"If all else fails, you guys can get married, and then after you become King, just divorce or something," Chanmi said. She was sitting across from Eric at his breakfast nook, watching as he picked on his food. "Hurry up and eat already," she sighed. "Are you nervous or something?" 

A week had passed now, and it was time for Eric's next date. She'd just come back from Dayeong's room, confirming that the two would spend their time at the pool. She was envious. It was hot, and she wished that the guards would be able to use the pool occasionally too. But of course, that was off-limits. 

"I'm rethinking a pool date," he admitted, running a hand through his hair as his eyes traveled to the window, looking outside. "It's really hot, so I thought it would be a good idea. But now I'm worried about what the pictures may look like-" 

He was cut off as the door opened, and Dayeong walked in. Chanmi's eyes widened and she shot to her feet so fast that she ended up tripping and falling to the floor. 

Eric was by her side in a heartbeat, helping her up. She heard the door close and then there was the faint sound of Dayeong's sandals as she ran over. 

"I'm so sorry!" Dayeong exclaimed, her eyes wide with apology. "I keep forgetting to knock, it's an awful habit, isn't it," she said. "I'm really sorry," she said again. 

"Don't worry about it," Chanmi laughed, sharing an amused glance with Juyeon, who was standing behind Dayeong. "Really, it's okay."

"Do you eat with Eric?" Dayeong asked curiously. "If you're allowed to, why'd you say no?" she asked, spinning around to glare at Juyeon. 

"Technically, we're not really allowed to," Juyeon said awkwardly, looking at Eric and Chanmi. "But..." 

"We should all eat together sometime!" Dayeong suggested excitedly, looking at them. "All four of us, what do you say?" 

"We're not really allowed to," Juyeon said again. 

"Let's just break the rules," Dayeong and Eric said at the same time. They laughed, looking at each other and sharing a high five. 

"Easy for you two to say," Chanmi teased, making a face at the both of them. Dayeong rolled her eyes playfully before stealing a piece of fruit from Eric's plate. 

"Hey, give that back!" Eric shouted, trying to grab it. But he was too fast, she popped it in her mouth, ate it, and then stuck her tongue out at him triumphantly. 

"You have a lot," she complained. 

"You already had breakfast!" Eric whined back, looking at Chanmi for help. "You're my guard, do something!" he said, pouting at her. 

"Okay," Chanmi said, shrugging as she reached forward and stole a piece of his fruit for herself. 

Eric sighed, looking at Juyeon in exasperation. "They're ganging up on me," he said, pretending to glare at her. "Can you believe that? Some nerves they have."

Chanmi couldn't stop the giant smile from coming to her face, and she shook her head playfully at Eric. 

In the week since Dayeong had arrived, the four of them had somehow become good friends. Dayeong's outgoing and friendly self had brought them all together, and soon they'd all started joking around. Though Eric and Chanmi had decided to keep their relationship a secret from her for a little longer, she felt as though the Princess could be trusted. She felt as though she'd found another genuine friend, and it made her very happy. 

Her eyes scanned their little group. Eric, the boy she found herself falling harder for every day. Juyeon, the boy who was like a brother to her, and was still the most serious of the group. He hadn't quite let go as much as the rest of them, and he was often the one struggling to get Eric and Dayeong under control, while Chanmi was content letting them do whatever they wanted. 

And then there was Dayeong, the Princess whose favorite thing to do was run barefoot in the grass. Dayeong, who she'd been stupidly jealous of upon her arrival. That time had long passed. It was obvious that Eric and Dayeong were good friends, but nothing more. 

Chanmi gradually found herself trusting people more. In happy moments like this, she could easily say that Eric would never leave her. That their love could carry them through the tough times. She found herself even trusting Dayeong, when the thought of doing so would have been impossible last week. 

"We should all play hide and seek," Dayeong whispered, linking arms with her. Her eyes were full of mischief. 

"In the room?" Chanmi whispered back. Juyeon and Eric were deep in conversation about something else, and she watched the happiness on Eric's face as he talked to Juyeon. Seeing him happy only served to make her even happier. 

"Yeah, it's big enough," Dayeong said, which was true. 

"Okay, let's do it," Chanmi agreed eagerly. "Did you lock the door?"

"I'll go check," Dayeong replied, running over to check. "It's locked!" she called from the other end of the room. "Let's play now!" 

"Play what?" Eric asked, scratching his head in confusion, though he looked excited. 

"Hide and seek. The girls are hiding first, so turn around and close your eyes," Dayeong ordered, coming over and pushing both Eric and Juyeon to face the wall. 

"You only have twenty seconds," Eric said. "One, two..." 

"That's not enough time!" Chanmi complained, grabbing Dayeong's hand and running to find a good place for them to hide. 

It was moments like these, perfect moments like these, that made her certain... 

Everything would be alright.