Cozy Cottage

As midnight approached, Sora's nerves began to get the best of her. She worried that they would be caught and that she would never see No-eul again. But she knew that she couldn't let her fear hold her back. She took a deep breath and followed the royal servant out of the palace and into the night.

They moved quietly through the streets, their hearts pounding with each step. But somehow, they managed to avoid detection and arrived at the hidden entrance without incident.

Once they were outside the palace walls, Sora felt a sense of freedom once again. She looked up at the stars above and felt her spirits lift.

Together, the two of them made their way to the cliff where No-eul was waiting. As they approached, Sora saw No-eul's silhouette against the moonlit sky. She ran towards her, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace.

No-eul and Sora's embrace was a moment of breathtaking beauty and profound depth, imbued with an unshakeable sense of emotional connection and long-awaited relief. Having been forcibly separated for some time, the sheer joy of finally holding each other close was overwhelming, as every moment of their time apart seemed to dissolve in the warmth of their embrace.

As they clung to each other, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, lost in each other's arms. And though the hug eventually ended, the memory of that moment would remain etched in their hearts, and it would continue to do so for a long time.

"I don't trust the royal servant completely," No-eul whispered to Sora, her voice barely audible. "What if she tells the King where we're going?"

Sora bit her lip, her eyes glancing around nervously. "I understand your concern, but we don't have many options," she replied in a hushed tone. "We have to trust someone, and the royal servant has been loyal to me for years."

No-eul nodded slowly, still feeling uneasy. "I just don't want anything to happen to you," she murmured, her hand reaching out to gently touch Sora's cheek.

Sora smiled softly, leaning into the touch. "I know, and I appreciate your concern," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "But we have to take a risk if we want to keep on meeting with each other."

No-eul's gaze met Sora's, and she felt a sense of determination coursing through her veins. "You're right," she said, her voice firm. "We'll take the risk."

Sora made a request of the royal servant, her voice laced with a sense of urgency and desire. With a graceful gesture, she asked that the servant depart, leaving her alone with No-eul for the rest of the evening.

And with a whispered plea, she asked that the royal servant return before the sun rose tomorrow morning, to take her back up to the palace once more. At the instant the royal servant left, it was as if time itself had ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them, No-eul and Sora, alone together in a world of their own making.

"I trust you, No-eul," Sora spoke with firm conviction. Her voice carried a weight of responsibility, and the gravity of the moment was not lost on either of them. "But we need to be careful. No one else should know about this."

No-eul's gaze met Sora's, and she nodded in solemn agreement. "You have nothing to worry about," she assured Sora. "I will keep our secret safe." Her words were filled with sincerity, and she meant every single one of them.

No-eul looked away for a moment, lost in thought. "I have always been alone and out of company, anyway," she confessed, a sense of loneliness tainting her words.

As they approached the log cottage, Sora's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected a small and simple home, but what she saw was something entirely different. The cottage was spacious and beautifully crafted, with polished wooden floors and cozy furniture. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and artwork, giving the place a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

No-eul noticed Sora's reaction and grinned, feeling proud of her home. "I know it's not what you expected," she said, leading the princess inside. "But I like to make sure I'm comfortable whenever I'm here."

Sora couldn't help but admire the interior of the cottage. It was simple yet elegant, and every detail seemed to be carefully considered. "It's actually beautiful," she said, her voice full of awe.

No-eul smiled, feeling pleased with Sora's response. "I'm glad you like it," she said, leading the princess further into the cottage. "Make yourself at home."

The cottage was cozy, with a small fireplace crackling in the corner and the scent of burning wood filling the air. Soft cushions were scattered around the room, and a few blankets lay folded neatly on a wooden chest. A vase of wildflowers sat on a small table near the window, bringing a touch of color to the rustic interior.

Sora's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the charming abode. "This is... amazing," she said, turning to No-eul with a smile.

No-eul grinned back, feeling pleased with the princess's reaction. "Thank you, princess," she replied, motioning for Sora to take a seat on one of the cushions. "Would you like something to drink? I have some tea."

Sora nodded, feeling a bit thirsty after their journey. "That would be lovely, thank you," she said, watching as No-eul headed towards the small kitchenette.

As No-eul prepared the tea, Sora gazed around the room, taking in the small details that made the cottage so special. She couldn't believe that No-eul had managed to create such a beautiful space in the middle of the woods.

When No-eul returned with the tea, she sat down beside Sora and handed her a warm mug. "So, how have you been since we last saw each other?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Sora sighed, taking a sip of the fragrant tea. "I've been okay, I guess," she replied, setting the mug down on the table. "I've missed your company, though."

No-eul felt a pang in her chest at the princess's words. "I've missed you too," she said, reaching out to take Sora's hand in hers. "But you know we can't be together like this all the time. It's too dangerous."