*Flashback*
"Queen mother, I can't keep my name and identity a secret forever as a public face." Here I'm sitting at the royal palace of Busan. I had been summoned by Grandma as soon as I reached here.
The problem here is, as a chairwoman, I can't keep myself a secret. But as a royal, it's against the rules to present myself as a public figure. I would need queen mothers allowance.
And here I'm sitting in front of a old beautiful women, who looks still quite strong. The head of our family - 'Queen Mother.'
"What's with the honorifics, all of a sudden, jasmine. Drop it." She's clearly trying to avoid the point. What a scene have I landed myself into...
"Nana, you know, that I can't keep myself hidden anymore. This is not working. Please, nana." If I bow to anyone in this world, it's my grandma. She brought us up alone and I love her a lot.
"Jasmine, you do know, that it will result in disclosing the identity of your other siblings. How will you explain it to your brother?" This is the problem. I called him, requesting him to the palace, but does he listen? No.
"She wouldn't need to explain it to her brother, queen mother." I turn around to see, my elder brother. Oh, dear.
"Brother, what a pleasant suprise. I thought, you were too busy to come to Busan." I cross my arms, stating I'm a bit angry. In clear sarcasm.
"Done with the drama, her highness." He ruffles my hair.
"It took me ages to get them perfect, oppa." I scowl at him.
"Are the brother-sister done with their meeting." Grandma chuckled.
"Greetings, Queen mother." Brother greeted.
"Sure. Now, You might not have problem, dear. You've not any participation in your royal life. It's your own choice, which I don't object to." Please don't bring that up. Please, don't.
"But as the only eldest after you, she is to be coronated in 6 months, and she needs to marry for that as well." The only thing I don't wanted to be brought up.
"Nana, how is this even linked to my current situation." I whine, hitting him on his arm as he snickers.
"Aren't you taken, yuna? That dorm guy from highschool?" He gave me a look and smiled meaningfully. He's trying to help me out. Thank you brother, this helped tremendously.
"Don't complain, Jasmine, it is linked to you. And since when are you dating? How come I don't know?" Jesus, What do I tell to her now? I glare at him, we could get caught.
I take a deep breath. I'm going in for a sin. "Nana, do you remember the boy, Ji-sun, from my high school hostel?" I don't have any hope about this one.
"Really well, honey." I'm sorry, for lying, grandma but I'm in a grave situation.
I pass a nervous look to brother. From where will I bring a husband now, cause Jisun is a impossible one.
"He is the one." I smiled at her, stomping on brother's foot.
"He's a good kid. He's quite a organised one. It is a great thing, you two are together. It's perfect." She didn't question.
"Really, nana..." I tried to look excited. Oh, what a tragedy, I haven't behaved normal with him since ages, even though our group keeps meeting. But, I'm off the hook for sometime here.
But I still have a problem... The appearance.
"Nana, the public appearance at the award ceremony..." Hopefully, she would agree.
"I think, it's okay... On a condition..." Grandma's obsession with making me die with her conditions. I launched the company on a condition as well, the condition to take be crowned in place of oppa, He didn't really want to be in the royals.
He remained a prince on Grandma's insistence as he's a elder but the crown entitled to 'Park Yuna'- A name I never wanted to have, never liked. No one has ever seen the Crown Princess, a plus point. So, I changed my name to 'Kim ginni'.
"You're going to get married before July. The coronation is in August, Jasmine." Safe to say, my heart sunk. Ji-sun and I, don't even have a proper conversation after a fight we had some time ago.
Shouldn't be my concern till the ceremony, I still have 4 months for the coronation.
A good breath, atleast it'll bring me a great company debut. "As your command, Queen mother..." I smile.
"Great. Then, are you two staying here then, dear..." Grandma asks. "Yes, nana. The award ceremony is a week far, I'll stay."
"Oppa, What do you think..." He's quite busy. Thanks to our father, well...
"I will. But for only today, the company is quite a tension, right now." I nod. Even though I never had public interaction, I'm well aware of the pressure as a Chairperson. The paparazzi must be a headache too.
*Flashback ends*
———
Panic sets on Hae-ri and Zhî's face. Patience dear...
"I, Kim ginni, am the 'crown princess' of 'Busan royal family' and the daughter of Mr. Park Hye-sung and her majesty, Maya francis." I could imagine chaos unraveling, but a journalist interepted the almost undone chaos, with a tension.
"Miss Kim, Why wasn't it brought up before that you never attended a public event." Are you that dumb!? That's ridiculous.
"I suppose, it is clear that a royal isn't allowed to publicly disclose themselves. The royals aren't a joke after all! And for why now? The approval is obvious enough." This is thrilling of a conference, I'm enjoying it profusely. Thanks to brother.
I glance at Hae-ri, her face has 'How the actual heck!?' look on. Oh dear, I'm biting back a laugh, I'll explain but let me finish here first. "Next question."
"Why did you not address Mr. Park as His Highness, then? And then do you have any shares in Kim Hierarchy?" Is it really a great deal!? Me, not addressing him.
"Mr. Park, the Chairperson of Kim Conglomerate, left the royal life, after bethrothed to Maya francis, Her Majesty. He started the company as a small biotech branch. I've parts of the share. Any other questions?" Now, please ask anything but him.
"Why is Mrs. Maya francis, being addressed then?" A tinge of annoyance surged in me, it's insulting royals to not address them, and here this journalist does that without hesitation.
"I'm glad, you didn't ask that question to the Royal Queen mother itself? I'd say, not addressing, Her Majesty, is a insult, it has consequences." I warn him, calm alarm in my tone.
I might not like the royal grandness but I don't go around fucking it. He regrets his words. Great, he should.
"As for the question, Mr. Park left the royal life, not 'Her Majesty'. No more questions will be attended fot today, thank you to the media for the participation." I'm done with the drama. It is just infuriating.
I bow and leave for the lift chamber to my office. A debut to the world of sharks. It's a great pleasure.
I set out of the lift. The fourth floor is for my office and the secretary department. I see Hae-ri seated on the couch infront of my desk. She clearly needs explanation.
"I would want some peace at first dear." I smile convincingly. I'm in no mood to answer any more questions.
"Your highness, I just need answers." She bore into my eyes. I'm getting irritated, do that honor thing and I won't answer a single one.
"Let me have a coffee atleast, for heaven's sake." I answer in frustration. This is not good, I'm irritated by just a conference. I ring the bell on my table and zhi came in.
"Zhi, please bring me coffee and a cold water bottle." I ask her politely.
After the coffee arrives, I take in the aroma for a few seconds and then sip on it. What a relief. I haven't got a single wink of sleep since a few days.
My heads like a god damn bomb, pulsating to burst out any minute.
"May I have the honour of knowing the reason of suprise now?" Hae-ri asks.
I sigh and nod. Grilling time.