Chapter 14

"What do they say about Love?", Shin wondered as he looked at Chae-gyeong, lying supine beside him on bed, sleeping and breathing evenly through her open lips, while he pondered on their future. His future.

Love is pure, Love is brave, Love is sacrifice.

"Shin, a terrible thing has happened in the Palace. Have you heard?"

"Yes, Halmamama." As Shin answered his grandmother's question, he thought of the responsibilities he left behind - the responsibilities he chose to leave behind. But he has other responsibilities now, more important than anything else in the world.

Shin and Halmamama were sitting at the balcony of his apartment. Chae-gyeong has excused herself to accomplish some homework and prepare for her classes in the afternoon. He thought of how blissfully unaware Chae-gyeong was of what was happening in the Palace. He figured that it was better that way.

"Chae-gyeong's pregnancy could change a lot of what is going on at the Palace."

"I know. That is why we are keeping it a secret." He said quietly. "But I know we can't keep it forever. I just don't want Chae-gyeong to feel pressured with all of that. She and our baby are far more important to me now."

"But you are the Crown Prince, that is your destiny. You can not run away from it forever. There will always be sacrifices to be done, that is our destiny as a royal family."

Those words still echoes in Shin's ears long after the Queen Mother has left their simple apartment.

"You're staring at me again, Shin." Chae-gyeong opened her eyes and looked pointedly at her husband. He was startled at her sudden remark for a second but he smirked at her.

"You're just too beautiful to look at."

"I'm fat, I don't feel beautiful." She replied indignantly.

"No, you're not fat. How many times-" He was cut-off by his wife's lips as she kissed his lips. He deepened the kiss, but before things started to heat up, he broke the kiss. Chae-gyeong gave him a light smack on the lips as a parting kiss.

"I know what you're thinking." He just looked at her expectantly to explain what she meant.

"I can make sacrifices too, you know." She said a moment later. Looking at him in the eye, she snuggled into Shin afterwards.

"You're a mind-reader now, aren't you?" Shin asked playfully, hoping to divert the needed discussion on how to deal with the newly risen development back home.

"No, I just know you. And don't change the subject. I know what's happening, I'm not stupid, and you're keeping things from me..."

"I just don't want you to make any sacrifices in behalf of me or my family." He cut her off and went straight to the point, instead of going around the topic. It's easier to deal with it this way.

"But I want to. I'm part of your family now. Or am I not?"

Shin didn't answer. As much as he wants to tell her that she's part of his family, long before they even both knew, there is still a part of him that wishes his family is just like hers, just like every other family in Korea.

"And besides, I'm not sacrificing anything. The way I see it, we are just fulfilling our destiny." Chae-gyeong continued when he didn't answer her immediately, seeing that he was contemplating on what she said earlier.

"And what is that destiny?"

"You and I together." She said, bringing herself closer into their tight hug. "With our child or children. And the rest, we'll just deal with it just like how the royal family has for hundreds of years." Chae-gyeong peeked at her husband as he was nodding his head. She has heard of what's happening back home and it has made her think of things, of what they have done and what could be done still. As she was pondering on what was going on, she realized that she has learned to accept their circumstances, and that even if they are far away from the Palace, who Shin is, and who she has become since marrying him will always haunt them. Looking at Shin, she knows that he'll be a great king someday. And she can't really steal a great king from their country. She thought that if he is destined to be that king, then she is destined to be by his side.

"I would always stand by your side. That's where I should be, that's where I always want to be." She said, hoping to convince him with what she truly felt about the current situation.

Shin didn't know what to say to the declaration of her devotion and determination to sacrifice everything for him. So he promised himself that he'll do everything in his power to protect her and make palace life comfortable for her. He leaned into her for another kiss, too overwhelmed to speak of his promise. Chae-gyeong smiled into their kiss and glad that she's able to persuade him. Too soon, Shin was on top of her, and kissing her feverishly. Shin was enjoying the moment and was touching her body everywhere, but Chae-gyeong suddenly pushed him away, and jumped off the bed, as quickly as her bulging stomach allowed, and ran out of the room.

"Potty break!" Chae-gyeong's shout broke into his baffled mind as to what just happened. He smiled ruefully at the disruption.