Dayeong was gripping Eric's hand tighter than what was probably necessary as they exited the plane. But she couldn't help it. Even though she was technically returning home, her stomach was in such knots that she feared she might end up being sick. She was scared of seeing her parents. If she would even get to see them, that was. She'd called them only to be told by their secretary that they were going to be frightfully busy this week. It figured. She knew they felt very disgraced by her actions at the wedding.  

She was worried about the hate comments she would get. She'd read some of them. The people of her own Kingdom didn't want her back. The people of Eric's didn't want her either. The comments made her want to take Juyeon's hand and run far far away. To another country. Go into hiding in another Kingdom. But those were just fantasies now. Juyeon was gone. 

Holding Eric's hand, she walked into the Palace. Hyunjin was waiting for them in his office. King Hyunjin. It seemed like only yesterday they were just children, building forts and having pillow fights. Now he was soon to be King. Though his coronation hadn't happened yet, both her and Eric were already privately referring to him as the King. They were excited for the change. 

She suspected that her parents were doing the transition for a bit of damage control. It took attention away from her, the disgraceful daughter, and placed it on him, the ideal son. Either way, it would be working in her favor. As her brother, she knew that Hyunjin would be on her side. Always. 

"Hyunjin!" she exclaimed, dropping Eric's hand and starting to run the moment she saw her brother in the room, sitting leisurely next to Minyoung. 

He jumped up, rushing over to her with a mixture of worry and excitement in his eyes. "Don't run! It could be dangerous..." he said, trailing off with a knowing look at her stomach. 

She laughed, placing a hand over her stomach. She hadn't even really started to show yet, and anything was hidden under flowy dresses or baggy shirts. "Don't worry. I'm fine. How are you?" she said, speaking fast as the words all tumbled out of her. "I've missed you. How is the transition going? Are you nervous? Excited?" 

"Slow down," Hyunjin laughed, putting his hands on her shoulder and then pulling her into his arms and giving her a gentle hug. "I'm fine. How are you though?" 

Her smile wavered a little bit. "Missing Juyeon," she said, shrugging and trying to appear as though she was fine, even though she wasn't. "But I'm okay. Everything will be fine." 

"You bet it will be. Now... Why don't you go to your room and get settled in? Chan?" 

She turned, elated to see her guard and friend standing nearby. She rushed over, giving him a hug as well. "Okay," she said. "We'll be right back." 

"Take your time," Hyunjin said. "I have some things to discuss with Eric anyway." 

***

Chan was being awfully secretive as he led her to her room. He was hardly saying two words. 

"It's nice that I get to stay in my old room," she thought aloud. "It's a comforting feeling." 

He just nodded, opening the door to her room. "Come in," he said, finally speaking. "There's a surprise for you. Your closet... it's been redecorated," he said slowly. 

Dayeong tilted her head, puzzled. "Redecorated? Why? I don't even live here anymore," she mused, closing her door and following Chan to the closet. 

He shrugged. "See for yourself." 

She opened the doors to her giant closet and turned on the lights. At a glance, she could see nothing different. "Chan?" she said, scanning the closet again. Nothing. "Why did you say that?" she said, slowly turning back to him. "There's nothing..." 

Suddenly, the breath was sucked out of her. 

Because there was something. Better than a redone closet. Better than any gift or surprise in the world. 

Because it was him. Standing right in front of her. 

"Hey Princess," he whispered. 

Those were the words she'd been longing to hear. From the one person she'd been dying to see.

Juyeon.  

***

A/N

EEK! Finally!