"Engaged?!"
"I'm afraid so, son."
My knees grow weak. I slowly falls down and with my luck there was a chair behind me.
"But that's impossible, Eomma. There must be some mistake."
Eomma sighed. She wishes to speak to me at this early hour in the morning and I'm only expecting it to be some last minute reminders for the Ball. Never would have thought her news would crush my world.
"Earlier today she would be traveling by boat back to America for her wedding. Lady Choi was quite reluctant to talk about it yesterday afternoon."
I stood up and started pacing. "She was already engaged but didn't have the decency to say something?!"
"Jongin, if she told you, would you have listen?"
"Of course not! I would have ask her to break it off-"
I took a deep breath. "Oh God, how could I be so blind? There I was pouring my royal heart out to her and she was simply trying to bid me farewell."
Now it makes sense. Why she was crying yesterday. Why she told me she needed to tell me something but wasn't able to. So this must have been the confession she was talking about.
Eomma walked towards me and caress my face. "She's a strong woman who can keep her wits about her with you trying to steal her heart."
"Yes. What a clumsy thief I turned out to be."
"Oh Jongin..."
I walked away.
Now what? Can I still call her the one? She left me. Actually she never was mine to begin with. She belongs to someone else already and she clearly chooses her fiance over me.
I guess for her these past few days were just a mere adventure. Something to do to pass her time.
I kicked the huge rock in front of me.
Immediately, I felt the pain. It caused me physical pain but the pain inside of me is far greater.
I felt betrayed.
Lady Jung Krystal.
I lost her. I can't have her. I can't believe that was the last time I would be seeing her.
I know I should be angry but the pain is too powerful. It's killing me.
I've lost her and I'll never see her again.
****
I heard the fireworks erupted from outside.
Guess the Ball has started.
Who cares.
"I understand you wanted to see me?"
I turned gloomily to face Appa. "Yes, Appa. I did."
He motions for his attendants to leave us for a moment then he walked towards me. "Listen, Jongin. Perhaps it was unfair of me to put so much pressure on you about the marriage contract. I thought it was time to make some changes in your life. And ahh... I just wanted to say that this..university idea of yours is brilliant."
And with that he smiled. A smile I have forgotten. A fatherly smile I didn't know I have missed so much.
"We don't have to announce anything tonight-"
"I've made my decision, Appa."
King Sooman sighed. "Very well then."
The royal band's playing such cheerful music and I see excitement in the eyes of all the attendants for tonight's Masquerade Ball. I wish I could share their enthusiasm. I guess I would have if the woman I wishes to be with is here.
