Chapter Twenty Seven   To say that Yeona woke up in a grumpy state was an understatement. It wasn’t a secret that she was far from being considered a morning person, yet her mood has been nothing but foul the very second her lashes fluttered open and her brain switched to a state of consciousness. She woke up with the familiar sore sensation in ; only to find out she was loosing her voice due to the colds she caught. Her nose was stuffed and she had been sneezing nonstop, on top of it all, her head was pounding like mad, making her extremely irritable.   And yet she was a princess, in sickness or in health, therefore she’s obligated to attend to her royal duties. First thing on her schedule, as the tireless Secretary Kim informs her, was a meeting with the king and queen. Of course, they had to discuss a lot of matters. She knew very well ahead what was to go down that track. She was reprimanded for her childish actions and was sanctioned by her queen mother to further limitations with her social circle, which directly affects not only the people she can associate herself with but also the places she can go to.   Although considered to be innocent of the matter, her best friend Yuju would be allowed for a limited number of visits to the palace from now on, a feat that made the princess’ blood boil even more. Yet she held her ground and did her best to remain calm. She knew that distancing herself from her best friend would do good for them given the current circumstances, though she already had in mind that once things finally settle down, she would never ever allow such atrocities to happen again.   The unexpected soon forth followed. Right after the short sermon, she didn’t expect for things to turn the complete opposite and even when she was seeing things directly from her own perspective, she couldn’t seem to fathom how on earth were her parents smiling like love struck teenagers, even with her previously irresponsible actions.   “But I guess,” her mother had said, “things still turned out for the better? By the way, I am so happy for you, my dear.”   Still puzzled, Yeona remained stoic and speechless.   “I presumed with the news circulating, things are going well between you and son of the Seo family. I guess we could say that after all, we have made the right decision.” Added her father, the king.   “Ah,” softly, Yeona answered, “yes the paparazzi photos.” Of course it made sense, her parents are pleased that public attention is diverted towards positive information and not about the feared conspiracy amongst the Kang and Jeon families, which is true, but the people doesn’t know that. Hence everything is good, so long as the population is kept occupied on matters for which the palace could fully exercise power and control.   “But it doesn’t mean I approve of the two of you going your way prior to marriage,” said the king, “even though what you are doing is helping the palace a lot more than what you may understand, my dear, I’d still want you two to uphold tradition. I had already spoken to Youngho gun this morning and he knows what he’s got to do and I know you are responsible enough, princess. I’m very happy for you.”   It never truly ends. Her parents, as per expected, are still constantly prying unto her private life as if it was their own. She didn’t even have the opinion on whether to confirm or deny the rumors and the pictures published upon the tabloids—not that she would want to conceal her relationship with Youngho, but still, maybe she wanted to stay in their own little bubble for much longer before the public gets involved.   Again she reminds herself that even with the assurance from her man himself that what they have is real, pretty much everything else is state planned and in service to the crown. In reality, it is still far from the romanticized version she would want to construct in her mind.   Reality surely . She had thought whilst listening to her mother ramble about the virtues of relationships and not going too fast and reckless.     “Umma mama, appa mama,” said Yeona when she was given her time to reply, “thank you very much for your support. Although I’d like to set some reservations, if you would so allow. I guess I also speak on behalf of Youngho oppa, that as much as possible, we’d like for our relationship to be free of any political color—more than what it already has—and I believe this would be good especially that we are indeed trying to take things one step at a time.”   “Why, my dear?” asked her mother, suddenly worried of her daughter’s words. “Has something else happened that we ought to know?”   Yeona looked down in order to collect her thoughts. “If anything, I’d like that to be between the two of us as well. We would want to work things on our own, if not, I don’t think we would be able to learn.”   “Very well.” Answered her king father, with a genuine warm smile on his face, “I take pride upon this woman that we raised jungjeon. Our daughter has grown so much over the years.”   “Ye jeonha,” answered the queen, “we are proud of you, Yeona ah.”   No words would be said next as the family would simply share a warm embrace. “We are sorry for what happened that night, princess,” whispered her mother, as she kissed her temples and threaded her fingers through her silky locks.   “Just remember, we will always love you.” Said her father and Yeona couldn’t be happier. Her morning turned from sour to sweet after all.   — —   Her week has been hectic, more than the usual. She wasn’t so sick anymore, but headaches would come and visit every now and then. Not to mention her incognito investigation of the seemingly stealth organization behind all the chaos that’s been bothering the palace and the country, even after a week there hasn’t seem to be any progress. Yeona’s head could run for miles for reasons why, and it would only worsen her headache. She knew for sure something’s not right here, and maybe she has to call Jaehyun sooner than what she had expected, that is if he would still be willing to make himself available. Anyhow, it’s a very sensitive matter, which she could not freely discuss even with her father. She was craving for information, but everybody else seemed to be determined to keep her out of the picture, which she absolutely despises more than ever.   As progress seemed hard to come by, her daily schedules were nonetheless continued. It was a Friday and she couldn’t wait for the weekends to finally have her deserved rest. But before she gets her peace, she has to welcome the United States Secretary of State for his scheduled visit. So she was up first thing in the morning, as early as she could ever get. Protocols began rolling before her eyes as the two countries work out bilateralism in order to strengthen ties and hopefully deter the nuclear-boasting North. As always, this has been one of the most crucial events to occur whilst Parliament is in session, not only that government heads are working to secure peace in Korea, but also prosperity in terms of trade and capital.   Amidst her busy day, Yeona found herself on a short break before formal functions continue. She could take a bit of a short nap, but her stubborn heart wouldn’t allow her so. She checked the time and it was twelve noon, same time as his lunch. She doesn’t want to admit it but she misses him greatly, after their melodramatic weekend together they haven’t really seen, much less have a glance, of each other’s faces. That was how busy she was, but so was he. After all, he’s working hard and studying hard for her.   Without much thought she hovered her finger through his contact number and decided to press dial. He answered in a heartbeat, and the moment he uttered his ever pleasant, “Yoboseyo?” in his melodic baritone was when she realized, how much her heart longed for his presence. She ended up asking herself, how did she get through her week without ever hearing his voice or seeing his face.   “Oppa,” she replied softly unmasking a discreet smile.   “You don’t know how much I miss you.” Answered he, which only made the familiar heat and crimson crawl up her cheeks.   “I miss you too.” Her voice was still a little bit hoarse, and he had been constantly texting her, asking if she was all right and if she needed him. But this time she knew she would be fine, so he respected that and instead trusted that she knows what’s best for her.   “Have you been taking your medicine, and eating on time, having enough sleep, and most especially avoiding advils?” he does nag like a mother sometimes and she wouldn’t even mind.   “Maybe.” She playfully answered, giggling softly, “I told you not to worry too much, I’ll be fine.”   He chuckled softly as well, “I know, I just … I can’t help it. I’m glad you called though, I was contemplating on whether I should for all I know, John Kerry has all of your attention.”   “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Sir John?” she kidded, her soft giggles ringing merrily in the air.   “Sir John? You guys have an endearment now? Lovely.” Sarcasm was pretty much evident in his voice, but it was mixed by a hint of playfulness as well, after all, he shares the same name with the American cabinet member. “Which reminds me, aren’t you fond of Johns?”   “I beg your pardon, sir.” Answered she.   “Stop beating ‘round the bush, you know what I’m talking about.” For which she merely laughed, her glee overflowing, “But unless you need a reminder, I am also John.”   “Of course, I remember.” She almost whispered, afraid to disturb the hushed environment, “And I don’t actually call the man as such, I was just joking. I address him as ‘His excellency,’ fancy title for a member of the American diplomatic corps, but he’s very kind though. His visits are always hassle-free for the palace.”   “So would you call me John, then?” obviously he didn’t pay much attention, only interested on selective things he finds worthy.   “I don’t know, you’ve always just been Youngho oppa, calling you John would seem so foreign.”   “Just once?” he pleaded and who was she to deny.   “Alright, John.” She answered and immediately felt cringe, “That’s the first and last, I won’t ever repeat that. I don’t feel like it’s you anyway.”   He was the happiest man all the way to the other end of the line. “I love how it rolls out of your tongue, my very common English name suddenly became so special. Thank you, princess.”   “You’re welcome, I guess.” And the line was shortly silent, before the gentleman decided to speak up once more.   “So, are you free for tonight?” That was a first for Yeona, as he never actually asked her such a question, but she doesn’t want to get her hopes up so she remained calm and collected, even though she was grinning from ear to ear.   “I don’t know how long we’ll accommodate the guests, so I’m not sure.” There was a short pause, before “Why did you ask, oppa?”   “It’s Friday evening, you deserve some rest and besides, I’m dying here. I wanna see you.” There he goes again with his blatant display of cheesiness.   “I don’t think you could get pass palace security though, especially after the tabloid pictures. We kind of looked like we’re so into the smooch, my mother and father were quite alarmed, although they were happy.”   “Aren’t we though? For I enjoyed every bit of it,” yes this man is impossible Yeona couldn’t help but blush some more and she kind of hates but also loves at the same time the way he makes her fluster in all the right ways, “and now I miss it even more. I miss you even more. Please? I’ll beg my way in if that’s what it takes for me to see you.”   “No I don’t think so, oppa,” she hates to deny him though, she ended up trapping her bottom lip in her teeth, “my parents are constantly on a pry in my private life, and on our private life.”   He was silent again, probably feeling a mix of disappointment and longing, whilst at the same time wracking his brain in order to think of something, anything that would allow them to be with each other, tangibly and physically.   “But,” she added, looking quite mischievous, “I’d love to come and visit you instead.”   “No way,” he answered, sounding excited but also in disbelief, “would his and her majesty ever allow? And besides, I will never risk your safety like that.”   “But I’ve never been to your flat, and besides, nobody’s going to know, it’s not like were announcing to the entire country that I’m visiting my boyfriend.” Answered she, “the only problem we’ve got is umma mama and appa mama. Hmm, how do you suppose we could get pass them?”   “By me, asking for an invitation to enter the palace.” He suggested but she decided to ignore it. Yeona really wanted to press on her idea; she’d love to see his living space and probably experience existing in his own little world.   “Or I could seek the help of halma mama.” She happily said, imagining a light bulb illumination above her head, “That’s right! I’m sure this’ll work. So what time do you get off from university?”   — —   And so it did happen, magically or maybe miraculously, but with the help of an elderly, one who’s experience is obviously above the king’s and queen’s, allowed for yet again another impossible to happen.   “Halma mama, you are the best!” said Yeona, ever giddy as she hugged and almost crushed the old woman.   “Anything for you, dear, just make sure you tell Youngho gun about my little request.” Answered her halma mama, sporting a playful wink.   “Oh I gotcha, halma mama,” she replied, “he would come and pay his visit for sure.”   “I can’t wait. Have fun, all right? And don’t worry about your mother and father I got them covered. Now go!”   “Thanks, halma mama!” she bade a chaste kiss in her cheek before off she went, happily skipping on her steps.   Soojin was quick to follow her highness’ trail, looking quite excited herself for her princess. “Secretary Kim,” she had called and without fail, she would always respond, “I’ll give you and the rest of the team a free night.”   Only that what Yeona said totally caught her by surprise, “Ye? I’m sorry, your highness but, I don’t think we could afford to have a free night, especially tonight.”   “Don’t worry, Soojin, I gave you my permission and besides if I’m resting, you guys deserve some rest as well.”   “But your majesty,” said Kang ahjussi who was also, ever as always, close by, “we cannot afford to risk yo