Transmigration: The Narcissistic Cinderella

Moon Jiwoo was inside the palace only one time previously, and since that was due to official reasons, she was unable to roam around the palace for sightseeing.

Earlier she had arrived in the Underworld with Aera. While Aera decided to rest in her house, Jiwoo thought about paying Sookyung a visit. It had been a while since she had last seen him, and she was curious to see how that man was being.

However, once she had entered into the palace, Jiwoo found herself being lost. The inside of the palace was quite large, and having no clue on where Sookyung could be, she wandered around aimlessly.

Moon Jiwoo thought about asking one of the guards regarding it, but she could not spot any of them close by. 

Letting out a deep sigh, Moon Jiwoo continued to walk through the hallways in hopes that she will be spotting someone soon. Even if the palace was large, sooner or later she was bound to find someone.

Staring around the palace, Moon Jiwoo found the place to be quite empty and lonely, instead of intimidating. The air around the palace was quite cold.

This made her wonder about what type of king Sookyung was. Over the period of six months, it was inevitable that the man had grown up, and maybe he would not be the same as she had met last time.

The changes in him would be understandable. As a king, he would have lots of responsibilities on his shoulder, and in order to be successful, he was required to be different.

Now that she did not have the task to protect him, she wondered if both of their worlds could collide together or eventually they will be turning different ways, becoming strangers to each other?

Sooner or later, Sookyung would be having a life that would not contain her, and when that happened, the only thing she will be remaining to him would be a distant memory— someone who he is grateful to.

In midst of her deep thoughts, Jiwoo found her footsteps getting slower, and when her face collided against someone's c.h.e.s.t, she halted in her steps. A sharp pain went through her nose as the impact caused her to stumble backwards slightly.

"Are you alright?"

Hearing that voice, Jiwoo raised her head. Before she was able to say anything, she was taken aback by how attractive the man before her was. Although she had been used to handsome men, the one before her was a different story.

His appearance laid more to the angelic side, and Jiwoo found herself being captivated by the soft smile on his face. His brown hair neatly fell on top of his head, making him appear quite gentle.

'What a delicate beauty.'

Realizing that she had been staring at him for more than necessary, an awkward chuckle left her mouth, and raising her hand, she patted the back of her head while cursing at herself mentally. Then again, she could not be entirely blamed; not everyday did she meet such an ethereal beauty.

"I am fine," Jiwoo said, "Are you from the palace?"

"Well, you could say that. I believe you're his Majesty's protector, Shin Daerin," the man spoke out.

Nodding her head, Jiwoo answered, "Yeah, I guess you know me. Do you know where Sookyung could be? I have been searching around the palace for an hour now, and there has not been a clue of him yet."

A chuckle escaped from his mouth. One word Jiwoo could use to describe that sound would be refreshing— a feeling akin to having cold water on an extremely hot day.

"Sure, I can take you to him. His Majesty was just in a meeting currently, but I think the meeting is over by now. I am Oh Jihoon," the man introduced.

"Ah! Then, thank you, Oh Jihoon-ssi. You are life saver!" Jiwoo spoke out.

"It's my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e," Jihoon stated.

°°°

The entire walk had been completely silent— not that Jiwoo had a problem with it for she observed Jihoon's beauty the entire time and wondered how someone could look that angelic and harmless.

One thing she had learned was that Oh Jihoon had a reserved personality and was silent. Despite that, he had an air around him that made others feel at ease and did not feel difficult to approach.

Once he had halted in his steps, Jihoon turned back and spoke out, "We have reached the place. The King is there."

Following the direction his finger was pointing at, Jiwoo's eyes fell on Oh Sookyung's back. Although he was dressed in their traditional clothing— the one worn by the King— she was able to recognize him.

A smile formed on her face, and she nodded her head before saying, "Thanks for everything, Oh Jihoon-ssi. I will be able to handle it now by myself."

"Alright," Jihoon said, "I had a pleasant time with you. Let's meet again."

Before Moon Jiwoo was able to say anything, he disappeared into the thin air. After that, she turned her head forward, and seeing how there was no one was beside Sookyung in the hallway, she made large yet silent steps towards him in order to not alert the man.

"Oh Sookyung!" she exclaimed, jumping on his back.

Gripping on to his neck tightly, she let out a squeal. Her actions managed to catch the boy by surprise, and his eyes widened as he tilted his head slightly.

"Shin Daerin, what the hell is wrong with you? What did you eat to be this energetic?" he questioned.

"Just wanted to ride the King's back one time. This will be a great thing to brag about in the future. Not many would be getting the privilege for this," Jiwoo pointed out before she got off from his back.

After that, she took a couple of steps forward, and standing before him, she stared at him from top to bottom, scrutinizing him.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Could it be that I have gotten charming to the point you find me irresistible? That would be understandable," Sookyung said, raising his hand and running them through his hair.

"Geez that arrogance of yours! That is not the case. It's just that you don't have the aura of the king around you. Should not you be much more intimidating to the point that your presence makes others bow in front of you? 

Even Kim Namhyuk was able to make that happen. But I don't feel anything like that from you. Geez! You must be getting bullied because of how weak as a king you're," Jiwoo vocalised.

Extending his hand towards her, he flicked at the top of her forehead and said, "This is just with you and not everyone else. It's strange how you don't feel intimidated by anyone's presence. Could it be that you are too foolish for that?"

"Just because you are the king doesn't mean that I would not be able to beat you up, Oh Sookyung," she threatened, "It's just because how I am stronger than everyone at here. It gives me a sense of superiority."

"Aren't you afraid of commiting a treason? I might remind you that I am your king now," Sookyung spoke out.

"What king? Do you want to go and fight? Let's see who wins, and it's not like I am planning to stay at the Underworld for a long time, so it doesn't even affect me," Jiwoo pointed out.

Creases appeared between both of Oh Sookyung's eyebrows, and he questioned, "You are not planning to do so?"

Shaking her head, Jiwoo answered, "Of course not. Why would I limit myself to one small place? Now that I have the opportunity, I want to roam around a lot. Maybe I will become a photographer."

"That's not something someone as foolish as you should be doing. I can assure you that you will be lost and crying within merely couple of hours," Sookyung said, teasing the girl.

"Shut up! Whatever it is, it is better than you. Too bad, you are stuck behind these palace walls for rest of your life. Good luck with leading a boring life at here," Jiwoo retorted, folding her arms across her c.h.e.s.t.

"You are right. I guess in that aspect you are more fortunate than me. I just wish the next Prince appears soon, so that I can give all of my responsibilities to him. I feel like dying with all the responsibilities on my head right now," Sookyung spoke out, "All those Leaders are a definition of headache."

Jiwoo chuckled and stated, "Isn't it too early for you to hope for that? You have to stay multiple more decades with that crown on your head. What about your fated one? Did you find her yet?"

Letting out a sigh, Sookyung spoke out, "Don't bring up that in front of me. Those old geezers have been torturing me the past days about finding my fated one, and whoever this lady is, I hope that she doesn't appear before me!"