The moon hung high as the people of the nation slept peacefully. A cold darkness covered the towns, the only light being the soft rays of the moon. No noise was heard except the loud chattering that was emitted from the tavern. In the corner of the village was a popular tavern where many people  (often men) visited especially in the late hours of the night. Sitting awkwardly at a table, outside of the tavern was the King, dressed as a nobleman and his attendant whom looked rather flustered. They sat in silence, often glancing at each other whilst the other was looking away but not saying a word. They had ordered their food and were waiting for it to arrive, feeling like the time feels suddenly longer.

Jong Kook cleared his throat and looked frantically at the tavern, trying to peer inside, "Aish... Why do food here take so long.." He muttered rubbing his neck, sneaking a glance at his attendant. Thank goodness his attendant was blanked out and was just staring at her hands fumbling with her dress while biting on her bottom lip awkwardly. 

Finally after what felt like eternity, a waitress placed their orders on their table. A bottle of rice wine and two cups as well as some fried fish cakes. Ji Hyo her lips hungrily at the food but snapped out of her behaviour when she felt the stare of the King against her. She dipped her head slightly and pushed the fish cakes towards him, holding out a pair of chopsticks to him. "Do eat..." She said softly, finding it uncomfortable for her to drop the formalities. 

Jong Kook received the chopsticks with a grin, "Thank you... I have never tried this... dish." He admitted preparing his chopsticks to grab one of the deep fried food. To be honest, he has been spoilt practically all his life and although he walked out into the village countless times, he never tried what the commoners of his nation would eat. 

"Really? You must try it! It is very good!" Ji Hyo exclaimed excitedly, the talk of food already hyping her up. The King chuckled slightly and picked up the largest peice, bringing to his mouth. The scent was already making him salivate in anticipation. With one bite, he took the large fish cake into his mouth and chewed it vicously, taking in the taste. It tasted so different to the things he eat regurlarly, its saltiness and crispiness was so good and irrestitable that he couldn't help but take another one. 

"Wow. This is delicous!" he remarked through a mouthful of fish cakes making he himself look fishlike. Ji Hyo covered , trying to prevent herself from laughing at his puffed up cheeks but failed and bursted out into laughter. Jong Kook looked up at her, admiring her pleasant smile when she laughed.

"Are you laughing at me?!" He said with a raised brow, trying to be serious. Ji Hyo bit her lip but trembled from trying not to laugh, only to burst out into laughter once more, unable to take his puffed up cheeks seriously. He took a peice of fishcake and shoved it in making her go silent while she chewed with a grin. Her reflex was to hit him of course.

"Yah! How could you put that in my mouth?" She coughed once she had swallowed the fish cake, glaring at him. 

"Tsk tsk... What happened to that humble and respectful girl from moments earlier." He commented taking the final peice and eating it whole. 

Ji Hyo turned away, stopping herself from retaliating towards him, folding her arms crossly. 

Jong Kook was about to comment again when two voices intruded. 

"Yah~ Look at that pretty lady.." Said one voice.

"Phweet~ She is a beauty.. Doesnt she look familliar?" whistled another.

"Yea... She kinda looks like Ji Hyo..." 

A smack was heard before the second voice retorted. "Don't be dumb Kwang Soo, Ji Hyo is long gone." 

Ji Hyo perked her head at the name. //Kwang soo..Couldn't be..// She thought turning around to face the owners of the voices. "Ha Dong Hoon? Lee Kwang Soo?" She called out to the two men that sat behind her, one was tall and skinny while the other was short and plump.

Both their eyes widened at her voice and gasped in shock. "No way! Ji Hyo-Ah!" Dong Hoon cried, jumping from his seat and rushing towards her, hugging her tightly. Kwang Soo also shot up and wrapped his long arms around her, in a loss of words. 

"I can't believe I would see you guys again!" She said, tears of joy streaming down her face as she grinned against her friend's embrace. 

"We thought you were gone for good!" Kwang Soo said, releasing her from his hug and wiping her tears with his sleeve. 

"Oh I missed you both! How have you two been?" Ji Hyo asked, looking at them with a wide smile, afraid that if she lifted her gaze for a moment, they would disappear. 

"Well... Eomeoni passed away two years after you left..." Dong Hoon started, looking at Ji Hyo solemnly. "But it was a peaceful death...Now I am a scholar, learning about poetry, of course! I also got married last year to a gorgeous lady, she cooks the best food." He finished with a grin, thinking about his wife. 

"Im sorry to hear about your Eomeoni..." She began. "But Im glad to hear all things are well now. I must meet your wife someday and warn her about your bad habits!" She added with a giggle. "Kwang Soo... what about you and aren't you a little young to be in a tavern?"

Kwang Soo flushed at her comment, the 14 year old scratching his head. "Ah.. Well Dong Hoon dragged me out saying I should be a real man." He said looking at Dong Hoon with an accusing stare. "But all is well with me. Abeoji was hired to build furniture for a nobleman and is paid very well. So all us live in a proper home in the village and I get to attend a good school." He explained.

Ji Hyo nodded. "Thats good to hear." She smiled.

"Enough about us... How have you been?" Dong Hoon butted in, facing Ji Hyo curiously. 

Ji Hyo raised her brows and thought for a moment. "Well... I was sold to the palace when I was young and became a kitchen slave... But after 4 years of working I am now the Crown Prince... I mean King's attendant." She said.

Kwang Soo and Dong Hoon gasped at her statement, covering their mouths in shock, "No way! The King! Isn't he cold-hearted?" Dong Hoon commented.

Ji Hyo's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered the person she was sitting with on the table. Jong Kook had been sitting behind them, listening patiently although couldn't help but feel jealous at their close relationship. He was about to flip the table when they had hugged her but remained calm and listened. Ji Hyo shook her hands at Dong Hoon. "No No... His Majesty isn't-"

"I heard he is so scary that he killed all his attendants because his soup was too cold." Kwang Soo butted in with scared eyes. 

Ji Hyo bit her lip and shook her head. "No~ His Majesty is not like that-"

"Yea! Apparently he is the meanest royal in the bloodline!" Dong Hoon added shaking his head. 

"Ahem!" Jong Kook finally cleared his throat, standing up from his seat and making his presence known to the two. He narrowed his eyes into a strong glare, focusing them on the two men. "Sorry to intrude but do you not realize who I am?" He announced loudly, folding his arms behind his back.

"A scholar who is full of himself?" Kwang Soo asked looking at him weirdly up and down. 

//Crap... I forgot I was in disguise// Jong Kook thought in realisation. Ji Hyo smacked Kwang Soo in the arm shaking her head. 

"Ji Hyo-ah. Why do you hang out with creeps like this guy?" Dong Hoon scoffed batting an eye at Jong Kook. 

Jong Kook felt his anger rising, clenching his fist tightly on the table.  Ji Hyo noticed his anger and stood up between him and the two, holding off any potential fights. "Dong Hoon-ah.. Kwang Soo-ah... This man is..."

"Kim Jong Kook! The son of Kim Jong Se and the King of this nation!" Jong Kook loudly announced shooting a sharp glare at them. 

"Bull." 

Dong Hoon stood up to face him while Kwang Soo scoffed, looking elsewhere. "Yah... Ahjussi. You can't just run around claiming stuff like that. Sheesh... I thought you were a noble." He remarked folding his arms. Jong Kook glared at him with gritted teeth, annoyed by this man. 

"Are you accusing me of lying, you little dwarf?" Jong Kook hissed, puffing out his chest. 

"Alright enough! Both of you!" Ji Hyo interrupted stepping between the two. She was frightened that both of them might leave with bruises and also because she knew her friend would leave with broken bones. "Wether you believe he is the King or not. I do not care! I would like you both to act like civilised men and sit down!" She ordered. 

Jong Kook turned away with a huff, with Dong Hoon doing the same. "No" They said at the same time. 

"SIT DOWN OR I WILL FEED BOTH OF YOU TO THE DOGS!" Ji Hyo shouted making customers look at her with wide eyes. Everyone in the tavern seemed frightened by the loud girl that they all went silent including Dong Hoon and Jong Kook whom sat down quickly in silence, heart thumping frightfully. Ji Hyo dusted her hands when they sat. "Good. Now excuse me as I go to use the washroom." She said turning away to walk into the tavern.

The two men sat in silence as they death stared each other with gritted teeth.

"Who are you to Ji Hyo? How do you know her?" Dong Hoon questioned narrowing his eyes. 

"I would ask the same to you." Jong Kook replied, clenching his fingers together. 

"We go way back. Ever since birth till childhood." 

"I see her everyday in my room." Jong Kook retorted, technically speaking the truth but wasn't exactly what Dong Hoon was thinking of.

"Hmph. She wouldn't sleep with someone like you."

"And how would you know?"

"I know my Ji Hyo well enough."

"Well so do I."

With both men unwilling to back off, Kwang Soo piped up from the side. "How about you two just challenge each other and the winner gets the rights to claim the spot as Ji Hyo-ssi's best man."

They looked at him with interest before turning back to face each other. 

"Sure. Arm wrestle?" Jong Kook mused, lifting up his muscular arm. 

"Looks like you pick challenges you know you will win." Dong Hoon scoffed batting away Jong Kook's arm. 

"How about a drinking contest?" Kwang Soo piped in once more. 

Jong Kook and Dong Hoon looked at the 14 year old and grinned deviously. 

"Alright. Whoever drinks the most wins. Winner will be considered Ji Hyo's best man and shoudl be respected by the loser." Dong Hoon said holding out his hand to Jong Kook. "Deal?"

"Deal." 

Woohoo! I am back! How was your holidays guys? Have fun? Tell me some stuff you did in the comments :D For me, my sister flew over to suprise us and spend the christmas with us :) Anyways! Here is this chapter so enjoy! Yay~ Reunited with Dong Hoonie and Kwang Soo! Naw I miss these two. Also... Jong Kook and Dong Hoon's drinking contest?! Next Chapt: THE DRINKING CONTEST!