Chapter Fifteen   The plan was pretty simple. Yuju and Jungkook must talk; the question was simply a matter of how. We all did what we could, we told Jaehyun to keep him as much as he could so that Yuju can meet him and somehow they can manage to talk while we had an agreement with Seulgi that she must decline the engagement no matter what it takes.   Days passed and Jungkook was still effectively avoiding us. What bothers me most was that, I have a feeling that he was doing so not solely because he felt betrayed by Yuju. He’s not the type to be so overly sensitive about matters, and knowing how much he is fond of my best friend, I bet he already forgave her even without an apology. To complicate things further, Seulgi told us that her father doesn’t seem to listen and was firm enough to keep his decision and something tells me there is more to this than just a mere arranged marriage.   I was back at the library one afternoon, working on a few royal documents, when I decided to dig more into the real estate business of the Kangs and the car manufacturing company of the Jeons. I was rummaging through shelves of database when my trail of findings leads me to the classified section. This section of the royal archives was the only one without online records or counterparts. I believe due to its confidentiality, the people in charge decided that it’s best left written in hard copy and only one for each exist in the library. So in case of a fire or breach, the said document will be lost forever.   Yet it was not left without heightened security. It’s enclosed in a weather controlled, bulletproof glass compartments, protected by the finest security measures. To the employees in charge of the classified archives, it requires a retinal and fingerprint scan for them to access the section. I tried overriding the security using my authorization pin but then it declined me. I was never the type to snoop around the palace but I was surprised to find that even I was not allowed beyond this line. This was the first time that this has happened to me. Upon so, I called for Secretary Kim and ordered her to try her own ID, but then it also declined. Due to its security measure, only three error trials were allowed before it goes on complete lock down.   Again my curiosity feeds on me. Someone is trying to hide something for me and knowing so doesn’t keep me at bay one bit. I always hate it whenever I am left alone in anything. I never liked being played in the palms of anyone, not even my own parents. So after my humiliation in the classified archives section, I sought for the audience of my mother to ask her a few questions. Something is definitely off here.   “Announce me.” I told her secretary the moment we arrived to her office.   “Your majesty, the Crown Princess is seeking for your audience.” Said she.   “Let her in.” answered my mother and the door was opened for me, Secretary Kim was closely trailing behind. “What brought you here, princess?” asked she as she read through a couple of reports.   “Umma mama, I have some questions to ask you.” Said I, taking a seat in front of her.   She simply nodded without taking a glance on me. I proceeded nonetheless. “Why am I prohibited on the classified archives section of the royal library?”   She put down the report that she was reading, along with the fountain pen on her other hand and finally looked at me. “And what were you doing in the classified archives?” she asked with creased brows.   “I had to look at some documents. Why, don’t I have the authority to access such section?” I asked.   “Yes.” She answered, going back to her previous task. “Wait till you’re queen and you’ll be granted access.”   “Umma mama, this is a matter of urgency.” I pressed.   “What could be a matter of urgency for you?” I guess she was still not taking me seriously.   “Haven’t you heard?” I said. “Minister Kang and the Jeons recently had an arranged marriage between their families. Don’t you think something is off with that?”   “What is so off about another marriage, Yeona?” said my mother. “Even if it has business or political color, there’s nothing so new and urgent about that. Even you are under an arrangement. I guess that makes this phenomenon pretty common, don’t you think?”   “It cannot happen.” I answered firmly.   “Why, are you in love with the son and heir of the Jeon?” asked my mother, outraged. “Heaven’s sake, aren’t you fond of falling for public figures? All these time we thought it was the son of Prime Minister Jung, but it turned out it was the son of chairwoman Jeon all along? And I thought you are happy with Youngho.”   “Does this seem like a joke to you, umma mama?” I braved myself to say. “This is not about me. Jungkook is one of my closest friends and he is in love with my best friend. In fact they are in love with each other but they can’t be together because of this stupid arranged marriage. Don’t you think that’s too cruel?”   “What a shame then.” She said, unfazed and I stifled a gasp. Am I really talking to my mother? Why does she sound so heartless all of a sudden?   “If I may add, Seulgi, the daughter of Minister Kang, has something going on with my cousin.” I said and I watched her reaction, but my mother remained stoic. “Umma mama, Taeyong and Seulgi are—”   “So what, Yeona?” she cut me. “I’m sure you know this better than anyone else, that you cannot have everything in this world. Don’t you think I am not aware of the budding relationship between my own nephew and my godchild? Even so they have just met and they could easily misinterpret a little infatuation. Now enough of this meddling with the lives of other people and go back to your royal duties.”   “Forgive me, umma mama, but I will not leave your sight unless you grant me access to the classified archives.” I answered with conviction. “Or you can just tell me yourself, I’m sure you know. There is more to this arrange marriage, am I right? And exactly what kind of political color does it possess that it deserved a slot in the classified section?”   “Don’t test my patience, young lady.” Said my mother, although softly.   Suddenly I received a text message from my cousin.   Seulgi just texted me she’s scheduled to meet the Jeon kid for a business meeting. They’re about to sign the engagement contract, upon so the merger will soon commence. It’ll happen in about a few minutes from now and her father still doesn’t want to listen to her. We should do something now before it’s too late. —Haraboeji, 5:52 PM   I was quick to deliberate all of my options upon knowing so. I cannot let my best friend down. Shortly after I received another message.   I’m not giving up on Seulgi. And I’m willing to help her. If Yuju doesn’t come, I will. —Harabeoji, 5:53 PM   What in the world is he trying to do now?   Don’t do something stupid, please. Are you that much in love with Seulgi, already? Is that even possible? Even so stay calm. I’m trying to do something here. —HRH Lee Yeona, 5:53 PM   I received his reply immediately.   When you meet someone special, don’t you think you’ll do anything in your power to protect her? You do not need confirmation in love, cousin dear. You just know it. —Harabeoji, 5:54 PM   I almost rolled my eyes upon reading his message. Sure enough my cousin was ready to play the knight in shining armor, atop a white horse, for the daughter of the Kangs. That makes her really special then. I wonder how and why.   How do you say so then? —HRH Lee Yeona, 5:55 PM   I don’t know for sure but she makes me feel like I’m not a prince. With her I’m only Taeyong who loves dancing. Tell me you’re up to something good because I’m not about to sit back here and act all cheesy. Do you need more of my confirmation for you to set forth your plan, or do I need to call you personally to tell you how much she means to me? —Cheesy Haraboeji, 5:56 PM   I decided to change his name in my contacts because he definitely deserves it.   I’m against my mother, what can I say? Give me a few minutes. —HRH Lee Yeona, 5:56 PM   “What are you waiting for, Yeona?” said my mother as she went through her work once again. “Do I need to personally drag you back to your duties?”   That’s it I’m going to the Jeon Corp. and I will personally stop this engagement. —Cheesy Haraboeji, 5:59 PM   “Oh my god.” I mumbled and started to panic.   “What is the matter with you?” asked my mother, obviously impatient.   “Their engagement will be official in a few minutes, umma mama.” I answered. “I’m not going to sit around and wait for a miracle to happen when I know that I can do something