Chapter XXIX
1556 Words
스물 아홉 번째 왕관 (29)
Jae Kyung was pouting, keeping her head low as she kept on fidgeting her fingers. When she tried to look up, she ended up looking down again.
Prince Yi Eul remained standing in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest and with a frown on his face. He looked really classy with his jet-black hair pushed up and wearing his Louis Vuitton Sculptural Coat, Slim Fit Shirt with Matching Tie and Sculptural Pants.
“You already spent two weeks, Kim Jae Kyung,” Prince Yi Eul said. “And you already broke ninety bowls in a row.”
Jae Kyung bit her lower lip. “Uh...”
“Seriously, walking like a graceful lady is such an easy task to do so, why can’t you do that?”
Because I’m more comfortable in walking according to my will, you i***t.
Prince Yi Eul glared at her. “I could actually hear what’s on your mind, you hard-headed girl.”
Jae Kyung just widened her eyes on him and pursed her lips into thin line. “I’m not lying, though.”
“Listen,” Prince Yi Eul muttered after he made sure there’s no one around them. “I know you’re uncomfortable with this training stuff but you can just bear with it for six months. You’ll get used to it. You just have to convince the queen and the other members of the royal family and that’s it. No sweat.”
Easily said than done. Jae Kyung made a face. “Okay, fine. I’ll try my best as you said so, Your Highness.”
“Don’t try, do it.”
Jae Kyung tried her best to glare at him. He sounded like a tyrant just now.
Both of them turned their heads to the royal servants who are now bowing in front of them.
“Jeonha, the princess consort needs to do her training right now,” one of the servants said.
Jae Kyung turned her head back at Prince Yi Eul as he tilted his head. “You go now.”
The former pouted, almost jutted her lower lip. “Can I just have a snack? I want to eat mochis.”
Prince Yi Eul gave her a look. “Go now.”
Jae Kyung sighed as she flaunted a sad expression on her face. “Man, you’re acting like a tyrant from those manhwas I read.” (*manhwa is a Korean term for manga/comic.)
“Don’t compare me to those fictional characters. You go now.”
Jae Kyung just pouted as she walked towards her room’s (which, technically, is one of the guest rooms of the traditional House of Yi) door. She was then assisted by the royal servants when she went out of her room.
When Jae Kyung was finally out of his sight, Prince Yi Eul fished his phone out of his pants’ pocket and dialed a number to call. In just one ring, the person on the other line finally answered the call. “Dowan.”
“Ye, jeonha.”
“I want you here in five. We’re going somewhere.”
“This is the hundred tenth bowl already.”
“What’s so hard in walking like a princess, though?”
“She sucks, honestly.”
One of the royal servants turned her head on Jae Kyung who’s just standing and looking at one of the undamaged bowls and she looked back at her fellow servants. “Hey, tone down your voices. She might hear you.”
Well, I heard you loud and clear, you guys. Jae Kyung couldn’t help but comment inside her mind. As soon as the servants were finally out of her sight, Jae Kyung slumped on the floor, sitting like a kid and she doesn’t care anymore if she’ll ruin her hanbok’s chima. (Though, she chose not to actually ruined it since she kinda like her handbook, especially the chima since it was patterned with flowers on the hem. It was a floral sheer pearl and handmade exclusively for her.)
She sighed. She felt so exhausted. She looked at the bowl in front of her and picked it up. She, then, keep staring at her as her mind started to space out.
Mom, did I really chose the right path of my own story?
“Why the long face?”
Jae Kyung gasped and turned her head towards the door. She saw Prince Yi Ryeo smiling at her. “Hey.”
Her eyes widen and she blinked multiple times. When she finally internalized that Prince Yi Ryeo is looking at her, she abruptly stood up and bowed at him. “Go-Good afternoon, Your Highness. I’m sorry that you’ve seen me like that.”
“Nah, it’s okay. No need to worry. It’s just me,” Prince Yi Ryeo said and walked towards her. “I know you’re exhausted from the whole day training so...” he, then, showed her a fancy pink box. “I brought food for you.”
Jae Kyung could actually imagine herself looking at the box in astonishment—with sparkling eyes as if those will emit hearts like in manhwas she read and in animes she watched and some flowery vibes around her. Oh my gosh, he’s such an angel. He’s not just some sort of Prince Charming, but also an angel. She shamelessly accepted the box since she’s been craving for snacks since earlier and she’s already damn hungry. “I thank you so much for your kindness, mama.”
“You’re always welcome,” Prince Yi Ryeo grinned at her. “I told you, right? If you need help, I will always be here for you. I’m your number one supporter, you know?”
Jae Kyung couldn’t help but blush at his remark.
I wonder if Prince Yi Ryeo is the one that I’ll be marrying... I guess it’ll be really good. I might really have the happily ever after that I deserved.
“Uh, since I’m in the middle of my break time, umm, you know, do you mind if you’ll join me?” she awkwardly asked.
Prince Yi Ryeo smiled. “No, not at all.”
Jae Kyung couldn’t help but grin in happiness as the both of them shared the food Prince Yi Ryeo brought for her.
“You know, if you’ll not actually going to marry my cousin, I might propose to you.”
“What is it, Your Highness? I’m sorry I didn’t hear what you said. Can you repeat that?”
“Ah, nothing. I just want to say that I hope you’d like the cake. Hahaha.”
“Waah, I actually love it, Your Highness!”
“I’m glad to hear that, Jae Kyung-ssi. Just eat it to your heart’s content.
“I will, Your Highness. It’s an honor to receive such treats from you.”
She enjoyed sharing stories and talking to Prince Yi Ryeo that she didn’t even notice that someone is watching them.
Someone watching them with a frown on his face as he gripped the ribbon from the box he’s holding.
Jae Kyung’s facial expression couldn’t really explain as she walked slowly with a bowl on her head. Prince Yi Eul is watching her with his arms crossed over his chest, as if he’s burning holes on her face. Prince Yi Eul is now the one who’s personally watching over Jae Kyung’s training as of this moment. It’s already seven in the evening and Jae Kyung really wants to go home.
She’s in the middle of the way when the bowl suddenly fell off her head that she couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.
Prince Yi Eul squeezed his eyes in tight shut, obviously trying to suppress his disappointment since earlier but now, he couldn’t do it anymore. “Goddamn it, not again, Kim Jae Kyung!”
Jae Kyung looked at him with an agitated face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I got really uncomfortable with my shoes. I’ll just try again—”
“You’re making excuses again!” Prince Yi Eul snapped. “You’ve been doing this for two weeks and you still can’t get it right?! Are you f*****g kidding me?!”
“I-I’m really sorry, okay? I-I’ll try again—”
“I can’t believe you still can’t get it right! We’re already days to go! What the heck!” Prince Yi Eul said, frustrated. “You couldn’t do well at this rate, Kim Jae Kyung! You’re no good!”
The whole room went silent after Prince Yi Eul said that. No one dares to break that silence. It took Prince Yi Eul half a minute to realize that he went overboard.
Even if he didn’t want to feel it, he actually felt guilty even if he didn’t want to because damn, he’s just being honest! It’s not even his fault!
He looked at Jae Kyung who silently stood in the middle of the room with her head low. “Uh, Kim Jae Kyung, you see...”
“I’m... I’m sorry...”
Prince Yi Eul stopped and his eyes widen when he saw Kim Jae Kyung’s shoulders shaking and saw her cheeks started to wet.
She’s crying. She’s f*****g crying.
What the heck did you do, Yi Eul?!
- Writer
