Only You

A Sign

The break was a welcome one, despite having only been half an hour since she started her workout. Patting her face with a towel, she walked to the break room to rest.

So far, the only time she could have for herself was in-between her Queenly duties and classes.

Life in the palace had been a lot to take in since she officially became Queen Consort. Sure, she had people helping her adjust to the formalities and customs of palace life and her duties. However, there were still many things that she had to learn and understand for herself. As someone who used to be an 'ordinary person', it was a totally different culture than what she was used to.

Endless classes on refinement, current and foreign affairs, protocols - the list was endless.

For example, this past week, she was supposed to be learning about the history of Corea and continuing with the etiquette and refinement classes she had been taking for the past month. As expected, she was failing spectacularly.

Oh, it was not for the lack of effort on her part - she really was trying very hard to be worthy of her role as Queen Consort.

Rather, it was the constant disruptions to her schedule by one particular monarch.

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*ring*

"Yes, husband? This is about the thousandth time you've called me today –". She made a show of exaggerated exasperation as she picked up the video call.

Leaning her hip against the wall, she adjusted the screen so he could clearly see her face.

"Are you sure it's about a thousand? That means, I still have a few more to go... You know, I just miss you." She chuckled at Lee Gon's mischievous remarks and display of aegyo. Tae-Eul was beginning to see more and more of his cheesy side, which he seemed to display more prominently when he was overseas on some mission or emergency meeting and missing her.

Even though she didn't really show it, she did love his aegyo attacks. It made him more human, rather than the kingly presence he exuded whenever he was out and about his duties.

He seemed to have more work to do after they got married, as the country was grappling with skirmishes over territory with the neighbouring country.

"It was cute, up until Court Lady Noh gave me the patented 'Disapproving Stare' for having her lessons interrupted one too many times..."

"I can't concentrate on doing Queen Consort stuff if you keep doing that.", she continued. If he wasn't calling her during lessons, he was dropping by her classrooms – on the excuse that he was "nearby". If not for the numerous royal duties he had to carry out, she supposed he would have seen a lot more of his interruptions in person.

"Still, I'm sure you're secretly happy for a break every time I drop in. Those looks of relief on your face do not lie. Once I'm done with the conference, I'll fly back and see you in our room tonight -" The words cut off as he appeared to be consulting with Secretary Mo off-screen.

"Scratch that. There's been a change of plans. There's an emergency meeting regarding the offshore territorial disputes. I have to go. Love you."

Tae-Eul smiled as she ended the call. She was still amazed at how much she loved that man.

From the start, she had some doubts about the strength of his feelings for her and how the future of their relationship would work out. They were both worlds apart, literally and figuratively.

He was the King of Corea, she was a detective from the Korean National Police Agency. The life that she knew was on the other side of the parallel gates, while he had a whole country full of adoring citizens and all that he could ever want or need here.

Her heart could not take another heartbreak.

Tae-Eul had been broken one too many times. By her mother's death. By people that she loved leaving her.

As she grew older, she had erected more walls and barriers around her. If it wasn't about work, you would not likely find her spending time on it. The only people she really spent time with, other than her dad, were Na-Ri and Shin Jae.

She had many a sleepless night just thinking if it was worth going all out for, but the consistency of his words, feelings and actions had started to melt all the doubts she had had about the relationship.

Over time, she realized that life was too short to have regrets on the ifs and maybes – so she took a huge leap of faith.

Tae-Eul turned around to walk towards the mini-fridge in the corner of the break room. The disorientating sensation and sudden throb in her temples made her stop mid-turn. She felt both nauseated and dizzy at the same time.

That's unusual.

As she grabbed a drink from the fridge, she chalked it up to being dehydrated from the workout and also her lack of exercise lately. The back-to-back classes took up most of her time, so any pockets of time she could get for herself were few and far in between.

Unfortunately, the cool drink seemed to do nothing for her dizziness or nausea. Another wave of dizziness overcame her and she stumbled slightly, as her center came off-balance for a split second.

Why am I like this?

Feeling like it was probably best to call someone before anything serious happened, she tried to dial for her secretary. She couldn't reach Lee Gon – not since he was overseas at the conference right then.

The disorientating feeling intensified, as the numbers on the keypad started dancing before her eyes.

1-

It was a good thing she had thought to configure speed-dial numbers in case of an emergency. The only thing is, at that moment, she couldn't remember who "1" dialled to.

As her vision started to blur, she knew she was going down...