Chapter 06

Shin didn't understand why Chaegyung suddenly changed mood. After dinner, she went straight to prepare for bed and ignored him. It must be something that he said or didn't say. He can't let her know yet of his plans. But he doesn't like that they're fighting or angry with each other. Maybe he should just tell her about his plans just to appease her.

After staring at the same page for twenty minutes, he went inside their bedroom. Chaegyung was already lying on her side of the bed. Shin went to the bathroom to prepare for bed. When he came out, Chaegyung was lying on her side with her back to him.

Shin lied on his side of the bed. He keep on sneaking looks at Chaegyung to see if she was really asleep. He can't sleep with them like this. He was about to touch her to wake her up when Chaegyung spoke.

"How long have you been in contact with her?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Can't I ask about it?" Chaegyung asked as defensively as Shin asked earlier.

"Like I said before, you shouldn't worry about Hyo-rin."

"You sound like you've never been worried about Yul."

"Why did you bring him up? So you're saying that there was something between you and Yul?" Shin raised his voice upon hearing Yul's name.

"I can't believe you would say something like that. What Yul and I are to each other is different from your relationship with Hyo-rin." Chaegyung got so mad at Shin's insinuation that she got up and grabbed her pillows.

"I'm sleeping in the other room." Chaegyung said then walk out of their bedroom.

Shin felt frustrated with himself for losing control again. He wanted to follow her but decided against it. He'll let her cool down first. After an hour of not getting any sleep, Shin went to the other room and checked on Chaegyung. She seemed to be sleeping, so he sat on one of the chairs and watched her sleep. Chaegyung was aware of Shin entering the room. She can't sleep either but pretended to be asleep because she does not want to talk to Shin.

She felt Shin's fingers brushing through her hair, moving some stray bangs behind her ears. Shin keep on lightly touching her hair until she fell asleep to the rhythym of his touch. When Shin noticed that Chaegyung's breathing has evened out - a sign that she's sleeping - he stood up, secured the blanket around Chaegyung, and then left the room. He went back to their bedroom and fell asleep upon lying on the bed.

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Both of them didn't get any proper sleep that night. The morning after wasn't that good either. They barely spoke to each other during breakfast. While Shin's new assistant was reading their schedule for the day, they were avoiding each other's look. It didn't help at all when his assistant mentioned that Hyo-rin called early in the morning and that she would call back later. Cheagyung was giving Shin deathly glares after this while he was trying not look at her.

That day they had a charity event to attend together. All throughout the event they barely spoke to each other and forcefully put on a smiling face for the people. Hyo-rin called twice during the day. Shin's behaviour didn't help at all. He would find a secluded place to answer the call. This brought more suspicion to the already jealous Chaegyung.

The next day their relationship still hasn't improved. But Chaegyung wanted to fix things up. She noticed that even if they were fighting and sleeping in separate bedrooms, Shin would still come to her room. He would put her to sleep by lightly touching and stroking her hair and then leave, just like the first night after their fight. She's getting confused with what's happening with them. Chaegyung called Kang-hyun to talk through things with her.

"How can you be sure what they are planning, when you haven't heard even half of their conversations." Kang-hyun asked over the phone.

"It's just, if what he says is true, that I don't have anything to worry, why would he be secretive about it."

"That is why you should talk to him. Try to open some sort of communication, so that you have clear understanding. Besides he seems to care about you to put you to sleep even if you're both fighting."

So she decided to talk to Shin. Since her parents will be at Gyeongbokgung this afternoon, she wanted to invite Shin to go with her. She was about to enter his office when he said, "Yes Hyo-rin. I understand."

He's talking to her again, Chaegyung thought. She tried to listen by hiding behind the door.

"Uh, Hyo-rin, I think you should stop calling me. Let me do the calling, Chaegyung's getting suspicious already."

Chaegyung didn't hear the last part of the sentence. She was so angry that she went back to their bedroom and changed clothes. She was coming out of the dressing room when Shin entered their bedroom.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Gyeongbokgung. I'll meet my parents there and visit Halmamama as well."

"I will go with you."

Chaegyung couldn't come up with an excuse why he shouldn't go with her. So she waited for him to change his clothes. They were about to leave when his assistant called Shin's attention.

"Jeohna, the parcel from Spain has arrived, as well as the one from Min Hyo-rin Ssi."

"When did it arrive?" Shin asked in between gritted teeth.

"Just now. I was instructed to report it to you as soon as it arrived." Shin's assistant explained when he saw that Shin was giving him an angry glare.

For a moment Shin was lost as to how to respond, because he knew that Chaegyung would misunderstand things again. He got angry with himself and the current situation.

Chaegyung looked at his assistant then at Shin. Chaegyung knew that whatever was in that parcel, it must be important for Shin to be flustered at his assistant for bringing it up in front of her.

"It's alright Shin goon, I can go to the Palace on my own."

"I'm sorry, it's just important for me to check those documents."

Chaegyung nodded, but with disappointment and hurt all over her face.

"How about I pick you up later?"

"No need. I have the bodyguards with me, so I'll be ok."

Chaegyung didn't give him a chance to further argue with her by giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she hurriedly went inside the car. Shin was surprised at Cheagyung's behaviour that he lost his thought on what he was going to say. When he regained his senses again, the car was driving away already.

Chapter 05

Chaegyung was shocked at Shin's statement about going overseas to study. She knew that they haven't talked about any plans on studying overseas. Although she knew that Shin have plans of going overseas to study, but that was before and with Hyorin. What will she do if he really study overseas?

"But I also want to study overseas! It's unfair!" These were the thoughts running through Chaegyung's head while walking around the palace grounds. She went for a walk after the meeting with the royal council. She was waiting for Shin, who was in another meeting regarding some charity work. She stopped suddenly when she realized that she was at the Crown Prince's Palace. That was the first time she saw their former residence since coming back.

The palace has not changed much. Their rooms are still the same although there are some dust on all the furnitures. She went into Shin's room. There she saw some boxes and some other stuff - mostly books - waiting to be packed. These must be Shin's other things that will be moved to Changdok palace, Chaegyung thought. While browsing among the boxes, she saw the remote control for the secret door in Shin's room.

"AAAHHHHH!!!!" She screamed when she bumped into someone inside the red-lighted room. She immediately turned on the lights to see if she bumped into a ghost.

"Who are you?" Chaegyung asked.

She cannot clearly see the face of the man she bumped into because he was covering his eyes on the sudden flooding of light in the room. When his eyes were able to adjust with the light he removed his hand.

"I'm sorry..." he started, while bowing his head. Then he looked at Chaegyung intensely, "Chaegyung!"

Chaegyung also recognized him, "Lee Hoon oppa!"

"What are you doing here?" They both asked at the same time.

But before they could answer each other, Gong Ne Gwan came into the room with a couple of sang gongs.

"Dae goon mama, we have been looking all over for you. It is time for your study." Gong Ne Gwan said to Lee Hoon.

"You are studying here?" Chaegyung asked.

"Yeah. I didn't know I was a descendant of a king. And these guys brought me here to become the next Crown Prince. I don't know what's the problem of this Hwang Taeja that they need a new one. But I heard that the king's health was the main reason why he stepped down."

Lee Hoon kept on talking and didn't notice the movement at the door. His teachers moved aside and bowed as they noticed the presence of Lee Shin.

"How about you? What are you doing here? I thought you'll continue your studies in Macau. You know, this room is filled with pictures of you. The guy who owns this must be a pervert or something."

Chaegyung suppressed her smile and laughter at what Lee Hoon said. She was about to answer when someone cleared his throat and spoke.

"The pervert owner of this room is me, Crown Prince Lee Shin, who also happens to be the husband of Shin Chaegyung." Shin said coldly while looking at them, as he put his arms around Chaegyung's shoulder.

Lee Hoon was surprised at the Crown Prince's presence. Before forgetting his manners he bowed to the royal couple.

"I'm sorry Jeonha." He apologized.

"It's okay. You don't have to be too formal, Lee Hoon oppa." Chaegyung said. "You're my friend, right? I didn't know that you'll be the next in line to the throne. It must be hard."

"Uhm..hmm Dae goon mama..."

"Okay, okay. I'm going. I'm sorry Chae--uh--Hwang Taejabi mama. Maybe we can talk more some other time, I have to go."

"Yes. See you around. Bye! Fighting!" Chaegyung cheerfully said to Lee Hoon.

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They were in the car on the way back to Changdok palace. Shin has been curious about Lee Hoon and Chaegyung since they left Gyeongbok Palace.

"How did you two know each other?" Shin started to ask.

"Oh, back in Macau he used to deliver food. He seems a nice guy and I befriended him. He's also the first Korean I met there."

"You two seem to be close."

"Oh, yes. He's the other person I can talk to there. He's like an older brother to me."

"Uhmm." There was something in Shin's voice that Chegyung noticed, and made her look closely at Shin. His expression seemed unreadable, but being with him for a long time, she knew when Shin eyes gets smaller and there's a crease in between them, it means he is thinking deeply again.

"Are you jealous?" Chaegyung asked curiously.

"No. Of course not!" Shin was surprised at Chaegyung's question that he didn't notice that he has raised his voice.

"You are jealous. Just admit it."

"I will not admit anything. I was just curious that's all. The world seems so small for both of you to meet again."

"Yes it's a small world, isn't it?"

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Shin was in his office when the phone rang. Chaegyung, who was near the phone, picked it up.

"Hello?"
"Yes, may I know who is this please?"
"Hyo-rin?! uhh Hold on."

She went to Shin's office and handed the phone to Shin. There are so many questions and thoughts swirling around her head.

"Shin goon, it's Hyo-rin."

Shin loooked at the phone, then at Chaegyung. He sensed that Chaegyung was curious as to why Hyo-rin was calling him. He waited for Cheagyung to go out of the room before talking on the phone.

Chaegyung wanted to listen but didn't want to be obvious. Shin seemed to be talking to Hyo-rin quietly so she couldn't hear anything. She just left the room thinking that they both still have communication with each other. She wondered if they call each other everyday. All the while that she was in Macau, she only received emails from Shin; to think she didn't even received a phone call from him in the two months that she was in Macau.

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They were having dinner but Chaegyung was in a bad mood and has no appetite. Shin noticed that she's not eating and just played with her food.

"What's wrong? You don't like the food?" Shin asked. "Or do you still feel sick?"

"No."

Shin waited for her to tell him what was going on with her.

"How long have you been in contact with each other?" Chaegyung finally asked.

"What do you mean? Who are you talking about?"

"Hyo-rin."

Chapter 04

Yesterday Lee Hoon was driving his scooter on his way to another house to deliver food. He still can't believe that he's now riding the most luxurious car on the way to the Royal Palace - Gyeongbokgung. When those men in black suits came to his aunt's chinese restaurant and informed him about his royal blood, he thought they were pranksters from some TV show. But when they presented his birth certificate and his father's pictures, a few things about his past that he had never seen, he had to reconsider what they said. The call from the queen dowager inviting him personally to Gyeongbokgung was what encouraged him to make the final decision. He wanted to get to the bottom of this whole royal thing issue.

Good thing his aunt wasn't at the store at that time. She seemed to be in a good mood this morning that she didn't scold him about taking the day off, instead she wished him good luck. That was odd. Maybe she thought that this was the opportunity she's waiting for to get rid of him. If only his uncle was here; he should've never given up in convincing his uncle to come back home. It was sad leaving him alone in Macau. He has been looking for his uncle since he divorced his wife and left for good.

His uncle and aunt were the only people who came close as parents to him, most especially his uncle. He's the one who really took care of him since his parents died in a car accident when he was just one year old. Although his aunt was only civil with him because of his uncle, he still considers her as a parent. He was grateful that even if his uncle is no longer living with her, she still lets him stay and work for her.

"We're here, Hwang Ja nim." The voice of a guy beside the driver distracted Lee Hoon's thoughts.

He has always imagined what was inside the walls that surrounded the palace. It was surreal for him to be inside these palace walls. Somehow it's more colorful than he thought it would be. The colors that represent the Korean tradition and culture were evident in every building that they passed. Even the gardens surrounding some buildings were filled with beautiful and colorful flowers. A ceremony was being held inside one of the buildings. He wanted to stay and watch the traditional dance that was being performed, but the palace officials led him to the Palace's main building.

"Please wait here for the Queen Regent Hae-myung," one of the palace officials said, "refreshments will be served to you in a while." Then the palace official left him alone.

He looked around the room and he couldn't help but notice the expensive furnitures and decors. The amount of all these furnitures is enough to feed a town for a year, he thought.

"The Queen Regent is here." A sang-gong announced.

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"Thank you for coming here in such a short notice." Hae-myung started saying.

"Oh! No, I'm thankful for telling me about my past. I've always wondered what my parents were like since Uncle never told me stories about them." Lee Hoon said excitedly.

"But what we are asking is not easy; I hope that you understand that. You don't have to worry about the legal proceedings, Palace officials will take care of it. However, a lot of politics will play when the Parliament starts discussion on adding your name to the Royal Family Registry."

"Yes, I know. I just want to know my heritage and the family of my father. But how is the king these days? I know he is father's cousin." Lee Hoon asked Hae-myung curiously.

"The king is doing well. His decision to abdicate has many factors, but one of the main reasons is his health. Because of this, so much pressure has been put to Shin. And Shin felt that he wanted to learn more about the world, especially with his wife." Hae-myung stopped for a while. Lee Hoon seemed to be a gentle person, the type that was easy to talk to. She smiled to herself, and wondered how different Lee Hoon would be from Chaegyung. "Do not worry, you will undergo a special training and education so that you will be able to handle the challenges of being the Crown Prince."

"I see. Thank you."

"The preparation for your entrance to the Palace will start today."

Gong Ne Gwan entered the room together with a man . The man looked like the typical professor.

"This is Gong Ne Gwan, he will be in charge of overseeing your education here in the Palace. And these is Kim Jeong-woo. He will be your teacher."

He looked at his teacher. He seemed to be the serious type of person. Lee Hoon wondered if he would be able to learn from such a boring looking person.

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"Yes! Finally escaped the clutches of the devil!" Lee Hoon triumphantly murmured to himself. He got so bored with the lesson that day so when his teacher called for a break, he took off immediately and went to the other side of the palace grounds.

His wandering around has brought him to another building. There was a fountain near the entrance. He noticed that two rooms were opposite from each other. He checked the one on the right, and he noticed that it looked like a girl's room. There were lace curtains around and the color of the room screamed at him that the owner was a girl.

He went to the other room opposite the one he entered. This is a guy's room, he thought upon seeing it. The solid colors and wood furnishings speaks of a masculine owner. It also dawned on him that the rooms haven't been used in a long time. Dust have been accumulating on furnitures.

He went in further and saw boxes filled with books and other stuff. Then he saw a remote control. He pressed it but the flat TV screen did not turn on, instead he heard a swish of a door opening. Curiosity got the better of him and entered the room.

Chapter 03

"How are you Bigoong? How does it feel to be back in the Palace?" Halmamama asked Chaegyung.

"I'm doing well Halmu-- ah --Halmamama. I'm happy to be back here with Shin."

"That's good to know. But I do have some bad news for both of you. The pregnancy result is negative."

Chaegyung was surprised at how she felt disappointed and saddened by the news. Although she know that the possibility was very little, there was still a part of her that wanted it to be true.

Shin was also disappointed by the news. Even though he knew the implication of the pregnancy, he still wants to have a child with Chaegyung. He just nodded his head at Halmamama, absorbing the news. Seeing the changed expression of Chaegyung, he held her hand.

"Don't be sad Halmamama, I'm sure there will be another chance to be pregnant, we all just need to be patient." Shin said and sneaked at look at Chaegyung. He smiled secretly when she saw Chaegyung's eyes widen with what she heard from him.

"You two must make it quick, I'm afraid I'm running out of time." Halmamama warned the royal couple. Hwang Hu and Haemyung hid a small smile on Halmamama's statement. Hwang Hu was also a bit disappointed but at the same time relieved at the news. A grandchild would be great, but she felt that the timing might not be right.

"So what are your plans now? Calls for Shin to remain as Crown Prince is getting stronger. The council seems to be looking for ways to get you take back at the throne." Hwang Hu said. She diverted the topic from pregnancy as to not further let Halmamam fret and demand a great-grandchild from the couple.

"Yes Umamama. I'm aware of the situation and the implications of Chaeyung's coming back to the palace. Bigoong and I haven't discussed what we want to do. However I still want to explore the world through my charity work. And Bigoong has expressed her interest in it. Shin said and looked at Chaegyung.

"Yes. I want to support my husband's work. Also so that I could help people." Chaegyung added.

"That's good then." Haemyung commented. "Doing charity work is also a responsibility of a Hwang Ja. Shin, I must admit you are good at it."

Shin smiled shyly at Haemyung's compliment, while Chaegyung smiled proudly at her husband.

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The news of Chaegyung's false pregnancy have not yet reached the royal council. They have planned on telling the royal couple that the council knew about the pregnancy. The council would insist on the strict obedience to the Hwang Sil law. They would execute the said plan upon that afternoon's audience with the royal couple, as part of welcoming the Crown Princess back to the Palace.

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"Hwang Taeja and Hwang Taejabin are here." The sang-gong announced the entrance of the royal couple in the royal council's function hall.

Shin and Chaegyung entered the room. Before taking their seats, they received the bows from the members of the royal council.

"Thank you for giving us time to officially welcome the Crown Princess back to the Palace." The head of the council started.

"You are welcome --"

"Yes. Thank you for welcoming me back to the palace." Chaegyung cut off what Shin was about to say. She was being her usual self again, Shin noticed.

"Having this formal audience with your highness also means that the Crown Princess is now allowed to stay in the country. The exile is no longer in effect." Another member of the council said.

"Your crown status is also not yet removed, until such time that a new heir be chosen --"

"Yes, I understand. But please do keep in mind that a Crown Prince-in-waiting will be coming in the palace. And upon completion of his training, formal bestowing of title should be done immediately." Shin told the Royal council.

"I'm afraid, Taeja Jeonha, that would depend on the approval of the parliament. As well as on the birth of your first child. According to the law the first born son to the Crown will be named as heir-to-the-throne." The head of the council argued.

"What do you mean by that?" Shin asked.

"Now that the Crown Princess is expecting a child, it is only proper to obey what was in the law." Said the head of the council with a hint of a warning to the royal couple. "Taeja Jeonha must know this by heart."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the result of the medical exam is negative. Bigoong is not carrying any child right now." Shin forcefully told the council.

Looking at Chaegyung, he noticed that she was shocked and saddened by the council's decision regarding any future children from them.

"That may be the case for now, Jeonha, but sooner or later --"

"Plans of pregnancy is far from our minds right now. Bigoong must finish her studies first before having a child. And that may take a while. Heirs from us should not be expected by the council." Shin interrupted.

The coundil was taken a back by the brazen remark of Shin. They have not expected such answers from the Crown Prince. The head of the council nodded his head in agreement, but then warned them of the laws, from which they can not escape from.

"If the Crown Princess can not produce an heir, the law also states that the Crown Prince can take a concubine, whom he can have a child with." The elder warned.

Upon hearing this, Chaegyung looked at the council with anger and hate. She turned to look at Shin, who seems to be expressionless at the warning given by the council.

"I know clearly what is stated in the law. However, I have planned to study overseas. That way we are both free of any pressures from the palace."

Shin's statement was more of a shock to Chaegyung than the council's lecture on the royal laws.

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