Hae Soo sped through Damiwon with her skirts hitched up paying no heed and no mind to the peers she passed. Once outside in the courtyard she followed the path winding towards the palace gardens. Servants were out lighting the lanterns affixed to the exteriors of the buildings, already luring the moths and the mosquitos. The sun was quickly setting and she wanted to be certain she arrived first to their meeting point. She suddenly halted; her leg had begun to ach. Bending down, Hae Soo started to knead and massage her leg to somehow mitigate the pain.

She smiled wistfully. 13th Prince had continued to send her medicine from the palace doctors for the trauma she had incurred and now her limping was virtually absent. It was only after long hours of standing and some amount of physical exertion would the pain return.

Hae Soo cleared her throat and stood upright.

"There was no time for this!" She thought firmly. She patted her dampened face with her sleeves and tucked away stray strands of hair behind her ears. Frowning she lifted her right arm up and took a whiff of her underarm.

She dropped her arm and as well as her head, dejected. "Deodorant…" She whispered sadly to herself.

"Ha, ha, ha! What on earth are you doing?"

Hae Soo whipped around, embarrassed she had been caught red-handed.

"I-!" Hae Soo exclaimed, outraged. However her demeanor softened at the sight of the source of laughter.

"We were supposed to meet by the pond." Hae Soo responded glumly.

"I couldn't wait and I'm glad I didn't." So grinned, his breathtaking smile iridescent in the crimson rays of the setting sun.

Flustered, Hae Soo struggled to find a reproach suitable for the situation.

So cleared his throat. "Shall we then?"

Hae Soo looked up. So had his hand outstretched for her to hold. Hae Soo hesitated to take his hand as a million questions swirled in her mind. "What am I doing? Should I be enabling this behavior? What extent am I willing to walk this path with him? This will only encourage him. I look absolutely disgraceful and smell just as terrible!"

Tired of keeping his hand outstretched So grabbed a hold of Hae Soo's lithe waist and pulled her up against his body. Hae Soo gasped, paralyzed by their close proximity.

"If you're worried about how you smell…" So breathed into Hae Soo's ear.

Hae Soo could feel So move his head upwards inhaling her scent. She shuddered in response, her eyelids blinking rapidly, her lips agape as her breaths deepened and multiplied.

Hae Soo felt her own body melt into his; the rise and fall of their breathing synchronized. Her mind seemed muted, far away, and clouded. She was only aware of So pressed against herself and his warmth emanating through multiple layers of fabric.

The sun had finally set and the stars were finally visible. They scattered and littered the sky in vast stretches with no light pollution to subdue their brilliance. This setting only enhanced the tempestuous mood currently transpiring.

"S-stars." Hae Soo managed to sputter.

So looked up and smirked, obviously aware of the effect he was having on Hae Soo.

Unable to read So's expression Hae Soo remained immobilized by his close proximity. After what seemed like an eternity to Hae Soo, So finally released Hae Soo from his hold, freeing her from his spell but only to slip his hand into hers.

Hae Soo relaxed and inhaled deeply. Aware of her behavior Hae Soo refrained from looking at So. "I am in so much trouble." Hae Soo thought. She did not know the extent of how helpless So could make her feel. At the same time she was giddy with ecstasy, her body electrified - never had she ever felt this way in her past relationships.

"Come on, let's go observe the stars." So spoke with ease, completely unaffected.

"Have you pulled these moves before? Because I swear - " Hae Soo stammered.

With her hand in his So lead the way towards their meeting point.

(AHAHAHAAH! This was totally fluff/fan service… it was fun though… I hope it was uhh enjoyable… huhuhuhuhuhhu)