Life in the royal palace was busier than Hwang Eun-bi had imagined it to be.

A couple of months ago, the Selection of the Crown Princess had taken place, which comprised three rounds to screen through all twenty candidates that were specifically chosen by the King himself.

Eun-bi's sister, Yoo-jung, was one of the chosen candidates. Given her beauty, elegance, and intelligence, it would be strange if they didn't select her.

After her older sister left for the palace, Eun-bi became sad. As if fate was playing with her, she ended up crossing paths with a strange nobleman and his son, which she ended up accepting a bet with the former.

One day, a special decree arrived. To everyone's surprise, she was summoned to take part in the Selection as well. Her partaking would mean the current number of candidates was going to increase to twenty-one.

As reluctant as she was, she couldn't refuse a royal decree from the King himself and risk her family's lives.

Later on, Eun-bi would find out the reason she was summoned–it was all because of the absurd bet she had first made with the King, back when he fooled her with his disguise as a nobleman.

During the Selection, Eun-bi was determined to run rampant. Each time she attempted to commit something ridiculous to get herself eliminated from the Selection, she ended up receiving an ironic result–which was gaining the attention of the cold-hearted Crown Prince, Lee Yul.

But as time passed, she–unintentionally–climbed over his barriers and ended up discovering a different side of him, which made her fall for him. Her feelings eventually grew mutual between them, as evidenced by how Yul warmed up to her and avowed his love for her by announcing her as his chosen consort in front of everyone in court.

While the news of their marriage travelled across the nation, Eun-bi left home two months ago and moved into the Detached Palace, which was also known as an outer palace. This was the place where she would live temporarily and received daily lessons on the royal family's etiquette and virtues a Crown Princess should possess.

To prepare for the wedding ceremony, they set the Royal Wedding Directorate up to oversee and organise the palace for such a grand national event. Eun-bi had seen them running across the grounds, being hard at work with the construction works among other duties. Sometimes, she would feel extremely apologetic towards them for arranging her marriage, but when she remembered the hardships that she was experiencing as well, she felt less guilty.

By that, she meant how often she would listen to Senior Court Lady Yi reciting the classic texts, the court's seemingly endless rules, and the rites of the wedding ceremony repeatedly until they bored her to death. It went without saying that she would fall asleep during those lessons. Despite getting berated countless times, she still repeated the same mistake.

Even if they were about to confer the title of the Crown Princess on her soon, it would never cease her antics.

After all, Eun-bi was born to be a mischief-maker.

No one could ever change that part of her. Not even a scary-looking court lady or the King.

Today was just like any other busy day in the Detached Palace. Several complaints came from her, including moments of her dodging and escaping from her daily tasks.

Earlier this morning, Court Lady Kim had thrown several layers of clothes on her, which made up her bridal ceremonial attire. This wasn't the first time it had happened. On several occasions, the maids returned to take her measurements or adjustments, even taking notes to add more accessories and embroideries to the outfit.

Court Lady Kim was sweating profusely and nervously. "Stop fidgeting, Your Highness! I don't wish to hurt you with a needle!"

"But-but!" Eun-bi whined. "This is really heavy and hot! You're really expecting me to walk across the grounds on that day wearing this heavy dress? Why don't you just roll me across the floor until we reach the podium?"

"There is not much of a choice, Your Highness. This is your bridal attire. All princesses or queens in the past have gone through the same experience. It is very important that there are no mistakes–"

Eun-bi sighed and blocked out Court Lady Kim's voice, knowing that she must endure the entire tedious process just so she could wed to Yul.

"Alright, alright. Have it your way."

For the rest of the hour, she remained still and let the court ladies do their work.

Until she reached her limit.

After she changed out of her attire into something more comfortable, she dashed out of her quarters without no warning. Panicking shouts and footsteps came from behind her, but they weren't enough to stop her.

"Your Highness! Where are you going?! We're not done yet! You still need to practise walking!"

"What am I? A toddler?" she yelled back. "I would prefer running right now. And I'm done being obedient for the day!"

"But Your Highness–"

The voices faded as Eun-bi outran them all. She took several turns and streaked through the palace gates, startling all the guards with her speed. She ran into the inner palace walls until the familiar sight of Yul's living quarters appeared.

She almost ploughed through the gate, but her feet skidded to a stop to address the guards. "If anybody comes looking for me, tell them you didn't see me."

They chorused in response and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

Grinning, Eun-bi entered Yul's private library. She grabbed all the cushions she could find and nestled herself in a comfortable spot between two bookshelves. No one could see her from the door unless they walked into the far end of the room.

But then again, no one except her could enter the Crown Prince's residence without his permission.

Eun-bi lay on the floor, not caring if it might be dirty. Swinging her left leg over her right knee, she placed a cushion behind her head, closed her eyes, and grinned cheekily.

At long last, she was finally getting that nap she always wanted.

***

A warm, gentle sensation brushed the crown of her head, running fingers across her temple. Moving towards her left cheek and along her jawline. A familiar scent enveloped her, and her hands subconsciously reached out towards that person. To hold on to him.

Arousing from her sleep, she blinked up in surprise, squinting and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Her head was no longer resting on the cushion, but on somebody's lap instead. There was a midnight blue coat that covered her body.

"Your Highness?"

Yul cradled her cheek gently. "I apologise for waking you up," he said. "Are you very exhausted? What did they do to you?"

She stretched and yawned before a knowing smile stretched out across her face. "They tried to bury me in clothes earlier. And they were going to make me walk while balancing books on my head again, because I broke too many bowls the last time I did it."

She sounded the least apologetic, which only amused him.

"And I assume you ran away?" When she nodded, a faint smile graced his velvet lips. "Then this explains why the court ladies were surrounding this place earlier."

"Oh heavens! They've already found me? When?" She groaned out loud and buried her face in her hands. "But I've no intention of returning soon."

Knowing the court ladies, they wouldn't dare to step into the Crown Prince's private library, but this meant they would wait for her outside all day long.

"They are no longer outside. I've sent them away."

She lifted her head delightfully. "Really? That's a relief."

Yul's nod assured her. "We don't have to return to our quarters for the rest of the day," he proposed. "We can remain here. If we're studying, no one would dare to disrupt us."

Eun-bi was half elated and horrified at his suggestion. "We're...studying?"

"We are, but on another subject." He captured a loose lock of her hair that had escaped from her braid during her sleep. Running it between his fingers. "We can spend the time studying each other. Make up for lost time. I've not seen you for a long time."

A slow smile appeared on her face. "I like that idea." She grins. "When did you become this rebellious, Yul? You've always been a very proper and rigid man."

Amusement reflected in those glassy, obsidian eyes of his. A small smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Whose fault do you think that is?"

Laughing, she knew he was referring to her. "Then I suppose I would have to bear the consequence for that?"

"Definitely." She let him pull her up into a sitting position and towards him until she was almost sitting on his lap. "I've not seen you for a few days because of work," he breathed, but his voice was full of warm affection. "Let me take a good look at you now."

He had spoken the truth; they had not seen each other for a while, mainly because Yul was busy with the court affairs and going through reports whereas Eun-bi was undergoing preparations to be a part of the royal family. 

The time they shared right now was extremely precious. Their faces were mere inches away, her hands on his chest and his arms around her.

Eun-bi could feel a flame searing her cheeks under his heated gaze. Her heart thundered away nervously, knowing that she wanted him, but was too embarrassed to admit.

"Y-Yul?"

"Don't speak yet."

And then he leaned in to kiss her gently, earning a tiny gasp from her. It all started with a brush of his lips against hers, before he returned for more. When her lips parted in response, this gave him the opportunity to suck at her bottom lip. Gently, but demanding.

When he pulled back, she was breathless. And a little dizzy, but in a good way.

Oh heavens.

She was burning up. Like a moth that was attracted to a fire. But she didn't care.

Even if he reduced her to ashes, she wouldn't mind.

This story is available exclusively on Wattpad. If you're reading this story elsewhere, it has been stolen and you're at risk of a malware attack.

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A/N: What are your thoughts on this first chapter? I miss writing my babies soooooo freaking much! ❤️ A lot of love & support were given to Maybe It's You and way before the sequel started, and I truly appreciate it! Thank you!