Chapter Four

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT]

4•••

The syringe is pulled out from your arm, filled with the monthly sample of your blood.

"What are the chances of something coming up this time, Doctor Moon?" you ask with a hint of sarcasm, which the aged man plays along with.

"Just like all the other times, Princess, we can never be sure." he takes a cotton ball and tape to cover the small impale. "But let us not seek for an outcome, dear one."

As you are conversing in chitchat, Suho knocks on the door and enters the library. "Princess Jennie has arrived, Your Royal Highness." he informs you.

"I'll be out in a minute, Suho."

Doctor Moon zips his purse, stands on his wobbly knees and bows his goodbyes to you, "I will see you next month, Princess Roseanne."

You take his hand kindly and help the elderly doctor over to Suho's care. "Do stay well, Doctor Moon."

When Suho leaves to escort him out, Jisoo slips between the doors, flashing a gentle smile at the royal guard.

"You're taking bolder moves these days, Chu." you comment. There is no letting your friend's sly intentions of getting to know Suho go unappreciated. It is only about time that she is taking some initiative. As two years have gone by since Suho was entitled your royal guard, the two have remained strangers, only speaking of matters revolving the palace and yourself.

"I guess there is no harm in being friends." she sighs, stacking up some used books to be placed back in their shelves. Then, you notice her lips drop to a slight frown.

"What's wrong?"

She peeps at you. "You know what's wrong." she says, "or what may be wrong."

There is no harm in being friends, that is true. But developing an established friendship with someone you find potential in more than just platonic feelings for is dangerous. It is dangerous for Suho and Jisoo because similar to your hopeless romance, there are consequences.

"Are you saying that—"

"I don't..." she pauses, wrapping her head around the situation. "I don't know if what I feel is what I think it is, but he's really great, Rosie. It's only been two weeks of getting to know him personally, but it is as though I've known him for years- he has opened up to me and me to him."

"That really is great, Chu."

"But it's not right." she shakes her head and you know how torn she must be because Jisoo never sulks about anything, at least in front of you. "I mean, I don't know if he does or will ever feel the same way, but one of us is going to end up losing something."

You don't know what to say. And partially because this has much to do with your world. Your great, great grandfather swore on royal law and order that palace subjects are forbidden to fraternize with one another and if caught under the circumstances, one must be banished from the grounds if associations are to continue- and it was stamped solely because great, great grandfather Sung-ho caught his royal guard having sex with a servant on the dining table.

It was a despicable act and you curse the uncontrollable hormones of the pair to not take their business somewhere more private. Otherwise, the rule would not have to exist, succeeding rulers would not have to follow it, and Jisoo and Suho can fall in love in piece!

"Perhaps, a daily reminder of the consequences will put feelings to rest."

But that shouldn't be- it isn't fair. "You just wait until the throne is mine, Jisoo." you hold your friend's drooping shoulders firmly. You tell yourself to believe your own statement all the same. "Trust me on this."

She looks to you with uncertainty, a pinch of doubt that you would diminish the rule and flout the traditional principle of never taking back the law. "You should go. You don't want to keep everyone waiting." your mentor dismisses the topic, straightening your polo and directing you to the stables.

You do not protest.

Father would scold you for being a second late to training and there is no more time to waste. Not that you are deliberately wasting time, but every second of the hours dedicated to equestrian is crucial.

The Cup is two weeks away. Rather, there are only two weeks left.

After the first day of lessons with Jennie and her presumptuous insolents, you have not spoken more than a good morning and a goodbye to the Princess. An excuse me here and there would be necessary whenever she would purposefully stand in your way.

She registered what you were doing since the Friday of that week, your second day of lessons, and you struggled with shoving away the guilt and silencing the voice that whispered this isn't you. But Jennie's overstep, speaking ill of Chanyeol and yourself echoed louder. So you've put your foot down, mouth shut, and mind only on the Cup.

"I apologize," you say, arriving at the course where Rufus, Jennie, Orange, and Kuma are already waiting and Lisa and Sehun arrange saddles to the side. You hurry to untuck the sleeves of your polo. Jennie peeks at your arm and you almost think she is concerned of the simple bandage.

"Good morning, Rosie." She says, soft and bright.

"Morning, Jennie." and you don't give her much attention, only walking to Orange's side and greeting Rufus, too.

"Well uhm... That's okay, Your Highness." your coach raises an eyebrow between you and the Princess, but carries on with the brief.

Indeed, the cold shoulder has been noticed by those around you. But as matters appear to only include you and Jennie, they assume those matters to be of royalty. You do not oppose their assumptions, because the partial truth would cause for a much greater affair.

"I've found the timer, father."

You do not lift your head to Chanyeol jogging up to the group. It is not the cold shoulder, just a wall to separate you from the shame of inappropriate pleasure from shoulder massages.

"Thank you, son."

You know his doe eyes study you again, as if he means to say something, but you're praying he will turn around and walk away like the other wordless stares.

"I'll be at the woodcraft shed." he says and he is gone the next second.

But there is still a pair of eyes on you.

Rufus claps his hands, "Let's get started, shall we?"

The calm wind brushes against your face as Orange trots down the course for a warm up. These few laps bring you to a calm place of mind before centering on the training. You feel like lightweight and you imagine the dirt oval to be the flower fields in the upper side of the South, where Orange carries you and wanders off in peace. Taking in a breath of fresh air, your chest warms and you can imagine the scent of pure, dewy, celestial...

"Rosie,"

Lisa.

"Yes?" you open your eyes and find her atop Luca in matching pace with you.

"are you feeling alright?" she asks, making you furrow your brows at her. "You've just been awfully quiet."

You shrug, "Tired, I guess."

"To Jennie, I mean." she lowers her voice, peaking behind to see if the brunette was close enough to hear. "You've been distant with her for the past week and a half- why is that?"

You shrug again with a shake to the head. Lisa must be the brave wolf of the pact to bring this up.

"She keeps looking at you, you know."

One cannot disregard the holes Jennie has left on you from her pinning stares. She is still, burning holes to your back as you speak. Or, as Lisa speaks.

"Look, Sehun mentioned that Jennie was perplexed with your demeanor after the first day," Of course. Those two have been spending quite some time together working, enough to be openly discussing conversations of Sehun with the Northern Princess betwixt themselves, "and frankly, everyone is confused with why you have been so silent." You make eye contact with the Northern boy by the railings right before he diverts like he wasn't looking at all.

There is a bitter feeling in you.

You had told Lisa how callous Jennie was and specifically to you, yet she chooses to believe she is sunshine and daisies, now making you appear as the antagonist in the story and it is totally untrue and very annoying if you are being honest.

But, "I'm just tired, Lisa." you say, setting those feelings aside because you just don't want to raise an argument. And she is not convinced, but does not press on.

•••

You lock a tired Orange in his stable, stroking his muzzle in appreciation of his hard work today.

The hay behind you crunches and you look to see Sehun with a satchel in hand, entering. He bows and you return it before taking a brush for Orange.

The boy walks to Kuma's temporary stable and places belongings inside the satchel. "Excuse me, Your Highness."

You glance at him, "Please, call me Roseanne."

"Right, uhm," he hesitates.

You find Sehun rather modest. Demure. His proper attires and clean cut hair present him as well-mannered and very aware of his appearance. The way he carries himself makes him more handsome than the square jaw already does for him.

"I would like to extend my assistance for anything you need- anything at all, as you have welcomed Jennie and I to your residence."

You crack a chuckle at his kindness. How coy.

"I appreciate that very much, Sehun." you don't know what is pulling the words out of your mouth after keeping to yourself these days, but you infer it be the first time you interact with him and the having nothing against him as the reason. "I hope you enjoy your visits here in the South."

"I am having a good time indeed," he beams. "everyone here is very kind."

You agree with his statement. If only you could say the same of his companion.

Sehun zips up his satchel and faces you directly, opening and closing his mouth as if choosing his words wisely. "I don't mean to pry, Roseanne," you anticipate he might say something that will be held against him, "but I understand the precautions you take with Jennie.".

You listen to what he has to say.

"She tends to use her words for iron fists." he chuckles, but you are not so amused. You don't exactly like being punched. "I hope you will find patience to understand."

"I don't have forever, Sehun." you speak nonchalant as you've been told to be understanding a few times before. "Frankly, two and half months may go by in a breeze."

"I-I see—"

"But why don't you enlighten me," you toss the brush in its case and face the boy straight on. He lowers his head right away. "Why does Jennie act the way she does around me?"

He is stammering over what he wants to say before a syllable is even perceptible.

"She is evidently all smiles with everyone else."

"Y-You see—"

"I'm sure you two are very close and maybe she has told you a thing or two about me."

"She—"

"I just want to know..." you step around Orange and stand in front of the nervous Sehun. "You were there at the pre-meet," you take him back memory lane. "You heard how polite and kind I was greeting her and she didn't even take two seconds to look at me. Why is that?"

Sehun clears his throat and finds the courage to lift his chin as he speaks. "Jennie was not feeling her best that day, is all. She was never fond of equestrian. In fact, she despises it. Thus, her ill-temper on some days."

"How does she manage to work so hard during trainings then, if she hates it so much?"

"She had spent many years of her life training as you have and considers it impractical to let it go to waste now. The Cup will come soon enough and she will be finished with equestrian. She cares very little for the sport."

"If that is so, why not just hand me the trophy?" Instead of boasting her skills to everyone in your palace grounds. Though, maybe she enjoys the attention.

"Jennie does not like to lose." he says, a slight chortle to it. "And she detests the title be lost to another Park. She is not like her father, she claims."

Needless to say, Sehun's tellings seem to be true. Jennie's loathe for equestrian will not undermine her determination to win the Cup if she wants to break the Park streak and claim her own name as a champion.

"I best be tending to Kuma. Thank you for your time, Roseanne." he bows and exits the stables, leaving you to your thoughts and Orange.

And only for a brief moment, because lighter footsteps brush the straws on the ground. Jennie catches your eyes, but you break the exchange quickly.

The tension is high.

You're having trouble disassembling Orange's gear because of your shaking fingers and you're fumbling around because you know she is watching. You're recklessly undoing locks and ties and you're almost waiting for an insult to come your way and already telling yourself that anything she has to say about you shouldn't matter. Take it with a grain of salt and don't take it to heart at all.

"Hey,"

Your mind goes empty when her hands cover yours.

"You might hurt him," she says with no hint of sarcasm or distaste, but care, "and yourself."

You finally look at her and her features are relaxed. No scowl, thin lips, or anything to say she is in the mood to use her iron fists. Just her natural glow and porcelain skin soothed to a genuine attribute staring right back at you, and close enough to see the glint of her brown eyes that you've actually come to miss- so close, you feel her aura radiating.

And her hands are still over yours, bringing them down from the straps. And you step back to suck in a breath you didn't realize you needed. You rub your hands together, trying to comprehend just how soft hers actually are.

She faces Orange and undoes the locks for you.

And her hands- her hands were so warm that the heat has surged through your body. That, or you don't know how to react to her sudden gesture.

"Thank you." you can only manage two words and barely audible at that.

She neatly places the gear in the corner. "Yeah, uhm..." she slowly runs her fingers through her hair, and you've captured the stunning image in your head.

It twinges to confess, but no negative disposition of Jennie's can devalue how attractive she really is.

"No worries." she says.

Then the air fills with awkward silence. You don't have anything left to say as you've thanked her for the help, so you take small steps to the door.

When she doesn't call to stop you, you leave the stables altogether.

•••

At the library, Jisoo hands you and Jennie copies of past coronation speeches done by each of your predecessors, the top of your pile being your father's and Jennie's King Tae-oh's. Your mentor instructs to read all speeches for the hours allotted for today's lesson.

"You're going to make us read all this for three hours?" Jennie rebukes.

The stack is quite hefty.

"You'll need to take notes in order to write your own speeches." Jisoo says and it is her apathy you take note of. She seems detached from the two of you and appears to be in no mood to teach as there must be a lot on her mind. You hate to see your friend so down.

"Won't this just make our speeches sound all the same, then?"

You pick up a pencil and take your father's speech to hand.

"Rosie, don't you agree—"

"Just starts reading, Jennie." you mutter, saving Jisoo from forced politeness and yourself from her attitude's comeback.

The feline eyes are boring into you again until she finally picks up her pencil and reads the material. You skim through father's speech as you have read it a few times before, then move on to grandfather's. He had a knack for telling jokes and you remember stories told of the public adoring him for his bubbly personality. You underline the humor of his words.

By the time you are halfway into the pile, Jisoo calls for a thirty minute break at 2:30. She steps out of the library for some fresh air.

Not wanting to extend the workload, you continue on the encircling and noting of important details that will be of use to accumulating your own speech.

Meanwhile, Jennie walks around to stretch her limbs.

"Knock knock," your father voices through the double doors as he peeps through. "I just wanted to check on the Princesses." he smiles, entering the library. Again, he is still in the suit he wore last night. The bags under his eyes are darker than ever. "How have the lessons been thus far?"

You go back to reading.

"Splendid, King Mason." Jennie replies, walking back to your table.

Eminence is a charming word.

"And for you, Rosé?"

You stop encircling.

You are a fool to think your father would ever listen to you.

"Rosé—"

"Fine, father." You state, "Everything is fine." loud and clear.

He clasps his hands together with a satisfied sigh, "Very well then."

You clench your jaw, irking to snap this pencil in half right under your father's nose to show him how angry you can really be and all because he can't comprehend how much you hate him to call you that name, now more than ever because Jennie is right there.

But you decide against it.

"I have matters to get back to, so I shall leave you to it."

Because as long as you ignore the vexations, they will die down soon, and father will be too preoccupied for the next several days to hear you out anyway. So you let him leave the library without a say.

A low whistle breaks the dense air.

"That's a pretty name." Jennie says, leaning against your side of the table, "Rosé"

Ignore ignore ignore

"Aren't you going to take a break?"

"There's no need."

"Come on, let's grab a snack and come back."

"No, thank you."

"Rosé—"

"Don't call me that" please

"Why not?"

"Jennie, please just don't" you expel, the weight on your chest getting heavy.

You're tired of this- you're tired of feeling this way. Negative emotions have been ruling you this past week and a half. You were never one to get angry so easily or talk back to anyone because it is rude and not princess like and it's just not you.

"Okay,"

You huff out and palm your face because you don't want to feel this way.

"I'm sorry, Rosie."

You stand up and decide you need some fresh air, too.

It takes a few minutes, but the hush of the landscape brings you to ease. You listen to your even breaths in nature with the serene surroundings. The hills beyond are evergreen this time of year, beautiful as ever, and Mount Park Major, farthest in the horizon is clear from fog.

You think to have a visit soon.

"Knock knock," you glance to the mimics of your father. Jennie stands by the glass doors of the balcony. "There's five minutes left before we have to be back at the library." she informs.

You nod your head, then face the vast view of the greenery once again. The door clicks closed and before you think she is gone, she comes to stand by the railings, right next to you, looking out to the scenery.

And you don't mind. You wouldn't want to deprive anyone of this view.

After a moment, she speaks into the tranquility. "Rosie, I'm sorry about what I said before."

You nearly react in surprise. You wonder which part.

"I shouldn't have said those things about you and Chanyeol." ah, that one. "It was out of line and totally immature of me." she places her hand on the rail and you swallow hard when she almost meets yours.

You want her to hold your hand again- touch you with her fingertips and engulf you in her warmth. Take away the provoking judgements and change the way you see her with the palm of her hand because it seems comforting enough to do that.

"I'm truly sorry, Rosie." and she does do that.

It's not like her character and it's so unexpected, but it is not your position to make expectations because you don't know Jennie all that well. She's mean, she's curious, she's headstrong, but the Jennie that stands with you at this moment is gentle, and open and god is she alluring you to know more.

She curls her fingers under your palm- truly, holding your hand and it tingles up your arm, through your chest and down to the pit of your stomach. "I hope you can forgive me." she whispers and it's just so sincere that you could believe anything she has left to say. "I will understand if you don't and I will accept it if you don't ever wish to speak to me ever—"

"Jennie," you cut her off before she finishes because you're starting to feel guilty for making the two of you believe you wouldn't grow a friendship beyond this acquaintance, "I forgive you." because you've just been wishing for a chance to know her as a friend all this time.

"Oh thank god" she breathes out and you can't suppress a giggle at her relief. You must have overlooked how much being ignored affected her.

Jennie too, laughs at her blunt reaction.

You look down at both your hands and she gives a light squeeze.

"We should head back. Jisoo must be waiting." she says and you both naturally let go of the hold.

Walking back to the library, Jennie continues conversation. "That was the first time I saw your father since the brunch."

"He is a busy man."

"Meeting with the counselors often?"

"I imagine, yes." you're never certain of your father's whereabouts until he turns up for dinner every now and then. "Does your father meet with the Northern counsel often as well?"

"Does he? If anything, they're forcing him to sit still at the meeting halls. Dad works hard, but he works harder in enjoying the simple pleasures."

"How so?"

"He has many hobbies with my mother. Hiking, gardening, reading at the beach, cricket, woodwork, a lot really. He urges me to join him all the time, but..." she trails off. She shakes her head, "Since he makes a lot of free time, he's always hovering me- it's rather annoying." she crosses her arms and lifts to drop them in a shrug.

You speak of truth, "I envy you.". About doing hobbies with a father or King Tae-oh as a father himself, you don't know. Maybe both. "Don't take it for granted, Jennie, you might regret it."

The subject is put to rest as you meet Jisoo back at the library.

•••

Your day with Jennie ended on a good note. You annotated the speeches together for the last hour but fell distracted to humorous side comments about how pretentious her great, great, great grandmother was with her choice of words for expression. As you dug through the aged pages, the older the language got and the clearer it was that the times have changed. You pondered on the new beginnings you want to start for South Marcadia and it was the first thought of what you will be writing for your speech.

When the clock struck four o'clock, Jennie had to say her goodbyes to be home in time for dinner. You had a pleasant meal on your end, and father was sat at the table too. You spoke of few words to him, but all with a light heart, and he listened like he was actually interested in hearing about your day. It was pleasant, but short. Father had to return to his office before dessert.

Though, it did not dwell much in you because the aftermath of the day had left you tired and a warm bath was enticing you to skip on vanilla creme pie.

Yeri, the young maiden emits from your bathroom, "The tub is ready, Princess."

"Thank you, Yeri, that will be all." you say and she leaves you be in the comfort of your room. You advance from your desk to the marbled bathroom, the cold floors sending chills up your spine as you step barefoot. The floral scent effuses as petals float above the bubbling water.

Ready for a cleanse, you undress your robe and dip in the hot bath. You lean into the curves of the tub and let the water relax you completely. You close your eyes to delve deeper into the stillness.

Your senses take control. From the tips of your toes, your sensations focus on all points of the body. The ache of your feet disappears and as your sensibilities travel up your legs, you sink lower in the bubbles. The water is so mellowing, taking away the weight of your legs, it reminds you of Jennie's hands freeing you from burdening thoughts.

As the tension alleviates from your limbs, you run your hands over your thighs, and you are reminded of how very very satisfying Chanyeol's hands were to your muscles and—

Oh

Oh no

No no no this is wrong this is so wrong

You are not supposed to— you are not allowed to— you are not a slut like Jennie sai— oh god stop thinking!

You adjust yourself in the tub and try to drift into the meditation again, but you're uncomfortable as the lure to touch yourself is stronger than your self-control. So you slide your hand to your core and groan feeling how wet you are.

Your sex is pulsing and you just can't help it- you bite your lip to the rubs of your fingers on your folds and you think of only your touch.

You grip the edge of the tub as you center on your good spot, rubbing slow and gentle at first, letting your body lose itself in the pleasure and you're moaning at how good Jennie's fingers fee—

Oh for god's sake you should stop- you shouldn't think about anyone or anything while doing this but you're rubbing even faster and you're strangled with moans trying to escape you— you dip your fingers in and you gasp at how deep you reach.

"Mhm" you moan just like Chanyeol's hands are over your shoulders- so careful they were to your strains- you moan louder, losing your breath as you thrust your fingers deeper- harder and you're clenching as the pool of heat fills your stomach. You close your eyes tighter and dig your nails to the marble like Chanyeol's thumbs to your blades and oh how soft they would feel all over your skin had he felt like Jennie- "Ohh" smooth and delicate- "Oh god" how good it must be to feel the touch of Jennie and skillful fingers of—

"Mhm!" the pleasure overcomes your mind and you tremble in a strong sheering release- pushing your fingers to the deepest part of your clenched walls to ride out the climax.

And you open your eyes, panting for air- you can't believe you just did that.

You just touched yourself to the thought of Chan— thinking of Jen—

You plunge in the water, hoping it would swallow you completely.