Soondeok's diary

Why wouldn't Eun tell me? I heard brother making these strange noises last night but Eun said it's fine...seems like he and his wife wasn't feeling so well last night...is it something they ate? I've always told brother not to eat junk food from outside, I guess he didn't listen to me again. Eun must've known something about it because he covered my ears and told me to sleep...it was strange feeling his hands on my face...and his body last night...I think his chest is tougher than last year's. He probably worked out a bit. 

This morning as I woke up, I found him still leaning close to me – I love to listen to him breathing, so soft and peaceful. He was smiling – I think he had a nice dream last night. I was worried father had scared him, but thankfully that didn't ruin his sleep.

 Anyways, so I went to brother's bedroom this morning and I found their clothes all over the floor. I was about to help pick them up when Eun came rushing in and dragged me away before I had time to do so. He panicked as he did and pulled me back into our room. I asked him what's wrong but he won't answer. I got mad of course, what if they fainted from being sick? What if they both have a fever and will need to call the doctor? But he won't let me go back into their room. Should I tell father about it? I wanted to ask brother what happened last night when I saw him just then, but Eun stopped me again! I don't hate him for doing so, but shouldn't I at least know the reason? I'm still angry right now...I think I'll need some time to cool off...I'll visit my horse today...hope she's been doing well when I'm not around. My chest pain seemed much worse today...I'm sure I didn't skip my medication. Eun was acting weird last night, wanting to kiss me though he didn't and then hovered over me twice, killing me with his looks. Why is he suddenly being so nice to me? He even asked about my favourite colour! People say that before someone dies, they'll tend experience more happy moments...I won't think about it. I should send a letter to mother telling her we're all good and have settled fine as well.

Eun's diary

I am utterly speechless. Who'd thought her father will stay outside the bedroom and wait for us to... Gosh! And after that, I heard Soondeok's brother having fun with his wife in their room...why in the world are the rooms not sound-proved? I ought to file a complaint. It was a torture for me to endure it all – I covered Soondeok's ears. Come to think of it, why did I do that? Oh well, who cares. It's my first time hearing it though...I wonder what it's like. I've only heard stories from hyungs...and my friends...is it really as magical as they say? What's it like? Eventually I fell asleep, after who knows how long! 

This morning when I woke up, I saw Soondeok leaving our room so I ran behind her and stopped her from seeing her brother. That girl really doesn't know anything! How did she manage to grow up with such a pure mind around hundreds of men? I guess I need to stick with her all day in case she tries to find out what happened last night...if she asks, then it'll be over. Everyone will know I've been keeping her away from me...and if the grand general tells the king...I can't even dare think about it! Come to think of it...my heart did race last night as I tickled her. Has she always been that beautiful? For a moment, I wanted to give her my all...why am I having these feelings? Wait...Soondeok's leaving the room, got to go!

-----------------------------------

(Soondeok walking towards the stables but then her nephews come running in)

Boys: 'Aunty!!!!'

Soondeok: 'Uh? Boys!!!! How are you guys?'

(3 boys run into Soondeok's arms)

Soondeok: 'My! Look at you all! You've all grown up so much! I've missed you so! Here, let aunty take a good look at you! My, Luhan, did you lose a tooth?'

Luhan: 'I lost it when we went fishing a few days ago! Grandpa gave me sweets! Uncle!!!!'

(Kids see Eun walking out and runs to him)

Eun: 'Hey buddies! Come to uncle!! Let's see if I remember your names, it's been a year after all. So the oldest, you're Yifan, right?'

Yifan: 'Yes, uncle!!! And I'm 7!'

Eun: 'Already? You're practically a man! And you must be Luhan, second boy, right?'

Luhan: 'I'm 5!'

(Youngest nephew pulls Eun by his sleeves)

Eun: 'Aigoo, little guy, here, let me pick you up. Gosh, you're heavy! Baby, what's your name again?'

Soondeok: 'He's Tao.'

Eun: 'Ooo, our baby's name is Tao.'

Tao: 'Baby, no!'

Soondeok: 'Ah, Tao don't like people calling you "baby", am I right?'

(Tao nods)

Eun: 'I get it, I get it. Sorry, little man. How old are you boy?'

(Tao shows 3 fingers)

Eun: '3? My, you're a big boy now aren't you?'

(Tao smiles)

Yifan: 'Uncle! Come play with us!!!'

Soondeok: 'Guys, did you say hi to your parents? And grandfather?'

Yifan: 'Not yet.'

Soondeok: 'Boys, why don't you guys greet them first, then come over to our room – uncle will be waiting there.'

Luhan: 'Yeah!!! Come on guys! Let's go!'

(Eun puts Tao back on the floor)

Luhan: 'Tao ah, let's go. Follow hyung.'

(The boys go inside)

Eun: 'Deok ah, then what about you? Are you now making me play with them all by myself?'

Soondeok: 'They like you more, can't you see it? It'd be nice for you to spend more time with your nephews – you're a big kid yourself. Besides, you've got nothing else to do anyway.'

(Soondeok heads back inside)

Eun: 'Where are you going?'

Soondeok: 'We told them you'd be in our room waiting, you didn't expect them to greet their parents for an hour do you?'

(Both goes back into their room)

-----------Later----------

(Soondeok in room doing stretches, Eun playing with kids outside – suddenly Eun runs into room)

Soondeok: 'Uh? Your highness, what are you doing here? I thought you were playing with them.'

Eun: 'We're playing hide-and-seek. Deok ah, anywhere I can hide in our room? Should I hide in our closet?'

Soondeok: 'Closet's not a good idea.'

Eun: 'How about our bed? Oh wait...we don't have one. Deok ah, help me! You've got to know somewhere!'

Soondeok: 'Well, there's this wardrobe, but I'm not sure you can fit inside -'

Eun: 'Where?'

(Soondeok gets up and shows him)

Eun: 'Perfect!'

(Eun gets in but can't close the door)

Eun: 'D...Deok ah! Deok ah, help me close the door.'

(Voice from outside)

Yifan: 'Uncle! Uncle! Where are you? Come out come out! I'm going to find you!'

Eun: 'Deok ah! Please! Hurry up!'

Soondeok: 'What's the magic word?'

Eun: 'Please?'

Soondeok: 'Nope – sorry, can't help you.'

Eun: 'Deok ah...just close it!'

(Soondeok smiles then shuts the wardrobe, returns to her mat and continues to stretch)

Yifan: 'Aunty! Have you seen uncle?'

Soondeok: 'Oh, hi dear! What are you doing here?'

Yifan: 'We're playing hide-and-seek! I'm sure uncle came in here.'

Soondeok: 'So you're the seeker, huh? Where are your brothers?'

Luhan: 'We're here! We're here to find uncle!'

Yifan: 'They don't know how to hide – Luhan hid under grandfather's desk and Tao hid behind a tree – it only took me a few seconds to find them.'

Tao: 'Uncle. Uncle. Find uncle.'

Yifan: 'Yes Tao, we're here to find uncle. Guys! Let's search this room!'

Luhan: 'Aunty, is uncle here?'

Soondeok: 'Darling, what's the fun if I tell you where he is?'

(Boys go around the room to find Eun)

Luhan: 'Oh? This wardrobe. AHH!!! Found him!'

Eun: 'WHAAAA!!!! Here comes the monster!!! I'm here to get you all!!!'

(Eun comes out of the closet pretending to be monster, boys running away from him)

Eun: 'Whaaa!!! I'm hungry! I'm hungry!! I'm here to catch you all!!!'

(Boys giggle as they run away from him – Eun catches them one by one and lifts them all up)

Soondeok: 'Your highness! Careful! You can't lift all 3 of them at once! Careful!'

Eun: 'Deok ah, this is nothing for me. I can even spin around!'

Tao: 'Spin! Uncle, spin!'

Luhan: 'Oh please do! It'd be fun!!'

Eun: 'Hold on guys!!!'

(Eun spins, children go crazy, Soondeok laughs – finally Eun puts them back on the floor)

Eun: 'There! Well, guys, what say we go to the market and buy some sweets?'

Boys: 'Yeah!!!! Please take us out! Please please please!'

Eun: 'Deok ah, you're coming as well.'

Soondeok: 'What?'

Eun: 'Come on! You can't possibly leave me alone with 3 kids! Imagine! What if one of them runs away? Come with us to the market today. Please?'

Boys: 'Please aunty please? Aunty come as well!'

Soondeok: 'Alright alright guys. I'll come with you guys.'

Boys: 'Yay!!!'

Soondeok: 'Let's go then! Tao ah, you want aunty to carry you?'

(Tao nods, Soondeok picks him up)

Eun: 'Yifan, here, hold my right hand, Luhan hold my left hand. We're all set!'

Soondeok: 'Oh wait, let me get the bag.'

Eun: 'What for?'

Soondeok: 'Money! Don't tell me you expect the shop keeper to give you sweets for free!'

Eun: 'Ah, right. So we're all set!'

All: 'Let's go!'

   ---------------- Evening -----------------

(Soondeok and Eun both sleeping)

'Ah!!! So tired today! Gosh! Why do I feel so drained out today? The kids...don't they feel tired? It's like they'll never run out of energy!'

'Your highness did well today, I'm proud of you.'

'Proud? What for?'

'You made them laugh, you took them out and bought them sweets – you did what their father can't do for them often.'

'Well, I guess I was a pretty good uncle today, huh?'

'Indeed.'

'Ah...if it's going to be this tiring, I don't think I'll have kids.'

'You're not?'

'Kids...hmmmm...need to think about that.'

'I'm sure when you marry someone else, you'll have a dozen kids afterwards. After all, you like kids.'

'Marry someone else?'

'You know, after the divorce.'

'Yeah...right...'

'I wish I can have lots of kids!'

'Lots? You mean it? Soondeok ah, you really want to have lots of kids? You like kids?'

'Of course! To be honest, I wish I had younger siblings. I have Oraboni and Onnis, but they're all way older than me. If only father married someone else after mother died, then maybe I'd have more siblings to play with. Sadly...never mind. It must be lucky for you, to grow up with lots of brothers and sisters in the palace.'

'Ha! Don't even start! I can't even remember all their names! I'd say, father had the entire palace turn into a children factory! Gosh!'

'Still...I envy your highness very much. I've always wanted a big family.'

'Family, huh? Some kind of family we are...'

'You get along well with your brothers, don't you?'

'It's just not the same...if I have siblings of the same mother, maybe it'll be better, like Yo hyung, So hyung and Jung. But no...it's just me.'

'If only I know how to make babies...I'll have them by now. I'll have lots and lots of them. Wouldn't it be great?'

(Soondeok smiles as she imagines – Eun turns to look at Soondeok)

'Soondeok ah. You have to answer me honestly.'

(Soondeok turns to look at Eun)

'Yes prince. What is it?'

'Do you REALLY not know where babies come from?'

'How would I know? No one's taught me – it's not written in textbooks, teachers don't teach it, father won't talk about it, how would I know? D...do you know?'

'N...no.'

'I knew it...I'm not surprised. After all, you're not good at studying anyway...'

'Ya! What does that have to do with studying?'

'You need to study to learn things, don't you? If you don't study, how would you learn it? Especially something as complicated as making babies?'

'Ha! You...really! Ya!!! I do! I do know! All men knows it!'

'You just said you didn't. Wait, is this another bluff of yours?'

'I really do know! You don't need to study for it, stupid! You don't have to be smart to know it.'

'Fine! Then tell me, how's it done?'

'I...it's...'

'See? I knew it, another bluff of yours. Forget it.'

'You don't understand...it's complicated...'

'Never mind. Let's just sleep – good night, Your highness.'

'Fine! Don't believe me! Your choice! It's not like I'll make babies with you anyway! Ha!'

(Both turns away from each other)