Unnoticed Company

"Is everything ready?" Jae I questioned the maid who was preparing lunch that they were going to have during their little picnic.

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid said with her head held low.

Jae I smiled at her and allowed her to leave, she took a deep breath, letting the cool clean air wash her of her worries and calm her swollen eyes from all the tears that she shed the night before.

She looked out in front of her, the sight of Min Jun laughing with his brother Joon Wo sent joy warming her heart. She was so worried that the poor young boy would be all awkward around his brother because of what he was forced to do.

"Woah!" A happy excited voice exclaimed. Jae I turned to look at its source. "Princess, what brings you here?" Jae I said with a soft smile.

"I came to check on you of course! You were taking too long with the preparations of lunch," Nefertari said taking another look at the table that was set in the middle in front of the lake with various dishes displayed on it, making Tari's mouth water.

Her words made Jae I feel lost for words, she has never had someone check on her because she was taking too long but, either way, it made her happy.

"I am honored that you are concerned about me, princess," Jae I said. "But please, worry no more, it's my job as the princess of Goryeo to take care of the palace and the princes."

"I know since I go through something similar to it back at home," Tari said with a sigh.

"You take care of the palace matters?" Jae I said genuinely shocked. "I thought other royal members would take care of it?" she thought that Nefertari was the spoiled daughter of the pharaoh and that he wouldn't allow his precious daughter to do such a tiresome job.

Tari chuckled. "I know what you mean, that I'm my father's spoiled daughter ?" she said as if she could read the other girl's mind.

"Oh, I-I didn't…" Jae said but was interrupted by Nefertari. "It's okay anyone would think that way but the truth is exactly the opposite."

Jae I stood silently as she waited for the other princess to finish her talk, she could tell that Nefertari was temporarily in her own world from that sweet weak grin on her face.

"I take care of the palace as well as the social duties of the Royal family instead of my father," Nefertari finally said. "my father despises social gatherings and he took the opportunity once I was of age." She couldn't help but smile at the image that popped up in her head, her bored father at banquets that he was partially dragged there by Jaffar and his own righteous self that knows that keeping good social interactions with other nobles in important.

"I never thought that you would be doing all that yourself, princess," Jae I said sincerely.

Nefertari smiled at her as she stole a bit of one of the appetizers that were on the table. "Would you please drop these formalities," Tari said. "your brothers all call me Tari not to mention they are never formal with me, and besides we are friends!" she took hold of both of Jae I's hand and looked her right between her eyes.

Jae I's eyes were wide with shock yet she couldn't help but smile so brightly, she never thought that she could laugh like this, from her heart, genuinely. For the first time, she felt that she made a friend.

"Let's go get them to eat, I'm starving!" Nefertari said getting hold of the other girl's hand and dashed off to the others.

"Well, well, well," Yu Jun said placing a hand on his hip as he saw the two girls approaching them. "who would've guessed that etiquette freak Jae I is running in public?" he raised a teasing eyebrow at his sister.

"You are right! What a shameful act!" Jin Wo said imitating his sister's voice while raising a hand to cover his mouth.

"I don't talk like that!" Jae I protested. "What a disgrace to the royal family!"

They all looked at each other and then at Jae I

"See! That's what I'm talking about!��� Jin Wo exclaimed in between his loud laughs.

"Okay, alright, enough teasing the girl." Joon Wo said smacking Jin Wo on the back of his head when his laughs took longer than they should.

"Ouch! That's not fair! Why isn't there anyone who smacks Tari on the head when she teases Ashkan," he mumbled rubbing the spot where he was hit.

"I-I'm alright with a little teasing," Ashkan said finally joining the conversation.

"Hey! I thought we youngsters should've each other's back, right Min-ah?" Jin Wo murmured turning to his last hope – his little brother.

Min Jun was just looking at them will laughing but he stopped once he felt the stares. "I-is something on my face?" he said through his inhales.

"It's been a while since we saw you laugh like that," Yu Jun said taking a closer look at his brother. "Finally our baby is back!" He patted him on the head sending comfort and warmth through Min Jun's body.

"I-I'm not a b-baby," Min Jun said as he resisted his brother's hold, even though he was trying to get away he had to admit that he loved it when his brothers comforted him.

"Now, since this matter has been settled," Tari said clapping her hands together. "let's go eat because my stomach is growling like a beast!"

They laughed at the weird metaphor, not noticing the footsteps that were approaching them.

"What a disgrace!"

They looked at Jae I with a frowned faces. "Why did you say that!" Jin Wo exclaimed.

"That wasn't me," she scoffed frowning at them.

"I'm the one who said it, Your Highness," Lady Hye Su said with her maid behind her.

"And you are?" Jin Wo said raising an eyebrow.

Hye Su faked a smile. "I'm Hye Su of the Chang family, a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness," she bowed in courtesy.