Chapter 1

Seoul…..the Korean kingdom's capital…..flourished with great economy…..the whole kingdom actually…..the business, the people…..considered as one of the greatest and remaining monarchy in the history of the world. Thanks to the ruler who, in spite of the occurrences, still remained standing and fighting, for his family, for his people, for his country….and for the only woman who he will only love…..his princess…..his queen...

"Good morning, your majesty." One by one palace maids and bodyguards greeted a young man of 24, tall and well-built, honestly good-looking, with an aura of a born-leader, with caring and cautious gestures, but with eyes so obvious with sadness but still keeping to be noticed. He just bowed his head and kept his pace towards his office.

Upon settling himself inside his cozy office, he looked at a frame which is neatly settled on his mahogany desk. He touched the photo of a young lady cheerfully looking back at him with the cute smile and eyes. He can't help to smile as well, giving back the same face to her. A few seconds, he can hear himself going to give a soft sob.

"Chae-gyung….."

"Sire….." He was pulled out from his reverie. Reluctantly, he looked back and saw the Internal Officer giving him his greetings. "Good morning, your majesty." The old man in his early 50's greeted the young ruler of Korea. "Would you like to have your schedule for the day or proceed with the travel already? Your family is already prepared and advised they would be waiting for you at the royal living room. All the flowers are prepared as well, likewise the candles and incenses."

"Let's go meet my family. The schedule for the day could wait after the visit."

"Yes, your majesty". The old man bowed and let his master advance towards the mentioned room as he followed.

After meeting the whole family, they proceeded to the waiting vehicles outside their big and beautiful place and went to their destination…..the national cemetery for the royal family of Korea.

Every individual had their moments of silence, praying for the soul of the person inside the decorated mausoleum. Each one offered flowers and lighted candles and incenses. A couple of beautiful remarks and soft smiles were later heard and seen. Then after, the whole family went away…..leaving the fragrant place with lovely flowers of different kinds…..and with words engraved in the stone…..A Loving Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Princess – Our Beloved Queen Chae-gyung.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet…..

"Achoo!"

"Bless you! Here." A kleenex tissue was softly handed to the person who once again gave a sneeze. "Hmm, someone must be thinking of you. I'll guess who."

"Don't even try. You might mean, I'm close of getting colds since the day you forced me to wait for this guy outside the cold and gloomy 2am in the middle of a farm which was two days ago." A sarcastic remark was heard which made the other person roll her eyes.

"Well, it was not my idea. And as if you were forced. You actually agreed on the idea which happened to be…." She looked first at her friend before finishing the sentence. "…..yours".

"Well, fyi, it was only a suggestion. And I didn't actually tell you to do it on that same night. Argh! Fluids are already coming out of my noise." She exclaimed and got more tissues and stuck them inside her nose. "I need citrus, lots and lots of citrus." She got up and walked towards the kitchen. Her friend followed her.

"Sam, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be this vulnerable to colds. Can you forgive your beautiful and sexy friend? Please?..."

"Sure, just drop off the praises to yourself, alright?" Her friend nodded but still pouting. She then pulled out a tetrapack of lemon juice from her friend's fridge and poured into a glass. "And please, next time, if I suggest star gazing in the middle of a farm specifically a state somewhere near Canada, think twice before you say 'right on!' and remind me of this kind of consequences." Her friend nodded again but now smiling. "And no Jesse-topics!"

"What? Samantha James?"

"What?" She gave an innocent look at her friend and gulped another of the lemon juice.

"I could not possibly do that. There's no single moment I could not think of him. He's the essence of my life."

"Who are you? Sushmita Sen?" Another rolling of eyes came from her friend. "Cassi, when are you going to wake up from your deep, deep slumber about Jesse? He doesn't have any kind of feeling that you actually have for him. You know, everyone knows, that he's…."

"Fine, fine…I get it. Just please don't tell it to my face, again, for the nth time. Geez, you're making my life so…..complicated." She grabbed a couple of tissues and blew there. "Now, I have sniffles, too."

"Cassandra, you're the one who's making your life complicated. If you'll just gonna admit to yourself about who you really are, who Jesse is, and what might not become of you, you'll not gonna be this way, fly around across the globe just to see his works. I mean his works exclaiming to the whole wide world that he's not, no, never is the appropriate word, gonna be interested to you."

"Ouch! You know, that's the most hurtful words that you have told me. I thought you are my friend!"

"I am. That's why I'm telling you these. So wake up, missy! There are lots of guys around. Don't waste your time with Jesse Peterson, alright?"

"I can't. I won't and I shouldn't. Hmp!"

"Stubborn, little Cassandra. It's up to you. Just don't come to me one day and tell that you've found a guy better than your Jesse. 'Cause you'll be a laughing-stock to me." Her friend gave her a face but she just chuckled and shook her head. "Before I get fed-up with your whines, I'll go to school and sit in my class. I'm sure I'll gonna learn something more useful and entertaining better than staying here."

"Get out of here. I hate you." She just received soft chuckles instead of words.

"A-a, I don't think so you'll hate me. 'Cause I'm the greatest friend anybody could ever have." She exclaimed and winked. Her friend threw her some tissue and chuckled as well. "Hey, friend, cheer up! I'm telling you there are lots of Romeo's and Juan de Marco's out there. So don't shut yourself out only for Jesse, ok?" Her friend pouted her lips and pulled a face. "You're such a kid. Anyway, I'm going now. I'll just see you on Saturday at the gym then we'll meet Vera. I need to re-do some of my designs. I think they do not match the upcoming show."

"Sure, miss fashion designer. I'll see you. Take care."

"Yup. Bye!" She waved at her friend and then walked out of the apartment.