Chapter Twelve (Pt. 1)   “YAH!” If I didn’t pull my phone away from my ear, I think my eardrums would’ve burst. “Why didn’t you call me? I told you to constantly update me right? What happened to you? Are you okay?”   “Yah!” I answered. “Don’t you think you should apologize first?”   “Apologize for what?” asked my best friend, ', who’s still oblivious of the harm she’s caused me. Well it’s nothing too serious actually and she doesn’t really need to say sorry, I just want to play around with her.   “This morning of course, how can you do that to me?” I pretended sulking. I heard her giggle from the other line and as expected, there wasn’t even a single hint of sorry in her voice.   “Wae? Did your knight in shining scalpel saw the text message?” she teased.   “Where in the world do you get your metaphors?” I answered, but equally as amused as her. “Anyway, forget about it. Aren’t you supposed to be asleep now? It’s almost midnight there.”   “I was waiting for your reply, you pabo.” She answered. “Really, are you okay there? Is that Thai Prince kind to you? Do we have to send you your army? Just tell me and I’ll rally in front of the palace.”   “No more rallies please. And yep, Prince Ten is very kind, although he’s very playful too. He invited us to the Thai Summer Palace tomorrow and by the evening he’ll be hosting a ball. I guess, he likes to party.”   “There’s really nothing much for him to do.” Said Yuju, “Wuaa that must be nice. I wonder if I could attend a royal ball too.”   “Are you forgetting that you’re best friends with a princess? Should we organize a ball for ourselves then?”   “Heol, listen to you. Are you willing to waste the tax of your own people now?” she teased.   “I’m kidding alright.” I said and we both laughed. Afterwards we both fell silent. “Are you okay?” I asked after some time.   “Wae?” she asked.   “You’re awfully quiet. Is something wrong?”   She fell silent once again and then I realized something must’ve come up to dampen the lively spirit of my best friend. I heard her sigh before she answered, “Jungkook confessed … again.” She sounded defeated, as if she’s all cornered and doesn’t have any more options. “I think he’s getting impatient.”   I sat up straight upon hearing her woes and pondered for a while before asking, “You didn’t give him any answer still?”   “Ne.” answered she. “I think he’s starting to doubt my feelings for him.”   “Then why didn’t you answer him? I know—no, you know you like him too. What’s holding you back?” I asked, also feeling impatient for my best friend.   “It’s not as easy as it sounds, Yeona.” She answered, and I sensed she’s teary.   “If you’re looking for the perfect time, I think it’s now.” I told her. “Remember when we were in middle school and I told you I had a crush on someone for like forever. You bugged me to know who he is and when I told you its Jungkook you didn’t talk to me for like a week.” I laughed. “The next thing we know he likes you as well, all along. He didn’t even consider me, not one bit. That was the first time that I wasn’t prioritized in my life you know.”   “Yeah I remembered that. And you moved on pretty quickly! I started to doubt if you are capable of loving.” Said she.   “That’s because I cannot be selfish. My best friends are in love, who am I to get in their way?” I answered. “And besides I only started liking Jungkook because he’s so good at sports. When I found out he couldn’t even do basic math I was immediately turned off.”   We both giggled upon such thoughts. “Hey he got better.” Said Yuju.   “Only because you were there to tutor him.” Said I. “See, you really like him. More than me, I presume. There must be something holding you back, Yuju ah, what is it?”   “You know what it is. He’s a chaebol and I am not. We’re worlds apart Yeona ah.” Answered she and I immediately felt really sorry for my best friend. “What face am I going to show his parents by the time we meet each other’s families? I mean, I survive through scholarships but he can live in comfort his entire life even if he doesn’t work. More importantly, he owns the company that my family works for. We are worlds apart. And even if I give him my yes and he will treasure it like it’s his life, there are people that will oppose us. He’ll only end up getting hurt and my conscience couldn’t bear to see it.”   “So you’re going to give him up just like that?” I challenged her. “Did you even ask Jungkook’s opinion on this? The fact that he’s willing to look pass the difference in your social status says a lot about his affection for you, pabo ya. I didn’t give him up, for you to give him up as well. You should talk to him, he must be so confused now.”   “I can’t. I don’t have your kind of confidence, Yeona.” Said she.   “What confidence are you talking about? Ah jinjja, you have more of that than I do, please. If you both don’t end up with each other, I might as well marry Kim Jong Un, do you understand?”   “He’s already married!” said she and giggled. “Alright, I think I’ll talk to him tomorrow. How I wish you’re here so that you can come with me.”   “And be the third wheel again? No thanks.” I answered. “You know you got it, girl. You’re better at these things than I am.”   “I love you.” She said.   “Aww, I love you too. FIGHTING!” I cheered for her and we both ended the call. I fell back lying unto the bed after it. Oh, love and all it’s complications. You might as well call it the deadliest epidemic in this world. Oddly, it is also the cure to its sickness. How twisted can this world get?   I was already changed into my pajamas but I wasn’t lying on my own bed. We already had dinner a few moments ago and my staff is probably resting now. My cousin preferred not to be disturbed for the entire night as expected of him. He’s been so fond of sleeping since we were little. So now I am here in Youngho’s room, watching him work on his laptop because he still had a few things to submit before it strikes midnight in Korea.   “Will you be able to finish it all?” I asked. I thought he didn’t hear me because it took him quite a while to answer.   “I’m answering our online quiz.” Said he. “Three more items to go. Time check?”   If you are wondering what I’m doing in his room in this unholy hour, it’s because he insisted I be his timekeeper. As if laptops don’t have clocks on them but he insisted and for the first time in quite some time I didn’t have royal duties so I see no reason to refuse.   “11:50,” I answered. “Ten more minutes and you’ll have your 15% deduction. Make sure you’re following all instructions or else you’ll have the additional 25% deduction on top of the penalty for the delayed submission.”   “That’s not really helping.” He said, but still remained focus on his quiz.   “You’re the one who told me to remind you from time to time.” I mumbled while I roll around his bed.   He let out a contented sigh before stretching up and rested his head against his chair.   “You done?” I asked, while I was lying on my stomach, my arms supporting me.   He simply nodded while his eyes were closed.   “Okay, my job here is done too. I’ll go to bed now.” I announced as I made my leave, but before I could walk pass behind him, his arm caught me by the tummy and pulled me back towards him.   “Yah, yah what do you think you’re doing?” I panicked as I continuously fall behind until I landed with a soft thud on his lap.   “Who the hell is this Jungkook guy and why is he pitting two best friends against each other?” he asked, feigning menace. He must’ve overheard our conversation a while ago.   I simply giggled for I couldn’t take him seriously. “He’s a friend, along with many others like Yuju, Jaehyun, Mingyu and Sowon. And he’s not pitting us against each other, he can’t even notice me whenever my best friend is around and besides, I don’t like him anymore.”   “Shame on him then.” Said he but his arm still remained on my tummy, keeping me from freeing away.   “Let go, Youngho, I need to catch some sleep.” I told him as I tried to release myself from his grip.   “Call me oppa first then I’ll have the best sleep in my life.” He said which earned him a straight face from me.   “Where did that come from?” I whined, but then he started tickling me. “YAH! Stop it.” I squeaked as I tried to hold back my laughter.   “Why won’t you call me oppa, huh?” he asked, whilst he himself was having a good time.   “I don’t call anyone like that. Stop!” I squealed as I tried to hit him instead.   “Why?” he asked and finally stopped his attack.   “Because I don’t have to.” I answered him, out of breath. “Let me go please, I seriously need sleep.”   “How do I make you call me oppa, then?” he inquired as he released me and I stood up.   “I don’t know.” I answered him. “But if you do, you’ll have the honor of being the first one.” Then I ruffled his hair. “Good night, see you tomorrow.” I quickly ran passed him towards the door, I looked back and saw him looking at me with his usual cheeky smile.   “Good night, princess. Sweet dreams.” He said before I disappeared to my room.   — —   We departed from the hotel pretty early the next day. We met up with the Thai prince in the Grand Palace before we proceeded to the wharf in order to board the yacht, which would take us to the royal family’s private vacation island where their esteemed Summer Palace is also located. The boat ride took us about half an hour before we successfully arrived to—not one—but a group of islands, surrounded by pearl white sand and crystal blue sea. It was really beautiful and