Chapter 50 - THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER SAW ME CRY

"What?!"

That morning, the big mansion shook with the loud voice of Jieun.

"Fiancée? That... that... Prince Eun-Woo. The fourth prince is my fiancée?!"

Jieun cannot believe her ears now after being informed such an important news from Granny Susan.

'No wonder he asked me yesterday about if I am already hearing the important news.' Jieun still remember the prince last question to her yesterday.

"Shh! Don't be too loud. The King and the Queen are still here." Granny Susan reminded.

Yes. The royal pair is spending the night there. They have already informed that they will be leaving, went back to the palace that morning after breakfast. Maybe by now they're getting ready.

"But.. but... Why so suddenly?" Jieun feel a little dissatisfied with the King's decision.

Granny Susan, came into the room that morning with the intention of telling Jieun, the news. She just wants Jieun to be prepared and not hearing that from others, other than her.

The old woman also still shocked by the sudden request or she suppose to said that, 'sudden order'. In fact, as soon as Jieun came out of the hall, leaving her to face King Liam and Queen Anna, the King in quick, expressed his desire to make Jieun his daughter -in -law.

"It's not suddenly, it's been said that the previous King also said that his utmost wish, if Aera ever marry and has a child, then he will marry one of his grandchildren to the child. It seems like the King wanted to fulfill his father's wish. So now, this matter becomes an arranged married thing. "

"How about me? Did my opinion count in this matter? Why the King didn't ask for my opinion? The wish is long gone and I believe my mother will never agree to such a thing." Jieun certainly cannot relax her mind after knowing that.

She is not yet thinking of having any boyfriend, let alone a fiancée. And fiancée in this world, meaning a married will come shortly after. She is just 23 years old!

Which worst, as at that age in this Dream Land, it's a best time for a girl from good family to have a suitor to spend the rest of life with.

At this kind of time, she is really hoping that this Dream World can be a little bit modern in thinking. Arrange married in this world is common. But it doesn't make sense to Jieun, who is not really living there. It's definitely too much for her to take now.

Granny Susan just looks at Jieun face in pity. She knows the girl is shocked after hearing these things, but even she as the elder, she can't refuse the King. She also didn't know how to help either.

"I know it's not easy to keep up with this world culture when you're not from here." Granny Susan states the truth. Jieun is only keeping silent.

"But, I know that you also already aware. To survive in this world, this kind of connection, especially to the royal is beneficial to you. We don't know how long you will be living here or if you can get back living normally in your real world. This is also one of Aera concern before. When she married to your father, she feel miserable while she is in here, thinking how she need to avoid this marriage things. But like you heard before, someone close to her in the Elysium Land is helping her. Pretend to be her husband in here, so that she can clear her mind from all this."

"So mom also have been through all this?" Jieun feel sorry for her mother then.

"She is. Who wouldn't want to stand by a beautiful and intelligent woman like her? Even the previous King have feeling towards her."

Jieun now round her eyes after knowing that. Realizing that her mother definitely going through so much.

"Actually, I never ever thought you will be going through the same thing as her, but never doubt that something like this might be happen. So, I want you to think deeper about this. Make a move that you think fine by you. And, if you refuse, how about you talk to the fourth prince after this? On how to convincing the King. I'm sure Eun-Woo can be understanding."

But how am I talking about these things with him? It's too embarrassing. But, if I accept, I can find more about mom without much difficulty. As I can't get into royal information without being a part of them right? Her feeling is getting mixed now.

"I understand." Jieun now become calm.

"Don't worry granny. Whatever that I choose, I promise no one forced me to it. It's all me." She said with determination. With that, Granny Susan just smiles. She knows, Jieun will be alright. Whatever her decision is.

___________

After breakfast, the King and the Queen left for the palace. But before that, the King suddenly instructs Prince Eun-Woo to keep Jieun company for a while like asking them to 'get to know each other' without actually telling them. Some old move according to Jieun.

And now here they are. Walking side by side. On their way to visit Jieun's mother grave that locating inside the forest in the Dream Land.

Actually, Jieun always went there on this day and time. Today, it just coincidence that Eun-Woo happen to be there.

When the man asked her what she wanted to do, she just told him about that. And he agrees to come along. Just like that.

Contrary to what was in their hearts, birds, small insects and butterflies flew, dancing happily around them. Like approving the newly 'force' couple.

But watching that, Eun-Woo and Jieun found peace in their trembling heart. As they are soothed themselves and finally smiling together now.

"This scenery is beautiful for a walk." Eun-Woo breaks the silence between them.

"It is. I never once bored by this." Jieun admit that.

Silent comes after that. Neither of them know how to bring their 'sudden engagement' to their talk naturally. But, as a man, Eun-Woo knows he is the one who need to bring that up.

"Granny Susan already talks to you? About..."

"Us?" Jieun finishing his words. Both of them stop in their tracks. Watching each other expression. Before start walking again, slowly.

"What do you feel about that?" He asks. "I know it's so sudden, but I want to know your piece of mind."

That man... Always want to know what's inside her mind and heart. Not that she feels uncomfortable, but rather thankful of that. Thankfully, he is not like the King. Probably because they are not from the same blood. She remembers Ayana told her about all the six princes is actually adopted.

"Complicated. I feel... that. What about you? Did you accept your father's orders just like that? Don't you feel force by that?" Jieun also want to know what's inside the man's heart and mind. Maybe she can make a better decision after knowing that.

"His words are the law for me. But I can confidently say that I'm not feeling that force this time. We, all the princes always have a suitor, come and goes. But this time I'm not rebelling." Eun-Woo honestly tells the girl.

Making Jieun stop on her track once again.

"Why was that?" Her heart now is beating so fast.

"From all the girls that he tries to introduce to me, I found that I'm not bothering to have you around. I feel comfortable."

Jieun face now getting red. Don't know how to react to that. Its not a confession of love or anything, but a virgin heart like her is finding this moment to be too much for her to take.

They returned silent until they reached the forest area. The place where Jieun's mother grave is located. Then, Eun-Woo placed the flowers he brought on top of the tombstone that was there.

"Last night. You ask me something that I cannot answer." Jieun suddenly bring that up.

She thought that very carefully. If she is going to accept her fate here, then honestly is a must between them because she will need to rely on him, all time now. And, by that, she decides to trust the man all the way.

"What do you think, if I say that you're not wrong?" Jieun ask Eun-Woo directs. It's a confession in a question.

Eun-Woo is watching the girl who look like taking her all courage, feeling just to tell him that. And he, actually appreciate that.

"You have done great." He said that, short.

"Uh?" Jieun cannot understand. What he actually means by that?

But her heart suddenly exploded. With a feeling that she never knows she was holding for the whole time. Her eyes are also now watering so suddenly.

"I just want to say that. It must be tough for you to handle things on your own while other people seem distant and different. You have it hard and I can see that you are doing it well." He said that wholeheartedly. Not once he lies about what he just said.

That is not what Jieun expected at all. She is actually getting ready to answer questions that might be asked by the man, but the questioning never come.

She also never thought that Eun-Woo will say that to her. That kind of words is something that she always imagines that her mom will tell her. If she still alive. Right here, in this Dream Land.

Jieun tears now fall one by one. In front of the man. She try very hard not to crumble, in front of other people especially to Ayana and Granny Susan. But, how come she could cry and fall shamelessly in front of the man that she just know? She suddenly feel exhausted. Emotionally and physically.

Not wanting the man to keep looking at her who was now crying uncontrollably, Jieun covered her face with both her hands.

Eun-Woo looked at Jieun with an unreadable face expression. Slowly he approached the girl who was still sobbing, there. He, actually don't know why he is doing that, but he has done that. And there's no turning back.

Carefully, Eun-Woo pulls Jieun gently into his arms. Like she is the most fragile things that he ever hold. His act was certainly shocking to Jieun, but, as she still feels overwhelming with her feeling she just let it be.

Warm. That's exactly what Jieun is feeling now. But weird, as her tears didn't stop... yet.

"Just let everything out so that you will feel light in your heart after this." Eun-Woo said it softly in her ears. Only for her to hear.

Then, he continued,

"I know this engagement and married plan is too sudden for you as you are also still so young. But if you accept, I promise to protect you, guiding you to live comfortably in this world. Because it will be hard to survive without shelter of the royal when you not a part of this world. But if you refuse I will try my best to fight him. But I cannot promise anything will come in easy. "

In tears Jieun asked,

"Are you sure you can keep your promise to protect me?"

"I swear." He said without even waiting.

This time, Jieun also didn't know why she did it, but she hugs the man back. Tight. While still crying.

She finally decides that she will fight her fate with this man. She knew she couldn't do this journey alone. And she chooses this man. To walk that dim road together. Whatever comes after, she will think about that later. Just... let her breath for a moment. Now.. While feeling safe.