Wooyoung awaited Yeosang's return all noon and all evening. The pie had long since cooled under its protective cover, and the meal on the table was soggy as the sauce drenched the meat. With a frown on his features and a book in his hands, Wooyoung sat at the window. He had long since lost his focus on the whimsical letters as his worry for his uncle gnawed on him.

What if Yeosang had lost his way in the forest? What if he had got shipwrecked or taken by pirates like his precious cargo? Should Wooyoung alert the mayor and set out to search him? Yunho would make demands for such a favour until all eternity, but Yeosang's wellbeing was worth forfeiting Wooyoung's peace.

Before such drastic decisions were demanded of Wooyoung, steps shuffled up to the door. Like a bolt of lightning, Wooyoung sprung to his feet. He left his book on the windowsill as he hurried to open the entrance.

There he stood, with his blond hair in disarray and tumbling from his ponytail. Yeosang's face was marred by tiny scratches where vicious thorns had craved a few drops of ruby blood. Distressed eyes found Wooyoung's and for a moment, Wooyoung thought he looked at a wild animal.

"Where have you been? I fretted for your life," Wooyoung said in a breath of relief. He embraced his uncle and noticed how much their heights had matched in recent years. Wooyoung had grown up to be almost as tall as the older man, and he enjoyed teasing Yeosang with that on days that were less tense than this one.

With an exhausted sigh, Yeosang put his bundle on the floor next to the table. He sat on the bench while Wooyoung closed the door, barely minding the fragrant food in their midst.

When he buried his face in his hands, Wooyoung sat down opposite him in concern. His hands on his knees tried to keep their jitters at bay. If Yeosang didn't even try to mask his distress in front of the younger boy, it was dire.

"Something horrible has happened, Wooyoung. I can't find the words to tell you this. A fate so unjust and cruel befell us."

Wooyoung's heart made a nervous leap in his chest. He reached over the table to cradle Yeosang's hands in his. As he poured all his trust into soothing the other man, his own mind was overcome by fear.

"What is it?"

Yeosang exhaled. His hands clutched Wooyoung's palms as he drew courage from them.

"On my way home, I lost my way in the forest. I wandered aimlessly, hungry and fatigued as I was from my journey. I found a beautiful garden and in it, a castle. It was old and weathered, but the insides were warm, so I took a break. Parts of it seemed lived in, for there was food even without the cooks around, and the dining room was clean of dust. After I looked around for a while, I couldn't resist. I took a few bites of the most delicious food I ever had and then laid to rest. All the while, I thanked the absent owners for their patronage."

"Did you get caught?" Wooyoung asked, anxious with the build of the story. Yeosang shook his head at first, but then the refusal on his face fell into a grimace.

"As I went to leave the castle, I found a door ajar and peeked inside. What I found was most captivating. An hourglass, made of the finest crystals and the smoothest wood. I knew its craftsmanship, for I have traded with it before. That hourglass comes from the fallen kingdom you were born in."

Wooyoung's lips dropped open, but no word escaped them. No reminders of his past had sustained the passing of time. An object such as this would attend to his heritage.

"I couldn't resist. I went to fetch it for I wanted to see you have it, but I unleashed something dreadful. A beast, it could be nothing else. It came from the shadows and seized my neck with icy claws. Those eyes had nothing human in them." Shivering, Yeosang shook his head to himself. His long lashes fluttered when he lowered his eyes.

"You must have been so scared. How did you escape the villain?"

"I didn't. I called for help, kicked and screamed, but nothing deterred it. It had me pinned to a wall, and I thought I would get devoured."

Terrified, Wooyoung squeezed Yeosang's hand. He had to remind himself the man was still alive and home now. The shock in his limbs slowed his mind, but he was the same as Wooyoung had always known.

"I babbled apologies despite not knowing what I apologised for. As I told it I had you to return to its violence halted abruptly. It..." Yeosang had to clutch a hand to his chest as if the agony of saying the words robbed his very breath.

"It demanded you in return for my life. Said it wanted to meet the fair and beautiful person the entire town talks about. In my dread, I complied and ran away. We aren't safe yet, Wooyoung. We need to leave soon before it can find us. I will have a ship in the morning and we will flee beyond the oceans."

Overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of information, Wooyoung reeled back. He was surprised at being desired by the beast, even when nothing good could come of it. Was a beast interested in the social matters in the town? What for?

"This beast, what is it? Did it emerge from the underworld to punish us?"

With his haunted eyes, Yeosang shook his head.

"It's a tale as old as time, older than your memories of this place. Almost seven years ago, this town was ruled by a king. He wasn't the best, but he also wasn't the worst, so the folk accepted him without complaint. His son, the crown prince, however, dawned despair upon the entire royal family and these lands. One fateful night, everyone in the caste vanished after a ball to his honour. Rumours say they have been taken by enemies, but no army marched in here. They disappeared as if swallowed by the ground. The beast has haunted the castle ever since, but I never believed in the sightings. Now that I visited there, I'm now convinced the monster came from the shadows and devoured everyone in the castle to make it its own."

When Wooyoung sat stunned to silence, Yeosang lowered his agitated voice. The merry bustle of the villagers outside conflicted with the grim mood inside the home. Once safe, their space was now invaded by the looming dread of an unknown evil.

"Back when our king still brought law and order upon this land, Yunho was the young prince's guard and playmate. They grew up with each other and losing the court wore heavily on Yunho's heart. He once was a well-spirited boy, just like you."

Pity for Yunho roused in Wooyoung's chest. Had he been too hard on the man? Perhaps there was an amiable core among all the poison he spewed.

"But that is of no matter right now." Yeosang seized Wooyoung's hands anew. His voice summoned the younger male to focus back on the problem at hand.

"We need to leave. I can do my business from overseas and establish a new life over there, a better one. Perhaps we can send you to school, or we can find some work. I promise I will make it work, you just have to trust me."

Wooyoung trusted Yeosang with all of his heart. The two had been through a lot together and each time their destiny was clouded by misfortune, holding each other's hands had brought them through thick and thin.

But this was different. Yeosang had agreed to the beast's terms, however fleetingly, and Wooyoung wasn't one to take promises lightly.

"What of your vow to send me to the beast?"

Full of confusion, Yeosang stared at him.

"What of it? It was said in terror and it saved my life. I would never sell you out to such a monstrous creature." The memory had Yeosang shiver, but Wooyoung remained persistent.

"You can't break your promises like that! Who knows what the beast is capable of? If it's enraged now, it might become furious because you ran away. No, we can't let this matter rest. I will go there and I will work to repent your intrusion. Perhaps if the beast sees the goodness of our will, it will let me go."

Yeosang rose from the bench so swiftly that a bowl clattered from the table and to the ground. Unyielding, Wooyoung stood as well. Their hands lost their contact when Yeosang seized Wooyoung's shoulders instead. The soothing scent of pie and food made for a macabre dissonance with the man's dread.

"No! If you insist, I will return to keep my oath, but I won't hand you over! You are too precious to me!" Yeosang begged and his big, pleading eyes were more vulnerable than Wooyoung had ever seen before. Staying steadfast when faced with those eyes was a challenge to behold.

"The beast made its demands, and you agreed. Let me visit the place and see how it goes. You said the area looked lived in, so perhaps the creature is more similar to us than we think. If it lives alone, it can need a helping hand. I will be back in no time." Wooyoung put on his most cheerful of smiles, but Yeosang shook his head.

"Please don't do this. I swore to protect you. If I am the one to drive you into the arms of certain death, I will not see the light of day again."

Gently, Wooyoung pushed Yeosang's hands from his shoulders.

"Do not fear for me. I am relieved I can repay everything that you did for me. If the beast asked for me, it might want me alive. Thank you for tending to me so well, Yeosang. I will see you soon once I fulfilled our pact."

While Wooyoung packed his bag with a heart chilled by icy fear, Yeosang wept. He cursed himself for unwisely promising Wooyoung to the beast and he cursed Wooyoung for being such a kind person to keep this pledge.

However, none of the tears spilt could keep Wooyoung from leaving. As he stood by the door, Yeosang looked at him with reddened eyes and cheeks streaked by tears.

"Which street must I take to find the castle?"

Tired, Yeosang rubbed his face with his hands.

"Go west and then follow the overgrown path uphill. The castle lies in the forests and it's overgrown by nature. It will be difficult to spot."

Wooyoung thanked him and seized his walking staff that leaned behind the door. He slipped into his warm coat, for snow had fallen in the forests and the air was cold. Before he left, Yeosang's voice halted him once more.

"Is there truly nothing I can do to stop you?"

"Nothing," Wooyoung replied. The determination in his voice was as intense as his kindness. Yeosang had watched him grow up for too long to question it.

"Then take care on your way. The wolves come out at night. Though death by their maws might be kinder than what the beast plans to do to you."

Wooyoung smiled lightly even when his heart was in a frenzy about all the dangers he would face.

"The pie is in the box and I prepared your favourite meal. Please look after yourself while I am gone. Once I return, I will make you the best dish you ever tasted, much better than the food at the palace that lured you so viciously."

He opened the door and stepped out onto the street. Hopefully, the evening hours meant he could avoid Yunho and his ghastly personality.

As he left, Yeosang stayed behind to wallow in loneliness for what he had lost. If he could turn back time, he would sell himself out and never mention Wooyoung.

Wooyoung wandered the town and people were curious about where their sweet boy was going at such a late hour. He came up with excuses about needing firewood, not mentioning the beast or his fear of meeting it. Soon, the lights of the town disappeared behind him as the dark forest engulfed him in an icy embrace. Wooyoung didn't slow his step as he followed the twisty path toward the castle.