Chapter Twenty Three (Pt. 1)    Sometimes it’s good to disconnect, to momentarily forget the troubles of the world, loosen up, break free and unwind. This was the main purpose of my little nature escapade along with the children of the Crown-chosen orphanage. I sat waiting for Youngho oppa to arrive and pick me up from the palace as we agreed that he would drive us to the Eco Park. He volunteered to take part of the charity work after knowing we’ll also conduct a few medical services to the children. Appa mama and umma mama on the other hand would be coming by nightfall, along with the ministers and government officials, for a little celebration. The media would be completely prohibited in the vicinity and since it’s situated way up north, there was no Internet connection as well. Hence living up to it’s purpose of disconnecting.   Soon after, Youngho oppa arrived and we wasted no time immediately starting the two-hour long trip towards the mountains. We were both dressed comfortably in sneakers; I was specifically donning black ripped-up skinny jeans while he was wearing denims. As we were driving in comfortable silence, Urban Zakapa was playing in the stereo; I couldn’t help but notice him taking too many frequent glances at me.   “Oppa, please focus on the road.” I spoke, after some time. “Why do you keep looking at me?”   “It’s my first time seeing you in jeans, princess.” He answered. “I’m simply fascinated.”   “Of course I can wear jeans too.” I slightly pouted. “Princesses wear jeans too.”   He chuckled softly. “Son~” he chimed, opening his palm before me.   “Wae?” I slowly asked but nonetheless placing my hand on top of his. He softly tugged at it bringing it close to his nose, taking a whiff of its scent before kissing my fingers. I blushed upon his gesture; he’s been doing this quite often lately.   “So that I can recharge my energy.” He answered rather cheesy.   I could only laugh. “What nonsense is this now?”   He remained holding my hand as he was driving. “Baby baby geudaeneun, caramel macchiato, yeojeonhi nae ibgaen, geudae hyangi dalkomhae,” he suddenly started singing along to the radio, surprising me with his warm voice. He was trying his very best to stay on tune and I couldn’t help but giggle. “Baby, baby, tonight.” He sang further.   “Baby baby geudaeneun, caffe latte hyang boda,” I decided to sing the next line, “pogeun haettdeon geuneuggim, gieokhago ittnayo.” The look on oppa’s face was priceless; I could say he was more than surprise. “Baby, baby, tonight.”   Lyrics translation:   Youngho’s line: Baby baby you're caramel macchiato
Still, near my lips, your scent is sweet
Baby baby, tonight   Yeona’s lline: Baby baby, you're more than the scent of caffe latte
Do you remember this feeling, this comfort
Baby, baby, tonight   “You sound so sweet, princess.” He said, once again kissing my hand. “I would kiss you right now, but I’m driving.”   I giggled. “Focus on driving, juseyo.”   “Arasso.” He answered with a sheepish grin. I wasn’t really worried though; I’ve got confidence on his driving more than how I trust my very own driver. Besides, my entire team was also trailing behind us, if anything goes wrong they would be more than ready to respond.   “Will the children be there already when we arrive?” he asked.   “No, they will arrive shortly after. We will be meeting the other sponsors first.” I answered. “And besides, I prepared a gift for Yuju and Taeyong, I’d like for them to receive it before the kids arrive.”   “Hmm, I’m curious.”   “You’ll see.”   “Have you ever thought of having kids, Yeona?” asked oppa as we went around a winding curve. That kind a seemed to be out of the blue.   “Kids?” I answered nonetheless, suddenly in deep thought. I haven’t even thought of marriage yet to be honest, which means having kids was also very far off in my list of priorities. “I haven’t but I guess someday I have to.”   “If you can decide, do you still want a princess as heir to the throne?” said he.   “It depends on what kind of Korea we will have in the future.” I answered. “Knowing what I went through as crown princess, truthfully I don’t want my daughter to experience the same. I can’t believe I’m saying this but, I’d want her to be like Taeyong, carefree and always seemed so happy.”   “I’ll have to work hard then, since we’ll obviously need a crown prince.” Said oppa with the cheekiest grin on his face.   “Shut up.” I mouthed as he chuckled. “What about you, oppa?” I asked.   “It would be nice to have a boy before a daughter,” he answered, his eyes looking dreamy, “Three boys to be specific and then one daughter.”   “Three boys?” I almost yelped in astonishment. “And to top that, you still want a daughter?”   “Why not? Our little princess must be protected by brave men and who else to we look for than her very own brothers. She’s going to grow up the happiest.” He answered.   “Or the loneliest, she’s going to be guarded 24/7 by rowdy, smelly boys, don’t you think she’ll go crazy?” I giggle as I imagined the thought. “If I’m going to be blessed by a daughter, I’d want her to be free.”   “You’re going to become a good mother.” Said oppa.   “That would be quite far off in the future though.” I answered. “There’s still more for me to do and accomplish before I get to that phase.”   A few hours later we successfully arrived at the venue and I was informed that the sponsors were already present as well. It was quite early of them to be honest as it was still eight o’clock in the morning but nevertheless I’m grateful for their support. The very first one I saw was Yuju as she was beaming like a big ball of sunshine even from afar.   “Yeona!” she squealed as she ran up to me and we shared a hug. “Thanks for tagging me along.”   “Since when were you left out?” I answered and we giggled.   “Yo.” Taeyong greeted as he came up to us and my staff bowed down before him.   “Good morning, Taeyong gun mama.” Greeted Soojin, leading the team.   “Good morning, Secretary Kim.” He answered and smiled a little. “So, you dragged us along this little baby sitting fiasco you got, wae?”   “If I were you, I’m not going to nag about this or else you’ll be sorry.” I answered.   “Okay, so spill it. Why are we here?” he asked, scratching his head.   “Actually I got a gift for you guys.” Said I, looking all excited. “So stop pouting, you’re going to thank me for it.” I told my cousin as I tickle his chin like a cat in which he strongly deviated. I giggled before calling, “You guys come out!”   And soon enough Jungkook and Seulgi came running towards us, revealing themselves from their hiding location not too far away. I looked at my best friend waiting for her typical cute reactions, maybe she’ll jump around like crazy, or squeal just like how she does but to my horror I saw tears in her eyes. By the time Jungkook was in front of her, she was already a crying mess, hiding her face in her palms.   “Yuju ah.” I called, worried about her and why she cried.   “Yah,” Jungkook was quick to gather her in his arms, soothing her back and hugging her tight. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” he was looking quite alright though, but of course still startled of how things turned out.   My best friend was sobbing uncontrollably as he leaned against Jungkook’s chest before she threw her arms around his neck and cutely wailed like the baby she was. “You don’t know how happy I am right now.” Said she, desperately wiping her tears whilst Jungkook simply laughed softly. “Thank you, Yeona.” She looked at me with nothing but pure joy in her eyes. I heaved a sigh of relief knowing that she’ll be all right.   My cousin on the other hand completely lost his cool, looking like a blushing fool before the very beautiful Seulgi unnie. “Hey you little brat.” She greeted, offering him a fist bump.   “N-noona.” He greeted back, and I tried my best hiding my giggle seeing him like that. “How are you?” asked he, bumping her fist.   Seulgi unnie simply hugged him and after some time, Taeyong also returned it. “I missed you.” I heard her say but I decided to give them the privacy they deserved.   “My task here is done!” I happily beamed. “I’ll leave you guys for a while to meet the other guests. But when the kids arrive, be sure to be there, okay?”   “You bet!” Yuju happily cheered.   “Thanks, Yeona.” Said Jungkook, smiling cutely.   “Princess!” Seulgi unnie called.   “Ne, unnie?” I answered and she simply winked which earned a soft giggle from me.   “I owe you one, kid.” said my cousin and I shook my head.   “I owe you guys.” I answered. “So this is my thank you. I’ll go ahead?”   “See you later, your highness!” they all bid in cho