Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja was exhausted, really really exhausted.  

It was around midnight when Kim Dokja left the Mino Soft company building, he had finally finished up all the paperwork that his shitty manager Han Myungoh pushed on him the moment he was about to clock out and now all he wanted to do was go back to his somehow livable home, curl up in his sad excuse of a bed, and read his shitty webnovels till he passed out.  

Strolling down the crosswalks that consisted of a couple of drunks, partygoers, and random people doing their own thing, Kim Dokja stared down at his phone intently. He’d been reading a webnovel that had caught his attention not so recently, it was a romance, not really his cup of tea usually compared to the usually action fantasy Kim Dokja loves, but what could he say, he’s a sucker for a handsome protagonist.

Originally Kim Dokja’s expectations were as low as they could ever get to be when starting it, after all it had been written by the most infuriating author he’d ever met. Han Sooyoung was a shit writer and shitty plagiarist! He couldn’t say all her works were plagiarized, it was only two but damn would Kim Dokja shit on them for those two. Sure they’re now close friends after accidentally meeting each other in passing a few years ago but he’ll never forget those two poor novels that were plagiarized with their poor writing.

So when Kim Dokja read the first chapter, it turned into the second, then third, and well you know, so on. And fine, Kim Dokja could say it wasn’t that bad, some things definitely could have been better written or worded, some things didn’t make sense either but it wasn’t the worst he’s seen from them and it was a hell of an improvement compared to their last one. Kim Dokja could tell they at least paid some attention to his advice

The novel wasn’t as bad as he had expected it to be. Though it did truly aggravated Kim Dokja, needing to work his inner-editor to try and ignore all the issues the webnovel had, so many grammar mistakes and plot holes, he knows that she was doing this on purpose. He really doesn’t know why he’s still reading it, there’s many other better written novels that have handsome protagonists.

But alas here he still is, strolling down cracked concrete, kicking the occasional stray rock that crossed his path, reading his friend’s shitty novel that happened to capture this readers heart. Continuously moving his legs till they take him all the way home where Kim Dokja would prepare his lovely totally not expired noodles. Truly no better meal for a guy like him than that…

Crossing the road, Kim Dokja read through the final chapter.

Whoosh

Startled from the motion of a car passing, he looked away from his screen for once, facing the direction the car went, “What the hell is wrong with them?!” He huffed, the pedestrian crossing sign was on, whatever reason they had for needing to cross on a red light better have been good at least.

After looking both ways to avoid getting nearly hit again, Dokja proceeded to finish the last paragraphs he had left.

And it was absolute shit! The protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk was betrayed at the very end by his beloved wife! She stabbed him in the back, literally and figuratively. Min Euntal was an absolute bitch! Yoo Joonghyuk gave everything to her, love, attention, wealth, even trinkets she had wanted that were owned by commoners, and if they didn’t allow it to be sold off to her then he’d send them to the dungeons for causing the future Empress emotional distress! He destroyed civilizations for her! Min Euntal was his world!  

Han Sooyoung had started to finish up the novel with marriage and soft moments during the final couple of chapters, and in the very final one Min Euntal finally told him that she was carrying the future heir, the small sun of the empire! Yoo Joonghyuk had expressed how joyful he was and twirled her in the air, they hugged and kissed but in the end she stabbed him, the novel grew dark so quickly with those actions.

|/Pulling out the blood coated knife, Min Euntal’s snow colored hair covered her eyes as she faced down to where her husband lays. Blood pooling around him, the light attempting to leave his eyes as he stared up at his traitorous wife.

“Finally, “ she whispered with a cruel grin growing where there had been a sugar coated smile. “I was getting tired of you being so boring.”

And with that she turned, her dress trailing behind her, leaving Yoo Joonghyuk to bleed out, alone. /|

Kim Dokja swore that once he gets his hands on Han Sooyoung he’d strangle her with all his might, his protagonist didn’t deserve this! Yoo Joonghyuk was destined for the best ending one could possibly get, not this bullshit!

Kim Dokja’s thoughts were interrupted by the feel of the cold raindrops hitting his skin. The rain was progressively getting harsher by the second despite having barely started, any people that had been outside quickly disappeared, scurrying to find shelter.

Kim Dokja took off his dress coat and raised it over his head in a poor attempt to shield himself from the rain, he rushed through the streets while the rain was starting to make it harder to see especially with it already being night.  

With the rain loudly hitting the ground he didn’t get to hear the blare of the trucks horn.

Somewhere in isolated cabin a freshly transmigrated Kim Dokja woke up by the sun’s rays shining through the open curtains. Reaching over to where his desk is supposed to be beside his bed to get his phone only to feel a lump and hear a soft coo.

“Huh?”

Raising his head from his pillow, Kim Dokja looked around only to find himself in someone’s-definitely not his- bed and a baby sleeping next to him, swaddled up in a blanket.

“HUH?!”  

Kim Dokja scurried out of the bed only to fall straight to the floor due to being tangled up in its sheets.

Thump

“Crap…” Kim Dokja murmured, having slammed his face onto the wooden floor. And if things couldn’t get worse, the mystery infant, awoken by the sudden loud noise, started to whine and fuss around in their small blanket cocoon. Clearly asking for the attention of their caretaker and would most likely start crying soon without it.

Kim Dokja froze for a moment, listening to hear if there would be any footsteps or noise coming towards the room, yet no one ever came and the baby’s whines turned into crying just as he had expected.

Nevertheless, Kim Dokja approached the upset ball of fluff and with soft hushes and coos, Dokja attempted to properly pick them up as he soothed the baby as best as he could. Shortly after their cries turned to sniffles and they slept again.

‘Okay now where am I???’ Kim Dokja wondered, the place looked relatively empty other than the basic things you would see in a bedroom, like a bed, cabinets, and pot with a small sprout peaking out of the dirt. Testing the door handle he found that it was unlocked and pushed it wide open. It lead to a living room and basic kitchen, there were another 2 doors, one led outside and the other was a bathroom.

Looking around the place more, searching through cabinets and underneath furniture, the most he could find that could give him any clue of what’s happening happened to be a miniature notepad with a variety of things written in it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Kim Dokja sighed, nearly letting his head slam onto the coffee table he sat at before slowing down and gently tapping it, the hassle of dealing with a crying infant now found to be named Biyoo would not be worth it so soon. From what he’s read from it currently, he’s been isekai’ed into Han Sooyoung’s ‘In the Cold of Winter’ novel, and as far as Kim Dokja can tell he’s apparently been living here in the forest for the past year despite it looking barely lived in. 

Thinking of the few photos on the window sill, they had little notes written on the glass of the frame like ‘Biyoo’s first time crawling’, it was an adorable little photo showcasing the napping little infant in Dokja’s arms. Many of the photos consisted of Biyoo and at times him and someone who looked just like Han Sooyoung. He does remember her adding herself into this place as an easter egg for anyone who knew who she was, she started appearing after the first 10 but then disappeared when the chapter numbers hit triple digits. Dokja made fun of her when he first read of her in the novel.

Back to the notepad, Biyoo apparently came from magic, no need to go into detail over that though. She’s 7 months old, and Dokja apparently temporarily settled down in the current cabin he’s currently in shortly before she… came to be, he apparently used to be some type of noble and used the money he had to travel the world ever since he left the noble life. He didn’t plan to stay in one place for long, he only did it to figure things out with Biyoo before he’d eventually start moving around again.

There are, for some reason, people looking for Dokja and he should hide from people as much as he can, after all who would look for a runaway other than to return them to place they ran from or kill them. That’s all Kim Dokja really got from it, it was almost full only for the fact that it contained years of writing and was kinda thin, it had been scarcely written in throughout the time and only had important things or venting related things written in it. Some pages were torn out and probably burned or used to send messages. 

The stress of taking care of Biyoo had seemed to really be getting to him before Kim Dokja was transmigrated there himself. Honestly, thinking about that damned book now Dokja remembers of two character’s named Biyoo and Kim Dokja respectively, appearing once in a chapter but that was only in a fire which was only written due to the fact Sooyoung had gotten mad at Dokja for making fun of her and decided it would be fun to put him in a book with a child and kill them off nearly immediately.

Sooyoung had a funeral for them that was able to be mentioned during a filler chapter because by that point Sooyoung managed to befriend the noble named Yoo Sangah aka a close advisor to the still an Archduke, Yoo Joonghyuk, and she had happened to hear about it and decided to come to comfort Sooyoung. It had been the only sign that she had finally decided to forgive him for making fun of her after having accidentally broke his door lock, he would have preferred it if she just apologized out front but Dokja supposes it was an acceptable gesture. She’d been lucky he read it before he went to go break hers. 

But did that mean Biyoo is set to die in the near future? When did the fire happen at again? At what point in the novel is he currently at? Why couldn’t he have been a different character? He would kill to be able to see Yoo Joonghyuk’s story play out and maybe even change the ending like all those other people that get isekai’ed do.

Curse Han Sooyoung for not going into detail and putting naming a character after Dokja! He refuses to let him and Biyoo technically die again! Dokja can figure out a way to make this work, she won’t die and they’ll traveling together like the past Kim Dokja had planned! Perhaps he can find a way to contact Sooyoung again, if there’s photos of them together then that must mean they know eachother and clearly they kept in contact since he literally has a photo where she’s carrying Biyoo, she clearly seemed to care for Biyoo after all she cried at their funeral.

He’ll have to stay in the cabin a little longer though, Dokja still needs to figure things out. It’s been years since he was around kids so young.

Chapter Text

It’s been over a month since Kim Dokja had arrived into this world.

Finding Han Sooyoung in a fantasy novel turned out to be harder than it looks, just like Kim Dokja himself, she’s just as difficult to find.

In the novel she was said to have come from a long line of witches that were blessed by the constellations themselves, it was the only reason they weren’t burned at the stake years ago. The more religious side of people doubted this even after hundreds of years and had attempted to have the whole bloodline assassinated multiple times, as a result this had led them to making their main estate in a different realm, hidden away from the world. During the years that they had existed they were only said to be seen during royal balls and important events, or for Sooyoung’s case, at a bars all over the world.

The notepad didn’t really have much over how the past Dokja got in contact with Sooyoung whenever he needed to and in the novel it only said that people with a special card that had a sigil painted onto it could contact them with it being single use. Of course Dokja did look for any card with a weird drawing on it but nothing ever came up from his search. He really had no idea how to get in touch with her.

Aside from all that, Kim Dokja has been dealing with his newfound parenthood, it wasn’t the first time he took care of babies before. Back when his, in the nicest way to put it, gene donor was still alive he’d been tasked with caring for his younger cousins during visits to relatives. Granted that was when he was a kid, not yet a teen, some were harder to care for or pointed any blame towards him even when he wasn’t in the same room.

Dokja did form some bonds with a few of the kids, but after the death of his gene donor they were told to stay away from him so he wasn’t around them as much while he lived with them. Even after Dokja left they never quite got back to interacting with each other again.

Either way, compared to now and then, taking care of Biyoo wasn’t as bad, not saying he didn’t struggle at times but Dokja quite enjoyed having someone else in his life even if their a baby. She was growing so quickly, the clothes that had originally fit perfectly when he arrived, had become a little tight, some pairs still fit but with the rate she’s growing at he’ll need to by more soon.

And the place had been getting low on food, with Dokja barely knowing how to cook, lots of things ended up being thrown away from how burnt they were. During the first week Biyoo, being the most adorable cutie she is, had been denying most solid food he’d attempted to give her, he could tell why the past Dokja was having such a hard time during the last logs he wrote. She was very defiant towards trying new foods and seemed more interested in seeing how much food it takes to cover Dokja in it or how high and far she could throw it.

Though given that most of the food choices were mostly pretty bad, he didn’t really blame her, Dokja only knew how to make a select few things well. It was why he was trying to learn how to cook better meals so that he wouldn’t have to subject her to more of his current cooking and let her have a variety of choices she could ask of him. Kim Dokja had taken to making puree for the time being himself with the fruits and vegetables that Biyoo did like, as a bonus to doing this, Biyoo threw less food and he had less to clean up.

Sadly this did come with its downsides, like the mentioned lack of food now. The cooking attempts and making most of the fruit and veggies in the cabin into puree had meant that the stock of food that had once been in abundance was now nearly gone.

This meant that Kim Dokja would have to leave the cabin and venture out to a village, luckily he had found a map earlier during his search around the cabin and it had shown that their was one just outside of the outskirts of the forest Kim Dokja’s been shielded by during his time here. Shouldn’t take more than 40 or so minutes to get there by walking, but he’d also have to take Biyoo with him, as he can’t just leave a baby that’s not even a year old alone, Dokja may be an idiot but he’s not that big of an idiot! She can’t even stand without support yet!

The trip to the village felt like it took forever, Biyoo was calm for half of the way till they started crying suddenly, Dokja had to stop for around 20 minutes to find out what the issue was and fix it. Even after he cleaned her up she wouldn’t stop, comforting her was difficult to say the least, turns out the light had been bothering her too much and he had to pull the blanket she was swaddled in over her eyes. They were able to continue on their way shortly after her sniffles quieted down.

The villagers didn’t really bat an eye towards him suddenly appearing, judging by the amount of people currently there and how small the village was, they probably get visitors too often to care or notice who passes through anymore. The amount of peddlers and travel merchants he passed by were overwhelming, why past Dokja chose this area to care for Biyoo will remain a mystery to him. You’d think he’d pick a more remote place to be with how much he mentioned needing to stay hidden from others.

Regardless Kim Dokja had things that were necessary to find and buy, so having more options of who to buy from was fine for him. With the small bundle of coins Dokja brought with him he’d hope it’d be enough for everything he needs to get. If he remembered right, what he has on him should be more than enough but you never know with how much bad luck seems to side with him.

Making his way to the stalls and shops Dokja shifts around, looking for any good fruits that have yet to start rotting, when he finds what he’s looking for could hear the merchant attempting to get him to buy more than he needs. Moving to the next stall he repeats the same thing he had done to the first, when nothing good seems to be there he moves on to the next stall repeating the same actions, occasionally finding something worth buying.

Most of the items Dokja bought were food as that had been the main focus of this trip, but he had also been looking into clothing for Biyoo. She fussed around at times but stayed relatively calm and babbled to him throughout the trip. Dokja didn’t interact much with the people there besides the merchants, though he was able to get some recipes to try out other than the ones he already knew.  

Overall it was actually a pretty nice time. By the time the sun was beginning to set he’d already begun heading back to the cabin.

It’s been a full year, Biyoo’s a year old and she’s started saying more coherent things as she grew. Biyoo loved to point at random things she’d see around and tug on Kim Dokjas’ clothing for him to tell her the name of it which she’d repeat over and over again. He didn’t mind too much until during one of their trips to the village she had heard a curse word and would stop repeating it the whole day.

Dokja took this as a sign that they should start moving around like planned, during the whole time there he’d never once seen nor heard from Han Sooyoung, you’d think she’d pass by during Biyoo’s birthday based on what he knows at least but nope, absolutely nothing not even a note.

Packing anything they’d need or that had sentimental value to him or Biyoo, they proceeded to leave. Kim Dokja carrying Biyoo in his arms as he closed the cabin door behind him.

Through out their travels they’ve gotten to see many towns, villages, and beautiful scenery. Biyoo’s dialect has gotten better with practice, he’s taken to teaching her korean and this world’s calligraphy. Turns out Kim Dokja has been subconsciously speaking and reading this world’s language, it didn’t really make sense but he’ll chalk it up to basic isekai rules.

Biyoo enjoyed learning both, she loved learning in general, though she usually spoke Korean whenever she was babbling to him or to herself. Sometimes the people the heard her or him speaking it would try to scam him out of something, thinking their from another empire. Instead of getting the result they were expecting, they usually got haggled out of most of their worth instead.

Other than that, Biyoo seemed pretty happy, she didn’t feel lonely often but Dokja would have loved for her to make a friend but with constantly moving around they didn’t have the time to connect with the people that much. It’s not like he saw many children in passing anyway.

“Biyoo!” Yelled Kim Dokja, calling out to his daughter. They’d been playing hide n’ seek, or really it was just Biyoo and Dokja was more so trying to find her and not to panic simultaneously.

“Biyoo it’s not time to play right now!” He felt like crying, Biyoo turned 3 last week. Today they were stopping by a town market to buy something for her, over the past week they were away from any civilization and spending time camping like usual, going to places she wanted to see like the coast mainly. Dokja had promised Biyoo that he’d buy her something when they found a town again.

The moment they had stepped into the market, his version was flooded with people everywhere, turns out they have a festival they throw every couple of years that turned out to be on the day they came here. Everything was fine, he even let her down from his arms and nothing happened!… Until he got distracted talking to a stranger.

They said they knew a possible way to contact the witch he’d been looking for aka Han Sooyoung. It’d been a long time since anyone’s seen them, she didn’t even appear at the mandatory events they needed to go to anymore, so having someone have at least some type of lead on her was enough for Kim Dokja. Granted they did say there was a chance you’d get in contact with something else as the way the spell card worked was a little strange, the chance of finding Sooyoung was there if he was lucky.  

But midway into their conversation Dokja noticed that Biyoo was missing. She left the area without him noticing and now he’s panicking. He quickly had ended his conversation with the lady, accepting the bundle of caller spell cards she gave to him in exchange for a few coins and had gone searching for Biyoo.

Biyoo was smart, he taught her what to do and what not to do in case she ever got separated from him for too long. She knows that by the start of sun down she shouldn’t be without him and any game being played will end thereafter. Biyoo was told to go and wait at the center of the town plaza which had a fountain here.  

“Biyoo!” Said Dokja, calling out once more. Soon enough he felt a small body crash into him, looking down it was Biyoo! “Where were you?!” He questioned, bending down and inspecting her for any signs that she was hurt.

“New friend! New friend!” Biyoo replied excitedly, hopping up and down a bit. “Oh really? That’s great but you know you shouldn’t have left without me, even if you were with a friend.” Dokja lightly reprimanded her actions but also gave her praise for making a friend here.

Shyly looking down with her hands behind her back, Biyoo nodded her head. Ruffling her head he asked how her time with them was as they went to a stall to buy her the late birthday gift she had yet to get. Biyoo ended up asking for a bracelet while babbling about her friend for a whole.

After an hour or so Kim Dokja decided it was time to start heading out. Holding Biyoo’s hand so she wouldn’t get separated from him in the crowds, they made their way out of the town.

Glancing around he caught the eyes of a handsome young man, the guy immediately started rushing towards him, shoving and pushing past people. Without hesitation, Dokja immediately picked up Biyoo and started running out of there, not once turning back.

A month after the incident of nearly getting found, Dokja had been fully avoiding towns and villages. It was only temporary, he’d have to go to one eventually to replenish his supplies but for now it was best to avoid them.

Over the time he spent away from civilization, he’d been thinking of who he saw, clearly it had been the male lead, Yoo Joonghyuk and not only that but turns out that the girl that Biyoo made friends with was Yoo Mia as in Yoo Joonghyuk’s little sister Yoo Mia. Kim Dokja regretted not asking her who she was with earlier. He could have left earlier and avoided that situation if he had asked her.

Regardless, what’s been done has been done and he’ll just have to try to avoid future encounters better. Besides he has something new to focus on, the spell cards that the lady had sold to him have been sitting in his bag for far too long and now it’s time to use one.  

Pulling out a card and reciting the words that were written on a separate piece of paper, he dug a hole and buried it underneath the ground. It said it may take a couple of hours to work so Dokja decided early on before he started the spell activation that this was where they’d be camping for the night.

When morning came there had still been nothing, irritated he kicked at the ground where he had buried the card. Biyoo was still asleep so as much as he wanted to yell, he wouldn’t he didn’t want to scare her.

Closing his eyes, Dokja took a deep breath, over the past few months he’d been started getting these heavy migraines when he felt too stressed. They were a pain to deal with and often kept him grounded for the day. At times he could’ve sworn he heard someone, something whispering to him.  

Feeling a swirl of wind pass him he opened his eyes again. The floor was spinning with purple mist, Dokja’s eyes widened as he backed up. The mist formed a human sized cocoon before bursting into purple flames, leaving a body in its place.  

“What the hell?! Why’d you take so long to call me?” Said Sooyoung, coughing harshly from the sudden change of atmosphere. “What do you mean?! Why didn’t you come yourself for the past 3 years?!” Dokja countered, patting her back a bit harshly.

Dokja, being the reader he is, put the pieces together, “Plagiarist?”. And with the same realization she responded with “Squid?”. Both nodding to each other in mutual understanding.

Han Sooyoung was amazing at magic, in fact it was said she was better than her ancestors. If she’s wondering why Dokja didn’t call her then she’s definitely not the book one, plus she’s coughing in a way that says that she hasn’t left her realm in a while.  

“When did you get here?” He asked, grabbing a nearby blanket and draping it over her.  

“I’ve probably only been here for around 2 years. I’ve been stuck in that other realm till you got me out right now.” Pulling the blanket tighter over her.

They chatted and caught up with each other for a bit, the occasional teasing for failing to get in contact with each other for so long. Though Dokja did wonder, “Now that I think about it, how come I don’t have your caller card?”.

“Righttt, so, there’s a chance this book may possibly be completely different from the original one I wrote,” Nervously grinning, turning to face away from him. His face changed into confusion, “and you may or may not be a future main antagonist for the technically new version of my book.” His face fell into despair at that.

“Sooyoung-ah what the hell have you been doing to my character?!” Slaping the back of her head. “I was set to die in a fire! What do you mean I became a main antagonist?!”.

Han Sooyoung raised her arms to cover her head, “Calm down! I said possibly!”.

This did not help at all, Dokja ignored Sooyoung’s words, “How does that make it any better, that’s like saying I possibly ruined your favorite lemon candy! You either did or didn’t!”.

“Okay, okay! Just give me a moment to breathe!” Sooyoung cried.

Finally heeding to her words, Dokja stopped his assault. Glaring at her; he spoke, “Speak.”

Chapter Text

Han Sooyoung felt like her life had become bland when Kim Dokja had died, they had been with each other for so long she never thought they’d part like this. She hoped that when she died she’d end up in whatever afterlife her best friend was in, whether it was heaven and hell, if she was as religious as the people who raised her she would have prayed that if there was something out there they’d bring them back together someday.

She just hadn’t expect it to happen so soon, her death was an accident. Han Sooyoung may have gotten depressed after the loss of Kim Dokja but that doesn’t mean she’d just stop living, her death was more of a ‘wrong place, wrong time’ type of thing. Normal day in the crowded streets of Seoul only for a masked assailant to whip out a gun and start shooting all over the place. Due to the large crowd attempting to run away, she ended up being pushed down and trampled before she could flee the area, getting shot in the lung the moment she got up and died before being able to reach a hospital.

When Han Sooyoung opened her eyes only to see herself having been isekai’ed into her own story it was somewhat of a surprise, typically it was meant to be someone else’s book you’re sent to. And while it was a tad annoying not to be immediately reconnected with her best friend, Sooyoung reminded herself that she wrote him into her story. So surely she can find him and prevent the events she had originally written in her novel and live a more peaceful life with him -even if it’s not the real him-, away from stressful bosses, expired food, and shit housing. 

Afterall, here Sooyoung was a witch! A great and powerful one at that, with her magic and political power, she could do almost anything and Kim Dokja could reap the benefits of it too. Kim Dokja deserved it afterall, back when they hadn’t moved in together yet, he’d  work overtime just to help her get by in the weeks that she went unemployed due to hitting her employer after witnessing them attempt to spike a co-workers drink. 

Dokja helped her get back on her feet and eventually in the last week of Sooyoung’s lease she decided to ask if he’d want to move in together under the guise that it was better for saving up money, which was mainly true.

Now Sooyoung could only thinking about how much she regretted how she made Kim Dokja’s role in the novel, in the beginning it was for revenge but after putting more thought into it, she thought about giving him a more important role; writing numerous drafts and side stories of his character. Many of them never saw the light of day, but the few that did were already in the label of the Demon King of Salvation, the name Kim Dokja long left behind by him.

Regardless there’s nothing she can do about it now, what’s done has been done and all she can really do is prevent anything from harming him and his newfound child. Yet Han Sooyoung couldn’t get out, and she ended up stuck in that damn estate of hers for years! It turns out her magic is sentient. Which it really isn’t supposed to be and it definitely wasn’t supposed to be this bitchy either.

When she had been drafting herself into her story; Han Sooyoung thought about how if her powers came from the constellations then maybe that means a part of the constellation should be with her too. She scrapped the idea shortly after when her beta reader called it dumb, later when Kim Dokja heard about it he said, “You should get a new beta reader”. Which Sooyoung did do after she found out the guy was giving her ideas to another author. Dokja ended up being her new beta reader, he loved reading anyway and it was easier to trust him not to pull some dumb bullshit like the last guy. 

Though she never let him touch a single draft for ICW, she loved to mess with him when it came with that novel. As much as Kim Dokja said he hated it, she knew that if he really did he wouldn’t have kept on telling her things she could have done better if she let him help.

Anyways point is Han Sooyoung’s magic wasn’t not supposed to be sentient, this idea was meant to stay a draft, forever. If this isn’t the only thing that came from her drafts then the story of this whole world may have changed completely; and Sooyoung doesn’t know whether to be happy about it or fearful.

Those drafts were not meant to be apart of this world, many of them would contradict with the plot that she had so carefully crafted. And a few particularly ones would be not so good for the Dokja of world, she could only hope that it was some of the drafts that got rejected by this world. 

But when Han Sooyoung met him again only to learn that this was the same Dokja from her home world, she realized that one of the drafts were already technically true, screw him and his ‘self sacrificial’ behavior! She really really regrets making this entire damn story, for the meantime she’d have to traveling with the two of them now, no telling the trouble Kim Dokja will put himself in if he’s left alone for so long, she’s surprised that he’s still alive if he’s been here for the past 3 years. Not like Sooyoung was planning to leave them anyway.

Dokja has been unable to get supplies himself lately due to the search for him widening, and considering one of her drafts, that could either be an okay thing or a really bad one. 

So ultimately the task was dropped onto her, Biyoo would’ve came with her but Dokja didn’t allow it. He didn’t think it was a good idea especially with how focused Sooyoung could get when it comes to tasks, Biyoo could be kidnapped right in front of her and she wouldn’t have noticed until she came back to Dokja who would definitely panic and lose control of his demonic powers.

So it was up to Sooyoung to have to get it all by herself for the 3 of them. Kim Dokja had given her a small pouch of coins and a list of items they’d need for the next couple of weeks. Dokja even entrusted her with a bag that had a sub-space skill attached to it. 

Getting to the village was easy and finding everything on the list was even easier! Until a thief in a black cloak similar hers ran by; causing the guards to mistake her for the same thief.

Running from the village guards had been a pain, the only reason Han Sooyoung hadn’t been caught already was mainly because she’d been getting use to moving for long periods of time and her magic which had been starting to get more cooperative.

Of course this couldn’t save Sooyoung forever though, all it took was one slip up for a guard to grab the back of her hood and yank her towards him, choking her in the process. Her powering constellation, Abyssal Black Flame Dragon, or just Abyss, laughed as she swore loudly and attempted to free herself from the guard’s grasp. In the end she was tossed into a holding cell, all her belongings stripped from her.

Grabbing onto the cell bars, she pulled back and forth, “LEMME OUT,” Sooyoung yelled.

“YOU’VE GOT THE WRONG PERSON!” She continued to protest till a guard finally went down to shut her up. 

“I need to go, let me out!” Attempting to convince the guard, only to be responded with the sword slamming against the bars. “Shut your mouth witch!” An irritated look on the guards face. 

“The Archduke will be here soon enough to deal with you.” He said with a sadistic grin, promptly marching right back out right after, satisfied with her silence.

Sighing to herself, she sat against the sole concrete wall of the cell. Hopefully she’d been able to get some type of info over how much he’s changed, his moral may stay the same, but she can’t remember how many versions of his personality she wrote.

Sooyoung patiently awaited the archduke’s arrival, only for a loud banging be heard from the behind the wall she had been leaning against. Getting up and looking out the small barred window, her eyes widened as Sooyoung threw herself to the other side of the cell she was in, pressing her body into the corner as much as she could.

If he could be anyone or anything, Kim Dokja thinks he’d like to be a poltergeist. Able to just sit back and enjoy watching the world pass by around him, but also capable of messing around and intervening with things if he wanted to. It also would have been perfect for his current situation.

Han Sooyoung had been gone for nearly half the day. Dokja knows the list he gave her was a little long but he knows it wasn’t THAT long, maybe 4 hours at most it would’ve taken to get there, find everything, and then come back. Han Sooyoung, contrary to popular belief, is actually pretty good and getting tasks done efficiently. The quality is really the only thing you have to work about, it was the same issue with her writing. She could write countless of stories in a single sitting, but if you told her to make more, than the quality would start to drop and the plot would eventually derail into the gutter.

You can only get her to do so much, giving her a list is like setting a train on the correct track and letting its engine push it to the end goal. Let’s hope you get the point, she’s been gone for way too long and Dokja’s was getting too worried, he’d been trying to stay calm but it’s difficult when your best friend is potentially in danger. 

Ever since Sooyoung told him of his demonic half he’d been more paranoid of his own emotions, more concentrated on keeping calm especially after his little accident with his claws. He’d been having a bad day and at one point his claws just snapped out and he cut a tree down, it narrowly missed a particularly annoying creature that had been making this repetitive noise that had been bothering him all day.

Frankly he can say that he never did hear it make that noise again whenever he saw it in passing, Dokja didn’t know why it was persistently following him but didn’t care as long as it stopped with the noise it’d been make earlier.

Back to Sooyoung though, Kim Dokja was panicking. How in the absolute hell did Han Sooyoung manage to get herself imprisoned, Dokja knows that she may not be the most law abiding citizen but she wasn’t that bad. All she was sent to do was get supplies so what dumb as fuck thing happened for her to end up there?!

Whatever. Kim Dokja needs to get her out quick, the whispers of a higher up arriving soon didn’t sound too good for her. 

“Sooyoung!” Dokja whispered, though it was useless with the sound block around the cells bellow. Attempting to reach in the cell to make a sound by hitting a wall or really anything proved to be useless, before he could reach inside, the imperceptible barrier would shock him back. And a guy could only take so much before just lashing out.

With a harsh punch against the concrete wall, accidentally releasing some demonic energy with it, Han Sooyoung’s attention was finally given to him. Waving to her, Dokja gave her short motion; signaled to Sooyoung to back away from the wall.

Drawing more on his demonic energy, his horns slightly peaking out atop his head, the skin on his back feeling as if it wanted to rip apart, his nails turning sharp and black, he hit the wall with an overpowered punch. Crumbling the wall as soon as it landed. 

Quickly shaking off the shock, Kim Dokja reached into the cell, stretching his hand out to Sooyoung, “Hurry up!”. Sooyoung grabbed his hand and was quickly yanked out of the cell. Looking around, she inquired “Where’s Biyoo?”.

“She’s over there, behind the trees.” Dokja replied, pointing towards the little blob of fluff peeking out of the side of an old tree. “You didn’t really think I’d leave her by herself at camp did you?”. Sooyoung just faced way with an awkward smile on her face.

Debating on whether or not to hit her on the side of her head, the yelling of guards realizing a prisoner escaped, startling them into motion. Rushing back towards the forest, Kim Dokja lifted Biyoo up as he ran.

Never looking back as the three ran.

Kicking at the rubble, the man huffed. His brows furrowed in irritation. “How.” The man demanded. All the guards stood silent as he passed them, heading towards the leader of the squad. “How.” Yoo Joonghyuk repeated, glaring harshly.

Chapter Text

Hand on his head, Dokja rubbed his face. 

“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” He mumbled.

Han Sooyoung debated on whether or not to slap him, “Just shut up and get over here!”. She whispered, Biyoo was asleep, and neither wanted to wake her.

“It’ll be fun!” Han Sooyoung said, writing glyphs down in the dirt. 

“I’m surprised you even know how to make teleportation circles,” Teased Dokja, poking her arm, “can you even get them to work?”.

Slapping his hand away, Han Sooyoung resumed her scribbling “It’s not like I wanted to spent all that time stuck in that house!” She protested before mumbling, “besides, Abyss is helping out for once.”

“Ooo~ how awesome! Your great constellation who literally had gotten you imprisoned last week is helping,” Dokja replied sarcastically, “wanna make a bet on how wrong this’ll go?” Flashing 2 gold bits in here face.

Rolling her eyes, Sooyoung finished up on the final marks. “Fine, but you’ll regret when it doesn’t!”. 

Making their bets, Kim Dokja carried a sleeping Biyoo up into the center with him, Han Sooyoung already waiting. “If we end up popping up somewhere in the sky, I’ll let you hit the ground.” Dokja said, slightly tightening his grip on Biyoo. 

“Sure, sure.”, Han Sooyoung knew this was a lie, he’d probably let her free fall for a bit, but he wouldn’t actually let here hit the ground if they were too high up. Dokja had been training for that possibility ever since she’d brought it up. After the jail incident he’d started to use his demonic half more, which resulted in finally seeing his full demonic form, which came with wings. 

Learning was to fly was difficult and after too many ripped shirts; many now had the back removed for his wings, but he managed to learn after smacking his face too hard into the ground. That day was not a good day for Biyoo, crying at the sight of her sole parent looking so badly hurt, it was also the day that her demonic attributes started to come in. Regardless Dokja is ready for this.

Horns poking out from his hair and wings sprouting from his back, ripping the thinned skin from how many times he’d done this before, shaking off the ache it left on his back. Sighing, he mumbled exhausted already, “Let’s just get this over with.”.

Nodding, Sooyoung poked the tip of Dokja’s finger with a needle, a drop of his blood falling in the center of the circle. “Why can’t it be yours?” He huffed, sucking on his finger, his bloods metallic taste now on his tongue.

“Because idiot, your blood carries more magical properties than mine which mainly consists of scraps,” she responded with a matter-of-fact tone, “as much as I used to be able to cast awesome all-powerful spells, that mainly comes from my supporting constellation, so if I used my own blood it would have to be copious amounts of it.”, before mumbling mainly herself “at least that’s what he said.”. 

Finished with her explanation, Han Sooyoung placed her hands on the forest ground, whispering a few words. The glyphs glowed as she spoke, wind swirling around outside the circle, picking up dust, leaves, and any stray debris with it. The ground shook and the glyphs seemed to be dragged into the twisting wind, the world feeling like it was folding into them as they were sucked into the wind.

Not a trace left of the three as the wind settled.

Dokja rolled as he came into contact with the ground, wings tucked around him and Biyoo as they laid there. Sooyoung groaned as she sat up, rubbing the dust and stars swimming in her sight out of her eyes. 

Dokja sat up after a moment and shook the dirt off himself, checking on Biyoo who was still sound asleep, though it seemed to be more fragile than earlier. Her brows furrowed and mouth twisted into a frown. Rubbing her head soothingly, Dokja twisted his head to view his surroundings to see where they ended up at, his eyes widening as he noticed the now dirty quartz’s floors and pillars around them. 

Kim Dokja rushed up, yanking Sooyoung by the wrist along with him. “Hey! What th-“ Sooyoung was cut off by Dokja’s hand covering her mouth. He glared at her as he let go, “Where the hell are we?” He whispered to Sooyoung. 

“How am I supposed to know?!” Sooyoung countered, whispering back.

Around the corner two maids chatting come into view, pushing a cart along with them. Dokja and Sooyoung froze in place, as they walked by. They didn’t seem to notice the three as they passed, yet when another maid went to greet the two, her eyes widened. 

With a loud scream suddenly all the attention was placed on the intruders. Guards started pouring out from all over, surrounding them in record time. Dokja covered Sooyoung and Biyoo with his wings, shielding them from others eyes. Biyoo, who awoke easily from slumber, now was crying. Unable to currently properly sooth her, Dokja hugged her closer. Turning her crying into whimpers instead.

The sound of a muffled yell was heard “Wait!”, an older maid pushing through the crowd. “That’s the crown prince!” She yelled. All of the sudden everyone backed up and folded into a bow towards them.

As she stood before them she bowed apologetically, “Your Royal Highness, we apologize for not foreseeing your return! I’ll have a maid alert Your Majesty’s of your return immediately.” She signaled to a nearby maid who quickly rushed off to do as she was told. 

“Would you like me to run a bath for you?” The maid politely asked. Grimacing as his dust coated wings and dirty clothes, Dokja nodded, lowering his wings “Yes please, please run another for my guest here and my daughter.” he requested. At the sound of that many attempted to raise their heads to peek at the scared toddler but the maid quickly moved to shoo everyone away. Bowing before leaving herself, silence being left in her absence.

Dokja inhales a long breath, calming himself down as he released it. Murmuring soft comforts and apologies to Biyoo, her whimpering subsiding. Turning to face Sooyoung, “Get us out of here!” He demanded, rocking Biyoo in his arms. “I can’t! Abyss won’t let me cast anything” Sooyoung countered, hands spread out, trying to cast any spell she knew. 

“Of course he won’t let you!” Kim Dokja grumbled, turning to face a nearby window, glaring at the sky. “We’re never listening to another suggestion of his.”, Dokja would have flashed the middle finger at him if Biyoo wasn’t awake.

“Appa where are we?” Biyoo questioned, an adorable lisp still heard occasionally in her words. Her eyes sparkling with unbridled curiosity only a child could still have, Dokja could help but pinch her cheeks.

“We’r-”, He was quickly cut off by a body ramming into him from behind, instinctively wrapping his wings around Biyoo. “Oh my precious baby!” Said the lady dressed in luxurious clothing, suffocating him in a hug, “What happened to your lovely wings!?” she questioned, turning him around to view the dirty and matted feathers. Dokja looked over to Sooyoung, eyes begging for help.

“Uhhh, Greetings! Your Majesty Persephone!” Sooyoung addressed animatedly, giving an awkward curtsy. Persephone quickly noticed Sooyoung, “Sooyoung! I know you know better than to address me like that! Please call me Persephone, you’ve been my son’s companion since you were children after all.” Giving her a short hug.

“Yes Persephone, I’ll make sure to remember that.” Sooyoung said with a tight smile. 

Persephone, the original Empress of the North Empire; Perdition, the weather there is known to be unbelievably hot in the summers and as cold as the Arctic during the winter, yet during the spring and fall many foreigners love to visit and vacation here for the lovely weather and beautiful scenery. She’d been known for being a strict yet fair ruler throughout her rein with Hades, which eventually came to an end after their assassination in chapter 236, with no heir to take over the throne, it was passed on to Yoo Joonghyuk through a will they’d conveniently written prior to their deaths.

Though it really never mentioned how much she cared for her family, “It’s been so long you two! You promised you’d write a letter at least once a month for us, and you said you’d update us every ball.” She stressed, fussing over Dokja and Sooyoung. “Hades would’ve loved to see you.” 

“Too bad he’s out on a hunting trip! More bonding time for us I suppose!” Persephone exclaimed with a grin, unaware of the scare she gave to the two. “You need a bath, has a maid started one for you two?” She questioned, the two nodding in response. “Wonderful! I’ll guide you there, after all we have had a few renovations since you were last here.”, she beckoning them to follow her.

Clearing his throat, Persephone quieted down, allowing him to talk, “Well first I think you should meet someone.”, he slowly unfurled his wings, revealing Biyoo cradled within his arms. “This is Biyoo, say hello Biyoo.” Persephone gasped at the sight of the small tot, shyly waving at Persephone with her head half hidden in her father’s chest.

“Hello little one,” greeted Persephone, “can I hold her?” She asked Dokja, receiving a small nod from Dokja. Picking Biyoo up from his arms, she gave her a sweet smile. “Do you know who I am?” She questioned, Biyoo aggressively shook her head. “I’m your grandma, but you can call me Nana.” She said softly, lightly tickling her stomach, getting Biyoo to start giggling.

Dokja reached back for his daughter, content with having her back in his arms. “She’s adorable, whose is she?” Persephone questioned, glancing between her son and Sooyoung. “She’s mine,” Dokja replied, “and before you ask! No not with Sooyoung.” He quickly added, removing any question of them possibly doing anything like that, it gave him shivers just to think about it. 

“With who then, where is she?” Persephone asked curiously, wondering who and where the mystery woman is. At this Dokja blushed “Um no that’s not it, she came from…” pausing as he turned his face away now, finishing his sentence, “other circumstances.”. 

“Oh? Oh- OH.” Realization now showing on her face. “I see! Well that’s new! It’s okay, I fully support you!” She replied, holding his free hand with hers. Raising an eyebrow, Dokja doesn’t quite believe she understood what he meant but he doesn’t want to dwell on the topic too much. He could hear Sooyoung holding back from laugh right behind him.

From around the corner, a maid approached the group, bowing as soon as she stood still. Greeting them all, she noted that the letter to the emperor had been sent and the baths were ready.

“Thank you Regas, I’ll guide them there.” Thanked Persephone, the maid bowing once again, leaving with the clear dismissal. The group eventually stopping in a hall with multiple sets of doors, “Here we are! This is where you’ll be, this door on the left is your room Dokja and the other side is meant for you Sooyoung, though I’ll make sure to tell one of the chamber maids to setup a room for your little one Dokja if you’d like.” Persephone informed. 

“I think she’ll be okay with sticking with me for now but I wouldn’t mind it being setup for her when she eventually wants to sleep on her own.” He replied, mourning the thought of his daughter no longer wanting to sleep next to him.

“Very well, I’ll leave you to your own accord, I’ll come by later in the evening.” Saying her farewells, she parted from the group and went back through the hall they came through.

As soon as she was out of sight and Biyoo had been herded into his room, Dokja turned to Sooyoung. “Hand it over.” He commanded, reaching out a hand towards Sooyoung. “What are you taking about?” Sooyoung retorted, avoiding his eyes. 

“You know exactly what, next time don’t make bets that you’ll obviously lose.” Dokja stated, clearly speaking of the bet they made prior to their teleportation here. Sooyoung grumbled handing over the money.

“This technically didn’t even go that wrong.” She complained. “Yes it did, we could’ve been killed earlier.” Dokja deadpanned, thinking over the large category of weapons that had been pointed at them earlier. 

“But we weren’t.” Sooyoung countered. Dokja glared, she only glared back harder. “Fine.” Handing back a singular gold bit to her. “But I was still more right.” He said scurrying into his own room, avoiding Sooyoung’s reaching hands.

Chapter Text

“I don’t think this is a good idea Mother.”

“It’ll be fun! Besides it’s about time you were welcomed back, you’ve been here for a month already.” Persephone argues, “and it’ll get that one boy to stop looking for you.” The sound of corset strings in the background.

“I’m ack!- sorry who?” Dokja questioned, feeling the white corset tighten as a maid helped pull the soft colored strings. Feeling the air in his lungs practically be punched out with every pull.

“The one you used to always talk about, always glaring at you and threatening you every time I saw the two of you interact, I suppose I could see how you found it attractive.” Persephone replied, twirling her hair as she paced back and forth, thinking back to the days Hades was first courting her. 

“Why would he-“ Dokja was cut off by the maid giving a final pull. He could hear Sooyoung coughing back a laugh, she’d been sitting on his bed, having been done with getting ready hours ago. “…still be looking for me now?” The maid placing a large white cape over his shoulders, 2 chains connecting in the center to keep it in place. 

“Well you tell me!” Turning to face Dokja, Persephone analyzed him, “Hm… you’re missing something.” Briefly leaving the room, Kim Dokja finally taking a moment to attempt to breathe properly.

“Why do I have to wear this, and why’s it so tight?” He complained tugging at it slightly, only for Sooyoung get up and slap his hands away from the strings, “It’s the fashion here, don’t ruin the strings.” She said, fixing it. 

“It’s not like anyone will see it under this large ass cape.” Kim Dokja grumbled. “It’s called a mantle idiot.” Sooyoung retorted. Dokja could hear footsteps approaching while Sooyoung returned back to her place on his bed.

“I’m back!” Persephone announced, carrying a small black box with her. “Here I’ve been dying to use these for something.” Handing it over to Dokja. Opening the box, inside was a 2 small silver chains, the links shaped as stars. Disconnecting the current one and reconnecting the new ones to each end of the mantle. “Perfect.” Persephone proudly stated.

Suddenly Biyoo ran in, “Appa look!” Biyoo excitedly exclaimed, raising her cupped hands for him to see. Holding her hands with his own, Biyoo opened them up to show a small unicorn woodcarving, “Pop-Pop gave it to Biyoo!” Biyoo exclaimed, “It’s like Biyoo!” talking in third person, using a had to point to her head where a horn was currently hidden away. 

Running a hand through her hair, “That’s lovely sweetheart, what did you name them?” Dokja questioned, crouching down to me her eyes. “Biyoo!” Naming the small unicorn after her, Dokja chuckles “That’s a good name!”.

“What’s Appa doing?” Biyoo questioned, watching a maid pass by with a jewelry box in hand, Persephone picking out a few pieces from the box for Dokja before waving her away. “Appa’s getting ready for a ball.” Standing up to let Persephone attach a necklace and a pair of earrings to him. 

“What’s that?” Biyoo curiously asked. “It’s a fancy party, with lots of dancing, and yummy food and tasty desserts. With lots of other kids to play with too.” Dokja replied, attempting to pique Biyoo’s interest to get her to socialize more with others her age, afterall she’s mainly been around adults her whole life.

Humming, Biyoo debated before asking, “Can Biyoo go?”, pulling puppy dog eyes on him. “I don’t know, will Biyoo be good?” Dokja questioned, as if he wasn’t going to let her go anyway. Biyoo nodded quickly, a large grin on her face, “Biyoo will be very good!”. Dokja agreed and she quickly rushed off to her room to change, Sooyoung getting up to go help Biyoo, leaving Dokja and Persephone alone with the maids slipping in and out of the room.

“You’ll do fine.” Persephone states, hoping to ease some of his nerves. “Thank you Mother.”

Reintroducing Dokja and introducing Biyoo to noble society would be short and easy. A few words here and there, and then everyone would do their own thing. 

Is what Dokja wished. In reality, it was easy to introduce the two, but after announcing them it caused a huge commotion, people whisper left and right about him. He could hear people creating new rumors of him running away for a commoner and having a child with them or something like that, though they couldn’t be farther from the truth. Dokja was still looking for a diary from the past Kim Dokja to see what really happened, but that definitely wasn’t it. 

Biyoo was quickly ushered into the kids area, yet he stays nearby the area to keep an eye on her. No need to have her physical stuck in the middle of boring conversations with him.

Not even an hour into the ball and he already felt like fainting. The lights too luminescent, too crowded by random nobles, and most importantly, a TOO tight corset. Being crowded by people you never met was the worse, all of them kept on bringing back past events or interactions he couldn’t remember, and breathing was a battle that he nearly failed one too many times, the bright lights only serving to make him feel more disoriented and hot.

Yet a noble lady decides to intervene luckily, “Greetings Your Highness, I’m Yoo Sangah, representing the Nebulae Church today.” giving a curtsy with her introduction. “May I pull you aside?”

“Of course Lady Yoo!” Kim Dokja responded, leaving the crowd of pretentious nobles behind. “Did you have something you wanted to speak of?” He questioned, stopping by a table of refreshments.

“Ah, no” she replied, “you just looked like you were being overwhelmed by the crowd.” Handing over a cup of water to him. “Well I thank you for getting me out of there, I don’t think I could have taken it much longer!” Dokja quipped, finally starting to have a positive interaction for the first time since this damn ball started. All the conversations he’d been getting pulled into were either awkward or irritating, most trying to get more background information of his daughter.

“Hey Your Highness, who’re you talk to?” Interrupted Sooyoung, interested in the pretty lady in front of her. “This is Yoo Sangah, she’s from the Nebulae Church.” Introduced Kim Dokja, “Hello Lady Yoo.” She greeted, reaching out to give a kiss on her hand. Yoo Sangah blushed, “Hello Lady Han, what a surprise to see you here.” 

“Yes, I’ve been quite busy these past few years.” Han Sooyoung replies, grimacing at the reminder. Looking between the two as they chatted, Dokja decided to be a good friend and give the two some space, besides he wanted to take a breather anyway. “Wow it’s getting hot in here, I’m going to take a breather, Ms. Han Sooyoung do you mind watching out for Biyoo for me?” 

“Yes of course! Anything for my dearest friend.” Han Sooyoung nodded, waving him away. Rolling his eyes Kim Dokja proceeded to exit and head to an empty hallway, void of any nobles.

Entering a random room, he attempts clear his head, taking deep breaths. Yelping at the sound of the door opening, Kim Dokja turned to face the newcomer. “Do you mind?!” He stressed, feeling the lack of air getting to his head. Dokja could feel his consciousness slipping by the second.

“Kim Dokja.” Shutting the door behind him, Yoo Joonghyuk approached him. Honestly, Kim Dokja loved the way he said his name, but now wasn’t the time to think about that.

“We need to talk.” Yoo Joonghyuk demanded. Too bad Kim Dokja wasn’t conscious enough to reply, all he got to see was Yoo Joonghyuk’s face go from stern to startled as he fainted.
 

If Lee Jihye could give this ball a bad rating, I’d be a negative 8, sure having the prince back was great and all, the new rumors going around were rather interesting too, but it overall it was pretty boring. As a knight in training, all she did was stand to the sides and occasionally be approached by other knights that were interested in a chat, of course she’d ignore them. Master taught her better than to get distracted. 

Though there was this particularly pestering one that seemed to approached her every ball she was in, and currently she was avoiding him like the plague. If she has to stand through another one of his rants over how ‘delicate’ women like her shouldn’t be wielding blades then she’ll show him how delicate she really is.

Besides, today she was given the directive to investigate the palace. Jihye was to find an artifact that could do who knows what, all she was told was what it looks like.

So quietly leaving the ballroom, Lee Jihye left to scamper the empty palace halls. Checking every room for her target. 

But her search was quickly interrupted by 2 figures slipping into a drawing room, she previously searched, one after the other. Of course the smartest thing to do would be ignore it and continue her search. But how could Jihye resist! What if it was one of her ships?! Lady Karine and Lord Grenadine seemed like they were finally starting to get along, will they final go from enemies to lovers?! Oh the anticipation was killing her!

But she must stay strong! Master would not be happy with her if she abandoned her goal for this again. But, at the same time, she did get to see Lady Grey and Lady Perrin share their first kiss last time… 

Oh who’s she kidding! She absolutely must see who it is, she refuses to miss out on any developments that any one of her pairings may have! If it was Lord Gretchen and Lady Bern finally getting their shit together, she may just burst into tears right then and there!

Filled with excitement and anticipation, Lee Jihye tiptoed to the door, taking the handle and as quietly as she could, twisted it, opening the door just enough to look inside. Peeking in, her eyes widened by the view that was bestowed upon her.

Inside was her Master, Yoo Joonghyuk, and the crown prince, Kim Dokja. One hand on his waist, holding him up as he used the other to brutishly rip off the prince’s corset. The Prince’s eyes half-lidded, watching as Yoo Joonghyuk did so. “Kim Dokja.” Her Master said, she could hear the emotion in his tone.

Quietly shutting the door behind her, Lee Jihye rested her back against it, mouth agape. She never knew her Master swung that way, in fact she never knew he swung any way. She thought he’d die single and childless. If she had known he’s head over heels for the prince then she would have taken his searches for him more seriously! Oh he must have ran away after having found out that he was carrying her Masters child, that must have been why he left! It isn’t impossible with The Great and Powerful Witch, Han Sooyoung, as his closest friend.

Hearing a groan come from the room behind her, Lee Jihye scurried off, deciding to give the two newly reunited lovers privacy. She couldn’t wait to tell Kim Namwoon about this! Afterall, wouldn’t he like to know what his cousin is up to nowadays!

Kim Dokja came back into consciousness with a splitting headache, groaning as he rose up from where he laid on a relatively comfortable couch. 

“Kim Dokja.” Yoo Joonghyuk repeated.

“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.” Dokja responded, irritation clear in his voice.

“We need to talk.” Joonghyuk told him, moving closer from his placement on the other side of the room where he had been standing, acting like the protagonist he is.

“About what?” Dokja replies, avoiding eye contact. 

“You know what.” He counters, glaring as he stalked closer.

“I don’t.” Dokja deadpanned, as he attempted to stand only to get lightheaded and fall back into his seat. He notices his corset ripped and left on the ground. “And did you rip my corset?!” 

“Stop avoiding the subject.” Joonghyuk growled.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” Huffing and physically turning his body to not face Joonghyuk’s.

Sighing, Joonghyuk finally relents, “The dream you told me about, prior to the day you left.” Backing away now, “you were right.” Dokja didn’t know what he was right of but he could tell that Joonghyuk hated admitting he was wrong.

“The catastrophe you dreamed of will happen, the events up coming to it have been happening over the past years you were gone for.” Joonghyuk continued. “A plague had taken hundreds of the young in the villages across the empire,” ‘No wonder I never saw that many kids, wait I shouldn’t be thinking about that right now.’ Kim Dokja thought to himself. “then the seas became too dangerous to fish or travel in.”

“If your dream continues to be correct, then the next event will be the golden dragon you always dreamt of then…” exhaling a deep heavy sigh, he muttered “I need your help to prevent it.”.

Chapter Text

Grabbing onto Han Sooyoung’s shoulders, “You LITERALLY wrote the drafts, HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW?!” Kim Dokja aggressively shakes her back and forth.

“STOP SHAKING ME.” Han Sooyoung launches herself at Dokja, the two now scuffling around on the library floor.

Passing by the open library doors, “Nana, what’s Appa and Unnie doing?” Biyoo asks, holding onto Persephone’s fingers. “They’re just being silly, hey how about we go write a letter to your new friends!” Quickly changing the subject and herding Biyoo down the hall.

“DON’T BITE ME YOU RAT.” Ignoring the screams coming from the library, Persephone continued on her way to find a quill and a piece of paper to write on with Biyoo following along.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Dokja flopped face first onto the medical cot.

“Listen, I wrote more than half of those when I was dead on my feet. Besides, there’s countless of them, how do you expect me to remember that one.” Sooyoung grumbled after the royal physician, Lee Seolhwa, had left, finished with treating both Kim Dokja’s and Han Sooyoung’s scratches and bite marks from their scuffle from earlier.

“U ure don’ ember?” Dokja asked, words muffled by the pillow his face was digging into.

“What?”

Lifting his head back up, “I said, you sure you don’t remember.” Dokja repeated, before letting it drop again.

“Yes I’m sure.” Lying down on her own cot, she stared up at the hollowed ceiling.

Closing her eyes, she hummed, “On the bright side, at least he wasn’t after you to kill you.” Hearing the muffled snickering coming from next to her, Sooyoung grinned. “Or kidnap you to be his bride.” Peeking an eye open to see Dokja’s reaction, blushing with his jaw wide open as he stares at her.

“Just kidding! But you would’ve loved that wouldn’t you.” It wasn’t even a question, Sooyoung stated this. “No! Shut up!” Sitting up, a blushing Dokja grabbed the pillow he was previously lying on and threatened to hit her with it.

“So that rumor of you and Joonghyuk getting it on in the drawing room is false then?” Teased Sooyoung. Getting even redder, Dokja repeatedly smacked her, vehemently denying this, saying he literally explained what happened to her. Sooyoung only putting her arms up to shield herself as she laughed her ass off.

Creeping down the halls, Yoo Mia held a letter within her hands, Biyoo’s letter. Hiding behind curtains and underneath tables whenever one of the few housemaids passed by.

After seeing Biyoo at the usually boring balls her brother would drag her to, the two had taken to writing letters to each other, Mia with her near perfect spelling and Biyoo making semi-legible words in their letters.

Her oppa being the ever nosey brother he could be, read each and every letter that came into the estate’s walls, meaning he would read hers too. Mia did not like this. This was Mia’s letter, specifically sent to Mia, there is no other names that would be on this letter other than hers and Biyoo’s. Meaning only she should read the contents of this letter.

So before he could go read the mail left on the desk he sat at for hours on end. Mia snuck in, searched the pile for her name with a royal seal on it and took it. Giggling to herself as she snuck back out the room. Sneaking around as she tried to get back to here room unnoticed, to read her letter.

This was going perfectly! No one saw her and her oppa was no where to be seen. Because he was standing right in front of her bedroom door.

Mia froze in place, holding her breath. Tiptoeing backwards, trying to go back the way she came from as silently as she possibly could. Too late for her though.

“Mia-yah.” Joonghyuk said when he noticed her. Mia jumped when she heard her name, hiding the letter behind her back. The motion did not go unnoticed.

“Yes Oppa?” She replied, an innocent expression on her face.

“What are you doing?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow. Crossing his arms in the process.

“Nothing.” Mia quickly denied, too quickly. “What are you doing in front of my room?”

“Getting you for dinner.”

“I’ve already eaten, you can go now.” Mia lies as she shoos him away, walking past him, trying to get into her room.

Joonghyuk catches a glimpse of the paper and nabs it out of her hands. “Hey!” Yoo Mia rebelled, jumping up to grab her letter back. The letter being held just out of her reach. “That’s mine!”

“Who gave you this?” His expression dark as he asked. Mia stopped trying to grab at it, planting her feet into the pristine floors and crossing her arms just like Joonghyuk had before.

“None of your business.” Mia huffed, cheeks puffing up. Turning to face the opposite direction of him.

“Mia-yah I’m serious.”

“Not telling.”

“Yoo Mia.”

Mia’s eyes widened at the sound of her full name. Turning back to face him, his expression as serious as she’s ever seen him.

“Okay, okay!” Mia relented. Sighing, she looked down at her feet, expression drooping as she replied.

“Biyoo gave it to me.”

“Who?” Yoo Joonghyuk was now concerned, there was no one in the staff team who had that name. Did someone sneak in?

“The friend I made at the last festival we went to.” Mia reminds him, “I saw her again at the ball and she promised she’d send me a letter.” Finally realizing what she was talking about, his expression became more relaxed, even though nobody could really tell. But Yoo Mia’s smart so of course she can tell! Seeing her sad must have cooled some of his grumpiness down!

“I meant how you got this.” Joonghyuk clarifies.

Mia pauses for a moment, thinking back to how he phrased it. “I snuck in and took it from your desk.”

Flipping the card around to see the seal, “This is the wrong letter.” Joonghyuk states, brows furrowed as he looked at the royal seal shimmer with the light.

Mia looks at the letter in his hand confused. “What do you mean?”, her name was clearly written there, it even had the royal seal on it!

“This is from the royal family, Biyoo is a commoner.” Pointing at the black and red seal on it.

“Nuh uh, not anymore, Biyoo is a princess!” Mia argues back, “Biyoo was wearing a tiny crown and when the other kids tried to talk to her, they called her Princess Kim.” Now determined to prove her brother wrong, she tells him “Open the letter, you’ll see that it’s from Biyoo!”. Glaring as hard as she can.

Huffing, he snapped the seal off and looked into the letter’s contents. A drawing that consisted of mainly scribbles and stickmen seemingly floating, and a letter with barely legible writing. His eyes widened just a fraction.

Grabbing the drawing and letter from his hand, Mia nodded to herself as she examined them. “Told you.” Triumphant with her victory.

Opening her bedroom door, Mia snatches the envelope from his hands too, as she quickly shuts her door behind her.

Standing there for a moment, Joonhyuk recomposes himself.

“Don’t forget to come down for dinner.” Pointing out her lie from earlier as he leaves.

Kim Dokja wants to sleep already.

Ever since that stupid ball he’d been waking up in cold sweat every time he fell asleep for more than a few minutes.

If he was going to get a bad dream, then it should’ve at least let him remember it, he thought to himself huffing in irritation. If he went any longer without some quality sleep he was going to lose his mind. Besides, he was trying to get into the habit of getting a healthy amount of sleep for once. Trying to keep a consistent sleep schedule when you’re moving around all the time is difficult, now that he’s stay here, he might as well try.

Thinking to all the possible causes for his terrible sleep, the only thing that could really come to mind was his interaction with Yoo Joonghyuk.

He really couldn’t care less about what happened to this empire. It could get destroyed for all he cared. As long as his technically found family was fine then he really doesn’t want to get involved with any of the main protagonists, especially Yoo Joonghyuk.

Han Sooyoung’s mess of a novel, had three stories mixed together, meaning three protagonists. Neither protagonist ever met the other, the only thing you could use to know that their stories were going at the same time was hearing them in passing. There was Kang Sook, Park Seoyun, and of course Yoo Joonghyuk. As the book progressed, Yoo Joonghyuk story was quickly found to be the favorite and the longest of the three. Park Seoyun finding his end mid way into the novel and Kang Sook having her happy-ish ending a few chapters before Yoo Joonghyuk’s death.

Yet out of the three, Yoo Joonghyuk had the worst luck of the three, an unexplainable death, loss of limbs, or a something of the likes usually with those he met in passing and eventually returned to. Dokja just doesn’t wanna be one of them, better to cut off any contact and continue his life as a single parent and now prince. Besides he’s the protagonist, he’ll be fine on his own, most likely.

Hearing the door creak open, Dokja was pulled out of his thoughts. Looking over, he saw Biyoo’s head peeking out of the opening. Her eyes mysteriously shinny.

“Hi baby,” Dokja greeted warmly, Biyoo scurried up to his bedside, the little taps of her feet being heard as they hit the ground. Biyoo attempted climbing into his bed. Holding up one side of the blanket up for her to crawl in, “what’s wrong?” He questioned, helping her up into his bed. Wiping the tears off her face, he held her close to his chest like he usually does.

Biyoo hugged him tightly, tucking her head into the crook of his neck. “Bad dream.” she mumbled, hugging him even tighter.

Humming, Dokja rubbed her back in a soothing manner. “What happened?” He cooed.

“Biyoo was playing with Appa and then the sky turned red and Biyoo was alone and couldn’t find Appa!” Dokja could feel the tears start running again as they hit his neck, he could feel her horn start to poke at his chin, her demon strength showing. “Then Biyoo woke up!” Weeping, Biyoo rubbed her tears into Dokja’s neck.

“Good thing it was a dream,” Dokja states, sitting up with her in his arms. Moving Biyoo away slightly so he could wipe her tears away once more, “Appa will always be here for you, even after the moon falls and the sun burns out.” Biyoo’s crying turned into sniffling.

“Appa promises?” Biyoo asks.

“Promise.” Pulling her into another hug, wings sprout from his back as he lays back down, shifting them around the two to form a cocoon of feathers around them. Biyoo’s eyelids falling from the weight of her exhaustion, feeling sleepy in her father’s comforting hold.

Dokja moves the strands of hair from her face and kisses her forehead, Biyoo’s tiny, adorable horn now gone.

His own breathing slowing as sleep finally comes to claim him too.

“-LP”

“PLE- SE, SOM- NE”

The screams sounded muffled as he opened his eyes, looked around him. The walls collapsed, fires burning the curtains that weren’t burnt to an ash yet, a dark red covering the palace floors. Severely injured servants crawling away, only to die anyway from blood loss .

“DOKJA!” He could hear Han Sooyoung’s voice yelling at him.

“We need to go!” Pulling him out of his daze, Sooyoung looked around for someone.

“Where’s Biyoo?” Dokja could hear himself ask. Han Sooyoung stayed silent, pulling him with her.

“Sooyoung, where is Biyoo?” Repeating his question, planting his feet in place. Sooyoung stopped, though the grip on his hand didn’t loosen.

He heard her take a deep breath before turning to face him, looking at him in the eyes with all the seriousness she could possibly muster up in her own. “She’s gone.” Sooyoung whispered, her tone pained.

Dokja sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the smoke around them entering his lungs, fighting the urge to cough.

Everything feeling farther away now, he should’ve stuck with Yoo Joonghyuk. If he did Biyoo would be fine, everything is always fine around Yoo Joonghyuk, misfortune only followed those that didn’t stick by him, how could he ever forget that. This is his own fault, if only he hadn’t be that stupid to not stick with him. If only he had stuck by Biyoo like he promised he would.

Dokja eyes snapped open, breathing hard. His grip around Biyoo tight, his feathers ruffled and wings flared around them protectively. The moon was still shining brightly, though the hue of the sun rising was faintly visible. Biyoo whined at the tight hold, Dokja quickly loosened it, her face returning to a peaceful state. He looked her over, searching for any sign that he’d harmed her.

Content with finding nothing, Dokja hid his wings. He’d have to preen them again, but for now he didn’t want to get up yet.

Thinking back to his dream, he had now made up his mind, if his dreams were as foretelling as the previous Kim Dokja, then he refused to let this happen. He's come so far, preventing Biyoo’s death mainly and also accidentally preventing the meet of Min Euntal and Yoo Joonghyuk at the ball.

Dokja has already unknowingly made himself apart of Joonghyuk’s new story. He may not know the exact details of the future now, but knowing that he can prevent losing Biyoo is enough for him.

When the sun had fully risen, and Biyoo had gone to play in the gardens under the watchful eyes of Dokja who watched from his balcony. He sent out a letter to Joonghyuk, his response written inside. A birthday invitation sent with it.

Chapter Text

Hosting a medieval version of a kids birthday party was not on Kim Dokja’s to do list, but he supposed it comes with the territory of being a royal. 

Biyoo wanted to spend time with the new friends she made and Dokja didn’t want to let her spend anytime out of his sight or out of the palace. Too anxious to feel secure with leaving her out of his own sight or Sooyoung’s, no offense to his technically parents but he’d rather it be him or the worm with magic that semiworks, though it’s not like she needs it to beat the crap out of someone if she wanted to. 

Regardless, it resulted to having to host and plan out a party instead. The planing itself wasn’t too bad, Dokja only had to ask for a theme from Biyoo. She wanted a unicorn theme of course, meaning soft pastel colored streamers, balloons, and whatever else this medieval styled world could provide for a child’s birthday. With her birthday being a few days after spring, getting anything now in those colors was easy. Getting to travel to the capital was an interesting experience, he recalled that the area the shops resided in was called Cerberus Pass. Due to it being near the entrance of the Kingdom which was guarded by a set of guards which as you can guess, the groups name was Cerberus.

After getting back, the supplies were taken by the palace staff and most likely shoved in a closet where they weren’t seen again, till the end of spring where they were brought out to put up. Dokja helped the staff with setting up the decorations, everything ready a week before her birthday. With invitations being sent out two weeks ago there was nothing else left to prepare, everything was fine.

Well that was until Biyoo decided to change the theme all together, two days before the party.

Kim Dokja walked around the garden, watching the summer flowers that had yet to bloom. Gently passing a hand over the buds as he passed.

“Appa!”

Biyoo had just come in from playing in the outdoor garden, carrying the last of the springs flowers in her hands, the signs of decay ever so slightly on its petals. The flowers here always were so quick to rot after the change in seasons.

Presenting the -poorly made but still made with love- bouquet up to him, “For you!”. 

‘It seems like Biyoo’s starting to use pronouns now, it was so adorable though.’ Dokja could feel an imaginary tear drip from his eye, internally smiling proudly. “That’s so sweet of you Biyoo!” Dokja thanked her, gingerly taking the bouquet from her hands. 

Biyoo cleared her throat, now standing straight. “Biyoo has a request!” Biyoo stated, before thinking for a moment and changing her words, “Biyoo means a demand!” She restated, adorably crossing her arms and stomping her foot on the ground, her shoe making a small thump as it hit the smooth floor. She must’ve learned that from her letters with Yoo Mia, she’s been getting better at expressing herself ever since she started exchanging letters with them, either Dokja or Persephone helping her write and read them.

Resisting a laugh, Dokja keeps his face schooled, “And whatever shall your demand be my princess?” Playing along with whatever Biyoo was doing, lifting her up and resting her on his hip as he continued walking around the indoor garden, the flowers held in his free hand.

“Biyoo wants a space themed party!”

Kim Dokja regrets not killing Han Sooyoung all those years ago, if he did then he wouldn’t have to deal with party themes. Themeless kid parties are boring to write she said, it’ll be fun she said, who cares if it’s a medieval themed book, it’s fantasy anyways I can add what I want. In fact a lot of the readers were unhappy about that.

Inhaling a deep breath, Dokja holds it in for a moment, before resuming his walk as he releases it slowly. 

“Biyoo, honey, sweetie, the star to my sky, my precious baby, I don’t think we have enough time to change the theme.” Dokja replies, mentally cursing Han Sooyoung existence.

“But Appa! You promised Biyoo any theme!” Biyoo whines, Dokja could see the tears forming at the corners of her now glossy eyes, an ever so slight bump on her forehead threatening to grow and rip out of her skin again.

“Okay, okay, no need for tears sweetie,” Dokja quickly says, bouncing her on his hip, “I’ll figure something out.” Pressing a kiss onto her forehead, the bump on her head disappearing.

“Sorry sir, we only sell that color in the winter months.” The clerk apologized, doing a small apologetic bow. Dokja who was wearing his cloak over his head, felt like carving his eyes out. Each and every place he went to all said the same exact thing, some of the decorations were easy to get, but anything in that color scheme or theme was non-existent. 

With spring recently turning to summer, the only things in any shop were light and soft colored. Summer was the one time of the year people wore less layers than they normally would in a normal empire, you know the ones that don’t have temperatures that make you feel like if you stood directly under the sun for more than a few minutes your skin would melt right off. It really was horrible, Kim Dokja would quite literally kill for an ice bath. 

Biyoo also wanted a new dress, while she did have plenty of dresses already -courtesy of her grandmother Persephone-, the way she asked made Dokja feel like it was impossible to say no. After all who could resist those adorable chubby cheeks and puppy dog eyes! Dokja could only hope that he wasn’t spoiling her too much, but then again even if he was he wouldn’t really mind. 

Walking out of the final shop in the area, Dokja entered a shaded alleyway, avoiding the brightly, burning sun still up despite his pocket watch saying it was long past 8. Some shops already closing up for the day.

Taking a deep breath in, Dokja sighed. Taking a moment to enjoy the shade.

Leaving the alley, at the corner of his eye he spotted one of the newer stores he passed by earlier. It was a game shop or at least the equivalent of what would be considered one, they sold custom cards, dice, boards, and more. They also had a space for people to play. 

Curiosity peeked, Kim Dokja wondered over.

Han Donghoon was a good student, quiet and mainly self-isolated, but still a good one. His grades were normal, he stayed out of trouble better than his peers ever did. At least most of the time.

Today was normal, wake up in the dorms, take a shower, change into his uniform, go eat at the student cafeteria, and then head to the classes he had for the day. Donghoon could say it was overall a pretty good day, no interactions, no group projects assigned. It’s after school that went wrong, specifically when he was walking back to the dormitories.

“Hey kid!” One of the upperclassmen that was previously huddled in a small group outside the building spoke, grabbing his shoulder. Han Donghoon moved away from his hold, turning his head to take a glance at the other. 

If his memory served correctly -and it always did- the guys name was Utam, he had a grin on his face that spelled a mischief that he’d rather watch or hear about than be apart of. But of course his wishes are ignored, so close yet so far to a perfect day.

Ignoring him, Donghoon attempted to move away, the group only moved to block his path. He could recognize a two as his own classmates, they were held back in literature. “Slow down there friend.” One of them said. 

Utam pulled him back by the collar of his blazer, placing his arm around Han Donghoon’s shoulders. “I see that you’re not doing anything, why don’t you come with us to Cerberus Pass, I heard there’s a new shop opened up there.” Donghoon vehemently shook his head, he did not want to get mixed up with these rich kids anymore.

Yet despite how hard he tried to flee back to the safety of his dormitory room, Donghoon was dragged along onto his upperclassmen’s trip out of the academy’s bounds. 

After the group arrived, they had Han Donghoon participate in some way in everything they did. Occasionally trying to get his opinion on a card set or board with some elaborate design that was on display on the shops shelves. This type of thing really wasn’t new to Donghoon but he’d rather not be involved anyway. You see Han Donghoon knows everything that goes on inside Star Stream Academy,  every.   single.    thing.

Have a pet in your dorm? He knows. Secretly crushing that one person you act like you hate? He knows. Did something you weren’t supposed to do and hid any piece of evidence that you did it? He definitely knows. Point is, if you want dirt on someone you go to Han Donghoon, bribe him, bully him, or try to act all buddy buddy, then maybe he’ll tell you want you want to know. Bullying usually gets you a one way ticket to never getting anything from him and so does threatening, bribes work but you have to find out what he wants on your own first, and acting friendly just makes him want to avoid you, but on the rare occasion he will spill if he gets irritated enough. The same works the other way, if you don’t want something known, you better start looking for a good bribe if he doesn’t see a good reason to hide it.

It happens every week, someone or one’s drags him off campus to bribe him or something else he’d really rather not bother with. While it used to be fun to Donghoon, after the third group it just became annoying and hurtful. Getting pulled into a group that seemed to want you there only to leave you behind after they got what they wanted, just to come back later using the ‘but we’re friends’ card to try to make him spill anything they wanted to know. Just like this group. 

This was their 6th time doing this. They still wanted the same thing as last time but he’d already received a good bribe from the other side. 

The others browsed the shelves as they waited for a turn in the game Donghoon was playing with Liam, “So I was wondering,” one of the upperclassmen, Liam, boldly asks “what do you got on Mel’s little group?”, not even the slightest bit of subtleness in his question. Han Donghoon could see the other three around them perked an ear towards them, leaning in slightly, poorly pretending to still be browsing the shelves. 

Donghoon turned his head, looking out of the game stops window. Refusing to respond. He could tell the group of 4 -excluding Han Donghoon- were getting irritated at this point, they’d been spending so much money on these outings and didn’t want to ask their parents if they could get their monthly allowance early. Honestly though, they were spending more on themselves at this point if anything, after all, Han Donghoon had been rejecting any attempts of a bribe which included rejecting anything bought by them for him even if they said to wasn’t a bribe. 

“Look, we’re getting tired of taking you everywhere with us.” Han Donghoon never even wanted to go to begin with. “Just tell us anything, and we’ll get you whatever you want.” 

Han Donghoon shook his head. Liam scoffs, kicking the leg of the table. The game of mancala now long forgotten. Ethaniel, who had been browsing the shelves with Utam and Fern, cracked his knuckles, “I’m not against beating a kid that’s younger than me.” Utam pulled him back by his uniforms collar. “What are you doing idiot?!” Smacking him in the back of his head. “Do you want to be on the list of people he’ll rat on for free?” Fern scorned Ethaniel.

“I cannot give any less of a crap with the amount of time we’ve spent with this kid!” And with that he leapt out of Utam’s weak grasp and tackled Donghoon out of his seat, knocking down the table as they fell to the ground. Han Donghoon tried pushing Ethaniel off from on top of him where he was trying to punch him. Though his arms were being held back, it only made his punches hit harder when they landed with the amount of force he used to get them out of his friends grips.

After hearing a bell chime, a hand reached out and gripped his collar, pulling him out from underneath Ethaniel with ease, “Wow, I never knew a game of mancala could get so intense.” The man assumed based off the board and pieces now scattered on the floor. 

“Fuck off, this is none of your business!” Ethaniel sneered, getting up from the floor.

“Excuse me?” Suddenly the atmosphere became tense, the groups faces became pale. Donghoon couldn’t tell what the man’s face looked like but from the energy he sensed off him and the others faces, he didn’t like it.

The tension and energy he felt disappeared when the shopkeeper came up to them, “Excuse me, anything broken will have to be payed for upfront.” Holding the broken manacala pieces in their hand. 

The group ran out, avoiding having to pay for the damages they caused. The shopkeeper turned to Han Donghoon instead as the only person left from the group that had come in. He nervously patted his pockets for any money he had with him.

“It’s okay, I can pay.” The man said, pulling out a few gold coins from underneath his cloak, handing them over. 

Exiting the shop, the man walked next to him. “Are you okay?” Han Donghoon stayed silent like he had been the entire day. The man only sighed, though Donghoon could feel that he wasn’t irritated at the lack of response, he’s felt tired even before he entered Donghoon’s radius.

“You’re from Star Stream Academy aren’t you? Mind showing me how to get there?” He asked. Donghoon’s face contorted, looking questioningly at the man who only laughed at his face.

“It’s for my kid, I’m thinking of hopefully sending them there when they’re older.” Han Donghoon felt the fondness the man held for his kid, it was sweet.

The walk was calm, the man having a one sided conversation with him, talking about his daughter, books, and anything else he felt like speaking about.

As they arrived at the academy, the man waved his goodbyes and turned to leave. 

Han Donghoon tugged on his cloak, re-grabbing his attention. The man replied with a hum. Donghoon handed over a piece of parchment ripped from his pocket-sized notepad. 

Reading it over, the man grinned and gave a brief chuckle, “Her name’s Biyoo.”

Watching him leave, Han Donghoon thought to himself, ‘Maybe I’ll see her in a few years.’