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."