→ GARDEN

@[R] Jiyong The princess hadn't exactly done this to herself, but instead let others influence how she received certain things. Sohee's childhood friends grew up and became hardened just as she had, all except for Jiyong, and it was greatly appreciated that he'd stayed the same. The male was like fresh moving water that bear no contamination; it's just that Sohee wasn't sure how to express herself properly to him. Listening to what he was now speaking about slightly intrigued Sohee, having her think about the far away places herself. Anywhere but here was always interesting to hear about, being that she always felt stuck in this kingdom. She felt herself being guided towards the bench and had done as she was supposed to; sitting down as gracefully as possible.
"What is..what is this?" Sohee had asked, looking down at the box suddenly. Her question was almost immediately answered. In all of Jiyong's words there was a meaning, and Sohee usually pondered on his words for great lengths of time, being that her education hadn't been as vast as Jiyong's, though she really would try. Letting out a soft sigh, the female's face has softened up as she looked over towards the other, a slightly innocent look in her eyes.
"Really, if you want to understand more of me I can explain to you my feelings..." Sohee began, unsure of how to do this. But she was going to try and make an effort for once. "I'm...scared. I'm lost...Father is always visiting me for political reasons and mother forgot that I was a human being. All of this..don't you find it a bit ridiculous, in the least?" Sohee continued, her eyebrows slightly pulled together. "You go through everything with such ease, as if nothing effects you."

@[R] Sohee It wasn't pain that he felt, but frustration. Frustration over how unfair and bitter his close relative was seeing the world. He genuinely wished she would just for once close her eyes and upon opening them, again to be the same little girl that she was. But that wasn't possible.
It seemed that adulthood had taken away all of her. Sensing her hesitance and reluctance, he folded his hands behind his back and decided to try otherwise.
"Mother came back today from her trip and she brought a book I think you would love to take a look at. The reading arrived with samples and inside there are so many types of flowers that you could never find in our kingdom for they come from a lands far away."
For a moment he had lost his self in the apparitions of those faraway places, but one blew of the cold night wind was enough to bring him back to the present. With a nonchalant expression, Jiyong suddenly placed his hand on his cousin's back and directed her to take a seat on a wooden bench they had just passed. He too sat down beside her but leaving some space between them.
"The reason I'm telling you this is because-" Bringing out small glass box from his pocket, he placed it in her lap. Inside stood still little flower with white petals.
"-here. Snowdrop it was named and I thought it looks awfully much like you. You know, it blooms in late winter when all other flowers are dead. They say that you can find one if digging in the snow where this white wonder hides. Isn't it precious?"
A half smile crept on his face as he too has locked his gaze on the glass box. Admiring.
"Right now, your rebelliousness is meaningless as one of a spring flower which refuses to let his last withered petal. The sun shall go down, my dear and you will find yourself without the beauty of your colors. And as much as I understand, I can not approve your methods. Instead of being that spring flower like everyone else, I wish you will find your old self in the seeming simpleness of the snowdrops and will bring back the novelty of being different, but in a smart and wise manner."
Jiyong's face was beaming in a genuine manner as he looked up to the girl. Lips were pressed together tightly before a sigh escaped. His palm found her shoulder and squeezed it gently and reassuringly.
"I'm thankful Sohee and my fondness for you haven't changed along those years. I don't want your title or to hurt you, for I would forever be thankful for your existence as my cousin. Not asking of you to share your deepest secrets but just to let me share whatever is that weighs on your shoulders. Can't you?"

@[R] Jiyong Jiyong had always been that one person who never actually gave up on her like everyone else had. Secretly, Sohee usually always listened to his words, impressed by the others' thoughts and conclusions. No one else around Sohee dared question anything about life, for fear something would upset the majesty. At this very moment in time, all Sohee was really worrying about was whether she would trip over her skirts and die. The female noticed a pause in Jiyong's words, causing her attention to snap towards the other, feeling the cloth of his overcoat suddenly stop the cool breeze that chilled her body. Sohee hadn't spent a lot of time with Jiyong; ever since she'd reached age 11, the female felt as if she was trapped in a small world with no reason at all to live.
Clearing in an awkward manner, Sohee was momentarily entertaining the thought of actually replying to her cousin for once, but the willpower to do so slowly was fading away. People mostly talked at the princess, never minding how she felt about certain things- unless they were her staff.
"My...mind." Sohee replied, chuckling bitterly as she lifelessly stared ahead of her. "It's sickening..don't you think? All of this mighty talk from our parents but they can't ev-" The female had stopped herself, swallowing her saliva as she realized her mistake. Though it wasn't really a mistake, Sohee trusted no one, and would never tell her true mind to a person.

@[R] Sohee He didn't even flinch at the snap.
"I'll take that as that you also don't think there is a bottom."
A suppressed hearty laugh passed his lips as he finally tore his eyes away from the ground and glued the brown orbs to the figure walking beside him. At the end, it was done with a little hope that she would spare him at least a glance.
Without realizing, in a minute he had started rambling again. The air around them became thick.
"To be honest, I'm utterly confused about everything that surrounds us. What makes the sun disappear every night, what's hidden behind the velvet night sky strewn by countless stars, will I ever reach the edge of.."
The words trailed off as he noticed the thin clothing on his once dear cousin and unlike other times, thoughtfully and without actually asking, Jiyong placed his overcoat on her shoulders.
If it was anyone else, he would have let them freeze to death. Especially if they were the reason he couldn't enjoy a peaceful dinner with all of his 'dear' family, but the princess had a special place in his heart and it seemed that it was big enough to trigger a spark of humanity and patience.
"- mortality and all of its problems are so limited and meaningless, I believe. Why dwell on troublesome emotions when the world has countless wonders to offer and excite you with? Aren't you also curious what a life without the simpler complications will be?"
Although uttered rhetorically, it wasn't really. He may have acted aloof by now, may have stayed out of all the un-brought issues, but the last drop had already caused his cup to spill over and an intervention was inevitable at this point.
"What's troubling your mind Sohee?"

@[R] Jiyong Sohee had excused herself from the table earlier on that night, not being able to endure anymore of the superficial fakeness that had run deep within her 'family.' She knew everyone hated each other, always going after each other for power. Sohee often wondered why they even lived under the same roof; they hated each other so it was nonsense. Sighing, the female had excused her maids, threatening them their positions if they continued to nag her anymore. The princess was sick and tired of being monitored, and could take no more of it.
Sighing heavily, she had kept her gaze glued to the ground, walking carefully as she tried not to trip on her skirts. That had been a thing that happened often to Sohee, though she dare not admit it to anyone. Suddenly, the girl had stopped, looking upwards at the night sky. The air was cold and thoughts of running away had resurfaced back into Sohee's mind. Slightly startled out of her thoughts, she heard a familiar voice.
Jiyong.
"What kind of foolish question is that?" Sohee snapped, side glancing the other. Sohee had never truly looked at someone properly unless she had reason to.

@[R] Sohee Barely able to wait the end of the dinner, Jiyong flew straight to the castle garden with squinted eyes, looking around to catch at least a glance of his dear cousin’s shadow. The last few years passed as if they were not sufficient to reduce the tension that lurked around the royal family and it was as if things were going to worse. He, not really the type to care about other people’s business, couldn’t help himself this time as even a simple meal was enough to lead him to mental breakdown. As if in a vicious cycle, it has been all the same for some time now.
Aware how big the garden was, he quickened his steps passing through without even sparing a glance at the painfully familiar surroundings.
“Sohee!”
It was an aimless scream that escaped his throat for no one actually responded, but he deliberately continued with what turned out to be an unintended workout. Was it five or ten minutes after his breath shortened that he caught a glimpse of a white fabric about twenty feet away from where he was.
Eventually slowing down, with a new found certainty he followed the familiar figure and soon after caught up to her. Clearing his throat while setting gaze ahead, amusement and a little bit of awkwardness could be heard in his voice.
“Sohee-ya, what do you think? Are we on the top of the world, on the bottom or perhaps somewhere in the midde? And if we are on the bottom, how come we don’t fall?”