Chapter Fourteen   We were on the plane first thing Monday morning and I was faced with the realization that my little merry vacation was over and when I return, I would be drowning in A4 sized paper, writing reports and responding to press conferences. We would arrive at approximately twelve noon in Incheon Korean time and officially this trip will be over but the memories I made will forever remain in my heart.   Ten sent us off from the Grand Palace and he insisted that I take his personal mobile number so that we can keep in touch, he also gave his contacts to Youngho, I’m afraid he already grew fond of yet another hyung. As we departed towards the airport he reminded me that whenever I felt like it, I could always use his offer. I simply gave him a smile and a warm hug. I’ll be missing him for sure and I hoped we could meet each other once again. For most of the flight I was asleep but surprisingly Taeyong was on his laptop, probably checking on what he missed during his absence from school, yet the busiest one among our bunch is Youngho. He has been working with countless emails since last night and I heard him mention he’ll be observing an operation by one o’clock. So it would immediately be hectic for him the moment we land back in Korea. I have a feeling the two of us will be tremendously busy once back to our home country and I am already expecting we will not be meeting as often as I would like. The mere thought of it, I admit, really dampens my spirit.   Come to think of it, I haven’t heard anything from Yuju after our conversation that night, I wonder how she is and how did her talk with Jungkook go. I sure can’t wait to hear her side of the story and I terribly miss her too. I really hope those two are finally together now. I waited this long for them to happen anyway. Five hours later, we were back to Korean soil at last and from the moment we touched down, Youngho bid me his goodbye. I supposed what he’s got for the afternoon is really urgent so I gave him one last hug before a palace vehicle transported him to Seoul National University. Taeyong and I, on the other hand, are still scheduled to greet the elders so we proceeded to the palace without much delay. We met up with the complete entourage of the royal family and that includes my uncle and aunt—Taeyong’s parents—and his little brother Taejoon.   The two of us made our bows in front of our elders before we were told to take our seats, I alongside my parents and Taeyong alongside his.   “I’m glad you had a safe journey, Yeona ah.” Said my father who was already cradling my hands to his. “How are your godparents?”   “They are doing great, appa mama.” I answered. “They are extending their greetings to our whole family and they mentioned of wanting to meet you guys once again.”   “That’s wonderful.” Said my mother. “And how’s the crown prince, is he nice?”   I eyed my cousin and we shared an impish grin before I answered, “He is playful and his personality is very admirable. He welcomed all of us warmly and expressed his desires to visit Korea once again.”   “Why don’t you consider inviting him in your upcoming birthday?” suggested by my grandmother, which reminded me that in a few weeks or so, I will be turning yet again another year older.   “I think that’s a great idea, halma mama.” I answered and we shared a few chuckles.   “Your uncle will be joining us for dinner tonight,” said my father and I gave a little bow towards the couple in front of me, little Taejoon was in the arms on his mother, looking all curious with his huge doe eyes. “It’s nice to reunite like this once in a while.”   “I miss you dearly, uncle.” I told him. He looks just like my father, only younger and he sports the same sleepy look that Taeyong always wears. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.   “We miss you too, your highness.” Said he. “I hoped my son didn’t cause you any trouble during your trip.”   “Appa.” Taeyong whined which made the adults chuckle.   “Well he’s surprisingly very behaved, uncle.” I answered and now my cousin owes me yet again, another favor for not busting his secrets to his father. Of course I knew about him meeting Minister Kang’s daughter last night, but that will be our little secret for now.   “Well I must be get going.” Said my father as he stood up to continue his royal duties. “I’ll see everyone for dinner.”   “Steadfast, hyungnim.” Said his younger brother and we all bid our goodbyes to the king. My mother also dismissed the two of us from the family for we sure have a lot of things to discuss regarding my trip and for the matters that I have missed during my absence here in Korea—not school homework or quizzes, but politics and current events. I must be updated as fast as possible for me to resume my responsibilities quickly.   Mother led me to her study and we sat in her office. I didn’t fail to notice the pile of reports in the table and I was immediately frightened of the amount of work that I yet still accomplished.   “Make sure you hand in your report no later than midnight, alright?” she reminded, her tone back to business. “Secretary Kim has been sending me daily updates and I am aware that you faced trouble with the paparazzi yet again even in foreign soil, but don’t worry. Everything has been taken care of. What I would want you to report is your assessment of Seo Youngho ssi. Write everything on the paper that you find about him.”   “Are we running another background check on him? Is there something that I must be concerned about?” I asked, suddenly alarmed. Did something happen?   “No.” said my mother and she shamelessly blushed in front of me, not even trying to hide her amused grin. “You do know that we counter every gossip and every news about you in the Blue House for double checking, right? And we filter everything, only those that we approved can be published. At least as much as we possibly can.”   I don’t have a good feeling about this.   “So tell me the truth, young lady,” said my mother as she opened one specific folder from her file and showing it to me. There were photos taken by Dispatch Korea and it was the afternoon I spent with oppa on the pool. Even in the island they managed to follow us and they took photos of our rather intimate swimming lessons. I immediately blushed and felt hot. The pictures were innocent but of course I was with a man after all, I could only imagine how much it would stir the public if this got leaked or else published. I’ll be in so much trouble and the media would bug Youngho oppa as well. Good thing mother made sure this never got out to the mob.   “Are you guys official now?” she teased, not being able to hide her cheeky grin.   “Goodness, umma mama, you are so unlike yourself.” I reprimanded, trying to stir the conversation.   “Oh come on, it’s hardly rocket science and besides, I need to know if my daughter is all grown up now.” Said she, reaching for my hand. “These pictures are good you know, but of course we would want to keep your privacy so we didn’t allow publishing it.”   “Well I might have asked oppa about us and where do we belong.” I answered, feigning nonchalance. “We agreed that I get to decide about our relationship, we don’t need anymore titles whatsoever. If you want to hear more then read my report, umma mama.”   My mother surprisingly giggled. “Arasso, aigoo my daughter is a woman now. You even call him oppa, I presume that’s a good sign. So you ended up liking him after all?”   “He’s a very good person, umma mama.” I answered. “Any girl would fall for him simply by seeing his good nature and character.”   “I’m happy we made the right decision.” Said she, not being able to hide her smile. “Don’t rush yourself okay? You both are still young, I want you to experience what really it is to fall in love.”   “Your cheesy self is unbearable, umma mama.” I whined but she merely giggled.   “Do you prefer me strict and uptight then?” she kidded.   I shook my head. “No, I think I kind a like this side of you.” And we both shared laughter.   Today I’ll be skipping school once again to catch up with the country’s politics. I spent my entire afternoon in the library as I ran through reports upon reports. The anti-monarchist movement is still causing quite a stir in some parts of Seoul but they are effectively being suppressed by the palace and also by the people who still had their confidence in the Royal Family. I could say I am very pleased by the reaction of the public. Even though I was busy, that didn’t mean that I couldn’t check on my friends and of course the first one I reached out to was none other than my very best friend.   Yet it took me by surprise when I couldn’t reach her phone. Upon my fifth ring and she was still unreachable I called for Secretary Kim to call on their home landline using a safe line from the palace. By then her mother picked up the call and Soojin handed me the telephone.   “Yoboseyo, omonim?” I asked.   “Omo, your highness,” answered the woman from the other line, obviously flustered. “How can I help you?”   “I was wondering about Yuju, is she at home? I couldn’t seem to reach her phone.” Said I, starting to feel worried.   “Ah,” answered omonim and she sounded cautious, “actually she skipped school today saying that she doesn’t feel fine. I checked on her a little while ago and she doesn’t seem to have a fever but she does look gloomy. I think she has her phone turned off, we’re very sorry, your highness.”   “Oh no, it’s fine,” I answered. “Can I come and visit then, omonim? I want to see her.”   “Ne?” asked the woman, quite surprised. “Will it be alright, your highness? Omo, this is really a great honor.”   “As if your family is foreign to us, omonim. Of course it’s fine. I’ll be there shortly, ne? And please don’t make such a big fuss about my visit. You need not prepare anything. Ne, omonim?”   “Our family is really honored, your highness. Please travel safely.” Said she.   “Ne, please tell Yuju I’ll be coming for her. Annyeong, omonim.” And the call ended.   “Secretary Kim, I have a few hours to spare before dinner right?” I asked.   “Ne, your highness, but I’m afraid we still have tons of reports to be accomplished—” she tried to reason but I didn’t hear.   “I’ll pull an all-nighter or something, but I have to see Yuju. Please, g