Chapter 01

"Is it... baby?"

Halmamama's question was met with shocked and confused looks from the newlywed couple.

"Halmamama, its not..." Shin started to say after looking at an equally shocked and confused Chaegyung. Chaegyung spoke at the same time with Shin. Outrightly denying what Halmamama has insinuated.

"Halmuni, no, no... I must've eaten too much egg tarts. Shin say something." Chaegyung explained.

"Shin, you better have your wife checked at the hospital before we leave, don't you think so?" Halmamama insisted, which caused alarm for Chaegyung.

"Halmuni, there is no need. Shin we only did it... could I get pre-pregnant that quick?"

"Mama, I think it is possible, as I've noticed that you haven't had your period since we left Korea." Choi Sang-gong answered before Shin could speak. It was good for Shin that Choi Sang-gong spoke. He was slowly becoming speechless as he recall his thoughts on what had happened between him and his wife.

"Huh? Oh yeah, but..." Chaegyung agreed.

"What?" Chaegyung's agreement with Choi Sang-gong's observation was a jolt to Shin's thoughts. He couldn't deny the possibility of a pregnancy. But they have to make sure first. "Well if that is the case, I think we should go to the hospital just to make sure. I will take her there Halamamama."

Later in the car, Halmamama and Choi Sang-gong were riding at the back. The atmosphere seemed tense, but at the same time full of anticipation, mainly from Halamamama. Shin was in deep thought while driving. Chaegyung sitting at the passenger side still look worried. She doesn't know what the implication of the pregnancy, if it turned out positive.

"Oh! I must inform Hae myung about this exciting event. Everybody at the palace will be happy about this. Choi Sang-gong please contact the palace for me, we must share this news immediately." Halamamama exclaimed. She's just like a child who got her Christmas wish.

"Halmamama, I think its too early to inform them about this, we must make sure first." Shin tried to stop Halmamama.

"Yes, Halmuni, I agree with Shin."

"Well then let us make sure first. But I really feel that it will be positive." Halamamama declared confidently.

"Do you still feel sick?" Shin asked while glancing at Chegyung, a hint of worry in his voice. "Do you feel dizzy? I think I'm driving too fast."

"No, I feel fine. Just slow down a bit Shin goon."

At the hospital, they are all sitting at the waiting room of the OBGYN. Shin requested for a Korean doctor so that Chaegyung might feel a bit easy and comfortable during the check-up. Sensing his wife's nervousness, Shin held Chaegyung's hand.

"Don't be nervous, and answer the doctor truthfully, ok?"

"Yes, I know. But what are we going to do if its positive?" Chaegyung asked.

"Don't worry about that, it will be fine." Hopefully he was able to say it with confidence. He wanted to convince himself as well that it will be fine. The truth was he doesn't want to think about the implications of a positive pregnancy.

"Are you ok? You are the only guy here." Chaegyung asked after observing that the other patients in the waiting room are all females with pregnant bellies.

"I'm fine. I'm your husband, so I think it's ok to be here."

"But..." Chaegyung started to speak, but the door opened and the nurse came out.

"Mrs. Shin Chaegyung please?" the nurse called.

"Yes, its me."

"The doctor would like to see you now."

Chaegyung looked at Shin, who smiled encouragingly at her. Chaegyung let go of Shin's hand and stood up to follow the nurse to the doctor's office.

"Shin you look so tense." Halamamama said when Chaegyung was inside the doctor's office.

"I just wonder what will happen if she is pregnant."

"Are you worried that you will be put back in as the crown prince? Well there would certainly be people around the palace that would want you back, especially now that there will be a new heir for the royal family."

"It's just Chaegyung seems so happy here, I don't want her to be confined in the palace again." Shin knows very well what Halmamama said would happen.

"But Jeonha, more people now wants you back as the crown prince. And that way Jeonha and Bigoong mama can be together again." Choi Sang-gong added.

"Yes, Teaja, Choi Sang-gong has a point. I know how much you missed your wife ever since she left the palace, and by looking at Chaegyung, she seem to have missed you a lot too."

"Yes, Jeonha." Choi Sang-gong agreed with Halmamama. She has seen all those lonely moments of Chaegyung and has been, at times, a victim of Chaegyung's boredom.

"Well, I think that we shoud all go back to Korea today. Choi Sang-gong make the travel arrangements, please, and inform the palace that we will be coming back today." Halmamama suddenly said.

"But Halmamama..." Shin protested.

"Taeja... Shin, I think it is better that Chaegyung will be checked by the Royal family's doctor. Nobody else have to know about this, if the results turns out to be negative."

"Ok, nobody will know about this, and that if she wants to go back here in Macau, she will be allowed to. I'll make sure of that."

Shin immediately looked up when he heard the door to the doctor's office opened. The nurse came out and called for him to go inside. When he entered, he looked at Chaegyung, but she didn't look back. The doctor stood up and greeted him.

"Hwang Teaja Jeonha, please have a sit."

"Thank you." Stealing a look to Chaegyung, Shin asked the doctor, "What's the result, doctor?"

"Jeonha to make sure that the result will be most accurate, I did a blood test on Bigoong mama, but the results will be out by tomorrow afternoon. I'm sorry if you have to wait that long."

"Yes it is going to be a long wait." Looking at Chaegyung again and seeing her nervous and pained expression, he asked the doctor, "Can you give us a moment, please?"

"Uh, yes Jeonha. Excuse me." The doctor went out and closed the door gently.

"Shin goon, I don't think I can wait that long for the results."

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly when he saw that she's holding a cotton ball over her inner arm where the doctor drew blood.

"I'm ok." Chaegyung tried to smile, but Shin knows her better.

"I know. Halmamama can't wait that long either. She wants us to go back to Korea today."

"Huh? You're leaving today. But...but..." Chaegyung looked at Shin.

"WE are leaving, you are coming with us. She wanted you to be checked by the Royal doctors." Seeing her apprehensive expression he immediately assured her that if she doesn't want to, he will convince Halmamama to let him stay until the results come out.

"But I want to be with you. I don't want us to be apart. Didn't we promised that we will never be apart?" While saying this, Chaegyung's eyes got watery. Seeing her tears, Shin immediately gathered her in his arms.

"Yes, I remember. But are you ready to go back to the palace?"

"As long as we are together, I'll be fine." Hearing these words made Shin hug Chaegyung tighter. He was glad to hear those words from her. He was glad to hear that she would rather be with him. Eventhough he finds it hard to express himself, he would try everyday of his life to show his emotions towards Chaegyung. He can not lose her.

"Shin goon, uh, it hurts?"

"I know, it was hard for me too." He loosened his hug from her. Chaegyung looked up at Shin's face, with hurt written all over her face.

"Shin goon, it really hurts, everytime I had blood drawn, it makes me cry. Look its starting to bruise." Chaegyung pointed at her inner arms where the blood was drawn.

"What?" Shin looked at her with disbelief and annoyance written all over his face.

"Aish... come on Halmamama and Choi Sang-gong are waiting for us outside."

Shin stood up suddenly, which surprised Chaegyung. Shin let Chaegyung walk ahead of him, he can't help but smile and shake his head at her. He really did miss this girl and wouldn't mind her habit of "spoiling every moment," as long as she's with him.

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