*THIRTY DAYS MY PRINCESS*
*CHAPTER 2*
Time had passed. Seryeon lay on her bed, still dressed in her heavy silk gown and uncomfortable shoes. She hadn't bothered to remove them everything felt foreign and stifling. Just then, a knock echoed at the door.
*Voice:* "Your Highness, Court Lady Hwan requests an audience with you."
Hearing it was a court lady, Seryeon didn't move. The door creaked open, and Court Lady Hwan stepped inside.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "Your Highness, you cannot sleep like this. It's a crime for a princess. You should lie down gracefully like a kitten."
Seryeon opened her eyes and sat up groggily.
*Seryeon:* "Uh… really? Thank you."
She adjusted her posture as instructed, earning a disapproving frown.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "Your Highness, you mustn't sleep with your hair tied like that. Cover it properly, or it'll become shabby."
Seryeon sighed, tied a cloth over her hair, and flopped back down. The court lady raised an eyebrow again.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "My Lady, a princess doesn't sleep on her stomach. You must lie on your side or back."
This was torture. Pretending to be Yeonhwa felt like a prison sentence. But she had no choice she had to protect Yeonhwa's name.
Seryeon sat up and looked directly into the court lady's eyes. The woman quickly lowered her gaze.
*Seryeon:* "You must be exhausted working here. Come, take a nap. You've got bags under your eyes. Life here must be tough."
She reached out, but the court lady gently pulled away.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "My Lady, court ladies do not have the right to --- "
*Seryeon:* "You and your endless nagging…"
*Voice (from outside):* "My Lady, His Highness requests an audience with you."
> What?! The Crown Prince?! No, no, no!
She scrambled to the mirror, trying to fix herself, but it was too late. The door opened and her nightmare walked in.
She dropped to her knees instantly. Both Court Lady Hwan and Jehun looked startled.
*Seryeon:* "It is an honor to see Your Highness again. Forgive this foolish servant for not checking on Your Highness, forcing you to come here yourself. Your face shines brighter than the sun. Wherever you go, flowers bloom like spring mornings. Your presence brings tranquility to people's minds. It feels like a sudden summer shower at dawn "
*Jehun:* "I've heard that line before. Aren't you tired of it?"
Embarrassment flashed across Seryeon's face as she stood.
*Jehun:* "Who called you a foolish servant? Who dares insult the future queen? That's treason."
> Seryeon, I told you to shut up. This isn't school. You're going to die today.
She dropped back to her knees.
*Seryeon:* "Your Highness, please forgive your servant. She knows nothing. Please have mercy "
Jehun nearly laughed. This girl could be a court jester. But he kept a straight face.
*Jehun:* "The Queen Dowager has invited you to dinner at the Eastern Pavilion. Be sure to attend."
> He is clearly avoiding me. He's definitely going to kill me later. Heartless jerk. I'll deal with him when we're alone.
Jehun turned to leave, but a loud bang stopped him. Seryeon had tripped while trying to reach for his hand, barely catching herself before hitting the floor.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "My Lady! Are you alright? Please, Your Highness, punish me. I deserve to die for letting the queen fall in my presence!"
Jehun glanced at the flustered Seryeon. If he went back to help, she'd only be more embarrassed. He gave a small smile and walked out.
*Court Lady Hwan:* "Your Highness, starting tomorrow, you'll begin etiquette training. I can't let you keep disgracing yourself in front of the palace staff."
*IN THE EVENING*
The dining table was overflowing with dishes some familiar, many foreign. Seryeon only recognized tteokbokki, gogi, mandu, jokbal, dried sashimi, and snow crabs. The rest were a mystery, and she had no idea how to eat them.
*Jehun:* "My Lady, this is all for you. Eat until you can't walk."
The Queen Dowager shot her grandson a sharp look.
*King Gomin:* "Princess Yeonhwa" he was referring to Seryeon, still pretending "how do you find the palace? Are you enjoying your stay?"
Seryeon dropped her spoon and stuffed her mouth with tteokbokki, then tried to speak through a full mouth.
*Seryeon:* "Ye… yeah… I… lik… like… it… it's "
She began coughing violently.
Jehun handed her his glass of water.
> What is he doing? Flirting? What will the King think seeing this
*King Gomin:* "I suppose we're making you uncomfortable. Shall we eat elsewhere, Mother?"
The Queen Dowager nodded, but Jehun interrupted.
*Jehun:* "No, Father. How could you leave us? We can't finish all this alone, right, Yeonhwa?"
Seryeon nodded awkwardly, and the meal continued.
The others chatted while Seryeon kept eating. After all, it was an order. The palace maids watched from behind, barely hiding their amusement.
The King noticed but said nothing.
*King Gomin:* "Princess, if you're ever uncomfortable, let us know. We'll make it right."
Seryeon paused, looked around, and said plainly:
*Seryeon:* "Actually, I'm most uncomfortable now."
The air turned stiff. Jehun forced a laugh to ease the tension, but it didn't help. The Queen Dowager sipped her tea in silence.
Seryeon reached for the teapot, but her spoon slipped, sending her bowl sliding across the table. Her face flushed. She grabbed a napkin, accidentally knocking over a goblet, which spilled tea all over the table.
It was the final disaster of the day.
Jehun called over a maid. The dinner was ruined by one person.
To the King, it was a full comedy show.
To the Queen Dowager, just the clumsy mistakes of a child.
To Jehun, it was the best entertainment he'd had in years a drama unfolding live before his eyes.
*END OF CHAPTER 2*