Daeun POV

It came unexpectedly that my father would pass away so soon after visiting the temple. Apparently he had been sick for quite some time, but never said anything. The King even came to his funeral and offered to let me live in the palace.

"I'm sorry Jeonha, but I'd feel more comfortable staying where I am now."

"Are you sure?" he looked at me sadly. "Your father had asked that I take care of you if something happened to him."

"I really do appreciate the thought, but I'll be fine."

"Very well, but you must promise to tell me if you need anything."

"I will, Jeonha" I smiled and bowed.

It really is hard to believe that all happened eleven years ago. Now here I am again at the palace looking at the pond where I met Sungyeol. Honestly, I wouldn't even come to the palace if it weren't for him.

It may have been eleven years since that incident, but the King insisted that I come to the palace annually for a visit. Then about five years ago, they decided to 'play palace'. They would invite all the nobles to the palace for a week, then they would assign everyone a role and they would have to act that role during their stay.

Ever since this all started, the role I drew from the lots was the last one I'd ever want to portray. Because of that, I would always say that I pulled a palace maid lot, but this year I couldn't avoid fate. The King had decided to draw the lots for everyone.

Hoya POV

Well this is unexpected. "Daeun will play the role of Crown Princess."

"Jeonha!" one of the young noble ladies called out to me. "You should not be so biased as to give her such a role."

I recognized the young lady as the one my son has affections for. "I believe your name is Jiae" I smiled at the young lady.

"Yes, Jeonha" she bowed politely. I can see why my son and wife are taken with her. She will make the perfect wife for Sungjong.

"I did not give her this role. It was drawn by chance."

"Forgive me if I may be rude" Jiae cautiously spoke "but everyone is well aware that you favor Daeun. Perhaps it would be best to allow someone else to draw her role."

I have to admit the young lady had a valid point. It is true I dote on Daeun, but that is only because she is my best friend's daughter. I have given up on having her as my daughter in law because of my promise to her father. I took a deep breath before asking her "Would you care to draw the lot for her then?"

"It is not my place to draw a lot for her. I was just merely stating that it should be done in an unbiased fashion."

"Why don't we have my maid Yein draw the lot for the young lady?" my wife Soojeong suggested.

"That sounds like an excellent idea, my dear."

I folded the piece of paper back up and placed back in the box. Woohyun made sure to mix up the box, so that they could not complain that I just put it back on top of the pile. Yein came forward and placed her hand in the box. Then she mixed the papers around just to be extra sure that they were properly mixed. Finally she retrieved a slip of paper from the box and handed it to me.

I looked at Jiae before announcing the result and asked "Do you find this drawing to be fair and not biased?"

"Yes, Jeonha" Jiae bowed.

"Very well." I slowly opened the paper and could not help but let out a little chuckle. "Daeun!"

"Yes, Jeonha!" she straightened her back and looked up at me nervously.

"You shall be........" Tension filled the air as they all awaited my announcement. "The Crown Princess."

Murmurs quickly began to fill the room. "You're kidding me!" "How is that possible?" "Could he have pulled some kind of trick?"

I handed the paper to Daeun and then proceeded to draw lots for the rest of the young nobles.

Daeun POV

When Jiae complained, I thought I might get a reprieve. Perhaps I may actually get a different role this year. However, my prayers were still unanswered when he said I would be the Crown Princess again.

Why does this always happen?

I took the paper from the King and then took my place among the other nobles. I can't believe this is happening! Why do I always get this role?

Once all the lots were drawn, the King addressed us once more. "I look forward to seeing you all portray your roles to the best of your ability. That being said, I wish you all the best of luck and I will see you at the banquet at the end of the week." Once his speech was over, he and the Queen left the courtyard.

"This makes no sense!" Jiae complained. "You shouldn't have gotten that role!"

"If you want it so bad, then just take it!" I held the paper out to her.

"I'm afraid you can not do that young ladies" the King's servant Woohyun stated. "The King has personally drawn your roles this year and he expects you all to play your roles well."

Jiae huffed as she walked toward the maid who was assigned to her.

I turned towards the maid who was assigned to me and saw how nervous she was. I could tell she was new to the palace, but I guess she has already heard of the rumors surrounding the Crown Princess's chambers.

I smiled at the young maid and said "Shall we go?"

The maid shook nervously and stuttered "O....kay."

I tried to set her mind at ease "What is your name?"

"Jisoo" she replied shyly. "Seo Jisoo."

"That is a very lovely name" I smiled reassuringly. "My name is Jang Daeun. I'm glad to meet you."

We walked towards the Crown Princess's chambers, but once we arrived Jisoo became extremely nervous.

"Do we really have to go in?" the young girl asked. "Can't we just ask them to let us use a different room?"

"Is it really that scary?"

"Yes!" Jisoo nodded. "I've heard all of the stories about how it is haunted. The ghost doesn't even like it when someone goes inside. I've even heard that she makes people sick if they stay inside for too long."

"I see" I couldn't help but sigh. "If you are too afraid to enter these chambers, then I will ask the head maid to assign you elsewhere."

"What?" she screamed. "Why would you do that?"

"These are the chambers assigned to the Crown Princess. As the one portraying that role, I must use these chambers. If you are too afraid to enter, then the only other option would be to assign you elsewhere during the event."

"Fine!" she screamed as she stormed off. "I never wanted to be assigned to some spoiled little noble lady in the first place! I hope the ghost puts you in your place!"