Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Li Xue said in an epitome of usualness that felt like an irritating tickling tease to the prince. "You … I don't believe you. Father, don't taste it. She has cheated us". Shin you Jun cried, lunging forward to take away the plate but was held back by the guards. 

"That's enough, You Jun. Don't make a scene here. Take your seat and complete your breakfast. Taste the egg yolks and then decide your next actions. I hope you have learned the accountability of your words." The king said before gesturing to his guard to free the boy. 

Li Xue wanted to laugh at the scene. It was fun winning over the kid, who doesn't seem one to her. Seeing him like that with his parents, she could confirm without any doubt that the king and queen have been loving parents always, unlike the pair she had in her life. 

"Mm~" While Li Xue was trancing off in her thoughts, both Chen Rui and Shin Tinming were savoring the taste of egg yolks. "Li Xue, indeed this tastes different and much more delicious. And my words can easily be proven right, seeing Tinming completing it all at once and even my mulish son having it with all interest, forsaking all his earlier words and expressions".

Li Xue smiled looking at the two simultaneously. "I am glad that the taste suited your preferences. I have already handed the recipe to the chef. After today they can follow it to cook these". She said, before forking some of her salad into her mouth. 

"You gave it just like that, dear. I thought this was some of your secret recipe that you would not want to share with anyone." Chen Rui started a small conversation just like any mother would start with her daughter to keep the air lively. She must say her time with this girl never goes boring. 

Li Xue shook her head, chuckling out softly. "Nope, there is no secret recipe. It was very simple and quick." She said, maintaining the air of modesty. Chen Rui's brows raised in curiosity as she halted her actions to look at the butler for a response. 

Knowing well what he was asked for, the butler standing at the back at once responded. "Your Highness, Ms. Li Xue has asked the chefs in the kitchen about the flavors they have tried before. After getting their responses, she has tried the simple taste that none have thought to try. As she said, it was really simple to slice the peeled, hard-boiled eggs before drizzling them with warm olive oil and sprinkling with flavored sea salt and fresh-ground black pepper."

"That was really quite simple. How did our chefs never try it before?" Chen Rui was really amazed. Li Xue never fails to amaze her. Be it their first meeting at the hospital, or the second at the mall, or even today, every time she looks at her she could now help but say – What a perfect daughter this girl can be if only the parents are wise enough to accept her the way she is. 

But sigh, the girl had gotten the wrong pair who never cared to treasure her. 

"Umm actually, the chefs are not at fault. They were just living their title of royal chefs too much, that's why they never chose to see the simple and the most common way. In the end, simplicity never leaves its charms, a reason why your taste buds preferred this flavor better" Li Xue answered the words of the queen, making her agree. 

The rest of the breakfast was completed on time as the four enjoyed the meal together. Once completed, Chen Rui coughed a little to remind someone beside her while wiping the extra oil off her lips with the napkin, all elegantly. "You better have not forgotten your words. Look, your father is also waiting for it".

Shin You Jun heard his mother and looked on the other side at his father. As said, he was there waiting. Did they really not trust his words? Sigh, he does hold a grudge against Li Xue, but he was still a man of words. There was no way he would back out. Can't they just believe him with that?

Feeling disappointed at his own self, he stood up from the seat, before looking at Li Xue. "I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I really underestimated your talent. Hope you let my words off without keeping it in your heart." He said, before bowing slightly in hesitancy. 

Hearing him say all that with such sophistication, for a moment Li Xue was taken aback. To be honest, she has never expected him to bow down like that in apology, given his grand title of Crown Prince and the arrogance she has witnessed on him on the night of their bike ride. 

Her eyes darted to look at the lady on her side and then at the man on the other end. But to her surprise, they are also all calm and nonchalant to the happenings at the front. 

"Li Xue, you don't have to take mercy until and unless your heart asks you. If you want to punish him, proceed. No one will get to stop you" Shin Tinming said when saw the girl looking at him with a perplexed expression. 

"Hhmm. Xiao Xue, don't hesitate. He has been wrong earlier so he should take the consequence as well. Come on. Go for it", Chen Rui also supported with an encouraging smile. She truly meant what she said. Never had she supported her son in wrong and never will she do that in the future as well. 

Li Xue did not know what she should do next. She looked at the kid in front before contemplating things in her thoughts. To say she was offended would be wrong. None of his words even touched that line. Instead, his words felt more like a younger brother teasing and fighting with the elder one. 

"My grudges never come this easy. I am not at all offended by him. But since he is accepting his flaws on his own, I still have a thing that he can do to mend his wrong thoughts about me from earlier." Li Xue said, taking a pause and giving a look of askance to the boy, standing just opposite to her. 

Shin You Jun looked at her. "Last time when I lost to you, you made me take a strike from bike riding for the whole month and ask to help my parents instead. This time what's new? Are you asking for the same?" 

Li Xue shook her head. "Not at all. A repeat of a game will turn boring. This time I have something new for you." She said with a smile of devilishness and the young prince looked unfazed at her. 

"I will accept whatever you say. I am not scared of you." Shin You Jun said, pushing his shoulders back in nonchalance without any care. 

Li Xue smiled at his response. "I know. That's why I am asking you to accompany me all along with the project that I will soon sign with the Royal Cultural Association. That way you will know me better and might restructure your thoughts about me". 

At her idea, Shin You Jun was at once stiffened. His easy-going composure thinned in an instant. "What did you say?"