My Rival, My Love

Chapter XXXI: The Fugitives

6PM, somewhere in the East Coast of Korea

A van carefully steers through the heavily wooded and secluded forest only to emerge in front of a villa whose back faces the East Sea. The van stops and from it, several people emerges.

Crown Princess Lee is helped out of the van by Hyungwon, followed by Kihyun, Dasom, Seokwon and Bora. Gunhee, Hyunwoo, Kwangji & Yoosu follows soon after.

"Well, we're here!" said Gunhee. "Home sweet home I mean... villa, I guess."

"I know Hayoon sent us a picture of it back then but seeing it for real... it's just huge!" said Kihyun.

"So this is the villa you guys told us earlier..." said Her Highness. "It has a good location considering you guys said it's not yet on the map?"

"Yes that's right." Hyunwoo replied. "Hayoon told us this was built only this yer and her father has no knowledge about it. She had built as her secret getaway."

"She's R-E-A-L-L-Y RICH!" exclaimed Kwangji.

"I don't know about you guys but I'd rather talk inside. It's not safe it we keep staying outside." said Hyungwon. "Let's go inside."

The weary travellers were even more amazed when they got inside; priceless paintings, antiques, furniture and more adorned the interior of the villa!

"I feel like this villa can easily pass off as a palace!" said Seokwon.

"Let's be careful not to damage any of these... things." said Dasom.

"Okay guys, let's go to our allotted rooms and then..." Hyunwoo was cut short by Hyungwon.

"... you guys are going to explain A LOT to the two of us." He said while he was holding the crown princess' hand.

DEOKSUGUNG PALACE

"Your Majesty, I have good news..."

"THE ONLY GOOD NEWS I WANT TO HEAR IS THAT YOU HAVE LOCATED THAT BLASTED DAUGHTER OF MINE!"

"Um... not quite but, the armed forces has informed that they will cooperate with us to see this crisis through."

"I suppose that is good news... AAARRRGHHHH!!! This day has been a disaster! Our plans have fallen apart! ARE YOU SURE YOU REALLY HAD NO IDEA OF YOUR SON'S ACTIONS BEHIND US?!"

"Your Majesty I assure you I really didn't know! I am surprised as much as you are! As everyone else was! I didn't know he was in constant contact with Nam Hayoon all this time as well as with His Royal Highness! It's truly unbelievable!"

"Then it's time we take action! Arrest the leaders of the opposition! This is most certainly their plan to destabilize the monarchy!"

"Your Majesty, that will be a bad move! A truly bad one! If we do that, we're risking civil war and not to mention a sudden move from the North! And besides sire, they are in disarray too considering they didn't also expect that Hayoon would do that to them! For now, we have to carefully plan our next moves. The rest of my cabinet will be here soon sire, please, just wait for a few more minutes."

JOOHEON'S POV

"So for those who just joined our program, these are the latest developments so far: the King has declared Crown Princess Lee _________ and Chae Hyungwon, along with the people whose names and pictures on the list on your screens right now as fugitives. Anyone who has information of their whereabouts or movements are encouraged to report it to the nearest police station at once. A reward will be given for their discovery and any information related to their current whereabouts. The group was last seen traveling in a blue van but several hours ago, it has been confirmed that the blue van was left abandoned somewhere east of the city. Another development is that effective since noon earlier today, the entire country is under martial law and a state of emergency. All citizens are advised to follow the government's instructions and cooperate with the army who has established several checkpoints not only across the capital but the entire country as well. And lastly, in the aftermath of the failed royal wedding, or should we say, weddings, the King has ordered that the crown princess be demoted to that of the status of a princess and so consequently, the country is without an heir to the throne. If everyone may remember, earlier this year, the King has did the same thing to his elder son, Prince Jooheon who..."