Chapter Six   We talked a lot during dinner. Architect Seo made it home just in time before we started eating and little Youngji was woken from her nap to join us as well. To other people it may seem like an ordinary dinner amongst family members, but to me it was unlike any other. To a person like me who’s been used to fine dining every single night, may it be inside the palace or in some fancy restaurants or functions that we attend, a normal and happy banquet such as that was simply spectacular. I loved the casualness of the entire evening and most especially I enjoyed having the dishes laid out in front of me for the rest of the evening. It doesn’t strictly have to be appetizer, salad, entre and so on. I could still pick at the stew even when we’re already having deserts and I couldn’t be happier.   It was such a pleasant and simple life, a gift that I know for sure will never befall upon me. At least I get to experience it even just this once. Youngho and I had a little chat between us after that. He invited me in their backyard ornate with blooming flowers. In there we talked upon ourselves just the whereabouts of our situation. He told me he knew that the monarchy was in trouble with the parliament because of the dating rumors, which caused uproar. He understood how the situation got so out of hand that if I don’t save it now, maybe I won’t be able to anymore in the near future. In return I informed him about Jaehyun’s intentions, how he simply seek courtship, apparently he didn’t care about the spillover effects. Of course, I was keen not to keep out the fact that I have been rejecting him ever since. I tried to hide my blue feelings of unknowingly denying and hurting someone, well not just anybody but one of my friends that is, but he seemed to be extra observant. He noticed probably because of my prickly tone while speaking about the matter.   As expected from his carefree personality he simple made jokes about it. How he’s so proud of me for dumping someone like a boss—those are his exact words. And also that he’s glad I made it clear that I am not interested in him. Yet the fact that I am also not interested in marrying, I decided not to bring up, I figured I’d simply make the atmosphere awkward. The last thing we talked about was probably the status of what we really are. Surely we are more than just acquaintances now, and I’m glad we are far from being hostile with each other—although sometimes he really irritates and brings out the worse in me—imagine if we actually ended up hating each other and we have no choice but to put up with it because we simply have to. I’d imagine this plan will never work and my life, no the entire monarchy, would probably be doomed.   I remembered him saying, “I mentioned a while ago that I am your friend right? Well that’s just to clear things up that I am not your foe because clearly those are the people that are against the institution that we are entrusted to protect. I think we are more than that—friends I mean.”   And I remembered asking, “So what are we exactly then?”   “Consider me your knight.” He said which I immediately called cheesy, he simply laughed and continued, “No seriously, whenever you find it difficult then make use of me. I am, after all, called to be at your aid. For now, that would be enough for me.”   For now. Once again I gained myself another loyal subject, Secretary Kim and all of my other ladies maids, Kang ahjussi and all the other bodyguards and staffs, Yuju my best friend, my father the king, and now Youngho, as cheesy as it may sound, I shall call him my knight.   And that makes me the most cliché of all Korean Crown Princesses there ever is. Great.   I lie in my bed wide-awake after such a long day with my phone tightly clutched in my chest. Right now I’m about to make a very important decision so I’m deliberating all of my options. Actually there’s only one, and there’s really no harm with it. Only that I really feel embarrassed simply by thinking about it.   “Ya, Yeona, did you become a coward just now? He’s just any other man, what happened to you?” I was talking to myself like a psychopathic fool and trying my very best to convince myself with my empty words.   “I am not a coward, I’m a monarch and I am the most powerful person in this country. Anyone will bow at my feet upon my command.” It was my usual prep talk whenever I feel like needing one. After some time I took a deep breath and decided to just go ahead and whatever with it.   Hurriedly, in order not to have any more seconds thoughts, I pressed send and the damage has been done.   Thank you for tonight, Youngho ssi. I had the best of fun. Good night. —HRH Lee Yeona, 10:56 PM   There’s not much right? It’s not too expressive and it’s not too cheesy either, just right. I could get away with this. It’s fine, it’s just a thank you message and there’s no other color into it. I desperately tried to convince myself just to ease my raging heart. Why am I nervous anyway?   No problem, princess. I hope you’ll call me oppa soon. Have a good night sleep ^.~ —Youngho Oppa, 10:57 PM   He replied in a flash and upon seeing the flirty winky face I cannot help but giggle. This guy, really. I decided not to reply because I feel like if I do so, I won’t be able to hold myself back and probably start flirting as well. I know my brain would tell me to cringe but why does my heart seem to tell me to just enjoy it?   — —   The next day, I went to school with a much lighter mood.   “Oh my god, tell me!” were Yuju’s first words the moment she saw the smile in my face that I cannot seem to mask. I was just feeling gleeful this morning, and I am not a morning person, never I was.   “Ssh.” I motioned before we both giggled. “You’re too noisy and it’s not even lunch time.”   “Screw lunch or even dismissal, I’d like to hear it, what happened?” she asked eagerly.   “It’s just dinner, nothing much.” I answered while I pretended to be interested in my notes rather than my pleasant memories of last night.   “Then what does that smile mean and why are you suppressing it? Last time I check my best friend is never a morning person, what happened to this impostor?” she pressed, while she herself was sporting an eager grin. “Spill it, come on!”   The school was still empty as it was very early in the morning, the usual time I arrive. Later on Yuju made it a habit as well for she too enjoys the quietness of the early hours. I decided to tell h