Rawon and Jin were in the backseat, heading to the palace. Jin pressed a button to pull down the divider. Once it was in place, he turned to Rawon. "I hope you have read the contract thoroughly. It clearly mentions that you are not to be seen with any other lover of yours."

"Lover?" Rawon raised her eyebrow. She smiled to herself. "You shouldn't get caught with Semi. I can stay low."

"You are not supposed to meet anyone else."

"I don't take orders, Crown Prince."

"In the palace, you will."

Rawon chuckled. "Let's see. I have the guts to defy orders, Crown Prince. I am not a coward like you. That's what acts as the biggest differentiator between us."

Jin's face was flushed red. "Just because..." he gulped. "Just because I allowed you lay your lips on mine."

"It was all for show. No feelings involved." Rawon dismissed his argument.

Jin gawked at the declaration. No feelings involved? This woman had kissed him for all cameras to see and she felt nothing about it? Jin had not heard a more preposterous claim. How could she not catch feelings for him? If he would have kissed anyone else, the woman would have surrendered herself to him. And here was someone who was mocking his position, his authority, and all that he had done for the nation. "I'd rather not speak to you."

"I'd be grateful. Only if you said you wouldn't marry me either."

"That isn't happening." Jin sighed. "We have walked too far on this path to go back now."

Rawon turned to look out of the window. She had planned an escape in six months and without thinking or fighting back, she had signed a one-year contract. She had nothing to lose even if she didn't sign. She could have avoided it. She complied without a thought. But then, Hocheol was with her when she went through the terms, and he would have stopped her if he smelled something fishy. The terms were okay too- they would act as the perfect couple in public, but sleep separately, never engage in physical relations, and try staying out of each others' matters as much as possible. The most important condition was that for the duration of their marriage-- one year-- they could not see anyone else romantically. A scandal was the last thing they wanted to their names. Their separation could not emerge from infidelity.

Rawon's phone buzzed. Hocheol. Jin peeked in to see the caller's name and needless to say, was tired of the same name popping up everywhere. Rawon answered. As she heard what Hocheol had to say, her expression turned pale. Her face was all seriousness, and her body, stiffening and shaking due to anger.

"I am coming to the station. I can't sit back and watch this happen." Rawon said into the phone after a long silence from her side. Her voice was brimming with authority. Unflinching. Unyielding. She listened for some more time.  "I get it. Let me check things at my end."

Rawon ended the call and glared at Jin with the fiercest eyes she could make. Her jaw had hardened to an extent that it had scared Jin. He hated admitting it to himself, but could do nothing but gulp and pray to be let away, in all desperation.

They reached the palace in a while, and the car came to a halt in front of the reception area- the one where Rawon had attempted to sabotage but failed miserably. She was not to be deterred this time though.

She stepped out of the car and stormed into the room, flinging the doors on the way. Jin scurried behind her. He came to a halt behind Rawon, who was breathing heavily in anger.

Joon, who usually kept himself away from family matters, left his ottoman next to the window and headed in Rawon's direction, placing himself conveniently between two parties- his parents, and Rawon and Jin. His position enabled him to remain out of the main discussion, but close enough to know the matter at hand.

"What gives you the right to transfer detective Baek Yulhee?" Rawon hissed, her jaw hard.

The King stared at her agape for a while before letting out a small chuckle. "What gives me the right? Crown Princess, I don't demand rights, I bestow them. I am above the law."

"There's nothing to be proud about it, Your Highness. Your actions merely prove your fear." Rawon said.

"Crown Princess," the Queen, Hwang Kyungae, interrupted, "You have much to learn in terms of etiquette. This is not the way to speak to your future father-in-law who is also the King of this country."

"Your Highness, I am being driven to the point of being crude here. I need to know the reason she was transferred." She looked at the King.

"She had the audacity to interrupt the King during his speech." Lee Seok looked away nonchalantly.

Rawon was baffled by his indifference towards people. His sheer apathy made him appear vindictive, which he was. "Are you going to silence everyone who dares speak up?"

"The King is the father of this nation. He is to be respected." Kyungae intervened, seeing Rawon getting riled up.

Rawon sighed in disbelief. Placing her hands on her hips, she paced around angrily, not moving beyond four steps in any direction. She could feel her body burning with all eyes piercing her existence. She finally stopped. "I am calling off this engagement. I am going to announce it. I don't care what happens. I cannot deal with people who just think about themselves." Rawon turned to leave but Jin grabbed her wrist. He shook his head.

"You are the one thinking about yourself." Lee Seok said. "You don't care how the people see our family. Or how the world sees our country's monarchy. You are putting everyone's reputation at stake."

Rawon looked at Jin. "A royal family that cares about itself over its people, and a royal family that just wants to show itself being progressive while being filled with indifferent people is no good. I can't associate myself with a family like this. I can't become one of you. I broke free from the pride and vanity that royals and nobles carry. I won't return to it, even by force."

Jin's expression hardened. Rawon freed her hand and walked out. Jin looked at his family, all waiting for his next move.

"Catch her and send her to her quarters. Use force if necessary." Jin yelled.

Standing at the door, Doksoo sighed. He was not allowed to make his own decisions. He reluctantly complied.

***

Locked in her room, and all lights switched off, Rawon sat in a corner and pulled her knees to her chest. She rested her head on her knees, trying to hold back her tears. As she was stepping out, she had heard Jin order the guards to grab her and even use force if necessary. She couldn't believe that she was about to marry a man who was fine with someone using force on his fiance. Jin was worse than she had thought of him. There was no hope. She had entered an endless hole- the more she tried escaping, the deeper she went, and the darker it became, making it difficult for her to emerge out. There was no light anywhere, just a pitch blackness.

She heard the lock being opened. Light flushed inside, but was blocked by a figure. It was Joon, standing uneasily.

"May I?" he asked.

Rawon stood up and observed Joon. The brothers looked so similar even as fraternal twins and yet, were so different. She nodded.

Joon took a step and shut the door behind him. He switched on the lights and headed towards the windows to open them. Soft sunlight filtered through the window, making Rawon feel warm. "You should have a seat." Joon suggested.

Rawon sat on the sofa. Joon took the chair opposite her. Unlike others, he sat in the most humble pose with his hands on his knees.

"Before I forget." Joon said, drawing out Rawon's confiscated mobile phone from his pocket. He slid it towards Rawon. "It's yours."

Rawon took her phone and nodded. "Thanks."

They sat in silence for a while. Joon glanced around the room, unsure of what to say, or how to console her. He decided on apologizing. "I'm sorry for whatever happened back there." he said.

"I had no idea that the Crown Prince could be so cruel." Rawon said.

"Were you hurt?" Joon asked, concern apparent on his face.

"Fortunately no." Rawon fidgeted with her fingers before raising her head and staring into Joon's eyes. "You coming here isn't a part of their larger plan, right, Grand Prince?"

"Even if nobody does, I will remain by your side. I know how it feels to be an outsider in your own house. I know what must have caused you to leave your family and lead a life on your own terms." Joon smiles sadly. "I want to do it too. It's just that I lack courage."

"Admitting what you truly wish for is also a matter of courage." Rawon smiled. "If I am not intruding, may I ask a question?"

Joon estimated what it could be. "Go ahead."

"Why do you wear sunglasses all the time?" Rawon meekly inquired. "If you do not want to tell me, it is fine."

Joon chuckled. He took of his glasses. "This is the reason."

The sight in front of Rawon was something she had never imagined. His eyes were of different colours. It was a beautiful sight to behold. One eye was a shade of hazel and the other, a mix of green and brown. She got up and leaned towards Joon, staring into his eyes.

Joon was amazed by the expression on Rawon's face. She wasn't scared or disgusted like others. She was in amazement, and he could see curiosity dripping out of her eyes and actions.

"These are the prettiest eyes I have ever seen." Rawon said, still observing them.

Joon felt Rawon's breath on his face. "You are the first one to say this."

Rawon realized she was too close to Joon. She straightened and sat back. "I'm sorry. I was so speelbound. But what do you mean by I am the first one to tell you this?"

"I have always been told I was imperfect."

"You are not imperfect. You are unique. Amazing."

Joon stood up. "I should leave. No point in being caught here. Take care."

Rawon stood up too. "Thank you for coming here. It was comforting."

Joon smirked. "We are a team after all." He winked and left.

***

Eavesdropping while standing next to the window, Jin balled his fists.