첫 번째 왕관 (1)
SHINY BLACK CARS WERE PAVING THE WIDE ROAD of Seoul. Everyone—reporters and civilians—were anticipating for the arrival of this very important person. After a minute or two, the cars stopped in front of the South Korea's Blue House. High-ranking sergeants, lieutenants and commanders came out from their cars and observing everyone around the parameter, keeping everything safe for the man inside the limousine.
"We're here today to witness the arrival of our state's president from London," one of the reporters smiling brightly at the camera.
"Excuse me, excuse me!" one of the journalists awaiting for the president, Kim Jae Kyung tried her best to shove herself in front for a better view and to make sure she can interview the president. "Hey, Min Ho move faster! Take a picture!"
"Okay, okay!" his buddy photojournalist, Jang Min Ho was also behind her, making sure he can't miss any pictures of the president.
As soon as Jae Kyung finally got her spot in front, she smiled widely when she spotted the president walking while waving to everyone around him. When he passed on them, she desperately outstretched her hand that is currently holding a recorder. "Mr. President, is it true that the Crown Prince of South Korea will come to our country?"
The president smiled at her. "Yes. That's the reason why I went to London to visit His Highness. It is a great honor for me to meet him. I wasn't expecting that he'll come home by next week but I admit that I'm happy about it. I'm sure, the whole South Korea is anticipating for his arrival."
Jae Kyung couldn't help but grin because the president took her question before going inside the Blue House.
"I got the picture. It's an achievement for a three-year old in service as a journalist like you, Jae Kyung-ssi."
The former grinned at her companion.
"Congratulations, Ms. Kim. You got your article in the front page of the newspaper," their editor in-chief for their newspaper, The Seoul Times smiled at her as she showed the newspaper to her.
Jae Kyung smiled at the former as she bowed her head. "Thank you so much for the trust you gave to me on this, Mrs. Jung."
Mrs. Jung nodded. "Since this is a job well done, I think you can do your best on your next cover project."
Her mouth ajar. She didn't expect that the former will give her another story to cover. "Oh, oh yes Mrs. Jung! I'll do my very best to make that project successful!"
"Good. This is a very big break for our newspaper if you'll accomplish this. I trust you on this, Miss Kim," the editor said.
"I'll try my very best to accomplish it, Mrs. Jung," she beamed. "By the way, what project is this?"
The editor looked at her again and smile as she gave her two special entry ID. "Bring your partner with you. You're going to interview His Highness, Crown Prince Yi Eul."
Jae Kyung arrived with Min Ho in one of South Korea's largest palaces, the Gyeokbokgung Palace. She's wearing an Army Green Embroidered Pocket Longsleeve, black jeans and New Balance white shoes. She felt the nervousness and excitement combined sipping in her system as she kept on fiddling on her special ID for the event of South Korea's history. She could see luxurious and shiny cars entering Gyeokbokgung Palace's grounds.
"Wow," Min Ho muttered as he kept on taking pictures on the people coming in the palace. "There's so many very important people here. Oh look, Princess Michiko and Prince Akihiko of Japan and Prince Davin and Princess Baifern of Thailand! And also the Prime Ministers and Presidents from the other countries across Asia."
"Whoa, you know them that much, huh?" she asked as she fished out her voice recorder.
"Not really. I just read some of their articles in the internet," Min Ho shrugged. "Oh, the Prime Minister is coming towards us. Interview him."
"Okay, okay," Jae Kyung was about to outstretch her voice recorder to the Prime Minister but all of the people's attention are now in the double doors.
"His Highness, Prince Yi Eul is here," one of the staff announced.
Jae Kyung was stunned when she saw the Crown Prince's face, wearing the elegant and expensive Imperial traditional garment of the Crown Prince. She couldn't help but stare in awe at the Crown Prince's face. Even though the Prince is not smiling, she can't deny that this man is handsome as hell.
She was really expecting that the Crown Prince is an old hag but she was indeed surprise that His Highness is just about her age.
How could someone be so handsome?
Suddenly, all of the reporters behind them were now pushing them to replace them on their spot which is the front row. She almost fell on where she's standing when she got pushed behind.
"Move!"
"Set aside!"
"Move to the side, fella!"
"Seja-jeonha, how are you?" one of the high-ranking officials asked.
She glimpsed at the very important guy in front of them while she kept on struggling from where she's standing.
The Crown Prince smirked as he slightly caress his chin. "Still perfect than the fellas around me."
That made the other girl reporters and guests giggle.
He sounded so narcissistic few seconds ago. She thought.
Jae Kyung gasped when she felt another push to make her move backwards. She gritted her teeth. This is her chance and big break to interview the Crown Prince and she will never let these competitors of her ruin it.
With all her might and persistence, she shove herself in front along with Min Ho which she successfully did, timing that the Crown Prince passed by.
"Min Ho, picture!" she said abruptly as she outstretch her hand to the Crown Prince who's now looking at her blankly.
She gulped because of the Crown Prince intimidating aura that almost made her legs wobble but she set it aside, wanting to accomplish her agenda. "S-Seja-jeonha, how are you feeling that you finally came back here in Korea after years?" (*means: His Royal Highness)
The Crown Prince stared at her coldly as he smirked. "Nothing special, just like talking to a petty journalist like you who has nothing to do in life but invading someone's privacy."
Jae Kyung mouth once again ajar as she frowned while looking at the Crown Prince's cold expression.
Did he just insulted my profession?