By His Side

After what felt like an eternity, I finally forced myself to move. Pushing past the shock and the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me, I slowly stood up.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I lowered my head in a respectful bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness." My voice came out steady, though my heart was anything but.

Prince Seungho... Mr. Yi watched me for a moment, his gaze unwavering. But he didn't say a word.

Instead, he simply gave me a small, polite nod. I slowly sat back down, my hands clenched in my lap. Across from me, Seungho or Mr. Yi remained poised, his gaze steady, as if studying my every move.

His Majesty finally brought up the topic that had been looming over the entire evening the marriage agreement.

"The nobles have been questioning how the royal family is handling this matter," he said, his deep voice echoing through the grand dining hall. "There has been too much speculation, and we must put an end to it before things become more complicated. A decision must be made."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words press down on me.

The Queen turned her gaze toward me, her expression calm but firm. "Hyorin," she said, her voice measured, "now that you have met Prince Seungho, what is your decision?"

I stiffened, my mind spinning.

My decision?

I glanced at Seungho, hoping to find some kind of answer in his expression, but he remained unreadable. His gaze was steady, his posture composed as if he had been expecting this question.

But I hadn't.

I had spent weeks dreading this very moment, knowing that I would be asked to decide my future. But now that it was here, I found myself completely unprepared. How could I make such a life-changing choice when I had just discovered that Prince Seungho, the man I was meant to marry was none other than Mr. Yi, the man I had longed to see again?

I lowered my gaze, gripping the fabric of my dress.

What should I say?

Rejecting the engagement could mean disappointing the royal family, possibly even losing the protection and status that came with being associated with them. But accepting it meant stepping into a world I still barely understood a world where duty often overshadowed personal desires.

Before I could speak, Seungho finally broke his silence.

"I believe it is only fair to give Lady Han more time to consider her decision," he said, his voice calm but firm.

I looked up at him, startled.

His Majesty frowned slightly. "Time, you say? The nobles are pressing for an answer, Seungho. Delaying it further may cause even greater unrest."

"I understand," Seungho replied smoothly. "But rushing such a decision would be unwise. Lady Han should be given the opportunity to make her choice with a clear mind. It will prevent future complications."

His words were diplomatic, carefully chosen. But there was something else in his eyes, something that made my heart race.

The Queen studied Seungho for a moment before turning back to me. "Hyorin, do you need more time?"

I glanced at Seungho, my heart racing.

At first, I had dreaded this moment, afraid of what it would mean for my future. But as I sat there, looking at him, the man I had longed to meet again, the man who had unknowingly occupied my thoughts since Paris, I realized something.

It had never been about him being a prince.

Even if he weren't royalty, even if he weren't someone of status, I still would have chosen him. The feelings I had were real, undeniable.

I wanted to be by his side.

I took a deep breath, steadying my emotions before finally lifting my gaze.

"I…" I hesitated only for a moment before speaking with certainty. "I agree to the marriage, Your Majesty."

The room fell into silence.

The Queen's lips curved into a soft smile, as if she had expected my answer. His Majesty nodded in approval.

I turned to Seungho, searching for a reaction. For a brief second, his expression softened, his eyes meeting mine with something unreadable, something almost… relieved. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by his usual composed demeanor.

"Then it is decided," His Majesty declared. "The engagement will be formally announced soon."

I exhaled, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation settle in my chest.

My grandmother looked at me, and for a moment, I thought she would object. But instead, she simply gave me a small nod of approval. Her support brought a sense of relief I hadn't realized I needed.

With the decision made, we finally started eating. The tension in the air gradually eased as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, though my mind was still clouded with thoughts about what had just happened.

About thirty minutes later, Seungho's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen before setting his utensils down.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," he addressed his parents respectfully. "I apologize, but I must take my leave. There is an urgent matter I need to attend to."

The King nodded. "Go ahead."

With a polite bow, Seungho excused himself and left.

I watched him disappear through the doors, my heart still racing. The moment he was gone, I suddenly felt the weight of everything settle in my chest. I had agreed to the engagement. This was real now.

Excusing myself as well, I made my way back to my room.

The moment I stepped inside, I let out a deep sigh and sat down on the edge of my bed, my hands resting on my lap. My mind was spinning as I tried to process everything that had happened tonight.

I was going to be engaged. To Seungho.

The very man I had been liking for all this time.

The realization hit me all at once, and before I knew it, my cheeks were burning. I buried my face in my hands, feeling utterly flustered.

I didn't even notice myself drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, I suddenly woke up to the soft sound of knocking on my door. My eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, I felt disoriented. Then, memories of last night rushed back to me.

Was it just a dream?

"Lady Hyorin, your breakfast is ready," Rami's voice called from outside.

I groggily reached for my phone and checked the time. My eyes widened, I had overslept!

Panic settled in as I quickly got up. I still had lessons today, and I needed to get ready fast. Shaking off the drowsiness, I hurried to prepare myself, tying my hair up and changing into something appropriate for the day.

Once I got dressed, I made my way to the dining area, expecting a normal morning. But the moment I stepped inside, I came to an abrupt halt.

Standing in the kitchen, casually cooking, is none other than Prince Seungho.

I froze.

He is here. In the kitchen. Cooking.

So… it wasn't a dream.