Noble Heart

8

"Danbi!" her mother's voice called as the doorbell rang.

"Coming!"

Opening the door, the chilly winter air invaded the house and Youngjo was revealed.

"Hello there."

Danbi quickly hugged him, asking, "What brought you here?"

"You."

"Aww, cheesy," she rolled ether eyes and then laughed.

"Get ready, we're going somewhere."

"Somewhere?"

"It's nothing big, don't worry. Wear something comfortable."

The Prince greeted her mother and had a quick conversation with her while Danbi got ready. Afterwards, the young couple said goodbye and immediately drove off into the night.

They didn't leave the familiar city, though. Youngjo asked,

"Before I'll take you where I have planned to, let's get some beverages. I got some food with me already. What do you think about that?"

"Ooh, please! I'd kill for a hot chocolate right now."

No sooner said than done.

The Prince parked close to the entrance of a cosy coffee shop that was still open. The couple got out and united their hands after Youngjo had put on a cap to slightly conceal himself. He didn't put on a mask this time. He was getting braver.

Danbi had told him several times that she didn't bother when he was wearing disguises. It was for his safety and image after all, yet it didn't change anything about him being him. Spending time with him was a blessing no matter whether he had a mask on or not. However, the male didn't seem to listen and was willing to get riskier.

As they entered the shop, a smell of a mix of hot chocolate and coffee was filling the room. The air inside was greeting them warmly when the door behind them closed automatically. The little shop had already been decorated with red and green Christmas lights and a small faux Christmas tree in the corner of the entrance. People were chatting all over the place. Some had sat down to enjoy their orders, others were waiting in line to take their orders to-go.

Soon, the two ordered their drinks and waited in line until their order was announced. As it was called out, he stepped forward to grab it.

People were looking at him. More and more, they seemed to realise that he was someone they knew, but didn't come to realise that it was their Prince. Then, the two cups had been handed to him. With a smile, he gave Danbi one of them and they quickly turned around towards the door. He had noticed too.

"A hot chocolate sponsored by our one and only Prince! Man, I feel royal now." She said while walking out of the shop.

"Shush!" Youngjo playfully hissed as her voice was just a little too loud when another couple passed them.

"Make me."

Her big eyes grinned at him, thinking he couldn't make her shush. The Prince looked around for a moment, making sure nobody was watching them and then glanced at her. Before she could continue talking, leaning down, he pressed his lips on hers. Danbi was too surprised to return it as they were in public, in front of a coffee shop. Nothing special for a normal couple, however, the successor of the throne was kissing her in public. She couldn't deny that she liked it.

In addition, it was dark already, and surely nobody would recognise him.

"Fine, you've won."

Youngjo grinned, holding out his hand for hers as they went back into the car. Once again, the female didn't know where he was taking her, but that was what she loved about dates with him; always full of surprises and never boring.

They were on a public, yet abandoned parking lot on a hill between several trees. There was not a single street or city light polluting the cool night air. The full moon had risen brightly, it was the only source of light as Youngjo turned off the car. It was so peaceful there.

"You're cold, no?" he asked, looking at the shivering woman "Let's stay inside, shall we?"

Danbi just nodded, not wanting to take her eyes off the scenery. Sipping on her somewhat still-warm drink, she mumbled a word of gratitude when Youngjo covered her with a blanket. She curled together and rested her head on his right shoulder as they moved closer, as close as the car would allow it. None of them spoke, it was so quiet that Danbi thought she could her own and his heartbeat united. Minutes passed when she tried to put together a sentence,

"I've never imagined to... be like this, as we are right now..."

"I get what you mean." he mumbled, not daring to speak it out aloud as well, "I'm glad we are, though."

"Me too."

Youngjo took her hand under the blanket and squeezed it as a sign of affection. His chin gently rested against her head after he had pressed a small kiss on her forehead. Danbi's eyes were heavy as it had already become late, but she didn't want to sleep. The female wanted to enjoy every single moment she could have with him, sleeping would be a waste. Who knew how much time they had left together?

"I love you, Youngjo," Danbi whispered.

"I love you too."

Perhaps they had been too careless that day. Nonetheless, they had been able to feel like ordinary people just for those few hours. As she rested her head on his shoulder, she felt like it all had been worth it.