Hoya POV

When Daeun suddenly appeared, I thought she was a ghost. How did she get in here? Why is she soaking wet?

"Jeonha" she smiled up at me. "I am fine. However, we do need to talk."

"What is going on Daeun? What happened to you?"

She carefully pulled out the jade norigae that she had been carrying around for the past eleven years and placed it on the table in front of me "I'm sure you recognize what this is."

"Of course" I smiled at her. "That is the norigae you had when I found you after you got lost in the palace eleven years ago."

"Yes" she smiled. "However, I'm pretty sure you know that there is more to it then that."

My anxiety started to rise "What do you mean?"

"You know who this norigae belongs to. That is why you had your eunuch Woohyun look into it eleven years ago."

My eyes widened "Daeun... Please don't misunderstand. I was only trying to make sure..."

"That I didn't steal it. I know" she giggled. "You spoke to my father about it and he relayed your concerns to me before he died. I didn't understand back then how important this norigae was, but now I do."

I was about to go crazy with panic "Daeun..."

"Jeonha" she interrupted me. "I think it's time you stop worrying about me."

I was shocked by her confident tone, but I replied honestly "I promised your father that I would look after you."

"I know" she spoke humbly "and I appreciate all that you have done for me, but the time has come to put things in their rightful place."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know that Sungjong has someone he already likes. I think you should start the preparations to welcome her as the Crown Princess."

I chuckled "You know that there hasn't been a Crown Princess for nearly a thousand years because those chambers are haunted. As a result, it has become tradition for the new King to wed his bride on the day of his coronation."

"Don't you think that is sad, Jeonha? Wouldn't you have liked to marry your Queen much sooner?"

"Well... I... It's been this way over a thousand years."

"Exactly!" she smiled. "And I think it's time for things to change."

"What about our traditions?"

"Do you know why it became a tradition for the King to marry on his coronation even though his bride had been chosen when he was just a Crown Prince?"

"Well... The chambers..."

"Correct. The Crown Princess's chambers are haunted. The Crown Princess Jiyeon has been haunting those chambers since her untimely death over a thousand years ago in order to protect the man she loved. However, that is only part of it." She took a deep breath before continuing "King Lee and Queen Jang started the tradition of marriage at the coronation of the new King."

What she is saying makes no sense. "But King Sungyeol got married long after his coronation ceremony had already been held" I retorted. "So, why is she still haunting them if he already got married? It doesn't make sense."

She picked up the jade norigae from the table and my heart began pounding as she flipped it over to reveal the inscription on the back. "Jiyeon is still here because of me."

Daeun POV

I could tell that the King was getting nervous and confused. "Daeun..."

"Jeonha" I tried to ease his mind. "I know that it is very early and this is a lot to take in. Perhaps it would be best to discuss this later."

"Yes" he nodded. "That's a good idea."

I stood up and bowed before making my way back to the secret passage.

"Where are you going?" the King stopped me.

"Well, since no one saw me entering your chambers, I thought it best to leave the same way I came."

"How...?"

"We'll talk more later" I chuckled a little before leaving.

I returned to the Crown Princess's chambers and was greeted by Jiyeon. "So, how was your day?" she smiled at me.

"Long" I sighed. "A thousand years too long" I giggled.

"So the time has finally come" Jiyeon sighed in contentment.

"Yes" I simply replied before changing out of the wet clothes I was still wearing.

"Why aren't you wearing one of my gowns? I thought you were supposed to be acting as the Crown Princess?"

"Yes Jiyeon, I am playing the Crown Princess. However, I think it best I don't wear a gown for now. I'll wear one when the time is right."

With that said, I left the chambers and made my way to the pond. I know I only just left his side, but I missed him already.

"What are you doing here?" I heard someone snidely say.

When I turned around I was not surprised to see that the remark had come from Sungjong. "Hello, Your Highness" I curtsied politely.

"Just because my father likes you, doesn't mean I'm going to marry you" he huffed.

"I know" I smiled. "However, you're not the only one who thinks that way."

"What are you talking about?"

"You like Jiae, right?"

"So" he huffed.

"Well I have someone I like too."

Sungjong POV

What is she getting at? "If that is the case, then why do you come to the palace every year? Why don't you just marry that guy already? Then we won't have to see each other any more and we both can be happy."

She chuckled a little bit "But this is the only place I can see the man I love."

"What?" I screamed. "Who the hell are you in love with that you have to come all the way here to see him?" Then a thought came to mind causing me to giggle "Are you in love with one of the eunuchs?"

"No, I'm not in love with a eunuch." She pulled out some kind of ornament and showed it to me. "I'm in love with the man who gave me this" she replied.

I rolled my eyes "And who was that?" I hate mind games and riddles.

"Perhaps you should study your history a bit more" she stated humorously. "Maybe then you would recognize to whom this belongs." After teasing me for my lack of knowledge, she said "When you figure it out, come and find me here" then she confidently walked away.

"What's up with her?" Sunggyu asked as he approached.

"Beats me" I huffed. "Lets go!" I angrily said as I took off.

"Where are we going?" Sunggyu asked as he ran to catch up with me.

"The library" I replied. "There is something I need to look up and you're going to help me."