Kris had a fun time getting Ren to think straight so that they would come up with a plan.   But maybe Ren didn't need that much help because he actually had one big great and well thought-through idea about how he'll confess to HyunAe. He really was serious and genuinely happy - something this castle hadn't seen for a long time. Now come to think of it the last time Ren was ever so engrossed in something had to be months, no, for a whole year ago.  But why? Kris had to hand it to himself that this was something Ren had kept well hidden from eveyone even from the mighty butler.

But the scene before Kris kept himself from going any further on the matter, there was this one very urgent matter at hand and he was supposed to help the hopeless fellow. Though  Kris knew that it wasn't polite to laugh at others' disdress there just was something about Ren what made it impossible to suppress his laughter. Ren looked at him with wide eyes and an expression which said that he had no idea what was going on – that he couldn't believe that today was the day he's going to pluck up his courage and confess to his girl. The boy's mouth was quivering, either he was searching for words or he was afraid, but the way he was acting was more than solid proof of the fact that Ren wasn't himself and he had never done this before.

"I...I can't do it.“ Ren declared out of the blue.

"No-no. 'I can't do it' does not come to this. You're going to do this. Remember that she'll going to be as nervous as you will. Even if you mess up, it doesn't matter 'cause she likes you already. Plus, then you'll have something to tell to your grandchildren.“ Kris spoke his mind.

"Eeh... I wouldn't think that far.“ Ren was still unsure.

"But if you do, then it wouldn't be that scary to take that step. It's for your own good." Kris said as if he was talking from experience. Maybe he was. "Now, tell me how were you thinking of telling her?“

Ren had imagined to meet her in the Cherry Garden by the grand fountain which was the garden's jewel, though even the word 'jewel' was too weak in meaning to describe the beauty of the magnificent waterfall that made the garden so famous among visitors. Ren had also thought about what he'll say and how he'll give HyunAe her present – the very same little box from the other day, which Ren almost lost because of the prankster-maid.

It was a good thing that the ball was close because the gardens were all raked and, as much as needed, the bushes trimmed, roads broomed and ponds cleaned. Every garden was full of lanterns which, for now, were unlit. This made it all much easier for Ren as he didn't have to worry about how to set up the place.

Was is just a pure coincidence of was it destiny but HyunAe found Ren's letter today – the one without the boy's name. She found it odd that the letter's writer didn't put his or her name at the bottom or anywhere on the letter.

HyunAe debated herself whether she should go or not. No I shouldn't go... but what if this was written by... Ren?... and he just forgot to write his name... he must be so nervous. The girl put her hand above her heart and smiled – her little beater was fluttering. But how was she going to find out who wrote this? It can be a joke. Maybe the girls wrote this. But why would they hide it into a book? It doesn't make any sense.

She heard JR's room's door close. "He must know who wrote this.“ she told herself and jumped up making her way over the hall up to the prince's room's door.

She knocked on the door. No one answered. She entered – the room was empty. "JR?“ she called the boy. Still – no answer. Where is he? Wait a minute. Maybe he's under the shower. The training and all. Ahh! Maybe I should come back later.

Too late. JR stepped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe - I know what you were thinking... As soon as he noticed HyunAe he froze, same went for the girl. They both looked at each other with the same startled expression.

JR swallowed and asked while stuttering: "W-what are you doing here? You're not supposed to...“

HyunAe answered in the same manner: "I-I... You know what I can come back later... yeah...“

"No!“ JR almost shouted. What the-? Why did I-? Who cares...

"Huh?“ the girl asked furrowing her brows and tilting her head.

"I'll change,“ JR said and grabbed some clothes from his wardrobe, "you just...uhh... wait. It'll just take a moment.“ And with this he ran into the bathroom.

HyunAe nodded though it was already to late for JR to see...

So now when JR was properly dressed and all HyunAe showed him the letter and told him where she found it. JR took the letter and looked at it.

"Hmm. Definitely a ... You should go.“

"What?“

"I'm just messing with you. It's Ren's letter. He told me about this in the morning.“

"It's Ren's?“ That means he does like me and I was right! Oh my-my-MY! Butterflies and dandelions... This is so... cute.

"He actually wrote this two days ago.“ JR added while handing he letter back to HyunAe.

"He-he did? That means... he waited for me all these days?!“ HyunAe got surprised.

"I suppose so. - But you should go and get yourself ready. You only have an hour and a half.“ the prince said nodding towards the clock on the wall.

HyunAe looked at the ticker. "Right,“ she said and moved towards the door, "Thank you, JR.“ she waived from the door.

"You're welcome!“ he shoted back. "Time to get going myself." he mumbled to himself and grabbed his jacket. He made sure no one saw him or heard him when he left the castle.

Kris had things to do so Minhyun and Baekho were the ones who helped Ren to get dressed. Their job was also to calm the boy down and make sure he shows up to meet HyunAe. It seemed as an easy task, but Ren was more of a wreck than the two had initially expected.

"What if I mess up?“ Ren had another moment of wavering faith as he kept pacing back and forth around the room.

"You won't. She's probably as nervous as you are.“ Baekho called back his memories of last night. A smile crept onto his face.

"Don't think about messing up that much. Just relax and go with the flow.“ Minhyun said remembering his night with Haeran.

"Easy for you to say – you've already...,“ Ren talked back, dropping the glass of water from his grip, "...confessed. Dammit!“

He reached for the shards on the floor when Minhyun swatted his hand away. "Don't you dare! Look at you, you can't even hold a glass of water in your hand – you'll cut yourself and that's the last thing we need you to do.“

"That's right. - Now, Romeo, take this and go get your girl.“ Baekho said and shoved the giftbox into Ren's hands.

Ren looked at the clock – 6.51 PM. He gulped and nodded.

"Good luck.“ Baekho called after the boy when the other had reached on the other side of the hall.

Ren answered with a nervous laugh. I need more than just luck.

Meanwhile in HyunAe's room the maiden of the day was freaking out. "I have no idea what to wear!“

"Here. Wear this.“ Haeran showed something to the princess.

"That makes me look fat...“ HyunAe mumbled and dumped her weight onto the bed.

Chinsun huffed. „I looked like a huge beach ball and Baekho still asked me to his sugar plum.“ the girl made her point, really enjoying the sound of the last three words as she said these out.

HyunAe sat up and looked at her friends. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad or feel something else, but she sure was content. Look where they are now. They're growing up. Just a few counted days ago they were in the South with their mummies and daddies, but now.. now they were growing, they were entering life, now they were living their dreams... more or less, because war hadn't been recorded anywhere in HyunAe's dreams as long as she can remeber.

HyunAe shook her head from those thoughts and glanced in the mirror. „Should I put some make-up on?“ she asked her friends.

Haeran gave an answer to this right away. „It doesn't matter if you have make-up on or not, he's still going to like you. Just go the way you are.“

HyunAe nodded, bit her lip and breathed out: "In that case...Here we go then.“

With this she stood up, took the clothes Haeran had given her earlier, changed, and then made her way to the place she was supposed to meet Ren. I hope he'll like me. Poor guy waited for me for two days... and now... I should walk faster, he's probably already there.

I hope he won't hear my heart beating... calm down, girl...

Suho had just finished lighting up the lanterns and folded the ladder together when Ren reached to the fountain. "So, Romeo, are you ready for your big act?“ the older smiled.

Ren looked at the other and nodded. "I hope so.“

"Don't worry. You'll be fine,“ Suho said patting the blonde's back, "if she shows up she has already said yes.“ As Suho lifted the ladder he looked at Ren one last time and said: "Anywho, good luck.“ And with this he left leaving Ren pace back and forth in front on the fountain.

After few times of walking aimlessly around the place the boy decided to sit on the edge on the stone fountain and wait for the girl. Gosh! I think I'll go crazy if she won't show up today. I should have put the letter on her table! Why in the world did I think she'll read that book? Why did I torture myself?!... I'm so stupid...

HyunAe had reached into the garden and she right away spotted the lighted area – this place was in the opposite corner of the Cherry House. She squinted her eyes and now she also saw a boy sitting there. She smiled to herself as her heart started racing again.

The lanterns shared their dim light around the beautiful fountain which was built together with the wall. The water sparkled as it flowed off the three levels. The waterfall gushing off from the wall made everything complete. The shadows playing on the walls and on the trees and the soft wind blowing ever so lightly – it all made this night more than perfect.

This particular place was also where the North King, I mean, JR's father had asked JR's mother's hand in marriage. That night back then was the same as it is today – a night when everything can happen.

As only this corner of the garden was lit Ren didn't see HyunAe coming, plus,  he was looking up into the sky at the twinkling stars. How many times have I looked up like this when I was little with hope in my heart that one day I will get back my father's titles and we can once again live like we used to... not that I'd remember that time anyway. I was too small back then.

HyunAe was only few steps away from Ren. The boy seemed so peaceful sitting and looking into the night sky like this. If you only knew how much I've thought about you within these days I've been here. But now... what if Chen can't find that loophole... and we can't be together. I have to marry JR and he can't be with Odelia and-

Ren tore his gaze off from the light above and his eyes met HyunAe's as he looked around. The girl froze and so did the boy. But as the servent Ren was he stood up from mere habit and bowed, only then he realized what he had done when he found himself looking at the pavement. The flame of anger rose in his heart and he balled his fists. He had become a puppet without even knowing it himself.

"Would you like to sit?“ Ren asked HyunAe. He did his best to hide his dark raging side from her - it wasn't her fault anyway. This was something Ren had to deal with all by himself.

"Yes, thank you.“ HyunAe finally managed to move her legs and thoughts.

The girl took a few steps towards the boy, looked at him and smiled. Ren smiled back and felt how his head cracked, his thoughts turned into baby chicks and waddled away from him. Far far away. That simple smile made Ren forget everything he was supposed do or say. Only thoughts still left in his head were too basic to make anything out of them. Tell her! Give her the present! Go ahead now. It doesn't matter if you mess up. She already said yes when she came here.

Whne Ren did manage to begin his big act he felt like running away. "I... the... I had a... present... f-for you... it's...uhh... somewhere.“ he stuttered and looked around him trying to find a certain box but he didn't find it.

HyunAe tried her best to help to break this awkwardness between them and thus she also looked around her to find the present though she had no idea what exactly she was looking for. But she spotted an object floating in the water which, in her mind, shouldn't have been there. "Is that was we're looking for?“ she asked as she pointed at the box.

Ren looked in the direction HyunAe was pointing. "Gaah! Oh, no-no-no!" he shouted and fished the box out of the cold water. "It's ruined!“ the boy complained as he held the soaking wet present in his hand. "...sorry.“ he mumbled and peeked at the girl.

"It's alright. It's the thought that counts.“ HyunAe smiled and took the present. As she unwrapped it she couldn't help but giggle. That little action reassured Ren that he didn't mess up anything as he had feared. I suppose Kris was right... Now we have a funny story to tell to our grandchildren.

"Oh, it's beautiful.“ HyunAe breathed as she saw the contents of the box. A bracelet with all kinds of lucky charms  - correction - hand carved lucky charms was in the box unharmed by the water.

"Do you like it?“ That was one stupid question...Of course she likes it. She already said that.

"Are you kidding me? I love it! How did you know these are my favorite flowers?“

Ren just shrugged. "Actually I didn't. Xiumin said I should carve these flowers as they are pretty.“

"Wait a minute! You made these? With you own hands?!“

"Uhuh...“

HyunAe squealed and did something that Ren wasn't prepared for – she kissed him on his cheek right there right now leaving the boy baffled and pleasantly surprised. He touched his cheek ans smiled to himself. When HyunAe realized what she had done she turned to the side and looked infront of her, blushing like never before. The butterflies in her stomach were flying in the speed of light and if they weren't imaginary she would probably fly along with them.

The two stayed as they were for a while. Ren still had that weird, funny, and amused smile plastered to his face. HyunAe just sat and waited. She fiddled with the bracelet in her hands and tried to find the words to say... any kind.

After some time when Ren's mind and body connected again he turned to look at the girl next to him. HyunAe also shifted her gaze onto the boy. Now it was Ren's turn to surprise the girl. He slowly reached out his hand, cupped the girl's face, leaned in...

.... and kissed HyunAe, sending the girl off to cloud nine.

"I'm glad you like it.“ Ren whispered.

"Yes, I really like it.“ the girl said, squeezing the jewelry in her hand.

"Do you know what else I like? - You. No... scratch that. I love you.“ Ren said looking deep into HyunAe's eyes.

"I... I... love... you, too... Ren.“

Ren smiled. „For you, you can always call me Mingi.“

"Mmm... Mingi.“ the girl repeated and giggled.

Did anyone see these love birdies? No, not really. One could see that this corner of the garden was lit but there were only few spots in the castle where one could have a view over that spot. Ren really thought this through. When someone like Lucras of Peewee would have seen them then Ren would be in a lot of trouble, more exact – dead.

Kris took care that nothing would happen when the two lovers had their quiet moment. He and Exo made sure that no one saw Ren and HyunAe. They made sure to keep anyone, who walked through some certain corridors and halls, would not look outside the windows, and that there wouldn't be people wandering around the Cherry Garden.

So far so good.

Ren and HyunAe knew they were walking on knives so they didn't stay outside for too long. They also made a promise not to be too obvious around others – except around those who already knew and weren't going to bring them trouble.