A Date to the Town
Sora woke up to the sound of a knock on her door. She groggily got out of bed and opened the door to find one of the royal servants standing there, holding a piece of parchment.
"Good morning, Princess Sora," the servant said, bowing respectfully. "I have a letter here for you from someone with the initials, L.N.,"
Sora's heart skipped a beat at the mention of that. She eagerly took the letter from the servant and thanked them before shutting the door and sitting down on her bed.
The parchment was thick and a little heavy in her hands, and Sora couldn't help but smile as she recognized No-eul's elegant handwriting. She carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter, taking a deep breath before reading it.
Dear fair Sora, princess of my heart,
May this letter find thee well and fill thy soul with delight. I, No-eul, humble sailor of the sea, humbly request thy presence on a date to the town.
As the sun rises and the morning dew rests upon the grass, I dream of walking beside thee, hand in hand. As the day grows warm and the sky turns blue, I yearn to bask in thy presence and listen to thy sweet words. And as the night falls and the stars light up the sky, I long to gaze into thy eyes and lose myself in their beauty.
Let us wander through the town's winding streets, exploring its secrets and delights. Let us share laughter, stories, and joy, and let our hearts dance to the rhythm of love.
I await thy answer, fair Sora, with bathed breath and an open heart. May the winds of fate bring us together on this journey of love.
Yours truly,
L.N.
Sora felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she read No-eul's words. She had never felt so cherished and loved before, and the thought of spending a day with No-eul in the town filled her with excitement and joy.
Sora clutched the letter to her chest, feeling her heart swell with happiness. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before the tears spilled over.
"Is everything alright, Your Highness?" a voice interrupted her thoughts, and Sora opened her eyes to see the royal servant standing in front of her.
"Yes, everything's fine," Sora replied, quickly wiping away her tears. "Thank you for delivering this letter to me."
The servant bowed and left the room, leaving Sora alone with her thoughts. She read the letter again, savoring every word, and couldn't help but smile at the thought of spending time with No-eul outside the palace walls.
Sora quickly got ready for the day, feeling a newfound energy within her. She dressed in her finest clothes and made her way out.
Sora's heart raced as she turned the corner and collided with her fiancé, Do-hyun. "Oh, good morning," she greeted him, trying to hide the letter behind her back.
"Good morning, my love," Do-hyun replied, a smile on his face as he leaned in for a kiss, but Sora turned her head, causing the kiss to land on her cheek. "Where are you off to this morning?"
Sora's mind raced as she tried to come up with a believable excuse. "Oh, just some errands in the town," she said with a forced smile. "I need to pick up some things for the castle."
Do-hyun's brow furrowed in concern. "Is everything alright, my dear? You seem a bit flustered."
Sora tried to compose herself, knowing that she couldn't let her fiancé suspect anything. "I'm fine, just a bit in a hurry," she said, patting his arm. "I'll see you later."
With that, Sora hurried off, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she couldn't keep this secret from the doctor forever, but for now, she had to keep up the charade.
As she walked away, Sora couldn't help but feel guilty for lying to her fiancé. She knew that it wasn't fair to him, but she couldn't let go of the possibility of exploring her feelings for No-eul. She took a deep breath and tried to push the guilt aside, focusing on the excitement of her upcoming day with No-eul.
She quickened her pace, eager to meet up with No-eul and start their date together. As she walked, she clutched the letter tightly in her hand, feeling its weight and the weight of her emotions.
Despite the guilt and the uncertainty, Sora knew that she had to follow her heart, even if it meant hurting someone she cared about. She just hoped that everything would work out in the end.
On the other hand, Do-hyun watched Sora as she rushed off, her words and behavior seeming off to him. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something from him. He thought that Sora was usually an open book with him, sharing everything that was on her mind, but now she seemed guarded.
He wondered if there was something troubling her, something that she couldn't or wouldn't share with him. Do-hyun knew that he needed to find out what was going on with Sora, to help her if she needed it. But for now, he decided to give her some space and see if she would open up to him later.
No-eul stood in the narrow alleyway, nervously checking her pocket watch for the umpteenth time. She had been waiting for Sora for what felt like hours, but in reality, it had only been a few minutes.
She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. The alley was dimly lit, with tall buildings towering on either side of her. The sound of distant chatter and footsteps echoed through the narrow space.
No-eul felt her heart race as she thought about seeing Sora again. She couldn't believe that she had mustered up the courage to ask her out on a date. But now, as she waited, doubts and insecurities crept in. What if Sora didn't show up? What if she changed her mind about going out with No-eul?