Chapter 144
After a long moment, a short “Hah” escaped from Tae-geon’s stiff lips. The tension that had frozen his entire body finally released.
The sensation of goosebumps rising all over his body and a chill running down his neck. Caught up in a strange feeling that couldn’t be explained by tension alone, he missed the timing to say something to the employee.
Tae-geon felt the rough object the employee had arbitrarily placed in his hand. The end of the stem split into five branches like a starfish, forming a thick vein in the center. The edges were jagged like gear teeth. As he traced its shape, something hazy gradually came into focus in Tae-geon’s mind.
It was a maple leaf.
Another pleasant breeze blew in through the open window. The clear, cool wind carried the crisp scent of autumn. The moment he became aware of the season, he had the illusion that the world, which had been nothing but gray, was becoming colorful, starting with the maple leaf in his hand turning red.
Forgetting to return to his bed, Tae-geon sat right there in the sunlight, surrendering himself to the wind and warm sunshine he hadn’t felt in a long time.
*
“Can’t you speak?”
“……”
“Since birth? Or due to an accident?”
“……”
There was no answer to any question. His actions were also quite clumsy. Who knows where his mind was, but more often than not, when he reached for the water bottle always kept by the bed, it was empty. Only when Tae-geon tapped the side table did the employee notice and hurriedly bring a new water bottle.
Although his actions were awkward and clumsy, for some whim, Tae-geon didn’t bother to report this fact to the head butler.
Tae-geon, who used to spend most of his time in bed, began to spend more and more time in the armchair bathed in sunlight. The incredibly comfortable armchair that seemed tailored to his body was an item brought in by the employee.
It was last week. After finishing his meal, as Tae-geon was about to get up, the employee lightly tapped the back of his hand. Unaccustomed to such contact, Tae-geon unconsciously frowned.
‘What is it?’
Despite the prickly response, the employee paid no mind and tugged at Tae-geon’s sleeve. Tae-geon initially resisted, ready to point out this bewildering behavior, but eventually followed the employee’s lead, curiosity slowly growing. The employee led Tae-geon for ten steps before stopping.
Thump. Thump.
Something was placed where there should have been nothing. Following the employee’s tapping, a soft resonance came from something with cushioning.
Tae-geon reached out towards the sound, feeling what was in front of him. It was a leather chair with a smooth texture. Wooden armrests on both sides and a high backrest to support the head made it feel like a large armchair.
A cool autumn breeze blew in from the open window. He felt an urge to surrender himself to this spot, pleasantly warmed under the gentle sun. It must have been the weather. If either the cool breeze ruffling his hair or the warm sunlight settling on his shoulders had been unpleasant, he wouldn’t have indulged in such a whim.
The employee must have been trained to act only according to set rules. Although Tae-geon was dumbfounded by the employee’s arbitrary behavior, he didn’t point it out and instead leaned back into the armchair the employee had prepared. The chair fit his body perfectly as if custom-made, feeling incredibly comfortable and cozy.
Since that day, Tae-geon spent a lot of time in the armchair, and today too, after finishing his meal, he sat here enjoying his coffee without fail.
By now, the chair was placed not in the room, but on the outdoor terrace. Usually, he only had one cup of coffee after meals, but since the chair was placed on the terrace, two cups became the norm.
Tap. Tap.
Tae-geon began tapping the armrest with his now empty coffee cup. It was a signal for a third cup. When the employee consistently ignored this, Tae-geon let out an annoyed sigh.
“Hah, come on.”
“……”
“Can’t you do as you’re told?”
“……”
But the employee was firm. There shouldn’t be an employee who ignores their employer’s instructions like this. Tae-geon swallowed a laugh of disbelief. Yet strangely, he didn’t feel like asking for a change of attendant.
Hyeon-woo cautiously observed as Tae-geon’s expression hardened. But he couldn’t offer the coffee pot. Hyeon-woo had his reasons for this. Tae-geon was only allowed two cups of coffee a day. The head butler had strongly emphasized this.
For Tae-geon, who couldn’t sleep properly at night and was even taking sleeping pills, caffeine was like poison. Moreover, due to the various drugs he had been taking during each rut, his metabolism was a mess, and even a small amount of caffeine could be fatal for Tae-geon.
Knowing this full well, Hyeon-woo was more adamant than ever against Tae-geon’s insistence.
Finally, frustrated by the employee who pretended not to hear, Tae-geon got up from the chair. Then, with a face full of irritation, he began walking straight towards Hyeon-woo, who was standing in his designated position.
Hyeon-woo tensed his shoulders and tightened his grip on the coffee pot. Cold sweat broke out on his back as he felt Tae-geon’s black eyes glaring at him. It seemed unbelievable that such sharp and fierce eyes couldn’t see, staring straight at him.
“You have quite a talent for getting on my nerves.”
“……”
“Are you doing this on purpose?”
Tae-geon, now close enough to touch, tapped the employee’s foot with his slipper as he asked. Hyeon-woo’s face became urgent as he bodily blocked Tae-geon, who immediately reached for the coffee pot after pinpointing the other’s location.
Hyeon-woo had thought Tae-geon would know he was holding the pot, as there was no furniture on the outdoor terrace to place it on, but he didn’t expect him to lunge at it so recklessly.
Hyeon-woo was inwardly shocked at Tae-geon’s recklessness in reaching out fearlessly for this hot object. As Hyeon-woo barely dodged the outstretched hand, Tae-geon’s cold laughter spread to his ears.
“…You’re really pissing me off until the end.”
As Hyeon-woo backed away, Tae-geon pressed closer, and Hyeon-woo felt the same intimidation as in the past. He felt foolish for having dwelled on Tae-geon’s sickly appearance when their innate physiques were so different.
Tae-geon’s movements became more aggressive. After an intense struggle, the handle finally fell into Tae-geon’s grasp. At that moment, the lid of the tilted coffee pot opened, and its steaming hot contents poured over Tae-geon’s hand.
“…Ungh!!”
“Gasp…!”
Clang-!
The coffee pot fell to the marble floor with a sharp metallic sound. Hyeon-woo hurriedly examined Tae-geon’s wet hand. The skin along the path where the hot liquid had flowed was starting to turn red.
The flustered employee finally came to his senses and led Tae-geon to the bathroom to run cold water over the injured hand. As Tae-geon allowed the employee to tend to his wound with careful touches, he suddenly let out a low, bitter laugh.
“…Hah.”
As Tae-geon ran his hand through his hair, his face showed intense bewilderment.
He couldn’t understand his own actions from just moments ago, pushing the employee so forcefully.
Whenever he was alone with the employee, something inexplicable would well up inside him. Today it felt particularly intense, and it had finally led to this mishap.
There was something about the employee that got on his nerves even over trivial matters. Not knowing what it was made him feel frustrated and irritated. After a vicious cycle of this, he finally couldn’t contain the surge of anger towards the employee.
Acknowledging that his behavior was wrong, Tae-geon spoke in a calm voice.
“…You.”
“……”
“Are you alright?”
The employee paused for a moment at this, then drew a ‘yes’ on Tae-geon’s uninjured palm. The place where the wet finger had brushed felt ticklish. Tae-geon unknowingly clenched his fist tightly.
Tae-geon furrowed his brow at the familiar sense of déjà vu he felt from the employee tending to his injury. The warmth, touch, and gestures of the employee all felt excessively familiar.
Having dealt with the immediate situation, the employee ran to the bed and pressed the buzzer. The head butler who soon appeared took a big breath when he saw Tae-geon after surveying the room.
“…No, this… this is…!”
The head butler, having grasped the situation from the coffee spilled on the terrace floor, the coffee pot rolling nearby, and Tae-geon cooling his hand with cold water, shot a sharp glance at Hyeon-woo.
“You, what on earth…!”
“That’s enough.”
Tae-geon stopped the head butler from scolding the employee.
“It was my mistake. Please call Dr. Kwon.”
“…But still.”
“You may leave now.”
“…Pardon?!”
“……”
“…Yes, sir.”
The head butler reluctantly stepped back. Once again, only the two of them remained in the room.
The employee, who had wrapped Tae-geon’s hand with a wet towel now that the heat had mostly dissipated, seated Tae-geon on the bed. As the busy employee diligently drew out the heat, frequently changing the cold towel, Tae-geon suddenly recalled the face of someone who had once tended to his injured hand.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
