"Did you get the notice from your parents?" Chanmi asked, trying to keep her voice light as she watched Eric pace around his room. His pacing was making her nervous. "And... How did the meeting go? Did it go well?" she asked. "What's Princess Dayeong like?"  

Eric sat down on the sofa, patting the seat beside him. She joined him and he didn't hesitate to take her hand and interlace their fingers. The gesture made her smile.

"We don't have to worry about her," he said happily, a genuine smile on his lips. "She also has someone else she's interested in, and thankfully it's not me. But we decided that it would be best to keep up fake dating and draw out the marriage for as long as possible." 

"Oh?" she said, surprised. "Why'd you guys decide that?" 

"She's really smart," Eric commented, closing his eyes and leaning back on the sofa. "She figured that if we both protest it, we'll immediately be arranged to marry someone else, right? And what if that other person actually wants to get married? Then we're doomed. It's better for us to just work together, since we're on the same side anyway. Plus, she said the person she likes is here." 

Chanmi raised her eyebrows. "She's been here for two days. Who could she have possibly met in that time?" 

"I know, right?" Eric said, sitting up straight and looking at her. "I was wondering that too. I'm curious but..." 

"Don't ask," she warned him. "If you ask her, then she has the right to ask you. And I'm worried about your lying skills." 

"Excuse me?" he said, faking offense. "How dare you doubt my lying skills?" 

Chanmi laughed, shaking her head at him. "Okay, did you see the notice your parents sent though? It says that you and Princess Dayeong have to schedule all your dates through me and Juyeon." 

"Juyeon?" 

"He's her main bodyguard, remember?"

"Oh, right," he mumbled. 

"You're not still mad at him, are you?" she asked, gently patting his arm. "Don't be. He really couldn't tell you anything. And if he had, it probably would have made things worse. If I'd known, I definitely wouldn't have had the guts to start dating you," she half joked. 

"Thank goodness we found out so late then," he said, laughing. "And no, I didn't see the notice. But that's kind of awkward," he sighed. "I have to ask my real girlfriend to help me schedule dates with my fake girlfriend." 

"Please, I don't even want to think about it," she sighed, covering her face with one hand. "When are you going to have your first date?" she asked after a moment. 

"Maybe today," he said. "She said she wanted to go to the gardens..." he trailed off, suddenly unable to meet her eyes. "One day, we'll go together," he whispered, squeezing her hand. 

Chanmi tried to push away her jealousy. "One day," she agreed. "But right now, you have dates to go on. At least one a week, it's mandatory. Should I go ask her if she'd like to today? Do you have a time in mind?" 

"As soon as she's ready, she can meet me here and we can go," he said. "Do we need photographers?" 

"Unfortunately so."

Eric groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Why?" he whined, pouting at her. "I hate being a publicity stunt," he grumbled, standing up. "All because of my stupid parents and some stupid corruption. Why do I have to do this?" he complained, rolling his eyes. "It's not even my fault." 

Chanmi laughed, shaking her head at him. She stood up, patting his shoulder. "Tough luck kid." 

"You could sound a little more sympathetic," he said, glaring at her playfully. 

She tried to kill her smile. "I'll go talk to your date and see what she says," she told him, heading to the door. 

She left, walking down the hallways. The room Princess Dayeong was staying in wasn't that far from Eric's room, and she got there quickly. She knocked on the door, and immediately was called in. 

"Which one do you think?" the Princess asked immediately, spinning around with two dresses in hand. When she saw Chanmi, her eyes widened and she quickly put the dress on her bed. "I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, laughing. "I thought you'd be Juyeon," she said, shaking her head at herself. "I'm Dayeong, nice to meet you," the Princess said, slipping into a graceful curtsey. "And you are?" 

"Park Chanmi, Prince Eric's bodyguard," Chanmi replied, bowing to her. 

"Oh! Are you here about the date? Is this a reply?" 

Chanmi's forehead crinkled in confusion, and at that moment Juyeon walked in. 

"Your Highness," he said, walking over to Princess Dayeong. "Prince Eric says that whenever you're ready, go to his room, and he'd be happy to go on a garden date today." 

"Great!" the Princess said, a bright smile coming to her face. "Now, do you both mind if I ask your opinions? I'm trying to decide what to wear," she said, picking up the two dresses. One was a knee length white dress with a bunch of small flowers on it. The other one was yellow, and while it was also very pretty, it gave Chanmi more of a beach date vibe. 

"That one," she said at the same time as Juyeon, both of them pointing to the white dress. 

"You think so?" Princess Dayeong asked, holding it up to her small frame. "Okay, I have another question. I was wondering if there was a way to incorporate the roses you gave me into my outfit," she explained, picking up a yellow rose from the vase on her nightstand. "Do you think a stylist could like... braid it into my hair somehow? Do you think it'll look nice?" 

"I think... I think perhaps smaller flowers would look nicer being braided into your hair, Your Highness," Juyeon said. 

"Okay, now one more question," the Princess said, looking at Chanmi and Juyeon apologetically. "Sorry for all the questions, I'm just nervous," she explained. "I'm not particularly used to being in front of the cameras." 

"No need to apologize," Chanmi said, her eyes following Princess Dayeong across the room. 

"You know, Your Highness, I can bring a stylist to pick your outfits for you, if that'll be easier," Juyeon suggested. 

Princess Dayeong came back holding two shoes, and she looked up at Juyeon with wide apologetic eyes. "I wanted to continue doing things for myself," she said softly, frowning at the floor for a moment before looking back up at him. "I promise I won't ask again!" she insisted. 

"No, that's okay," Juyeon said quickly. "It's not that I don't want to help, it's just..." he trailed off, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm not sure I'm the best help, that's all." 

The smile came back to Princess Dayeong's face and she grinned up at him. "Nonsense. Now, which one?" she said, holding the two shoes out and looking at Chanmi and Juyeon expectantly. 

"I'd recommend the sandals over the heels," Chanmi said honestly. "You'll be doing a lot of walking in the gardens, and the sandals are very pretty, and much more comfortable," she said, looking at Juyeon, who was nodding in agreement. 

"Perfect," Princess Dayeong said, the bright smile never leaving her face. 

Chanmi couldn't help feeling jealous of her. Despite the annoying situation, despite being forced to marry Eric when she had someone else she liked... Princess Dayeong continued smiling. Her eyes were bright and happy and optimistic. She seemed genuinely sweet and bubbly, like a real Princess. A real Queen. The kind of girl any guy would fall for. 

"I'd come to relay Eric's message to you, but seeing as everything is now settled, I'll be leaving," Chanmi said, trying to push away her jealousy. She bowed to the Princess and started to leave. 

"I'll be waiting outside to escort you," she heard Juyeon tell the Princess, his voice soft and quiet. "But may I ask... are you going to wear any jewelry?" 

"Should I?" 

"It's up to you, but I think this will go nicely..." 

Chanmi left the room, a small smile coming to her lips. Juyeon thought he wasn't good at helping and yet there he was, giving more advice. She waited outside the room for him, wanting to ask a question, and when he came outside he seemed surprised to find her waiting. 

"She seems really nice," Chanmi commented, standing next to Juyeon as they waited outside her door. 

"She is," Juyeon agreed, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. He looked down at Chanmi, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Are you alright? Eric told me-" 

"I know," she said, cutting him off. "I'll be fine. I just want to know what the Princess seems like." 

"She seems kind," Juyeon said after a moment. "Very sweet, very kind. She seems like someone who's trying very hard to be strong and optimistic... but she's also scared. Just like Eric was." 

Chanmi nodded, thinking about that. "They'd be a good match," she sighed, hating to admit it aloud. 

Juyeon patted her shoulder, trying to offer comfort. "Perhaps. But Eric has someone else in his heart. You know that better than I do." 

She held onto that thought. 

She had to have faith. Eric liked her... and that wouldn't change. 

But were his affections enough to carry them through the storm that would be ahead of them?