< city plaza

@◇ ⁞ gyeoru ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ Stars seem to twinkle in Yeonah's eyes as they finally arrive. The festivities are bright enough to cover the fact that there are truly not that many people around — but this is the only world that she knows now (though even back in the palace, she supposes that she's had less chances of wandering out and about as a princess). And in her opinion, this is much better than the extravagant events that involve the royalty — those typically involve false pretenses of politeness and subtle manipulation, if only to try and outsmart the others. Although she was sixteen years old since she last experienced one, she knows now after having experienced the festivities of the people the noble blood has so often looked down on before, that this is livelier, happier, and moee genuine.

Something she needs and craves for.

She shoots Gyeoru a quick look when she hears the first syllable of the title from him, even if she supposes she has already gotten used to the man's stubborn rejection of addressing her by only her name, without any titles that divided their status. See, the girl named Seyoung is not at all a princess or of noble blood. To this town, she is but a lost girl who has decided to stay and work with the owner of the house far, far from town (whose owner is incredibly skeptic of strangers, Yeonah would stress, in fear that some of them may decide to fancy a visit when she's become too cordial with them). Seyoung doesn't have fancy titles, nor does she have a need for them. She is perfectly fine being a normal, young girl that seems to disappear whenever morning comes.

But she does know Gyeoru's dilemma somewhat, though she would not claim to understand it fully. To him, she is a princess more than she is a mere girl, albeit one that is already rid of her title. The man is trained through and through, and she wakes up surprised every single day to find Gyeoru still thinking that it is alright to help her sneak out and even accompany her. Though thankful for the company (somewhat), she still holds hope that he completely drops the title some day, for it is a name that she has no desire to continue owning.

She hums, and her eyes wander around excitedly. "Over there, quick!" she says, and is already on her feet even without waiting to see if he's following after her. There is a stall that seems to sell shiny objects, and a majority of said shiny objects are ones that she can use to decorate her hair (though, honestly, it isn't as if she has many reasons to look pretty for). She picks one up, and eyes it with furrowed eyebrows, seemingly focused on such a relatively mundane thing. It is a pretty clip with intricate designs of leaves along thin branches, small flowers at its ends.

"Ah, that, young lady, would look absolutely beautiful on you!" Yeonah's eyes dart from the clip to the owner of the voice — who seems to own the stall as well. An old woman with a smile too wide for her voice, but it is rather contagious. Said old woman takes the clip, and brushes a side of Yeonah's hair quite far back before clipping it in place. The old woman hums, rather satisfied. "You've got an even prettier face, so this clip will definitely make you bloom even more," she says, and turns to face Gyeoru. "Wouldn't you agree, young lad?"

Yeonah's cheeks warm a little at the compliments, and she glances at Gyeoru too, hoping she doesn't look as expectant as she actually is. "What... What do you think? Does it look good?"

@◆ ⁞ seo yeonah ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ Every time Gyeoru was lured (“Keep in mind that it is your duty – your duty,” he tells himself) to slip out of isolation with Yeonah, whom he must call Seyoung (though he insists on Lady Seyoung, Princess’ Yeonah would only stare at her, and that kind of gaze he fully understands: rejection), there is always a dilemma that clouds his mind. However, such somehow clears up whenever they have reached their destination—nowhere yet somewhere at the same time. It was overwhelming for the former knight, to say the least, to be able to venture with someone—although technically rid of the title—of such regard. After all, Gyeoru really sees the princess-like qualities of Yeonah but he thought it’s best not to speak of those to her, out of fear that he would anger the other and out of respect as well, for who was he to judge such a character, what does he know?

Though as Gyeoru observed the maiden in front of him, he realized that this—the present—this is what he knows. He knows that Yeonah loves being among these people and that there was both gentleness and passion in each of the steps she makes to observe the common folk up close. Yeonah does not realize that her apparent glee makes her pick up her pace and somehow, even though Gyeoru has the ability to do so, he finds it hard to catch up. The servant would always liken the princess to water: tranquil and clear yet rapid and uncharted at the same time. Him, on the other hand, cannot be likened to such a wonder of nature and was merely mortal, but that is what makes him feel more responsible to keep anyone who dares to disturb the serenity at bay.

If he has to break one of the codes of his duty which is to keep Princess Yeonah in that large yet suffocating house, Gyeoru would be more willing to do so than to restrict the lady who again, like water, wants to flow in every place she could slip into, much like the gathering that is seemingly happening in the distance.

Gyerou might have been reflecting too much again that he didn’t realize how far behind he was already from the maiden that caused the other to call for him. He stumbled on his way to—even if it makes him stiff and uneasy, after all this time—match Yeonah’s pacing as they continued to approach a town who were having a big celebration contrasting its seemingly humble surroundings.

Once they arrived at the heart of it, passing through frolicsome townsfolk and modest pathways adorned with eye-catchy decorations, Gyerou was sure the princess was skittish, judging by how wide her smile was, complementing her bright eyes. She was swaying, albeit the action not too obvious. He speaks, speculation dabbled his tone, “Lad—” force of habit, “—S–seyoung, is there anything you desire to do? It appears that there are a lot of things to be fulfilled. Perhaps a memento you want to bring to the house? I have brought a spare of this month’s provisions if in any case, you wish to purchase something.”

@◇ ⁞ gyeoru ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ [ time: two (2) years ago. ]

In the distance, the faint sound of music can already be heard, along with the rather loud chanting of the common townsfolk. Yeonah's being brims with excitement, said adrenaline already flowing through her veins as she walks down the path with her hands placed by her back, fingers wrapped around a slender wrist. Her attire does not fit that of a princess' image, lacking the extravagancy and the typical jewelry that comes with being part of royalty — which is more comfortable than any fancy clothing she's had to wear back in the palace (and yet even that is beginning to feel more and more like a distant dream, the lovely memories of her childhood perhaps already started fading away).

The familiar path she walks is plain, although if she squints into the distance, as the music gradually grows louder in her ears, there seems to be some sort of ornaments that decorated the streets. There is supposedly a small celebration within the even smaller town, and they have invited everyone in town — which is, quite honestly, not that many if compared to the rest of the towns, but it is a rather peaceful area (as peaceful as it can get). Well, it's supposed to be peaceful, but ever since a particular man decided that it would be much better to follow her instead of waiting for her to come home, she feels as though she /has/ to watch how she behaves.

Quite reminiscent of her times in the palace, though now she cannot truly be certain. The memories of her childhood truly do feel far away now.

She turns her head to look over her shoulder, a relatively cool breeze then passing by her and her companion's figures. Dark locks dance along with it, but she manages to tuck her hair behind her ear before it covers her line of sight. Gyeoru is following after her — much like he's done for the past several days already — and she exhales softly, eyeing the distance between the two of them. "Do you truly have to put such wide distance between us?" she asks, now turning her body to face the man fully. "If you want to accompany me, then the least you can do is to stand by me."