Chapter Twenty Nine   It felt heavenly. Yeona felt like a little kid once again, happily snugged in her favorite soft sheets, only that it was not her blanket nor her pillows that were giving her much comfort, but the arms around her and to the man for which they belong. She was the first one up that morning. She guessed he was really tired after staying up all night, burying himself in books and things she probably won’t understand.   For a few minutes that she was awake she didn’t move, simply listening to his soft breathing, the heaving of his chest, and the vibrant thumping of his heartbeat. As the little spoon completely trapped inside his embrace, she also didn’t have any choice but to remain still, as well as, she didn’t want to wake him. She was not complaining though, she loved every bit of the moment.   Her eyes wandered around the dimly lit space and landed on the floor to ceiling windows of his room. The blinds were drawn and she remembered falling asleep looking at the night sky. His flat was situated way up high that everything seems to be so tiny below, and the sky was seemingly so near, you can almost reach it. The glass was damp, littered with thousands of tiny little of raindrops and the sky was a gloom. She didn’t know what time it is for it was still dark out due to the rain, but her body clock was normally set to wake up pretty early in the morning, so she guessed maybe around 5 o’clock or a little bit later.   Which reminded her, Youngho was the one who prepared dinner last night, insisting on it. Since he was still asleep she figured, might as well return the favor, and maybe even surprise him with breakfast in bed. So as carefully and slowly as she could, she wiggled herself out of his gentle grip until she managed to break free without waking him.   Oh, but the love-struck teenager in her couldn’t help it. As she sat on his carpeted floor, leaning against the edge of his bed, she remained still, staring at the beautiful face before her. Not only that, but a beautiful mind and soul as well. Well, since she already developed the habit of ogling at his features, might as well allow herself. So she sat there for a couple more minutes, probably looking like a creep, before she decided to finally go ahead with her actual objective.   Doing a little bit of stretching as she made her way to the kitchen, Yeona decided on a simple menu for this morning’s meal. She looked inside the fridge and saw the stuff Secretary Kim got for them. She decided to fry some eggs sunny-side-up, stir-fry some kimchi and then maybe include a few strips of bacon as well. She admits to be not the best cook there is but she was sure she could handle some basic frying. Until she realized she never used a kitchen before.   “That’s okay, you got this, Yeona.” She silently cheered on to herself while struggling to turn on the electric stove. After a few times of failed attempts, she decided she needed help, or else she won’t be serving anything for oppa today, and no, that’s not going to happen.   So she rang Secretary Kim, “Yes, your highness, anything wrong?” she immediately answered.   “No, I’m fine, unnie,” answered she, “it’s just … well I may sound pathetic but then I’m a master at the art of sword, archery and even an accomplished equestrian but I can’t be perfect, right?”   Soojin softly laughed, knowing very well where this is all leading, “you are perfect just the way you are, your highness.” Kindly, she said.   “Thanks, unnie. So …” said she, “can you teach me how to mobilize a modern-day kitchen?”   “As you wish, your highness.” And so the lesson began. Once the equipment was all set up, it was a nice and smooth cooking venture for Yeona. She could be a decent cook as well, although she may not be perfect, and her eggs might be a little bit more scrambled than sunny-side-up, it all turned out to be well.   Giddily, she thanked Secretary Kim and ended the call with the other happy to be at her service. Of course, Yeona did not forget Youngho’s favorite, and made a cup of sweet smelling coffee. Eagerly, she pranced back to the bedroom where he remained sleeping in the exact same position she left him. She softly giggled as she sat on the bed next to him, taking a few moments to gaze at his peaceful expression, before kissing the tip of his nose.   “Wake up, oppa.” She merrily said, unable to keep the grin off her face.   He shuffled a little but ultimately went back to sleep. “Hmm, I guess I have to try harder.” She mumbled. “Yah, oppa,” she called a little louder in a sing-song voice, and shook him gently. “Wake up, I cooked breakfast.”   At first she thought it was still no good, but the next second, she felt strong arms pulling her towards him and then she was on top of him with a soft ompf and a crimson face. “Good morning, princess.” He mumbled in his deep and hoarse morning voice, still half asleep.   She smiled silently, “Good morning, oppa. Wake up now, I’m already hungry.”   “Why don’t we cuddle for a little bit more, huh?” said he, more like muttered, as he buried his face in her shoulder and hair.   “But the food will get cold.” She insisted, and what she said caught his attention.   “You mean it, you really cooked breakfast?” he asked, sounding quite concern.   “Yup!” proudly, she answered, “You see, there’s not much difference between a knife and a sword. It was a piece of cake.”    “You did not hurt yourself anywhere, right?”   “I’m a big girl, sir, I can handle myself well.” Proudly and confidently, she answered.   “Thank you,” said he, drawing back and staring at her eyes, tucking a few strands of her hair away. “For breakfast and for not getting hurt.”   “That’s okay,” she replied, “let’s go now.”   “Arasso.” He said and the two finally got up and enjoyed the wonderful breakfast the princess herself prepared.   “I’m going to get better at this.” She said, with full on determination, “It’s my first time cooking so it turned out a little sloppier than I expected but I will be practicing. I’m going to feed you lots and lots of good food, oppa.”   “I’m going to get fat and ugly then.” He playfully pouted.   “Well, fat, yes, but ugly? No.” she cutely answered. “You will be cute and squishy instead, isn’t that nice?”   He chuckled before ruffling her hair. “Kyeopta.”   “It’s raining a lot.” Said he, staring at the window and looking at the steady pacing shower outside.   “I like it when it rains.” Answered she.   “Anyway, dress warmly, we’re going somewhere today.” Said Youngho, beaming.   The sound of going outdoors and possibly going for a trip bubbled all the excitement in Yeona. “Are we going on a date?” she blurted before she even realized and turned beat red.   He laughed aloud, almost melting at her adorableness. “Yes princess, we’re going on a date.” And then he reached out for her hand and planted a kiss at the back of it.       It took a few hours before the couple could ultimately depart in confidence. Yeona’s security team must coordinate before the princess leaves the secured premises and transfers to a different location, as well as, Youngho must keep the information of their destination a secret to her, but sneakily include her entire team in his plans. It was supposed to be a surprised and truth be told, he was already planning this for way too long. Finally, he got the chance to execute it and he could only hope everything goes as expected.   The final arrangements were made and they were good to go. It was decided that Yeona would ride with Youngho in his car, while Secretary Kim and Agents Kang and Oh would be trailing behind, the rest of Yeona’s security team would be keeping a safe distance as to maintain a low profile. Apparently, her whole entourage has to be present as per insisted by Kang ahjussi for the Crown’s safety is always number one priority.   “Where are we going?” the princess asked as they were speeding through the freeway on Youngho’s white R8.   “It’s a surprise.” He answered, reaching for her hand while his other remained at the steering wheel.   “We’re leaving Seoul.” She said as a matter of fact, “Are we going to the beach?”   He simply answered with a silent smile.   “Heol, we’re going to freeze our butts out. It’s going to be so cold.” The rain was pouring heavily still and there were not a lot of cars out especially in this cozy weather.   He chuckled, endlessly amused by her. “I’ll keep you nice and warm, no worries.”   “Cheeky.” Said she, eyeing him playfully. “Anyways, you don’t know how excited I am oppa and how thankful I am for this.”   “We haven’t even got to the best part yet,” answered he, “but you’re welcome, princess. I hope you’ll like it.”   “I already do.” She replied. The journey went on for an hour or so, with good music keeping them in good spirits. Slowly she drifted off to sleep and by the time she was awoken, they were somewhere in Seongnam or Bundang-gu area, maybe a little bit father than that and parked in what looked like a park, secluded behind thick arrays of trees.     “We had to make a stop because you need to have lunch.” Said Youngho, “I feel very sorry for making Secretary Kim do all these things for us, but at the same time I am very thankful of her. She got us some take away to eat, since Kang ahjussi said it’s not safe for us to go to a public restaurant or anywhere else for that matter.” He simply chuckled, handing Yeona a box of vegan goodness.   “Kamsahamnida.” Said she, accepting the food in both hands and turned her head to look around. “Where are the others?”   “Somewhere nearby.” He answered, “Your team are masters in the art of disguise and they blend in so well I don’t even notice they’re around.”   “Hmm yeah, you know oppa, this is just tip of the ice berg.” Said Yeona, “later on you’ll realize how much of a constriction and restriction I have as demanded by my lifestyle.”   “And you were saying?” he replied in nonchalance, eating his own food in delight.   “You’ll find it very different and difficult. I wonder if you could endure it all.” She almost murmured, feeling quite pathetic for bringing the topic up.   “I’ll prove it to you then, that you don’t have to doubt.” He simply said in optimism. “I don’t find any of this restricting at all. It’s weird but doesn’t mean it’s bad.” He looked at her silently munching on some salad, seemingly unresponsive. “Why don’t we think of it this way, like we’re playing spies and we’re undercover for a mission. I always wanted to be a spy when I was young.”   He succeeded at making her giggle. “That’s silly.”   “Yeah aren’t they cool? They get into a lot of action and then they could have multiple identities, and go all over the world for missions.”   “But also have multiple side chicks wherever they go and whenever they please.” She shot at him, causing him to laugh. “No, not a big fan of that aspect.”   “I won’t be that kind of spy though.” He countered, looking gullibly.   “Gladly you won’t ever be a spy.” She added.   “Arasso, you always win.”   “Of