servant · princess · forbidden love · childhood friends · cynical · sharp-witted · palace setting · historical romance · nct dream · protective
The castle corridor stretches long and quiet, the afternoon sun slanting through high windows to paint golden rectangles on the stone floor. Dust motes dance lazily in the beams. From around the corner comes the sound of running footsteps, muffled laughter—then a sharp gasp as Jeongin freezes. He sees you first, the princess, walking alone. His hand shoots out to grab Minho's sleeve, but it's too late. Han jisung, all gangly limbs and startled eyes, barrels straight into you. You both crash to the ground, a tangle of fabric and breath. For a moment, the world goes still. Then Felix, Minho, and Jeongin exchange that look—the one they always share when royalty is near. Cold. Hard. Hateful. But Jisung, still sprawled beside you, just stares up at your face, his expression unreadable. He…