Sungyeol POV

I followed the girl as she walked around the gardens until she finally stopped at the pond. She sat down on the grass and sighed. "I wonder when this will all end."

After watching her gaze out over the pond for a while, I slowly crept up beside her and asked "Would you mind if I joined you?"

Shocked by my sudden presence, she quickly stood up and bowed. "Forgive me, I didn't notice that you were there!" she nervously replied.

I couldn't help but smile because I found her reaction cute. "You still haven't answered my question. Can I join you?"

"Of course!" she nervously shouted.

I chuckled a little as I took a seat on the grass. She waited a few seconds before sitting down as well. "What is your name?"

"Ji...yeon. Kim Jiyeon" she shyly replied.

"I take it you already know who I am?"

"Yes, Jeoha."

"Did the Queen summon you to the palace for the selection?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

She nodded solemnly "Yes."

"You don't seem too happy about it" I commented.

She perked up and nervously stuttered "No... I am... it's just..."

"They already have someone in mind and this is just a formality, right?"

She nodded once more "Yes."

As I looked at her, I couldn't help but remember how I met Daeun at this same spot and smiled. "Do you want to marry me?"

She looked back at me shocked "Jeoha!"

"Is that a no?" I teased.

"No!" she screamed, but quickly regained her composure. "I'd be happy to marry you, but..."

"But?"

"You already have someone you want to marry."

How did she know that? "How..."

"Forgive me Jeoha, but I was invited to the palace a few days ago as part of the selection process. I happened to see you jump into the pond to save a girl and I overheard you ask her to marry you."

Jiyeon POV

I couldn't tell him that I also saw the Queen and Myeongeun push the girl back into the pond after he left.

"Ohh" he smiled. "You're right. I do want to marry Daeun, but I haven't been able to find her since then. It's like she just disappeared into thin air."

"I see" I said as I hung my head.

"If you don't mind me being honest..." I raised my head at his words. "The truth is, I really don't want to get married at all."

"What?"

"I don't think I'm ready to be married yet. I still have so much I need to learn. To add having to take care of a wife..."

"I understand" I smiled. "You're afraid that you might neglect her and make her sad."

"Yes" he smiled and we both giggled. "I really don't want to get married, but if I have to, I want to be able to choose the girl myself. I don't want my mother dictating who my wife will be."

"I see" I nodded. So I guess any girl will do.

"I wanted to marry Daeun, but I think she got scared and ran off" he sighed. "You remind me of her."

I perked up "I do?"

"Yeah. You have a very pretty smile."

I couldn't help but blush.

"I really want a wife with a pretty smile. Because her smile will make me happy whenever I feel down and stressed out."

"If you think I'm suitable enough....." he looked at me expectantly "I'd be happy to be your wife" I blushed.

Suddenly he pulled me closer to him and hugged me "Thank you! I promise I'll do my best to make you happy!" After hugging me for a bit, he stood up and grabbed my hand. "Come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"We have to hurry or my mother will get her way."

I quickly stood up and he dragged me as we ran as fast as we could. When he finally stopped, we were in front of the King's chambers.

"Jeoha...." I gasped as I tried to catch my breath.

"Don't worry" he smiled at me. "My father isn't scary. He is going to love you."

Sungyeol POV

"Jeoha" Minseok, my father's Eunuch, greeted me.

"I'd like to see my father" I smiled at him.

"Jeonha" Minseok called out. "Jeoha is here to see you."

"Let him in" my father called out.

Minseok bowed as he escorted us inside.

"Hello Father" I bowed as I addressed him and Jiyeon did the same.

"Who is this young lady?" my father asked me

"My name is Kim Jiyeon, Jeonha" she replied trying to hide her nervousness.

"Ahh, you're minister Kim's daughter" my father smiled. "I heard that you were one of the chosen girls for the selection."

"Yes, Jeonha" she bowed.

"Father" I spoke up. "I want to marry Jiyeon."

My father looked at me shocked. "Are you sure that she is the one you want to marry?"

"Yes Father" I looked back at him with a serious gaze.

"I see" he said as he put down his brush. Then he stood up and approached us. "You realize that there will be much opposition to this?"

"Yes Father" I said firmly.

"And you still want her for your wife?"

"Yes Father."

"And what about you?" he turned to Jiyeon.

"Huh?" she was shocked that he addressed her.

"How do you feel about all this?"

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly in order to calm herself before answering. "My opinion doesn't matter" she stated honestly. "However..." she continued "because he has asked me to marry him" she looked at me "and given me a choice..." she smiled "I would very much like to be his wife."

My heart started to pound looking at her smiling face.

"I see" my father smiled. "Well, I had better write the decree quickly so that your marriage can take place soon." He returned to his desk and called out "Minseok!"

Minseok quickly came inside and bowed "Yes Jeonha."

"Summon the Royal Secretariat!"

"Yes Jeonha" Minseok replied and quickly rushed off to fetch the Royal Secretariat.

When Minseok returned with the Secretariat, the King smiled and said "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"It is my duty and honor to serve you Jeonha" The Secretariat replied with a bow. "How may I be of assistance to you?"

"I'd like to make a decree stating that Kim Jiyeon is to be wed to my son Sungyeol."

"Jeonha" the Secretariat nervously began to reply "It has always been the duty and responsibility of the Inner Court to choose a Crown Princess."

"I know" the King smiled "However, this young lady has performed a meritorious deed that requires an award and, after much deliberation on what would be suitable, I have decided to bestow her marriage to my son Sungyeol. As she is already one of the three young ladies who have advanced to the final stage of the selection process, there should be no problem with this."

"I understand Jeonha" the Secretariat bowed. "I will write up the decree immediately."

"Good" the King smiled. "I'd like to announce this as soon as possible."

"Understood" the Secretariat bowed once more and then took off to complete his task.