"Let's watch the stars tonight." His low, gentle drawl resonated behind her.

Hae Soo caught herself hold her breath at this sudden and familiar interjection. She smiled faintly and turned around. A demure and neutral expression had replaced her smile.

"Your highness." She bowed. Hae Soo looked up to meet Wang So's gaze. His bangs neatly covered the left side of his now blemish-free face while the rest of his raven locks were affixed in an updo; the ends of a black silk ribbon flapped behind his head in the pleasant breeze.

An amused smile spread across Wang So's face, his eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Why do you insist on such formality? " So stepped in front of Hae Soo, leaning his face closer to hers. "I thought we were so much pass this."

Hae Soo could almost detect the scent emanating from his person. She averted her gaze and stepped around So to face his back. He turned around to meet her.

"His Highness promoted me to the position of a court lady. Now that I am a court lady once again I cannot shirk my responsibilities and frolic about with a man, ESPECIALLY not the 4th Prince," Hae Soo said matter-of-factly, smoothing out her skirt. "And what would everyone say if they were to see-"

Hae Soo could not finish her rebuke as Wang So swiftly slipped his left hand into her right hand. Now they stood side by side with the afternoon sun enveloping their backsides. She turned to look at him, eyes wide, secretly welcoming his warm affection. He remained forward facing, silent.

Hae Soo cocked her head slightly, wondering what was going through his mind. They were near the entrance of the splendid palace gardens and everything was lush, green, and blooming. The gentle breeze made it so the leaves and grasses swayed and danced before them. She tried pulling her hand away and in protest So interlocked his fingers with hers.

Hae Soo faced forward and resigned to her current fate. "Maybe for just one more moment." Hae Soo thought to herself, almost relishing his touch, this moment.

"How long do you think this peace will last?" So turned to look at Hae Soo, his voice serious.

"His Highness was just coronated a few months prior. You shouldn't say such things". Hae Soo scanned the area for any passerbys. "If only I committed this stretch of history to memory…" She muttered to herself.

However, Hae Soo couldn't deny her state of unease that was burgeoning in the pits of her mind. She knew for certain So would become Emperor Gwangjong but the unknown events leading up to that outcome would send her mind into a worried frenzy.

"Soo-yah…" His tender voice shattered her resolve. He stepped in front of her taking her other hand into his, her gaze unable to break from his. She could feel her heart begin to race, her face flush. "I want to take you away from here so we can be together in peace."

Hae Soo shook her head. She felt a dull ache rise in her heart at his words. "He must remain here, in order to stay on course." She thought to herself.

"If I promise to meet you in the gardens here tonight will you leave me so I can complete the rest of my duties for the day?" She gave him a small, resigned smile.

So grinned at her words. "Promise?"

"I promise."

"All right then, I release you to your duties Court Lady Soo!" So jokingly decreed.

So let go of her hands, satisfied. He smiled, turned around, and began walking away with his hands clasped behind his back.

Hae Soo's smile gradually faded as she watched him disappear from view. His touch lingered in her palms. She grasped her hands together as if to prolong the sensation just a bit longer. She knew he had successfully stolen her affections, her heart and yet...

"How could we be together?" Hae Soo asked herself.

She turned around and began walking the opposite way, her gaze trailing the swaying leaves of the willow trees before her.

(Yeah, I haven't written fanfiction for over a decade… I was just feeling too overwhelmed/inspired by our OTP that I just had to let some of it leak out into this… I hope it was at least enjoyable if not a decent read.)