Chapter Four   “Subject was keen to approach her highness yesterday. He made more than enough attempts to do so but either we intercept or the plan with Seo doryeonim worked.”   “I’d say we succeeded, your highness. Congratulations.”   My team was speaking of how successful our plan of keeping Jaehyun, the subject, from approaching me all throughout yesterday’s event. They reported he made constant attempts to do so but because I was with Youngho ssi all afternoon he wasn’t able to talk to me at all.   “If you are wondering your highness, the news papers are all reporting about the false grounds of the rumors regarding you and Jaehyun doryeonim.” Said Secretary Kim. “And a lot of reports about you and a quote and quote, mystery guy, have surfaced as well. I’d say we successfully diverted the attention of the people and it was a very brilliant plan. Again, I congratulate you, your highness.”   Yet I remained on the look out towards the windows of my car, unfazed and quiet because yesterday caused me quite a stir. I don’t understand him. I don’t understand why he’s so willing to submit himself into this. I am not sure what his motive is and I am currently having an alarming security dilemma. A lot of what ifs are running in my head.   “Your highness?” I felt Soojin reached for my arm to shake me out of my daze. From her voice I could tell she was concerned.   “Ah yes, I’m sorry.” I answered whilst shaking my head. “Thank you all for your effort, this plan is yours and not mine. Again I am indebted to all of you. Thank you very much.”   Even with my agitating feelings I still managed to put out a pleasing smile, in which my entire team took and were all-grateful for. The car ride to my school returned to its usual silence. It was still early in the morning but the entire country was buzzing, eager to start the day and to make the economy work. This is my country and it is mine to protect. I have to know what that man’s intentions are and I need to know it fast.   “Secretary Kim.”   “Yes, your highness.”   “What do I have for this afternoon?” I asked as we round the corner before my school gates.   Soojin fumbled in her iPad before answering, “I believe the queen’s instructions were to leave it free, your highness, if there are changes I will inform you immediately.”   I nodded. “Thank you and yes please, kindly do so.”   I braced myself before coming out of my vehicle. This is my daily school routine with I arriving at school around seven o’clock in the morning while there are still a few students around. The later I arrive, the larger the crowd that I have to suppress so in order not to trouble ahjussi that much it has been decided that I arrive an hour earlier than my first period.   “The eagle is flying, be on your guard.” I heard Mr. Kang, the one I call ahjussi and head of my security say. It’s his usual line, alerting the other bodyguards about my whereabouts. The ‘eagle’ is a code they all use to refer to me. I didn’t know how they came up with it and I’m not complaining anyway so I guess it works. School was still the same as always aside from the fact that I still have to avoid Jaehyun today.   Can my life even become more miserable? What are friends for when I can’t even see them?   “Can I talk to her highness?” I heard someone say, probably addressing Soojin as she always walks ahead of me in situations like this with ahjussi in my back. I immediately recognized the voice.   “Yuju ah!” I exclaimed and approached her instead. “Why would you ask permission to speak to me? What’s wrong?”   I was delighted to have met my best friend but also worried of her sudden change in character.   “We need to talk.” She said before she reached for my arm and started dragging me.   “Your highness.” I heard Soojin protesting but I looked at her with a reassuring smile.   “It’s okay, you guys can stay behind.” I told her.   Our usual place is the quiet corner of the school library where nobody seems to be interested in going. It’s far from the librarian’s desk and from other people’s view so it is perfect whenever we need some alone time. Of course my security is still surrounding the area but in this corner we could at least attain some degree of privacy to ourselves.   “What’s going on?” Yuju suddenly shoots, her brows in cute crease.   “W-what?” I asked, perplexed. “What is going on? I don’t understand you.”   “Jaehyun oppa texted me yesterday,” said she and I immediately know what’s coming after, “he said you avoided him all throughout the event. He seemed really upset about it.”   “You know what’s going on, Yuju ah.” I answered and pouted before I hoisted myself up on a desk, her following right after. “I’m constantly under surveillance from my mother because of the stupid dating rumors and now is just not the perfect time for us to be seen together.”   “I guess you should just tell him about it personally, instead of blatantly ignoring him in the open.” Said she. “I bet his feelings were hurt, you know how sentimental he can be.”   We both giggled softly.   “I’m sorry, I was planning to tell him but I know he won’t listen.” I answered. “And a lot of things happened. I’ll promise I’ll apologize to him personally, it’s just that it’s not the best of times now and I have other things to prioritize as well.”   “Like that cute guy you’ve been with all afternoon yesterday?” she teases and I could sigh in relief, this is my best friend, the ever cheerful and teasing Yuju.   “What cute?” I feigned innocence and tried to look nonchalantly. My best friend simply giggled.   “Right he’s hot.” She said instead and I gasped.   “Bring back my best friend you impostor!” I exclaimed and we laughed some more.   “Anyway that’s the ‘what’s going on’ that I was meaning about.” She said. “Why are you suddenly meeting strangers and going on dates? I thought our future queen would never get married. Wait, is he a prince?”   “Slow down.” I told her with my palms open. “First of all, no he’s not a prince, second he’s not exactly a stranger, and third I am not going out with him. And the thought still stands, doesn’t mean I meet men I am already interested in marriage.”   My best friend’s eyes were questioning though in a teasing manner.   “So what is he then? I mean he’s in the front page of every gossip magazine in the country and he’s been in the headlines of the morning news, with you of course, and the internet is bursting talking about him and you and what about the two of you and what connections do you have, seriously I feel left out here.” It was now her time to pout.   “Do you really wanna know?” I told her, feeling sorry. “I mean it’s really messed up.”   “Yeona ah, I’ve heard the craziest stories about your crazy life, do you think there are still more that could surprise me?” said she.   “Okay.” I heaved a sigh. “But first of all you have to swear no one can know.”   “You can throw me to River Styx if I do.” She answered.   I smiled because of course I was reassured. My best friend is my treasure chest of secrets. She knows everything but she always doesn’t say and in return I know everything about her too and of course I too was sworn to secrecy.   “I would like to apologize, again, because I am guilty for keeping secrets form you.”   “Forgiven.”   “I love you.” I said. “But anyway, we’re supposed to be dating.”   “Oh that’s something new—wait what?!” she must’ve been really shocked for she slammed the wooden desk with her palms.   “Yesterday was a marriage interview.” I continued. “I know I just denied that we were not going out because it’s true, we are not, at least not yet because yesterday was our first meeting.”   “Who conducts marriage interviews in this day and age?” she said in disbelief. “Can your parents be more creative? I mean the queen could’ve set you up on a blind date or something more exciting but a marriage interview?”   “I know that’s why I’m telling you it’s absurd.” I answered, can’t help but laugh because Yuju just looked so cute.   “So that’s why you are avoiding Jaehyun oppa, it’s that serious huh?” she asked.   “Grave.” I answered. “Apparently it’s a political uproar, as termed by my mother and I heard the council has had some off-the-table discussion regarding the position of the royal family and the prime minister’s family. It’s quite difficult now and we needed a distraction.”   “And some distraction you got, my that guy is gorgeous. So who’s he?” one thing about my best friend, she’s never shy around her crushes and is always honest about her feelings. It’s her trait that I am most envious about.   “Seo Youngho.” I answered and looked down, I didn’t notice I was already crumpling my skirt. I must’ve been anxious. “He’s Korean but lives in America. He’s a medical student and he seems to be a mile taller than I am. That’s a