Your Highness || KNJ 15+

Prologue

As soon as I smelled the air of fresh baked cookies flying around in the attic, I threw my dolls aside and ran down stairs.

"Areum-ah watch your steps! Before you know it you'll fall down."

I nodded while sitting down on the wooden chair that made noices when you barely touched it. "Aresseo. Grandma, did you make those for me?" I pointed my finger at the cookies.

She smiled instead of saying 'yes' while gently pinching my cheeks.

The birds were chirping in the garden, the clock was ticking, the radio was playing new summer songs, I was at my grandma's house. This was pure happiness.

She had put the cookies one for one in a bowl and walked outside. I followed her and sat down. I looked at her waiting for her approval. She smiled at me.

I dug my face into the bowl of cookies.

After I was done, I washed my hands.

"Grandma, do you know what kind of work daddy does?"

She stood up and walked inside. After a couple of minutes she returned with a book and sat down next to me.

"This.." She pointed at an old picture of a man. "This is your great great great grandfather. He was a good man and had good ideas, if only he listened to his good heart. Your father is exactly the same. He has a good heart, but he does bad-hearted work."

My mouth made an 'O' shape. I still had no idea what he does for work, but even if you explained it, to a four year old everything sounds the same.

"My dear Areum-ah, please don't repeat your father's mistakes. I beg of you, jaebal. He will do a lot to turn you into another wealthy Bae, but you need to protect our family name. Don't let the money seduce you."

I didn't understand half of it, but I shook my head. "Don't worry grandma, I won't let Money seduce me, unless he has chocolate then I'll fail." I looked down at my white lacey dress.

She laughed. "I know you won't let me down, my nabiya (butterfly)."

***

Fresh out of the shower and changed into my clean clothes, I ran downstairs.

"Goodmorning grandma!" I gave her a peck on the cheek and sat down for breakfast.

She poured me some hot chocolate before sitting down. "Gomowa."

"You know what I said about running down the stairs..."

"Yes, I know. It won't happen next time."

She looked up from her plate filled with delicious food. No one cooks better than her. Her eyes lock with mine. Her eyes pierce through my soul as she narrowed them.

I cleared my throat. "It uhm.. won't happen ever again... grandma."

She smiled and gestured for me to eat.

Every vacation I would spend a few days at her house. My mother was always busy attending her rich friend's parties and my father was always working. I loved being here. There were always new stories to discover, new cookies to eat, new tv shows to watch together. This was my home.

If only I had known there wouldn't be a next time, I would have enjoyed these moments more.

Farewell grandma, I'll do anything to make you proud.

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