Chapter Three (Pt. 2)   “I feel bad for doing this.” Said Mr. Kang, indicating the idea his got during our little planning session yesterday.   “It’s all for the better.” I answered him. “If you want to help me then don’t feel guilty. I agreed on this and I will take full responsibility.”   “Yes, your highness.” He answered.   — —   “Darn it.” I whispered while I tried to suppress my groan. I couldn’t exactly be all noisy and groaning amidst this crowd, especially when I’m seated between my mother and my father.   “Are you alright, dear?” asked my mother, who has started to notice my sudden discomfort.   “Ye, umma mama.” I answered in my best voice possible.   She simply nodded. “After tea we’ll be going around and greet the guests. You will be introduced to the Seo family first.” Said she.   I nodded. I almost forgot about him after Mr. Kang’s idea took effect. Darn it hurts but I must endure. I keep telling myself to be relaxed and breath; it’s not going to kill me, hopefully.   The whereabouts of Jaehyun was also kept in check. The people surrounding the royal family will only be the generals and the ministers; their immediate family will be on different tables. So far so good, the plan is working. The media is always on their toes by the way, excited to have a little confirmation of the rumor they so pathetically orchestrated. Oh how I can’t keep myself from rejoicing over triumph because today’s event is a shot to their faces that what their publishing is total bullocks.   “Let’s go dear?” said my father and we arise from our seats to go around and meet guests. Suddenly I was feeling nervous. I can’t even remember how that stranger soon-to-be-doctor looks like but whatever; he’ll be introduced anyway.   We walked a little further from our places before we arrived at a pavilion not far away. On the side note, pavilions are set up for people with importance and their meals are served underneath them. The banquet just feels more intimate and less formal with them, plus it gives us a little hint of privacy as well. A few are scattered around the garden and not surprisingly, the nearest one to ours is the one designated for the Seos.   The people from the nearby pavilion were alerted that the king is coming and so they all stood from their seats and bowed. Immediately I saw one young gentleman amongst the family of four.   “Your majesties,” greeted the head of the household, Architect Seo, “Your highness.” He acknowledges me as well as they all bowed deeply. We dipped our heads in return, or at least I for my father immediately went to embrace his best friend. If I haven’t mentioned it already, Architect Seo Youngjae went to university with my father and both of them are really close friends.   “Youngjae ah.” Said my father before the elder men broke into fits of laughter.   “My you look old.” Said the architect before they broke the embrace. “But the queen looks ever beautiful.”   “I agree.” Said Seo Joohyun, my favorite author, I suddenly remembered and I almost felt too excited. I wanted to meet her so badly since the first time I read her works and now I could say I was infatuated.   “Joohyun ah.” Said my mother before embracing the woman as well. “It’s been so long, how are you? I’ve read your books and they are magnificent.”   “Really? Oh I’m glad you liked them. I feel honored just knowing you have read them.” She answered, a smile never leaving her face.   “Of course, in fact my daughter is a really big fan of yours.” Said my mother and my heart almost burst in happiness because here she is, the woman behind my beautiful childhood, thanks to her wonderful fairytales.   “It is an honor, Seo seonsaengim.” I said before I curtsied.   “Oh my goodness gracious,” she said in panic, “Your highness, there is no need for that.” Before she reached for my hand and bowed even deeper.   I heard the people around us laugh in amusement.   “The author responsible for my creative childhood must be awarded with the medal of honor, right, appa mama?” and I looked at my father.   “Yes, I would agree. It made you less of a troublesome child.” He answered and more laughter followed.   “That’s right, surely I could offer even a simple courtesy.” I said.   “I am glad that my works has delighted her highness.” She said and I’m pretty sure I look like a love struck teenager and surely I cannot keep my smile off of my face.   “And I know I’m seventeen years late but thank you, Architect Seo,” I said before bowing towards the man. “My room is well-built and beautiful.”   “So her highness knew,” he answered and bowed as well. “It is my honor to be of service.”   “It’s her little haven,” said my mother with a warm smile. “Arguably her most favorite space in the palace?”   “Arguably.” I answered.   “Well our family is very delighted that his and her majesties know of our well-beings, but I guess I have to introduce my children as well?” said Architect Seo.   “Please.” Said my mother.   “This is our youngest.” Said Mrs. Seo and a young girl around eight with beautiful brown locks made a graceful courtesy.   “It is my honor to meet you, your majesties,” she said, “your highness.” And she addressed me. “I am Seo Youngji.”   “The honor is mine, Youngji ssi.” I answered here returning the courtesy.   “Aren’t you such a darling?” said my mother as she held unto my father’s arms. I can perfectly tell what she’s thinking. A little child is always a blessing, only if she could bear one and not actually die. My mother suffered from five pregnancies, and four were miscarriages, two before and after I was born. The most painful thing about it, all of my four siblings were boys, if any of them had survived he would have been the heir because originally, I as a princess cannot rule, but due to the circumstances, my father passed a law in order to grant me the rights to become the successor. As it turned out I wasn’t born to become queen and initially I was not fated to become one, but I guess it was destiny that brought me to the crown.   “Your little girl is so graceful, she could be mistaken as a princess.” Said my father before he reached out and patted the girl’s head.   “Well she is the princess of my life.” Said Mr. Seo before he reached down and cradled her up.   “Every girl is a princess,” I said. “Isn’t that right, Youngji ah?” she smiled timidly before me and nodded her cute little head slowly before hiding behind the embrace of her father.   “She’s very happy to have finally met you, your highness,” said Mr. Seo, “my daughter really looks up to you.”   “Oh she adores you, your highness.” Said Mrs. Seo.   I was taken aback by what Mrs. Seo just said. My life in the palace is, as I may have constantly emphasized, very limited and even the people I interact with are also very few. It is not a surprise that there are hardly any children in the palace and I don’t get to meet much, so I am just fascinated by the little angel that Youngji was. She is so beautiful and slowly I realized why my parents were so desperate to have another child.   “Thank you.” Were the only words I could think of before I tried to reach out for her hands in which she gladly took and softly held. “I’ll do my best and work even harder, okay?” I told her and she replied with an enthusiastic nod. I can’t help but smile.   “A beautiful little angel.” Said my father, equally amazed as I was. I nodded in agreement.   “Kamsahamnida, mama.” Said Mrs. Seo before her daughter followed her in her melodic voice. We all laughed because she was just so cute.   “And this is our eldest,” said the architect, “who sadly is not opting to become like his father.”   I motioned towards the only young man in that specific pavilion, whose head is obviously taller than anyone else.   “Annyeonghaseyo, Seo Youngho imnida. It’s an honor to meet his and her royal majesties and her highness.” He said before he bowed. I noticed dark brown locks just like that of his younger sister. “And that’s right, I guess I