Chapter 10

"Tell me again why we invited Yul to have dinner with us?" Shin asked his wife as he was folding his sleeves to help Chaegyoung set the table, while in the kitchen Choi Sang gong was busy preparing for their dinner.

"Because he is your cousin and we haven't seen him in a long time. Isn't it nice that we met in a foreign country?" Chaegyoung reasoned with her husband then looked curiously at him and asked, "Don't tell me you're still jealous?"

"What?" Shin was dumbfounded at her question; he couldn't look straight at her, am I that obvious, he thought. "It's not that. It's just."

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Last night when they went to Real Jardin Botanico de Madrid, bumping into Yul was not even in Shin's thought as he and Chaegyoung were strolling the garden with their hands entwined with each other.

"Look at this." Shin called for Chaegyoung's attention while pointing at a tree with a very wide trunk.

"Oowaahh! It's so big."

"It's a sequoia tree. Sometimes they call it giant sequoias, and in the US, it's commonly known as California Redwoods. Because of it's redish bark. It can live up to 2,000 years, but it's an endagered species now. It says, this one is more than a hundred years old, one of the trees planted when this botanical garden opened." Shin informed Chaegyoung.

"Wow. I wonder what kind of stories it would tell if it could talk. 2,000 years is a very long story." Chaegyoung wondered, which made Shin smile and shook his head at her. "But what kind of name is sequoia?"

"Well legend say that it was named after a Cherokee Indian chief."

"You really know a lot of things Shin goon." Chaegyoung said with pride for her husband.

They moved on to the next trees just beside the sequoias.

"Shin goon look at this! It looks like bigger version of my grandfather's bonsai." Chegyoung excitedly said as she pointed out at the trees with wide branches of yellowish leaves.

"That's a ginko. It's commonly made into bonsai."

"My grandfather told me that one should be like a ginko, uncorrupted and pure." She said remembering her granfather's teachings.

"That's because ginkos are known to be tolerant of pollution, and is famous for being the first that sprouted after the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima." Shin explained to her, then turned to her and said, "I wish I have met your grandfather. I wanted to thank him for being the former King's best friend and for bringing you into my life."

"Me too." Chaegyoung admitted and blushed when Shin gave her a kiss on her cheek. She's not yet used to this public display of affection from Shin.

After seeing twelve species of trees, Chaegyoung felt tired and sat down on one of the benches near the cypress trees while Shin walked to the nearby set of trees.

"Chaegyoung?"

Chaegyoung heard her name called, the voice was familiar but it was not Shin's. So she looked around to see who it was. It was Lee Yul, standing nearby next to the cypress tress.

"Yul?" She said standing up and approaching him.

"What are you doing here?" Both of them said at the said time and laughed at themselves.

"You first. What are you doing here?" Yul asked Chaegyoung. He was trying hard to mask his excitement at the thought of fate bringing them together again.

"I'm studying here. How about you?"

"I had some vacation time before starting college in London, so I used the opportunity to visit Madrid." Yul explained to Chaegyoung.

"Of all the places, why Madrid?"

Yul was startled with the question, he turned around to see who was the owner of that familiar voice. Shin smiled at Yul when their eyes met. He walked straight to Chaegyoung and put his arms around her shoulders. A sign that Yul immediately understood.

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Yul arrived five minutes earlier than the agreed time for dinner. Park Sang hyo opened the door for him and led him to the living room. He sat down and looked at the interior of Shin and Chaegyoung's apartment. It looks comfortable and homey. There were framed pictures on the console near the entrance of the living room. Yul went to look at the pictures. There were pictures of family and friends. Chaegyoung's family and the Royal Family. There were also pictures of Chaegyoung and Shin's wedding day, not the grand royal wedding, but the one where Chaegyoung was wearing a simple white gown and wreath on her head. They looked so happy in the pictures.

"Lee Yul, you're here." Yul turned when he heard Shin's voice, but before he could respond, Chaegyoung's voice was heard from the dining room, announcing that dinner was ready.

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All throughout the dinner, Chaegyoung was her bubbly self. She kept on asking how was Yul, how his mother was, and how London was. Yul would answer her queries and tell stories of how he was doing. Shin would comment occasionally, but his comments were mostly directed to Chaegyoung, giving the impression that his attention was only on Chaegyoung - making sure that she has enough food on her plate, telling her to slow down with the talking and the eating. Chaegyoung on the other hand was also very attentive on Shin. She would put food on his plate, asking him if he wants some more, and if he likes the taste.

Yul noticed all these between the couple. He noticed that something that wasn't present before was now very much alive between Shin and Chaegyoung. Is this what they call love? Yul thought. He never saw a couple so in love like Shin and Chaegyoung. They were both glowing and their eyes have this twinkle in them whenever they look at each other.

"Choi Sang gong unnie made delicious dinner, didn't she?" Chaegyoung complimented Choi Sang gong.

"Mama, excuse me, but I will just get the dessert." Choi Sang gong said.

"Ah, no no. I will get it." Chaegyoung said. She stood up and went to the kitchen.

"Tada!" Chaegyoung said when she came back with a cake. "I made this myself." She said proudly said.

Chaegyoung sliced a triangular piece and put it on Shin's plate, wherein she dipped her finger in the incing and trying playfully to put it on Shin's nose. But Shin was quick and caught her hand and put her finger in his mouth. Choi Sang gong and Park Sang hyo just looked at them and smiled at their silly behavior.

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"You look happy Shin." Yul said.

After dinner, Shin and Yul went to the balcony, where Park Sang hyo served them tea. Chaegyoung was in the kitchen helping Choi Sang gong with the dishes.

"Yes I am." Shin said. "How about you?"

"Looking at it differently, I just now realized that I was only slightly touched by Chaegyoung's bright personality. But she was willing to give you all her bright self."

"You see, that's the difference between us, I never asked for it." Shin said.

"But you also gave that warmth in you to her. I see that she is very happy, and that is enough for me." Yul sighed and looked at Shin, who was looking down listening to him.

After helping Choi Sang gong, Chaegyoung went to look for Shin and Yul. She passed by the living room where Park Sang hyo was talking quietly on his mobile phone.

"Park Sang hyo ssi, where are Shin and Yul." Chaegyoung asked, which startled Shin's assistant and immediately turned off his phone.

"Oh, they're in the balcony, mama."

Chaegyoung was surprised at Park Sang hyo's reaction, it was the first time that she saw him nervous like that. When she reached the balcony, she stopped short. They look like they're having a serious conversation. Chaegyoung thought. Both men turned to look at her when she opened the door. She went to Shin's side and put her arms around his waist.

"What were you two talking about." Chaegyoung asked them.

"Nothing that concerns you." Shin answered.

"Aissh!" Chaegyoung playfully pinched him.

"I'm sorry but I think I have to go." Yul interrupted them. He doesn't want to witness anymore of their affectionate behavior. It's getting cheesey enough. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for coming too Yul goon." Chaegyoung said.

Shin and Chaegyoung walked him to the main door, where Shin and Yul shook hands before Yul turned and leave the royal couple behind.

Chapter 09

Sorry for the delay on the update.
Disclaimer: I've never been to Madrid, so what I wrote here were just based on my research and imagination.

So there on with the show...

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"Aaaahhhh!!! It hurts!" Chaegyoung said in between breathings as she had another contraction.

"Bigung mama, you have to do your breathing." Choi sang gong said, trying to encourage her, although her left hand has become numb because of Chaegyoung's tight hold on.

"I've. Been. Doing. That. But. It. Still. Hurts." Chaegyoung let out a sighing breath when the contraction was over. "Where's my Umma? I want my Umma!"

"She's coming Bigung mama."

"How about Shin goon, he's coming right?" Chaegyoung asked.

"Yes, Bigung mama. I was told that the meeting with the new Prime Minister is about to end."

"I shouldn't have told him to go to that... AAAAHHHH!!" Chaegyoung was not able to finish her sentence as another contraction hit her. Choi sang gong tried not to cry out in pain also, as Chaegyoung's grip on her hand tightened.

The door opened and Chaegyoung looked up immediately, hoping it was Shin. But it was the doctor entering with her mother. Chaegyoung let out a tear as she saw her mother.

"Umma, it hurts. I don't want to do this anymore."

"I know, but you have to bear it. This is the way it should be." Mrs. Shin said, trying to console her daughter while the doctor was measuring how far along she was.

"Bigung mama, I think you should start pushing at the next contraction."

"What?!!! But Shin goon is not yet here. I want him to be here when the baby comes."

"Well we cannot wait longer or the baby will be stressed."

"I want Shin goon to be here!!!" She screamed in pain again as another contraction went through her abdomen. She tried pleading with her mother to find Shin, but they all kept on telling her to push.

"Bigung mama please start pushing!" The doctor said, which was echoed by Choi sang gong and her mother.

"No! No! I want SHIN GOOOOOOOON! SHIN GOOOON!"

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"SHIN GOOOOOON!!!"

Shin almost jumped out of his seat and threw the book he was reading when Chaegyoung screamed his name. She was lying prone at the seat next to him, sleep-talking again. They were in a plane going to Madrid. Although there were only a few people at the first class section, her scream awakened some people and made others turn their head towards the two of them. They did not fly using the Royal family's private plane; they wanted to start their experience by trying to be like ordinary people.

"SHIN GOOOON!" Chaegyoung screamed again and now people are looking at them curiously. Embarrassed with his wife's sleeping habit, he tried to wake her up.

"Chaegyoung, wake up. Chaegyoung..." Shin shook her while trying to see if people are still looking at them. Chaegyoung opened her eyes wide and upon recognizing Shin's face, she hugged him tightly.

"Shin goon."

"Hey, I'm sorry to wake you up. But you're talking, well screaming in your sleep and people are starting to look at us." Shin said as he pulled himself from her embrace and looked at her. Small beads of sweat were on her forehead and she's shaking. He shook his head at her. "Didn't I tell you to stop watching those scary movies."

Chaegyoung lightly punched his arms at his comment. She hesitated telling him what the dream was about. He might think of it as silly. So she tried to go back to sleep but just couldn't get her dream out of her mind.

Shin tried to ignore her tossing and turning beside him. He got so annoyed at her behaviour that he put his arms around her and hugged her to him.

"Hey what's wrong? It's annoying the way you toss and turn beside me."

Chaegyoung decided to tell him what was bothering her but then the captain turned on the seat belt sign. They both buckled their seatbelts. Moments later the plane dipped due to some air pockets. Chaegyoung held her breath as the plane tried to pass through it.

Shin noticed that Chaegyoung was gripping on tight to the armrest. The dream must have really scared her, he thought. He reached over her and held her hand. Chaegyoung smiled with appreciation towards his gesture.

Chaegyoung fell asleep again inside Shin's embrace. It wasn't until the plane has landed that she woke up. Shin woke her up and asked if she's okay. She nodded and tried to smile at him. They both got up and exited the plane. Shin kept his eyes on her all the time.

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After passing through the immigration and customs, they got a cab and Shin gave the address of their new home. It seemed that Chaegyoung has forgotten what was bothering her as they enter central Madrid. He noticed her facial expression brightened as she looked outside the cab's window. Chaegyoung's face lit up like a child, full of excitement upon seeing the buildings, monuments, gardens, churches that they passed through on the way to their new place.

"Oh-wah! Shin this is Madrid, it's so beautiful." Chaegyoung exclaimed, glancing at Shin.

Shin tried to tell her the names of the buildings, statues, and other landmarks that they they were passing through. Again Chaegyoung was amazed at his knowledge.

"You really know a lot of things, Shin goon."

"I've been here before, twice to be exact, with my parents." Shin replied.

"So that's why you aren't as excited."

"Just because I don't look excited doesn't mean I'm not. This is the best trip I've ever made in my life." He confessed. "But I don't need to ask how happy you are because I know you are."

Chaegyoung blushed at his comment and said, "I don't think I would be this happy if I came here without you."

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After fourty minutes of a relatively slow moving drive, the cab parked in front of a Baroque-style building.

"We're here." Shin said opening the cab's door and letting Chaegyoung out.

Chaegyoung looked up the ten storey building and admired the architecture. From the outside it looks so old. But when Shin led her to the lobby, she was amazed at how elegant it was, from the marbled floor to the wood-panelled walls, and the elevator looks modern too. Shin pressed the button for the fourth floor.

"Rent in this building must be expensive."

"We're not renting it." Shin told Chaegyoung matter-of-factly. Chaegyoung was surprised that he bought a place in Madrid. When did that happen? she thought.

Shin grabbed her hand and led her out of the elevator. They turned left and stopped at the second door, Shin knocked on the door that has the number 42 on it. Choi sang gong opened the door and welcomed them both inside.

"Unnieeee! You're here!" Chaegyoung exclaimed happily and hugged Choi Sang gong at the same time. "You too! Park Sang-hyo Ssi!"

"Yes, bigung mama. Welcome to your new home."

Park Sang-hyo bowed as his greeting and went on to help them with their luggages. Chaegyoung turned and looked around their new home but she was surprised at what she saw inside the apartment. It looked like a replica of her house back in Seoul. She couldn't believe that Shin would do something like this. She turned around to ask Shin about her observations but before she could ask, Shin has already an answered.

"I really liked your house, so I thought maybe you wouldn't be so lonely here if I made our place look like your house. I hope that's okay with you."

Chaegyoung ran to him and hugged him so tight. Shin put his arms around her and held her tenderly. Chaegyoung was at a loss on what to say. Shin noticed this and smiled at the thought that he has rendered her speechless.

"But of course the bedroom has a bigger bed." Chaegyoung laughed at Shin's joke.

The apartment has three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room and two bathrooms. Chaegyoung walked around and inspected the kitchen and dining room. She never expected this from Shin, but their new home really is a replica of her house in Seoul. Shin followed her around; he was glad that Chaegyoung liked their new home. When his assistant was done bringing their luggages in their bedroom, he grabbed Chaegyoung's hand and led her there. When he opened the door, Chaegyoung almost cried of excitement, most of her stuffed toys are in the bedroom. Even her favorite pillow with her name on it was there. She also noticed that the bed is indeed big enough for the two of them.

"Look at here," Shin said while looking out their window. "See, we've got a nice view from here."

But instead of looking out the window, Chaegyoung hugged him from behind and put her cheeks on his back.

"Yah, you're obsessing with my back again." Shin said trying to turn around.

"Just stay still will you. This is my way of thanking you."

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"Bigung mama, let me do that." Choi Sang gong said as she saw Chaegyoung mixing a batter for pancakes.

"No. I woke up early to do this. I want to do this for Shin. It's our first day of school and I've always wanted to make his breakfast, just like a good wife." Chaegyoung said while preheating a pan and then pouring half-cup of batter onto it.

"Just as long as you don't burn it."

"Shin goon!" Chaegyoung exclaimed and tried to turn around, but Shin was hugging her from behind while kissing her shoulders. Choi sang gong left the couple in the kitchen. "You're awake."

"Yeah. I woke up and you weren't beside me." Shin said. He let go of Chaegyoung so that she could cook properly and went to sit at the table.

When Chaegyoung was done with the pan cakes, she arranged the table and served a plate of two pancakes to Shin. Chaegyoung stood beside him, watching him slice a piece and put it in his mouth. Shin noticed her standing beside him with an open mouth.

"What are you doing, don't you want to join me for breakfast?"

"Uh... so what does it taste like?" Chaegyoung asked him while sitting down.

"Not bad." Shin said. "But why does it taste salty?"

"What?" Chaegyoung sliced a piece of pancake from her plate and tasted it. "You! It's not salty."

Shin tried not to laugh out loud at his wife's reaction but threw a wide smile at her.

"Just eat your breakfast or we'll be late."

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Shin and Chaegyoung went to school together that morning - as they would do every morning. The queen wanted to provide a car for their own use but Shin insisted that they wanted to live like ordinary people while studying in Spain. So Shin tried to learn more about the city of Madrid and how to get around it.

Metro de Madrid is one of the most often used public transportation around the city. Their first ride wasn't bad at all, thought Shin. Although there were a lot of people rushing, Shin noticed that he doesn't seem to be different from these people who, like him, is in a hurry to get to where they are going.

He saw different kinds of people getting on and off at each station. There were men wearing business suits and busy talking on their hand phones, the same with some women. There were some teenagers wearing earphones, oblivious of their surroundings. After ten stations they get off at the Ciudad Universitaria.

"You already know where your classroom is, right?" Shin asked Chaegyoung as they entered the university campus.

"Yes. Choi Sang gong unnie told me about it already."

"Are you sure you can find it? Maybe I should just take you there."

"What...but..." Chaeygoung didn't get to object as Shin was pulling her towards her classroom's building.

When they reached her classroom, Shin let go of her hand.

"I'll be going now to my class." Shin said and gave her a peck on her cheek.

Chaegyoung just smiled her appreciation towards his gesture.

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After her last class for the day ended, Chaegyoung was surprised to see Shin waiting outside her classroom.

"Why do I think that you have done something with our schedules so it will be the same?" Chaegyoung asked Shin.

"I just want us to go together and go back home together." Shin said and held her hand.

Chaegyoung smiled at him. They were walking for quite sometime when Chaegyoung noticed two girls following them. They were whispering and giggling behind the couple. It's just the first day and girls are stalking my husband already, Chaegyoung thought. She looked at Shin to see if he noticed the girls behind them.

"What?" Shin asked when he noticed that Cheagyoung kept on sneaking looks at him.

"Huh..what?"

"You've been looking at me. Do I have dirt on my face?" Shin said.

"Nothing." Chaegyoung said and smiled embarrassingly. "So do we go straight home?"

"Do you want to see the Real Jardin Botanico?" Shin asked. "I've heard you ask Choi Sang gong about it the other day."

"Really?" Chaegyoung said excitedly.

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TEASER FOR Chapter 09

Hi! So sorry haven't updated lately... but here's a teaser for you on the next chapter... maybe next week i'll be able to post the whole chapter...

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"Aaaahhhh!!! It hurts!" Chaegyoung said in between breathings as she had another contraction.

"Bigung mama, you have to do your breathing." Choi sang gong said, trying to encourage her, although her left hand has become numb because of Chaegyoung's tight hold on it.

"I've. Been. Doing. That. But. It. Still. Hurts." Chaegyoung let out a breath of relief when the contraction was over. "Where's my Umma? I want my Umma!"

"She's coming Bigung mama."

"How about Shin goon, he's coming right?" Chaegyoung asked.

"Yes, Bigung mama. I was told that the meeting with the new Prime Minister is about to end."

"I shouldn't have told him to go to that... AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!" Chaegyoung was not able to finish her sentence as another contraction hit her. Choi sang gong tried not to cry out in pain also, as Chaegyoung's hand tightened around her hand.

The door opened, and Chaegyoung looked up immediately, hoping it was Shin. But it was the doctor entering with her mother. Chaegyoung let out a tear as she saw her mother.

"Umma, it hurts. I don't want to do this anymore."

"I know, but you have to bear it. This is the way it should be." Mrs. Shin said, trying to console her daughter, while the doctor was measuring how far along she is.

"Bigung mama, I think you should start pushing at the next contraction."

"What?!!! But Shin goon is not yet here. I want him to be here when the baby comes."

"Well we can not wait any longer or the baby will be stressed."

"I want Shin goon to be here!!!" She screamed in pain again, as another contraction went through her abdomen. She tried pleading with her mother to find Shin, but they all kept on saying PUSH to her.

"Bigung mama please start pushing!" The doctor said, which was echoed by Choi sang gong and her mother.

"No! No! I want SHIN GOOOOOOOON! SHIN GOOOON!"

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