POV: Hae Na Ri
The comments are full of love and respect. I find out more about him from the comments. People have mentioned the times Hajoon personally stepped in, humbly helped people, the laws about women and children's safety that he fought to implement in Korea, his stance on war and what not.
People adore him.
Of course, the ugly parts are rarely out in the open for everyone to see. Yet, I can't help but feel a little bad. He is definitely not a tyrant.
This reminds me of that article. I search it again but I can't find it or the site I read it on. I am about to search for something else when the sudden chatter around me distracts me. The boys and girls are turning to each other, "His Majesty is live!"
Everyone leaves whatever they are doing and focuses on the LCD high on the wall. It shows Ryu Hajoon in some sort of press conference. He is wearing a navy blue four piece with a golden tie pin and pocket chain. His hair are styled, a few carefully styled strands falling on his temple on one side and swiped back from the other.
He is the kind of man who would attract attention even in simple clothes.
It feels odd to see him on TV live like this when I have seen him closely outside it.
I see people taking off their headphones, leaving aside their games. Even the lady behind the counter comes out and stands closer to the LCD. It appears this is something important.
"After careful deliberation, we have decided to not provide military assistance to Karswell. If it were only about defense, we would have stepped in to help. However, Karswell has a history of harming civilians. We are not sending our precious soldiers to take the lives of other precious civilians in some other country," he says. His deep voice exudes power and allure.
He looks kind of…um cool.
Standing under flashes of camera, his self-assured posture and gaze, that sombre expression. He is a leader who cares about his people. Or at least that's what it looks like.
I feel something inside me–Something stone hard with bruises like marks–melting softly.
"Ya, I knew it. His Majesty doesn't like war," a boy beside me says to another boy in another row. They look like high school seniors. "My uncle is in the army. This means he doesn't have to go. My aunt would be so relieved."
"His Majesty is cool!" his friend responds.
The internet cafe lady goes back to her counter, murmuring on her way. "I am always worried for His Majesty. May he live long."
They call him His Majesty even when he isn't here?
I look back. Some other important looking people are on the TV now, but people aren't interested. Ryu Hajoon, his people love him, adore him. He seems like an excellent ruler. Not like the leaders in my world.
I just hope this picture is true. I desperately hope.
Even when I go back, knowing that someone like Ryu Hajoon exists in some other world would give me comfort.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
POV: Hae Na Ri
Back at the palace, Jenny and her two friends–whom I haven't named yet–are waiting for me on the ground floor. It's starting to get annoying the way they follow me like a shadow. I get in the elevator to the first floor and there they are, getting in.
I get out and Mrs. Kang is there. As someone who has lived alone for a long time, seeing so many people around all the time makes me uncomfortable.
"Did you have dinner outside?' Mrs. Kang asks, as if she would prefer it if I did.
"No, I didn't."
"I will set it up," she says. Her gaze drifts to someone behind me. She greets His Majesty politely.
I turn and follow the same gesture. He is dressed in that maroon night suit. His hair look damp, covering his forehead in untidy bangs. His dark eyes seem dull. He appears tired. I wonder how many duties a king has?
In the period dramas, they are either reading memorials, having court meetings or planning to kill someone.
"You are back," he says.
I was deliberately dawdling outside because I didn't want to be back in the gloomy weather of the palace with its robot-like maids and Mrs. Kang's grim face.
"Did you have dinner?" I ask him, just to make some conversation and not be awkward.
"I‐" He starts, then a shift happens in his expressions. "No, I didn't. Mrs. Kang set up dinner for me, too."
She looks up, surprised. "But Your Majesty, you have already had dinner. Didn't you retire to bed–"
"What are you saying? I didn't have dinner. Your memory is getting bad."
She scolds, some other meaning in her words I can't grasp. "It's past your bed time."
"Good thing I am not a child. In fact, you should retire to bed. The maids will take care of everything."
"But Your Majesty-"
"This is an order,"
Mrs. Kang presses her lips together. I don't understand why I receive glare from her. It's Hajoon's order, not mine. Besides, why is she treating him like a child?
Once everything is set on the dinner table, Hajoon dismisses all the maids. It's just him and I. Not even the guards or his secretary. For the first time since I came here, I have a meal in peace. No watchful eyes.
Except for his.
"I saw you on TV. You must have a long day today, Your Majesty," I remark. "You look tired."
"I did. What did you do today?"
I tell him about going to Park Miyoung's cafe, visiting the dance studio and a few other places. I tell him about the internet cafe too because Steven would do it anyway even if I try to hide it. Why look more suspicious than I already do?
"My mother was also a ballerina. Quite famous. You can find her award winning performances on MeTube."
"A queen and a ballerina? How did she manage that together?"
"She didn't. She had to quit after marrying my father. Then I was born and she got busier."
"Oh. I am not professional though. I just dance for fun," I say. "Though I might have to make it into a career if I stay stuck here."
"Why? You can do what you were doing in your… um world?"
"I can't," I tell him sadly. "I had a bachelors in organic chemistry and was selected as a trainee in a prestigious perfumery school." The stipend was generous enough to cover my rent and bills. "However, the chemicals and elements are named differently here. Some are the same, some different. I would have to study the properties of each chemical and element to determine what they were called in my world. Even then, the chemical differences might be far greater. It can lead to accidents and disasters."
He listens. There is a thoughtful, serious expression on his face. "That is a major problem. But it can be solved. Experts can be hired."
I stare at him. For the rich people, every problem can be solved with money. Exactly the thing I don't have in this world.
The same thing that confused me before, it's in front of my eyes again. He notices and gives me a questioning look. But there are times when acting smart can get you in trouble and acting dumb can save you a lot of it. There is something here, I can tell.
Until it starts to make sense, I better pretend to be dumb.