Seol keeps the reasons that had carried her feet to the shrine yard instead of her own courtyard, at the back of her mind to ponder upon later. The place that resembled so closely the personal courtyard of her imperial father had left an impression on her, when Seo had first brought her here - it may have been his way of tenderly breaking her heart - but still, he had in his own way given her a flicker of hope to hold on to.
The night is colder out there, enough for chill to crawl under her fur collar and nip at her throat. There is the mishepen moon hanging low by the branches and dimmed by unfamiliar firelight.
