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The King glanced to his right. Sitting under a pavilion in the Royal Garden, cool breeze blew their faces as the person beside him continued to stare into a distance, as if in deep thoughts. Silently, the King nudged her elbow. Startled, Joy turned and looked at the King.

"I am amazed at how you can choose the scenery over me," The King teased. "What are you thinking?" He asked.

Joy looked at him and smiled at this little kid who is fighting to gain her attention. Turning towards him, she stared into his face. It has been weeks since the passing of the late Queen Dowager. The atmosphere of the palace has slowly turned back to its usual mood, with everyone slowly moving on and continuing their lives. Even the King had slowly gone back to his old self, occasionally smiling and joking around. However, Joy knew it herself that the King is just hiding his pain behind his brave facade. 

Though he did not admit it, Joy knew that deep down, he misses his mother. After all, the late Queen Dowager is his biological mother. No matter how he used to hate her; No matter how big their misunderstanding is for each other, he will still miss her.


"Why? Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked. He then narrowed his eyes, before he chuckled. "You are looking at me like that because I am handsome right?"

"No..." The Joy started but before she can carry on what she wants to say, the King interrupted her.

"No?" He questioned. "No, as in I am not handsome?"

"No, I don't mean--" Joy voiced out, flustered, only to have her words cut off by the King again.

"Say 'no' one more time and I will..." The King moved towards her. Their distance closed up until Joy could felt his breath. Her heartbeat continued to race as the King continue leaning towards her. Not sure what he is going to do, Joy held her breath and quickly closed her eyes. From the experience as an actress, this is the moment where the main leads will kiss.


The King stopped. His lips just a few centimetres away from Joy's. Looking at the flustered Joy, the King struggled to keep his face straight. He raised his index fingers and used it to push Joy's forehead gently. "Do that one more time and I will not give you any food." He said.

Food? Joy slowly open her eyes and instantly felt silly. Turning away from him, she lowered her head and wondered why on earth did she thought that he is going to kiss her.

Embarrassed, Joy quickly got up. She looked at the King, who is still sitting down, and reply to him defiantly. "I will get Little Choi to give me food instead." She said and left the pavilion. Having been holding his laughter, the King finally let it out. He then also got up and followed his Queen slowly behind. Despite knowing that the King is following her, Joy made no attempt to slow down her pace. She walked out of the Royal Gardens and continue walking, though she had no idea where she wants to go.


"Angry?" The King called out from behind. Ignoring him, Joy continues walking through the corridors. "Don't be angry," He said. "If you continue to be angry, I will--"

"Will do what?" Joy turned and faced the King. "What will you do this time?" She had no idea why she is angry or why she is raising her voice. Meanwhile, the King looked unreasonably calm. 

Unable to control herself any longer, Joy began walking back towards the King. "What are you going to do this time if I continue to be angry?" She asked firmly as she closed up the gaps between the King and her.

Taken aback, the King moved slightly backwards. His eyes widened as Joy began cornering him until his back hit a pillar. "I am asking you what will you do this time." Joy said, looking up at the King in the eye as she stopped a few centimetres away from him. 

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