Chapter XXXV
1713 Words
서른 다섯 번째 왕관 (35)
Prince Yi Eul just went out of the hall where he had his appointment and just finished it.
“Your Highness,” Prince Yi Eul turned his head towards the spokesperson of the event. The latter bowed towards him. “Thank you so much for coming to the event. We’re also hoping for you to guest in our next symposium next time.
Prince Yi Eul smiled at him in response. “I will, Mr. Gu. Well then.”
As soon as they both bowed at each other, Prince Yi Eul turned his back at the spokesperson and from smiling, his face changed into a blank and cold one. Secretary Jeong took his black overcoat off and Do Won opened the backseat’s door for the Crown Prince to enter and seat. Secretary Jeong settled himself on the shotgun seat and Do Won on the driver’s seat.
“How annoying. I should’ve canceled that appointment. But instead, I wasted my time dealing with those two-faced bastards in that symposium. Are they really that threatened about me?”
“I couldn’t tell, Your Highness.”
“Forget it,” Prince Yi Eul waved his hand to dismiss the topic.
“Your Highness,” Secretary Jeong called him as he scrolled the tablet he’s holding. “You’ll have a dinner meeting with the Prime Minister and the other officials in the Blue House.”
Prince Yi Eul’s eyes just settled on the window, looking at the buildings as they passed by. “Postpone that one.”
“At 4PM, you also have an appointment with one of the Queen’s ministers at Gangnam.”
“Postpone that one as well. I badly need a rest.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Her Majesty’s secretary also said that you and Jae Kyung-agassi should prepare for the upcoming press conference next week and meet the citizens before the wedding day,” Secretary Jeong said.
“What? Press conference?” Prince Yi Eul sighed. “Halma-mama always decides without my consent. Do we have to do that?”
“I’m afraid you have to, jeonha.”
“How bothersome,” Prince Yi Eul sighed again. It’s not like this marriage is going to last long, either. “Ugh, speaking of Kim Jae Kyung, what is that lazy bum doing right now?”
“She’s in the House of Yi doing her daily training, Your Highness,” Secretary Jeong answered.
Prince Yi Eul stayed silent for a second.
“Do you want to go there, Your Highness?”
“I should. Who knows that lazy bum might be doing another mess there again.”
Secretary Jeong nodded. “Ye, Jeonha,” he, then, looked at Do Won and nodded as a signal.
Do Won responded to the nod and drove the car away.
“Daebi-mama, Yi Eul-hwangtaejakkeso bwero watsseumnida.”
Queen Jang Eun’s eyes settled on her study room’s door and put down the teacup she’s holding. “Let him in.”
As soon as Prince Yi Eul entered the pavilion, he bowed his head in Her Majesty’s presence. “Good afternoon, Daebi-mama,” when he raised his head, he saw Jae Kyung bowing to him as well.
“Go-Good afternoon, Your Highness,” they’ve been pretending for almost a month now but Jae Kyung still finds it awkward to act if she’s with the queen.
And she looked so freaking shy.
Prince Yi Eul didn’t know if he’ll laugh at her or be surprised that she’s with the queen.
But one thing is for sure, he’ll have to do what a man usually do to his lover.
He walked towards her and cupped her cheek, giving her a kiss on her forehead. “Have you eaten your meals?”
Jae Kyung wanted to appeal to Prince Yi Eul’s sudden action but she also remembered about the contract so she just brushed it off and acted as well.
Section two point two of the contract: No physical contacts (hugging, holding hands, touching, etc.), unless needed.
And they needed to do so since they’re in front of the queen.
They must do their best not to be suspicious.
Jae Kyung took a deep breath and showcased the sweetest smile she could offer on the Crown Prince. “Yes, I did. Your Highness. Her Majesty also invited me for tea. You? Did you already take your meals?”
Prince Yi Eul actually wanted to laugh. He’s not actually used to Jae Kyung speaking at him formally because this girl likes to talk to him casually, defying him and even rant and spit fire on him.
But yeah, they needed to act because they’re in front of the queen.
“Nah, the symposium ended late so I wasn’t able to eat,” Prince Yi Eul sighed as he showcased his fake-but-too-real sad face. “I really thought we’ll going to have our lunch together or maybe, go on the date since you know, we barely spent time with each other since you’re busy with your training.”
“I’m really sorry, Your Highness. I should’ve known. I should’ve waited for you to come here so we can have lunch together,” Jae Kyung pouted.
Damn, we could actually win a daesang or baeksang for acting at this rate, seriously. Or maybe a trophy from Oscars. (*The Baeksang Arts Awards, also known as Paeksang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp., publisher of Ilgan Sports, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films, television, and theater. It was established by Chang Key-young, founder of the Hankook Ilbo newspaper, whose pen name was "Baeksang." The ceremony is usually presented in April or May in Seoul.)
(*The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. It is regarded as the most famous and prestigious awards in the entertainment industry. Given annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the awards are an international recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements, as assessed by the Academy's voting membership. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a golden statuette, officially called the "Academy Award of Merit", although more commonly referred to by its nickname, the "Oscar". The statuette depicts a knight rendered in the Art Deco style.)
“No, I can’t also allow that. I don’t want my future wife to starve herself because of me.”
Of course, even if Jae Kyung finds it really awkward, she let Prince Yi Eul hug her on her waist.
Damn, he should really need to pay me high on my talent fee.
They stopped when they got interrupted by the queen who actually cleared her throat. As fast as lightning, they pulled out from each other’s grasp and Prince Yi Eul bowed at the queen as Jae Kyung looked away because of “shyness”.
We could actually star in a Korean Drama at this rate, seriously.
Oh! I could actually pair myself up with Cha Eunwoo, Nam Joohyuk, Lee Jun Ki, Lee Min Ho. Oh! I could be Do Kyung Soo’s leading lady since, you know, I’m wearing hanbok and all and he’ll be my Prince husband that this idiotic, arrogant prince beside me.
“Oh, good afternoon again, Your Majesty,” Prince Yi Eul greeted once again.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness,” Queen Jang Eun greeted with a smile. She actually wants to chuckle at how Prince Yi Eul and Jae Kyung blushed.
“I came here after my appointment this morning since my secretary informed me that you want me to come here to talk over something,” Prince Yi Eul said.
“Ah yes. About that,” Queen Jang Eun’s eyes settled on Jae Kyung and Prince Yi Eul and spoke once again. “We could talk about it later. My servants already prepared the lunch for the both of you in the other pavilion.”
“Pardon, Your Majesty? But I already ate and I have training—”
Queen Jang Eun raised her hand. “The training can wait and it already took all of your time and you barely spent it to His Royal Highness so go on, take a day off and join His Highness to the pavilion for a meal.”
“O-Okay, Your Majesty…” Jae Kyung muttered.
“Thank you so much, Your Majesty. Well then, we’ll take our leave,” both Prince Yi Eul and Jae Kyung bowed at the queen and took their leave, holding hands together.
Queen Jang Eun couldn’t help but smile at the precious moment in front of her. “Have you seen that, Your Majesty? Our beloved grandson already saw the love of his life,” Queen Jang Eun looked at the balcony and to the sky. “I’m happy for him. I hope you’re happy for him as well.”
“You really are good at acting, Your Highness.”
“Course. I’m the best, you know? Isn’t it obvious? I am the Crown Prince. The Alpha. The GOAT—Greatest Of All Time!”
“Bruh, I only praised you by your acting earlier and you’re being so self-conceited. And correction, you’re not as great as Do Kyung Soo. He’s such a good actor! Especially when he played the role of a Crown Prince as well!”
“Is he an actor?”
“Obviously, of course, Your Highness! Haven’t you watched *Baekirui Nanggunnim?!” (*Korean title of 100 Days My Prince, a Korean Drama)
“I don’t watch Korean Dramas.”
“Are you serious?! You’re missing half of your life for not watching dramas, you know! Let’s watch it later when we go home.”
“Did I allow you to go home?”
“It’s not like I needed your permission to go home, though.”
“Pfft. What do I expect? You always like to defy me. Next time, I will definitely punish you.”
“Nah, you can’t do that because no one has the capability to deal with you except me.”
“Point.”
- Writer
