#noble reader

You, who was destined to be head of your family. Practically considered royalty in Piltover. Your family was well loved and respected among the people, as were you. You who was charming, polite, stunning, having such a beautiful smile that seemed to just pull Grayson in- wait. She was getting sidetracked. Watching you smile and laugh about some joke someone had made, while all she could do was stand next to you. Keeping watch, making sure you were safe. That was her job. Not... whatever it this had become.

Something about you had her in a trance, you'd managed to break past her walls and wrap her around your finger. Grayson would do anything for you.

When your friend had left, you turned to Grayson with a smile. "Getting bored yet?" You asked.

"It's hard to be bored around you," her tone was smooth, that accent alone enough to make your knees feel like buckling. She always knew just what to say, just how to entertain you. Grayson was perfect, in your eyes; and you knew there was nothing she wouldn't do for you.

"How about we get out of here? Head to my room, have some fun?" You couldn't help but tease, fingers trailing her shoulder. Enough to make her feel a shiver down her spine.

I didn't understand what went wrong. I knew, KNEW, because I was no fool, that the Story would change. Since I was remove a load bearing antagonist, how could it NOT? But... well, I did not wish to die. Certainly not for some other girl's love story. I refused to suffer. To be humiliated. To lead a life of pain and degradation. Just so she might frolic about with men, only to ultimately end up on the throne.

She would either have to find her way to greatness on her own merit, or settle of mediocrity. But it would NOT be built upon the back of my suffering. I gracefully bowed out. Took leave of the stage. And? Comported myself as befit a daughter of my house.

They were not... the most open. In fact, they struggled to connect. To offer or even receive comforts of any kind. But my family LOVED with a fierceness that would lead armies and burn nations. We were ABSOLUTE. And we? Stand TOGETHER. Always.

I would never forget. No matter how many days pass by. WHO I first saw when I opened my eyes. Clustered around my tiny form, rumbled and undignified in a way I would never see them again, with eyes that shone with such RELIEF. I never saw my mother's make run like that again. I half believe she hopes I do not remember.

But I DO.

And I always will.

In the Story, my character was a terror. Haughty and cruel. Sadistic. A wealthy brat that played God right up until all her sins came due. She drove a great deal of the early plot. I? Did none of those things. I threw myself into being a good daughter and a shining reflection upon the parents I loved.

I took my etiquette lessons seriously, to the delight of my teachers. My school work was promptly finished and followed by clarifying questions, to the joy of my tutors. I was polite to my peers. Overlooked their embarrassing early fumbles and mistakes. Helped them navigate social disasters with dignity. Promised nothing yet remained approachable.

My prospects had been ABYSMAL in the Story. It was part of the Narrative's punishment, I think. Though in hindsight, it is an ugly thing to do. A wonder I ever found such a story interesting enough to read. I imagine, it is the difference between tales and lived events? Nonetheless. My father was FLOODED with letters.

My poor mother absolutely HARRASED. Not an outing could go by, without SOMEONE mentioning their DEAR, SWEET son or nephew. To maintain proper appearances and neutrality, I was forced to attend more party's and events then I EVER wished to see.

I felt like a slab of meat up for auction. A show pony. But I also knew it was temporary. That I need only keep an eye out for a good, respectful man. Listen to the rumor mills. Discreetly bribe a few servants for information that "everyone knew". It was, after all, the way of things.

Should have been, the way of things.

But trouble started. Strange infighting, that started between boys and escalated to entire households. Tense, unspoken, lines dividing garden parties that only the day before were amicable. The Protagonist and her Harem of powerful players? Were BLIND to it.

Two of them were PRINCE for God sake! How had they been RAISED, that they could not feel the sudden shift in the socio-political landscape of their Father's court? He certainly could. And it clearly unnerved him. Yet? The Harem, each son's, each HEIRS, of some powerful position? Seemed both blind and deaf to all but the painfully obvious.

And even THAT? Was apparently unconnected to each other in their empty little minds. Had they nothing but flowers and glitter between their ears? One had to assume.

People were... accidentally forgotten. When invitations were sent. Then deliberately. Then OPENLY. Then? They were SNUBBED. Events deliberately scheduled on the same day, at the same time, as another. So all of polite society would have to CHOOSE. It was escalation.

And if it had been on or two houses? It would have been scandalous. Depending on the house, perhaps even worrying. A handful of houses? The king might have tried to get involved. Forcefully mediate. But it... it was somehow so much WORSE. Was EVERYWHERE.

Like someone had carefully examined the entirety of the Court for fault lines, then SWUNG. Some silent, careful, machination that left everyone at everyone's throat. Divided. Weak.

Easy to manipulate and control.

I could not for the life of me find the source of it all. My social season becoming swiftly more and more dangerous. Politically charged. People pushing and PUSHING for alliances I could not and WOULD NOT give without consulting my family. The capital was no longer safe. So... I quietly left.

Letters of vague excuse. Family matters, cousin so-n-so in their time of need, I'm sure you understand. Too late to stop me and under the cover of darkness.

It... I tell myself it is not my fault. That it would have happened either way. That I could not have known. But... but guilt is a heavy thing. It sits like lead in your gut. Like chains around your soul. They were waiting, I think. More, I suspect. Because...

Because the capital all but EXPLODED.

The carnage was IMMEDIATE. Not even a full day later, at a hunting party, the heir to one house shot the second son to another.

He did not survive.

The powder keg finally sparked and it all went up in flames. Alliances that had stood for centuries, shattered. Brother turned against brother. A wedding turned into a bloodbath, as the bride turned on both her family AND the groom, escaped into the night. Fights broke out everywhere.

The festering tension that had gone for so long unspoken? Could no longer be ignored. Would not, be ignored. The king was helpless to stop it all. The gaurd could only do so much. The fluffy, happy, empty headed little world of comfort the Protagonist knew? Was shredded to pieces.

It became starkly clear that the royal family... couldn't handle it.

That their heirs were... Weak.

Captain of the Gaurd, the Prime Minister, even the King's strongest supporter, the Duke of the East, ALL of them had... weak and ineffectual heirs. One or two could be a failing of parentage, but all together? They had let someone sabotage their sons. Make them puppets to be used and discarded at convenience.

The natural suspicion, of course, fell to the one most benefiting from said son's empty headedness. Much to the Harem's horror. No! Not their beloved shared girlfriend! That the world was burning around them? Of no consequence. But upsetting their darling little mouse? Unforgivable!

It was an act of true, genuine, paternal love; that those fools were banished by the king. They would have been killed horribly had they remained.

My family and I? Retreated to our lands. We had enough to survive. Our House and our People came first. We sent no messages, we received none. I practiced my frankly terrible embroidery. My maids gently CORRECTED my frankly terrible embroidery. The country BURNED.

Powerful people were picked off, one by one.

And wouldn't you know it? A new star was rising from the chaos. A voice of reason. Charismatic. Driven. Handsome and powerful, with the bloodline to match. Conveniently allied already to all those people who had replaced the Old Guard in government! How very serendipitous. That those positions should just... open up, like that. That he just HAPPEN to have such qualified people at the ready.

What ARE the odds?

My House knew our monster know. We watched. Careful. As he smiled and smiled. One hand open in welcome, the other? Holding a knife, hidden just out of sight. The king saw him for what he was. And the monster saw a worthy foe in the king. They were, after all, both very Dangerous men.

It was likely swordsmen duel.

Deadly steel clashing, shining, swift as it dances, from attack to defend to attack again. Experience versus youth. Power against power. The king was an old dragon, stood against a tiger come to see him dead. And though the dance was breathtaking? In the end... the dragon was old. Tired. And not the man he had once been.

The tiger won.

The king died in his sleep. Of... natural causes. No one believed it. No one dared say otherwise. The crown princess ascended the throne. She had played the game well. Taken after her Father. Been neglected in favor of her idiot brothers. In the Story, she was to be married off. A side character never to be heard from again.

It seems she was not content with such a fate.

Now she was Queen.

My family and I applauded. Polite. I hoped it marked the end of the strangeness. So many had died. So much had changed. Surely... surely it was over, wasn't it? But then? In the cold light of the early morning hours? A letter. Pristine and on a fine paper. Sat like a viper upon the table before us. A bomb.

My Father had stared at it, over steepled hands, like if he glared long enough? It would simply catch fire and burn away. The Monster's crest. Pressed lovingly into the wax. What... what did That Man want with us?

I watched him grit him teeth. Run his letter opener through paper like he was imagining jerking it across flesh, slitting the bastards throat for DARING to threaten his family. I held my mother's hand as he read. Watched his grip on the pages go white knuckled.

He didn't even tell a servant to burn it.

He slammed his chair back, in a terrible fury, and marched straight to the nearest fireplace to consign the letter to the flames. Over his dead body. Was his announcement. I... I had a terrible feeling it might be, whatever was on those pages.

The letters kept coming.

My Father burned them all.

Then? Trouble started.

And I did not need to see history twice, to know how it would end. I got up early. Waited near the damn GATES. My Father could not burn the letter before I read it, if I was there first. It... it was a marriage proposal. I... I did not understand. Why? For what POSSIBLE reason would he...?

It did not matter though, ultimately. I would be saying yes.

For my family? Anything.

And so I packed. My Father knew he couldn't stop me. I was entirely too much his daughter. It was why he had burned the letters. I was doing exactly what he would have done. He vowed to kill him. Slowly. Held me a swore. He would make me the loviest widow to ever live. My Mother promised to go look up family recipes for poisons. For rats, of course.

I loved them so, so much.

I LOVE them even now.

It is why I sit, back straight, fragrant tea untouched, in this cold but beautiful receiving room. I wear my best dress. The one that makes me look coldly beautiful. Elegant but untouchable. I feel like a winter spirit in it. Something made of ice and bone. I wear it when I want to feel stronger. I don't know if it's helping.

If I hold myself still. Count my breathing and do not think. I can almost... ALMOST? Slip into a trance, I think. Let my mind unfocus. They are keeping me waiting. It's a power play. So be it. You will find me unaffected. Bored even, by your petty displays. I stare peacefully into nothing. A statue in a silent room.

I hope I fucking unnerve them.

Confident footsteps. How quite has it become, that I can hear them, even through the door? I do not turn my head. Note absent-mindedly that the tea before me has long grown cold. This whole damn place is cold. I dispise it. The door is opened for the master of this house. I pointedly do not greet him.

"Aaah~, So COLD" He sing song's, almost chiding, it'd be nearly playful if not for the hint of something darker threaded through his voice. He has an almost victorious little bounce to his step as he approaches. "But then again, I already knew that, didn't I? Frigid, untouchable, and unfeeling~ Now? Now you're MINE~"

He laughs. There is something half disbelieving, half euphoric in the noise. Like he's finally gotten everything he's ever wanted and doesn't know what to DO with himself. He invades my space. Looms. Eyes a touch too wide as he stares. Drinking in the sight of me sitting before him, like he can't believe it's real.

"Do you know, snowdrop? How long it TOOK? What I had to DO to achieve this? Ha ha!" The grin that spills across his feature is unhinged. All I can do is sit, tense and frozen before a madman, as he speaks. "The WHINING, the COMPLAINING, the 'what about meeeee'~! They never shut UP! Wretched and pathetic to the last, they panted after you like DOGS."

Hands slid from his pockets, to come to rest on either side of me on the arm rests, bracing and caging me in. Trapping me as he leaned down. Entirely too close. He smelled like winter air, sharp but clean. His eyes were a blue grey so hauntingly pale, they seemed to bore straight into the soul.

"But they were so GREEDY. So DESPERATE for power. It was EASY, to play them like fools against each other. Make them DANCE. And worth it. Because I get what I wanted~ The brat get her silly little throne, and you?" His grin was all teeth. One hand coming up to rest on my head. "Now you can NEVER escape me."

The hand slid, slow and fingers splayed, downwards. Possessive as each finger brushed, stroked, the side of my face. My jaw. My neck. His eyes following it down with something that could only be blatant lust. His grip tightened around my neck. Not enough to choke. Just, it seemed, to prove to himself that he COULD.

His thumb rest again my pulse, facinated.

Sliding back up to cup my chin, gently forcing my head up, so I had no choice but to meet his eyes. His eyes were dilated. I glared.

"I am going to RUIN you." He whispered, sounding entirely too reverent. As though it were some act of worship he had planned. "Take you apart at the seams. Pretty, pretty little thing. Mine, all mine~"

"I saw you first, you know. You couldn't even be bothered to look at me. I tried all night. That's when I KNEW. I was going to hunt you down. MAKE you mine. Marry you and destroy anyone and anything that stood in my way. And I DID~♡"

---------------

It was a new day aboard the TARDIS. As you awoke from your slumber, a tinge of sadness washed over you as you realized the Doctor wasn't beside you. You and the Doctor had been inseparable married since his last regeneration. Back then, your sister was still on the verge of marriage, but an insidious queen alien threatened to unleash her offspring upon humanity. Though the problem was resolved, your sister had to leave the TARDIS for her own safety.

Rising from your bed, you made your way to the TARDIS wardrobe, selecting a (F/c) top paired with washed up wide-legged jeans for today's outfit. Completing your look with your favorite sport shoes, you headed back to the console. Greeting the TARDIS, you found the Doctor tinkering with his sonic screwdriver beneath the main platform, muttering curses under his breath.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" you exclaimed, standing by the console to observe the Time Lord at work.

"Ah, (Y/N)! Finally up--?"

"You could have woken me, you know?"

"Wouldn't dream of depriving you of sleep, now would I?"

"Still haunted by our last sleepover with the Ponds, are you?" you teased, knowing full well he didn't mind those gatherings one bit, but your last escapade involving chasing him with pears during Amy's visit had leaved him on his guards.

"That, and Sexy here needed a bit of tinkering. But we do have to meet up with our in-laws, don't we?"

"Better hurry, or Amy will have both our heads on a silver platter by the time we get there."

"Geronimo, then."

Adjusting a few levers on the console, the Doctor drew closer to you before turning around on his feets, planting an excited kiss on your lips, then pulling the Big lever to send the TARDIS flying off. And landing it did, with a loud sound just down the block.

"You're getting better at parking her! For once, we didn't end up in Amy's kitchen; that's a first." Did you teased him.

"I said I was sorry. Not my fault the oven was wide open."

"I'm not complaining. Now we have a brand new oven to bake with!"

Approaching the door, you barely had time to knock before the ginger woman engulfed you in a bone-crushing hug. Amy had become a close friend since she first entered the TARDIS, her courageous demeanor and contagious sassiness made her impossible not to like. The two of you were quite the pair, sticking together in every circumstance, and today was no exception. As usual on weekends, you had decided to visit and bake with her, initially just a joke, but it had become a regular activity for the girls as time went on, spurred by the Doctor's sweet tooth and craving for sugar.

After exchanging greetings with Rory, Amelia tossed you your cooking apron, adorned with a magnificent "Kiss the Cook" slogan on the front. Catching it gracefully, you tied it securely around your waist as you helped Amelia with hers. Turning to face the grinning Doctor seated on one of the stools, you inquired, "So, pretty boy, what shall we try this time?"

"Have we made 'gâteau au yaourt' yet?"

"What even is that?" Amy chimed in, detaching herself from your grasp.

"Good choice, Doctor. Now, we just need a container to measure everything."

After washing your hands, you felt the Doctor's gaze on your new apron.

"Do you like it?"

"I more than like it. It suits you well."

And there it was, that smile that always made you weak in the knees. Blushing, you turned away, which only seemed to widen the Doctor's grin.

"Oh, shush..."

Without waiting for his response, you began gathering the ingredients needed for the cake. Retrieving your phone from your back pocket, you started an energetic playlist, dancing around the counter while Amy sang along to certain parts.

"So, let me guide you through this, Amy. First, we need some yogurt."

Peeking into the fridge, the ginger-haired girl retrieved a small white container. And so, you began explaining how yogurt cake was an important French bakery item, a practical dessert with no need for precise measurements, perfect for busy meetings.

The recipe was simple enough, so while Amy mixed the batter, you whipped up some cream, trying your best to keep up with the beat of the music. Once finished, you stored the cream in the fridge before joining Amy for the final step: pouring the batter into a circular pan and placing it in the oven.

With the cake now baking, you suggested to Amy that she and Rory take a break while you tackled the dishes. Eyeing you suspiciously, she warned you not to make a mess in her absence. Whether she was referring to you or the Doctor, who was still seated at the counter, you couldn't be sure. Shaking your head, you ushered her out before taking your place at the sink, whisk in hand.

As you washed the utensils, you felt someone's hands wrap around your waist, and a head drop onto your shoulder.

"Bored already, darling?"

"Not really…"

"Then what's on your mind?"

You had just shaken your hands to remove excess water when you turned around to find the Doctor's face mere inches from yours, his nose adorned with a smudge of batter. Did he really just lick the bowl? Deciding you didn’t even want to question it, you just stared at it for a while before speaking up.

“You have a little something on your face.. Here let me help you.”  Taking the end of your apron, you brought it up to his face before weeping the small spot at the tip of his nose. His smile shined once more as you sneakily swapped your places, making him now trapped between you and the counter. 

"So, tell me, what's going on in that beautiful head of yours? You've been unusually quiet…"

"Can't I just listen to you talk?"

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"I mean, you've lived in France for a couple of lives, so you might know more than me on this point."

"Says the man with a universe's worth of knowledge in his library. You're not fooling me on this one, spaceman."

Your faces were now tantalizingly close, as you tried to coax him into saying something. With you this close, all he wanted was to tell you everything but it would ruin the surprise. He had wanted for it to be special, a small adventure for the both of you, but he was too scared to spill it out of excitement to say something. 

"You're impossible, you know that?"

"Apparently not enough. Tell me about it."

With a small laugh, you grabbed him by his bow tie, crashing your lips against his, melting into his touch as you basked in his comfort. Each sweet kiss sent butterflies fluttering in your stomach, just like the first time you met. Your hands grasped at anything you could on him, trying to ground yourself in the moment.

Your embrace seemed too short, as your make-out session was interrupted by the timer on the oven. With your hair disheveled and the Doctor's bow tie undone, you tried to compose yourselves, pulling your hair back and slipping on a heat-resistant glove to retrieve the cake from the oven. Admiring the beautiful golden top, you could practically taste its delicious aroma.

You and the Doctor attempted to look a bit more presentable, but as always Amy bursted into the kitchen, wanting to ensure everything was all right.

"Cake's out of the oven?"

"Yep."

Upon closer inspection, she laughed at the Doctor's disheveled appearance. He was still straightening his bow tie, his collar askew, revealing a few red marks, with his shirt wrinkled and partially untucked, his suspenders struggling to stay attached to his pants.

"You two had fun, I see."

Blushing, you were tempted to toss your glove at Amy, but she dodged it with ease, giggling as she left, seemingly on her way to spread some gossip.

"Shit, I missed..."

Well, it could have been worse. You helped the Doctor readjust his bow tie, before boiling water for tea. Finally, you made the cake presentable and topped it with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.

And as you set everything on the table, the Doctor marveled at his luck. How did he end up with someone who could keep up with him on every adventure? He remembered the look on your face when you first saw his new regeneration. He had told you beforehand, but he still worried that you wouldn't love him the same way with his new face.

How silly was he to think that someone who had changed faces so many times would reject him. To you, he was still the Doctor, the beautiful creature who had shown you the universe, made you feel loved and cared for. Even if he was a bit smaller, with longer hair and a larger chin. In your opinion it made him all the easier to kiss, and you were grateful for it.

----------------

The afternoon ended on a beautiful note, with you, the Doctor, and the Ponds enjoying a delicious homemade cake as soft music played in the background. You discussed future adventures and reminisced about memories made along the way, planning your next baking escapade. It was no surprise when the Doctor suggested trying to make some alien cake next time. In your mind, you had already reached the bottom shelf of the TARDIS library, eyeing the row of books, wondering if the red recipe book with Gallifreyan writings on the cover could help.

You had been working tirelessly for weeks now to perfect a recipe while visiting your sister. Secretly learning Gallifreyan, with some assistance from the TARDIS in selecting the right books for translation. You were grateful for her help in this endeavor. You wanted for it to be perfect after all and create something meaningful for him.

As the sun set, you bid farewell to the Ponds, promising to visit again soon, before returning to the TARDIS. Once in space, the Doctor was finally able to execute his plan, sending you both to one of the most beautiful soirées in the galaxy to dance the night away. For a short while he disappeared into the corridors of the TARDIS, letting you ponder what he was up to this time.

----------------

"Well, milady, we are awaited somewhere rather special. Your finest dress is advised for this glorious night." The Doctor exclaimed with the voice of a television host, returning in a magnificent white vest and black dress pants. A smile graced your lips as you admired him and his unusual attire.

"Just give me a moment, beautiful stranger… I'll be right back." Making your way to the TARDIS wardrobe, you examined the extensive selection of dresses, eventually landing one recommended by River. You had chosen it on one of your last trips together, waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it. As for jewelry, you adorned yourself with a simple golden necklace the Doctor had given you for your first anniversary.

Emerging onto the main platform, you found the Doctor still where you had left him, his feet tapping the ground in a repeating pattern. When he turned around, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of you. The dress you wore was a mid-length gown with a slit, featuring a V-neckline that revealed just the right amount of cleavage. It hugged your figure perfectly, with two distinct parts to the sleeves—one that made the top stand straight and the other cascading over your shoulder. Your makeup was soft, your hair elegantly styled, complementing every curve of your body.

"So… what do you think?"

"Bleamy, (Y/N)...., you look out of this world…"

Still a blushing mess, you interlocked your arm with his as you walked out of the TARDIS, a wide grin spreading across your face when you saw where he had taken you.

—-------------------

Bonus :

"I suppose I made the right choice of dress, didn't I?"  Did you laugh practically out of air.

As always, the night ended with both of you escaping the scene, giggling like a mad married couple , with a few soldiers trying to get hold of you. Let's just say you were discovered in one of the corridors making out once again, this time with the Doctor fully adorned in your favorite deep red lipstick.

• Julian HAD to have snuck into the castle if he were to meet you for the first time. After all, he is a wanted criminal, depending on when he meets your character

• maybe he was looking for more clues about what happened to the king or left something of his behind in his studies, which brought him to the library. He still had a key that Portia gave him, who he told her he lost it so he could come and go as he pleased, as long as he dosnt get caught that is.

• what he didnt expect was to actually find someone in the library. The library that has been out of use for auch a long time. That someone would actually be in it to begin with. He only thought that he and his sister had the keys... maybe Nadia, too.

• he stopped at the door to study you, just staring at you. How neat and beautiful your clothes were, and how stylish you seemed, with your jewelry and established posture. You must had been an guest at the castle, or a friend of Nadias to be looking so upper class and being allowed in the library.

"Its rude to stare, you know?"

Your voice caught him off gaurd, he must have been staring at you for you to notice. Even with your book in hand, you looked up at him with an unimpressed look as he fumbled over his words for an answer.

"Well.... i uh... didnt expect to find anyone taking of intrest of these old books" he would recover himself, trying to put on his best grin to make him not seem suspicious.

You would roll your eyes at him and continue reading as he stood there awkwardly. Until clearing his throat, picking out a completely random book and pulled up a chair to talk to you, which you responded, despite being intrested in your book, to his questions.

The two pf you chatted, and when he told you his name, you already knew who he was, which astounded him. But, instead of alerting the guards, you just sat there quietly while reading your book. Flipping through it withiut a care in the world as Julian freaked out you were going to call someone.

You just sat there reading, without a care that an alleged and wanted criminal was right next to you, but you liked your book more anyway. Just shrugging at him whem he asked

So, instead, he sat there and talked to you while you responded back to him. Him learning of your nobility abd why you were in the castle to begin with. One of the most engaging talks he ever had that wasnt with his sister that was scolding him.

You had to leave at some point to go help Nadia, leaving Julian alone with his thoughts and old desk.

• now, Julian couldnt stop thinking of you. So, now at the same time every day, he would sneak into the library in hopes to find you, and of course, there you were. Reading the same or a different book in your lap.

Julian would stride in to talk to you. Greeting you with a smile and sitting down to talk to you about lord knows what. Even occasionally throwing flirts at you just to get you to look up at him from youf book.

His visits became frequent, despite them being a secret, he still somehow managed to meet in the library at the same exact time as you

• he definitely tries to get you to laugh by using rich people humor, which hardly gets a crack out of you, unless he actually says something funny or gets flustered

• at first it was just library visits. Then when Julian could go out without hiding, youd have him show you around the town, incase if you are new or just never got out long enough to see it all.

• makes stupid jokes about how he would throw himself in a mud pile to keep you from stepping in it to get you to roll your eyes chuckle at him

• always claims to be your night in shining armor when out and about, declairing he would protect you. Only to jump at the sight of a mouse skittering along the floor

• tries to learn upper class flirting to use on you. If he dosnt flirt enough now, just wait tell he adds in royalty

• you find it stupid, but Julian is stupid enough to make kt work.

• if you buy him anything he us intrested in he would try and decline as he litterly is screaming inside

• alittle bit nervous that he was a citizen and not a royal you shoukd end up with. Makes him paranoid that he is to poor for you to love/like him

• attending jis silly little plays makes him brighten up when he sees you

• def jokes about joining the royal gaurd just so he could spend more tims with you

The first time Vernon saw you was two months after he became apprentice to the royal blacksmith. He’d been sent to the castle’s kitchens for an errand and just as he reached one of the doors, he saw you and two other girls walk into the hallway, giggling and chatting away in hushed voices.

To avoid confrontation, he had opened the door and walked through it quickly, but not after stealing one more glance at your face.

The first time you noticed Vernon was not then, but the next time he saw you, many months later.

Everyone in the kingdom was invited to attend the marriage of the King’s eldest daughter, therefore all of the castle’s workers had to do work of some kind. Vernon’s job was to polish the armor and swords of the royal knights, then watch the procession before helping the rest of the castle staff prepare the reception. You, being the noblest of the princess’s ladies-in-waiting, spent all day getting dressed for the occasion before doing your duty to help the princess get ready however you’re able.

Halfway through the parade that was the wedding procession to the kingdom’s cathedral, Vernon somehow got pushed to the front of the crowd and caught your eye as you walked by. He had recognized you even before you got close, he could never forget your face and he never would now.

You looked so beautiful holding flowers that matched your gown that wasn’t supposed to outshine the princess’s, but Vernon thought you looked as good as any princess or better. The two of you made eye contact for just a second, a second that could very well have been an eternity, before you slowly turned your head away as you walked past.

Vernon turned to the person next to him, one of the palace maids, and asked, “Who was that Lady just now, the second one after the royal family?”

The maid giggled. “The one in blue you were just ogling at? I see her all the time, she’s Lady Y/N, daughter of Duke L/N. One of the princess’s ladies-in-waiting.”

Vernon murmured your name under his breath in wonder before slowly breaking away from the crowd to head back to the castle.

At the same time you, meters away, had tried not to feel Vernon’s gaze following your back as you kept walking. You couldn’t get his face out of your mind. You’d met so many high-ranking noblemen in your life and their many sons yet you felt that none of them were as handsome as the boy you had locked eyes with just a minute ago. He was wearing the clothes male servants of the castle were told to wear today but you would’ve seen him many times already if that’s what he was so you were curious as to how he worked for the family.

The king was waiting outside of the cathedral to collect the princess so that he could walk her in after the rest of the group took their places. As you trudged on, taking much care to not move your feet any slower or faster than the person in front of you, you let your eyes wander a bit.

You recognized close to no one on the groom’s side of the pews but on the bride’s side you saw many familiar faces. So many royals, esteemed staff, nobles including your family, and others watched with countless different pairs of eyes, many of which you’d grown up with or grew up learning to read.

Court culture is one of teeth with a heart for bloodsport and the palace court of the second-largest kingdom in the land is no exception. Amongst the crowd you could spot a sharp glint, a gentle stare, a jealous brow…however nothing mattered more to you than your father’s proud sparkle. Those are a pair of eyes that raised you to know what to be looking out for in your life, invaluable lessons from birth to nobility in the kingdom.

Once your part of the line walked past the front of the pews, you bowed your head and stood behind where the youngest princess would stand and watched the rest of the procession file in. You then noticed a fidget from the groom himself, impossible for you not to see in a setting of orderly pace and stiff-backed audience members.

Prince Seungcheol, the oldest of the only two sons of the largest kingdom in the land, was supposed to have his hands clasped properly in front of him waiting for his bride, but it seemed that he couldn’t help but squeeze his fingers around nervously. His mother, who was sitting in the pew closest to him, also noticed and made a subtle signal to stop.

As you watched this tiny event occur, you looked at the rest of Seungcheol’s family, sitting together in that pew. Beside his parents were three daughters and one (sulky looking) son, Prince Wonwoo. You internally smiled to yourself, thinking of all the juicy gossip you’d picked up from the princess and her sisters about Seungcheol and his siblings. At that moment, everyone in the pews stood up. It was time for the king and princess to enter.

Immediately you saw Seungcheol’s hands go still out of the corner of your eye. In fact, his whole body did. You couldn’t blame him - even with a veil over her head, the princess looked stunning. He wasn’t the only one in the room who was in love with her but he was the one she had fallen in love with, and the look in his eyes said everything about what she meant to him. You felt your heart swell at the sight of the two saying their vows to each other and beaming. You blinked back tears of compassion when the priest pronounced them married.

The time between the newlyweds leading everyone out of the cathedral to getting back to the castle was a blur of cheering, hugging, and an endless storm of flower petals. Next thing you knew you were sitting down with your parents at the end of a long line of tables in the castle’s largest hall, waiting for the food to be laid out.

Vernon was given a large bowl of stew to bring out and he saw you there, participating in small talk amongst the other nobility. After years of barely getting by, followed by his time working in the castle, he could easily read your face. Utilizing the fact that time seemed to slow down when he looked at you, Vernon took in the practiced smile plastered on your face, complemented by a hint of boredom in your eyes. You sat up straight and tall until a maid set a goblet of wine down next to you and you looked up to thank her, getting you a disapproving look from someone next to you.

By the time you moved your head back, Vernon reached the table and continued to watch you as you gingerly picked up your goblet to take a sip. Your eyes met as you did so, causing you to freeze in your actions. The bowl of stew nearly slipped from Vernon’s hands from the shock and he looked away in an instant, setting the thing down before walking away. He wanted so badly to glance at you again but didn’t want to possibly bump into someone in the bustling hall from being distracted.

You ended up taking a much longer sip of wine than originally intended, forcing you to swallow hard. You hadn’t even acknowledged what dish that young man was carrying, you were too busy trying to hide your exhilaration from seeing him again. The way his eyes widened when you noticed him, the way he’d nearly stumbled - with or without all of your own insight you would have noticed. It was proof to your rebellious self that those eyes you couldn’t get out of your mind all day were real. That boy you saw was real, and you liked him already more than you wanted to admit.

And the fact that he’d obviously been watching you despite the location of his task being quite a bit farther down the table was proof that he probably remembered you too. Beneath all of your upsettingly-too-fancy layers, your heart raced at all of these thoughts and it only beat faster when the boy came back into the hall again, carrying something different.

He didn’t even hide that he knew where you were seated except this time you were watching for him too. It was as if everything else in the world disappeared. The fear of your silent exchanges being noticed no longer existed, not that it was ever a worry in the first place. All eyes were on the princess tonight and never are they on servants anyways.

You two held each other’s gaze for so long, you practically had a full conversation using only slight changes in facial expression. How you wished you could have seen him again that night but the only thing left for castle servants to do was to clean up rooms after the wedding party had left them. You thought about at least leaving the dance early to go find him to at least ask his name, but with so many party-goers and stressed out staff around, you realized that wasn't a good idea.

You really wanted to leave the stupid ballroom, though. If not to find that man then at least to your chambers so you could finally have time to yourself in more comfortable clothing. You were getting very sick of your mother taking every opportunity to introduce and reintroduce all kinds of noblemen to you - You treated them all politely of course, but you couldn’t stop thinking about how none of them interested you nearly as much as the mystery man and you were starting to annoy yourself over how much he’d invaded your mind. The sooner the night was over the better.

A contrast to your lush bedroom, Vernon shared a servant’s room with the royal blacksmith where he laid down on a simple mattress with his hands behind his head. Vernon couldn’t remember the last time his mind had felt so busy but most of his thoughts were bringing about feelings that were new to him, so he couldn’t help but feel alert.

“Sir,” Vernon spoke, seemingly out of nowhere. He turned his head to face his mentor. “Do you remember how you felt when you first met your wife?”

The blacksmith looked over at Vernon in surprise. “Well of course I do! It wasn’t love at first sight or anything but I at least knew I liked her."

Vernon smiled at that. "When did it become love?"

"Over time I suppose, it's difficult to pinpoint anything specific. Though I will say, no other girl I'd met in my youth was so interested in my work, of all the grime and heat and sparks everywhere, so she became the most supportive. Haha, sparks. I guess it’s easier to say how than when."

Vernon nodded with a chuckle then turned back again. The blacksmith raised an eyebrow while fanning out his blanket.

“Why do you ask, dear boy? You’re usually so quiet.”

Vernon opened his mouth to say, but thought better of it. “I guess…after seeing how much went into the wedding today I couldn’t help but wonder.” He then cringed at his own white lie and grabbed his own blanket to rest.

The last time you were so interested in someone you didn’t even know was when you were eight and the person wasn’t even real. It was a character in a fairytale your mother used to tell you, Cinderella. You admired her for being able to stay kind-hearted and hard working through so much pain and tragedy but found it silly that she was saved over a shoe. Or at least, that’s what you said as a child at bedtime, making your mother laugh.

During your studies, you used to spend hours writing countless amounts of alternative endings to Cinderella’s story, most of which were meant to be more logical or more romantic but some of which you found even more ridiculous than the original. This went on for years with several fairytales and you shared much of it over tea with your friends in the court, until one year you found something else to grow into.

With similar fervor, you actually went out of your way to look around for the right person to ask who the mystery servant boy was without risking suspicion. It took a couple of days until the court’s weekly riding lessons came up. The person who ended up being able to set you on the right track was the stableboy, Joshua. You took extra long to brush your horse before asking, waiting for everyone to have left already.

“The only guy I know who matches your description works with the blacksmith, he’s the newest around here who's young,” Joshua said, unfazed by your embarrassment. “I think I heard someone call him Hansol? Everyone else I can think of that sounds similar is above servant class.”

“Hansol…wow, thank you so much Joshua! I owe you one.”

Joshua dipped his head. “Happy to help, m’Lady.” You then went to put away your brush and sugar cubes, looking very excited.

“By the way,” Joshua called, his turn to look embarrassed. “The next time you see the princess’s second sister, could you tell her…I need help with something about her horse?”

You tried not to laugh as you smiled knowingly. “Of course, I’ll send her your way!”

Joshua hid his blush at your teasing wink before you skipped off.

“Oh, m’Lady?” Joshua called.

“Yes?”

“If you’re about to go find the guy, I suggest you wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.”

The forges were outdoors, close to the kitchen which wasn’t the farthest walk from the stables but there was a high chance of being spotted. You hoped to the heavens that you weren’t as you approached the small building from the back, hearing sounds of clanging metal grow louder. Knowing there was no door to the place, you took one last look around before rounding the corner to go in.

You were immediately greeted with the sight of a large stone furnace and the feeling of heat on your face from the fire. You observed tools hanging on the walls, barrels of supplies, and several work benches. At one of them stood a man with his back turned, his hammer the source of the clanging.

Even from behind you could recognize him, though you had to admire his broad shoulders and strong arms. You weren’t sure what to say, it all felt a bit anticlimactic.

"So… you're the blacksmith's helper! Uh, where is he right now?"

Vernon stopped to turn and look. Upon recognizing you, nearly dropped the sword he'd been working on into his water bucket. Without taking his eyes off of you, he slowly dipped the scalding metal in, surprising you in turn with the sudden sound of steam. Out he pulled a very pretty iron blade.

"Apprentice," Vernon finally spoke, setting his project aside. He then bowed to you politely. "My master insisted on retrieving water himself, he’s returning shortly. What brings you here, my Lady?"

You flapped your hand at him, laughing. "Please, just call me Y/N. I thought I'd finally make your acquaintance?"

Vernon blinked. He awkwardly removed his gloves and held out a hand. "Chwe Hansol, but most call me Vernon. Pleased to meet you, Lady Y/N."

You laughed again, a sound Vernon decided he liked hearing. “Do you need me to relay a message for my master?” Vernon asked as you shook hands.

“Not actually,” you admitted. “The truth is I just came to see you and, well…I mean I’m sure the blacksmith is-”

“Why hello, kids!”

You and Vernon jumped away from each other, causing Vernon to knock over the bucket of water. He winced at the splash. You looked at the source of the new voice - a kindly older man who’d seemingly appeared from nowhere carrying an identical bucket but full of water.

“Someone mention me?” He asked, grinning.

“Ah, sorry sir,” Vernon scrambled to get his gloves. “I was just, uh-”

“Vernon, are you not going to introduce me to your fine friend here?” The blacksmith mused. Vernon blushed.

“Y/N L/N,” you smiled, holding out your hand. “A fine workplace you have!”

“Ah, Duke L/N’s daughter!” You could see the man sweating nervously as he bowed to you instead. “Many thanks and forgive me for not recognizing you! Is there something I can help you with?”

You realized your simple outfit must have thrown him off and you felt bad. “Oh no, I should apologize for troubling you. I was just, um, passing by and saw…” You looked over at Vernon, who also looked at a loss for words.

“Miss, you are no trouble at all. Say Vernon, why don’t you take a break and go refill your bucket, maybe bring your friend here too? Give you two some time to chat a bit, maybe,” The blacksmith ended with a wink.

Vernon sputtered incomprehensibly as he picked up the bucket and began to leave. You bowed and said thank you.

“Of course,” the blacksmith said before you went to catch up. “I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

“Where are we going?” You asked Vernon as the two of you walked farther and farther away from the castle. “The moat is closer.”

“We’re going to…a nice spot.” Is all he said.

Okay sure, you thought. You continued walking through the grass closer to the forest in near silence. You were trying very hard not to stare too much at him - your insides were fluttering at being able to look at his handsome features up close.

“I wanted to find you after the reception,” you blurted out.

Vernon regarded you with no change of expression. “I mean, I guess I did too. But I’m sure you were busy.”

“Well that wouldn’t have stopped me,” you laughed. “Clearly, since here I am. But I didn’t even know your name until earlier today.”

“Who did you ask?”

“Ah…well, I couldn’t ask people in the court so I asked the stableboy after taking care of my horse today.”

Vernon nodded. “The stableboy, huh. I’ve been meaning to say hello at some point, the maids say he’s nice. Or at least, nice-looking. But I haven’t gotten the chance.” He smiled when you giggled at that.

“No one but him, you, and your master know where I am right now. And I’m glad your master won’t tell that he saw me. I was going to say I was worried about that before he showed up.”

“He’s a good man,” Vernon said. “No thoughts outside of dedication to his craft.”

Pretty soon, the two of you arrived at a stream not too far into the forest. Vernon set his bucket down and proceeded to rinse his face. When he noticed your bemused posture standing behind him, he said “The water here is fresher than the moat’s, there’s a spring nearby. It’s also quieter. It’s like a…treat of sorts when I’m allowed to make the longer trip.”

You decided to kneel down and rinse your hands, marveling at how clear the water was and how quickly it carried dust and sweat off of your skin. As you rose after you were done, your face lit up.

“What is it?” Vernon asked.

“Over there, that hill?” You pointed through the trees to the left of the castle. “I like to go there, usually for picnics with friends. But I read there on my own when I can.”

“Perhaps you’d like to show me sometime?” Vernon said softly. You looked at him bashfully as he finally started filling up his bucket with water.

Once it was full, Vernon had you follow him to the edge of the forest. He set the bucket down then sat down next to it, gesturing for you to sit too. You carefully sat side-legged with your skirts past your knees. You gazed out at the castle, seeing the smoke billowing from the kitchens and the blacksmith’s shop.

“I already knew your name,” Vernon finally spoke, sounding like he was sharing a secret. “At the wedding. But even though I wanted to, I couldn't have looked for you then without finding trouble.”

“I am trouble so you found it anyways,” you joked, making Vernon chuckle. “Who did you ask?”

“Just a maid,” Vernon shrugged. “She was next to me during the procession.”

You sat in silence for a bit as Vernon visibly fought himself over whether or not to say something else.

“Hey,” you said, nervous yourself. “Anything you ever want to tell me, I won’t judge.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Vernon smiled, relaxing a little. He grabbed the handle of his bucket and got up. “We should head back..you probably don’t want to be late for dinner.”

You blinked and the shock of realizing the time sank in. “My stars, you’re right,” you exclaimed, getting up and smoothing your skirts. “You go slow, I should hurry back now, to get changed.”

“Be safe on your way back,” Vernon said. You nodded, beaming. Just when you were about to start running, you felt a tug at your arm.

“Hey,” Vernon said, a bit shy. “Thanks for making time to come see me. I don’t usually get company and your free time must be precious.”

“Aw, don’t worry about it!” You placed a hand over his wrist, making him jump. “It was worth the risk and I had fun!”

Vernon stood there a bit stunned, before nodding with a small smile. “Will I see you again?”

You grinned again. “The hill, I’ll send you a sign.” Then finally you took off, leaving Vernon in the grass.

As he walked, he watched how the setting sun reflected off of your hair and skin, your sleeves rippling in the wind. He matched your fluttering smile when you looked back at him.

Over a week later, you had to rely on Joshua again to help out. You slipped him one of your necklaces tied to a note after a horse riding session then set off to that hill with a book.

Joshua unfolded the note and smiled.

Making up an excuse to leave, Joshua rode his own horse over to the blacksmith’s workplace.

You watched Joshua and Vernon’s short exchange all the way from the top of the hill, waiting with much anticipation. You gradually got immersed in your book until finally, you heard Vernon’s voice from behind.

“A ‘sign’, huh?”

You put down the book and faced him. Vernon’s smile mirrored yours as he stood there, holding up your necklace. He handed it to you as he sat down.

“It was the best thing I could think of,” you replied with a shrug. “Pretty, isn’t it?”

You held the charm in your palm, watching it sparkle in the sunlight.

“It’s the royal family’s crest, right?”

You nodded. “I got it shortly before the princess’s wedding. Who knows, you might be seeing it again soon…!”

Vernon laughed at that. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll have to thank the stableboy soon, maybe get to know him.”

The two of you sat in comfortable silence before Vernon asked, “What story is that?”

“Oh, this? It’s The Tale of Sim Cheong. It’s one I go back to often.”

“Wow, that’s one I haven’t heard in a long time…may I see?”

You nodded and handed the book to him. You watched as Vernon flipped through the old pages, occasionally smiling, making hints of adoration bubble inside you.

“Are fairytales your favorite?” He spoke, not looking away.

“I guess you could say that, I like reading biographies and myths too but they’re not nearly as…”

“Magical?” Vernon finished. You nodded, happy that he was so eager to get to know you. It felt refreshing to talk to someone naturally rather than within an abrupt arrangement.

When he was just about done, you thought to ask him something but even after days of thinking about it, you were still nervous.

“Uh, Vernon,” You began slowly.

“Yeah, Y/N?”

“I could see that you wanted to tell me something before…what was it, do you remember?”

Remembering what you’d said, Vernon exhaled and looked at you, setting the book down. “I wanted to say I’d seen you before the wedding, just once, and thought you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Which is why I wanted to know who you were. But I thought it’d be too forward..”

You were so stunned you couldn’t say anything for a moment. Part of you wanted to float upwards into joy and the other part wanted to hide in a hole blushing.

“I, uh, t-th…thank you, that means a lot.” You managed. “I think you’re, uh, beautiful too. More so than a lot of men I’ve met.”

It was Vernon’s turn to blush. “Thanks, really I-I’m glad.” He could feel things getting even more awkward. “That day I…didn’t get to go into the cathedral so I still don’t know what it’s like to see people get married.”

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’ve never seen a wedding?”

“Not one like that. My folks aren’t around anymore and that was the king’s first daughter, right? So growing up I just, well...anyways I know now is it’s a lot of work.”

You chuckled and looked up to the sky. “Don’t remind me that I’ll have to repeat all that preparation like five more times in the next couple years…”

“Can they not wait? Or do they think the amount of time from betrothal is enough already?”

“Gosh, I don’t know…personally I don’t think any amount of time is ever enough to truly decide who you want to spend eternity with, but they’re royals who are expected to produce heirs fast. I’m not even betrothed, surprisingly, which is great because I’ve seen how much struggle comes with prior engagements.”

Vernon did his best to fight down any feelings of hope from you saying that by asking something else. “What is it like in the court?”

You sighed deeply. “Brutal. Sometimes it’s fun, like a constant sleepover party with your close friends. But sometimes it feels like no one is their own person because of all the gossip and expectations. It’s like from birth, everyone already had their purpose and social circle chosen and then all of the pressure just piles on. Though I don’t regret having to balance so many responsibilities now, it puts all of the skills I learned when I was younger to use.”

Even though you weren’t going into too much out of worry, Vernon was such a good listener. “That’s so interesting to me, I didn’t have much structure as a kid but wanted it where you’re constantly surrounded by it.”

You nodded in appreciation. “It’s why I used to be shocked when I heard about people who dream of living in the castle. What brought you here? I’m guessing it hasn’t been long?”

“Yeah,” Vernon said. “After my parents passed I got by in the village by helping the cathedral keepers in exchange for food. One day the royal blacksmith was in town for errands and talked to me when he passed. He found out I had no family and practically no skills, but was thinking of learning to make stained glass windows with no clue where to start. So all in all, there was no way I would have refused his offer to be apprenticed. If not for learning, then for the better shelter, haha.”

“I’m so glad for you, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been all on your own. Do you still think you want to make stained glass windows one day? I think that’s really neat.”

“Maybe,” Vernon shrugged. “Staring at those windows and learning their stories was what kept me going as a kid so I’ve always been drawn to them. But learning to forge metal into weapons has been really rewarding and soon I’ll be learning how to make armor. Though my master says if I still want to go the other route, he’ll write a recommendation to a friend of his in the neighboring kingdom.”

“That’s amazing! And hey, maybe you could do both one day! I promise I’ll be recommending you to everyone I know.”

“Maybe I will,” Vernon smiled. “…I wish I could stay and ask you more but I need to get back, my master is going to worry.”

You nodded and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “You go, there can always be a next time, if you’d like. I’ll see you around?”

Vernon’s face broke out into the brightest smile you’d seen from him yet, melting your heart for good. “Of course, Y/N.”

For the next few weeks, you and Vernon learned more about each other each time Vernon came to return your necklace. Little things, big things - It was so difficult to find any time you could steal him away discreetly, but it made things all the more worth it. Every moment was precious and you found yourself not able to comprehend how your life was before having Vernon to talk to.

You knew from the start it was wrong. Sneaking away to see him, disguising yourself, passing notes. You knew that one day you would have to leave him behind or worse. But you couldn’t stop your feelings from growing and you didn’t want them to stop. For once in your life you hadn’t just befriended someone kind…someone sweet and silly and handsome - you were choosing to spend time with him, to put forth the effort. A choice of your own that you weren’t going to let anyone take away from you.

One summer day, he actually beat you to the hill. You arrived breathless after jogging up to the top where Vernon stood grinning, twirling the silver chain between his fingers with familiarity.

“At this rate Joshua is going to become my new best friend.”

“I’m glad you guys get along,” you laughed, panting a bit. You walked up to him to take your necklace back as always, but this time to make fun of you a little bit Vernon held it out of reach, your hand missing his at the last moment.

You pretended to be offended as you kept reaching for it while he laughed until you accidentally tripped, catching Vernon off guard as he had to catch you. Your already red faces only got redder when you found yourself in his arms so you forced yourself to slowly push away from him as he quietly gave the necklace back.

“Uh, I brought food,” Vernon spoke, breaking the awkward silence. He pointed to a small basket on the ground; you could smell the bread inside. There was a small pail of fresh water to share, too.

“Hooray!” you exclaimed, still a bit jittery. “I’ll admit I am hungry.”

As the two of you snacked together comfortably, laughing and chatting away as usual, it sunk in how close you felt, strange considering how you’d met. But no complaints, of course.

“I’ve been working on my first chainmail hood,” Vernon said along the way in the conversation. “You should come by soon so I can show you. It’s really heavy but the knights I’ve met say it’s fine.”

“That’s so cool! I don’t get to speak with them that often, but the youngest princess likes to watch them train.”

There was a pause before you and Vernon broke into soft laughter over that.

“Anyways, I’m ahead in my training this week so my master said I could have the day off and we’re starting something new after he finishes his recent order.”

“So I can have you to myself longer today if I want?” You smirked.

“Mmhm,” Vernon smiled, unfazed. Your blush was unbidden.

“Well my parents are busy today and so is the princess so I also have more free time today.”

“And Joshua’s keeping her sister busy,” Vernon murmured into the pail with a smirk of his own.

You pretended to gasp in shock. “Oh no, have my court ways rubbed off on you!?”

Vernon laughed. “Who knows, I might be able to out-gossip you soon..”

“I’ll have to stop telling you so much…” you shook your head, reaching for a strawberry you spotted in the basket.

“But your stories are so fun, I didn’t know anything about what happens in the castle before meeting you! Aside from tidbits from the cook but you know.”

“Yeah, everyone here has heard the cook gossip at least once.”

Vernon finished his bread and turned towards you. “True that. How about this? Any stories of your own you could tell me about? Like, story stories?”

Touched, you raised your eyebrows. “My my…I guess I haven’t told you that my favorite thing to do when I was little wasn’t just reading fairytales, it was messing with them.”

“What do you mean?” Vernon cocked his head.

“So you know how even with dozens of iterations, fairytales always seem to end the same? I used to come up with several different endings for my favorites to see just how crazy I could make them without losing the overall meaning. My court friends loved it growing up because tea lessons could get really boring.”

“That’s actually really interesting, what was your favorite one you wrote?”

You snorted because you immediately knew which one it was. “My favorite story to alternate was Cinderella, everyone knew it. The most ridiculous version I made was with an explosive pumpkin carriage and slippers that could fly. But after reading this one version I made with a fairy godmother to the princess, she gave me a bunch of ideas for more.”

Vernon, who had been chuckling, suddenly stopped in his curiosity. “The princess asked you to write things?”

“At first her versions all had something to do with Cinderella staying alone. Running away, rejecting the prince, finding someone else, letting a step sister have him, but over time she had me write the prince with more personality, used the fairy’s magic to extend the story, plus a lot of other things, and now…she’s married to Prince Seungcheol.”

Vernon’s jaw dropped. “Did you keep all of those versions?”

“Not of those I didn’t, because the princess kept a box of my writings that she agreed to marry the prince. She still has it now,” you giggled, starting to feel embarrassed. “From the moment they were betrothed, the princess complained so much about her now husband. She’d been signed off to marry him without having a chance to get to know him first and he wasn’t how she’d imagined her own Prince Charming. So alongside Cinderella, there were a lot of other ways she asked me to ‘rewrite her story’ and I would read them to her whenever I could, some of which were quite detailed. Until one day one of the other ladies-in-waiting mixed up a gift for Seungcheol and the story box.”

You couldn’t wipe the mischievous look off your face as Vernon gasped, knowing where this was going.

“Lets just say Seungcheol was both very amused and very hurt when he got his present. I nearly fainted when one of his sisters told us he read everything that was in the box. You should have seen the look on the princess’s face though, her sister had to spend hours convincing her to face the world again, nevermind speak to Seungcheol.”

“And how did that go?

“The two went on a very long walk together, we all watched from a window when the princess returned and squealed when he kissed her hand. And the rest was history,” you grinned as you finished your bread and took a nice sip of water from the pail.

Vernon sat back, dazed with fascination. “And here we are talking about it after meeting because of their marriage.”

You let out a laugh. “I guess the moral of the story is high reward can follow high risk if you’re brave enough..?”

Vernon joined in your laughter. “Or perhaps always try to seek the light at the end of the tunnel?”

“Oh dear, is that cheese I smell?” The two of you kept laughing and exchanging ideas until you couldn’t do anything except let yourselves take a break.

In the midst of comfortable silence, finishing what was left in the picnic basket, you watched as the sky began to change color.

“The days are getting shorter,” you murmured to yourself absent-mindedly.

“Do you ever try to rewrite your own story?” Vernon spoke softly after more silence. The question didn’t surprise you as much as you thought but you did need a moment before answering.

“Well I’m sitting here, aren’t I?” You chuckled ruefully as Vernon looked at you in confusion.

“Before I met you, this hill wasn’t just where I relaxed, it was where I ran away to, usually upset. My parents have been good enough to me, letting me meet people in hopes I’ll pick a suitor but truthfully I just want my life to be like…this.”

Not being able to hold yourself back anymore, you leaned closer to Vernon and placed a hand on his. He looked at you with a jolt, searching your face for some kind of retreat and when you didn’t budge, he slowly wrapped his fingers around yours. Your heart was beating so fast you could only whisper.

“Peaceful…private…Whenever I can’t stand nodding politely through one more dinner, smiling again for someone I don’t care for, or sitting in piles of fabric I don’t deserve, I sit out here and feel the wind in my face or the rain on my skin. When I’m here I know in my heart that one day I will be free to have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Including you is what you didn’t say, but your eyes held the sentiment as you turned your head to look at Vernon.

You didn’t know how you looked but Vernon, whose gorgeous face was glowing in the colors of the sunset, looked like a painting you would gladly hang above a mantel. The little smile on his lips and the shining look of adoration in his eyes that hung on to yours so intently nearly made you swoon.

“I’m so glad that I met you, Y/N. You’ve made my story into a happy one and I never want this chapter to end.”

You would remember that moment for a very long time. That beautiful, golden moment. Where no one but each other were in you and Vernon’s eyes…the sun, the lingering smell of fresh bread and the sounds of the castle from across the meadow were distant.

The moment before everything changed.