The Mafia's Heir

Courting the King's Sister

I watched the flurry of castle staff run back and forth through the grand hall. I'd just arrived in Malaysia and hadn't had a lick of sleep since boarding the plane. Security was hell and getting retained was a threat they couldn't seem to keep from reminding me. All I wanted to do was go back to Korea and pretend I lived a happy life in Europe and America. My friends would welcome me back and I'd be able to settle down again and find a real wife. One who loves me.

Speaking of Cynthia, the wench is pretending she never knew me. I don't know what I'd done to her. Maybe it was because when I was leaving, the mansion staff were sad to see me go. Her cousin, Don Russo, was rushing me out, but I could see that he was going to miss sneaking out late with me. Something Cynthia never knew about. I'm glad she doesn't care for me anymore. I no longer have to worry about sneaking past her when she wants everyone to keep an eye on me.

Now that I was in a completely different country without anyone to tell me what to do, I was uncomfortable and confused. I was supposed to have a welcoming party to greet me at the door. Instead, I'm stepping out of everyone's way. Forcing myself not to storm into the throne room and demand to be shown to a room. Afan wouldn't like that and I'm sure Amina would make me go back to Korea.

As I was about to find a seat, a maid finally came up to me with the biggest smile on her face. She called over two other maids and had them take my suitcases to my room. Why weren't they leading me to the room, too? I was sleep deprived. I needed to take a shower.

"Sorry, sir," she apologized. "Princess Amina has been waiting for your arrival. Come along."

She must be one of the maids who knows English. Or just multilingual. I let her take my arm and lead me to God knows where. The staff finally slowed down to get a good look at me. Once they realized I had to be the Korean their princess invited, the whispers started. I'm not even going to listen. I have better things to worry about.

The heavy oak doors to the throne rooms were pushed open by the guards. The maid stepped in without me and announced my arrival.

"Your Highness, Woo Youngmin of South Korea has arrived." She curtsied and backed out of the room.

I watched her scamper down the hall and looked into the room. Amina was sitting alone with her head buried in a book. I'd never tagged her as a bookworm. Or maybe Afan was forcing her to read some book about being a queen. Why? Sometimes I figure he wants her out of his hair sometimes. That makes me wonder where he and his mother are right now.

I stepped into the room and the doors shut behind me. Amina finally glanced up, but didn't close her book. Was I not that important to her? She's the one who begged me to come here. She's the one who forced me up at two in the morning to catch a flight here. Why? I should be deserving of all her attention right now. All of it.

"...You're here earlier than expected," she noted.

Time to go into gentleman mode.

"Just to see you, Your Highness." I bowed. "Have I interrupted you?"

"Not at all, Youngmin. Just call me Mina."

Mina. Why am I here?

"As you wish, Mina." I straightened and approached her throne. She stood up and met me halfway. "You're more beautiful than I've ever imagined."

"Thank you." Amina blushed. "...You must be wondering why you're here right now, aren't you?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be human if I wasn't."

"Mother agreed to allow you to court me."

Court her? Court her! Court the princess of a forgotten country? Kidding! I'd love to court her. Better her than the women she could easily set me up with. And her mother allowed this? I guess it means our small conversation from before left a good impression on her. Maybe money isn't everything to her mother. Maybe she just wants to see her daughter happy. Among the other eligible men in the castle, I was the foreigner who had won Amina's attention.