I am sleep deprived so I haven't re-read this update. Pardon any mistakes. Probably edit it once I rested well. 

 

Enjoy! :)

 

 

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It wasn't typical for Princess Sooyeon to be up before breakfast is even served. It was a known fact in the palace that the Princess never wakes up early but right now she has woken up ahead majority of the people inside the palace.

 

She was standing in the garden watching their resident gardener plant the new flowers Sooyeon has instructed: lavenders and lilies. And she was serious when she said she wanted to smell vanilla in every corner of the palace so she had ordered the palace maids to spray that scent all throughout the place.

 

The Dowager Queen Seon Jung who is always up early was rather surprise to see her eldest granddaughter awake. Trudging over to the deeply in thoughts Sooyeon, she quietly stood beside her.

 

"You got pretty glasses."

 

Sooyeon slowly glances to her left and saw her grandmother smiling warmly at her. She wondered what her granny was talking about but then she felt the glasses sitting on her nose, the same glasses she kept as Jessica. It has been a habit already to wear the glasses the moment she wake up since she needed it everyday as Jessica to complete her disguise. Now that she no longer need the disguise, it is a habit she has to fix.

 

She quickly retracted the glasses down, folding it and hanging it on her shirt.

 

"It was a habit already. I'm sorry." she explained to her granny who laughed heartily.

 

"Why are you apologizing for wearing glasses?"

 

Sooyeon shook her head, finding her reason odd. Why did she have to explain anyway? Seon Jung knew when to bother pushing the topic or keeping mum. She followed the latter and opted to talk with her grandchild about something else.

 

"It is very uncommon for Princess Sooyeon to be up early. And as far as I remember you weren't into flowers."

 

"I didn't get that much sleep grandma so technically I didn't wake up since I was awake the entire night."

 

Seon Jung gave her a small nod. Studying her grand child's features, the bags under her eyes proved just how much sleep she got: none.

 

"My child. I know it's hard for you but you shouldn't neglect your well-being. You need sleep. The Sooyeon I know loves to sleep as much as she loves despising the poor cucumber."

 

"Maybe I'm not the same Sooyeon anymore, granny."

 

"Yes, you're no longer the childish Sooyeon. You're now a desperately in love Sooyeon."

 

Sooyeon looks up into her granny's awaiting orbs. Tears threatened to flow again as the thought of Yoona filled her senses once again.

 

"Granny... Now that you know what my heart desires, can you cancel the engagement or even better, the marriage?"

 

Seon Jung closed her eyes shut. "I'm afraid that's not possible, my child."

 

"Grandma! I'm in love with someone else! Isn't that fact alone enough for you to understand why can't marry?"

 

"I understand, I for one understand you Sooyeon-ah." The elder slowly turn her body enough to face Sooyeon. "But would the people around you have the same view about it?"

 

"Help me grandma!" Sooyeon has never asked for help from her grandmother that's why Seon Jung was completely taken aback with the plead. She stood face to face with her, eyes seeking for understanding. "Please."

 

Seon Jung's mouth turned dry. This is one of the moment in the life of the ever so optimistic and outspoken Queen wherein she was completely unaware of what to say. She want to comfort Sooyeon but she doesn't know how, she want to listen to her and help her out but there are millions of people who probably won't understand Sooyeon's stand, she want to but it is not that easy.

 

And so instead of answering something that might send her grandchild's spirit further down, if it's even possible, Seon Jung opted to dismiss this chat.

 

"You and Soojung have a book charity event later. Excuse me, it's time to have my tea now."

 

Sooyeon watch her grandma's disappearing figure before heaving a dismal sigh. Escaping her fate is difficult but not entirely impossible. And that's the reason she's still hoping, the reason she haven't given up to life yet.

 

 

****

 

 

Tiffany and Yuri are both ready to go to work now after bathing, eating and preparing but the both of them are still not going out.

 

Why?

 

They are waiting for Yoona, who is still down on the couch after brawling tears last night and drowing into the personal stash of Yuri's alcohol which she kept for private occasions, to get up and drink the sprout soup Yuri made which is a good cure for hangovers.

 

"Until now I find it unbelievable that Yoona and Jessica were dating the entire time." said Yuri. Both of them are seated into dining table overlooking the living room and so they have a full view of the knocked out girl. "I just...wow... It's still unbelievable. I didn't know Jessica was Yoona's type nor did it occur to me that Jessica would actually date Yoona who did nothing but to piss her off during her first week."

 

Tiffany slowly folded her arms at chest. Indeed it was mind boggling as to how the two dated. Jessica barely joined the gang for various gatherings and if she does it is Yoona who is not present.

 

She wondered how did Jessica manage to steal the heart of the girl who didn't believe in love any more. She has been with Yoona for years. She has been praying for a long time that Yoona would look at her more than the best friend. She would give everything to be in Jessica's position right now: Yoona's girlfriend.

 

She couldn't help but ponder and as she does she couldn't help but make comparisons.

 

Was Jessica more charming than her?

 

Nah. Each girl has her own charm. You can't compare it just as you can't compare characters. To each her own.

 

Was Jessica more beautiful than her?

 

Not really. She would admit behind the thick rimmed glasses Jessica is wearing lies a beautiful lady. Her round eyes, long eyelashes, tall nose, cute ears, pink lips, cute chin and fair complexion would be her greatest features but Tiffany is not lacking of anything. She too looks dazzling and that's a fact.

 

Was Jessica ier than her?

 

She's seen the girl's body when they went to the beach before and she must say she was really impressed. Even as a girl herself she won't deny that Jessica has a body akin to Helen of Troy. But hey! Tiffany too is proud of her own body! Jessica, the modern Helen, complimented her and also especially Yoona during the time when they are doing...naughty things. And Yuri as well would compliment her. Now if the people around her are telling her that she has an impressive body why should she not believe it if it's the truth?

 

Or was Jessica more impressive....in bed?

 

Maybe. Tiffany couldn't answer that.

 

She was pulled out her trance when she heard faint grunts coming from the living room. Yuri and Tiffany darted their eyes to Yoona who has fallen off the sofa. Like a bullet Tiffany shot up from her seat to assist the girl up. Yoona groaned in pain.

 

"." She cussed. She felt her rear touch the soft couch and a hand holding her arm. Her blurry vision was failing her and so she made no attempt in knowing who helped her up. ". My head feels like it has been rammed by a tank."

 

She began to massage her temples but the seering pain of the hang over is getting to her. You add the fact she didn't get to sleep that long only made her grumpier.

 

Yuri trudged over her two friends, handing the cup of the sprout soup she made especially for Yoona.

 

"Here, drink this."

 

Yoona threw the poor cup a murderous glare. "What's this?"

 

If Yuri didn't know Yoona any better she would have been pissed with the way she asked. But since she has known Yoona for years she knew how grumpy she can be because of the lack of sleep, hunger, hangover, migraines, or just plain bad mood and so she in turn flashed Yoona a bright smile.

 

"It can cure your headache so you better drink it."

 

The scowl on Yoona's face has transformed into a small smile. She couldn't bear but soften at Yuri's warm smile. Grabbing the cup from Yuri's grasp, Yoona gently swallowed it down with Tiffany rubbing her back.

 

"You almost emptied our alcohol stash you know." said Tiffany, taking the cup from Yoona once she was finished.

 

"Our? It was Yuri's."

 

"The alcohol was in our cabinet, in OUR house." reasoned Tiffany. "We're going to work now. You coming?"

 

Head shakes and the nauseating feeling emerged making her dizzy once again.

 

"I think I'll rest for the day."

 

Yuri and Tiffany exchanged knowing glances. They were competing who should ask the million dollar question. In the end Yuri won when she received a menacing look from Tiffany.

 

"Yoona, about last night-"

 

It looks like she won't have to finish her question because Yoona knew perfectly well what she was about to be asked and so she shot up, ignoring the onslaught of dizziness, and went to the doorway.

 

"Look, that was last night." She put her shoes on, lacing them tidily. "I'm fine."

 

"Aren't we your friends?" prodded Yuri. "You can count on us Yoong. Maybe we can somehow ease the pain."

 

"I appreciate the help but for now I want to be alone." She looked into their eyes, pleading to be understand. "Please... Once I'm ready I'll tell everything."

 

Tiffany silently got up, walked over to Yoona and hugged her tight. "We'll be here when you're ready, I'll be here Yoona."

 

Yuri watched the two hugging girls. There was a soft tug on her heart at the sight of the girl she love hugging the gril SHE love. Was that a mess? It's exactly how Yuri feels.

 

One is missing her girlfriend, the other envious of that girl, and the other one envious of her own best friend.

 

Yuri walked over the two and joined the hug party. It is exactly what they need at this moment.

 

Comfort.

 

 

****

 

The National Library of Korea had an unusually huge amount of visitors today.

 

Why?

 

Because the Royal Family sans the King and Queen is here to attend the book launch of Park Young Geun a.k.a Park Lee, Queen Dowager Lee Seon Jung's younger brother, also the Curator of Seoul Arts Gallery.

 

Sooyeon mentally slapped herself. How could she not remember her grandmom's brother? Has it really been a long since that she couldn't remember her own great uncle?

 

The book he wrote is about the Class System in Korea from Pre-Choseon era until now. It is a detailed book explaining how statuses of the Royalties, slaves and normal people lived. It also had a detailed explanation of how the government works then and now. It is the type of book Sooyeon loves to read.

 

She love books! Ever since she learned how to read, Sooyeon was given books to read from the old scrolls that go way back pre-Choseon era that has the detailed history of the Royal Family, Kings and other historical events, to books about the previous Princes and Princesses, to books about manners and etiquette, and many others.

 

Both Sooyeon and Soojung sat in the first row seat watching their grandmother up the platform give her speech. Although the fact that she's surrounded by books, Sooyeon still felt empty.

 

Yoona.

 

Her mind was always occupied by that girl, her smile, her laughter, her eyes, her kisses, her touches, everything about Yoona is haunting her. Her body and mind were always seeking for the girl as if that is the most natural thing to do.

 

A day.

 

They have only parted for a day but it felt like years. Sooyeon is going crazy. The reason she came her was to divert her attention away from the girl she is missing but it seem futile, Yoona never left her mind. It's as if Yoona was imprinted to her very soul.

 

Soojung veered her gaze to her sister before heaving a sigh. She has noticed her sister's longing for Yoona. Of course Sooyeon is still completely unaware her sister knows of her relationship with Yoona that is why she kept on frowning, scowling, groaning without a reason, well no reason in the eyes of the others, but not to Soojung.

 

She was to nudge her sister when she felt something vibrate inside her purse. Puckering her lips, Soojung fished out her phone but there was no notification or whatsoever.

 

And then she remembered her sister had her keep her own phone. She put her phone back and fished out her sister's. There was a message notification and knowing her sister is never fond of texting, she was pleasantly surprised to see a change.

 

And then her surprise tripled when she saw who the message is from.

 

My Prince Yoongie

 

Was it possible to be sick that instant after seeing the mushy contact? Apparently it is since Soojung felt like throwing up everything she ate since yesterday. But then the sick feeling was replaced with relief. If her sister see this, would she see that smile, even if it is a small smile, again?

 

She will never know if she do not try. Taking a deep breathe, she gently nudged her sister, careful to be too obvious since they are in public.

 

Sooyeon slightly turned her head to see what her sister is up to, abruptly pulling her out of her I-Miss-Yoona-so-much melancholy mode which she badly needed. She needed any possible distraction and her sister is the man or rather woman for the job.

 

She raised one eyebrow then mouthed 'what'.

 

Instead of an answer, Soojung slipped the phone into her sister's hand much to the confusion of the older girl. She opened to ask only to close it back when Soojung pointed her the device.

 

Despite the confusion, Sooyeon followed her sister's instruction even though she has no idea what her sister is up to. Is her sister trying to prank her- holy !

 

Sooyeon put a hand to cover because if she didn't