Chapter Text
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It was the first warm day of spring that year, the sky was blue with white clouds and the hills in the countryside were covered in newly blossomed wildflowers. As he turned in a slow circle, a smile adorned Lee Felix's face. He loved everything about this. The fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the freedom to be able to enjoy it without a care in the world. He had nowhere he needed to be and nothing he needed to do.
It was the best... the best feeling ever.
He stared down at the white daisy in his hand. Pure and innocent. His sister loved flowers so he'd always pick them for her. Her favorite were blue roses. Danielle had no idea that roses only had three natural colors to them and blue wasn't one of them. No, Felix would pick white roses and spend hours painting them blue with a delicate paintbrush and waiting for them to dry. She was young and naive, and he adored his sister more than anything.
His mother didn't like flowers all that much. She'd always say that they were prettier when they were outside in the gardens. She hated seeing something beautiful die, no matter what it was.
As for Felix's older brother, he was more into fragile and delicate fabrics than he was fragile and delicate flowers. He was a fashion enthusiast. Always needing the latest clothing, jewelry, and hair products.
Their father was different. He much preferred something heavy and sharp in his hands than something breakable. He loved his weapons more than some of their relatives, a cruel-looking man with a secretly soft heart.
Felix bent down and picked up the wicker basket from the ground. He settled the white daisy among the other wildflowers he'd collected over the past hour and a half. He wanted to get home. It was getting late and he was getting hungry. The sun would be setting soon and as much as Felix was familiar with Wolf Mountain it was never a good idea to be on it around nighttime.
Twenty minutes later, he arrived home, climbing over the stone wall and entering his family's property. Instantly, he was spotted by one of the nearby guards. If he were anyone else, he would have been greeted with a sword or a spear to the throat, but Lee Felix wasn't just anyone in the kingdom of Bangtan.
"Your Highness," the guard greeted.
Felix nodded his head and smiled.
It didn't last long.
"Prince Felix, wandering about on your own again, were you? Outside of the castle walls and unprotected?" a voice called out.
Felix turned around and his smile fell. He swallowed and stared at the shorter boy who was a year older than him. Dressed in all black and carrying a sword by his side. He was pure muscle in Felix's opinion. Sturdy and strong enough to take almost anyone on and win the fight with ease.
Otherwise known as Seo Changbin. Felix's personal bodyguard and second in command to Bangtan's army. He also happened to grow up alongside Felix and be the prince's only and best friend.
"I was just... I was just picking flowers, see?" Felix said and held the basket of wildflowers up for the older to see. "I was fine. Nothing to worry about."
"Hey!"
"No, wait! Changbin-ah, come on! Ahhhhhh.... " Felix screamed as he hugged the basket to his chest and made a run for it. He knew he was no match to outrun Changbin but he could at least try.
"Prince or not, I'm going to kick your ass, Lee Felix!" Changbin threatened and ran after him.
The thing about the Bangtan Kingdom was that it was different from the other smaller kingdoms of Korea. It wasn't as serious. Even being proudly and famously known for how easy-going, friendly, and warm the people of Bangtan were.
Within the palace walls, it was a very common sight for Felix and Changbin to play around like this. There was no such thing as royalty and commoner. Outside the palace walls, it was a different story. They were still friends but the official titles and positions were more enforced.
Felix skidded around the pavilion corner before making a beeline for the kitchens. Changbin was close to catching him but then stopped for a split second to steal a taste of the freshly baked pies. Felix took the distraction and landed up in the inner palace garden where his sister and brother were currently sitting and having tea. He ran up to them. Stopped with his hands on his knees as a soft sigh left him.
His brother chuckled at him.
"What's gotten into you? You look like a ghost is after your ass."
"More like a demon general," Felix muttered.
"Lix-ah!" his sister called his name. She had a bright smile on her beautiful face and sparkling brown eyes. "Did you pick flowers again? Why didn't you take me with you?" she pouted and Felix looked at her fondly.
"Sorry, Dani," he apologized. "You were still sleeping this morning when I left. Oppa didn't want to wake you."
"But--"
"I brought you some pretty ones. Roses aren't blooming this time of year yet so I got you a few daisies."
Felix purposely interrupted his little sister as he set the basket down on the outside table. It was already enough for him to break the rules and sneak out of the palace without any supervision. He didn't dare to drag Danielle with him and get them both into trouble. As much as their parents adored and doted on Felix if anything happened to Danielle it would literally be the end of him. She was the baby of the family and Bangtan's only princess, after all.
Not to mention she was only nine years old, and her attention span wasn't set up for long hikes with only nature as entertainment. The palace staff already had such a hard time keeping the princess entertained by the hour. Imagine a daily basis. Danielle wasn't difficult. She was a darling with a kind heart. But she was definitely a challenge to raise. Everyone commented she was just too much like her brothers, especially Felix.
"How pretty!" Danielle exclaimed happily.
Felix smiled at her as he moved her long hair to the side. He tucked the stem of the daisy behind her right ear and she touched the flower's petals with curious but hesitant fingers.
"What a spoiled princess," their older brother remarked.
"Am not," Danielle shook her head.
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Felix chuckled at the two. They were a decade apart in age but still just as childish as toddlers when together.
"Jimin hyung, stop teasing her," Felix said.
Danielle stuck her tongue out at their older brother from behind Felix's back.
"It's fun," Jimin shrugged wearing a grin.
"I found you!" Changbin shouted as he suddenly sprang on Felix. He leaped over the garden's side railing and locked his arms around the second prince of Bangtan.
oof...!
"Hyungie, I can't breathe," Felix gasped.
"What are you two playing?" Jimin laughed at them.
"You snuck out without permission! This is the third time this week!" Changbin scolded as he playfully held Felix still and flicked his forehead.
"Ouch! Ow!"
"You snuck out again?" Jimin raised a curious eyebrow.
"Changbin oppa, don't bully Felix!" Danielle reprimanded and stomped on Changbin's foot.
It didn't hurt.
Danielle had little to no strength even when throwing a tantrum. She was too small. Not to mention the fact that Changbin, and all palace guards in general, wore steel-toed boots for safety reasons.
"Sorry, Princess," Changbin apologized with a chuckle.
He released Felix and took a step back. Danielle huffed triumphantly as she folded her arms over her chest. Instantly, she had a smile on her face again. Danielle dropped her arms and turned to the garden table, where teacups and small snacks were laid out. She looked at the different things for a second before picking a bite-sized rice cake and holding it out to Changbin.
"For me, little one?" he asked.
Danielle nodded.
"Hey, he just bruised my forehead and you're feeding him treats?" Felix asked in disbelief.
"You want one too, oppa?"
"You asked for that one," Jimin said.
"I did," Felix sighed and Jimin almost cackled in amusement.
Danielle was just a child. A really kind-hearted, innocent, and sweet child. She grew up playing and being protected by the three. She treated Changbin the exact same as she did Jimin and Felix. As a brother.
"You all look like you're enjoying the good day," a voice interrupted them.
Changbin immediately swallowed the snack as he bowed a full 90 degrees in respect.
"Your Majesties," he greeted them, loud and proud.
A middle-aged man and woman approached the four. A couple that were still deeply in love with each other and who just so happened to rule an entire kingdom together. The king and queen of Bangtan.
"Father, Mother," Jimin and Felix greeted in unison.
"Changbinie, stop being so formal with us already," the King, Lee Daehyun, said with fond irritation on his face.
"You're a part of this family," the Queen, Park Hwayoung, reminded in a honey voice. "Now straighten up," she told him and Changbin immediately did as he was told.
"Mother," Danielle went to cling to the queen's side.
"Darling, you look so pretty. Did Felix pick flowers for you again?"
"Yes!"
"My sweet, naughty boy," Hwayoung sighed with a smile. She set her gaze on Felix and he sheepishly grinned while rubbing a hand at the back of his neck. "Sneaking out on your own again. Haven't we spoken about this?"
"Sorry, Mother," Felix apologized.
"Never mind," she dismissed, moving a stray strand of blonde hair out of her youngest son's face. "Your father and I have some news to share."
"News?" Felix looked between his parents.
"What kind of news?" Jimin questioned curiously.
"A letter came today from the Levanter Kingdom," Daehyun informed. "It's not... "
He wasn't sure how to break it to their dear son.
"It's not pleasant," Hwayoung finished for her husband.
Felix looked at Jimin, who was looking back at him in confusion. Felix then glanced at Changbin but his personal bodyguard and best friend only subtly shrugged.
"What was in the letter?" Felix asked.
"It's an invitation, Lix-ah," his mother stated unhappily. "A betrothal selection invitation."
"For who?" Jimin asked, already feeling uneasy.
"For Felix," their father replied, looking even unhappier than his wife did. "Only for Felix and it wasn't so much an invitation as it was a royal decree."
"Me?!" Felix exclaimed, his eyes going wide and his heart dropping into his stomach.
This couldn't be happening...