Princess Hours (2019) [HIATUS]

CHAPTER #2

"Eunhyuk sunbae, where are you?"

It's almost 10 o'clock, and media and pers already gather just outside the national theater that going to be officially open with the crown Prince, but yet her partner in field has not been seen in the location, instead he ask him to secure him a good spot for a picture. She's been calling him all morning asking for his whereabout, thank god just before the official ceremony start the said photographer arrive. Now, Irene just need to secure her spot to get a good place to interview the prince.

The reporters are busy taking picture and write or record any information about the ceremony since Prince Suho arrive, it get cool down a bit when the prince finally went inside to opening party which is only for private invite. The prince himself is really charming, he have the visual and figure just like a movie star, how lucky whoever become his wife, she nab the grand prize, thought Irene. While Irene is busy writing up the coverage for today event, her phone ring a few times and since where she's setting up right now is noisy and full of people she need to find somewhere quiet to answer it.

"Yes Jisung-ah, you called a few times, what happen?"

"Noona, are you busy now?"

"not really, I just finished my task right now, what's wrong?"

Jisung is her younger brother who still in high school, at this time he should be at school and Irene wonder what possibly happen that makes his brother call her few times at this hour. Jisung sound hesitant for a moment, "I think you should go to XX hospital right now"

Irene have a weird feeling about this, "what happened? Did you get hurt?"

"Just come okay.. it wasn't me, its mom"

"what happened to mom? Is she sick? She didn't tell me anything, are you with her right now?"

Just when Irene start to bombardier her brother with questions, she hear her mom voice in the background "you call your sister? I told you don't bother to call her, she's busy already"

"is that her? Jisung-ah, can you pass the phone to her?"

"Irene-ah, it's okay honey, I'm fine, you could come after work"

"are you sure mom?"

"of course, I just have my medical check-up"

"why don't you tell me you're having medical check-up today, and what's the doctor said?"

"it's your first week as an official journalist, how come I bother you"

"but still mom, you should tell me, and what did the doctor said?"

"they still running some test for me and ask me to stay overnight. Don't worry, I have your brother to accompany me here, he's a smart boy so it wouldn't hurt to take a day off school, you can go after you finish your work, take your time and don't forget to eat, I love you" before Irene could say anything, her mother hung up the phone.

Just when she's about to go back to where her things are, she overheard two people talking with each other not far from where she is standing. The place where Irene is standing now is pretty deserted, it is near the theater storage and it's seems hasn't properly clean judging by the remain materials that still lying around in a few spot.

She bets they only focused with the place that will be seen by the prince and the pers. So, whatever they talking about seems really private because they choose to talk at this deserted place.

She personally doesn't like to meddle with other people business, but her instinct said otherwise, she move closer to the wall to hear the conversation better.

"Why do you always make me the selfish one?" said the woman,

"Tell me, how much longer should I wait, you know I have the responsibility to carry on my family line right?" The man seems calm but there is hint of frustration in his voice

"Oppa, I'm 23, there are many things I want to achieve in my life as a dancer before I settle down. Before I could marry you" they were quiet for a while before the woman continue

"you know that I love you right, Oppa? But the moment we tie the knot, my freedom is gone, I should follow all the rules in the Palace"

'wait.. they talking about Palace? Like the royal palace?'

"jisoo-ah, we could figure something out together"

The woman take a deep breath, "I don't think they ever let the crown princess dance"

Irene try to take a peek at the faces of people who are having this conversation, she has her guess after hearing their conversation. She's in dilemma, whether she should leave or whether she continue to eavesdrop the crown prince and his girlfriend. And it seems like her journalist instinct is stronger and she decide to stay for a little while. 'this could make a headline'

"But what if.. what if... I marry someone else?"

'wow.. daebak, are we going to hear a wedding bell soon? I should take a picture for proof' but lady luck is not on her side today, just when Irene capture the moment she forgot to turn off the flash and of course both of the party realize that are not alone.

"Who's there!"

She know she's in trouble the moment she hear that voice with higher tone, "stop it, you, hey, lady! Where do you think you're going?" and she know there is no time for her to run away or hide anywhere. She need to bare the consequence for snooping around

"what are you doing here?" Prince Suho start to interrogate her after he put her on spot

"I... I was answering my phone"

"and why did you try to take our picture?"

In a split second, she already on her knee "my apologize your highness, I need to be punished, I shouldn't listen to your conversation"

He offer him his hand, and she mislead that gesture by giving her hand. "I mean your phone, not your hand. I need to check whether you take picture of us or record our conversation"

Without any resistance, Irene give him her phone. He check if there is any trace of his recent conversation, when there is nothing left he give her back the phone and give her a firm warning. "If there any news based on what happen today, I know who's the suspect is, and you know things wouldn't be pretty if you mess with me"

She just nods her head, understand about the warning. "now off you go... " he grab her identification card that still hang around her neck "miss Bae Irene"