This was the first time I ever saw the inside the living quarts of the palace grounds. Not many people have, that just makes it even more special.
“Hyun Joong ah” Youngsaeng called out my name. I was so captured within the beauty of the palace I didn’t snap out of my daydreams until Jungmin nudged me in the ribs.
“Your highness” I bowed “I apologies for my rudeness.”
*SMACK*
Youngsaeng and Jungmin smacked me on the head.
“Hyunjoong, what have we said about the honorifics?” Youngsaeng glared at me.
“Sorry, Youngsaeng shii.” I let out a weak smile.
Jungmin put his arms around me, turned to Youngsaeng. “Coming, stop harassing the poor boy, having him find out you are the crowned prince and ask him to be casual with you on the same day is a bit much, let him adjust.”
Youngsaeng laughed. “You know I’m joking.”
“Don’t I always” Jungmin replied with a smile.
I had a hard time to catch up with their humor, but I guess time was all I needed.
Youngsaeng and Jungmin took me around the palace, showing me the King and Queen’s living quarters as well as the other younger prince and princesses. The final place they took me to was the royal garden.
The royal garden, it we always described as the most magnificent thing in the world, it was considered as one of the wonders of the world, but I didn’t realized how true the rumors was until this day. Surrounded by roses, daffodils, and my other flowers that I do not know the names of, I was blinding by the radiance. Well I was, until Youngsaeng and Jungmin decided to drag me to the nearby hut to have some tea. When I meant drag, I really meant by toe, they took me by the collar and forcefully towed me to the hut and shoved me on the seat.
Oh well, I can still enjoy the scenery well having a cup of tea.
The moment we sat down at the hut, Youngsaeng, Jungmin and I were surrounded by the palace servants. I jumped a little out of my chair, but I tried to cover it later on with my calmness, but I guess it didn’t help since YoungSaeng placed his hands on mine under the table and shot me a “don’t worry” look.
The servants quickly served the tea; best green tea in the kingdom, and left us to be.
“Wow, they come and leave out of nowhere.” I finally manage to relax a bit. First time being in the palace even makes the calmest person jump.
Youngsaeng and Jungmin giggled.
“I remember when I was like that.” Jungmin smiled at me. “You will be fine in a few visits times.”
“Few visits?” I asked. “I feel already honored to be here once!” Then exclaimed.
“Trust me you will be here far more than this once.” Jungmin looked at Youngsaeng.
Youngsaeng looked away from Jungmin and poured some tea into his cup.
Jungmin from some odd reason kept on giggling for the next 5 minutes, with the occasional moan of pain. I guess Youngsaeng has been kicking his cousin under the table.
We talked like we’ve know each other since forever. It was nice to be with Youngsaeng again, but this time to makes thing better, there was also Jungmin. From the long talk, I found that Jungmin was very optimistic person.
It was around 2 hours later when our conversation was disrupted by the one and only, the eldest princess, Youngsaeng’s younger sister, Hyunah.
Youngsaeng nudged Jungmin the ribs. “Here comes your fiancé”
“You can shut up.” Jungmin started to walk away. But before he could that, Hyunah already caught up.
“Jungmin Oppa! I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Three lines immediately formed on Jumgmin’s forehead.
“Come on! Let’s go! Take me on a date in the palace!” Hyunah pulled Jungmin away.
When Hyunah and Jungmin were a fair distance away, Youngsaeng grabbed my hand and took me to a place.
***
“This is my secret garden in the palace, it’s nothing like the one outside, but this is the only place where I can get away.” Youngsaneg continued to hold on to my hand.
This place was different from the rest of the palace. It was a lot simpler, but it had more of a homey feel to it, it really can give a person to some sense of comfort when it’s needed. It wasn’t surrounded by luxury; rather it was surrounded by the things I was familiar with. Wooden chairs with padding, not high stiffly gold painted chairs, a table where put you foot under rather than the ones you have sit cross legged, last, but not least, food that has some taste in!
I looked at the food. Drools almost came out of my mouth; my eyes were filled with desire for the food before me.
“The palace food it inedible, so dig it.” Youngsaeng smiled. “There is enough for the both of us.”
“Thank you, Youngsaeng.” I smiled back at him before attacking the food.
“Yay, you said it right this time.” Youngsaeng picked up his chopsticks and joined me in the food attack.
***
“So…” I started become curious. “What’s the deal with Jungmin and Princess Hyunah?”
Youngsaeng looked at me. “I thought someone like smart as you would of figure it out by now.”
“Haha, I can’t think in an empty stomach.” And I stuffed another spicy rice cake in my mouth.
“Well, Hyunah is engaged to Jungmin.” Youngsaeng stuffed more food in his mouth before talking again. “But Jungmin doesn’t like Hyunah, and I can understand. She is a bit too noisy sometimes, but I still think she will be suitable for Jungmin. Hopefully time will change this.”
“HAHA Hell NO!” Jungmin burst through the door. “There is no way I will marry her!”
Poor Jungmin was covered in sweat.
“What happened to you?” I asked and handed him a towel.
“Oh this is common.” Youngsaeng giggled
“Jungmin oppa! Where are you?” Hyunah’s voice came from a distance.
“Damn it! She found me. HIDE ME!” Jungmin started to panic again.
But the poor boy didn’t even manage to find a hiding spot before Hyunah kicked through the door and found her beloved oppa.
Hyunah immediately cling onto Jungmin “Oppa! Please stay over tonight! You haven’t stayed over in ages!” Hyunah let out an innocent look.
“Ermm. But, errmm,” Jungmin started to look for an excuse.
Suddenly he burst out. “I’M GOING TO HYUN JOONG SHII’S HOUSE TONIGHT!”
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I am sssssooooooooooo sorry about the late update!! i just had some much on. >.<
there was the camping trip and the tests and the extra revision sessions (Since I'm very geeky)
anyway here is the latest chapter!
ENJOY ^^
p.s please do comment, it really make my day ^^