The Accidental Monarch

Reckoning

High ceilings. Marble pillars. Indoor palm trees. Carpeted floors. And the distinct scent of luxury.

The five-star hotel situated in the heart of London has housed some of the biggest names in history. From film stars to political figures to royal households. It boasts its strict security since it opened its doors almost a millennium ago, firstly because of its grandeur but now also because of its distinguished guests.

Jeong-hyeok exits the elevator in his best coat and tails with a top hat under his arm. He adjusts the Omega around his wrist as Gwang-beom matches his stride and informs him about the important guests who will also be in attendance. Halfway across the lobby, he catches a glimpse of a familiar face. Her confident stride coupled with a graceful aura and a gorgeous smile.

"Seo Dan."

Dressed impeccably in a rose-colored gown, the younger woman greets him with a low bow. The relieved expression on her face does not go unnoticed by the prince, who returns it with his own.

"Well, look at what the cat dragged in," she teases fondly with her head tilted to the side. "It is a pleasure to see you here, Your Royal Highness."

"Likewise. How are you, Dan?" he greets warmly. "I seem to recall you saying that you would rather stick pins in your eyes than attend one of these. What on earth are you doing here then?"

"Oh, believe me. I tried to get out of this, but my mother had something urgent to attend to at the last minute and refused to have anyone else represent her," she answers with annoyance before returning the same question back to him. "It seems His Majesty had the same thought."

"I doubt that," he refutes, prompting her to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "My brother loves being in the spotlight. The only reason he would be absent from a royal wedding, especially one this grand, is if my mother had something to do with it."

Understanding dawns on her. "Of course," she chuckles. "If that's the case, then I am assuming my mother also had a hand in it. I apologize for the trouble. How is Her Majesty? Is she well?"

"Well enough to sabotage a state visit to make you her daughter-in-law."

Dan hides a cough behind her hand, amused by his deadpan delivery. "Well, I am not going to lie, that is quite flattering," she comments mildly after gathering her composure. "If she were the one courting me, I would not hesitate to give it a try. I do hope you wouldn't take offense when I say this, Your Royal Highness, but I think we are better off as friends."

"None taken," he grins. He has always regarded her as one, so he feels relieved that they are on the same page. From the corner of his eye, he sees his secretary subtly pointing at his wristwatch. "How will you be going to the Abbey?"

"I rented a town car," she answers, checking her smartphone. "It will be here in a few minutes."

"Cancel it," he tells her. "You can come with me."

The car bearing the flags of South Korea stops in front of the hotel entrance. Dozens of reporters are clamoring outside, desperate to document every single aspect of the historic event, and cameras flash wildly the moment they step outside. The visual assault has the prince instinctively placing a hand on her back and guiding her into the car before going in himself.

In less than twenty-four hours, photographs of Jeong-hyeok and Dan leaving the hotel together and attending the wedding are splashed all over the news on the other side of the world.

-x-

Back home, Seri laughs at the punchline her costar delivers as they wait in line at immigration. They are heading abroad for the vacation rewarded to them by the network after the success of their drama. Accompanying them at the airport are hundreds of cameras, smartphones, paparazzis, and fans, screaming their thrill over their presence and documenting every moment.