StarStar_♥

@Anna Miyeon stood up and bowed to the prince with a small smile playing on her lips. When the prince finally left her, her smile turned into a sly one. She had the perfect opportunity to monopolize the prince and the perfect opportunity to take him away from the place. She felt on ounce of guilt even when she knew the prince trusted her. She hated him even more today than she did yesterday anyway. "Poor crown prince," she muttered. "Guess I'll be able to do my mission faster, thank you, prince." She smirked but as quick as it came, she erased it and pretended to have a solemn expression on her face especially when she noticed Minhyuk looking at her way. She ignored him and pretended to be busy watching everyone.

When the night deepened, everyone retired to bed and so did Miyeon. She had no other encounter with neither Minhyuk nor the prince which she was glad. She did not want anymore to deal with them and to talk about things that barely interested her. All she could think of was having to play the pipa for a nasty prince she loathed.

The next day came in a blur. Before she knew it, Miyeon realized she was standing outside, bidding farewell and goodluck to the men who would join the little hunting escapade. The female felt no need of doing that because she was not interested in them to begin with. But out of common courtesy, she had to stand there as if she actually cared and as if she really wished for their safe return--she could care even less about their little journey even if she would not say so. In the end, she settled for giving them a small smile.

@StarStar_♥ Though the prince had figured that a woman would be unlikely to join the hunting party, he had known the occasional woman or two who partook in those games. Miyeon looked far too delicate and graceful to be that kind. The offer of playing music for him brought an appreciative grin to his lips. "As you are so kind to offer, fair lady," he agreed with a slight nod, "I would be delighted to have your company." Downing the half glass that Hyoseob had apparently alloted his last drink of the night, Taehyung cast a fintly hopeful glance at his bodyguard. The look didn't phase the soldier a bit, and even though the attendant shuffled nervously for a moment, he did not refill the cup.

Leaning back with a sigh of defeat and his attention back on the dancers, Taehyung's eyes met that of his friendly companion from a week ago. Her eyes glinted and lips curved into a coqquettish smile as she made the intoxicating movement of her hips faintly more pronounced. Taehyung's gaze swept over with an answering smirk. It was a blatant gesture, and Taehyung took preverse pleasure in the thought that it would reinforce all the wretched rumors about him. When the dancer responded with a sly grin and returned her attention to the dance, the expression on his face died with the quickness of taking off a mask. He felt suddenly tired. Tired of the pretenses and just tired, physically. "And if it's all the same to you," Taehyung spoke in a tone of weariness, "we'll do without the dancers tomorrow. I've always found the pipa stood best alone, anyway."

It was almost as though Hyoseob knew instinctively the moment he wished to be out of it all. When Taehyung turned his head in search of the man, the bodyguard was already at his elbow. Getting up on his feet with slight unsteadiness as Hyoseob hovered, ready to help if needed, Taehyung managed to stand up straight. He smiled sweetly at the musician, bowing his head a little as he said goodbye. "Good night, Miyeon. I look forward tomorrow."

@Anna The prince was being nice, Miyeon had noticed. It was just a tiny bit different from all the rumors she had heard of him except that she knew it was something he used on women. The prince was a womanizer, her elders would remind every young woman who happened to compliment the prince's handsome visual—as if it was a taboo, as if it would make them all pregnant with the prince's child. A woman was a mere toy to the prince is what they would say. Miyeon knew better than to trust the prince's words and be giddy about it. She was far too knowledgeable than that. Nevertheless, she smiled, acting like she appreciated whatever he was babbling about.

A hunting trip. Such a trip did not appeal to Miyeon because it was a trip where men would flaunt about their skills and act as if they were tougher than anyone else. What surprised her was that the prince refused to partake at such an activity that would boost his ego—for sure the others would act as if the prince was the best hunter in the whole land. But then, she settled on the fact that the prince was too incompetent to even try. Also, it was such a good opportunity to leave with the prince, to take him away. "No, Your Highness. I have no ability of hunting animals. I would rather stay here and play the pipa to you should you wish for my presence." Lies. She did have the ability, probably better than the men who would be joining the trip.

@StarStar_♥ As attendants filled the two cups with plum wine and set it on respective sides of the table, Taehyung benignly accepted the thanks. While some of his tutor’s scriptures about the ‘duty of a prince’ had passed him by, the man had managed to imbue upon him that to protect the old, the young and the women was the duty of any able bodied man. The only difference between Taehyung and most able-bodied men was that he always had others at his command to do so on his behalf. “Hardly,” Taehyung protested with a careless grin, relaxing a little as he picked up his glass. “Any artist of talent must be given their due respect and treatment.” He took another sip of the wine, trying and failing to remember how many glasses it had been since dinner. Already he was feeling the world become a little softer around the edges. Even Hyoseob’s stern face looked a little gentler.

“And what is a mere woman, after all? Our proverbs say that the smile of a woman is worth a thousand gold pieces.” The musing came out playfully, without any tinge of flirtation. Once again it struck Taehyung that this girl would not be the type to enjoy that kind of attention from a near stranger- prince or no prince. “A mere man cannot compare.” Punctuating the sentence with a small bow of his head, he set his cup down to be refilled. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hyoseob make a motion to the attendant and in answer the attendant only filled the glass halfway. “I understand that your fellow musicians and some of my friends will be going on a hunting trip tomorrow. I do not join them as the sport does not appeal to me. Will you be accompanying them?”

@Anna To say that the summer place they were talking about screamed lavishness was an understatement. It was incredibly lavish and extravagant. It was something more than several hundreds of gold could buy. At this, Miyeon's distate for the prince grew even more. While her kind was kicked out, the prince was enjoying an exorbitant lifestyle--or so the female believed. It took so much of her willpower for her to hold back and to suppress the anger that was bubbling inside of her. Later, he approached her so she was surprised. She thought he had already shrugged off her presence. To her surprise, he went to her on his own--a perfect way to talk to him because he already initiated the conversation. That was a good thing because she did not have to appear like a suspicious person. However, in the back of her mind, she still wondered if the prince was not suspicious of her already (she meant, where in heavens did the actual pipa player hide himself?).

She still did not like him. The only thing he did right was perhaps giving her a room of her own, something that she had always wanted since she had to share a room with someone else back at her home. She did not tell him that though. Instead, she gave him a (fake) grateful smile. She mentally prepared herself for another acting session around the prince.

"There is no need for that, your majesty," she spoke in her sweet voice, words carefully thought of and weaved. "I am already grateful that you have thought of my well-being, seeing that I am nothing more but a mere woman," she added.

@StarStar_♥ Standing upon the balcony of his rooms in the palace, Taehyung gazed out at the field that lay before him, and the dense forest beyond it. In the twilight, the sea of dark green almost looked almost black. Despite the warm evening, a shiver ran up Taehyung’s spine. He couldn’t shake, even after all these years, the idea that there was something sinister about those woods. Something dark that kept him transfixed even when he wanted to look away.

The prince tightened his jaw and stepped back into the room. No, he was being fanciful. Just nerves. He had been on edge since that day nearly a week ago. Drowning another cup of plum wine, the crown prince steeled himself and headed down to the main hall where after a meal, his guests and entertainers had come together in. As lithe dancers moved to the slow, melodic tunes of the guzheng, its pace and the meal they had just consumed had lulled most into an uncharacteristic calm. Seeing that the musicians apart from Eunkwang who was at the Guzheng had scattered among his guests they were acquainted with, his eyes rested on the one person who sat alone. He approached and as he took a seat beside her at a respectable gap, his attendants were quick to set a table between them with two cups and a glass. With an imperial smile and nod of acknowledgement, Taehyung let a few moments lapse before speaking up.

“I trust that the living arrangements made for you are to your satisfaction?” As the musicians of her troop held a place of respect, it hardly seemed appropriate to house Miyeon with the dancers in the available servants quarters. At his suggestion they had arranged for her to be housed in one of the rooms for nobility in the women’s wing. Unfortunately, as Taehyung did not have female guests during these stays, it was also fairly empty. “There will be guards patrolling. But if you feel insecure, I can have one of the maids stay with you.”

@Anna To hear about the prince from her friends was one thing, to hear about him from humans was another. Indeed, they were quite polite talking about him with no hint of distaste and disgust. Minhyuk sounded unbiased and objective, something she did not expect. She thought he would be all praise and all ogle about the prince. So, it was quite refreshing that someone thought the same way as she did. The prince appeared to be weak and he did not look like he should be ruling the humans. Now, it was a wonder why the king decided to banish the supernaturals when the prince was not one bit competent.

"I understand," Miyeon said, voice coming out as a soft whisper. "Thank you for answering." Then, she turned her focus to the window, watching as they passed by the fields. She decided to end her conversation with Minhyuk, afraid that she might say something that would give out who she was. Maybe it was just her but Minhyuk felt...different--for a lack of a better term. It was because he appeared to be calm and smart and unbiased. Sometimes the female wondered if the male actually knew something he just refused to tell. The fields was full of grasses but if you look closely, there were wild flowers dancing with the wind. The flowers dance so gracefully with the wind as its music, even more graceful than the dancers Eunkwang had prepared. Rarely seeing a sight as simple yet beautiful as this one, Miyeon could not help but to give out a small smile. "They're beautiful," she mumbled to herself, inhaling the fresh air.

Soon enough, they seemed to be nearing their destination. And Miyeon was glad for that. She did not want to be stuck with the musicians any longer. It was enough that they were together for the past days in order to practice for the prince.

@StarStar_♥ [ no worries!! :) ]

/Oh/. The girl’s answer stopped Minhyuk from posing any more. He felt as though he had misstepped; his very first attempt at starting a conversation and he had already stumbled onto a painful subject. Odd, since her tone had not denoted pain. He could only think of two reasons for that - one, that it happened so long ago that it was an accepted part of life. The other possibility was that plainly, she was lying. While it wouldn’t be too far outside the realm of possibility given what he knew, Minhyuk had a hard time believing that. Composing himself, he had returned to gazing at the sights outside when Miyeon herself spoke up again.

The question was a natural one and finding himself on safer ground, Minhyuk was happy to expostulate on the subject. “Oh, the palace itself is beautiful,” he assured. “You’ll see when we get there of course, but it’s set atop a hill that has a brilliant view. Prince Taehyung spends a week or two there a few times a year, hosting some of his friends, and he has us up for entertainment. The upside is that when we aren’t performing we get to enjoy everything the palace has to offer.” Emitting a wistful sigh at the thought, he leaned back against the wall of the caravan. “The delicious food, comfortable quarters, the beauty of the palace garden and woods... sometimes I wish he would take us on as royal musicians.” He shot her a guilty smile, “but then sometimes I think I would miss the travelling and the rush that comes from playing for a more expressive audience than the royal court. It might become mundane. This way, we live the high life once in a while, but never lose interest. And he pays us well for our time.”

The last statement made him consider the second part of her question. What kind of person was the prince? He had never really given the subject much thought, why should he? As far as Minhyuk was concerned the prince was their best patron, and that was all that really mattered. “I’ve never really given it much thought,” Minhyuk admitted. “But perhaps I should, if he is to be our next king. He knows his music,” the flutist mused and tapped his flute amusedly, “though I’m not certain that speaks to his ability to rule a kingdom. In fact, though perfectly amiable, I think he is essentially weak.” Suddenly becoming aware that he was speaking unflatteringly of the crown prince, he sobered and looked around. No, no one seemed to be paying attention. Breathing easy, he lowered his voice and leaned in. “Not physically, you understand.” He paused, and met her eye inquisitively. “/Do/ you understand?”

@Anna [[Oh my god, I did not notice this.]]

Days of preparing to satisfy the prince with their music was exhausting. To begin with, Miyeon did not see any reason why an already flawless musical troop would practice more to be even more flawless. That barely made any sense to the young female. Nevertheless, she did not have much choice but to follow, even bruising and callousing her fingers in the process. Being the only female in the troop was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because they gave her more attention, they attended to her every need and would offer medicine every time she bruised her small hands. They would serve her with food and all that. But it was definitely a curse because their attention was on her. She felt suffocated and... watched--now, she was not sure why she felt the latter, if it were because of the men or because of a certain someone who seemed to like observing her so much.

As the carriage rocked and moved through the journey, Miyeon remained quiet, hoping to just get this mission over with. She desired to talk to the prince right away and take him away from the kingdom. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost jumped in surprise when someone talked to her. Minhyuk, she remembered his name as he was the only one who did not try to woo her to to flirt with her--not that any of the attempts succeeded. She froze when she was asked about her family. She did not have a family, no. Her family was her entire community but she could not tell him that. "My parents are gone," she simply replied, her voice was soft and calm and gentle, not a hint of sadness was present.

She stared out of the window before turning to the man beside her again. She contemplated if she should ask the question or not. But alas, did she decide to open to ask some questions. If she wants to know something about the prince, might as well ask the person who seemed to be well-informed. "The summer place, how is it like? I mean, have you ever been there? How about the prince, what is he like?"

As Miyeon expressed her agreement to spend a few days at the summer palace, Taehyung's expression lightened up. "Then, it is agreed," he addressed Eunkwang, "I will expect you all at the summer palace in a week's time." Eunkwang breathed a sigh of relief and bid goodbye to the prince. The next few days of programs were going to be a trial. If he was to continue running this troupe with Miyeon in it, he would have to instill some better manners in the remaining members and make sure they treated her as nothing more than colleague. Why in the world would Hyungwoo send a girl? So caught up in lamenting others amorous attention on Miyeon, Eunkwang scarcely noticed that at least one of them was regarding the girl in a very different light. 


♤♡♧◇


Minhyuk gazed out of the back of the carriage in a contemplative mood. It was now a week since the the crown prince requested their attendance at the summer palace, a week since Miyeon had joined their merry band of musicians. That very first night Eunkwang had privately expressed his worries about having a woman in the group. On one hand, it was a novelty, and Miyeon was a decent artist. On the other hand...but Eunkwang needn't have worried about that. Minhyuk watched on with amusement when over the next few days as several of their troupe of seven attempted to woo the girl, only to be gently, but firmly shut down. It was as though they sensed there was something a little ruthless behind that soft voice and face, after being turned away once they weren't anxious to try again. If he were being honest, Minhyuk sensed it too. 


Nevertheless, Eunkwang did his due diligence. When they set out for the day long journey to the summer palace, Eunkwang had seated Miyeon near the door of the carriage, and Minhyuk beside her. As the carriage rocked while passing a particularly bumpy part of the road, his shoulder knocked against the girl's. With a soft apology, he shifted in his seat and flashed her an apologetic smile. Glancing around and noticing that most of their group was either engaged in conversation or dozed off, the flutist turned to the one member of their group who wasn't occupied in either. Searching for something to ask, he finally settled on an easy topic. "Is your family concerned about you staying away from home for long?" Belatedly, he realized that he wasn't even sure the girl had a family to speak of. He'd certainly never met any for the past few days. And as she tended to join come wherever their next program was, he wasn't even sure where she lived. That, alongside a little secret only he knew, made Miyeon something of a mystery. And Minhyuk was definitely intruiged.

@Anna Hearing the prince compliment her talent, Miyeon smiled to herself. While it was true that she indisputably harbored only hatred and distaste towards the prince, she still could not help but to feel the pride swelling in her chest as she was complimented. She did work hard in order to keep up with the musicians and her skills were a little rusty because it had been a while since she last used it. Undoubtedly, being praised would always give one a sense of pride no matter how much you detest that someone. His deep voice rang in her ears, tingling. It was something new because it might just be the first time she was praised for something she could do. But she still did not forget what her mission was, what was the reason why she was talking to him in the first place.

Summer place... summer place. Of course a prince like Taehyung would have one, Miyeon should have known. But she did not expect to be invited. It was like a rabbit hopping into a wolf's plate, an opportunity that the wolf would not miss and devour the rabbit. Miyeon may not be an actual wolf and the prince was not a rabbit, she still would not let such an opportunity slide. Still, at the back of her mind, she was still questioning what kind of hell did the actual pipa player had been into because that person was surely missing out on the opportunity the prince had blessed his group. Nevertheless she gave the prince a sweet smile, acting like a pleasing person she barely was (and she swore to wash her tongue later on).

"If the prince thinks I am good enough, I will be more than pleased to serve you," she uttered, voice was thin and melodious, dripping with confidence. Despite that, deep inside, she knew her real self would not be like that. If anyone she knew would see her, they would laugh at her.

@StarStar_♥ Cho Miyeon. He’d not seen her before, Taehyung was becoming increasingly certain. A face like that, one didn’t easily forget. Nor that voice. Taehyung knew a good singing voice when he heard one, and this was definitely that. As the girl questioned her troop’s leader on his failure to know her name, an appreciative smirk played on the young prince’s lips. There were some other chuckles from his group and the musicians, but when from somewhere behind him he caught a sultry comment about the girl being ‘feisty,’ a sharp sideway glance from the crown prince silenced that impudence. There were times such comments were appropriate, this was not one of them. His features softened as he took pity on the nervously chuckling Eunkwang. “I’m afraid you’ve been caught sleeping, my friend,” patting his shoulder with a grin, he ce again to Miyeon with a benign smile. “Your talent is deserving of praise, Miss Cho. We look forward to appreciating it again, soon.”

It was with a faint sense of relief that Taehyung realised, as he stood speaking to the musicians that, he no longer felt that unnerving sense of being watched. That fact did not put him at ease. The complete absence of it now somehow validated how strongly he felt it earlier- was the person now gone? Was it just paranoia? He glanced at Hyoseob from the side of his eye and once again crushed the urge to consult him. Perhaps… perhaps a few days in the safety of the palace were called for. It wasn’t the first time someone had attempted to attack him, but that was a much more difficult task within the walls of the palace grounds.

The difficulty was that just the thought drove him insane with boredom. “Eunkwang, we intend to spend the next few weeks at our summer palace. Will you and your troop join us there?” Despite the phrasing indicating a question, there was little doubt in Taehyung’s mind that he would be obeyed. “Your majesty is very kind…” when Eunkwang hesitated, glancing back at Miyeon for a moment, it was Hyoseob’s low voice that dispelled the musician’s primary concern. “If Miss Cho will be accepting the invitation, special arrangements can be made for her stay.” The statement caused several of the other musician’s faces to fall (and Minhyuk’s turned amused, Taehyung noted), and Taehyung understood.

“What do you say, Miss Cho?” The prince’s voice was sweet and inviting, “I assure you, you will be safe and comfortable.”

@Anna Despite the music being so loud and intoxicating, Miyeon had not found herself being swayed by the magical sound produced by her and the band. In fact, not a single bone in her body had enjoyed playing for the prince who, as far as she was informed, a good-for-nothing guy that merely knew how to join the merrymaking that humans like him would eagerly partake into. That was the reason why she spent the remaining time of playing the pipa watching the prince and swearing at him inside her mind. If one would read what was on her mind, they might even faint. She had to smirk at the thought. She continued cursing the prince even when she grew uncomfortable of the way the other men had ogle at her. Not to be boastful but even she was aware that she looked beautiful in the eyes of men. She had eyes herself and she knew what she saw in front of the mirror. As soon as the thought came, she let it die down. Those thoughts would not be of help anyway. Aside from that, very briefly, she wondered what happened to the actual replacement that was sent instead of her. Again, as soon as the thought came, she dismissed it.

However, those thoughts were briefly interrupted when the show finally closed and Eunkwang (she'd learn his name from one of the musicians who had only unpleasant things to say about him during the small breaks) had ushered them to greet the prince. Miyeon really did not know why they had to. Most of the payment would go to Eunkwang anyway (again, she'd heard it from one of the musicians). Nevertheless, she had nothing against it if it meant going closer to the prince. Coming almost face-to-face with the prince was something. Indeed was he good looking but indeed did something in him sparked more annoyance inside Miyeon especially when he acknowledge her presence.

If it were Miyeon to decide, she would rather not say her name in front of many especially when some of the musician seemed like they wanted to get it too. But knowing that it would be rude to deny the prince of her mere name, she had to kill her pride and speak clear and loud. "It's Miyeon. Cho Miyeon is my name, your majesty," she introduced herself, eyeing the prince before letting her eyes wander towards Eunkwang who seemed so satisfied that Miyeon had introduced herself without him asking her to do so. Because of that, it would not look like he did not even bother to get her name. But Miyeon had other plans. "Mr. Eunkwang, how can you not ask for my name?" She asked out loud, now not caring if she sounded a bit rude. Even so, she spoke with her voice soft and calm, sweet as a nightingale.

@StarStar_♥ The fleeting interest in a female musician was soon set aside, and Taehyung returned to enjoying the entertainment- the music and the eventual appearance of the dancers. He was well aware that to most of his group the music was more or less a pleasant backdrop for ogling the dancers- the prince didn’t mind, to each his own. While his gaze swept lazily over the dancers (shooting a knowing smile at the one he’d shared a moment with not too long ago), his attention was trained on the music, rising and falling with its beats and falling into the lull of the melody. It was no accident that his favored troop was one of the best in the kingdom; Taehyung did not skint when it came to this. They had a sweet harmony, each talented in their own right, and were obliging enough to accept the occasional invitation to the palace for a few days when he asked. It might have been easier simply decreeing them the royal musicians and giving them a permanent place in the palace, but Taehyung – whatever else he was – was not deliberately selfish. Not when it came to music.

Usually he would have no trouble losing himself in the music, but today something kept pulling his conscience back. Was it that a change in musician had subtly, but unmistakably changed the tone of the music? It wasn’t by any means an unpleasant change. Perhaps it was the uncanny feeling of being watched. As crown prince he was no stranger to being the center of attention, and constantly being under watch - but this was different. It made him squirm, all the more so because he couldn’t pinpoint who it was. Should he bother Hyoseob with something so intangible? Ridiculous. Shaking the thought off, he focused on the music. The evening drew on, and when it began drawing to a close, the prince commended the artists and one of his attendants brought over a sack of coins. “A wonderful recital, as always Eunkwang,” the prince congratulated as he handed the payment to the head of the troop. Glancing at the new face, he gave a slight bow of his head in acknowledgement, but addressed his question to Eunkwang. “I take it Hyungwoo is off on his journey north?”

Receiving the payment with a deep bow, Eunkwang faltered when he straightened back up, casting a doubtful glance at the stranger. Between the hurried start as soon as she came in and instructions on what to play next, he hadn’t gotten a word in edgeways to determine whether this was the new artist Hyungwoo had promised, or if she was only a stand-in the owner had provided. “Yes, your highness. He took his leave last night, but arranged for a student to take his place. This is…” he shot a nervous look at the girl. In any case, it wouldn’t do to look ill-prepared in front of their best patron.

@Anna Playing thr music for giggling, laughing unruly humans was making Miyeon's stomach churn in disgust. She never wanted to do this. It was making her more and more angry as she played the pipa she never wanted to play for them in the first place. Her fingers shivered very slightly as she tried to keep up with the much experienced musicians while trying to keep all her thoughts to herself. Something about the humans laughing merrily stir her insides as she imagined how her kind should be the ones laughing and having drunken conversations while listening to a meticulously arranged music. She played angrily, a part of her wanted to ruin the music by emphasizing her notes. Although it was not too obvious, she poured out her angry feelings into the instrument. As she did so, her eyes wandered around the hall, looking for a certain prince. If he were not around, all these would be in vain.

Alas, did she spot him with his peers—his peers who she was annoyed with because of the loud noise they created earlier. It took so much of Miyeon's willpower for her to stop herself from grinning too wide upon seeing him. His lavender robe made him look handsome. The prince was not bad looking, Miyeon knew that ever since. It was just that something about his rowdy and bratty nature sparked annoyance inside the female. Seeing him in his little merrymaking made an even bigger anger grow inside the female. She stared at him, watching his every move even as the music was almost coming to an end.

@StarStar_♥ By the time the music started playing inside, Taehyung was out on the balcony with three cups of rice wine in him and arms draped around a particularly beautiful member of the fairer . It wasn't the first time he was caught in this kind of situation, as might have been discerned from the look of annoyance and defeat on Hyoseob's face as he stood at the balcony doors and cleared his throat. In all fairness, Taehyung couldn't fault the bodyguard for being a little tired of his job. Especially since the man was mostly responsible for protecting Taehyung from himself. The lithe figure in his arms who started at the guard's voice quickly untangled herself from him and made for the door, shooting the Taehyung a sly grin as she left. "I almost think it pains you to see me have some fun, Hyoseob," Taehyung drawled before he pushed himself off the wooden railing of the balcony and headed to the other, throwing an arm over the other's shoulder. "Which is unfair, since nothing brings me such joy as seeing you happy." The words were accompanied by an impish grin, and Taehyung could see the glint of amusement in his stoic friend's muted smirk. "You'll miss the music, your highness." 


The interaction was the closest thing to an apology and acceptance of it as Taehyung usually gave, and with a laugh he headed inside. The lavender robes swung gracefully as he re-entered the hall where the music now drowned out most of the ruckus his own friends were making. Even the slight raising of voices as the attendants fussed over him when he returned to his seat soon settled down. With another cup in his hand, his attention was drawn to something different in the music his favored troop played- somewhere, something was just a little different. He had his answer when he saw an unfamiliar face at the pipa, realizing what his sharp ears had already discerned. A new musician. Taehyung raised a brow as he indulged in the drink poured for him. This was certainly one for the books. 

@Anna Miyeon did not know if it were the heavens cursing at her in pure boredom or if fate was just naturally so cruel towards her. First, she was fated to a prince—a prince so rowdy that she did not want to have anything to do with him. Now, it was this old man trying to make her play the Pipa. She could play because she had learn instruments as a hobby and she could even use some kind of spell for it to work but why her? The owner ushered her in, her small and soft protests were drowned out by the noises and the cheers all over the place. The laughter of the people around her completely blocked out any chance for her protests. She wanted to cast a spell and just end these all but she held back. It would be a give away and who knows if the King would hear about it and he would have her head served in a platter.

Thinking about it, it was a good alibi for finding the prince. She would definitely be able to see him if she just sat down as a Pipa player. A sigh escaped her lips. The things she did for her kind, they should surely repay her. It was giving her headache. She sat down on the seat prepared for her, receiving some scolding from few of the musicians while several of them gave her a look for being a woman—some confused, some bemused but definitely surprised. It was not that common to have a woman to play with the musicians after all. But Miyeon only had one goal in mind as they started playing. Find the damned prince.

@StarStar_♥ As another bout of cheers and noise burst from the largest private hall in the establishment, the owner looked around frantically. He had been plying them with drinks to keep them distracted, but any minute now the crown prince and his friends would start questioning why the musical troop wasn’t getting on with the performance. Dancers were at the ready, most of the musicians sat talking to the young men with their instruments nearby, but one instrument sat unmanned.

“Where is the cursed pipa player?” His gaze flitted over the faces in the front hall disconsolately, recognizing most as his regular guests- men drinking and enjoying the music and dancing. They came to an abrupt stop in seeing a woman- decidedly not one of his dancers, looking around as though in search and very much out of place. Since this wasn’t’ usually a haunt for women, there was only one good reason for her presence. With a cry of relief, he rushed over. “You! You’re late!” The man was in too much of a hurry ushering the girl towards the private hall to note the expression on her face. “Any later and you might have cost the troop and our establishment royal patronage. When Hyungwoo said he’d send someone to replace him on the Pipa, I didn’t think it would be a woman— but as long as you can play, it’ll do. Now go, his highness is waiting!”

"That is not a very wise move." Despite saying that, Miyeon still found herself standing near the barrier while wearing a white and black hanfu. She hesitated a bit. They told her the Prince would be the key to success, said that through him, they could finally be able to go back to their kingdom. No one told her exactly how or why but Miyeon was the only hope of her kind. She was the only one to casually cross the barrier, it would be easier for her to infiltrate the kingdom. To put it simply, she barely had a choice. She should do what's good for her kind. And she really wondered what was so special about that prince whom she viewed as someone useless. She heaved a sigh, feeling uncomfortable that she was not in her usual hanbok clothes. Nevertheless, she crossed the barrier without breaking a sweat.

At the musicians lair where the noisy ones gathered while drinking rice wine. That was where the prince would surely go, Miyeon was told even when she could barely care. She took baby steps as she entered the noisy place. She so wanted to go home. She better see that prince or else, she would flip everything. She had to find that brat of a prince.

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@Anna [[Thanks! Will post a starter in a bit!]]

@StarStar_♥ () created!