Chapter 22: Chapter 22

●Nuri's P.O.V.●

I took the clothes I wanted to wear today and was waiting for Daniel to finish with his morning routine. After a while, I heard The bathroom door unlocking.

And I saw him exiting the bathroom, wearing a white shirt And a towel.

I stared at him as I thought, "Is he going to the office again? Did he forget that we are going to visit the palaces today?"

I crossed my arms.

"Are you going to the office today ?" I asked in disbelief.

He glanced at me with confusion.

"No. Haven't we planned to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace ?" He replied.

"Really? Then what are you wearing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Daniel looked down at his white shirt, "Why? What's wrong with my shirt?

"I am not going with you anywhere if you wear that office shirt today, I swear," I said in disbelief.

"What do you mean? I love my plain shirts." He replied with a pout.

"Maybe you love your office plain shirts. But I don't. Change it, Daniel. I don't wanna feel like we are going to the office after visiting the palace." I declared.

"What? That's total bullshit. I look good when I wear these shirts. Why can't I wear this? " He demanded.

"You look like an Old rude uncle when you wear those shirts.

Even When I met you for the first time, you were wearing a white plain shirt like this one. " I frowned.

"For God's love, wear something good until I finish my shower," I ordered and went to the washroom with my clothes.

As I closed the Washroom door, I heard Daniel screaming and saying many words.

"I don't look like an old rude uncle in this! Do you understand? " Daniel yelled.

"Girls call me sexy wherever I go! " He screamed so I could hear him.

But I stayed silent as I laughed at his angry sentences because I really wanted him to wear something else.

"Aish this Girl !" Then everything became silent.

I completed my morning routine and took a shower. Then I wore a light brown dress and came out of the shower while wiping my hair with the towel.

As soon as I came out, I ran towards the mirror where the hairdryer was to save my dress from getting wet.

I was drying my hair when in the mirror I saw a male figure. I turned behind and saw Daniel was standing there while keeping his hands in his blue jeans.

He was wearing a light brown Shirt. He kept it loose. And under that shirt, it was light blue faded jeans. His hair was done perfectly. And he looked like a whole snack.

I kept staring at him.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of throat clearing.

"Ahem ahem !"

I shook my head as I noticed Daniel smirking, watching me checking him out.

I cleared my throat and spun back, and started drying my hair again. I saw Daniel coming closer through the mirror. He stood really close as he smiled, gazing at me in the mirror.

He leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "Am I still looking like an old rude uncle ?"

His whisper made me shiver. I licked my bottom lip as I bowed my head.

"What happened, Miss India?" I heard another whisper.

I glanced up hesitatingly, only to find Daniel smirking while staring at me.

"Damn! Why does he look so attractive? He looks like the runway models." I couldn't think straight.

I realised we were wearing the same color. Brown. But why the hell was he looking like a celebrity while I was only looking like an ordinary girl?

He then moved away and said, "I am waiting downstairs. Come down fast."

Daniel gave a mischievous smile before leaving. My eyes followed him until he exited the bedroom. I came back to reality with the thud sound created by closing the door. I shook my head.

"Nuri! What's wrong with you?

Ah! He is attractive! And he was showing it off a minute ago. That evil man!"

But I told him to change. Hence, I couldn't say anything now. I made a crying face as I dried my hair and then fixed my light makeup.

After getting ready, I went downstairs. And I saw Daniel was sitting on the couch, checking his phone. As I came down the stairs, he flashed me an adorable smile.

"Oh, why? Why is he so attractive and handsome?" I felt my heart skip a beat as I saw him smiling like that.

"We should get going. We have so many things planned. Can't waste one more minute." Daniel said all those while opening the apartment door.

We came out of the apartment and Daniel locked the door.

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Gyeongbokgung Palace :

We used the subway in line 3 and got off at Gyeongbokgung station at exit 5. From there, we walked to the palace entrance, which is eastwards.

We reached there before 9:30 am, and as Daniel said, we grabbed something for breakfast and a map of the palace.

We enjoyed the gate opening and guard changing ceremonies. The procession takes place between the Heungnyemun Gate and Gwanghwamun Gate, starting at 10 am while closing at 6 PM.

The guards change shifts every 60 minutes on the hour in between. I didn't need a guide as Daniel was with me and he already visited this place before.

I became mesmerized by the view of the palace. It was so beautiful.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion located on a peaceful pond, a two story pavilion.

"Beautiful! Isn't it ?" Daniel asked.

"It is... " I replied, watching the beauty of this place.

"But These palaces have a history. You wanna hear it?" Daniel asked casually.

"Of course." I smiled.

"Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was built here during the regin of King Taejong. The pavilion was once used for entertainment when important foreign visitors visited the palace." Daniel explained as we made our way towards the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung palace.

" Gyeongbokgung palace was the largest palace of the Joseon dynasty which was served the Kings and the governments of Joseon.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion along with Gyeongbokgung palace was destroyed by fire during the Imjin war and later restored by the regin of King Gojong."Daniel explained.

After visiting Gyeonghoeru, We went to the next destination named Sajeongjeon.

"Sajeongjeon is located to the south of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. It was a hall built for the King to discuss and solve national problems with the officials." Daniel explained everything with details like a guide.

The next place on our tour is Gangnyeongjeon building.

"It is the main residence place for the King. It is a Gangnyeongjeon building. It was first constructed in 1395 and destroyed after the war. It was restored later to attract tourist's attention." Daniel said proudly.

And the visit went like that. Daniel kept explaining as we moved towards the other places. Gyotaejeon and a garden behind Gyotaejeon named Amisan.

This garden was colorful by the decorating of terraced flowers. The thing which attracted me the most was the four hexagonal chimneys made from orange bricks.

We visited Jagyeongjeon. And after that, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion which means Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance. It was situated on an artificial island of a lake named Hyangwonji. The two story hexagonal pavilion was connected with the palace grounds by a bridge named Chwihyanggyo.

I felt overwhelmed by the beauty of this place. And with a most experienced guide, it became the most beautiful experience.

The next place that we visited in Gyeongbokgung palace was Jibokjae. It was the private library of King Gojong. The meaning of the name of this building in English is, “Hall of Collecting Jade”.

After that, we visited the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea.

And then finally, we arrived at Bukchon Hanok Village which is a real residential area with 900 hanboks. And many of the residents have chosen to retain their traditional lifestyle.

This is the place where normal people used to live.

Walking around, I noticed many women strolling around in their hanbok (Korean traditional outfit).

"Omo they are looking so cute." I pointed toward the girls wearing hanbok.

"You wanna wear it ?" Daniel smiled as he asked.

I glanced at Daniel with confusion.

"Can I ?"

"Of course!" Daniel smiled.

**********************

I opened the changing room door as I saw Daniel was standing a little distance away, facing the opposite.

We went to a hanbok costume Rental store. And we booked hanboks for both of us.

"Ahem, ahem!" I cleared my throat.

And Daniel spun to look at me. Daniel looked like a prince in hanbok.

He stared at me for more than a minute. I cleared my throat again.

"Ahem~"

Daniel shook his head as he smiled, gazing at me, "You look beautiful. Extremely beautiful in hanbok." He complimented.

I blushed hearing his compliment as I replied, "You too."

Daniel smiled brightly as he came closer and offered his hand to me, "May I?"

I stared at his hand hesitatingly. But finally, I placed my hand on his palm. And we went out, wearing those hanboks.

We clicked so many pictures there. Daniel clicked my pictures. A lot of pics as he suggested some poses to me.

"Let's take a picture together," I suggested.

Daniel glanced at me for a second. Then he said okay, and we requested a passer-by to click a picture of us.

We stood together and posed for a victory sign. But the passer-by said, "Cloze Cloze."

He was telling us to stand close. I moved a little closer to Daniel, trying my best not to make him feel uncomfortable.

He again said, "Cloze"

I was hesitating about whether I should get closer or not when Suddenly I felt Daniel's hand on my waist. I glanced at his hand then at him.

Daniel glanced at me and pulled me closer.

I blinked a couple of times while trying to stay calm. Daniel smiled Innocently.

The passer-by said, "Smile."

Daniel whispered, "Smile or we have to stay in this pose for more time."

I instantly smiled, and the stranger clicked a picture of us.