𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 | 정원

10

Haeun sat across Ji-ah in the cafe, sipping on her iced Americano. It's been a while since they met.

"You're drinking iced coffee when the weather is this cold?" Ji-ah said. It was very windy today, and the dark clouds loomed in the horizon.

"I don't care. I always have my coffee cold." Haeun shrugged. "So how is your work in the palace?" She leaned forward, curiosity lighting up in her eyes.

"It's alright," Ji-ah said. She decided not to tell her that she was almost fired on her second day.

"Did you meet the host? Are they really royalty?" Haeun probed.

"Yeah, a young prince," Ji-ah said. She remembered the rules Mrs. Kim told her, and she was not about to break them. "They're really secretive or something. I'm not supposed to say anything about the palace." Ji-ah wanted to tell her more about the rude prince, but knowing how Haeun would react she didn't elaborate.

"Ooh okay." Haeun chuckled. "Anyways, I'm going to Japan with my family next week," Haeun said, her smile fading.

"Oh, for vacation?" 

"Yeah, but I don't want to leave, I'm going to miss you." She pouted. 

Ji-ah felt a pang of loneliness at the thought of being alone during Haeun's absence. "Why not? It's a chance to spend quality time with your family," she suggested, wanting Haeun to make the most of her vacation.

Haeun's frown deepened as she replied, "I don't want to leave you here alone."

"It's fine," Ji-ah reassured her with a casual wave of her hand. "I'll be busy working, anyway."

"Oh yeah, what about the guy you met? Updates?" Ji-ah asked. She exchanged texts with Haeun the past few days, updating each other on their lives. Haeun had mentioned that his name is Yeonjun, and he's a dancer.

"Well, he wanted to be just friends," Haeun said, burying her face in her hands. "I got friendzoned." 

Ji-ah chuckled at Haeun's revelation and reached out to pat her on her shoulder as a consolation. "It's alright, there are plenty of other fish in the sea."

Haeun sighed and added with a casual eye roll, "Plus, he's always so busy. It's probably for the best, anyway." Her frown turns into a smile again, and any disappointment she had disappeared. "Anyway, anyone interesting in the palace?"

"Well, I made a new friend, Seo-yeon. She's been helping me with work mostly."

"Oh really? You better not get too close to her and replace me." Haeun playfully warned.

Ji-ah laughed. "Of course not. You're my bestie."

"What about, you know, guys?" Haeun said slowly. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile.

Ji-ah thought about the princes, but quickly dismissed it. There was no way she would get involved with any of them, especially not Jungwon, acting bossy even though their age is not far apart.

Ji-ah shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Well, I've met some people, but it's all very professional, you know. Work, work, work."

Haeun's laughter filled the café as she teased, "You sound like an old lady, Ji-ah."

"You should start talking formally then," Ji-ah laughed.

They chatted for a while longer, sipping their coffee and catching up on life. The sky rumbled, and the dark clouds made everything look gray. Haeun offered to give Ji-ah a lift back to the palace, but also because she wanted to take another look at it.

By the time they arrived at the palace, it was pouring heavily, drenching everything in sight. Ji-ah made a run to the doors, her sneakers splashing through puddles of water. "Drive back safely!" Ji-ah shouted to Haeun over the pouring rain. 

Haeun's car pulled out from the yard and drove out the gates. The rain was so heavy it bounced back from the pavement, sending a spray in all directions.

Ji-ah walked into the entrance, shaking off excess water on the carpet. She returned to her quarters, showered, and changed her clothes.

Today was the staff's day off, so a lot of staff were out. Ji-ah made her way to the staff dining room to have her dinner, when she heard a faint sound of piano tunes. The music echoed in the halls, the tunes low and melancholic. It sounded hauntingly beautiful.

Ji-ah followed the source and it led upstairs. The melody got louder when she approached one of the doors. Ji-ah recognized the tune now, it was Schubert's Serenade, a classical. 

She always liked to listen to classical music, and wished she could play them on piano. But she never had the chance the learn piano.

She stepped closer and noticed the golden doorknobs. The prince's threat to fire her flashed in her mind again, and she rolled her eyes. But she's not the type to break the rules. 

She lingered outside the closed door, her ear pressed against the wood, listening intently. The piano's melody swirled and danced, like a whisper from another world. Ji-ah's eyes drifted shut, allowing the music to envelop her senses.

The player, whoever they were, was very skilled. Each note they struck was filled with emotion, weaving a tapestry of feelings that resonated deep within Ji-ah's soul. 

Ji-ah didn't know how much time had passed as she stood there, lost in the melancholic melody. The rain was still pouring outside, showing no sign of stopping.

Then the melody stopped. Ji-ah stepped back from the door, aware of the silence. She knew she couldn't stay any longer without risking discovery. 

As she turned to leave, her heart racing, the door she had been standing by swung open. Startled, she found herself face-to-face with the person responsible for the piano performance. 

He looked at her with surprise in his cat-like eyes, and Ji-ah felt a pang of anxiety, realizing she had been caught where she shouldn't be.

Jungwon raised an eyebrow as he looked at Ji-ah. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and mild annoyance. "Are you eavesdropping?"

"I'm not eavesdropping, Your Highness. I was merely following the beautiful music. I didn't know Your Highness could play." She braced herself and retorted.

"There's a lot you don't know about me." He said nonchalantly. His face remained as blank as ever, as if he were afraid he would show any emotions.

For a moment, Ji-ah stared at the prince, wondering why he seemed to be so secretive. 

Feeling her eyes on him, Jungwon cleared his throat. 

"You're not allowed in this part of the palace. This area is off-limits to staff, especially the ones who can't seem to follow instructions." He said dismissively, going back to his cold demeanor.

"Of course, it's off-limits," Ji-ah said with a touch of sarcasm. "You were so kind to remind me."

Jungwon didn't seem to be in the mood for further discussion. He simply shrugged and stated icily, "If you can't follow the rules, it's not my concern. Stay away from this area, and don't cause any more problems."

He turned on his heel, walking away without another word, leaving Ji-ah standing. 

"What a prince..." She muttered and stuck out her tongue at his back.

She turned away and resumed her path to the staff dining room. As she walked away, she couldn't help but wonder why Jungwon was playing the piano with such emotion, as it contradicted his usual cold and distant demeanor.

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