13

𝟏𝟏 | 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬

Y/N stepped into the garden, the castle walls towering behind her like a protective embrace. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, a symphony of color and life that seemed to dance around her as she walked. She had discovered this place during her wanderings, a hidden gem that offered her solace from the curious gazes of the court. It was here, amidst the roses and lilies, that she felt a strange sense of belonging in this foreign time.

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow across the meticulously manicured lawns. A gentle breeze whispered through the leaves of the trees, carrying with it the sweet melody of a nearby lute. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the fragrant air, and let out a contented sigh. The garden was a maze of beauty, with each turn revealing a new wonder. A fountain babbled in the distance, its crystalline waters reflecting the vibrant hues of the flowers around it.

Her eyes fell upon a trellis heavy with the weight of jasmine vines. Their delicate white blossoms hung like stars in the moonlight, each one releasing a scent so potent it seemed to wrap around her like a warm embrace. Y/N approached, her heart fluttering with the excitement of discovery. She had read about jasmine in her books, but to stand before it in its natural splendor was an experience that transcended words.

The flowers were in full bloom, their sweet fragrance perfuming the air with a scent that was both comforting and exotic. She reached out to touch one, its velvety petals cool against her skin, and felt a sudden sense of peace wash over her. It was as if the scent itself held the secrets of the universe, whispering tales of love and loss, of battles won and hearts broken.

The sound of footsteps on the gravel path snapped her out of her reverie, and she turned to find King Jungkook approaching, his expression inscrutable. He was dressed in a tunic of deep blue, the color of a midnight sky, and his hair was pulled back in a sleek tail that accentuated the sharp lines of his jaw. His eyes searched hers, and she felt a sudden thrill of anticipation mingle with the lingering apprehension that had become her constant companion since her arrival.

"Y/N," he called out, his voice a gentle caress that seemed to carry on the very air itself. She felt a strange warmth at the sound of her name on his lips, a feeling that was both comforting and disconcerting. "You seem to have found your own corner of the castle." He stopped a few paces away, his hands clasped behind his back as he took in the sight of her surrounded by the blooming jasmine.

"Yes, Jungkook," she replied, her voice a soft echo in the serene setting. She turned to face him, her eyes searching his for any hint of what he might be thinking. "This garden is truly breathtaking. It's like a little piece of heaven here on earth." She couldn't help but smile as she spoke, her heart swelling with the beauty of the moment.

He returned her smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I am glad you find solace here," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern. "Life in the castle can be overwhelming at times. It is important to have a place to retreat to." His gaze lingered on her, as if he were trying to peer into the very depths of her soul.

Y/N felt a sudden jolt of frustration at his kindness. "Yeah, it's all very quaint," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "But I can't help but miss the simple things from my own time, like Wi-Fi and Netflix." She couldn't believe she was complaining about the lack of technology to a king from the 17th century, but the words tumbled out before she could stop them. "I mean, what the fuck am I supposed to do here all day? Watch you and your friends play dress-up and throw food at each other?"

King Jungkook's smile never wavered, and if anything, it grew wider. "Ah, I see," he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You wish for entertainment that is more... modern, perhaps?" He stepped closer to her, his hand coming to rest lightly on her arm. "Fear not, for the kingdom is rich with diversions. We have musicians, jesters, and acrobats that can rival any of your 'streaming services' for entertainment."

Y/N rolled her eyes, unable to resist the urge to let out a small laugh. "I'd rather watch paint dry than sit through another royal banquet," she said, her voice filled with playful exasperation. "Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing, but the conversation is as stale as the bread from last week." She watched as a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes lighting up with amusement.

King Jungkook's expression shifted, his annoyance at her flippant remark clear as day. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and piercing. "You must understand, Y/N, that our ways are different from yours. Our customs are steeped in tradition and respect. Your casual demeanor may be charming, but it can also be perceived as disrespectful." His voice was firm, yet not unkind, a gentle reminder of the world she had found herself in.

"I'm sorry," she said, her tone sincere. "I didn't mean to offend. It's just that I miss the comforts of home, and sometimes it feels like I'm drowning in a sea of unfamiliarity." She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. "But I do appreciate the beauty of this place, especially the flowers." She gestured to the jasmine surrounding them, her eyes softening at the mention of them.

King Jungkook's expression softened, and he nodded. "I understand," he said. "The world you come from must seem very different to ours." He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on the trellis. "Speaking of flowers, do you like flowers?" His question was innocent enough, but there was a hint of something deeper in his eyes, a curiosity that made her pulse quicken.

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her at the mention of flowers. "Yes," she said, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "They're like little pieces of art, aren't they? So intricate and delicate, yet so resilient." She picked a white rose from the nearby bush, its petals unblemished by time. "White roses are my favorite," she confessed, her eyes shining with the memory of bouquets from her past. "They symbolize purity and innocence, but they can also mean secrets and new beginnings."

King Jungkook's gaze remained on her, his expression unreadable. He seemed to be contemplating her words, his mind racing with unspoken thoughts. Then, without warning, his features twisted into a mildly annoyed expression, his eyes narrowing slightly. Inwardly, he couldn't believe she found the royal banquets dull. They were the epitome of elegance and entertainment, a showcase of the kingdom's wealth and culture. Yet here she was, a girl from the future, complaining about the very things that his subjects would give anything to experience.

"You are most... peculiar," he said, his voice tinged with exasperation. He turned to leave, his silk robes fluttering in the breeze. "Perhaps it is time for you to rest." He didn't wait for her response, his steps quick and determined as he walked away, leaving her standing there, the scent of jasmine thick in the air.

Y/N watched him go, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and confusion. She knew she had overstepped, but she couldn't help the feeling of claustrophobia that had gripped her in the castle's corridors. She cussed him in her mind, the words a silent rebellion against the constraints of this ancient world. "Fucking royal asshole," she murmured under her breath, the modern curse feeling almost anachronistic in the serene setting. "What the hell am I doing here?"

𓆩♕𓆪

Y/N had grown restless in her chamber, the walls closing in on her as the hours ticked by. She had been living in the castle for weeks now, but the grandeur had lost its shine, and she found herself longing for the simplicity of her own time. With the castle quiet and its inhabitants retired to their chambers, she decided to explore the castle's corridors, hoping to find some peace in the solitude.

The moon cast a soft glow through the stained glass windows, painting the stone floors with a kaleidoscope of colors. She moved through the halls with a stealth that had become second nature to her, her soft slippers barely making a sound. The air was thick with the scent of beeswax candles and aged oak, a reminder of the centuries that had passed since the castle's stones were laid. Each step echoed through the emptiness, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of the day.

The castle was a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, and she had taken to exploring them in the quiet of the night. It was during these solitary wanderings that she felt most connected to the past, the whispers of history seeming to follow her like ghosts. She passed by the grand ballroom, its vastness swallowed by shadows, the glittering chandeliers hanging like silent sentinels. In the moonlight, the polished dance floor looked like a frozen lake, begging for the warmth of a thousand dancing feet.

But tonight, she had stumbled upon something new. A grand door at the end of a hallway she had never noticed before, its intricate carvings speaking of a room of great importance. It was closed, unlike the others she had passed, and the very air around it seemed to hum with secrets. Her heart racing, she approached, her hand reaching out to touch the cold metal of the handle. It was surprisingly warm to the touch, almost as if it had been waiting for her.

With a silent prayer to the gods of time travel not to get her lost, she pushed the door open, and what she saw inside was not what she was expecting. It wasn't a dusty storeroom or a forgotten chamber filled with the relics of a bygone era. Instead, she found herself in a room that was alive with light and color, a stark contrast to the moonlit corridor she had just left behind.

"What in the actual fuck?"


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