"... [Y/N]. [Y/N]? Did you hear what I said?"

You looked up at Jin. He leaned into you, waiting for your answer.

"No, I'm sorry." you said. "What was that?"

He chuckled. "I said that if you ever start to feel overwhelmed, let me know. I'm here to help, okay?"

You pressed your lips together and nodded. You weren't sure if you should tell him about the notes you had gotten. You were sure the first one was from Jungkook. After all, he had pranked your room on the same day. Did he also slip another note into your pocket while you were dancing? Was he that persistent with his pranks?

You didn't want to look like a coward in front of Jin, though. You tried to put the thought away. You could handle Jungkook on your own.

"Let's get to our lesson for today, shall we?" he asked. "Come with me."

He took you to a parlor room. There were leather chairs, a few shelves of books, a small bar, and a chess table. He sat at the chess table and offered you a seat.

"Are you a chess player?"

You nodded. "I play against my dad a lot."

"Aha. Then you must be very good. Your dad is an excellent player."

"You've played my father at chess?"

He nodded. "When I was younger, my father invited him often."

"You haven't mentioned your parents before. Where are they at?"

He pressed his lips together and straightened the pieces on the board. "Our mother passed away when I was ten. Our father passed away a few years ago."

"Oh." you said, your heart aching for him. "I'm sorry."

"It's all right." he said. "I spent most of my life watching my father run the country on his own. It prepared me for doing the same thing."

He motioned for you to make a move. "Ladies first."

You moved your pawn. "Were our parents close then?"

He nodded and moved one of his pieces.

You sighed. "I wish I had known all of this. I always thought Dad was out on business trips. I didn't realize he was – you know – running a country. Why did he go so far out of his way to keep everything a secret? I don't feel prepared for anything."

You moved your knight. Jin took it out with his rook.

"No one feels ready at the beginning. Sometimes the best learning experience is the one you're not prepared for."

He began to speak historical battles for awhile, emphasizing individuals who weren't prepared for their stations. You weren't well-versed in history, but you knew enough to keep up with the conversation.

"I recommend Lao Tsu's Art of War." he said. "Excellent reading. There's a line in there that stands out to me the most. 'One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.' You and I both know the strategies you can use on this chessboard, but if we can't play the game, then our strategies are useless."

You nodded. "I think I'm the least prepared out of everyone here when it comes to strategy."

You could all ready sense that by the way Jin was taking all your pieces.

"That's what we're here for." he said, smiling gently while taking your rook. "We'll teach you everything we know, my dear."

A few more turns passed, and you couldn't hold back your curiosity.

"Jin," you asked. "Why don't you have a wife? It would make your tasks so much easier, wouldn't it?"

He laughed."Yes, some days I would think it would make it easier, but the only option for me, really, is an arranged marriage. I never liked the idea of those. I always figured if there was a queen I wanted..."

He moved his bishop diagonally, right until it was one space away from your queen. He picked up your queen and wrapped his hand around it, looking you straight in the eye.

"...I would just take her for my own."

Your stomach clenched.

"And that's checkmate." he said, his face relaxing into a smile. "Good game, though. I enjoyed your company."

He stood. You did the same.

"Be sure to come and play with me anytime." he said. "Until next time, milady."

 He curled his lip up to the side and left.

~~~~~~~~~

The long day ended, but your thoughts didn't. So many things rattled around in your brain,robbing you of any sleep.

You couldn't stand to be in your room any more. Even though night had all ready fallen, you got up and went out to the front of the castle yard. There were enough guards around so that you didn't feel like you were in any sort of danger. Your martial arts skills gave you some confidence as well.

The night air was warm and a little humid, but it was peaceful. Crickets sang to the full moon,accompanying the rushing sound of the fountains. You walked down the main pathway, looking into the line of trees on either side.Something seemed inviting about them. Just for a moment, you wanted to walk through them.

You veered from the path and went into the trees, the crisp ground crunching beneath you. It wasn't as pretty as the gardens, but it was quiet. You stopped to breathe inthe Summer air.

But even though your footsteps stopped, other continued.

You turned towards the noise. You couldn't see anything except for the faint light of the walkway off in the distance. Had you really gone that far?

You heard the crunching sound again.

"Hello?" you called out.

No answer. Just silence.

You took a few steps forward, then stopped. You heard two footsteps after yours.

"Who is it?" you asked.

Still no answer.

"This isn't funny anymore. Come and show yourself."

A deep voice echoed behind you.

"I agree. It's not funny."

You turned around you, trying to find where the voice was coming from. You couldn't see anything.

"Not funny that a nobody becomes a princess in a day." the voice continued.

"Who are you?" you tried not to sound as scared as you really were.

"Just a messenger."

"A messenger? From who? Wh- what message?"

There was a pause. The next word came out in just a whisper.

"Run."