please don't go 𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝔂

{ 𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕞 }

"you'll find yourself falling deeper
with an endless road ahead
but fear not my darling
you'll be safe with me instead

cry out your heart
don't keep it to yourself
i'll be here beside you
and let you find yourself, again~"

merchants, vendors, and passer-bys clap unanimously as soo-ah finishes her melody, entranced by her soft tone yet the songs' deep meanings. soo-ah smiles before carefully unmounting from the top of the fountain as to not ruin her new pink hanbok she got as a recent birthday gift from her dear brother. she left hwangsan citadel to take a mental break from all the chaos from the previous days so as to head over to songrim and spend time with her beloved friends.

"ah! young lady," soo-ah turns to the voice that seems to be wishing for her attention, "can i interest you in any of our jewelry? we just recently received a new shipment of hairpins, rings, and all other types of nick-nacks. perfect for a gorgeous and youthful lady like yourself." she smiles at the sellers' compliment and interest takes over her as she slowly looks over all the beautiful trinkets.

a glimmer of pink catches her attention as she subtly looks at it. it was a pink and white marbled flower pendant, embossed with gorgeous gold accents. the seller notices her eyes admiring and fixed on the necklace and smiles. "ah that necklace is absolutely gorgeous! it would no doubt only enhance your natural beauty young lady."

a chuckle left soo-ah's lips. "ah thank you. i'll take it then please." the seller smiles cheerfully as she had gotten paid while soo-ah walks away, tucking the necklace in the pocket of her hanbok and resumes her venture to songrim.

arriving at songrim, soo-ah notices one of her friends, seo-yul. despite wondering why he was doing somewhat of a power walk, soo-ah carefully walks over to him with a smile as to not scare him. seo-yul turns after hearing a set of footsteps behind him only to let a soft smile graze his lips as he realized it was only the hwang family's treasure behind him. "soo-ah, how are you doing?"

"i'm doing fine, just wanted to have some fun after everything that has happened recently you know?" seo-yul lets out a soft laugh "oh yeah, your birthday was recent right? happy birthday, and i got you a small present." soo-ah's eyes shine as who wouldn't be happy about getting a present? "haha thanks yul! you really didn't have to. and oh by the way, where are you headed? you seem to be walking quite quickly."

seo-yul's smile shifted into a frown. "i'm heading to the secret room, apparently master park and master heo called for me." the girl let out a sound of acknowledgement before telling the boy to proceed and not keep them waiting any longer. once the two departed, soo-ah went on her way to jeongjingak. her steps slowly halted to a stop as she was crossing the bridge, simply admiring jeongjingak as it's been a while since she's stepped foot in it.

unknown to her, a pair of brown eyes were watching her and cautiously approached her figure. feeling hands graze her back she whipped her head around only to see the eyes of the person she unknowingly dears the most. "sang-ho, you scared me"

the latter only bowed, causing the girl to pout. "yah what did i say? we've known each other for years already." the girl's whining cracked a smile out on the mage's face as he simply said, "yes, my apologies soo-ah." the girl giggled, and then the two froze. simply staring at each other and basking in the presence of one another. only a gust of wind broke them out of their trance as they both looked away shyly, him clearing his throat.

as sang-ho looked down, he noticed an unfamiliar necklace on the bridge which prompted him to raise his eyebrows. soo-ah followed his gaze and let out a sound of realization. "i bought that when i went to the market earlier. i decided to treat myself to a small birthday gift from me to me!" the mage chuckled at the girl's personality before going down to pick it up.

"ah yes, your birthday was recent. it looks pretty, much like you.would you like me to put it on for you?" the girl's face flushed red by the sudden compliment, quickly turning around before he noticed. "y-yes that's fine. thank you sang-ho." moving her hair out of the way, the mage then carefully wrapped the necklace around her neck before attempting to clasp it closed. "i see your wearing a new hanbok today too no? was it also a birthday present?" the girl sheepishly smiled.

"yeah, joon hyung got it for me. do you think it looks nice?" she turned around as sang-ho finished putting the necklace on, and did a little twirl. his lips tilted upwards before nodding. "yes, however everything looks good on you soo-ah." he smiled as he saw her blush. "i bought you a present as well. though i'm sorry i couldn't give it to you on your actual birthday." soo-ah only smiled before saying, "it's okay, you didn't even have to get me a present. and you know my parents, they prefer to have a small family celebration rather than one of those grandiose good-for-nothing balls."

the mage lightheartedly shook his head at her badmouthing the higher society's customs. he reached into his hanbok and pulled out a gold peacock hairpin. he gently put it in soo-ah's hair, as she smiled at the thoughtful gesture. pulling away, sang-ho smiled. "it looks beautiful on you soo-ah." she let out a laugh before leaning on his arm. "where are you headed?" "i was just about to go to master park, he needed help after capturing naksu."

this made the girl's eyes widen. "naksu? as in the shadow assassin? i can't believe she was finally captured." sang-ho let out a sigh. "yes, and we think she attempted to soul shift into a different body but failed and now i must return to his side to help his with any further investigations."

the hwang princess pouted before saying her farewells to sang-ho, the latter saying bye as well. venturing deeper into jeongjingak, she hummed a small tune whilst looking around for anyone she knew. she walked into the library and saw dang-gu standing whilst reading a book. wanting to surprise him, she tiptoed behind him, while putting her finger up to her lips so the other mages keep quiet. "...boo"

"AH!" dang-gu screamed his lungs out while soo-ah just laughed knowing her plan worked wonders. the rest of the mages who noticed her laughing as well before dang-gu pinched soo-ah's cheeks causing her to cry out loud. "yah what was that for?" the girl pouted as she tried soothing her cheek. "hmph i was just trying to surprise you! you don't seem happy to see me..."

dang-gu only sighed. "fine i'm sorry, yes hello to you too. and happy belated birthday soo-ah." the girl smiled. "thank you dang-gu! and- oh. what's that?" she pointed at his ear. "huh? what is it?" he leaned down only to have soo-ah grip the tip of his ear harshly causing him to cry out for the second time that night.

"HEY!" the smaller girl laughed. "and that's why you don't mess with me dang-gu. anyways, what are you doing?" dang-gu glared at the girl before turning back to his book. "i was just re-reading some of the spells i've used before and that stuff. you know, my uncle wants me to reach chisu like you and yul."

the girl nodded in acknowledgement. about to make a comment, she was interrupted by the loud voice of a mage.

"INTRUDERS!"

the two young mages looked at each other before rushing out of the room. the girl thinking... "please be safe."