*THIRTY DAYS MY PRINCESS*
*CHAPTER 3 – DAY 2*
It was still dawn when Seryeon's door burst open. Court Lady Hwan stormed in and shook her awake, but Seryeon didn't even flinch.
*Lady Hwan:* "My Lady, wake up! It's time to begin."
Seryeon cracked one eye open.
*Seryeon:* "Mmm… I'm sleeping… What is it?"
Lady Hwan knew that without force, she'd get nowhere. She yanked the blankets off and splashed a few drops of water on Seryeon's face. That did the trick.
*Seryeon:* "Court Lady! What's wrong? It's still dawn! Is there a war?"
*Lady Hwan:* "Training starts now. Go wash your face and change into clean clothes. The sun will rise soon."
Grumbling, Seryeon obeyed and returned, clearly irritated.
*Lady Hwan:* "Put on some makeup. A princess should always be dolled up."
Seryeon complied half-heartedly and shuffled back, dragging her feet.
*Lady Hwan:* "Training begins now. You can't walk like a hungry baboon. Walk with grace you're the future mother of the nation. If you walk like this, how are we supposed to follow?"
She positioned Seryeon's hands just below her torso and balanced bowls on her arms.
*Lady Hwan:* "Walk. And don't drop them. This is your first lesson."
Seryeon tried. The bowls fell. Again and again. Each time, Lady Hwan replaced them without complaint. Eventually, Seryeon began dropping them on purpose.
Time passed. Progress didn't.
*Lady Hwan:* "This is hopeless. We'll try again another day. Let's eat."
Ten tiny bowls were arranged on the table. Seryeon eagerly reached for a spoon, but Lady Hwan stopped her.
*Lady Hwan:* "First, understand the texture of the food. Inhale its scent. Each dish has its own spoon. Each spoon has its own rule. Never mix them."
Seryeon picked a spoon.
*Lady Hwan:* "Wrong spoon."
She switched. Still wrong. She kept switching until she finally got it right.
*Lady Hwan:* "No slurping. No loud chewing. Chew like a queen. Swallow before speaking. And most importantly breathe like royalty."
*Seryeon:* "Do we breathe diamonds?"
*Lady Hwan:* "My Lady!"
Seryeon froze, realizing she'd spoken with her mouth full.
> This is going to kill me. Yeonhwa, or whoever you are, come back fast.
*IN THE CROWN PRINCE'S CHAMBERS*
*Voice:* "Your Highness, Her Majesty is receiving training. It looks like it'll take longer than expected."
Jehun smirked.
*Jehun:* "Serves her right."
Just then, the Queen Dowager arrived.
*Voice:* "Your Highness, the Queen Dowager wishes to see you."
She entered to find her grandson pretending to read. He stood and bowed.
*Jehun:* "Good morning, Your Majesty."
*Queen Dowager (chuckling):* "No need to be so formal. I'm your grandmother first."
Jehun nodded and gestured for her to sit.
*Queen Dowager:* "I'm on my way to see the Princess Dowager. Are you free? We can go together."
Jehun wanted to say yes, but kept his composure and simply nodded.
*Queen Dowager:* "She's changed. This isn't the girl I remember. She used to be elegant fit for royalty. Now she's a comedian."
*Jehun:* "I noticed. She's too playful. At this rate, she won't learn anything."
*Queen Dowager:* "If she doesn't improve soon, she may need to leave the palace for a while. Somewhere far, where she won't be distracted."
Jehun nodded again as they waited for the guard's announcement.
*Voice:* "Your Highness, His Majesty and Her Majesty request an audience with you."
Seryeon, now fully dolled up, smiled knowingly. So that's why Lady Hwan insisted on makeup.
She stood, adjusted her dress, and ran out.
Lady Hwan called after her, but Seryeon didn't hear or pretended not to.
She dropped to her knees before the royals. Jehun was used to it. The Queen Dowager, not so much.
*Seryeon:* "A wonderful morning, Your Highness. A good morning, His Majesty. Your presence is like moonlight gentle, yet impossible to ignore. Your grace humbles even the most seasoned diplomat. Your beauty is matched only by your discernment. I say this respectfully: you glow like a lantern in a blackout."
She was at it again. Jehun bit his lip to keep from laughing. The Queen Dowager blinked, stunned.
The maids were stifling giggles. The Queen Dowager noticed and stepped forward, lifting Seryeon to her feet.
*Seryeon:* "You're so graceful, I forgot to stand."
The Queen Dowager led her inside.
*Queen Dowager:* "You know many compliments, but learn when to use them, Princess Yeonhwa."
*Seryeon:* "It's just that the Crown Prince's gaze commands the loyalty of stars, and Her Majesty's voice carries the weight of history and the warmth of spring."
Jehun couldn't hold it anymore. He burst out laughing.
*Jehun:* "Lady Hwan, you must be having a hard time. Take a break. I doubt anything will change today."
Lady Hwan bowed, feeling defeated.
*Seryeon:* "Your Highness, your kindness is a rare jewel in this cold palace."
The Queen Dowager stood.
*Queen Dowager:* "Looks like we'll have to push harder. I'll leave you two."
Seryeon knelt again.
*Seryeon:* "Your Highness, how do you walk like that? It's as if the wind knows your name."
The Queen Dowager shook her head and left.
*Jehun:* "Why are you always flattering people? Did you do something wrong?"
Seryeon froze. Her expression faltered, then returned to normal.
*Seryeon:* "Your Highness, to be honest, your beauty is matched only by your discernment. You make people feel "
*Jehun:* "I think I've heard that line before."
Seryeon stiffened. He really knew how to embarrass her.
She turned toward the door, pretending to leave then suddenly leapt at him.
Jehun was too slow to dodge. They both fell Seryeon on top, Jehun beneath her.
*Seryeon:* "Why do you have a gift for embarrassing me?"
She stared into his eyes. Jehun didn't answer. He just looked back.
Sensing the awkwardness, Seryeon tried to get up, but Jehun wrapped an arm around her.
*Jehun:* "So pretty."
It hit her like a fireball. Her face turned crimson.
*Seryeon:* "Ah… le… let… me… go…"
*Jehun:* "Especially when your cheeks are red."
The awkwardness thickened. Seryeon knew she had to act fast.
*Seryeon:* "Lady Hwan! Fire! Fire! Lady Hwan, fire!"
Lady Hwan burst in just as Jehun let go. She caught a glimpse of the scene and froze, mortified.
Jehun simply smiled at the flustered Seryeon and walked out.
Finally, Seryeon exhaled all the breath she'd been holding.
*END OF CHAPTER 3*
THIRTY DAYS MY PRINCESS