Yuta stepped out of his house, small but convenient enough for him to survive. He had ended his ties with the queen, though she still had one last request. Only then, would he be truly free.
His house was located at the outskirts of town, but it was close to the hillside and he loved walking up there. He decided he would do so every morning, as he was a free man for now until the lady calls him for one last ruthless request.
Still, Yuta thought he should enjoy his hard earned freedom. The weather was suitable to his taste, he would wander up the hill, waiting for it to bloom with flowers in spring. He wanted to see the development himself to satisfy his long childish curiosity.
As he walked up the path of snow, he saw a cottage. It used to be a house he never bothered until yesterday. He was quite surprise such a gorgeous lady lived there.
It was as if his prayers were answered when he saw the lady again, this time with the little girl as well. He bear in mind that he might've been interested in someone's wife but then he thought it might not be the case as he remembered so clearly that she had no ring on the fingers he kissed.
The male found himself smiling at the sight of them. It seemed that they were playing a game by the verandah. Both of them were leaning ever so closely towards the floor, diligently writing something down as it seemed.
"Why don't you draw the man from yesterday?"
Hayoung's question startled the princess. She had been drawing a lot of things for the child as requested. In return, she would have to ace in writings of the alphabets she taught her.
Seora was determined to make Hayoung a well learnt child, one of the most brilliant if she could. She knew very well the family might not be able to afford education, so being a princess; who was well educated by one of the most excellent teachers in the palace, Seora decided to return the favour.
However, Hayoung seemed to be very fond of drawings as well. Sadly, Seora didn't think of herself as a great artist but she would be glad to teach her and Hayoung could improvise with her own creativities. She seemed to be a very bright child.
"Oh, I'm not sure about that." Seora declined. She pictured Yuta in her mind but she could vividly remember any details about him. Only his smile and his eyes remained so clearly in her vision.
That was the most attractive features of him, she thought. Seora shook the thought away. "I don't even remember how he looked like." She smiled to Hayoung apologetically.
"Maybe now you can."
Seora couldn't believe her eyes, the man they were talking about sat there, behind Hayoung. He yet again flashed another smile at her. It felt as if he was showing off his perfect smile to her and Seora couldn't help falling for it.
The little girl turned around and beamed at the male. She looked at Seora again, her eyes asking for her request earlier. To draw.
The princess nervously laughed. "I... I don't know, Hayoung." Seora shook her head softly, stealing glances at the male slightly. "Why don't you try? How else will you practice?" The princess quickly twist her words, manipulating the child.
Yuta's face which was lit with excitement and anticipation just now slightly dimmed. He had his eyes on the girl named Eunmi before but it seemed as if the maiden was pushing him away.
Hayoung was far than excited to draw, she instantly ran inside to get more papers, leaving the two adults alone. At this moment, Seora had her gaze away from his direction, she didn't want to get too distracted by a stranger's charming smile. She wasn't supposed to.
"Do you live nearby?"
She was surprised herself that she managed to ask. Yuta nodded his head slightly. "Just downhill, you're welcome anytime." He winked jokingly in which caused her to smile.
Then the two were back to silent. Seora had ran out of questions, everything she wanted to ask would risk her identity somehow as she wasn't a commoner.
"Is she your child?" Yuta bluntly asked but nonetheless, Seora shook her head as a reply. "What makes you think I'm married?" She laughed softly. "She's... my niece." A lie of course, she had to practise to become a natural one.
The princess had to adapt as quickly and as best as possible. She knew sooner or later someone might know who she was if she wasn't careful. Therefore, she had to live this lie to the fullest.
Somehow, Yuta's smile got brighter again after hearing so. He was correct after all. Although it might seem strange how an assassin like him could even have such interest to fling around but he thought it was something he should at least do incase he dies out of assassination himself one day.
He led a life full of uncertainty and danger, he was trained to be so random. Approaching Eunmi wasn't much of a difference to him. It might be new, but nothing really surprises him.
Before the two could even talk further, Hayoung came running with a few papers in her hands. She positioned herself in front of Yuta as she faced him. The little girl brought a thumb up and tried to study his face, she was being serious and it was cute.
However, even after she had her brush dipped in colour, she couldn't start. Seora watched for a while and took her hand. She glanced at Yuta for a moment before she controlled Hayoung's hand into drawing his features.
At every eye contact they made, Yuta couldn't help but to smile. He had never seen such a beauty and neat lady like her. It truly left him a memorable first impression, and he was certain he wanted to know more about her.
"I'm done!"
Hayoung exclaimed and pulled up the paper. Yuta hadn't realise he had been staring at Eunmi until Hayoung brought the drawing right to his eyes. As expected, she was perfect. Her drawing of him really stood out even in his eyes. She was talented and it was something rare in girls at that time.
"I will put this in my room!" Hayoung thanked the princess before running into the house again. Seora was about to trail after the little girl when Yuta stood up as well and grabbed her wrist.
Surprised at the sudden touch, Seora turned to look at him. "Would you always be here?" He asked. The question was somewhat nerve wrecking for the girl, it was as if he wanted to tell her that he'd be coming again.
While it might be good for her to actually make friends, Seora wasn't entirely sure if Youngmi would like the idea. She knew that her court lady would be very worried to know about this. However, she thought Yuta wouldn't be any harm. They were neighbours anyway, although distant...
"Of course."
《—♡ 》
🐾 ok, so apparently 127 is having a tour
but im SO MAD the fact that they
excluded sicheng and included
my still-not-fully-recovered HAECHAN???
bitc let them rest for god's sake
