Chapter 2

"3"

"2"

"1"

Sol took her hands off her eyes as soon as she finished counting. Her head turned from left to right taking in the details of her surroundings, looking for clues that would point her to one of her siblings' hiding spots.

Contrary to what she thought would happen when the consorts arrived, they did allow them to play hide and seek. A smile crossed her lips as her eyes landed on Consort Wook and Consort Yoo who were seated outside of the pavilion's entrance. They were drinking tea, turning their heads toward her direction from time to time to watch them play.

She gave the consorts a slight bow in which they nodded in reply with amused smiles on their faces before she turned her attention back to seeking her siblings.

'They were not as strict as I thought after all.' Sol thought as she went deeper inside the maze-like garden.

She had always wondered why their guards were up around her all the time but it looked they were just being cautious because the original Dalhee was cold to them back then.

"Boo!" Woon came out from the corner of the hedge surprising her.

"Aahhhhhhoowch!" Sol slipped for the second time that day, her elbows hitting the tree behind her as she fell scratching her skin.

"Princess! Are you okay?!" Chan came out from one of the bushes, his eyes glinting with worry.

"Oh, yeah" She replied in a chuckle, holding her stinging elbow. "Just a little scratch-"

"A scratch?!" Jaein gasped as she popped out of her hiding place followed by her other siblings. They all came rushing towards her wide-eyed.

"Why did you all stop hiding?" she uttered in puzzlement. Now they have to find new hiding spots.

"Let me see-"

"Princess!" Narae's voice caught their attention, the court lady was running towards her in haste followed by the consorts.

"Narae?" Sol's forehead creased in confusion. She couldn't understand what the big deal was, it was just a small scratch after all. Her eyes shifted towards her elbow but the court lady had grabbed it before she could peek.

"Close your eyes, your Highness," Narae uttered worriedly.

"But-" a pair of hands covered Sol's eyes before she could speak.

"I am sorry, princess. I am sure you are scared right now. We will immediately call for a doctor to heal you once you've returned to the palace." Consort Yoo uttered from behind her.

"Scared? Of what?"

Sol looked down to her elbow as soon as Consort Yoo's hands left her eyes but Narae had already wrapped the scratch with the cloth.

"Thank you, Narae." Sol smiled before turning towards the worried crowd around her "I am fine, it was just a scratch, it didn't hurt a bit-"

The sight of everyone kneeling in front of her made Sol speechless. Even the consorts, who had always carried themselves with pride bowed with solemn looks on their faces.

"Even though we knew you were scared of blood, we have allowed you to get hurt. We are very sorry, your Highness." Consort Wook uttered.

"What?! No, no, I was fine-"

'The original Dalhee was afraid of blood?! This was not in the book at all, what is happening?!'

"Please be assured that we will punish Woon for hurting you."

"WHAT?! NO!" Sol cried in panic as her eyes landed on her five-year-old brother. He was silently kneeling with the others, his hands visibly shaking as teardrops fell from his eyes.

She ran towards him, he must have thought she was angry because he flinched out of fear. Slowly he calmed down when he realized she was hugging him.

"It is okay, Woon. I won't let them punish you." She whispered before shifting her attention to the consorts.

Being a matriarchy, Asria was biased towards females. It was no wonder Woon and the others thought he would be punished. The empire would never allow a man to hurt a woman, even by accident. It was punishable by a hundred lashes according to Asrian laws.

"Woon will not get punished," Sol told them firmly, her words a surprise to everyone "It was an accident."

A soft smile crossed Consort Wook's lips, his eyes glinting with gratitude "Yes, thank you for your mercy, princess."

"Thank you for your mercy." Everyone chorused.

_____________

Five weeks have passed since Sol and Namjoon met. Rumors of their friendship have circulated around the empire. "The two have grown close enough to call each other by their first names." is what they say.

The news brought delight to the commoners' ears as it was proof of the Crown Princess' humility. However, the nobles were divided and some were not so keen on the idea of a commoner standing beside a royal.

Empress Chunhei smiled curiously as her eyes landed on her daughter's anxious face. The princess has been restless since she entered the fitting chamber. She was fidgety and craned her neck towards the window from time to time, the poor tailor was finding it hard to take her measurements.

"You seem to be in a hurry, dear?" Chunhei's words stunned Sol in her place, her face flushed finally noticing her behavior.

"Oh, I am very sorry!" Sol gasped finally letting the tailor finish her job.

"Your Majesty, your Highness…" The tailor bowed after taking their measurements "I once again offer my sincere gratitude for choosing me to make the gowns for your coming-of-age celebration."

"Please, it was my pleasure, Lady Rin." Sol uttered bowing back "I apologize once again for taking up more than the time allotted."

"Not at all, Your Highness. It is an honor to serve you." Lady Rin smiled sincerely "I will now be off to get started on the gowns."

"Your Majesty.." Lady Rin greeted in farewell.

"Yes," The Empress smiled "I wish you a safe ride back to the capital."

Sol watched in guilt as the tailor left through the door with her group of seamstresses.

"Mother.." She called facing the Empress, her eyes locked on the floor "I apologize for not being on my best behavior."

"Oh" Chunhei caught herself before she could smile.

"I am very disappointed in you, Dalhee. How could a princess be so inconsiderate of her subordinates."

"I am sorry, Your Majesty."

"And all you had to do was stood still."

"Yes, I do not have any excuses."

"Now, for your punishment, you will be delivering a set of books to the royal academy without any help."

"Yes, your Majesty, who will I be delivering it to?"

Chunhei almost cracked a laugh at her daughter's serious expression. If the princess would only stop staring at the ground and look her in the eye then she would know she was being teased. Even Narae and the maids were having a hard time containing their giggles.

"You will be delivering it to a student called Kim Namjoon."

"Kim Namj-" Sol's eyes grew wide, lifting her head to see her mother's face. The room soon erupted into laughter and her cheeks flushed.

"It was just a jest." Chunhei grinned. "You are scheduled to tour the outer palace today for the first time, I understand you were excited. Since Namjoon studies in the Royal Academy you were hoping to meet him there, am I right?"

"Y-yes"

"Will you give the books to him for me? He recently passed this month's exams with perfect scores so I am giving it to him as a gift."

"Of course. I'll definitely deliver it safely." Sol said jumping in excitement.

Her cheeks soon flushed after realizing what she just did, for someone with the mental age of 23 she was acting so childish. Maybe being in the body of an 11-year-old girl was influencing how she felt.

"Off you go then."

"Yes, thank you, Mother!" Sol said leaning in to kiss the Empress on the cheek before leaving the chamber in haste.

"Wait, Princess-"

"Narae."

"Your Majesty." The court lady stopped at the call of her name.

"Bring a few knights with you," Chunhei uttered unsmilingly.

"Yes, your Majesty."

"You know the rules." The Empress uttered.

"Not a single drop of blood shall be spilled."

"Yes, your majesty."

_______

Asria's Royal Academy accepts nobles and commoners as its students once they reach the age of twelve and passed its yearly entrance exam, teaching them in their chosen departments for five years.

"Narae, can't I go alone?" Sol pleaded as she stepped out of the carriage.

"I am sorry, princess. But you were allowed to tour the outer palace with the condition of having an escort."

"But look" Sol pointed out to the students who have gathered around them. The royal family's crest on the coach and the knight's uniforms probably caught their attention.

"Everyone's looking at us." She uttered shyly. She never liked crowds even back on earth.

"Greetings, Princess." An old, spectacled man dressed in a dark robe spoke. He had long white hair reaching his waist and his beard touched his stomach.

Sol searched for Dalhee's memories of the old man and she smiled remembering him. It had been a few months since they last saw each other, and he was one of the few guests of the inner palace Dalhee actually liked.

"Headmaster Sun!" Sol uttered in delight.

The old man would always tell Dalhee stories about the capital and was unlike the proud nobles who frequently visited. Princess Dalhee loved how his green eyes glistened with wisdom.

"I am glad you'll be touring me, now I know I won't get bored."

The headmaster laughed "I am glad to see you are doing well, princess. However, I just came here to welcome you. I am afraid someone else will be showing you around."

Sol gave the old man a curious look.

"I heard you are close friends with our top student here in the academy."

"You mean-" Sol's eyes grew wide.

"Yes, I have requested Sir Namjoon to tour you around the Academy." Headmaster Sun beamed. "He is currently at the dorms so I will lead you there."

Sol's eyes roamed the place as they walked the hallways with the same white walls and black carpet through a door that led to a few others with identical symbols, it was definitely designed to confuse outsiders.

"We are here." Headmaster Sun uttered as they entered another door, the walls were still white but the carpet and flags on the walls were now blue.

"This is the receiving area for the boys' dormitory," He said before she could ask the question.

"Greetings, your Highness…Headmaster" Namjoon's voice made Sol turn towards the flight of stairs, her eyes ecstatic at the sight of the silver-haired boy in a blue uniform.

"Namjoon!" She jumped waving her hand at him.

"Well, I will be leaving you both." The headmaster smiled. He had always thought the princess was too mature for her age and seeing her act like a child for once was enough of an accomplishment for him that day.

"I'll see you after the tour, Headmaster!" Sol beamed bowing at him.

"Well, it will be my pleasure." He laughed happily before leaving.

"Congratulations!"

Namjoon's face turned red in embarrassment when she ran to him for a hug. His eyes awkwardly escaping Narae and the knights.

"I heard you passed this month's exam with perfect scores!"

"I just tried my best," Namjoon replied shyly. He could never get used to praises especially when the princess does it, she always looks at him as if she knew he was great all along.

"Oh, that's right! Mother has a gift for you." She gasped.

"The Empress?"

"Yes, for passing the exams perfectly. But it's in the carriage." Sol pouted "I forgot to hand it to the knights, wait here I'll get-"

Namjoon held her arm before she could leave "How about we finish the tour first then visit the Headmaster and I'll see you off so you don't have to go back and forth?"

"Wow," Sol uttered in awe before clapping.

"You're a genius, Namjoon! No wonder you're the best in the academy!"

He blushed "Stop praising me for little things." He said turning his back to lead her out of the dorm "Let's go, I'll show you the library first."

"Okay!" Sol beamed.

Honestly, she was really getting embarrassed inside for acting bubbly. But Sol couldn't control her emotions, the 11-year-old Dalhee inside her was too happy with the thought of having a friend.

The land where the academy was built is divided into four areas provided with the needed facilities:

The Main Building, located at the center, consists of the Headmaster's and the faculty office, the school library, the function hall, and the dorms.

The South Building was for Politics. A department focused on molding students to be future officials of the Empire's different ministries.

The Research Building in the East was where magic and science collide, students who want to devote their lives in innovation or discovery choose this department and are hired by the Empire's Royal Academy or Research tower in the future.

The West Building was for Military, students in this department train in their chosen weapons since childhood for their first year, they then become Squires in their third year and are trained for knighthood.

The academy tour ended before the hour could pass, such a huge institution would have taken anyone an hour or two longer but Namjoon walked and talked about the place in haste that Sol didn't even have time to ask questions. 

Other than that, she could see Namjoon grow anxious the longer she stayed in the academy and it was obvious he was in a hurry to finish the tour.

Maybe he didn't like the way the students looked at them as they passed the hallways, or maybe he was busy that day and had other plans to attend to. But whatever it was that was keeping Namjoon from talking to her properly made her sad.

What was more important than her visit? Sol could feel Dalhee's annoyance and disappointment boiling inside of her as Namjoon and the Headmaster finally escorted her out of the Main Building.

Namjoon knew how long the crown princess was trapped in the inner palace and how she had to wait until she was eleven just to be allowed a tour on the outer parts. He knew how important it was for her and yet she did not even get her questions answered properly and not once did he return her smile during the tour.

'What is wrong with him?!' is what Sol thought as they stopped in front of her carriage.

"I bid you a safe ride back to the inner palace, princess." Headmaster Sun uttered.

"Thank you, Headmaster. I hope to see you soon again." Sol managed to smile back in reply.

The old man's eyes glistened in amusement, he didn't need to ask what occurred during the tour. He could only make the atmosphere a bit brighter but the princess' sulky expression could only be wiped off by the same person who caused it.

"I will have to leave now, princess. I need to finish my work if I want to see you on your birthday." He said in jest before leaving.

A deafening silence occurred between the ones left behind. Narae, who felt awkward about the situation took the chance to break the ice.

"Shall we go, princess?" She asked motioning for the knights to open the carriage door.

Sol swiftly turned back accepting the knight's hand to help her up the vehicle, looking anywhere but the boy in front her as soon as she sat. Narae followed suit sitting beside her.

"I apologize for my behavior, your Highness." Namjoon's voice rang in her ears before she could tell the knights to close the door.

The princess gave the gloomy boy a look, he was now bowing down unable to meet her eyes.

"What kind of person drags her friend around on a tour?" Sol uttered crossing her arms.

"I did not-" Namjoon's expression turned into bafflement as soon as he saw her smiling. It took a second for him to realize that she wasn't angry at him at all.

"With you walking and talking so fast during the tour you might as well have done that, I could barely keep up with your long strides, you know?"

"Yes." Namjoon uttered in guilt "I am sorry, that will never happen again." 

 "If you are, then promise to answer my questions properly next time." Sol smiled her annoyance now gone.

"Yes, I promise," Namjoon replied placing his right hand on his chest with sincerity.

"One more thing."

The boy gave her a curious look. 

 "You'll let me meet your friends next time I visit."

Namjoon's hands turned into fists as he gave the innocent girl in front of him a bitter smile. 

"Sure, your Highness. They would love to meet you."

Narae stared at the poor boy worriedly. Friends? In an academy mostly full of nobles? It was easy to guess why he was in a hurry to finish the tour, the searing gaze of other students must have been too much for him to handle.

It was already a miracle for a commoner to be friends with someone of royal blood. The princess who has never left the inner palace was too naïve to understand the situation he was in.

A smile curved up Sol's lips as she watched the academy's buildings through the window, they were already passing the gate when her eyes landed under the seat in front of him.

A gasp came out from her mouth as she sat straight giving her court lady a look she understood.

Sol grabbed the books under the seat and dashed out of the carriage as soon as they stopped in front of the main building. Her court lady's voice now but a small echo as she ran through the hallways towards the identical doors, praying she entered the right ones. 

She was panting, holding the set of books on her chest as soon as she stood in front of a big blue door. A smile plastered on her lips as her hands touched the handle.

"I told you to stay away from her, you idiot!" The booming voice halted her entrance.

She took a step forward, slightly opening the door for her to peek. Her eyes immediately spotted Namjoon's silver hair. In front of him were three boys wearing the same blue uniform.

'Are they fighting?' She thought.

"Why would I do that? She's my friend." Namjoon replied to them. He sounded annoyed.

Sol's forehead creased when one of the students, a boy with dark hair and sharp eyes grabbed Namjoon by the collar.

"Why would a commoner like you be friends with a royalty?!"

"I am not a commoner anymore, my father has been given the title of Baron by the Empress," Namjoon uttered his fists clenched.

"You think being given a title erases your family's dirty blood?" One of the students mocked "His head's probably getting big because he's "friends" with the princess, Han."

Han smirked, "I heard your father had to kneel in front of the Empress and the other nobles to get that title."

"Watch your words." Namjoon glared sharply "My father never begged for that title, the Empress gave it to him rightfully after his pledge."

"Shut up! You guys were wandering merchants before the Empress took pity on you, you are an outsider and you always will be!"

"Are you that threatened by my family?"

"Are you stupid?" Han pushed him letting go of his collar "My father's a count." He said proudly "My family's been serving the Empire for 5 generations already."

"But your father is a merchant too." Namjoon smirked "Your herbs used to sell well before our products entered the market. Is that why you're so angry with me?"

"My family's business doesn't just rely on selling herbs, Namjoon." Han's voice turned deadly.

"Really? But you must have lost a lot of money..." Namjoon replied, "To keep using my friendship with the princess and my father's title as an excuse to bully."

Sol's fingers turned white as she held the books tightly. She closed her eyes afraid to see the upcoming punch, the sound of it making her cower in fear. 

"Bully?" Han uttered quietly "Let's see, should we ruin your face so you'd know what being bullied is like?"

There was laughter, the kind of evil laugh Sol imagined the villains in her books would have. She slowly opened her eyes the sight of Namjoon on the ground making her gasp.

Han grabbed her friend's hair as he kneeled down, his other hand producing a ball of fire that made her jump in fright.

'Why? Why are they doing this to him?!' Her grip on the books loosened, the sound catching everyone's attention as it dropped on the ground.

"Stop!"

She rushed through the door and pushed the student away, standing between Namjoon and the three.

"What are you doing?!" She glared at them.

"Dalhee?" Namjoon's call of her name made the confused students stare at her in shock.

"Y-you're the princess?" one of the students asked.

Sol turned swiftly ignoring them, her eyes wide in horror at the sight of blood trickling down her friend's nose.

"Y-you're bleeding!" She squeaked, petrified at the sight. She could feel her head turn dizzily as Namjoon silently wipe the blood off with his hands.

"Princess, you must understand, we were just teaching him a lesson. A commoner should never-"

Sol grabbed Han by the collar, her actions surprising everyone in the room.

"You think you could tell me who I should be friends with?" She uttered coldly, her icy glare sending a shiver down his spine.

"No, princess I-"

"I never thought a petty person like you existed. People like you…" She chuckled "Blood should be pouring out of you instead."

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" Narae called as soon as she entered the room with the knights, the Headmaster following behind her with the academy's guards.

"Narae.." Sol's grip on Han loosened, the boy sprawled on the ground shivering in fright.

"Princess what are you-" Narae's face turned pale at the pair of red orbs staring back at her.

Sol held her court lady's shaking hand with a smile "I am glad you are here, Narae." She whispered, "I have someone I want you to kill."

"You must be tired, your Highness" Headmaster Sun uttered. He swiftly pressed the back of her neck, making her unconscious.

The room turned silent as Narae caught the princess by her arms, giving her to one of the knights.

"Bring her to the inner palace this instant."

"Yes, my lady."

"Will the three of you follow me to my office?" Headmaster Sun asked but it was clearly a command.

Namjoon watched as Han's group silently left with him and the guards. It was the first time he had seen the usually cheery old man with a serious look on his face.

Narae handed him a handkerchief as soon as he stood up, the two of them were now the only people left in the room.

"Thank you." He uttered using it to wipe the remaining blood from his nose.

"Will the princess be okay?" Namjoon asked, his eyes now worriedly locked on the door where the knight and Dalhee went through.

"Don't you know how to fight back?" 

Namjoom smiled in embarrassment" I hate scuffles."

"Listen to me." She uttered grimly, meeting him with a serious gaze "If you want to keep being her friend, then you must not let her see a single drop of blood."

Namjoon's forehead creased "What do you mean?"

Narae avoided his gaze "She's afraid of it.."

"Afraid?"

"No. Actually…she hates it."

______________

A/N: What do you thinks of this chapter? I would love to hear from you! 💜

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