Princess Charming (saida au)

Chapter 9 : Hide and Seek

     It's been a while since their first official date. And all those time, the Princess stayed with the Queen mother often. Sometimes they were accompanied by the Prince's cousins and of course Nayeon..

     The wedding is drawing nearer and nearer, everything is ready, everything is settled. All they have to do is confirm their engagement to the public and that they "truly love" each other.

     In the castle's Garden, The Queen Mother and Princess Sana is busy watching the royal gardeners tend to the flowers and replace the wilting ones. The Garden has turned to be their favorite meeting place, of course courtesy of the Queen Mother. Their topic has always revolve around, Sana's home, how she's been doing in their presence and stories about the Queen Mother's grand children.

     "Sana dear, have I told you before that my Grand daughter Dahyun is the one and ony responsible for all these flowers? After their Grandfather passed away she swore she'll protect this place.. The place me and my husband cherish the most." The Queen Mother told her softly with a warm smile on her face. "I-I... I think you already had Grandma." Sana replied timidly, obviously shy. Queen Sunjeong smiled at her warmly before speaking again. "Oh my, sorry.  I guess I am getting too old." Sana starts to panic and starts comforting the Queen Mother, afraid of offending her. "Oh no.. Ahmm.. That's not– I-I.. Grandma–" Queen Sunjeong could only laugh at her panicking state. "I'm joking my dear.. I assumed you're already used to how playful Junho is.. Well it runs in the family.." The Queen mother said while giggling making Sana sigh in relief. "I.. I am.."

     Everyone around her kept saying that the Prince is bad news. However what the Queen Mother had told her and how the Prince himself is acting towards her says otherwise. "Junho... He's... A keeper.. Please... Please take care of my beloved grandchild.." Queen Sunjeong said with pure genuineness and a warm smile.. Hiw could anyone defy and say no to such a lovely lady, and even though Sana herself still doesn't want to get married she still nodded and timidly said "Yes.. I will."

     This time she really couldn't turn back now, especially now that she already gave her word to the Queen Mother. All the Princess could hope for is for Junho to stay as he is now.

     "Oh dear... Where is Junho??" The Queen mother muttered to herself as she glance around the garden, hoping to get a glimpse of her grandchild. To her dismay all she saw is her other grandchildren, goofing around and about. "Jisoo! Seulgi! Have you seen Junho??!" The Queen mother asks worriedly.

     The two mentioned girls turned to their grandmother after exchanging glances. "Nope." "We haven't grandmama." They answered while shaking their heads.

     "Where is that kid?" Again the Queen mother muttered to herself, this time worriedly.. This time Jackson and Suho happened to pass by the garden. "What's wrong Grandma?" Suho asked as he jogged towards their grandmother. "Is it Junho again, Grandma?" Suho continued to ask. Jackson could only sigh. "Jisoo, Seulgi, Jackson, prepare a search party.. That little rascal is not to escape again!" He turned them with all seriousness and authority before turning back to the Queen mother and the confused Princess. "Don't worry Grandmama, we'll find him.. I'll break his legs if I have to, just to make sure he'll never run away again.." Sana felt shivers as she heard the Prince's threat for her dear future husband. "Don't hurt him Suho.. Just find him and bring him here." The Queen mother ordered softly which he answered with a tight-lipped smile.

+++++

     Meanwhile Junho... He– along with Jeongyeon volunteered to help Nayeon with washing his own clothes in the castle's laundry room with Jeongyeon and Nayeon..

     "Prince Junho, I certainly can wash your clothes for you... So does Jeongyeon, no need to bother yourself with this chore." Nayeon despite being busy, she kept on convincing the Prince to stop. "And I've told you already miss Nayeon, I'd like to help.." Dahyun showed her her most charming smile, in hopes to stop the older girl from talking already. "But–" "Just leave him be Nayeon... Or do you want to be here alone with me that bad?" Jeongyeon teases Nayeon and hence their bickering starts.

     So much for peace and quiet. Dahyun thought..

     "Yah!! Yoo Jeongyeon!!! AAHHH!!!!!" Nayeon shrieked as they began a water fight– which Jeongyeon is obviously winning. "Hahaha!! Yah!! Nayeon!!!" Little splatters turned to big splashes making them both soaking wet.. "YAH!! Stop it you two!!!" Dahyun decided to intervene as she is getting involved. "Hey!! Guys!!! Go date somewhere else!!" Somehow just by mentioning the word Date the two managed to stop, of course after Nayeon splashed a pail of water at Jeonyeon as her last hurrah.

     They both looked at Dahyun, too speechless and flushed. Nayeon's long white socks, black shoes, long maid dress are soaked even her hair and face is wet. Jeonyeon on the other hand, her shoes, slacks and coat are soaked her, hair and face are also wet.. They turned to face the opposite sides, faces still flushed. "N-No way in hell will I g-go out with that o-ostrich.." Nayeon tried to sound insulting but it came out less of it.. "Ye-Yeah.. I wo-wouldn't go out with this g-grandma.." Jeongyeon scoffed and glared at the wall..

     "Riiiiight.." Dahyun said slowly, seemingly unconvinced by their words as she smirked at her friend and bodyguard. Jeongyeon sensing the silent teasing rolled her eyes and scoffs again. "Whatever! I'm gonna go get changed... Y-You too Nayeon.. You wouldn't want the Princess to get infected by a cold now wouldn't you grandma?" Jeongyeon wanted to pat herself in the back for the clever remark however what she got in reality was not not unexpected.. "Yah!! Who are you calling a grandma?!!" Nayeon shrieked as she slapped Jeongyeon's arm..
 

 

+++++

   After the two left her alone, Dahyun kept on washing her dirty clothes, thinking about things– of what if's and plans for the future.. She's so engrossed with her thoughts she hadn't realised who's clothes she's already washing...

+++++

     Sana wanted to participate in this whole search party and is now accompanied by Jisoo,  Seulgi and a few palace guards..

     "Aaarrggg!! We've looked everywhere Suho and Jackson has looked.. Any more ideas Seulgi?? If you were Junho, where would you go?" Jisoo asks, feeling a little frustrated. "Hmm.. I don't know?.. Out of the palace?" Seulgi just shrugged then she turned to the quiet Princess that's tailing behind her. "How about you Sana.. Any ideas??"

     The Japanese princess was caught off guard and when she was about to speak her mind she saw Nayeon brisk walking as she passed by the end of the hall.. "I'm sorry.. Please excuse me.." Sana answered without looking at neither of the two girls with her before making her way to follow her new found friend..

     Nayeon had led them– her unknowingly to where the acting prince is. "Haaa.. I'm so sorry Prince Junho.. Pardon my behavior earlier.. Jeongyeon just really brings out the worst of me." She explained as she hung her head long, her face still a little flushed. But all she got as an answer is a low hum from Dahyun..

     When Nayeon had approached him she noticed that the basket of uncleaned clothes is already empty.. Beside the Prince are two basins and a big pail of rinsed and squeezed clothes.. "Ahh, Prince... Prince Junho.. Who's clothes are you washing?" Nayeon hesitantly asked.. "Mine." Dahyun seemed so lost in thought but she somehow instantly snapped back to reality and beamed at Nayeon.. "Oh there you are Miss Nayeon! I was just..." Nayeon's eyes widended in shock as Dahyun raised the piece of cloth in her hands. And it's as if the world is yet again conspiring against Dahyun, the door to the laundry room burst open revealing three Princesses and five palace guards behind them. One particular Japanese Princess is fuming red from anger and embarrassment as she shrieked: "Pervert!!!"