bold — k o r e a n

normal — e n g l i s h

italic — t h o u g h t s

"The reason why your stay in my Kingdom had become longer was because of my selfishness. I lied, (y/n). I did not tell you that I knew the existence of the well. Now, I do not have a legitimate reason to stop you anymore."

━━━━━━ In the olden times, there lived a

    King, whose concubine, bore a child blessed with 

charm and intelligence no one had ever seen.

ii. a deal was brokered

" The well . . . does exist . "

Her words tapered off into a murmur , mouth ajar . Her mind could not come up with any logical reasons for the old well's presence . Perhaps , she would know more if she inches herself closer ?

It didn't give off a particular stench just as what she expected it to be . It's just a well — a simple , old well . Nothing more .

" (y/n) , I'll light it up . I don't have a good eyesight right now . Tell me everything you'll see . "

With a nod , (y/n) held unto the well's arch as she dipped her head into the hole of nothingness . Again , she saw nothing but darkness despite the torch that Rachel brought .

I wasn't informed she got a blurry vision. Why didn't she wear glasses?

" Rach — "

She called to the blonde without turning , however , she didn't finish what she had to say when a great , sudden force pressed on her back . Her heart rate diminished in an instant as soon as she realized that the blondie pushed her .

Why did she do that ?

(y/n) thought sanity completely left Rachel when she spoke something she could not understand at all  .

" I just want to end this early , (y/n) Chen . "

What ? 

I do not want to die .

Please .

She felt nothing yet . It seemed that the fall was never - ending . A memory came to her mind , one where the ambiance was bright and their jokes and laughs echoed distantly into her ears . Her confusion from Rachel meshed with the ache of knowing she won't be able to see her family and her best friend again and it all happened because she wasn't the least suspicious of Rachel . Of course , who would become wary of Rachel when she had always been known as a silent woman not given to idle talk .

Goodbye .

This is sad not knowing why am I killed .

It felt like she had rested for years before she was startled from the chorus of bird song and the perfume of fresh lilies . Hazy and a bit drowsy, she thought she already reached heaven, which was shrouded in doubt since everything sounded like she was still alive .

buzz . . .

buzz buzz buzz . . .

And she could not ignore those sounds — provoked colony of bees that was too close for comfort. Within a second , she was already standing and backing away , fear gripping her heart and constricting her chest . The whole area was a good sight to see , where the vibrant shade of green stretched out of acres with different kinds of trees all shapes and sizes , scattered among it ; if not for the evil bees chasing her , she would have a good time gazing at nature's beauty .

When she finally got herself out of the woods , the bees were no longer chasing her and she was very grateful for their withdrawal .

Little beads of sweat began to cling to her forehead, fortunately, her beige handkerchief was still with her.

Her panting was audible as she pressed the cloth roughly on her skin to cool herself off . Running from the woods after falling from the well was probably the most exhilarating part of her life she ever experienced.

The barn . . . Rachel . . . well

(y/n) quickly grasped every part of her body by starting to slap her face twice, then proceeded by squeezing her arms and stomach.

" Not dead . . . I'm not dead ! "

She was utterly relieved to find herself in a state where she's breathing and kick any assholes one at a time . And yet , relief drained down from her body instantly as soon as she realized that this wasn't the farm that they've visited . How in the world would she arrive at this place ?

Determined to get the answers , she strode her way to ask people , hoping no harm would come to her .

It isn't long before a small town came into her view .

The town was a maze of twisting and winding streets , she had never seen before. People were dressed in a very weird fashion , but they still looked decent . (y/n) wondered why were some of them wearing various straw hats and veils . Everyone was wearing tunics and woolen clothing . She concluded that civilization hasn't reached this area yet .

As she weaved through the street , people were looking at her with a baffled look . She couldn't bring herself to ask them about their weird stares . However , there's no time to get nervous and afraid . She immediately reached out to the nearest woman she saw . 

" Hello ! I was wondering if I could borrow your phone . Well , if you have one . I kind of left mine back in our school bus and I'm . . . lost . "

(y/n) blurted out garnering more stares from the bypassers . The woman turned around who was carrying a basket of provisions on her arm . She was dressed in a plain white gown with hanging sleeves .

" I was confused there for a moment yet I think I understand you . Shall I bring you to the crowmaster's shop ? "

Now , it was (y/n)'s turn to give a puzzled look . Perhaps , she asked the wrong person .

" Sorry , nevermind it . "

And she continued to saunter down the pavement , asking some people along the way . While she found out that all of them did not own smartphones , she also found out that she's no longer in Korea .

(y/n) observed the town once again . The buildings  were an amazing jumble of different styles : rickety wooden shop of trinkets , sunbaked brick houses , huge stone shop of herbs . Indeed , this isn't the Korea she knew .

" I'm . . . alone ."

Her words trailed off , as if her voice had been weighed down by the heaviness that settled into her chest . She felt like she would cry at any moment as her shoulders sagged , feeling the emptiness in her tone .

Grumble .

In the end , her feelings won't matter . She looked into her wrist and noticed that the clock will strike 13 : 00 soon . Her stomach already gave off a funny sound and she almost forgot that she was hungry .

Several food imageries raced through her mind as she grasped for her wallet .

Wait , do they have the same money currency with Korea ?

She halted , nearly tripping over her own feet .

Of course , they do not have Korean won . People barely look like an Asian here .

(Y/n) started to feel regret in every step she took . Ryun's words circulated in her mind and realized she should have listened to her .

There were different food stalls around her and most of them looked oddly displeasing .

" A pleasant afternoon to you , my lady . Perhaps , you would like to have a taste of our spinach juice ? Purchase twice and I shall give you a welsh rabbit for free . "

She almost screamed in disgust, but she held herself from doing so. " Interesting , but I'll pass . "

Another man in a tattered black tunic appeared.

" You're a strange one lady, but I can lower the price of these black apples for you! "

As much as she wanted to explore the whole market , fear and hunger dominated her and (y/n) fled from the area . She needs a portion of real food. Not those rotten ones or slimy .

Just as she was about to collapse from weariness , a certain shop caught her eye that stood out from the rest . In her vision , it shined and glimmered , as if fairies existed and poured pixie dust all over it .

She knows what the shop sells after reading the fancy signboard on it . Of course , (y/n) tried not to drool .

Without wasting any second , she quickly walked towards the shop that lured her . The heels of her shoes made a rhythmic sound against the pavement as she crossed the street .

Hansung's Pastry Gallery

She finally reached the spot .

Stepping one last foot forward , she pressed her palm against the transparent green forest glass that separated her and the things that she wanted to devour , and squinted her eyes to see a clearer picture .

" Omg . What the — , I — this is — "

Across the stand and trays were rivers of icings and compacted masses of different colors. Her eyes trailed as more desserts came into view : a small , rich sponge cake soaked in a rum syrup , a three - storey velvet cake , chocolate - filled dense cupcake .

But even though she had stared long , there's no way she can eat those . Korean won was most probably not accepted in this shop .

Releasing an exasperated sigh , she stepped back .

Isn't there even a free taste? She cried mentally .

But within seconds , her hope came back after she saw another sign on the glass .

Free slice of wedding cake only available for engaged couples .

Her heart seized , eyes glued to the sign as her body stills . This can't mean —

Ha ! If it means free food , I can pretend as a lovestruck person .

Her hunger sounded so desperate that she had no time to think anymore . She made a quick scan around .

I need a guy . . . a guy . . . someone . . . Aha !

She pointed a finger at the approaching person wrapped in a blue cloak who didn't look like at least suspicious to her .

He halted and (y/n) wasted no second to ask .

" Hey , wanna be my fake fiance for a free slice of cake ? "

She added a wide smile and sparkling eyes on her face , just to make sure the cloaked person will say yes .

" Is a free slice of cake all you want ? "

The person finally spoke , revealing a baritone voice . (y/n) was a bit startled when she realized that she was about to form a fake relationship with a stranger .

She released a breath, black shoes shifting in place . " Yes . I am really hungry . "

(y/n) never knew she would be embarrassed this much. It's already causing her humiliation . Asking someone to be your fiance for free food is one of a hell craziness . How idiotic did she become since she entered this place ?

In the end, she knew this cloaked guy would turn around and reject her offer . Heck , this person might already have a girlfriend .

" I accept your proposal . "

Her pulse throbbed even faster . That's not an answer she expected .

a/n : i am hoping i could finish keikeu . believe me , i lack the motivation to continue my other tog works.

let me hear your thoughts in this chapter. see you soon.