Chapter 30 - Ponies and Problems

"Hey, sweetie! How's the princess-ing going?"

"Dad! Are you crazy? Where have you been? Why didn't you tell me about any of this? Why aren't you here yet? Do you like making fun of me like this?"

"I know this is probably hard on you, honey." your mom's melon-sweet voice coming on the phone. It felt like years since you last heard it. "It was hard on us too. We wanted to tell you..."

"But you didn't." you said, cutting her off. "Do you know how hard it is to fit in here? I feel like I'm in high school again. I can't believe you didn't say anything! Both of you! I can deal with the Santa thing, and telling me that Marmaduke went to a puppy farm, but I can't handle not knowing that I'm a freaking princess!"

You huffed. You'd been mad at them since you got here and this was probably the only time you'd have to yell at them.

"Totally get it, [Y/N]." your dad replied.

"Do you? Do you really, Dad?"

"Well, I mean... kind of."

You growled into the phone.

"What your father is trying to explain – in the worst way possible – is that he and I were given the responsibilities of royalty early." your mom said. "We always felt we missed out on so many things. Like joining after school clubs. Or going wherever we wanted without putting on a show for the newspapers. Or going to the college we wanted. To most people, that's normal. For us, it was only a dream."

You pursed your lips together. You never thought about how your parents grew up if they were both royalty. What did they have to go through in order to give you a normal life?

Whatever. They should have told you something.

"At the very least," your dad said, "we'll be there at the end of the month. You can yell at us all you want then, okay?"

"I'll hold you to that."

"That's my girl! Now, we have to get going, but we just wanted to check on you."

"Wait! I still have so many things to yell at you about!"

"Write it down, baby girl." your dad said. "We'll go through everything when we get there."

"Bye, sweetie!" your mom said.

"But –"

The line went dead. You wrapped your hands around the phone and choked it.

"You're supposed to be supportive!" you yelled, shaking the phone.

Didn't they care how hard this was? Why weren't they here to help you? Why were you doing this alone?

You dropped into the chair next to you. You never felt more alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So basically it's golf while riding a horse." you said. "Is there a version where you play mini-golf on a poodle?"

Taehyung tried to hide his smile behind his hand. Jungkook rolled his eyes.

"Polo is a common sport among royals. You'll find yourself at a lot of these matches."

"Can we at least put them on donkeys instead? It would be more entertaining."

"Tell you what," Jungkook replied. "I'll give you a donkey and you can take it around the castle grounds all you want when we get back. Would that make you happy?"

"Why get a donkey when I have you? After all, you're a big enough a—"

"I'll be happy to keep you company and explain the game to you, Princess." Taehyung cut in. "I won't let you get bored."

Jungkook gave him a sideways glance and stuck his tongue in his cheek. He folded his arms and looked out the window of the limo as you all drove to the event.

No one knew you publicly yet, nevertheless you were told to go along. Something about it being a good introduction to royal image. You didn't want an image. You just wanted to be you.

As you stepped out of the car, you were greeted by a half dozen bodyguards and the stench of wet grass and manure. It made your eyes water.

"What's with the face?" Jungkook said. "You look like you just swallowed a ghost pepper."

You scowled at him. "I was just thinking about the fact that I have to sit next to you for the next four hours."

You walked ahead. Why did it have to be Jungkook of all people? He still hadn't apologized for the night he used you. Or the prank with the shower. Wasn't he sorry?

Probably not. He probably didn't even understand he did something wrong.

You were escorted to a balcony where you could watch the game apart from the rest of the crowd. Once seated, you were offered champagne, fruit and cheese, a platter of seafood appetizers, and tea sandwiches. You would have killed for a hot dog and bucket of popcorn. After two months of nothing but fancy finger foods (that, sadly, weren't chicken strips), something greasy and fattening sounded amazing.

The crowd started to cheer as the polo players took the field on their horses. As they galloped, "We Will Rock You" by Queen started to play. You couldn't help but clap to the song, earning you an arched eyebrow from Jungkook. You clapped harder.

He put his hand on yours. "Royalty doesn't clap during Queen."

"Royalty doesn't know how to have enough fun."

You shook his hands off. Taehyung wasn't embarrassed to join in with you for the duration of the song, and you thought in the corner of your eye you saw Jungkook's leg go up and down to the beat.

After the national anthem and player introduction, they took the field. The ball was dropped, and each rider swung his golf club – or whatever it was – in the air and at the ball.

Gallop. Putt. Gallop. Putt. Gallop. Putt.

This would have been so much faster if they all just jumped off the horses and ran.

"How do you like it so far, Princess?" Taehyung asked.

"I'd like it more if they fell off their horses once in awhile to make it interesting. Even when they make a goal, they don't celebrate."

Someone started a cheer below you for their team. You bobbed to their rhythm.

"At least someone is having fun." you muttered.

"Being a royal doesn't mean you have fun all the time."

"Right. You only have fun when you're playing dirty tricks and using people for your own agenda."

You crossed your arms and stared at the game. He turned to you, his arm draped on the back of your chair. He leaned into your ear.

"You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"Why would I hold onto it? I don't have any interest in you or your nonsense."

"Oh?" he said, chuckling into your ear. "Are you sure about that? Because if that night really didn't bother you, then you wouldn't keep acting like this."

You turned to face him, your nose nearly brushing his. You stared into his eyes. "You should probably turn back in your seat. I can only imagine what the tabloids would write about us now if I choose to marry Jin."

Jungkook slumped back. "...You know about that?"

You gave a sharp nod.

"And you're going to go through with it?"

You shrugged. "You just might be stuck with me as your sister in law for a lifetime."

He went silent. After a breath, he stood from his chair and left the box. You looked back as he walked away. Was he that mad that he'd be related to you?

Maybe he hated you more than you thought.