❛❛ then why is the
general's wife here? ❜❜
. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ❀ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .
it was another ordinary day for the manor occupants. a couple of days after the incident where most of them got drunk.
jiyeol had been wanting to talk with the general— clarify a couple of things between them.
the boy had been the only thing occupying her mind lately and jiyeol was sure she was going to go crazy at some point.
moments of that night often relive itself inside her mind— his words, the kiss and many more.
it frustrated her, not knowing how she really felt... but one thing was for sure; seonghwa made her heart flutter uncontrollably and if she was given the chance again, she will kiss him once more.
yet she couldnt muster up the courage to talk to him, growing shy or the man was just plainly avoiding her. the girl cant put all the blame to him though, she was also avoiding the general at times.
seonghwa had become pretty busy lately, patrolling around the town and the outer parts of the kingdom. he has been leaving the manor early and going home rather late recently, not being able to join the manor occupants for breakfast or dinner.
the three boys knew why he was busying himself, they were all worried for him.
jiyeol had just finished painting a portrait, one that the trio had demanded her to do.
a picture of herself.
it was pretty tricky to do since she had only attempted to make a portrait of herself at least once or twice before. she was conflicted on what she should do with herself, contemplating for hours.
in the end, she decided to paint her in her true image— the one with the silvery-white locks. it was hard for her of course.. she had to finally except that this was her, finally showing herself to the world.
she doesnt regret her decision.
the girl felt like she wasnt walking on thin ice anymore. she felt light, but of course still cautious. the brothers and yeosang had been helping her immensely, and she couldnt be any more thankful to the three.
jiyeol had covered her portrait with a cloth before exiting her art room. she wasnt going to show it to the boys until tomorrow since she still needed to do a couple of last minute details.
she wanted to go back to town, but didnt want the trio to accompany her. the girl thinks for a moment before reaching to grab some paper and a pen.
jiyeol writes down a little note, leaving it inside her room just in case the three boys had discovered that she was gone.
the starlight haired knew that this was one was the things the general had told her specifically not to do... but she had missed going out on her own.
she sneaks out of the manor, asking the coach to bring her to town. the old man eyed her suspiciously, seeing that the three manor occupants werent there to accompany her. he plainly just shrugs off the thought as he starts their journey to town.
once they arrived, jiyeol thanks him before striding on her own. she had planned to spend the day with her childhood friend.
she makes her way to uncle chul's shop, weirdly still garnering the attention of some people. she blocks them all out, not caring for whatever they had to say.
༺❀༻
jiyeol finally arrives at the shop, pushing open the door as the familiar bell overhead chimes.
yeonjun stood up from the counter, head peeking to see who had entered.
when he spots the girl, his jaw drops, eyes blinking rapidly as he rubs it with the back of his hand. the boy looks like he had seen a ghost.
"moon jiyeol?" he utters, feet leading up to meet the girl halfway "are my eyes deceiving me or is your hair really white?"
she clicks her tongue "its real"
the burgundy haired reaches a hand up and ruffles her head "you look pretty! i cant believe i was able to see your real hair in my lifetime"
jiyeol snorts, squeezing his cheeks tight "dont mess it up" the boy chuckles, crossing his arms together.
yeonjun scans behind her, eyes looking for her previous companion "you came here alone?" she nods "then why is the general's wife here?"
the boy looks at her teasingly, lips perked to a sly smirk. jiyeol punches him on the shoulder, rolling her eyes "dont call me that"
she chuckles weakly "im closer with his friends rather than hwaseong himself... im more like an acquaintance than a wife"
the burgundy hums "you know... im just happy you're still alive. the townspeople really didnt think you would be after a week getting married"
ironic. this was what san, jongho and yeosang said about miss haewon.
"anyway, what are you doing here?"
jiyeol playfully loops an arm with his, a big smile plastered on her face "i just wanted to spend time with the biggest idiot in the world"
he raises a brow "you wanted to spent time with yourself?"
the girl pouts, eye squinting at the taller "im just kidding" he chuckles "let me just close up the shop and tell uncle chul i'll be leaving" jiyeol nods as the boy leaves.
she waits outside, tapping her feet patiently on the cobblestone below. soon, yeonjun joins her, slinging an arm around her shoulder "lets go"
the duo roams about town, taking their time as they catch up. they occasionally entered some shops, checking out a few items before leaving. they window shopped, checked a few stalls and visited their favorite spots around town.
yeonjun had kept a protective hold with her, swinging their connected hands playfully as he tells the younger girl some stories.
they had been like this since they were kids— clingy, touchy and were probably inseparable.
jiyeol had only viewed the older male as a brother and she was sure that the burgundy had only viewed her as a sister.
some people around town had said they looked good together as a couple, yet they always shrugged it off and laugh.
the two had reached town square.
many people were roaming about, either with their own company or alone. new stalls were also set up around the large fountain, probably for the short annual fair the townsfolk held.
jiyeol and yeonjun scanned around with bright eyes, seeing different variety of dishes being sold— the girl had gotten some pink candy floss whilst the other had opted for some meat skewers.
they settled by the fountain, sitting on it as they watched people pass by.
"how's uncle chul?" jiyeol asked, picking on her sweet as she brings it to her mouth. she hums in delight as the candy floss melts in her tongue.
yeonjun gives a tight smile, slowing down his chewing as his eyes turned downcast "he isnt doing well. i thought that after a couple of days, he would get better... but he's getting much more tired everyday" he sighs "im worried and im getting really scared"
the starlight haired places a hand on top of the boy's, caressing it with her thumb "everything will be alright yeonjun" she reassures.
the burgundy plasters a smile, shaking off the gloomy topic "anyway..." he chuckles, spotting some dried candy bits on the side of her lips.
"you've got a little something there" he points to it, yet jiyeol wasnt able to successfully remove it. yeonjun only chuckles more "let me"
he leans forward as jiyeol furrows her brows "this candy floss is good, but it sure is trying to embarrass me" she laughs as the boy laughs along.
yeonjun flicks the bits off, smiling contently as he pulls back "there you go, all gone"
jiyeol was about to mutter a thank you when the sound of hooves stops her. the burgundy boy visibly tenses up, eyes averting downwards as the girl looks up.
her eyes meet with the general's.
seonghwa was looking down on her, face set straight with a slight scowl. he looks at the two back and forth, quirking a brow after.
behind him was the teal-tipped and blue haired— mingi and yunho were accompanying him for his rounds for the day, geared up somewhat similar to the general.
the two boys peeks at her and her company, offering nervous discrete smiles before sitting up straight in their steeds.
"where's san? or did you come with yeosang and jongho?" his voice was low.
the girl presses her lips together, eyes filling with guilt as she think of the trio— possibly panicking at her disappearance.
"i went here alone"
"you what?" seonghwa dismounts his horse, patting the animal by it's head before coming in front of his wife.
"i came here alone... but i have yeonjun"
the burgundy boy looks up, eyes meeting the general's for a second before looking elsewhere "i kept her c-company and we didnt— we arent—"
"i didnt tell you to speak" seonghwa snaps, making the boy look down.
he looks back at the girl. jiyeol narrows her eyes at him, mouth ready to speak, but the raven haired raises a hand to stop her.
"yeonjun, you may go" he takes a glance at the burgundy haired, not waiting for the boy's response as he turns to his friends "wait here, this wont take long" the two nods.
seonghwa then takes hold of the girl's wrist.
"you. you're coming with me"
✿
are y'all getting tired of my cliffhangers ajakajaka