Chapter Three (Pt. 1)   There are three things that came with my agreement to the marriage interview; first, that my life is about to change. I think that is already a given, after all we’re not playing games here and marriage, like what my father said, isn’t such a trivial thing for it not to cost me a great deal of sacrifices. Second, the pressure of my addressing and convening the Royal Armed Forces is starting to build up, not because of the said event but because of what came with it. I’m supposed to meet him on that same day. Talk about great first impressions. Lastly, the very first rule that came up after I agreed to meet the stranger soon-to-be-doctor and fiancé is that I should not see anymore of Jaehyun, whether at school or outside school. I must have absolutely zero contact with him, unless needed or told so, if we want all this to work. Turns out it was easier said than done.   One thing, Jaehyun and I are actually friends and that means we share the same circle. So whenever I’m with my friends, avoiding him is virtually impossible. I was left on a brain racking decision of whether or not I should pretend sick and skip school or make an official announcement that I am unable to discharge hence I’m gonna skip school, or attend school and make the best of efforts to avoid him.   Don’t get me wrong here; I don’t have a crush on him. Although a lot of people would say he’s one good looking lad, and I myself would agree, but like I said before, I didn’t give a care about love and crushes, not until this proposition was brought upon me. Anyways, it couldn’t be helped that the boy was just too friendly for his own good. I do not want to offend him or my friends because that will just be rude and bad publicity. When you have friends like the son of the prime minister, the daughter of a real estate mogul, a kpop idol, more kids from political backgrounds and families, you don’t want to mess with any of them. Not even I, the crown princess, can do so, because ultimately they’re not my enemies if I oppose them, it’s the media and ultimately the people.   I ended up going to school anyway. The best way to face controversies is to pretend like it’s not getting into you, although I brought with me a whole lot of security, so that I can ensure that I can slip in and out of school without much contact from people, and therefore Jung Jaehyun.   That kind of work until Friday that is, when he deliberately tried to approach me himself. It was after our last period, I was hastily shoving all my things inside my school bag whilst asking Secretary Kim about my schedule for the afternoon when the tall boy interrupted my perfectly rehearsed montage for escape.   “Your highness, may I have a word?” he asked cautiously.   Of course I practiced this scenario as well. “We apologize, Mr. Jung, but her royal highness is busy with her schedule.” Only that Secretary Kim was the one tasked to answer.   I simply gave him a nod before I quickly tried to escape when he absent-mindedly tried to reach for my arm and grabbed it, quite forcefully on that note. My security wasted no time and tackled him immediately, pinning him down before a desk just beside mine.   The poor boy was left groaning in pain and apologizing immediately. It came to me that he must’ve been very worried and badly wanted to talk.   “Let go of him.” I ordered before the feisty looking female guards broke off their pin on him. I looked around the classroom and heaved a sigh of relief that it was already empty. I looked at Secretary Kim next and she knew exactly what I was thinking. As quick as can be, all of my people surrounded us like a protective barrier, this is to ensure that no lurking paparazzi can take a good enough picture to publish and create nonsense stories with, once again.   “You have two minutes.” I told him. “Please hurry.”   “I’m sorry.” He said immediately. “I know that must’ve been the hundredth time that that rumor surfaced on the tabloids but I just want you to know it is not my intention to get you into such turmoil. Please forgive me, your highness.” And he bowed down.   “Forgiven.” I immediately answered because I believed his sincerity, and besides I know Jaehyun is not a bad person. Like I said, it is natural of him to be friendly.   “Lastly, I just want to ask how you are. You haven’t been to the stables with the club lately. We were all wondering if you’re avoiding us or not.” Said he.   That’s right, because we have our own little horseback-riding club back at the royal stables and like he said I’ve avoided being there and practiced side-saddling instead on the parade grounds itself. I guess it’s just best I avoid such a place since most of the pictures and rumors of us dating came from the stables. I wondered if security there is blotched.   “Like what Secretary Kim has mentioned a while ago, I am very busy, with the addressing of the Royal Armed Forces coming up this Saturday, which is tomorrow.” I answered. “I’m pretty sure you know that since your father will be there and immediate families are also invited. It’s an annual thing, so there’s nothing to be surprised about that. Tell the other guys I’m sorry for being absent, I’ll just make it up when my schedule becomes loose once more.”   It was just a normal, harmless conversation between friends and I thought so myself that it was going to end just there. Until what he said next freaked the depths of Tartarus out of me.   “I miss you.”   I couldn’t help but feel my eyes bulging. Is this guy insane?   “I must be going now.” I immediately answered, pretending I didn’t hear him just now.   “Of course, your highness.” He said before once again doing a deep bow.   And I left just like that without giving him an answer because truth be told, I do not know how. On the car ride on my way back to the palace I couldn’t just keep it down anymore.   “Soojin unnie, did you hear what he said?” I suddenly spoke in a high-pitched voice, choosing to set the mood loose for dropping protocol and addressing my secretary informally.   “It was very careless of him, your highness.” She answered.   “I know! We could’ve been tapped or worse filmed! Is he out of his mind? Is he even the friend I know?” I randomly blabbered. “If my mother finds out about this, it’ll be the death of me. Goodness, will I really die a , just like Elizabeth I?”   Secretary Kim along with the rest of the staff I have in my envoy suddenly burst out laughing. I usually ride a Rolls Royce while my two other envoys are in Range Rovers. My vehicle, as per