"We may not have birthed you but you will be our daughter, one way or another. Start with a scholarship and end as the Queen, any path you take is your choice to make."
In a modern-day monarchy, Ari is every bit a struggling student as any other. T...
"The Crown Prince?" The chief of staff asked, surprised at the comment, "I believed you would bestow some help as she's your friend's daughter but how would the crown prince be involved? What do you plan to do with this girl, your majesty?"
The King let his glasses rest on the table, massaging his temple slightly, "We need to bring Seungcheol back. He's gotten too wayward with this singing and dancing to care about his responsibilities as the crown prince."
"You don't mean..."
"Yes," the King smiled, "I need to hamper Seungcheol's comfort a little bit."
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Ari opened the store to a series of visible dust. Her father had packed up the shop a month ago to go vacationing and now, it lay untouched, covered and with the lingering comfortable smell of her father's hard work. Ari took in a visible breath and bit back tears before she could roll up her sleeves and pick up the broom. Her job at Layers, long forgotten, Ari looked at her future in this small town.
Her father had been an easygoing man. He was a people person and growing up, she'd received the love she couldn't get from her mother, from everyone around the neighbourhood instead. He lived with his back to the shop, hard work unmatched until he saw her off to Seoul for her education. Ari had lived alone since high school, grateful that her father had believed in her brilliance when she hadn't. And for the rest of her life, she'd worked hard, sending home money, paying her own rent and studying like there was no tomorrow just so she could make him proud.
Back when her father had been alive, Ari had always refused to visit, with work or study always hindering her return. And now she was back home, when there was no one left to return to.
Ari wiped the racks, placing the newest magazines she'd ordered two days prior. The store was next to the town's railway station and the town was quaint enough to care for newspapers. The ticketing ran early and with a in-store convenience restaurant, she set up the ingredients as she set up the day's special. Kimchi Stew, just as her father liked it.
Just as she'd gotten the gas started, the bell rung indicating a new customer, "Welcome to Ari's Convenience Store!" She rang, turning to glance at the person through the open kitchen window.
She was expecting another townsperson to show up but instead she saw a familiar man in an expensive suit. Glancing behind him, she noticed the two familiar people that had escorted him to the charnel house, standing by the sleek black Mercedes. "Ah, you're the ajhusshi from the funeral—", She started, wondering why he looked so familiar.
"Ajhussi?" The man raises an eyebrow, amused, "I'd think after years of governing this country, my citizens would actually recognise me."
People were beginning to gather in awe of the black Mercedes that was obviously out of place in their unknown town. It was an exciting occurrence and the townspeople were nosy. Ari blinked as the image on her note flashed by her eyes. The man in front of her was the same one to be on the money she exchanged everyday... The man who brought back the monarchy, "The King?!"
