Sakura_Charmash

First born princess of Goryeo is promised to Silla in marriage. What has begun as a promise between families becomes a pact sealed in blood when her betrothed is mysteriously killed. Now what binds Seol, the lady Ha In of Goryeo to Silla is a blood debt – to turn away from it would be to topple the country into irreparable chaos.
Yet, her heart lies with another.
Raised from obscurity of illegitimacy, fate of concubine - born last son of northern Kang clan rests on the emperor’s grace. However, being tasked with the guardianship of the imperial princess is the last of his worries. In the whirlwind of emotions that she brings along, it is not just his title that is at stake, but his heart and a secret that he had brought from a grave of a different time.
Theirs is a fate from an age gone by, but a love impossible to attain. Theirs is a story written upon dying stars.
***
From inside: 
The snow caressed him in a way she yearned to; fluttering against his lashes, tangled up in his hair. She has always felt home in north, in the valleys that filled themselves with her namesake and with this man beside he, arrows slung over his shoulder and laughter in his eyes. Silla and her betrothed would never take that place.
Seol opens her mouth; it is now or never.
“Don’t say it,” he cuts her off, a hand stretched out for a lonely snowflake to perch upon. It turns translucent against his roughed palm.
“My hand isn’t made for snowflakes,” he sounds joyous, as he always does – when she is weeping within. His eyes remain resolutely elsewhere.
“I’ve been summoned to the garrison,” he continues in that same flat tone. “My last duty here will be to deliver your highness to your betrothed.”
She is unaware of the tear that has escaped, until an ice cold thumb brushes it off.
“Don’t cry,” he says then and she sees the laughing spark in his eyes for what it truly is; longing. “It breaks my heart.”
 ***

Snow n' Starlight

Naju refugees gathered around the merrily crackling fire take into their arrival with whooping joy. They had dug coal pits on the frozen ground and, blessing the snow that had ceased to fall, started cozy fires on them, roasting corn and meat on leaping flames.


Seo eases her back to her feet, silver eyes trailing over her face in concern.


"Better?" He inquires; a hand on her shoulder and another at her hip. "Steady?"


Seol purses her lips and nods shortly. The more she moves her head - the more the ground sways. She keeps a cautionary arm on Seo's elbow and inhales the winter air, the churning inside her stomach recedes somewhat.


"What is it - lady Kang?" One of the women from the fireside asks, her hands do not stop turning the sticks on which she roasts corn and her eyes twinkle with a teasingly knowing smile. "Are you feeling unwell?"


Seol jerks at the unfamiliar address and Seo's grip on her shoulder tightens. He dips his head to mutter against her ear.


Trick on the sleeve - II