother’s death

Thung, Thung!

A cloud of dust blew over them, hiding them from her view. The Stellious army stopped in their places, perplexed about where the princess was. What remained on the damp dirt were Chan’s dark feathered wings.

She unfolded her eyes and was greeted by an astonished black-haired man. His palm gripped the doorknob tightly. His gaze fell to the floor and he found the familiar dust scattered about.

“Minho!” he shouted in horror. His eyes shook uncontrollably. Another male approached, and his eyes widened.

“Flora … why are you here?” He asked sternly. His gaze pierced her, making her flinch, but she reminded herself she did not have time to be like this.

“Chan, he's dead.”

Her words were enough to make Minho’s world crumble. Minho pushed the man away and squeezed Y/N’s collar with a trembling fist.

“You are the cause of his death!”

“I am,” her deep voice reached Minho’s ear. She looked at Minho with swollen eyes.

“Then what the hell are you doing here? He almost dies saving you … What more do you want from him? Are you trying to kill us? Just stop, Princess,” Minho begged, his voice full of venom and a hint of sadness.

“No, I will avenge his death”

“W-what?” He released his grip, stepped back and shook his head. He chuckled

“Must be your way of celebrating his death. You’re kidding, Flora.”

“I’m not!”

“So what?! That will not bring him back to life! He’s dead because of you!” He yelled as he punched the wall next to him, the sound echoing through the hallway and making the other man shudder with fear.

“Minho … is it true?” The latter held Minho’s arm tightly, begging for an answer. The older man nodded meekly.

“Don’t tell Jisung and Jeongin, Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin dropped to the floor and soon a soft sniffle reached her ear. The weight of reality sank on her, trapping her in an endless situation of what-ifs.

“Hyunjin, is everything alright?” Someone asked, approaching him. It was Chan’s other siblings and they immediately calmed the crying male. One of them flickered his eyes to Minho, and there was a question in his eyes.

Minho closed his eyes as he ruffled their heads. He wondered how he should tell them the news, but everything pointed to one clear answer - their older brother had died.

“Chan is dead” He opened his eyes and watched the worried faces of his remaining siblings turn to despair.

“I will never be able to thank him, Minho,” Jisung said

“He's not returning home?” Jeongin asked and Minho shook his head again,

“Please Minho! Believe me! I will make the culprit suffer!”

“Enough, princess. Even if you did, Chan would never come home again, he would never come back to us.” He walked towards her and gave her a thin smile.

“Please go back. Thank you for telling me about this

He slammed the door before she could protest. She sighed dejectedly as she slid down and leaned her back against the door. The feeling of helplessness choked her throat as she muttered a string of "I’m sorry" under her breath.

I'm sorry for the early post. An anonymous told me that it was a scam(thank you so much for telling <3)

within the forest | chapter 9

pairing: fairy!Chan x princess!reader x prince!Seungmin word count: 2.2k words summary: you opened your heart to Seungmin and it was a great decision. But something happened in the forest. warning: a slight mention of blood

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“What is this about, Your Highness?” Beomgyu asked, sitting on her bed uninvited. Early in the morning, Taehyun requested Beomgyu to send the princess back to the palace before anyone noticed her disappearance (as it wasn’t the first time she did that). Since the brunette had once intruded on the castle, Taehyun didn’t hesitate to ask him, and Beomgyu agreed without another word being spilt.  As he was leaving, Y/N suddenly asked him to stay, which brought him to this moment, awkwardly shifting on the bed and waiting for her to finish writing.

She turned around and handed him a folded paper. “I would be grateful if you give this to Chan. I’m going out with Seungmin today.”

“Oh! Have fun with the prince then. I’ll head off now.” Beomgyu bid goodbye and flew out of the balcony. His silhouette turned blurry as he entered the forest. A soft knocking snapped her from the short sightseeing.

“Your Highness, Prince Seungmin is expecting your arrival,”

“Please tell him I’ll be there in a few minutes, Sarah. Thank you”

“You look stunning, Y/N” Seungmin complimented as she walked down the stairs. Her fit wasn’t the daily attire she wore. Instead, of a dress that would swipe the ground beneath her, she chose a knee-length peach dress and a pair of brown boots. She muttered a thank you, beaming a tender smile. Seungmin pecked her hand and escorted her to the carriage, only for her to shake her head.

“Let’s take a stroll without your carriage. It’ll be much more satisfying to feel the real Stellious with both legs” 

“You stretch enough for a long walk?”

“Of course! Don’t underestimate me, Prince Seungmin” 

The prince chuckled, heading to the carriage driver to inform the matter. The aged man nodded. Picking up the reins, he gave the horse some slack. The horse’s head perked up and it began leaving the castle's front yard. Seungmin gestured for her to take the lead, but she pulled him to her side. Having a stroll around the town in the morning while breathing in the fresh air was something she'd missed. Her mother had lost her strength to walk a long distance as she aged. Adding a fact, nobody dared to bring the princess out of the palace after the incident took place

White cotton-like clouds sprawled across the blue sky, as they marched further, the sun rising behind the mountain greeted them, casting golden rays on the cobblestone path and trees. The morning breeze gently caressed their face. They chatted throughout the walk. What started from a random topic he brought to start a conversation turned into sharing a piece of their childhood life. Today was the longest record Seungmin had talked to her since their first encounter.

The walk to the town didn’t take hours. Setting foot in the city, the early birds of the town welcomed them with smiles and ‘good morning’ wishes. Flying birds scattered in the sky as they hunted for food and their growing children chirped their enchanting whistles. The town had always kept the same smell from the beginning, the smell of her childhood. Clasping Seungmin's hand, she dragged him through the street, heading to Aunty Rosie’s bakery. They never miss a chance to reply to the villagers' wishes.

The wind chime rang above the creaked door, and the smell of fresh baked goods and newly grounded coffee beans engulfed them. This was one of the things she was fond of in the silver-haired woman’s bakery, the smell greeting her is comforting. 

“Y/N! You’re early today!” Rosie beamed and shifted her gaze to the prince.

“Prince Seungmin, isn’t it? It’s such a pleasure meeting you!” 

“Don’t need to be too formal, Aunty. Call me Seungmin or whatever you prefer, please”

“Of course, sweetheart. You haven’t eaten your breakfast yet?”

She grinned sheepishly and nodded. Aunty Rosie turned to her kitchen, bringing out just-baked croissants and handed them to the prince. “Any preference in your drink?”

“A tea is good enough, Aunty. At this age, you should hand everything to your children”

A chuckle sounded from Aunty Rosie’s lips. She couldn’t leave this bakery behind as it was the only place she could recount her children and Y/N’s moments of growing up. The place was all she had after the children exited Stellious. At least, when they come back, they know where to find their beloved mother.

“This bakery meant everything to this old woman, Seungmin. Take care of my flora, mhm?”  Aunty Rosie ushered the prince to the princess and let her bring the tea to their table but Seungmin insisted on helping her. A small fight broke out between them, Y/N witnessed it, and she giggled.

A sulky Seungmin arrived at the table along with Aunty Rosie, whose lips had stretched into a proud smile. Y/N was elated to see someone could let that smile dominate the figure whom she’d called mother. They thanked her for breakfast, and the sulky face didn’t subside from Seungmin’s features throughout breakfast, causing laughter to burst from her.

“Come on, Seungmin. Sulking doesn’t suit you.” She joked although it sounded awkward. Somehow, it managed to light up Seungmin’s mood. They finished breakfast and Y/N brought her around the city while introducing some of the villagers to him.

After the long stroll, she figured his legs couldn’t go for another mile(alluding to him constantly asking for a break) but Y/N didn’t blame him, the beaming afternoon sun sure burned some energy from him as well. Lacing her hand with his, she led him back to Aunty Rosie’s bakery. As dumbfounded as he was, he let her take control over his steps despite knowing the kind woman was out with her husband that afternoon. Whatever they were doing, Seungmin hoped they spend a blissful day in their late age. 

She went to the side of the bakery, halting on her steps. She rummaged through her blouse’s pocket, searching for the silver key her mother gave her. Inserting the key into the hole, the bottom of the metal door ran against the rock, letting out a low rustling as she pushed the door.

Seungmin didn’t ask so much about their whereabouts, he believed Y/N wouldn’t bring her to a creepy or odd place, right?

Soon, a meadow filled with flowers of many kinds entered his vision. The air in here became thinner and he saw a single tree growing tough in the middle of the field. As expected, the girl pulled him toward the tree. 

“Welcome to my first haven,” She uttered, lying on the grass. The grasses were poking her back but she didn’t bother to sit, the evening sky was gorgeous not to tear her gaze for a moment. Seungmin settled beside her, shifting his weight to the tree, legs spreading on the grass.

“Why did you call it your haven? Shouldn’t it be your palace instead?”

“My palace is home but living there began suffocating me when I was 8. Something happened and they didn’t allow me to get out of the castle”

“That accident must have caused trauma to them that they took one step further protecting you”

She chuckled, glancing at him “It did. Anyway, this place was the only place I could feel a sense of freedom. Look at this wide field, the 8 years old I will run around while screaming”

“Then what is your second haven?”

“My second haven is a person. It's my best friend, Chan and he’s a fairy. He’s my real haven. A moment with him never wasted without laughter and smiles”

She couldn’t hold back a smile every time she opened up a story about Chan, the image of the man always managed to creep a smile on her face. Every memory they spent was vivid in her mind and she held each of them dearly.

“A fairy?” Surprise hinted at his tone until she needed to raise her head to see his reaction. Luckily it was the expression she was looking for; a pair of eyes glimmered in excitement toward her. It was a rare sight from someone.

“I always heard of them in the storybook. I didn’t know they co-exist with us! Can’t I meet him? He seems like a great man”

“About that, I will find time for both of us”

“Thank you! Also, thank you for today. You opened my eyes to Stellious's beauty and gave me a chance to get to know you”

“No, it’s all thanks to you. You snapped me out of my little fantasy. I realised I closed my heart to everyone when I met Chan but he isn’t the one I blame. It’s me. While chasing my freedom, I forgot the one who taught me what freedom was”

“Maybe I thought, if I had Chan by my side, no one would be important to me anymore. I was wrong, I need them because they came before him. Soon enough, I will have my husband who will teach me what freedom is”

“Y/N-”

“Having a new company will make Chan and myself happy. Besides…”

She sat beside him, head turning at him, giving him a smile

“-he would be glad to know I’m in good hands as a queen and as a wife”

Giving it a chance to the prince was a good idea after all.

The flowing water from the flowering pot rained upon the flowers in his front yard. He moved to the other side of the yard to water his other flowers only to stop when a dagger shoved into his neck. The item dropped from its grip as he glared at the intruder. He sensed magic encircled the man but knew too well it didn’t belong to him. Whose magic was it then? His fingers moved, and from behind, roots crept up and bounded the man onto the floor. 

“Who sends you here?” He asked and went to the open field, away from the man. The roots will untangle themself any moment now, the magic that was with him was much stronger and dangerous than his, and so was the danger that was lurking. The man kept his mouth to himself and silence consumed them. Chan didn’t expect an answer anyway.

The low crunching leaves caught his attention. He turned his body around and sent a gust of wind with his wings toward the man, hurling him to the other side. Taking the opportunity, he tried chaining the figure with his magic again. His attempt immediately turned in vain, the roots burned.

He hurled at Chan, thrusting his blade toward Chan’s chest. Chan avoided the attack, gripping the man’s hand in advance.

“The king sent you, didn’t he?” 

“A fairy shouldn’t exist in the first place” He eyed Chan before twisting his wrist, aiming for Chan’s neck, and it took Chan by surprise. The blade grazed his neck as he pushed himself up to the sky, attempting to escape. He winced as he landed back. 

Chan flew toward the man, taking the man by the waist and they crashed into a tree 

Chan’s hand wrapped around the man’s neck.

“Tell me, what does he want?!”

“Nothing more than your disappearance from this world”

His jaw clenched. The king had hated them for centuries because of their differences. The hatred wouldn’t die down as long as the king was alive or turned a bit merciful. He tightened the grip, only for it to loosen the moment the scream echoed in the back of his mind – His friend's screams. The man blew a fatal punch to Chan’s cheeks seeing his almost unconscious condition. 

The attack continued aiming at Chan’s chest and he could feel his body slowly giving up. Using his power drained a lot of his energy. The man noticed Chan's decreasing speed and movement.

A sharp pain dug into Chan’s stomach as the silhouette of the man left his gaze. He was not running away, instead, someone had pulled him away from Chan. He snatched the dagger as blood oozed out from his new wound. 

Dropping to his knee, he heard Taehyun shouting his name. 

“Chan, send him back! I can’t block him any longer!” Biting back the pain, he rosed to his feet, limping toward Taehyun. He mumbled a spell, and the male vanished from the forest in a wave of black feathers. 

His body collided with Taehyun’s. The blonde hugged the black-haired male, leaning his body against his chest, and pressing his palm into Chan’s wound. A shout burst from his lips and a tear fell.

“It hurts…Taehyun. It hurts!” He winced

“I know. Hold it back just a little more” 

In his blurry vision, he saw three figments beside him. Two were lying lifeless on the grass, and the latter stared at them without sympathy, a smirk grew on his lips. He searched for the memory of the day, and he regretted it. Soon, the figment disappeared along with his pain.

“Duncan is helping the king. I sense his magic earlier”

“That’s how they entered this forest?”

“Yes, no human can destroy my shield except Duncan. He’s taking his revenge on me because I refuse to work with him”

“This is just the beginning. They’re coming for me,”

I can’t let my guard down anymore.