The Prince They Dream Of

After an hour of rigorous instruction in Etiquette & Protocol, Hyorin moved on to her next subject, Cultural & Intellectual Development. The curriculum was designed to shape nobles into well-rounded individuals, covering history, philosophy, literature, and the arts. She found herself immersed in discussions about royal traditions, influential figures in history, and the role of nobility in shaping culture. The hour passed quickly, though Hyorin still felt the weight of being the only student in the room.

Her final class for the day was Philanthropy & Social Responsibility, where she was finally joined by other noble students, twenty in total. Unlike her private lessons, this class was filled with lively discussions about charitable foundations, humanitarian efforts, and the ethical responsibilities of nobility in modern society.

As she took her seat, she noticed that most of her classmates were younger than her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and silent judgment. Some stole glances at her, while others openly whispered among themselves.

As soon as class ended, Hyorin barely had time to gather her notes before a group of students eagerly surrounded her. Their faces lit up with excitement, and she could tell that they were itching to talk.

"Lady Han, is it true?" a girl with neatly braided hair asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you really going to marry His Highness, Prince Seungho?"

"You're so lucky!" another chimed in. "Do you even realize how many noble ladies dream of being in your position?"

Hyorin blinked, slightly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. "I haven't decided yet," she admitted, her voice hesitant.

Gasps of shock erupted among them.

"You mean you're actually thinking about it?!" a girl asked, wide-eyed. "Do you have any idea how incredible Prince Seungho is?"

Another girl sighed dreamily. "He's so handsome. And not just handsome, he's elegant, intelligent, and insanely skilled. The way he carries himself, the way he speaks... it's no wonder so many noble families want their daughters to marry him."

Hyorin listened, intrigued. She had barely heard anything about Seungho aside from the fact that he was the only heir to the Yeonghwa Estate and heavily involved in royal affairs.

"What does he look like?" she asked, curious.

The students exchanged glances before one of them shrugged. "It's hard to say."

"What do you mean?" Hyorin frowned.

"Prince Seungho doesn't like taking pictures," a boy explained. "There are no official portraits of him except for the ones from his childhood. He avoids the media as much as possible. But trust me, if you ever see him in person, you'll understand why everyone admires him."

A chorus of agreement followed, with several students sighing wistfully at the mere thought of him.

Hyorin couldn't help but wonder. A prince who avoids attention? That was rare. Most royals basked in the limelight, but Seungho sounded different.

As the conversation continued, one of the girls suddenly clapped her hands together.

"Enough talking! It's lunchtime. Lady Han, why don't you join us?" she said excitedly.

"Yeah! Let's eat at the Elite Dining Hall," another chimed in. "It's your first day, right? You should experience it."

Hyorin hesitated for a moment. She hadn't expected to be invited so warmly, but seeing their eager faces, she decided there was no harm in accepting.

"Alright, I'd love to," she said with a small smile.

As they settled at a table, the students eagerly continued their discussion about Seungho.

"You know, I once saw him during a royal event," one of the boys said as he cut into his meal. "He's taller than most men, and his presence alone is intimidating."

"I heard he's an expert in combat and strategy," another added. "No wonder he was chosen to lead the Intelligence Operations of Yeonghwa."

A girl sighed. "I wish I could see him just once."

Hyorin listened as they spoke, feeling more and more curious. A prince who was admired, feared, and practically untouchable. What kind of man was Seungho really?

She stared at her plate, lost in thought. Would marrying him really be an advantage? Or would it be a burden?

One of the girls nudged her playfully. "Lady Han, you're deep in thought. Are you already falling for His Highness?"

Hyorin quickly shook her head, flustered. "Of course not! I don't even know him."

The group laughed, teasing her lightly. As lunch continued, Hyorin realized something, whether she liked it or not, her life had already changed. And soon, she would have to face the one person who seemed to control the fate she never asked for, Prince Seungho.

As Hyorin finished her meal, she glanced around the elite dining hall, noticing how quickly it emptied. Most of her classmates had already left, rushing off to their next lessons. She sighed, stirring her drink absentmindedly.

"Just how many more classes do I have to take?" she muttered to herself. The thought of endless lessons on nobility and etiquette made her feel exhausted before she even started.

Realizing that Rami was probably waiting for her, she stood up and made her way toward the university's exit. She walked through the grand halls, admiring the intricate designs carved into the marble pillars and the golden chandeliers that sparkled above her.

Her mind drifted as she thought about her schedule, the whispers about her upcoming marriage, and how drastically her life had changed. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going... 

Thud!

She collided into someone.

A strong yet warm force steadied her, hands briefly gripping her arms before she could stumble back.

"I am so sorry," Hyorin blurted out, looking up in shock.

The man in front of her was tall, with striking features, sharp jawline, expressive dark eyes, and tousled black hair. His uniform was pristine, tailored to perfection, with an insignia embroidered onto the lapel.

A slow, amused smile spread across his face. "Hi, Hyorin. I mean, Lady Han," he corrected himself smoothly.

Hyorin froze. There was something familiar about him. Then it hit her, he was the same guy who had been staring at her during Amélie's birthday party.

Her eyes widened. "You.... " she started, pointing at him slightly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Baek Rion," he said, his voice calm and confident. "I've been wanting to introduce myself to you, but I never had the chance."

Hyorin blinked, processing his words. "Baek Rion…" she repeated, testing the name.

She quickly composed herself, crossing her arms. "You're a noble?!" she asked, still surprised.

Baek Rion smirked. "Well, I'm here inside Yeonghwa University, so yes."

She frowned slightly, curiosity growing. "Then why were you at Amélie's birthday party?"

Before he could answer, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Lady Hyorin," Rami called out as she approached. Her eyes flickered between them, sensing an unfamiliar tension.

Baek Rion took a small step back but kept his gaze on Hyorin. "If you want to know more, let's talk later at the Royal Restaurant," he said, his tone casual yet inviting.

Hyorin hesitated. "Oh..." she muttered, caught off guard by the sudden invitation.

"7:30, okay?" he added, his intense gaze holding hers as if daring her to refuse.

She bit her lip, unsure but intrigued. "…Okay."

With that, Baek Rion flashed her a charming smile before turning and walking away, disappearing into the corridors of the university.