“Kyuhyun” I sighed as he hovered over me, pressing soft kisses along my jaw and pulse point. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

He growled with annoyance and pulled away when a loud knock echoed through his chambers.

“This had better be ing important” he muttered as he angrily stood and walked to answer the door.

I straightened up, doing my best to smooth my appearance before I followed after Kyuhyun. I was surprised to find Donghae standing on the other side of the door looking apologetic.

“Sorry Commander, I know it’s early, but the Princess wants to see Ryeowook.”

I blinked in surprise, but nodded readily enough. It seemed that Princess Sungmin has taken my offer of companionship to heart. As I turned away to make myself more presentable, Kyuhyun stepped away from the door, waving Donghae in absentmindedly.

“Why would the Princess ask to see you?” Kyuhyun asked, the slightest hint of anxiety coloring his tone.

“Ah, we met the night of the ball” I replied as I fixed my hair.

Donghae broke in,

“From what I understand she keeps asking about Ryeowook.”

When Kyuhyun looked up sharply, Donghae put up his hands and reassured him,

“It seems that she views Ryeowook fondly. She’s clearly interested in him as a companion.”

“She seems lonely” I said softly, making my way towards the door.

Kyuhyun made a small sound of annoyance and I glanced up at him. I stifled a laugh when I saw him wearing an expression that could only be described as a pout.

“Well what about me?” he grumbled, “I’m clearly in need of companionship too.”

I rolled my eyes and Donghae laughed. I continued towards the door and Kyuhyn was close behind me. He reached out and touched my shoulder and when I looked back at him, his expression was serious.

“Lonely or not, you need to be careful Ryeowook. She’s still a princess.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes,

“I am aware of that Kyuhyun. Trust me I have plenty of experience dealing with royalty.”

Kyuhyun frowned in displeasure at my allusion to my master, but it wasn’t his reaction that I took notice of. Behind him, Donghae was looking down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable. I studied the Lieutenant curiously, but he seemed to recover quickly enough as he hurried to open the door for me.

“I’m to you to the Princess’s chambers” he informed me.

“Wow, sending a Lieutenant for such a task? I’m shocked but flattered” I teased gently.

He smiled at me in faint embarrassment,

“Well I might have volunteered for the job.”

Kyuhyun, was seemingly unhappy with this banter as he strode ahead, snatching my hand with his. I bit back a smile when I realized that I would have two of the top military figures in the kingdom escorting me today.

*~*~*

A servant showed me into the Princess’s private quarters and we both bowed deeply, kneeling before Princess Sungmin. She glanced up from her book, blushing slightly as she urged us to stand. Once the servant departed, her greeted me with a brilliant smile.

“Ryeowook-sshi! I’m so pleased to see you! I really hope I’m not being a bother.”

I smiled kindly at her, amused that a crown princess would even think to worry about a mere servant’s time.

“It’s no bother at all Your Highness, I’m happy to be here.”

She smiled again, looking more relieved. She gestured to a couple of arm chairs situated near a crackling fire,

“Please sit, I’ll have someone bring refreshments.”

I considered telling her that I could run and get the tea, but I didn’t want to embarrass her. She seemed unaware of how someone in her position should deal with servants. Still, as a servant myself, I found her kindness and warmth endearing. She would be a sweet, generous queen.

I cursed mentally when that thought triggered an image of her seated on a throne besides Kyuhyun. A beautiful, kind queen and a handsome, fair king. What a pretty picture.

“Are you okay, Ryeowook-sshi?”

He concerned voice jolted me out of my self-torture and I nodded sheepishly, annoyed at my own inattention.

“I’m fine Your Highness. What’s more important is your wellbeing.”

She blushed and waved her hands in embarrassment,

“I’m perfectly fine. I know I must have seemed like a mess the night of the ball. Please excuse me for that I was just so overwhelmed!”

She continued to wave off my concerns and I couldn’t help but feel another wave of fondness for the lovely princess. She just seemed so pure, so genuinely good.

“Ah… um R-ryeowook-sshi?”

I glanced up and smiled encouragingly as she stuttered, obviously struggling to say what she wanted. She smiled shyly in return and asked,

“I know this is probably going to be strange for you, but please don’t feel the need to call me ‘Your Highness.’ Just Sungmin is fine.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and my reaction seemed to send her in a tizzy all over again.

“Ah I’m sorry I know this is a strange request. It’s just that I don’t have many friends here yet and I would like to think of you as my friend and friends call each other by their given names so I though… ah but I can see how this might make you feel uncomfortable. How thoughtless of me, I’m so sorry! Oh, I’m so embarrassed!”

Unable to stop myself, I released a small giggle at her outburst. She really was endearing. Not wanting her to continue worrying I quickly assured her,

“I will call you whatever you please, it truly isn’t a burden.”

She looked up and smiled gratefully and again I was struck by her raw beauty. Before she could say anything I quickly added,

“Of course, if I am to call you by your given name, you’ll have to drop the formalities with me. No need to call me Ryeowook-sshi, just plain Ryeowook is fine.”

“Ryeowook” she said slowly, as if testing my name on her tongue.

Seemingly satisfied with our new arrangement, she nodded and smiled happily and I couldn’t help but smile back. At that moment tea was served, so we both made idle talk about the state of the weather and other major happenings around the castle. Once we were alone again, the princess seemed eager to talk about more intimate matters.

“Ryeowook, the last time we met you mentioned that you served Commander Cho even though you came to this kingdom as Prince Yesung’s private servant?”

I nodded in affirmation, my odd change in position wasn’t exactly a secret in the castle.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I was curious about your situation and I asked around about you.”

Again I nodded, remembering that Donghae had mentioned this on the way over. However, what I didn’t expect was for the princess to reach over and grasp my hands in hers. I flinched in surprise, but listened closely as she lowered her voice and hesitantly asked,

“Ryeowook, is it true that you are to leave with Prince Yesung? To become his…h-his lover?”

I stiffened immediately, dread filling my body. If the princess had managed to learn about my Master’s proposition, then there was no doubt that Kyuhyun would hear about it as well. I cursed internally when I realized that’s why Donghae had reacted so strangely at the mention of my Master’s name.

While I knew that Kyuhyun was aware of the prince’s proposition to me, it had happened so long ago. A thousand things had happened in the interim and I knew that he had forgotten about it. If I was being truthful, that’s how I wanted things to be. I didn’t want to remind Kyuhyun like my Master had been intent on reminding me. It made things easier, as if the proposition didn’t exist. When we didn’t talk about it, we could continue acting as if we could be together; as if nothing could ever tear us apart.

The princess must have seen my distress because she squeezed my hands in an attempt to provide comfort. In a split second I remembered that I was in the presence of royalty and that I didn’t have time to wallow in my ow thoughts. I did my best to recover myself and made a move to answer her question but she stopped me.

Her eyes were full of tears and her hands were trembling as she whispered,

“Y-you can’t Ryeowook. You just can’t.”

Hello beautiful people!  Haha if there's anyone still reading this, thank you and as always I'm sorry for making you wait.  We are getting to the end of this story though, so stay with me!  I love you!!!

Music: "Memories" by Suju <3