A muffled vibrating woke Tae-eul. For a heart-stopping moment she couldn't remember where she was. The strange bed, which had been so comfortable seconds before, suddenly felt suffocating. She struggled to free herself from the sheets and sat up.
There was just enough light for Tae-eul to make out the furniture around her. There was an armchair, an ornate lamp, a floor-length mirror and beyond the doorway an even larger room. As Tae-eul rubbed her eyes and looked around the events of the previous night came back in a rush. The town apartment. She'd been so tired the night before she'd barely registered her surroundings.
Tae-eul reached for the phone Gon had given her. There were 10 messages.
"Are you still awake?" Gon had asked at 2:00am.
"I can't believe I let Lady Noh talk you out of staying here.""If I find more cookies will you come back?""Okay there weren't any in the staff kitchen, but I think Yeong might have some in his office.""Update: the cleaner now thinks I have a strange obsession with Yeong.""I wish you were here."Gon had then sent various emojis, followed by a selfie of him and the giant teddy tucked in bed with the caption "No substitute."Tae-eul laughed and wrote a reply.
"Did you sleep well?"Within seconds she saw him typing a response.
"How could I sleep with you sitting in my head the whole night? I don't mind though - reality is infinitely better than my dreams these days.""You're not going to put something like that in your speech, are you?""Of course not. My annual address will be much cheesier."Tae-eul felt the corners of her mouth twitch.
"What's Yeong's number?""Why?""So I can warn him. He needs to protect you from yourself.""Ah. Should I refrain from introducing you as 'my stunningly beautiful and astoundingly clever fiancé', then?""I'm calling National Security.""Fine, I'll make a few edits.""Will I see you tonight?""Yes! I'll make you dinner.""Can't wait! The last time you cooked for me was amazing.""Why do I suspect you're not only remembering the food?""Well there was a certain ambiance…""I'll see what I can do. I have to go now - Miss Myeong has arrived. She looks anxious.""She probably saw your first draft. Good luck!"Gon replied with a heart emoji.
Tae-eul was grinning from ear to ear as she put down the phone.
It's hopeless, she realised. He's gotten to me.
She ran a hand over her face, trying to regain a semblance of composure.
I need coffee.
It didn't take long to get ready. She pulled on a sweater, some jeans and the only pair of sneakers she'd brought with her and slipped out of the apartment.
She almost tripped over an enormous basket that was sitting in front of the door. It was as wide as the entrance and filled with white lilies. She grappled to pick it up and dragged it inside. There was a small card sitting on top with a single line in Gon's handwriting. "The magic started with you."
Tae-eul's heart stuttered. How did he do it? Had he been taking special dating classes or something? She took a photo and sent it to Gon.
"I'm abolishing rule 7. I love them."
"I love you."
She imagined him pausing the meeting with Seung-ah to reply. She realised she was beaming again.
"I'll stop distracting you. The entire nation's waiting for that speech."
"I've never been happier to be distracted in my life."
As Tae-eul exited the lift and walked through the lobby she noticed a flurry of movement to one side.
A man in a dark suit was hurrying her way. He noticed her curious glance and paused to bow. "Royal security, ma'am."
Tae-eul raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"I've been assigned to you."
"To do what?"
"To guard you, ma'am. To make sure you're safe."
Tae-eul fought the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm just going to get a coffee."
"Yes, ma'am."
"What could possibly happen to me at the coffee shop?"
The man looked uncomfortable. "I've been given strict orders."
"I suppose you have," Tae-eul sighed. "What's your name?"
"Cha Ho-jun." There was a slight shyness in his reply, which made Tae-eul study him more closely. He couldn't have been older than 25.
"Okay Mr Cha, if you have to tag along can we make it less obvious you're security? Why don't you walk next to me? Then we can talk."
The young man looked slightly starstruck. Tae-eul checked over her shoulder but there was no one else around.
"Are you okay?"
Ho-jun blinked and pulled himself up to full height, "Yes, Ms Jeong."
It was like watching a puppy trying to fill the role of a bouncer. Tae-eul pressed her lips together.
"Wait - you look familiar. Have we met before?"
The man nodded. "I was stationed in the forest last night."
"Oh, so you were part of the elite bear procurement squad?" Tae-eul said, trying to lighten the mood.
Ho-jun's eyes widened.
This is going to be a long walk, Tae-eul thought.
The coffee shop was only a couple of blocks away. Tae-eul tried to ask Ho-jun more questions as they walked, but the man was easily tongue-tied.
"How long have you been a royal guard?"
"Two years, ma'am."
"Is it difficult to become one? I don't know much about the process."
"Well… yes. It is. It, er... takes a lot of training."
"After all that work it must be disappointing to get assigned to someone like me."
"No! Of course not! It's an honour."
Tae-eul shot him a look. "What exactly did Yeong tell you?"
"There weren't many details, but I know you're a VIP. Captain Jo said your security was of the highest importance."
Ho-jun sounded reserved, but Tae-eul could tell he was holding back a million questions. She was relieved when her phone buzzed and she could pause the conversation.
There was a message from Hyeon-min. "Don't read the headlines today," he'd written. "They're even crazier than before.""Is that even possible?" Tae-eul replied. "Have you given Luna a heads up?""I was going to but the captain beat me to it.""Yeong talked to Luna?!""Asked if they could transfer her to the royal hospital for treatment.""Wow. Is she upset?""Are you kidding? She's over the moon."Tae-eul shook her head and pocketed the phone. She'd find out more later.
"The media hasn't been very positive since last night, has it?" she asked Ho-jun.
"I don't really follow the news. I get updates from the palace."
"What kind of updates? Like riot threats and kidnapping plots?"
"Sure, if there were any. But those aren't the norm."
As if challenging the honour of some higher power with that statement, the peacefulness of the street was suddenly distributed by a cry.
"Oppa!"
Tae-eul glanced back over her shoulder to find two teenage girls hurtling towards them. It took a moment to process what she was seeing. The girls had donned extravagant plastic crowns and were clutching large signs. As they drew closer Tae-eul saw there was a picture of Go Jae Hwa on one of the posters with a large cross through it. Underneath was written "Not our Queen. Don't believe the lies!"
"Do you know them?" Tae-eul asked under her breath.
Ho-jun didn't respond. He was standing with his arms tensed by his side, like a deer caught in the headlights of its oncoming doom.
"Oppa!" One of the girls said breathlessly as they caught up. She had pink streaks in her hair and a score of badges pinned to her coat. Tae-eul's eyes popped as she realised the badges were covered with images of Gon in various poses and slogans like "King of our hearts" and "Jolee for life".
"We're so glad we found you! Who's this?" The pink-haired girl was examining Tae-eul with a sour expression.
"Who are you?" Tae-eul asked in return, tucking her hands into her pockets.
Pink-hair rolled her eyes.
"They're Crownies," Ho-jun muttered, looking as though he wanted to sink into the ground.
"Okay... " Tae-eul tried again. "How do you know Mr Cha?"
"He's the youngest member of the King's guard!" The girl turned to stare dreamily at Ho-jun. "We're big fans!"
"But Oppa, we've been so worried!" the other girl chimed in. She was wearing a sweater with a large Corean flag printed in gold. "How is his Majesty? Did he really propose? I can't believe the press would make up all those crazy lies! It's horrible!"
"Yea, as if he'd ever marry that social-climbing snake!" Pink-hair balled her hands into fists. Tae-eul was suddenly glad Ho-jun was with her. These girls were on another level.
"I can't answer any questions." Ho-jun shifted uncomfortably, as though hoping to find an exit as quickly as possible.
Flag-sweater looked disappointed. "Are you on a date?"
"No!" The force of Ho-jun's answer made the two girls glance at each other. After putting in so much effort to show Tae-eul he was a serious professional, the sudden turn in conversation seemed to be approaching Ho-jun's worst nightmare.
He looked like he needed help. "I'm a colleague," Tae-eul filled in.
"You work at the palace?" Pink-hair asked, leaning forward slightly. "Have you met his Majesty?"
"Uhh - once or twice."
"Really?!" Flag-sweater's hand flew to her mouth. "Wow. You're sooo lucky! What's he like in person? Did you see him smile? Was he wearing his uniform? I bet he's even more beautiful up close."
"Um…" Tae-eul had the feeling she was stepping into deep water. "It's hard to say."
"Have you met Captain Jo as well?" Pink-hair pressed. The girls were staring at her with the intensity of harpies, their hands tightening around their signs like talons.
Ho-jun jumped in before Tae-eul could answer. "I'm sorry, but we don't have time for these questions. We have somewhere we need to be. Please excuse us."
"Don't worry Oppa!" Flag-sweater called out as Ho-jun guided Tae-eul away. "We won't let the media spread any more lies! We'll set the record straight!"
"What on earth was all that about?" Tae-eul asked when they had rounded the next corner.
"I'm so sorry." Ho-jun's voice was flat. He had the look of someone who's day had been abruptly ruined and who couldn't wait to go home and crawl into bed. "I didn't know they were still keeping tabs on me. I'll inform headquarters right away so they can find you a new guard."
"Wait," Tae-eul said, holding up a hand. "I don't want another guard. I'm just stunned... Was one of those girls wearing a badge of Gon shirtless?"
Ho-jun stopped walking, "Did you just use his Majesty's name?"
"It's fine. He waived the right to exile me. But why was he shirtless?"
"It's an old photo," Ho-jun was still staring at her shock. "It was taken a few years ago when his Majesty was vacationing in Europe. At the beach. The Crownies are obsessed with it. Every time the palace tries to remove it online a new wave appears."
"They seemed pretty obsessed with you, too."
A look of pain crossed Ho-jun's face. "They think they're helping, but so far all they've caused is trouble. It was worse a few years ago. I couldn't go anywhere because they kept recognising me and asking for photos. It's all because of some stupid article that got released when I graduated. I thought it had finally died down… This was my first solo assignment. I'm very, very sorry."
"Why are you apologising? You didn't do anything wrong."
"I drew attention to you. I exposed you to unnecessary risk."
"That pink-haired girl was pretty feisty, I'll give you that. But I think we could have taken her." She could see from Ho-jun's expression that the thought of engaging fangirls in fisticuffs was his true worst nightmare.
They'd reached the coffee shop. Ho-jun pulled open the door and hovered by Tae-eul's side as she ordered.
"What would you like, Mr Cha?"
Ho-jun shook his head. "Nothing for me."
Tae-eul ordered two iced coffees.
"It'll look weird if you just sit there and watch," Tae-eul insisted, passing Ho-jun one of the cups when the drinks arrived.
He stared despondently at the coffee. Tae-eul removed the straw from her cup and took a big gulp.
"You know I'm not from around here, right?"
Tae-eul's question seemed to shake Ho-jun from his thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying that you have your problems and I have mine. Your problems involve crazy internet fans. My problems involve - well… I'm not sure where to start. But there's a lot I don't know. Crownies, for instance - I still can't believe they're a thing." Tae-eul shook her head. The image of Gon shirtless kept popping up in her mind, disrupting her train of thought. "Anyway, it would help if I could learn from someone like you."
"Someone who's been stalked?"
"No - someone from the outside. I'm sure you can remember what it feels like to be new to palace life." Tae-eul rested her elbows on the table. "I have a lot of questions."
Ho-jun was quiet.
"I don't need someone to sugar-coat things for me. I just need some answers."
Ho-jun looked up reluctantly, his eyes flitting over the ring on her hand. "I saw your security clearance when Captain Jo first gave me this assignment. It's the highest level. That means you have access to information no one else does - things only the King and the Captain know. I'm not sure what I can help you with."
"Well, let's start with some basics." Tae-eul said, leaning forward eagerly. "What's 'Jolee for life'?"
Tae-eul jogged down the hospital corridor, Ho-jun trailing behind her. She reached a small waiting room and bounded up to the nurses' station.
A kind-eyed woman in purple scrubs looked up from her paperwork. When she saw Tae-eul her mouth fell open. She jumped up from her seat and launched into a series of bows. "Welcome, ma'am," she said. "It's an honour. I'm so pleased to meet you!"
Tae-eul fought the urge to look over her shoulder. This was the fourth person today who'd greeted her like this. She still wasn't used to it, but she was learning to put on a better act.
After returning a polite greeting she checked her watch. "12:00! I made it just in time!"
"It's actually 12:04," Hyeon-min's voice came from behind her, "but I don't think you needed to run. This place doesn't look very busy."
"Punctuality is polite!" Tae-eul said, whipping around.
"Then you're 4 minutes rude."
Tae-eul stuck out her tongue. "Where's Luna?" She looked around the waiting area, but aside from Hyeon-min it was empty.
"Getting some tests done," he nodded to a door down the hall.
"How is she taking things?"
Hyeon-min smiled. "You really don't need to worry. This is a dream come true for her. She's been obsessed with the royals ever since she was little."
"Oh no…" Tae-eul lowered her voice. "She's not a Crownie, is she?"
"I don't think anyone past the age of 15 is officially a Crownie, are they?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised!" Tae-eul had dug deeper into the royalist groups after talking to Ho-jun.
She'd established two things. Number one was that there were fans from every cross-section of Corean society (it turned out Gon was wildly popular. She could never tell Gon she'd learned that, though, because his ego was already verging on intolerable). Number two was that no one was safe from the Crownies' feverish investigations. She'd come across blurry shots of her and Ho-jun walking to the cafe that morning, with a flood of questions and comments.
"He told us it's not a date!""Why does he look so awkward?""Who is she?""They work together I think?""Never seen her before. Is she a POI?""Ahh oppa stay strong! We'll defend the King!"The photos had been taken at a distance so Tae-eul's face was hard to make out, but the gossip still bugged her. Does anyone in this kingdom care about privacy?"Are you really going to go through with it?" Hyeon-min pulled her from her thoughts.
"The blood tests? Of course! Why else would I be here?"
"No, I mean marrying the King."
"Shhh! Someone will hear you!" Tae-Eul glanced around the empty waiting room. The nurse was busying herself with some paperwork, avoiding eye contact.
"It's the King's private hospital. I think they already know."
Tae-eul sighed. "It still sounds strange when I hear it."
"Don't you love your job? Don't you value freedom and independence?"
"Of course."
"Won't all that change if you marry him? You won't have any peace. You won't be able to live a normal life."
She knew everything Hyeon-min was saying was true. As Queen she wouldn't simply be able to go for beers with her colleagues or pop down to the corner store for snacks. If she stayed in Corea, her life would change completely.
"What would you do if you were me?"
"Find a normal version of him somewhere else?"
"You know that's not the same. What would you do if it was Luna?"
Hyeon-min was quiet.
"It's a lot to take in," Tae-eul admitted. She'd tried all morning to convince herself it was fine, but each time she spotted a gathering of Gon fans on the sidewalk or a poster with his face on it she'd ask herself for the upteenth time - is this what I really want?She'd been struggling with that question. It's all fun and games until someone prints a badge of your beach body.There was movement down the hall. A door opened and a doctor appeared, followed by a tired-looking Luna. She had the slumped demeanor of someone who had just discovered they were at the start of a very long and daunting journey. When Luna caught sight of Tae-eul, though, her posture changed. She jolted upright, eyes bright, and started running straight towards them.
Tae-eul couldn't help but flinch slightly as Luna crashed into her for a hug. Once stabbed, twice shy. Luna must have felt her tense.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be hugging you! We haven't even met properly! But I'm so grateful," Luna said, bursting into tears. Tae-eul looked at Hyeon-min with panic. It was the last thing she'd been expecting.
Hyeon-min had tears in his eyes too. I don't know these people, Tae-eul thought, feeling extremely self-conscious. I think I'd prefer another stabbing."There, there," she said, patting Luna awkwardly on the back. She mouthed "help me" to Hyeon-min, but he just shrugged.
"I told you we were thankful."
Luna suddenly pulled back from the hug. "Why aren't you watching the speech?" she sniffed. "It's already noon! It must have started!"
"There's no way I'm watching that." Tae-eul couldn't imagine anything worse than hearing Gon try to convince a nation that they should trust the complete stranger he'd decided to marry. She'd told Gon as much. He'd supported her decision to go to the hospital.
"But it's about you!" Luna's shriek was part horror, part excitement, and at least three octaves higher than Tae-eul could have managed.
Luna cast around the room. "Is there a TV in here? Can we turn it on?"
The nurse dropped her pretense of paperwork. "There's a TV in the doctor's lounge. You could watch it there, miss."
Luna turned to Tae-eul and started bouncing up and down. "You have to see it! Come on!"
"I'm afraid I have to stay for the blood test. Time is of the essence, right?" She directed the question to the doctor standing at the back of the group.
"Well, actually…" he caught Tae-eul's intense stare and trailed off. "I mean yes. The sooner we do the tests, the sooner we can confirm a match."
Tae-eul breathed a sigh of relief. "That settles it. I'm needed here."
Luna grabbed Hyeon-min's hand and started pulling. "Let's go! We're missing it!"
"Can you take my blood too?" Hyeon-min pleaded over his shoulder. "I don't care where it ends up!" But his protestations were useless. He was already being dragged away.
It felt a little ridiculous, getting dressed up for a home-cooked meal, but Tae-eul wasn't sure what Gon had planned so she thought it better to err on the formal side.
Lady Noh had shown up at the town apartment that afternoon with a team of stylists and tried to drown Tae-eul in a sea of fabric.
"I don't think I need 15 evening dresses," Tae-eul reasoned. "I've never worn one in my life."
"Then what do you wear to formal events?" Lady Noh looked baffled.
"A shirt and trousers?"
One of the male stylists nodded. "We have options like that too."
Tae-eul appreciated their efforts to accommodate her taste. She obviously wasn't their dream customer - someone who actually cared about fashion - but they were professional enough to make her feel comfortable.
"I really admire what you're doing for your sister!" One of the younger helpers confessed as Tae-eul tried on a pair of ballet flats. "I think it's amazing!"
Tae-eul cleared her throat and pretended to examine the shoe. She knew if she looked up she'd find the entire room watching her. What on earth did Gon say?She hadn't listened to the speech but she'd noticed a change after it aired. Luna had been sending her messages all afternoon, giddy with excitement.
"The look in his eyes when he spoke of you! Ahhh my heart! I didn't think I'd make it.""Your name is trending!""I've got to stop watching this clip…""Butonemoretime""He's so amazing. I can't even..."Hyeon-min meanwhile had sent Tae-eul a series of warnings that if she didn't help restore his girlfriend to a normal state he'd come after her.
"But I'll probably need a year of training first," he added, "because right now it's not even. Do you think your dad will teach me?"She didn't think Gon had gone off-script and revealed any scandalous secrets. Yeong had spent the entire night working with a specialist team to construct a lifetime of doctor's records, travel documents, enrolments, subscriptions, and online activity to make Tae-eul a believable citizen of Corea. She imagined there had probably been some creative storytelling about how she and Gon met, but aside from that Gon would have had to work within Yeong's version of the truth.
"You and Luna are identical twins," Yeong had updated her that morning, "given up for adoption at birth. It's the only story that makes sense. You grew up separately and didn't know of each other's existence until recently. You only found Luna because you were registered as a donor and turned up in the system as a match."
"It's believable, sure, but I feel bad dragging Luna into this… What if she doesn't agree?"
"I talked with Luna earlier. She's completely on board with the idea."
"But why? Doesn't she care about privacy? If the palace releases photos of me then she'll be dragged in as well."
Yeong sighed. "Whether we release photos of you or not, your image will end up everywhere. People are quick to make connections. You couldn't avoid being sighted with Gon your whole life. Wouldn't it be better to prepare Luna now?"
"But it seems so unfair! She's going to have to give up so much..." Tae-eul felt a familiar panic rising.
Yeong seemed to understand. His voice was patient. "Luna grew up in Corea. She knows the responsibilities that come with being a member of the royal family, but she can also understand the benefits. This way she'll be connected to the palace and we'll be able to send security to cover her."
Tae-eul stared at the ring on her hand. Why was everyone obsessed with security? She wanted freedom. They weren't the same.
As if reading her thoughts, Yeong added, "Being in the public spotlight comes at a price, it's true, but my advice is - don't focus on the doors that might close for her because of this. Think of the ones that will open."
Tae-eul couldn't explain why her eyelashes were suddenly wet, but she felt a weight lift off her at that moment. It was something she had needed to hear.
Now as Tae-eul stood in front of the floor length mirror and debated what to wear she remembered the flute. It had been in her jacket all day. She pulled it out and held it up to the light. It all comes down to this, she realised. There were silly things that seemed big that you could never change, and then there were small things that had the power to change everything. She just had to pay attention.
"Okay, I'm ready! Where should I meet you?""The roof.""The roof? Wait, are you up there now?""Of course. A King is never late."Tae-eul had quickly discovered that 'town apartment' was a poor description of her accomodation. On her tour with Ho-jun they'd come across a floor with a fully equipped gym, pool and health spa, and another with a cocktail bar and private restaurant. It's an entire building. My house could fit in the lobby.Stepping out of the lift on the top floor, Tae-eul paused for a second to commit the moment to memory. It was clear where she needed to go. Hundreds of candles lined a path towards the rooftop. Their soft light cast hypnotising shadows on the walls.
Tae-eul looked down at the outfit she'd chosen, suddenly feeling nervous. She'd chosen it partly to humour Gon. It was as close to a backless dress as the royal stylists would allow, which admittedly meant it was pretty conservative, but for someone who was used to baggy jumpers and shirts it felt like stepping outside in a nightgown.
It was worth it in the end for the look on Gon's face.
"I didn't think the dining room would be quite so exposed," Tae-eul said, gazing around the terrace. There were flowers and candles everywhere. The lights of the city sparkled in the background. It was the most beautiful scene she'd ever laid eyes on, but it didn't stand a chance against its maker.
No sight was more impressive than Gon. He was wearing his navy uniform, and the white jacket seemed to glow against the backdrop of the sky.
Whatever Gon had been doing the moment before lay forgotten. He stared at her as though they hadn't seen each other in years.
"Wow." His voice was so soft, she wondered if he'd meant to speak aloud.
Tae-eul spotted a heater near the table. "I'm glad you thought of this," she said, hurrying over to hold her hands up to the glow.
Gon blinked and shook his head. He pulled off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. "Sorry, I got distracted by the view. We can always go inside."
The medals on the jacket clinked as Tae-eul adjusted it. She looked down at the impressive collection.
"It seems strange to put so many of these on a uniform you wear out at sea. Aren't you afraid of capsizing? It's like wearing an anchor."
Gon nodded solemnly. "It's the greatest peril of being King - people trying to drown you with accolades. To be honest, though, I don't know what half of them are for."
"Well if you ever get stranded in another world, maybe you could trade them for bread. I think this one's made of gold."
She looked up and saw Gon watching her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Did you really cook?" Tae-eul asked, gesturing to the spread before them.
"Yes, but I had a little help from the palace chefs," Gon admitted. "They were very puzzled by my request."
He lifted the lid off a nearby platter, revealing a plate of fried chicken.
"I thought you might be homesick for food like this."
Tae-eul grinned. "As if! I bet you were missing it yourself."
"I brought this to drink with it." Gon held up a bottle of champagne.
"Do I even want to know how much that bottle cost?"
"At least a couple of loaves, I imagine."
"You do realise this is the strangest combination?" She said, gesturing to the food as he passed her a glass.
"Do you want me to fetch you some soju to mix in it?"
Tae-eul narrowed her eyes. "We'll see, Casanova."
She tilted her glass and took a few gulps. The bubbles tickled her throat.
"Did you watch my speech then, after all?"
Tae-eul coughed. "No! But I saw the hashtags." She shook her head in horror. 'Casanova' was one of the tamest titles Gon had attracted. How can someone be voted the world's hottest husband when he isn't even married yet? She imagined the Crownie blogosphere in flames, with frenzied, incoherent cries echoing across the nation. She wondered if pink-hair had survived the chaos. "I thought you were going to let Seung-ah read it first."
"I did. She approved every word."
"Seung-ah, why… She must be dating Yeong! It's the only explanation!"
"I mean, who doesn't enjoy a good love story?"
"Is that what this is?" Tae-eul's heart fluttered as Gon's eye's travelled over her.
He stepped closer, his arm brushing against her side. "This can be whatever you want."
"I have a list," Tae-eul breathed.
"I'm all ears."
"I want to travel."
Gon nodded. "Of course, any time."
"And I want to invite my father to the wedding." Gon took the champagne glass from her hands and placed it on the table.
"We'll make it happen. What else?" He was standing so close, she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"I want you to wear that uniform every anniversary."
He nodded again, and reached out to cup her cheeks. Tae-eul felt goosebumps across her arm. The rest of the list had dissolved. All she could think of was the scandalous warmth of Gon's hands.
He leaned down slowly. Perhaps he deserves some of those titles, Tae-eul conceded as their lips met.
"You know it is kind of cold," Tae-eul pointed out a few moments later, trying to gather as much heat as possible from Gon's arms. "Maybe we should go inside..."
There were countless images of the King pinned to walls and buildings across the country, but she doubted any had ever shown the smile he was wearing now.
"As you command."
Excerpt from the King's Annual Address, 22th March 2021"This speech wasn't easy for me to write. I've drafted many announcements over the years, but never one on a subject so dear to my heart, so I wasn't sure where to begin.
A tutor once told me that if you're struggling to speak to a crowd, it's easier to order your thoughts if you pretend you're talking to one person.
When I was little, the person I always thought of was my father. He was an incredible listener, never tiring of the stories I had to tell. In the years following his death, though, I was comforted by the knowledge that I still had the people of this Kingdom to stand by me.
I want to share news of all my greatest joys.
But on an occasion as momentous as this, I must admit I'm nervous.
It may be no big deal to introduce someone to your friends, and quite natural to introduce a close friend to your family.
But it's not often that you introduce the most important person in your life to an entire nation.
So I'm going to follow the advice of my old tutor and focus this speech on one person.
She's someone I've always felt comfortable talking to, and the one I want to stand by for the rest of my life.
Jeong Tae-eul, this speech is for you."