Chaos reigned on the streets as partiers in thick clothing and gloves overtook the streets and blue, green and gold beads sailed through the air from hats worn from the aristocrats. Feathers and mask assured anonymity as people's costumes were kind of completed with it.It was a winter festival celebrated for one week in the inception of first winter fall. It has been a tradition upheld in celebration and for fun as it was also kind of couple's date nights.

Hand-in-hand, couples roamed around the street all mushy tushy, unashamed as they held each other arms and walked freely under the guise of a mask.Daejong and Yoona dressed like aristocrats joined in the fun as they intermittently threw snowballs at unsuspecting back of other couples, also under the comfort and secrecy provided by their mask.

Was it fun? yes?Were they caught in hot pursuit by other couples? No. Why? emperor's guards made sure they escaped unscathed.Daejong had never been so fun-fulfilled all through his life as the adrenaline race of pursuits, the loud thunderous laughter and the carefree atmosphere had everything and nothing to do with him being the emperor.

At first, he had rejected the idea birthed by Yoona's mischievous mind but after her first mischievous trouble making which landed him his first helpless race, he decided it was really fun, especially after seeing the couple's cute disgruntled expressions after a woeful fail.They barely caught their breath when they saw another couple almost smooching at the entrance of a dark alley. Daejong who felt it was enough fun already caught Yoona's mischievous wink as she fisted a snow directed at the unsuspecting victims, he didn't wait to observe if it hit them as he already sprinted away to avoid another hateful ball hurled at him. He's been a victim, twice!

The guards were astonished at the unbelievable behavior of the emperor and empress, they had some doubts on the true identity of the emperor as they might have mistakenly escorted a lookalike. Right at the moment they felt the couple has had enough fun , empress suddenly starts running because she already hurled some snowballs at some persons, again! And they ran after them as usual.

During the race as the male counterpart looked bulkier and meaner, they ran separately and missed up with the crowd hence separating from each other. Daejong who barely escaped from the man ran to hold a lady who wore same outfit with his Yoona.

"That's enough fun ,my love. I'm afraid we'll get beaten for real if we continue with this mischief!""Who's your love?" the lady asked shocked. Though under a mask, her dilated eyeball seen through the mask socket was enough proof of her confusion.

"Husband! I was gone for few minutes and you already found yourself another love?" Yoona teased.He volleyed glances from the lady to the familiar voice of his woman. His hands hastily dropped the stranger's as he apologized sincerely while running over to Yoona.

"My dear wife, it's not really what you think. I mistook her for you."

"Yes yes, I guess those affectionate gazes were also mistaken." Yoona playfully pretended to be gruntled."I mean it!" he defended.

"Yes, yes!"

"How do I make it up to you and prove you're my only sunshine in this world"

"Catch me if you can!" she stuck out her tongue as she raced away.She pushed herself through the crowded area, her eyes sharp and her ears alert. She glanced around the bubbling street, looking for any sign of her husband when a sudden distant shout from him sent her into a final and hot pursuit.They finally arrived to a restaurant to have some dinner only to observe their little playdate mischief had been adopted by all. Frustrated couples who couldn't catch up with their real nemesis meted out their frustration on others, hence the cycle began till it was awash the whole street.

"Auntie!" Yoona echoed like a regular who was familiar with the lady while giraffing to catch a glimpse of her in the kitchen."Bring us some hot rice,fish soup and some tantalizing side dishes!"

"Coming," was the reply as two teenage girls rushed forward to grant them hot tea and chopsticks as they await their order.

"Your maj...!". A cleared throat as the guard changed his form of address."Master, we should have cleared these people beforehand so as to ensure security."

"You mean we should have halted a woman's business because of two bowels of rice?"The guard looked down defeated but still voiced out his concern.

"So many people to differentiate customers from enemies!"

"It's okay" Yoona finally perked up from sipping her tea as she refilled her man's cup. "Just grab the next two tables so as to guard us comfortably. Order meals too so as blend in and not draw too much attention to us!"He looked at Daejong for reaffirmation and saw him drool over the empress. "My Yoona, that's a wonderful suggestion!" he looked at the transfixed guard who still waited for his order, "What are you still doing not obeying her?"

"Sorry master!"The hot steaming rice arrived with a short woman who seemed to run the place.

"Agassi!" she squealed as she hugged Yoona on her seat."Long time! you're looking so beautiful and matured!" she shrieked as she touched her lightly made-up face."I got married!" Yoona squealed too, matching her energy.The lady looked over at Daejong who smiled good-naturedly at them."You must be her husband?"

"I am!" His pride was so evident in his tone. Yes! he's Yoona's husband for life. The title drove him crazy.Horror replaced his pride when she came closer, observing him closely. Her hands held his jaw, her eyes a well coordinated CCTV searching for blemishes.

"You're handsome!" she beamed then looked over to see Jae Joon silently observing them. "But not as manly as him!".

Yoona and Daejong both looked over at the direction her finger went to find an awkward Jae Joon glaring at her."Agassi, I really thought you would marry him!"

Daejong slammed the table scaring her to his attention, "What is wrong with me?" he felt cheated. Why would Jae Joon be more manly than him, he was clearly more handsome with a nicer stature and build.Yoona burst into laughter while trying to hold her stomach, the lady joined in and Daejong found himself stuck in a conspiracy.

"My dear husband, she was only teasing you!"She roared into a deeper laughter which found some relief for him. It was only a joke .The old lady turned to look at Daejong once more. "Kind Sir, you look like a male god befitting a goddess sitting right before you. I felt jealous."

She ordered more side dishes for them, made small talks and left to attend to more customers, and of course, refusing to take a dime for their meal.Instead of the royal Villa, Daejong chose to lodge in a private inn, much to the dismay of the guards. The atmosphere was cold and unforgiving, the couple took baths ran by the servants and returned back their private quarter.

"My lovely wife?"Yoona yawned as she laid right besides her husband whose eyes twinkled under the candlelight. He didn't mean to appear that way but the flushed look on her face was enough to put a man into temptation."We have an unfinished business," he rolled over to her as he sniffed the soft fragrance of her washed hair.

"Husband, not tonight please."Yoona picked up the blanket as she covered them both. Rejection hurts especially when it comes from a loved one, and Daejong felt even worse."My dear wife!" he whispered just before Yoona felt wet feeling on her earlobe. The feeling felt strange but good and made her poor heart race maniacally."Hus...band!" she rasped betraying her swirling emotion which has been put in jeopardy because of Daejong's e.r.o.t.i.c action.

"Hmm? wifey? I didn't hear you clearly" Wickedly he explored this weak spots he's found; a revenge for her earlier action. Hot air missed with moisture messed with her ears and mouth, it's feeling was heavenly she had no resistance left in her. The hands clutched on him tightened, her breath came in hot tempo, her sapped energy was rejuvenated as he worked his way down to her bosom and heard her m.o.a.n. The stage was set and the play set in motion. His audience was excited at the prospect of a good play, but as he made to grab the real prize and devour it, a knock disrupted the session.

"Your majesty, prince Song to see you!"The messenger waited a while after not receiving a response, he wondered if the majesties had already slept but a voice grudgingly asked him to go."He said it's urgent!" and that finally broke whatever spell at work."Send him in!"

Prince Song bursted in with his evergreen mischievous grin."Ay! Soon, it seems I interrupted something big!" His hands went to wipe off an imaginary tears as he rest his eyes on the blushing empress."Hwanghu and my little prince of princess whom I interrupted from gracing this world , I'm truly sorry". He micmiced a kowtow as his face showed a playful repentance."No, No brother-in-law, you didn't interrupt anything!"Yoona smiled sincerely at him and applauded his strong will. She had always thought things would be awkward due to his earlier interest in her, but thanks to his sunny personality, her worry had lessened.

"That's to say, Hwanghu wouldn't hold me accountable?" he played on.

"Hyung, enough. Just get on with it!"

"You mean with her?" A sharp glare from Daejong and he rambled on."Ah yes, the empress is your wife and you're her husband making you one!" his eyes all playful and provocative.

"Hyung, seriously?"

"Ah sorry!". He transformed from the playful prince to a distinguished aristocrat and well-learned scholar.Yoona was in awe as she had never seen this side of him. He looked charismatic, trustworthy and so manly you would be deceived they were two persons. His voice seemed to change, so also was his aura. He looked so different Yoona couldn't be more proud of him and of his capabilities as Daejong's right-hand man.

"I already imprisoned the riffraff and opened the grainary for our people!" he concluded his report.

The excesses of the governors in the suburbs were getting out of hand hence his deployment as inspector. The emperor's token which represented his authority was used by him to deploy soldiers or any uniformed man during his work. Even the emperor's secret token for his private guards were also handed down and made to deploy without the emperor's permission.In summary, he had too much power and it concerned Yoona a bit, not that she was doubtful of his loyalty but he was still human and excess power corrupts excessively.