Dayeong gripped Eric's arm as they entered the room where his parents were waiting. It was part formality, part comfort. At least, for her it was. She was gripping his arm harder than what was probably comfortable, but he didn't complain once. He didn't make any indication that he was uncomfortable.

"I want you two to call off the wedding," Eric's father demanded as soon as they walked in. "Send her back," he said, pointing at her and speaking as though she wasn't even there. "She's nothing but a disgrace."

She felt Eric tense beside her, and he didn't waste a moment to shake his head. "Absolutely not," he said. "I love her. And I know she'll make a wonderful Queen. We've worked out the situation together, and we agreed that we're going to go through with the wedding. It's merely postponed, not called off."

"She will not make a wonderful Queen," the King said, looking at her with distaste. "I don't approve, not in the slightest."

Dayeong glanced at Eric, seeing an increasingly distressed look on his face. She sensed they were thinking the same thing... that his father definitely wouldn't support Eric's relationship with Chanmi. Not at all. If they were caught, they'd be doomed.

"This alliance with the Stray Kids Commonwealth will be very beneficial," Eric said, keeping his tone even. "I'm sure Dayeong's brother, who is the Crown Prince, may I remind you, will not be happy if we cancel the marriage. It will strain our alliance, whereas this marriage will be nothing but helpful. I would like to merely postpone the marriage for a little while, not cancel it. I believe it is what is in the best interest of both our Kingdoms."

The King and Queen didn't look very happy, but finally the Queen nodded. "Fine," she said. "You're dismissed."

They left the room, and only when they were alone did Eric let out a sigh of relief, a chip in his calm and composed exterior. "Thank goodness they agreed," he mumbled.

"You did great," Dayeong told him. "Your words were spoken like a true King. Chanmi's right, you'll be the best King this Kingdom has ever had."

Eric smiled down at her, though his eyes were worried and tired. She'd seen him age many years in the past week, now that he suddenly had so many more worries and responsibilities to take care of. "You would be an amazing Queen," he told her. "It's a shame you don't have a throne," he said, half-jokingly.

Dayeong laughed, shaking her head. Her thoughts were suddenly filled with Juyeon. His smile when he looked at her. The feel of his arms as he held her close. The affection in his eyes whenever he spoke about Eric. She missed him. She missed him a lot.

"I never wanted to be Queen," she whispered. "I just wanted to live a normal life, with the people I love."