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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