She decided to go for a tight yellow top with a pair of wide-leg belted pants, paired with high heels platform shoes. She tries to avoid appearing too eager all the way she's walking to the car, with Yunho, Jongho and Seonghwa looking at her with amusement on their faces. When she told her that she would be getting lunch with San, they couldn't hide their shock on how and why it happened.

"Are you guys... I don't know," Seonghwa started, "dating or something? Out of a sudden?"

Danbi shook her head even though her heart was saying something different. "No, it's just lunch."

"With his parents," Jongho had added.

"Well, yeah," she uttered, feeling slightly amused at the fact that it's easy for the three of them - Yunho, Jongho and herself - to be pretending like they didn't have any prior conversation that involved the Reflectors.

"San asked you out?" Yunho stuck out his lower lip.

"It's not-" she refuted as she balled her hands into fists. Yunho automatically raised up his hands before running behind Seonghwa to seek protection because she looked like she's about to punch him. "He didn't ask me out. It was just an invitation to lunch with his parents, nothing more."

"You do know how that sounds like, right?" Seonghwa crossed his arms as he pushed Yunho with his butt so that he would stop standing behind him. "Lunch, with his parents."

"Well..." she scratched her head. "He hasn't met them in a long time and I'm just going to be there for moral support."

"Huh, you're even more naive than I thought you were," Seonghwa retorted.

"He definitely asked~ you~ out~" Jongho said in a singsong voice.

"Shut up," she grumbled, their conversation stopped when San called her to say that he's already at the entrance.

"Are you sure you don't need any of us following you?" Jongho asked. "You're still the prime minister's daughter."

"Not for today," she exclaimed before scurrying away. "Plus San is my bodyguard too."

"Oh, it's going to be on the headlines after they finish their date," Seonghwa said.

"Who's going to tell her who San really is?" Yunho lamented.

"Let her find out on her own," Jongho tittered. "She's probably going to find out the moment she knows where they're heading to."

---

San leans against the car as he waits for Danbi, and the moment she comes out of the house he can already feel his heightened heartbeat. The reason why he had refused to look at her directly was because he knew that doing so would make him dysfunctional; it was never the same after the day they hugged. It might not even mean anything to her, but he had started to feel different from then on. Now he can't believe that he outright asked her out to lunch at his parents' house, not after the many months he had spent avoiding them.

He straightens his body when she walks down the stairs, and he automatically holds the door open for her. After a quick thank you from her he smiles, shuts the door and starts driving to their destination. He can't help but look at her from time to time when the car stops at a traffic light, before turning back to the road as the light turns green again.

It seems like she's too caught up in her own thoughts that she doesn't realize how his dimples appear when he's looking at her, switching his smile off the moment he presses on the accelerator again. What she does notice is the road that they're taking, out of Hyacinth District and into Angrec District. She quietly sinks back into the seat before turning to look at him with a tiny bit of suspicion.

"We're going into the administrative district," she says, unsure of where she's going with that statement.

He nods. "Yeah, because that's where my parents' house is."

"Inside Angrec District?"

He nods and she doesn't ask further, still trying to wrap her head around their destination. When they do arrive in front of the heavy wrought iron gates, her jaw drops before reading the signage located beside the gate. Her eyes blink rapidly as she takes in the huge building located beside the entrance they're going into. She looks at the design, checks the signage of where they are multiple times before turning to San, slack-jawed.

"Choi San," she utters. "Who are you?"

He doesn't answer yet as he gestures for her to wait and he talks to the guards at the gate, with them bowing immediately when they see him. He puts up a hand, smiling, as they open the gates for him, letting the car to come in and he stops the car under the roof in front of the entrance. A flurry of workers immediately approach the car, but San puts up his hand to ask them to wait. He unbuckles his seat belt and angles his body so he can see Danbi directly. He taps his forefingers together, figuring out how he's supposed to break the news to her.

Danbi is frozen in her seat; obviously her life as Bae Danbi does not even come as close to this. His house is bigger than both her and her father's house combined, and so much more.

"Choi San..." she trails off, still dumbfounded. "Are you royalty?" She turns to look at him, a look of shock delivered through her eyes alone. "This was what you said when you told me not to be too surprised by your parent's house? Well guess what, I am."

He chuckles awkwardly. "Well, um... I- I didn't know how to, you know, tell it to you without sounding kind of, snobbish, so I just-" he throws up his hands in the air, "thought I would show you. So welcome."

"So you're royalty," she repeats, the shock value too much to her.

"I mean, it's not like my parents are the king and queen of the country," he tries explaining, "but they um, they have royal ties."

"Uh-uh," she deadpans. "And how far is that tie from the main royal family?"

He clamps his lips together. "I mean, we live in this house," he holds up his hand like he's about to do a show-and-tell, "which is um, technically beside the main palace."

"Choi San," she presses on. "Can you please say it directly because my brain isn't working and I feel like my knowledge of the country is a bit lacking?"

"My father is the king's cousin, so that kind of makes me the second cousin for the current king's son," he explains. "Just that. It's not like I'm a prince or something."

"You live beside the palace," she whispers, as if someone is about to pounce on her and behead her if she ever says anything wrong. "You have royal blood. That's not just that!"

"Sorry," he grimaces. "I just didn't know how to," he looks down while pouting, "tell you without giving a bad impression."

"Bad... impression..." she has lost her ability to say anything. She narrows her eyes, "You were laughing at me when I said I won't judge, weren't you? Because you made me think that you're ashamed to show your parents' house that, I don't know, probably looks like the one that I lived in at Patch. I didn't know you were hesitant to tell me that you live in a palace."

"Beside the palace," he corrects her, clamping his lips shut when she gives him the sharpest glare. "Are you mad at me for not telling you?"

"I'm not mad at you," she says, almost flinching when she sees that the workers are approaching the car, looking like they're about to eat her up. "I'm just- maybe I could've gotten a headstart when you told me who you really are? Maybe I could've worn something nicer," she trails off as she looks down at her clothes, suddenly feeling like it's inadequate when she's about to greet someone of royal blood. "And I don't know what impression I'll give to your parents; I don't want to ruin your first meeting after a long time with this."

"You won't," he assures. "My parents can be pretty adamant on wanting to set things for me, but in general they're nice. Trust me, you'll do great."

She looks at him with a little bit more apprehension but she doesn't get to say more as their doors are opened for them, and she steps out, her heels clacking against the tiled floor. She still hasn't gotten used to people rushing to her to help, and this makes it worse as she's now on royal grounds, being ushered like she's a part of the family. She doesn't know how to put it; she doesn't feel out of place yet at the same time everything feels foreign, even San who's walking beside her, a new person as he guides her through the house.

When they do arrive at the dining room, she gets laden with shock again and her stomach grumbles without mercy as she looks at the food spread on the table.

"San," the other woman in the room stands up before looking like she's about to run to her son, before entangling him in a hug. San takes a moment to return it, but when he does, he hugs her tightly and he shuts his eyes. The woman pulls back, cupping her son's face before exclaiming, "We missed you so much, and we thought a lot about what you said when you wanted to take up the job at the security company. And oh my, isn't this pretty lady the prime minister's daughter? Do correct me if I'm wrong, but you're Bae Danbi, correct? We crossed paths briefly at your father's party."

"Yes," she tries to smile without showing how nervous she is, "I'm Bae Danbi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh no, no." She waves a hand in front of her face, and as Danbi looks at Madam Choi she knows where San has gotten his dimples from. "It's our pleasure to have you. And I believe," she takes Danbi's hands in hers, "you're the reason our son finally came back home after a long time."

"Uh, it isn't really." She looks at him from the corner of her eyes, who's nodding slightly as if he's encouraging her. "Well, if you put it that way."

"Come and sit with us, I believe we have a lot to talk but I don't think that only lunch is enough to catch up on everything. Please, do take a seat." She lightly pushes Danbi by her waist, citing at how excited she is to see San coming back, bringing along his girlfriend.

Danbi has wanted to retort about how she's not even close to a girlfriend to San, but as she sees the latter smiling so wide she decides to let her stay with the idea. She sits across the woman, with San's father nodding while smiling, welcoming her. She can see where San has gotten his good looks from.

"We'd like to apologize because the meals were prepared hastily; it was a surprise that our son finally agreed to meet us for lunch, and we had no idea that he would be bringing his girlfriend along."

She blushes when she mentions about her being his girlfriend that she only looks down at her plate as lunch is served to them.

"We hope it's to your liking," Sir Choi utters before they start eating.

She doesn't know how to explain this feeling, but if she has to, she'd probably say it feels like the lunch session she would have with her two housemates when they're back in Patch. Something that makes her stomach full while at the same time her heart happy, talking about random topics while laughter occasionally comes in. Speaking with his parents is much easier than she has anticipated, and they make her feel welcomed and appreciated. It's a much, much different vibe than she had when talking to Wooyoung's parents. She can tell they're nice people; not someone who would look at someone different just because of their status.

The conversation steers further with San catching up with his parents, and Danbi occasionally jumping into the conversation. It stretches until it looks like they are about to stay here even for tea, because there are simply too many things to catch up with. As she looks at San, she starts to wonder whether it really is true that he had hated his parents, or it was all a misunderstanding. More than a year of not seeing them... yet now it seems like the meal is a daily thing for them, sharing their stories over food. Unknowingly, she smiles together with them, finally saying to herself that this is what it feels to have a functional family.

When the attention shifts to her, she realizes that his mother is asking her a question that she's not prepared to answer.

There's a mischievous smile set on her face. "So Danbi... what makes you decide that you like San? I'm pretty sure there's something that sets him apart from the other guys. Come on, a girl as pretty as you would have other people lining up to have you as their girlfriend, wouldn't they?"

"I- uh," she tucks her hair behind her ears, "I don't know honestly." She looks at San, who obviously looks as unprepared as her to answer the question. "He's my first." When it seems that she had made it sound awkward, she quickly adds, "Boyfriend. My first boyfriend. And um, I guess it's because of the way he cares for others. He notices when I'm feeling sad or in need of a hug. He's a good hugger."

This has managed to make Madam Choi giggle, slapping a hand against her chest while the other covers her mouth. "I never expected for you to say that. What I've always heard people say was that my son is too handsome to pass up, and they never touch about his personality." Her eyes sparkle at the sentence. "You're actually the first girl who said something about his personality rather than his looks first."

"Oh," she says simply, feeling a little jealousy creeping up on her. "I guess there are a lot of girls," she glances at him, "who talk about him."

"Tell me about it," his mother claims. "There was this period in high school when not two but three girls fought over him and they brought the fight in front of our house." She shudders, "That was a nightmare." Then she smiles, showing her the dimples again, "But I'm glad my son has finally found someone that he likes. It's a change to see my son chasing after a girl instead of the other way round."

San chuckles inwardly seeing how flustered Danbi is as she clears her throat before taking a sip of water. He never meant to bring the act of her as his girlfriend so far, but it seems that his mother is hung up on the idea and has a taken a liking to her, while Danbi is playing along just fine.

Right after they finish their desserts, San's mother is even more excited as she asks San to bring Danbi around the district. She even winks at them, saying that Danbi is more than welcomed to stay for the night, or maybe even share the same room as her son.

"Mom." San already has the tips of his ears red from his mother's blatant remarks.

"You're welcomed to come here anytime, dear. It's a pleasure to be having you, and I do think that you and San look perfect together." She winks as Danbi blushes again while San groans while burying his face in his hands.

Both Danbi and San are left alone at the table, with his mother reminding him that they should stay for tea and dinner too, considering how it's a long journey from Hyacinth to Angrec District. Madam Choi keeps telling San to bring her around the district, saying that she'll be out of the way while they're free to walk about, as long as they promise to come back for tea. Finding it hard to resist, Danbi agrees to stay for tea, and even dinner as San still looks amazed at how natural she seems to be bringing herself.

As they step out of the house and into the car, Danbi turns to look at San before asking, "Are you planning to go anywhere while we wait for tea? That's about..." she consults her watch, "two hours from now."

"I don't know," he chuckles, "What do you want to see in Angrec District? It's been a while since I've been here so honestly I don't know what the district can offer you now."

"You grew up here, didn't you? What's your favourite place to go when you grew up? Probably you have somewhere that you like to spend your evenings at; if it's Hongjoong and I we liked to go to this one convenience shop and buy different flavours of ice cream every day," she sounds excited as she tells him, looking as if she's bouncing on the seat.

San leans back against the seat as he puts a finger to his chin, trying to think of a place. Then he snaps his fingers, "Ah, there's this one place that I used to go when I was a kid, but not every day though. Maybe... every three days." He changes the gear, "I'm not sure whether the place is still the same or not since I haven't been there for a long time."

"Then let's go there," she tilts her head. "Since it's your first time coming back here after a long time, make it a special one."

It's already special because you're here, but San doesn't say anything as he nods and shifts the gear to drive out of the compound.

It takes him several tries to remember the directions to the area, because back then it's not like he was behind the wheel. He was just a kid who was excited to finally get permission to step outside of the compound, having no less than four bodyguards surrounding him. He parks at the designated parking area, before realizing how the place is essentially deserted with no one around. He doesn't know whether it's because it's a weekday and it's not time yet for people to be going out for the evening, but him and Danbi are the only souls there.

Danbi looks amazed nonetheless. "Woah, so I'm guessing your favourite place when you were a kid was this 'forest in the city' park. That's interesting!"

San can't help but smile at her amazement looking at what he feels is just a normal park with some playground equipment, and a pathway surrounded by lush greenery that makes you feel as if you're walking in a forest. He kills the ignition before taking off his seatbelt, and he scurries outside, already holding the door open by the time she unbuckles her seatbelt.

She looks around with her mouth wide open as she's never been to a place like this; the surrounding trees make the temperature cooler, but at the same time there is just the perfect amount of sunlight filtering through the leaves to light up the place.

San links his hands behind his back, following an excited Danbi as she gawks at the surrounding, before she says playfully, "So this was where young master San spent his childhood. I'm impressed."

He chuckles before trying to keep his pace with her as she's prancing from one place to another, as if worried that they won't get much time to finish the whole course of the pathway in the forest before they have to go back.

When she does slow down, he takes a glimpse of her from the side before looking forward and uttering, "I'm sorry the lie kind of went out of control. You had to be my girlfriend," he breathes, "Mom can be a bit overwhelming in that sense; she's just too friendly and talks non-stop. It's hard to correct her at that point."

"Oh, no worries," she replies, taking in a deep breath of the crisp air. "She's nice. I like her."

"And I've never seen her like a girl as much as she likes you. I think you're the only girl that has managed to get into her good book so quickly."

"Really?" She stops walking and turns around to face him. "Then what about her son?"

He widens his eyes as he gets caught with surprise, but she chuckles.

"I'm just kidding. You enjoyed seeing me flustered when your mother was asking me questions, and I'm just paying you back." She sticks out her tongue.

He looks at her lips before biting his own, but as he feels the blush creeping up he turns away, walking forward as now she struggles to keep up with his pace instead.

"Why is this your favourite place?" she asks. "Did something special happen here?"

"There's no special reason actually." He shrugs. "It's because when I was a kid, I wasn't allowed to go out like normal kids do. You know, protocol, worrying about security and whatnot. I don't go out to play with other kids in public, because they're worried that I would be exposed to danger. So the only place I'm allowed to run around is here, where it's kind of open but at the same it's covered." He laughs. "I would run around and make the bodyguards tired from trying to catch up with me."

"You must be a really bubbly kid," she expresses, walking ahead before turning around so that she's walking backwards slowly while looking at him.

"I guess, but it got pretty lonely. So when I turned legal, the first thing I said to my parents was that I wanted to do things my own way. I'm tired of trying to keep up with my status, doing something that I don't like. They were against it at first, and I tried so hard to convince them that it's what I want. They're not against me not wanting to pursue my studies per se, but they know that I'll be compared with my other cousins, who probably pursued their studies overseas, coming back with a scroll from a prestigious university. They only wanted the best for me because they didn't want me to get hurt from being compared to those around my age."

"So you don't hate your parents," she decides. "Because the way you were talking to them just now sounded like you missed them, and you still love them a lot."

"I don't," he admits. "It's just the fact that if I go back here, I'll become associated with the title I'm not ready to take up again. I made a decision to move out, find myself a job and work hard on my own. I just wanted to feel like I can achieve something on my own, not by having everything served to me easily."

She looks impressed then she does a few spins, extending her arms out as she takes in a deep breath. "Haaa... Ever since I live as Bae Danbi my eyes are opened wide. People who lived like me as Kim Danbi wanted so hard to get rid of our lives and live in better conditions, yet people like you wished they could get away from that life."

"Because people can never be happy with what they have." He lunges forward when she almost falls backwards from tripping over a rock, saving her from falling down as he wraps his arm around her waist. He stares into her eyes. "Until you lose them." He clears his throat as he lets go, allowing her to stand up straight as she stops walking backwards and focuses on the road forward instead.

"So tell me about her," she says. "The girl that you dated when you were 15." She smirks, "Must be really lucky to finally get Choi San's attention."

"There was no girl," he says simply. "I lied at the heat of the moment; I wasn't allowed to date."

"Awh." She sticks out her lower lip. "I thought that maybe I could ask her for some tips so that I can woo you," she says jokingly.

"You don't have to," San stops walking as he holds out a hand, tugging at the sleeve of her shirt. "Because you already did."