16 This is all a misunderstanding, right?

Princess Shinrae was startled and was at loss of words for a moment, but not too long. "I... came here to eat lunch with my... with his highness and princess Ye Beom. Only if his highness would allow this first princess too."

Princess Ye Beom's eyes widened and immediately grabbed the crown prince's hand when she saw his displeased face. "Brother..." a worried expression was painted all over Ye Beom's face.

"Are you okay with this?" Crown prince Eunhyun asked.

"I would not bring sister here with me if not, brother." Ye Beom confirmed. The prince only sighed and wave his hand and made a face as if saying 'okay you may go, what else can I say if Ye Beom said so'

Why? What is this? What is with him? Why can't he treat me like how he treats Ye Beom too? Why does he have too put this invisible barrier that separates the too of us? It is not like I would do anything to harm him, nor to Ye Beom? Or was it just my imagination?

No, it is obvious that he is treating me differently. Why? Was it because I'm no other than, that a child of a concubine? How ridiculous. I have always been treated like an outcast. I may be a child born out of the woman that was just taken as a concubine when they learned that she have given birth to me. What did I ever do to deserve this kind of treatment? I was just a result of their doing. Why am I the one who's suffering and paying for this circumstances? AH! THIS SUCKS.

I... just want to take a step to be closer to them. Nothing more. All I ever want was to feel like somebody or someone would care about me. Sigh...

As she is in her deep thoughts, she scoffs and sighs in between, as she reminiscence all those bitter experience she had. How unfortunate, she thought to herself.

Ye Beom just chuckled at their brother's attitude and smiled at the first imperial princess as she tilted her head and mouthed, 'sorry about brothers childish attitude'.

I may not look like sad, hurt or anything. I did not even uttered a word about how brother Eunhyun's words stabs and cuts through me. But Ye Beom new that I... was not happy with it at all. This... is not just pity, is it? Ye Beom...

Then princess Shinrae's facial expression softened. She strides to Ye Beom to catch up onto her and then she grabbed her wrist. "Let me help you carry that." She offered to Ye Beom.

Ye Beom just grinned at her and said; "It's my pleasure! But I can handle this, sister."

Shinrae's expression saddens.

Oh! No, no, no... I forgot! This character has such a sulky personality. Uhhh? What should I do? What should I dooo? Ah! Right!

"Then, can I have you to prepare and brew the tea for us later?" Just as Ye Beom requested, Shinrae's eyes widened and delight was reflected on her face.

"Yes, I would be glad to do so." She replied.

"Hurry up, you two!" Yelled ny crown prince Eunhyun when he noticed that the two princesses were left behind. Or maybe he was just walking fast.

"Hahaha you still remember that brother?" Asked Ye Beom as she laughs merrily.

"How could I not? You were acting all strong that day when I was teaching you how to ride a horse, then you being you, throwing tantrum around, fall onto the ground." Then the crown prince laughed out loud in to his lung's content. "HAHA HAHAHAHAHA! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!!"

"Hah! Karma really is quick to come back, isn't it brother?" Provoked Ye Beom

"COUGH! COUGH! Oh shut up!" Crown prince retorted as he covers his mouth while coughing continuously. "Shinrae-ah, cough! cough!... pour me a tea. This cough won't... cough! cough!... go away,"

"Ah! Yes brother..." He called me by my name... he didn't refer me as 'you'. The delighted first princess Shinrae thought to herself as she pours the prince's tea cup. "Please enjoy your tea, brother."

"I thank, you." Eunhyun replied before taking a sip of the tea. "This tea." He paused then he glance at first princess Shinrae before he continuing his sentence. "...it is great. Insamcha* is it?"

*insamcha- is a ginseng tea.

"Yes brother, I have thought that insamcha would be good for his highness, the crown prince to fight tiredness and to increase his highness's energy." Shinrae explained.

"How thoughtful, thank you. And why are you still bowing? Raise your head already." Eunhyun said which Shinrae did immediately. "Ye Beom, what are the foods that you brought?"

"Oh, I brought us, goldongban, mandu and ddeokgu. And for side dishes we have, cucumber gamjeong, mu sangchae, bindaeteok, and of course neobiani. And for dessert is your favorite, tteok."

*Goldongban is a term used in koreal palace as bibimbap. Mandu and ddeokgu is a dumpling. Gamjeong are the stew dishes whish is called jjigae nowadays. Mu sangchae is a seasoned radish salad with salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. Bindaeteok is a dish that resembles a pancake which has a ground mung beans. Neobiani is a traditional term of bulgogi which is a grilled beef or pork. Tteok is a dessert made of steamed flour with various grains and a glutinous or non-glutinous rice.

"That amazes me. Did you cooked all of it?" Asked the crown prince as he stares at the dish and side dishes that Ye Beom is putting out of the basket.

When princess Ye Beom was about to answer the question of the crown princess, just then, a group of armed soldiers with an approximate number of 20 came rushing and heading to the direction where the three highnesses are at.

"Brother? Are they the ones that you'll be with, when you join the half a year expedition at the borders?" Ye Beom asked curiously, paying close attention to the incoming group of soldiers.

Hmmm... But if I remember it correctly, the selection of soldiers for the expedition that will accompany the crown prince is yet to be decided? So... how come?

"No they aren't. They are not under my command nor do I know them. I have decided to take the Jeontugi fourth battalion instead of selecting individually and wait for the other noble families and volunteers who have no strong resolve to fight alongside me." Crown prince explained calmly as he eyed each and every soldier one by one. His eyes then, suddenly widened.

That emblem! He was alarmed that made him stand up like a pole. "State your purpose. I will decide what kind of punishment we, shall bestow upon all of you, for the insolence that you all have shown." He said in a cold and authoritative tone.

Brother must be referring to the three of us when he said 'we' haha. Ye Beom, thought as she held in her laugh.

"Pardon our--"

The soldier in the front wasn't able to finish his sentence for the prince cut him off. "Enough with the greetings, you all have disrespected the three of us here. I will not repeat myself, state your purpose."

He glared at the man then, whe he turned around, he slowly unsheathed his ssaurabi then he swiftly turns around again facing the man. But this time he is holding the sword up against the man's mouth. The prince bent his knees a little as he closes the gap between their faces as threatening as it could be.

"Shall I just cut you tongue off? Speak!" Terror and madness is all that you can see reflected in his eyes as he glares the man, with his ssaurabi* remaing at the man's mouth level.

*ssaurabi- A sword equal to katana. Gukseong- Term for grand master. Hwarang are known as the flowering knights.

"I, Gukseong* Pyeon Jae of the Wang-ui Gun-in Hwarang* under the power of the grand empress dowager Myeonhee, arrest her highness the second imperial princess, princess Ye Beom for a treason, in an attempt of poisoning the his highness, the crown prince Eunhyun, and the grand empress dowager. The punishment is yet to be decided by his majesty, the great emperor and the imperial court. As the empress requested, the second princess shall be held at the cold palace." Declared the man.

No. No, no, no,... Just what is happening?