It had already been a week since our visit outside the castle, and everything seemed a little too quiet. I mean, it was good no one got eliminated just yet. But everyday, I would wake up wondering if any of us were going to leave. We were restricted to leave castle grounds, and we had to take turns to read the the news, the Mirror Post. 

I didn't even gte to read anything, except bits and pieces of the fashion magazines lying around in the drawing room. And I was quite astonished, that women were not allowed to even participate in any sports involving men. It made me wonder if the generation we were living in was even doing justice for women, even it was the little things.

" Why aren't we allowed to wear pants ? " I asked Ji Na while she was doing my hair.

" Because, Miss Irene, its not appropriate for us. " she sighed, answering my fiftieth question. " You should know that by now, miss. And besides, we don't really need to wear pants. The trend these days are pencil skirts. "

I groaned, " Ugh, don't you think its not fair for us ? I mean, why can't we wear what we want ? Why won't the government just let us do what we want ? "

" Because they've tried that before, and it caused a jumble of mess. " she answered. " You do remember the second Korean war, right ? Well, people were too... uncontrolled and untamed. All those campaigns and speeches, about having rights. Pish-tosh, they only caused more trouble. "

I frowned, " Isn't that a good thing ? To fight for rights ? "

" The people in the past had too many rights. " she said gravely. " They asked for education, then soon got out of hand. Itr was all because the goverment gave the people what they wanted. Humans tend to ask too much, more than they can chew. That was what happened first before the rest of the disaster sparked. "

I knew what happened next, Old America had developed some kind of technology that was rumoured to be capable of destroying as much as a country. Then countries from all over the world was preparing for war, and innocent America was targeted when it was Japan who were manipulating everyone else. That sparked world war three, for two whole years. 

Then came this sort of virus that made people fall sick, which was from Romania. Soon, all the other countries were infected by it, namely Korea. Of course, those were way behind us. Now all the coutries disbanded to form smaller regions in order to manage their crisis better. Korea reduced to Seoul, America reduced to Washington, Japan reduced to Tokyo, Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur and so on. 

But I wondered if the reason behind all the chaos really was because people were fighting too much for their rights, or was it because of something else entirely. I had yet to meet the Governor that afternoon, and he was actually the one monitoring the city from within, the royal fami9ly was there merely to be an icon of peace. They were richest family, who put in the money to save what was left of Korea from salvation.

I wore a colour block pencil dress, my usual mary jane heels and half updo, with a hint of makeup Yeri and Sunny insisted I put on. As we left, we bumped into Jiyeon and her maids. She was snapping something at them, her handbag hitting them ferociously. Still, her maids didn't provoke. If it was me, I would've given her a slap to the face. Her maids looked much older than her.

" I thought I said I wanted the ombre one, do you even know the difference between brown and ombre ? " she hissed at them.

" Get over it, Jiyeon. " I said, annoyed. " Stop acting like a spoilt brat for once, they're older than you and you shouldn't hit them like that. You shouldn't hit anyone ! "

She glared at me and scoffed, " Maids are still maids, they don't deserve to be treated better if they don't even have the ability to think straight. " and her maids whimpered. 

" Miss...should we accompany you ? " the oldest maid asked timidly. 

Jiyeon swatted hert hand away as if it was a fly, " Hmph, don't bother. Just wait until I meet my father later and complain about you, we'll see if you'll even work here by tomorrow. And I'll get younger maids to help me. " and she stormed off, her permed locks whipping from behind. 

I solemnly shook my head and turned to her maids, they were huddled together. I could see faint marks on their arms, it pained me to even witness that. I wanted to help, bit Ji Na was already ushering me away.

" Can't we turn back and help them ? " I asked as we boarded the elevator. 

" We'll get them bandaged up later in the kitchen, don't worry miss. " Ji Na sighed. " It's not unusual for them to end up like that everyday, I'm only sorry for old Stormy. "

" Is it true ? That Jiyeon will be complaining about us to the Governor ? " Yeri squeaked.

" I'm not sure, but the Governor should have better judgement than do something that foolish. " Ji Na injected. 

" Is Jiyeon really that rude towards her maids ? " I said.

" She hits them, all the time. " Sunny murmured under her breath. " She's a spoiled princess, that's what she is. "

" Better not let her or anyone else hear that, or you'll be sorry tomorrow. " Ji Na warned her. " And you won't mind if we talk behind people's backs, will you Miss Irene ? "

I chuckled, " No, of course not. "

We all gathered in the meeting room, and we waited as the royal family entered with the Governor. Jiyeon couldn't help but clap when her father entered, heck she was bragging about him even before the meeting.

" He was the one who solved the market fluctuation five years ago, and he stopped the rebel attacks from outside. I'd have to admit it, but my father's a very respectful man. " she boasted.

" What do you mean 'rebel attacks' ? " I couldn't help but feel offended. " Now those people are left to survive outside all by themselves, and you're sitting here talking trash about them. " 

She wrinkled her nose, " Well I'm sorry if youy're upset, dear. But you and I both know why we can never let them in. "

' And why is that ? "

" It was foolish of the people before us to trap them outside, I admit that. But it'd be even more foolish to let them in now, who knows what they're up to at the moment ? Why, some of them might even have been infected with the virus. And I've heard my father say they're plotting for attacks almost all the time, they're trying to take over the city. " she babbled.

I rolled my eyes, Yi Fan would never be that stupid to do something like that. It would be putting everyone's life on the line. And I was trying my best not to spill anything over Jiyeon's reasoning. To be honest, everytime she opened to talk it sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me. 

" Well if that's the case, " I sighed and got up, " then your father should try his best to protect us all from salvation then, Jiyeon. " and I walked away to sit somewhere else. 

I learned it was better to stay out of a fight if I wanted to remain in this game of thrones, fighting back was not going to help. I kept my jaw clenched, silently walked away with my poker face held high. The room was so quiet, I could hear my heels clicking against the marble floor. I shifted next to Wendy and Seulgi, and I noticed them looking at me from time to time. 

" What's wrong ? " I asked.

" Nothing..." Wendy said hesitantly. " It's just...you look scary when you're mad, like really mad. " 

I frowned, " How do I look like when I'm mad ? " 

" Exactly. " Seulgi added. " You don't show anything when you're mad, you just keep quiet and you don't look mad, but everyone knows you're mad. Get what I mean ? "

I never understood how people could come up with things like that, was I really that obvious at being mad when I don't even show the slightest expression ? 

Before I could answer my own question, the door opened. We all stood up, as the royal family came in with the Governor. He was a man in his late fourties, in a smart pin-striped suit, his greyish blach hair swept back complete with a goatee. He looked good for his age, Jiyeon inherited his stone cold beauty, forever young and attractive. And I could see where she inherited her solemn personality as well.

" Ah please, ladies. " the Governor chortled. " It is I, who should be honoured to meet you all, please have a seat. "

We all curtsied and went back to our seats, the King sat at the head of the table, the Queen next to him ; the Governor on his other side along with the Junmyeon. And who knew, Jiyeon was sitting next to him. I don't know if anyone else was feeling it, but I could feel some kind of acid boiling inside the pit of my stomach.

He first talked about some nation issues, about the unbalanced wealth between the citizens. Most of us gave out suggestions, but I didn't. I didn't feel like giving out anything because I'd just cause other problems.

" And we're also finding ways to stop the rebel attacks once again, and the people in the city are slowly influenced by the movement the rebels are proposing. They have very skilled people with them, they tend to hack into the system whenever they can, just flashes of their channel can bring danger to us. This is what we call ' terrorism' , and we need to deal with it as soon as possible. "

" Are there any update with the preventions ? " the King asked. 

" Well, I would like to hear suggestions from the girls, we do need fresh ideas for this new generation. " the Governor said. 

" We could increase security. " Jiyeon suggested. " Maybe set a certain time for network use, or certain channels or software to install to block those rebels. I mean, we are living in a digital age. There must be something we can do. "

" That's quite right, knowing that my daughter does know a thing or two about the technology we have. And we will try to do our best in tackling these threats and controlling the citizens from doing any more harm. "

" Does controlling them do anything ? " the words escaped my mouth before I could think twice.

All eyes were on me now, with different expressions. But the Governor was somewhat bemused, and caught off guard. " Why would you ask a question like that, miss Irene ? "

My heart was beating hard, I cleared my throat, " I mean, I don't think it'll do any improvement. I think we should figure out why the people are protesting, and find some other way to stop the rebellion. "

" Miss, you should know that we can't let the people have the rights to vote on who reigns for the government. " he tried making it light hearted by chuckling. " It's...it's not negotiatable. "

" Why can't they have the rights to vote ? " I kept pressuring him. " They should be able to pick their leader if they're depending on them. "

My question must've been something controversial, because everyone fell silent. The king and queen's expressions were gravely uncomfortable, Junmyeon was just looking at me wonderingly, which made me more calm. At least he didn't seem offended by me.

Heechul came strutting into the room after he knocked, the Governor immediately changed his expression from grim to smiling from eye to eye. Everyone else switched expressions too, the king and queen returned to their elated smiles as usual. 

" Your highness, there's been an emergency at the headquarters. T-the experiment, they said has-"

" Yes yes, you don't need to cause a riot in here, Heechul. " the King cut him off. " I'm sorry, Governor, but I must decline. "

The Governor chortled, " No harm done, your highness. I happen to have a meeting right after this as well, we best be going. "

" Yes we should. "

We all walked out of the meeting room, until everyone left. " Miss Irene ! " 

I turned behind, and the Governor was the only one remaining there. I felt tense, like he was up to something. Still, I kept my cool. " Is something the matter, Governor ? "

" Well, I wanted to hear more about your...opinions about the ways we rule the city. " he said cooly, and walked towards the little table desk. He opened the bottle of white wine and slowly poured it into a glass. " I hope you're not suggesting that we do let the people get what they want ? "

" Don't misunderstand, Governor. I was just saying a fact, it was just my point of view. " I tried reasoning. " Ultimately, I never doubted your ability to run the city. Nor the position of the royal family, I just wondered if it was better if the people do get the right to choose who they prefer. "

He laughed cooly, and I did not like it. " Miss, but we must not forget the mistakes we have made in the past. The awful corruption, the fluctuation, it must not happen again. We are already at the brink of economical fracture, we must not let mere problems get in our way. "

" But the people are the ones that make the nation, is it not ? "

He was silent, " I should never have expected less from the Nation's Sweetheart, Miss Irene. I can see why the public favour you, and minus those headlines about the little fued you have with my daughter. I do say that you're quite different, apart from everyone else. "

What did he mean, I was different ? Did he know, or even discover anything suspicious ? 

" And why is that ? " I asked.

He examined his glass of wine, " Hmm, you seem to have an ability to capture people's hearts, including the prince. I can see it in his eyes, I've been in love before, I know when I see it in someone eyes, they're the window to the soul. And it's not showing any advantage for Jiyeon. "

I got where he was going, he wanted me forfeit. He was asking me to bail out and give Jiyeon the win, he was not playing it fair. 

" I'm sorry, but I don't think you know what you're talking about, sir. " I said stiffly. " In a competition, there shouldn't be corruption as well. You cannot make people back down as you wish, nor can you change what the heart feels. And I can assure you, I'm not going to do corruption against my will. Nor do I think the prince will like it if I tell him this. "

He gulped down the wine, and settled the glass on the table. " Very well, miss Irene. But I must remind you, I can see a flaw in everyone, and I will find your flaw soon enough. And regarding about your concerns about how this city is run ; ' Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it', I have not forgotten our history and I will not repeat it. " and like that, he walked out of the room.

I stood there, thinking hard. He could detect a flaw if he saw one, he still hasn't spotted mine yet. 

The problem was, I had countless flaws.