The place Yul brought her turned out to be a closed store. The lights were out and there was no one in there except them and their guards. An assortment of merchandise, such as potteries, hairpins, and paintings, was placed neatly on each row of shelves. This place looked newly constructed, with no speck of dirt and mould lurking in the corners or worn out furniture.

A sudden thought sprang to Eun-bi's mind. "Oh! Are we investigating a corrupted officer?" She rubbed her hands together eagerly and pulled up her sleeves. "This is exciting! I can't wait to kick a villain's buttocks!"

She tapped the closest guard on the shoulder and gestured towards his sword hanging by his side. "Lend me your weapon and stay back! Do not steal my moment of fame."

He appeared confused until an amused Yul interrupted her by threading his fingers through hers. "No one's getting killed today," he assured her. "This isn't a business trip."

"Oh," she said, not hiding her disappointment. "Then why are we here?"

"This way." Yul pulled her along with him until they reached the back of the store where light was slipping through the gap of curtains that were a riot of russet and yellow colours. "There are people who are waiting to meet you."

"Who?"

Eun-bi glanced at Yul's expression as he parted the curtains for her to reveal a small, neat office. Just the way he almost smiled gave her a hint of what was lurking inside.

Her anticipation soared immensely. Was this the place where she thought she was? "It can't be—"

When they stepped into the room, polite bows greeted them. Yoo-jung's bright, beaming smile came towards Eun-bi, and a tight embrace attacked her.

"Eun-bi! I miss you!"

"My dearest sister? And Hyun-jun?" Eun-bi's eyes ran over Yoo-jung's shoulder and across the familiar faces before settling on the delicious spread of dinner on the banquet table they had already prepared. "And food?!"

Hyun-jun, who used to be one of Yul's guards, had already resigned from his position in the palace. He was now recreating his new life in the capital and fulfilling a dream of his—to be a business owner.

He laughed at her drooling expression. "I wasn't certain what dishes Your Highnesses would love to eat, so I have gotten our cooks to prepare more than necessary. Your sister assured us you aren't fussy and would eat everything."

"And she's not wrong!" Eun-bi exclaimed happily. "I'm famished from walking all day!"

It felt ages ago since she last saw them—her favourite group of people—even though they dropped by the outer palace for occasional visits. She missed conversing with them on any subject as long as they wouldn't dive into the history of Joseon or etiquettes of a woman.

"Congratulations, Hyun-jun! You're finally a business owner!"

She hadn't seen him look as proud as this moment before. "The shop is opening the day after tomorrow," he smiled, "and I would like to fulfil our promise."

"To be your first customer? Gladly!" she chirped. "I can't believe you remembered what I said."

"And miss the opportunity of getting on the future Crown Princess's good side? I would be a fool to do that."

Eun-bi chuckled at his statement. "That's my friend."

As Yoo-jung guided them to the table, she suddenly realised that someone was missing in this gathering. "Where's Jung-ho?"

Jung-ho was best friends with Yul. He was also Hyun-jun's older brother and Yoo-jung's love interest.

"He's out surveying because he wanted to check the security of this place," Yoo-jung explained. "But he should be back soon to join us for dinner."

"I see. But..." Eun-bi raised her eyebrows at a familiar person, who stood at the back of the group almost inconspicuously. "Why are you here, Lady Jin-hee?"

Jin-hee was a candidate for the Selection of the Crown Princess and they both hated each other from the very beginning. However, after experiencing troubling events together, they eventually established a good friendship.

In a nonchalant and urbane manner, the girl straightened herself and flipped her braid over her shoulder. "It's not what you think it looks like. I'm simply helping a friend in return for him saving me the last time," she explained coolly. "My appearance carries no other reason than this—would you stop wiggling your eyebrows at me like that, Your Highness?!"

Eun-bi grinned knowingly. "Friends? Is that what you both are now?" Her eyes flickered between a confused Hyun-jun and an embarrassed Jin-hee. "Or...am I wrong to say that?"

Fortunately for them, her sister intervened. "Stop teasing them," she scolded lightly. "Let's eat. The food is getting cold."

Yul, who was observing their interactions quietly, steered Eun-bi to their seats. At the same time, Jung-ho returned from his surveillance and sat beside his prince, quietly exchanging quick words.

He acknowledged Eun-bi with a nod of his head. "Your Highness. How were your lessons? I could hear Senior Court Lady Yi screaming at you the other day."

The memory flashed through her mind. Remembering how she had run away from lessons the other day, the scary older woman ambushed her just seconds before she could climb on top of a wall.

Eun-bi pulled a face. "Dreadful. How could she talk for hours and not lose her voice?"

Growing amused, Jung-ho sipped some tea. "That is why some ministers are afraid of her. No one has a sharper tongue than she does."

Yoo-jung joined in the conversation as well. She took her place next to Eun-bi, wearing a broad smile. "Your Highness," she addressed Yul politely. "Did my little sister cause a lot of trouble?"

He shook his head. "Not 'troubles'," he corrected her. "Rather, the palace has never been this lively before her."

Yoo-jung looked pleased with his choice of words. "You're pampering her too much, Your Highness."

"Is it...that obvious?"

His confession caught her off guard. She gave him a long, disbelieving stare before throwing her head back and bursting into loud laughter. The scene only made them smile, especially Jung-ho as he sidled up to her to hold her while she clutched at her sides in between giggles.

Unfazed, Yul was running a thumb over Eun-bi knuckles repeatedly—something which he did lately and subconsciously at that. It expressed his endearment towards her. He didn't shy away from holding her hands in public, or perhaps, was he hoping to warn other men from coming close to her?

Whichever it was, his affection didn't go unnoticed by others.

Hyun-jun was staring blankly at them, particularly at their intertwined hands. A crestfallen look crossed his features, and she couldn't help but feel apologetic towards him.

Even after a few months had passed, did he still hold those feelings for her?

"Hyun-jun," Eun-bi exclaimed, trying to divert his attention elsewhere. "Here's a toast to you! Congratulations on the shop's grand opening!"

Regaining his smile, they clinked their tiny cups together. As she consumed the food and wine, Yul coaxed her.

"Drink slowly."

"Don't you worry." She winked. "I only get drunk after the tenth cup."

"Are you certain about that?"

"Of course!"

As Eun-bi answered, she felt eyes on her again. She didn't miss the falter in Hyun-jun's expression as he watched them interact, which he quickly masked away by pouring himself another cup of wine. Fortunately, Jin-hee took the chance to make a suggestion.

"How about a game of Yut Nori after dinner? I brought the game set today."

"Yes, please!" Eun-bi shouted excitedly, pumping her fists into the air. She could never miss out on having fun. "Yul, do you know how to play?"

His eyes softened at her excitement. "I can learn."

Yut Nori was a popular game that was often played during group gatherings. Using a rectangular stitched cloth, four straight courses and two diagonal lanes covered the board. There were twenty-nine stations in total and Yut-sticks were used instead of dice to determine the number of times a team could advance. Whichever team that finished the course and reached home first would win the game.

Naturally, the teams split into pairs. As much as Eun-bi hated losing at games, becoming the winner was not her prime concern tonight. With their bellies full and Yul's natural talent at learning the games fast, laughter was plentiful in the room.

And that, itself, was enough for her.

Oh, how she wished that this night would never end.

A/N: Name some historical Asian dramas that you've enjoyed watching! 🎎 I would love to check them out!