#only >500 words sdhfjgksdnfg

[verngyu-moved]

war, tome, and crown || ch. iv PREVIEW

author’s note: firstly i really want to apologize to anyone who was waiting on ch. 4--because no, i haven’t given up on writing this fic. in case you dont follow me or havent seen, my mom had health issues that began in late june and still have yet to be solved. it was thought to be cancer until just a few weeks ago her biopsy came back benign (thank GOD), but while she was bedridden i took up most of the housework, and tumblr became less of a priority. thus, making my poor story (and its audience) suffer. i’m really sorry i wasn’t able to keep up, to be honest i don’t know if anyone really reads this anymore, i couldn’t even open google docs because i was just so depressed + worried + heartbroken about my mom. thankfully, all the worst case scenarios that played out in my head turned out to be false, and regardless of the circumstances, i want to finish this story for me. however, to anyone who keeps up with WTAC, i really appreciate the love + support for my writing...i have more to say but i’ll save the real big thank you’s for when i finish. but please know the time you sacrifice to read my stuff means a lot to me, and its been a real joy writing it. its an honor to bring a world i love to life so much *throws uwus* so hopefully this is enough to hold you over til the end of the week or until next week !

-deedee

p.s. this chapter may be the longest ive ever written, with over 4k+ words while im only ~60% done (⊙︿⊙✿)

* this is just a preview, not the final version. excuse any typos or grammar mistakes.

“What sounds good to you, Your Highness?” Taking a look around at the bustling town square, people brushing past you and countless conversations all being had at once, their words jumbled up and nearly identical like cards in a deck. The gray and brown bakeries and smiths shoppes squished together, and the irony amuses you, as if the two had anything in common. Vendors have set up their businesses in front of these buildings, yelling in every direction—you scoff, wondering how it could draw in any business. One burly man hollers about how chicken is a vital element to the human diet, a lady in a blue bonnet politely but loudly calls onlookers to consider purchasing fabric (once again, you question how the two were related.) But you can’t bear to ask yourself any more questions before you’re hit with the scent of gingerbread, your mouth watering as you frantically look for the source of the painfully sweet scent. This is your first time in a marketplace, and it seems like it’s even stranger than the portrayals you hear about in the novels—nonetheless, it’s exciting. “Your Highness?” Cheol calls out to you again, but you knowingly remain silent, allowing yourself to take in the sights and smells before he remembers, “Ah, right, it’s your first time in a marketplace. Does anything catch your eye?” Upon hearing you sniff and your eyes searching every crevice of the marketplace, Cheol further pesters, “Or nose?” “Gingerbread.” is all you can say, you hadn’t realized you were this hungry but it only makes sense considering you hadn’t eaten yet. And perhaps the thrill of your civilian endeavors for the day have casted a spell on you. Cheol heads in the direction of the cookies, leading the way while you follow like a subservient puppy. Really, cookies in the morning, Y/N? you think to yourself, hastily pushing away the guilt that comes with eating cookies first thing in the morning. This is a first for you, and you’d rather not let it be overshadowed by an adamant sense of self discipline. Besides, with each passing second, you want those cookies more.

Seungcheol shells out a few coins in exchange for a few gingerbread cookies before you thank him, handing you a cloth with your treasure inside of it. Both of you wander away, Cheol groaning how he needs to buy a basket since he didn’t bring one, and before he can even reach the vendor for it that’s placed just paces away, you’ve devoured them all. “Great Mila! You ate all those already?” he laughs in disbelief, seemingly pleased at your appetite. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten yet, and I have a bit of a sweet tooth.” you reply transparently, satisfied with your marketplace experience thus far. “Guess I’ll be buying you breakfast, then.”