Chapter XVIII
1320 Words
열여덟번째 왕관(18)
“Jeonha, the Queen… the Queen is coming here to see you,” Secretary Jeong finally said after he panted.
Prince Yi Eul frowned at him as he muttered. “What?”
“Her Majesty is coming here for a visit. She notified me in a call just now and she’s on her way,” Secretary Jeong responded.
“Why? Did she tell you the reason why she’s visiting me? I already visited her last week.”
“I didn’t know, Your Highness.”
“Why this time…” he pinched the bridge of his nose and spoke once again. “Tell the royal servants and my royal stylist to prepare,” he, then, turned his head to Jae Kyung and pointed her. “You. Fix yourself.”
“E-Eh?” Jae Kyung pointed to herself dumbly. “W-Why?”
“We’re going to meet the Queen.”
Jae Kyung felt so stuffy with the white-laced turtleneck blouse from Chanel that she wore but she didn’t have a choice but to wear it since the Crown Prince left so many marks on her neck.
That damn i***t of a prince. I swear to gosh, I will never, ever drink with him. He mistook me as Da Hyun…
She paused in the thought.
Right, Da Hyun…
Did he remember Da Hyun when he kissed me?
Her gaze settled on Prince Yi Eul who’s wearing a black traditional European palace prince clothing and of course, it flaunted some medals and badges to emphasize him as the Crown Prince. Unlike the usual arrogant aura radiating from him, he looked silent and serious this time.
Huh, is he afraid about the queen’s arrival?
“Jeonha, Jang Eunwanghu daebi-mamakkeso osyotsseumnida.” (*Your Highness, Queen Jang Eun, Her Majesty is here.)
As soon as the Crown Prince’s front door opened, an old woman around her early 70s entered the house. Her slightly gray hair was fixed in Eoryeomori and she’s wearing an elegant royal blue with gold-patterned dangui which really shows her rank as the last queen. Her long skirt (which is part of the hanbok) is elegantly red. She also had four royal servants and seven bodyguards around her.
When Queen Jang Eun stopped in front of them, they immediately bowed as low as they could that even Jae Kyung felt like she stretched her back so much.
“Wow, she’s real,” Jae Kyung stared at the queen in awe. “Daebak, I’m really facing the Queen.”
“Nae bojalgodomneun gose osin goseul hwanyonghamnida, Daebi-mama,” Prince Yi Eul greeted his queen grandmother. (*Your Majesty, welcome to my humble place.)
Queen Jang Eun responded to him with a slight bow. She, then, smiled at him and caressed his cheek. “Neomu ppalri jarassoyo, uri wangjanim.” (*You grew up so fast, our prince.)
“*Halma-mama, myonhwe ondago haessoya haessoyo. I should’ve prepared a pleasant gift for you,” Prince Yi Eul said. (*Your Majesty (Queen grandmother), you should’ve told me you’re going to visit.)
“Aigoo, i aiyo je gokjjongeun anhasyodo dwemnida, jeonha. My intention is just to visit and check up on you,” Queen Jang Eun flaunted a gentle smile on his grandson. (*My, my, this kid. You don’t have to worry about me, Your Highness.)
And she seemed so nice. Aw~ Jae Kyung couldn’t help but comment on her head.
“Shall we sit, daebi-mama?” Prince Yi Eul gestured the queen to sit and he assisted the queen to sit. The queen’s royal servants and bodyguards took five steps backward and lined up. As for Jae Kyung, Do Wan, and Secretary Jeong, they just maintained one step away from the Crown Prince while the royal servants are just behind them as well.
“I prepared your favorite tea, halma-mama,” Prince Yi Eul gestured the tea in front of Queen Jang Eun after one of his royal servants served it. “Daebi-mamakkeso gajang joahasineun daechuchaimnida.” (*Her Majesty’s favorite, Jujube tea)
Queen Jang Eun nodded and took the teacup. She took a little sip, glance at Prince Yi Eul and smiled. “It’s been years since the last time I took care of you. You still remember my favorite tea. Different time, same taste.”
“I will never forget it, halma-mama,” Prince Yi Eul smiled at her.
The queen’s eyes settled on the cookies in front of her. Her lips agape and picked up one of the pieces of the Yakgwa cookies. “This reminds me of the past. This is actually His Majesty’s favorite snack during his past time. He usually requested me to make him these to eat. Brings back so many memories.”
“I’m happy that you’re pleased with the food we prepared for you, Your Majesty,” Prince Yi Eul said.
“Of course, my dear grandson,” Queen Jang Eun smiled. “Especially this yakgwa cookie. Different time yet the same aroma and taste. Nostalgia.”
Prince Yi Eul side-eyed Do Wan and Jae Kyung who was obviously fist-pumping secretly. They’re the ones who actually made the Yakgwa cookies, especially Jae Kyung.
Prince Yi Eul couldn’t help but smile in secret.
“I know you’re quite surprised with my sudden visit but I just want to see you, my grandson.”
“No, not at all, halma-mama. It’s a pleasure that you visited me in my humble home. It’s just that, it’s a shame that I didn’t prepare any gifts for you.”
“You did, jeonha!” Prince Yi Eul and Queen Jang Eun looked at Jae Kyung in surprise. She’s raising her arm dumbly as if she’s going to lead a rally.
When she realized it, Jae Kyung immediately put her hand down. “U-Uh, I’m sorry for interrupting, Your Highness but I think you forgot that you actually prepared a gift for Her Majesty.”
Prince Yi Eul frowned at her and mouthed. “What?”
Jae Kyung didn’t respond anymore and she grabbed the flower bouquet from one of the servants and gave it to Queen Jang Eun with a bow. “His Royal Highness prepared this for you, Your Majesty.”
“Wait is that…” Prince Yi Eul whispered to himself as he slightly pointed the flower bouquet.
Jae Kyung, you i***t! That’s the bouquet from the symposium!
Jae Kyung turned her head to him and put her index finger on her lips and winked, silencing him.
“Aigoo~ my beloved prince. You don’t really have to give me presents like this. I told you so,” she smiled as she touched one of the petals of the flower bouquet. “You still remember that I like pink roses.”
“Y-Yes, yes I could still remember, halma-mama,” Prince Yi Eul couldn’t help but slightly scratch his nape because of awkwardness.
He thanked heavens that the roses are still fresh because his i***t of an assistant gave the queen… THE QUEEN JANG EUN a recycled flower bouquet.
“The reason I actually came here is not just to check up on you, jeonha,” Queen Jang Eun’s voice and face suddenly became serious after her royal servant took her flower bouquet. “I will not go waste my breath. I’ll just cut the chase. The reason why I came here is to tell you that you have to go to my house.”
“I will, halma-mama. I was actually planning to visit you as well.”
“I want you to go to my house because I want you to meet someone,” said Queen Jang Eun.
Prince Yi Eul slightly frowned as he spoke. “May I know who is it, halma-mama?”
Queen Jang Eun took a sip on her daechu-cha before she responded.
“Your fiancé, jeonha.”
- Writer
