Chapter Nine   I always love the sound of my fountain pen as I use it to sign documents. I could say I find it really fulfilling hence making the task of reviewing and approving proposals a tad bit easier for me.   “Done!” I happily cheered after I finished signing the last paper.   “It’s a job well done, your highness.” Said Soojin as she collected the papers.   “What do I have next?” I asked.   “Youngho doryeonim will be due to visit in a few moments, your highness.” Answered she. “We received a call from the northern gates that he already entered the palace. He will be here in a few.”   “I guess he’ll join us for dinner.” I mumbled.   “Yes, his majesty personally invited him to dinner.” She said further.   “Well I better head down to the hall.” I declared alerting the rest of my staff.   “Before you proceed, your highness,” said Soojin, which made me halt from my steps, “just a precaution, Taeyong gun1 is also present. He had arrived just a few moments ago. I’m afraid he will also be present in tonight’s banquet.”   I heaved a sigh. “Thank you, Secretary Kim.”   I walked down the pavements of the Imperial Palace in deep thought. There were two invited men in the palace tonight and somehow I have a feeling this connects to my visit to Thailand this Friday. Something tells me I’d have to put up with my cousin’s nagging and with the flirting of my so-called knight. I heaved a sign once more. Unknown to my awareness, a pair of hands suddenly struck my ribcage in a ticklish manner, which I immediately jumped to my feet knocking me out of my reverie. I couldn’t help myself but shriek and when I turned around I saw the man that had just occupied my mind.   “Yah!” I nagged before I playfully hit his arm. He only laughed, amused.   “But I thought you missed me.” He said whilst in his amusement.   “Does that mean you have to startle me like that?” I pouted before he took my hand and coiled it upon his arm. He then proceeded leading me up the stairwell.   “You looked like you’ve been carrying ninety nine problems all at once, I only mean to cheer you up.” Said he. I took in Youngho’s get up for the night and I could tell he really dressed to make himself presentable. That didn’t sound right … how am I to put this? He looked simply chic. Youngho in a suit is like Armani on a catwalk. He looked stunning, which left me quite speechless.   I suddenly feel underdressed.   He clicked his fingers before me, effectively bringing me back to my senses. “What?” I asked quite stupidly, the moment the word left my mouth I wanted to plant my face on my palms.   “Are you okay?” he asked looking so concerned.   “Just thinking about stuff. So why are you here again?” I asked.   “You told me you miss me, right?” he teased and I wanted more but to wipe that smirk off his face.   “My father invited you. Why?” I asked, straight to the point.   “Feisty.” He whispered cheekily before answering aloud, “He simply said the princess needs my assistance. Apparently we are to discuss details tonight along with a certain someone…”   He sounded as if he trailed and looked at somewhere behind me. I looked back and saw none other than my nagging cousin. I hurriedly took my arm from Youngho before I stood proud and high atop the stairwell, looking down on the figure that slowly ascends. I heard my staff settled in arrays behind me, bowing all their heads.   Taeyong proudly walked atop the stairs and bowed his head before me, “I pay my respect to her royal highness, the crown princess.” Said he, looking as unreal as ever.   “How long has it been since you last paid a visit to the elders?” I questioned, my text book Korean on point, reminding him of his language.   “A few months.” He answered very casually though.   “Mind your use of language while in front of his majesty.” I reprimanded.   “Yeah but who’s this?” he asked, thumb pointing towards Youngho.   “A friend.” I answered. “He’ll be joining us. Youngho ssi, this is my cousin and fourth in line to the throne, Prince Taeyong.”   “Just call me, Taeyong.” He said offering his hand for a shake.   “Seo Youngho.” Answered he before accepting the shake. “Nice to meet you.”   “Pleasure. Doctor?” asked my cousin.   “How can you tell?” asked the other man.   “I smell ethanol. Well now it made sense. Shall we greet the king?” said my cousin before motioning for me to proceed first. That’s right, the higher the title the first one to advance.   “Let me remind you again of your language.” I told him before I proceeded walking, feeling bad to leave Youngho behind.   “I study music by the way.” Said my cousin, ignoring me and already feeling chatty towards the stranger he just met.   “Cool,” answered Youngho, “Come to think of it, we already met before.”   Great so now they’re also acquaintances.   “You go to SNU too?” asked Taeyong.   “It is you.” Answered Youngho. “We share the same club, apparently.”   “I remembered you were that guy behind the piano. Sweet playing by the way.” Said my cousin and now I am totally out of place.   “Thanks.” Said Youngho. “I’ll look forward to your performance too.”   “Dude, it’s nice to know I’ll be going with someone that I actually get along.” Said my cousin and the two men chuckled. I tried to suppress myself from reacting. Some nerves he has.   The announcement of our arrival was the thing that broke them from their seemingly very friendly conversation.   “Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess has arrived in this peaceful hour of the night, your majesty.” Said father’s secretary. “Along with Taeyong gun and Youngho doryeonim.”   “Come inside.” I heard my father said. I greeted my father the usual way, kissing his cheeks before I went and greeted my mother next. The two of them are seated on opposite sides of the long table so my usual place is the rightmost seat near my fathers. The two men were left in a low bow before the king and the queen. My father ushered them to settle on their seats before announcing to start dinner.   “Where is halma mama?” I asked, wondering why my grandmother is not present.   “She decided to retire early for the night,” Answered my mother, “I guess she wasn’t feeling all too well.”   “I hope her majesty isn’t feeling ill.” Said Youngho, the doctor in him concerned.   “Thank you, dear, but she is fine. I guess that’s what you get with old age.” Said my mother. “Taeyong gun, it’s nice to see you here in the palace.”   My cousin made a tiny bow before proceeding, “Forgive me for not visiting frequently, your majesty, but the media has also been on my trail recently. I just wanted to avoid further controversy.”   The appetizers were served.   “Really? Have they been bothering you too much?” asked my father.   “Yeah, I guess this all goes down to whoever wears the crown after you, your majesty.” He answered quite honestly that I was suddenly taken aback. “I couldn’t seem to reach her highness after the demonstrations so I asked the people around her instead. Seemed to be palace securities are really in heightened that nobody is willing to give off information about her whereabouts.”   “Taeyong gun texted Yuju, to be specific.” I said whilst I push around the appetizer that reeked of lemon. I could eat it but I don’t want to risk anything.   “I was only concerned, your highness.” He said in defense.   “Really?” I asked in sarcasm.   “I’m sure Taeyong gun is, Yeona ah.” Said my father. “I received Secretary Han’s report,” this guy my father’s referring to, by the way, is the secretary of Taeyong’s father tasked to keep reports about their family for the information of the palace, “apparently you were approached by the so-called anti-monarchists, offering you a chance to seize the throne.”   “Yeah and they brand themselves against our institution.” Answered Taeyong. “My father was furious and so does my mother. It gets annoying every single day so they are currently on the Summer Palace, distancing themselves from the pestering media and activists. Thank you, your majesty, for granting them access to the Imperial property.”   Upon hearing words from my cousin I realized that he is indeed just concerned. I didn’t know the situation was this much already.   “I’m very sorry for the troubles you have experienced.” Said my father, “Tell my brother to feel free to use the Summer Palace. It’s the least we could do for you.”   “Thank you so much, your majesty.” Said Taeyong.   Smoked Salmon was served next and I noticed Youngho’s uncanny silence. I tried to meet his eyes and we did I flashed him a fri