As the festival was now three days away, the palace was hectic with preparation going on at every corner. Minzy smiled as she walked through the various halls being informed of the various projects taking place for the festival. "We are going to end this celebration with a big bang," Teddy spread his hand up as if trying to help her imagine it all. "We're going to have fire works to end it all. What do you think your majesty," he smiled brightly.

"I think that's a great plan. I've heard of those things before, but I've never seen them."

"Then it's perfect for the occassion," he grinned.

"Thank you Teddy," she nodded as she continued to walk around the palace until she found herself at the bottom of the stairs to head up to her room.

"My lady," she heard someone call.

"Hmm?" She turned to see the maid who was caring for the king approach her.

The maid bowed before addressing her, "The king is doing well."

"Really? That's good to hear," she smiled before turning to head up the stairs with the maid following right behind.

"Yes ma'am he's recovered from his sickness and doing well if you'd like to check up on him."

Minzy paused seeing that they stood by his room, "No thank you. I trust that he is in good hands. Thank you for informing me." She glanced over to his room before turning to go to hers.

Minzy sighed as she new it was time for her to prepare for her late night journey. Going about her room, she didn't notice the person that was peeking into her room. Pulling the robe over herself she grinned at her reflection to give herself a little encouragement. With things being so chaotic in the palace she was always on her feet and all over the place to end the night with her long ride out to take care of Daesung. It seemed like she was always taking care of something and someone that she really had no time to take care of her basic needs like sleep.

"Where are you going," a voice called out making her jump.

She turned to see that it was none other than the king. He stood leaning up against her door post with a look of curiosity in his eyes. "Good to see you. I heard you were feeling well. It's probably best that you continue to take care of your health for the big celebration coming up," she smiled before turning to remove the crown on her head.

"Well..."

"Hmm..." she turned to look at him hoping that he would leave so she could head out. "Did you need me to fetch the maid?" She smiled feeling this was a perfect way out. Walking past him and closing her door she grinned before heading towards the stairs, "I'll send the maid up to you. Good night." Without giving him any room to speak she found herself already down the stairs making her way to tell the maid to go see the king. Even if this was the first time seeing him in almost two week, she didn't have the energy to talk to him at the moment. After talking to the maid, she quickly headed to the stables to ride out.

The night was quiet and the air was crisp as she rode. This was the only me time she had to reflect. She felt bad for not answering the king's question, but at the same time she didn't. Approaching the farm she heard a faint gallop behind her. People never rode this far out at this time of night and she couldn't help but worry as she slowly strode off the dirt road and into the forest of trees. Her heart was pounding with adrenaline as she awaited the mysterious rider who was approaching.

Biting her lower lip she watched as she saw the rider ride past her and stop in front of the road that led to the farm, signaling to her that this person was probably following her. She tried to make out the person as she quietly watched the figure turn. The moonlight allowed a small glow to reveal that is was Teddy. She let out a low hiss of irratation as she rode out to meet him.

"What are you doing here," she growled feeling too tired to beat around the bush.

"The king wanted me to find out where you were going."

"You already know where I was going so why did you have to follow me?"

"What do you want me to tell him?"

Minzy bit her lip knowing he was just doing his job as she tried to contain her frustration that was turning into anger, "I don't know. Tell him I'm getting fresh air. Whatever excuse you wanna come up with. But do not, under any circumstances tell him where I go or you will lose your job faster than you can apologize." She quickly manuvered her horse past his as she rode off to the farm, before she completely lost her temper.

"Hey," CL mumbled as she awoke with Daesung in her arms and Bom asleep next to her.

"Hey," Minzy sighed as she walked up and scooped up Daesung. Her negative feelings quickly left her as she stared lovingly at her baby.

"Are you alright," CL whispered up at her.

Minzy didn't notice the tears that were falling until CL was up and embracing her. "I...I'm tired," was all she could mumble as she started to cry onto CL's shoulder. She didn't realize that her crying had awaken Top, who walked in and lightly pulled Daesung out of her arms to allow CL to fully hold Minzy as she continued to cry.

CL led Minzy to her bedroom and helped her in bed as Bom stumbled in and grinned before helping her mom pull the covers up on Minzy. "Get some rest," CL whispered as she wiped at Minzy's tears.

"Goodnight," Bom whispered as she kissed Minzy's cheek before exiting the room.

Minzy sniffled as she looked to see Top walk in grinning down at her, before placing the sleeping baby into her arms. "Thank you," she weakly said.

"It's okay Minzy, we understand," Top said as CL stood to wrap an arm around his waist.

"You're doing a great job," CL said knowing exactly what Minzy was thinking.

"Am I," Minzy frowned as she looked up to the couple who smiled and nodded.

"Goodnight," they waved before leaving Minzy to herself.

Nestling Daesung close to her, she did her best to believe the words of CL and sleep. She wanted to have the energy to ride out the next day and crying would only mean less sleep for her.

Minzy's eyes slowly fluttered open as she felt Daesung fidgeting in her arms. "Hmm..." she turned her face to see that he was wide awake. She smiled and he mimicked her smile making her chuckle, "I wish I was a morning person like you." Placing a kiss onto his forehead, she craddled him in her arms as she made her way out of the room to a delicious smell of breakfast.

"Good morning Minzy," Don smiled before stuffing his face.

Minzy chuckled before she realized that everyone was awake and at the table. She quickly turned her attention to the window to see that the sun was out. Gasping she looked to CL, "I over slept!"

"You looked so peaceful so I told everyone to stay out of your room," Bom proudly said as she continued to eat.

"Yeah, come get something to eat," Top said as he nodded for her to take a seat at the plate that was prepared for her.

"But I..."

CL stood up and guided her to take a seat, "The palace can wait until you have breakfast."

Minzy sighed as she gave in to the delicious smell that invaded her nose, "Well it has been a while since I've last eaten your food."

"And that's why you have to eat up," Deuk chimed in. This caused everyone to chuckle as they all ate happily.     

After Minzy had her wonderful breakfast she quickly made her way back to the palace with the small bundle of flowers that Bom had given to her. She made her way to the grave site replacing the flowers and whispered a sorry for having to leave so quickly. Turning to briskly walk the halls to finally make it to her room, she paused to see Teddy standing by her room.

"My lady," he gasped as he walked up to her. "Are you alright? This is the latest you've stayed out."

She sighed as she pushed past him and into her room, "Yes I know, I over slept. Can you instruct the maids to draw my bath and start checking up on the various projects?" She walked to her closet to find an outfit for the day.

"Yes my queen," Teddy said before leaving.

Placing various items onto her bed, she made her way to her dresser to look for various accessories to go with her outfit. Hearing the door open she knew it had to be Teddy, "What is it?" There was no answer and she sighed as she looked up to see the king. "Oh...umm...what can I help you with my king?"

GD stood in place as he stared at her. He had over heard the conversation that Minzy and Teddy had in the hallway and the next thing he knew he was standing at her doorway.

"GD," she asked pulling him out of his thoughts. But still there was no answer. Shrugging her shoulders, she scooped up her things as she walked past him, "Okay well I have to go and get ready for today. Make sure you're in good health for the celebration."

"Is that all you have to say to me," he sighed before closing her door and making his way to his room.

Minzy went about the day feeling good that everything seemed to be going according to plan. All the various projects were now going to be set up outside of the palace walls and she couldn't help but smile to herself. "Great work," she looked to Teddy.

"It's going to be amazing," Teddy agreed.

"Yes it will," she added as she headed towards her room.

"Umm...my lady about last night..."

Minzy turned and grinned, "Don't worry about it. Just don't let it happen again." He nodded knowing this was her nice way of saying back off as he excused himself for the night.

She walked into her room feeling so much better than the night before as she went about getting ready for her night out. "Minzy?"

She quickly turned to see GD standing at her doorway, "My king can you stop frightening me like that." Shaking her head she grinned at him, "Yes?" He stood silently not knowing what to say. He had planned it out time and time again on what to say, but each time failed. "GD can you please just tell me what you need so I can let the maid know? I really don't have time to waste."

"Umm..." he coughed to clear his throat. "No, I actually wanted to...talk to you."

"About?" He sighed as he went quiet again. Though he was busy having an inward battle, she was thinking of how much she needed to leave already. "I know what, how about we talk about whatever you wanna talk about tomorrow? If it's about the celebration plans we can go over it and..."

"Celebration plans? That's not what I wanna talk about," he cut her off.

"Well then can you please tell me," she said with a fake smile on her face as she was starting to feel annoyed. She hated the fact that her temper was so easily provoked now more than ever.

"Can we talk about us," he asked as he looked at her. Minzy gasped in shock at what she had just heard. They barely had a conversation that lasted no longer than two to three sentences and here he was asking about something that would last longer than that. "I know it's kind of a touchy topic..."

She held up her index finger to quiet him, "Like I said before we can talk about this tomorrow. You can go over the plans for the celebration..."

"Didn't you hear me?! I said I wanted to talk about US," he nearly shouted at the last word.

She coughed a laugh before folding her arms over her chest, "Don't come to my room demanding when we should talk about things that I don't want to talk about. US?! What the hell is that?" She pointed back and forth between them, "This never happened, so there's nothing to talk about!"

"Minzy..."

"NO! You can nicely ask me and I can say when I feel like talking about whatever you'd like to talk about," she coldly said.

"I..."

"I that's one thing you know very well and something that I wished I could do myself, only think of myself." Even though she could tell those words were hurting him she continued, "Now I want this conversation to end. I have somewhere to be." Placing the robe over her shoulders she walked past him.

"And where would that be," he called after her.

"What, did you think I chose to come back for you? A lot of things can happen in a year GD," she said before disappearing down the stairs.

Minzy gladly accepted Daesung in her arms who started to fuss, "Oh it's okay, mommy's here." But Daesung became more agitated. She sighed as she walked him into their room. "Are you mad at mommy for being mean to daddy?" Daesung grunted making her chuckle, "Sorry I promise I'll try to be a little more nicer. Now go to sleep," she cooed.

As he finally fell asleep in her arms, she thought about her conversation with GD. She sighed as she laid down thinking of how harsh she was. Though he did in fact deserve her harshness, she felt guilty as she looked down at Daesung. He was his father after all.

Author's Notes:

Yay it's my day off so I thought I'd take the opportunity to update. Hope you enjoyed the update even if Minzy is a little mean. Thanks for reading, subscribing and most of all commenting! <3