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.

-----------------------------

"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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

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.

--------------------

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?”

-------------------