Chapter 08

"What? The parliament wants to do an investigation before approving Lee Hoon's inclusion into the Royal Family's registry."

The Royal council was in another meeting after the Parliament's decision regarding the distant cousin of the royal family.

"But wouldn't that be in our interest, as it will give us more time for our plans?" one of the council's members asked the chairman.

"Yes it could be. However, if proven that Lee Hoon is indeed the son of the former Crown Prince, approval from the parliament would be given soon and that will be the end for our plan," said the chairman of the royal council.

"Then we must find that uncle who took care of Lee Hoon before the parliament's invetigative team finds him," a member sitting at the other end of the table said.

"Why should we do that?" asked another member.

"It seems that all of you have forgotten the scandal that has brought down Lee Hoon's father as Crown Prince and caused death to the former King, his grandfather."

"Ah yes, there were rumors that the woman Crown Prince Lee Young married was pregnant at the time that they got married. I remember now." said the chairman, which was followed by whispers and nods from the rest of the members.

"The person who took care of Lee Hoon must have known something, as I have learned that he is the brother of Lee Hoon's mother." The member sitting at the end of the table said to his fellow members.

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Bright light seeped into Chaegyung's eyes when she tried to open them. The first thing she felt was Shin's warm breath at the back of her neck. She closed her eyes again, thinking that it was just the continuation of her dream.

Last night's dream was wonderful. Shin took her out for dinner and told her that they're going to Spain. It was such a romantic evening. How she got home was a blur, the next thing she knew was both of them were swaying to an imaginary music. Then they were looking at each other's eyes and then their lips met. They both fell on the bed kissing each other without a pause.

"Yah, you got a silly smile on your face so early in the morning."

Chaegyung opened her eyes wide at Shin's sleepy voice near her ear. She turned her head towards him and felt Shin's strong arms tightened around her waist. Her face turned red when she realized their current position. She's lying on her side with her back towards Shin, who was also lying on his side, spooning her.

"So last night was not a dream," she whispered to herself and giggled.

"Yah, what are you thinking now?" Shin asked a bit uneasy, as Chaegyung's giggling movements was waking up certain parts of his body.

"That this is how skinship feels," she said and started giggling again. "It still feels like the first time."

"But the first time you said it was painful." Shin reminded her.

"You're ruining my moment." Chaegyung frowned at Shin.

Shin made a face and then started tickling Chaegyung. They both wrestled each other, playfully tickling each other until Shin got on top of Chaegyung. They were both breathing so hard, blushing with silly smiles on their faces. They looked at one another and slowly their faces drew nearer towards each other. Then their lips met.

They kissed for a while, but Chaegyung broke the kiss and said, "Shin goon, again?"

Shin in response just kissed Chaegyung's neck and then shoulders. Chaegyung just giggled and pulled the blanket over their heads.

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Days passed in a blur for the royal couple as they finalize their travel plans to Spain. Shin has already made arrangements with the college they will be attending, as well as the house where they will be staying. They were both happy that they are one step closer to their dreams - to be a film director for Shin and a designer for Chaegyung.

In between of all these activities, Shin was also busy attending charity events and some of his Crown Prince duties. Chaegyung would often be seen with him in these events. Before, for Chaegyung, these crown duties were tiresome and unexciting, but now the charity events that they have been doing are interesting for her.

"Shin goon, Shin goon..." Chaegyung called out on Shin while peeking through the doorway. Shin was reading some documents that his assistant have left on his desk. They both just got back from a charity event, while he went straight to his office, Chaegyung went to their bedroom to rest for awhile. Hearing her call him that way again means that she'll be asking about something. He wondered what it could be this time.

"What?" He finally answered her. Chaegyung entered the room and looked around. She scanned Shin's desk for something to play with. When she didn't find anything interesting she looked at Shin and sat down in front of his desk.

"Taeja Jeonha, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Are we really going to Spain?"

"That's the hundredth time you asked that. This time my answer would be no, Bigoong mama." Shin goon answered with a teasing smile. "Why do you keep on asking that?"

"It's just if we are... can I invite my friends over here... so that we could have a get together? You can invite your friends too, you know." Chaegyung said in childlike voice.

"Hmmm... but our schedule for this week is already full."

"Oh... but when are we leaving?"

"You have so many questions that I've answered so many times already."

"It's just that I'm excited! This time we will be traveling together. Just the two of us." Shin covered his face with the folder that he was holding, trying to hide his grin at how excited his wife was for their trip. He was excited as well, but it was fun to tease Chaegyung.

"Hmmmphh! I better ask Hwang-hu mama for some help... oh she might be busy, maybe I should just ask for appa's help."

"Why would you do that?" Shin asked and looked at her curiously.

"Well, we are going to live on our own in Spain, I should learn how to cook, so I can cook for you. Don't you think so?" Shin just shook his head at her.

"Then go. You're distracting me here."

"When I learn how to cook, you will only eat my dishes! Until then, fighting!" And with that Chaegyung left Shin who has a very wide smile on his face.

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"So you will be gone for a long time?" Kang-hyun asked her friend.

"Maybe. We plan to finish our studies there."

"What studies? You just want to make lots of babies there!"

"Yah! What are you saying!" Kang-hyun chastised Hee Soong for saying such things.

"Ha! You must've liked it noh?!" Soon young added, ignoring Kang-hyun.

Chaegyung was blushing so hard at her friends questions. She asked her friends to come over at Changdok palace, so that they could meet. This maybe the last time they could be together before going to Spain. Surprisingly, Shin thought this to be a good idea, and invited his friends as well. But she wasn't really prepared with all the teasing from them regarding her married status.

"Yah! You shouldn't ask Chaegyung that! Look at her, she's embarrassed!" Kang-hyun scolded her two mischievous friends.

But Hee-soong and Soon-young pushed her playfully, and ran away from her as fast as they can. Kang-hyun ran after them as payback. Chaegyung helped Kang-hyun in chasing their two way-ward friends, but the three of them ended up chasing Chaegyung.

Shin heard the girls' shrieks and laughter and looked at their direction; he saw them playing around chasing Chaegyung. He smiled at seeing his wife so carefree and happy with her friends. He was with his friends as well, they were standing at the porch in one of the guest houses. They kept on teasing him about being married and the activities married couples do. But he just brushed it off, not telling anything. He was not the kiss-and-tell type of guy, although it was very tempting to brag about his newly found manhood.

Shin's thoughts was distracted by Chaegyung, as she ran to Shin and hugged him from behind. Her friends caught up with her, but drew short because Chaegyung was hiding behind her husband.

"Yah, Shin Chaegyung don't hide behind your husband! That's not fair." Hee-soong said, pointing her furry pink stick at Chaegyung.

"Oh! My beautiful swan! How are you?" Jang-kyung said as he stood up with attention when he saw Kang-hyun. But she just ignored him and moved far from him. Kang-hyun still does not understand Jang-kyung's interest on her.

Meanwhile, Shin pulled Chaegyung from behind him and switched their positions so that Chaegyung was in front of him and he's hugging her from behind. Chaegyung stuck out her tongue to her friends.

"You shouldn't be playing around the Palace." Shin reprimanded her.

"Why? The other night you were chasing me without---" She said turning around to face Shin inside his embrace, but she was cut off when he kissed her on the lips. Shin wanted her to stop telling more of what happened, as it will generate more teasing from their friends. Chaegyung blushed so hard out of embarrassment.

Their friends laughed and whistled at their displayed affection towards each other. However, thier laughter died down when a sang gong entered together with Min Hyo-rin. All their heads turned towards her. Chaegyung turned around when she realized that it has gone quiet.

"Why you--- Hyo-rin?" Chaegyung said.

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Shin and Cheagyung sat side by side on the couch in the study room. Opposite them was Min Hyo-rin. Shin made an excuse to their friends and lead Hyo-rin, together with Chaegyung into the study room. Chaegyung didn't want to go, she wanted to leave the room, but Shin was holding on to her tight to prevent her from leaving. A sang-gong entered with tea and pastries. Chaegyung pulled herself from Shin and went to get the tea from the sang-gong. Chaegyung, wanting to relieve the restlessness in her, served the tea for the three of them.

"Thank you, Bigoong mama." Hyo-rin said, while Chaegyung took a seat beside her husband. Shin grabbed her hand and held it, if Hyo-rin noticed, she didn't let them see it on her face.

"When did you arrive?" Shin asked.

"Just yesterday. Is everything going well with your plans?

"Yes. Thank you for helping me out." Shin said and looked at Chaegyung. "I don't want anyone to know about this, that's why I asked for your help since you've been to Europe these past months."

"Huh? Is that why you were calling Shin goon?" Chaegyung asked Hyo-rin as she realized what Shin has just said.

"Yes. I'm sorry if you had a misunderstanding because of that. I told Shin to let you know, but he wanted to surprise you."

"It's all been done, nothing to talk about now. Are you back in Korea for good?" Shin said.

"Yes, Jeonha." Hyo-rin answered. Although she still have some feelings for Shin, looking at him now so happy and content with Chaegyung, she felt that it's time to move on. "I should go now, I just dropped by to wish you both good luck."

"Hyo-rin, thank you." Hyo-rin just smiled at her and left.

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Chapter 07

Shin couldn't remove the smile on his face after Chaegyung left. She still likes me, he thought with more confidence.

"Wait till you see what I have for you, Chaegyung, my love." Shin said to himself. He was reading the documents that were from Spain and the ones that Hyo-rin sent. He kept on reviewing each paper, reading them at least twice, just to make sure.

"Park Sang-hyo." He called to his assistant.

"Yes, Jeonha?"

"Please prepare all the documents needed for this," Shin handed the documents he was reading earlier, "I want it done as soon as possible."

"Yes, Jeonha." When Park Sang-hyo left, Shin picked up his mobile phone and speed dialed his mother's number.

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"Why do you think the Crown Prince asked us to stay a while and wait for him?" Chaegyung's dad asked his wife.

"I don't know. Do you think they are having problems?"

"Maybe he's asking us to take back Chaegyung with us?"

"Do you think so? But Chaegyung just told us that their relationship is okay." Chaegyung's mom was trying to be rational with her paranoid husband. But they never had any further discussion as the palace sang gong announced the arrival of the Crown Prince.

Mr. and Mrs. Shin stood up and bowed in respect for the Crown Prince. Shin greeted them with a warm smile, which took the Shin couple by surprise.

"I'm sorry to have to make you wait for me. But I have something important to tell you."

"Yes, Jeonha, please tell us." They said in unison while sneaking looks at each other, preparing themselves for the worst.

"I know that Chaegyung just got back from Macau, and I am not asking for your permission but for your blessing." Chaegyung's parents looked at each other when they heard this. What kind of blessing does he need from us, they both thought.

"Chaegyung and I are going to Spain." Mr. and Mrs. Shin's eyes widened when they heard the Crown Prince's statement.

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Park Sang-hyo reviewed the documents that the Crown Prince wanted him to prepare.

“Passports, visa applications, living arrangements, school transcripts.” He read out loud the documents that he should prepare. It seemed that the Crown Prince is planning to go overseas to study with the Crown Princess in Spain. This is a valuable information that the Royal Council must know, he thought. So he picked up his phone and called the head of the Royal Council.

Park Sang-hyo was surprised when he was offered the position as assistant to the Crown Prince. It was all arranged by the Royal Council. Although initially he was hired to spy the Crown Prince, the Royal Council saw an opportunity when Shin needed a new assistant. The internal officer would be serving Hae-myung when she was appointed as temporary Queen. He was qualified for the position and it would be better for the Royal Council if they have an inside man around the Crown Prince.

“You are, for sure, going with them to Spain. The Royal family will not agree if the Crown Prince and Princess went there without anyone with them.” The head of the Council said on the phone. “Be sure to inform us of any new development from the Crown Prince couple.”

“Yes, sir.” Park Sang-hyo said before hanging up.

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After visiting her parents, Chaegyung went for a walk around the palace grounds. Her mind was still filled with thoughts of Shin; wondering what Hyo-rin sent to him, wondering if they would still make up, wondering if everything would be truly alright between them. She was in deep thought that she didn't notice Lee Hoon approaching her.

"Booo!!!" Chaegyung was startled by Lee Hoon, she lost her balance and stumbled. Hoon immediately stopped laughing and apologized. He also helped her stand up.

"Sorry I startled you. But what are you thinking so deeply about?" Hoon asked.

"Hehe, nothing really." She paused for a second and decided to tell him what was troubling her. "Actually I'm thinking about my husband."

"You must really love him to think of him all the time." he said. "Like the time when you were in Macau, you always tell stories about your Shin goon."

"Was I really that obvious? But I feel that I have not shown enough care towards him." Chaegyung said with a tear-filled voice.

"Maybe you should tell him a lot of jokes then." Hoon suggested.

"You mean like the jokes you told me." And they both laughed remembering the jokes that Lee Hoon shared with her in Macau.

They were both laughing so hard that they didn't notice the arrival of Shin. He was followed by Choi Sang gong, who was helping him look for his wife.

After the visit of Chaegyung's parents, Shin went to give respects to his sister and grandmother. He also told them what he had told his in-laws. Although his father-in-law's initial reaction was to disagree, they eventually relented and gave their blessings. He is the husband of Chaegyung, the one who should take care of her now. Halmamama doesn't want them to go also, but Hae-myung agreed with Shin. Hae-myung said that it would be for the best if they get away from the Palace at the moment. Inhibiting themselves from the political issues surrounding the palace.

"You two seem to be enjoying something." Shin said, announcing his presence. Chaegyung and Lee Hoon immediately stopped laughing and stood up.

"Shin goon! What are you doing here?" Chaegyung asked, but Shin ignored her.

"How are you Lee Hoon? I hope everything is well with your studies?" Shin asked. Chaegyung was surprised at the friendly manner he asked Lee Hoon.

"Uh, yes Jeonha, it is going well. That is if they get hold of me again." Lee Hoon answered and laughed at his own joke.

"Please, you can call me Shin," Shin said with a smile, "but I think your teachers are coming this way." Lee Hoon looked at the direction that Shin was pointing.

"Uh, I think I better go now. Chae-uh-Bigoong mama, Teaja Jeonha." Lee Hoon said before bowing to the royal couple and walked towards his teachers.

"Bigoong mama, Taeja Jeonha has been looking for you--" Choi Sang gong said.

"It's alright Choi Sang gong. Can you give us a moment." Shin interrupted Choi Sang gong.

"Yes, Jeohna." Choi Sang gong left them alone.

"What are you doing here?" Chaegyung asked Shin as soon as Choi Sang gong was far from hearing distance.

"I'm here to pick you up. Didn't I say that I'll pick you up and we will have dinner outside." Shin said.

"But I told you---"

"It doesn't matter. I already have the reservation. So are you ready to go?" Shin said and held out his left hand, silently asking for Chaegyung to hold his hand.

Chaegyung couldn't resist, so she gave him her hand and asked, "But where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." Shin said mysteriously.

They walked together holding hands back to the inner palace. There, Shin gave instructions to Choi Sang gong to go back to Changdok Palace with the driver and that they need not prepare dinner because he will be dining out with his wife.

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Shin was glad that he was able to control his emotions when he saw Chaegyung and Lee Hoon laughing and being happy together. He was not exactly jealous of Lee Hoon, but he wished that he was the one who could put a smile on Chaegyung’s face. While he was driving, he would look at Chaegyung at the corner of his eyes, trying to gauge Chaegyung’s emotions. He hopes that Chaegyung would be happy to where they will be going. Being a Crown Prince has it’s advantages, one is getting reservation at expensive restaurants at the last minute.

Chaegyung, on her part, was anxious as to where Shin was taking her. It seemed unusual that they would dine out. What could be so important that he has to take her out to tell her? She was too engrossed with her thoughts that she didn’t notice the car already stopped.

“Hey! Are you okay? I said we’re here.” Shin said trying to wake her from her thoughts.

“Uh, sorry.” Chaegyung said to Shin, who has already opened the car’s door for her.

“Oh my gah! Shin goon we’re having dinner here? But it’s expensive here.” Chaegyung said while looking with admiration at the building they were entering. She couldn’t believe that Shin took her to the Seoul Tower for dinner.

“Last time I was here was when I was a small kid.”

Shin smiled at Chaegyung’s expression. She’s like a child on Christmas day. He was glad that he made her happy by bringing her at the Seoul Tower. The awe on Chaegyung’s face did not go away while they were in the elevator on the way to the restaurant. And he can’t help but smile at her.

They were welcomed by the Maitre d’ and was guided to their table near a window. Shin specifically asked to be seated there so that they could enjoy the view.

“Shin goon, why are we the only ones here?” Chaegyung asked after noticing that no other people were inside the restaurant.

“Uh I don’t know maybe they don’t like to eat here.”

“Huh? But I heard that this is one of the best restaurants in Seoul.”

“Just look at the menu and order what you want to eat.”

After ordering, the maitre d’ brought them their drinks. Chaegyung took a small sip from her glass of apple juice. She was still admiring the view from the window when Shin called her attention.

“Chaegyung-ah.”

“Yes, Shin goon.” Chaegyung said before drinking some more of her juice.

“Let’s go to Spain.”

Being sprayed of apple juice was not the response he was expecting to receive from Chaegyung.

“I’m sorry.” Chaegyung tried to apologize, while wiping Shin’s face with the table napkin. “I’m really sorry, I wasn’t expecting you would say that.”

“Before it was rice, now it’s apple juice. I wonder what would be next.” Shin tried to joke with her.

But seeing Chaegyung was embarrassed enough, he stopped joking and said, “So what do you think of us going to Spain?”

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