The winter mountain was beautiful, its branches dusted with snow like plum blossoms. The crisp outdoor air was refreshing. A sip of the plum-scented wine finally softened Jihan’s stiff lips.
“Maki, stop grilling and come eat.”
“No, I should cook a few more to take back for my mom. She loves freshwater fish.”
Maki’s face, smudged with soot, looked both ridiculous and endearing. Jihan found himself smiling faintly at him. Seon’s cold finger suddenly pressed against the corner of his upturned eye.
“Flirting with your eyes, Hyung? How daring.”
The warmth in his voice vanished instantly, his brow furrowing. Jihan instinctively glanced at Maki, who had already turned away, crouching with his back to them.
“You’re the one talking nonsense.”
The words slipped out before he could stop them. Seon stared at him for a long moment before producing a small black box, no larger than two palms, lacquered with silver mother-of-pearl plums. Jihan took it, raising an eyebrow in question.
Seon answered casually, “I went to the market the other day.”
“Why?”
“Had business. Saw some new accessories from Yanjing. Bought a few things for you.”
“Those must’ve cost a fortune…”
Jihan’s words faltered. They weren’t even on terms where gifts were necessary, and if they had to exchange something, it made more sense for an older brother figure to give a present to a younger one preparing for his civil service exams. He felt like a miser, his throat tightening with guilt.
Hesitantly, Jihan opened the box. Inside lay a pale blue jade hairpin engraved with plum blossoms, a long, elegant hat cord strung with matching jade beads, and an antique-style seonchu sash woven with jadeite and jade, complete with a fragrant pouch and a silver dagger—all meticulously arranged. These were accessories favored by young scholars, and at a glance, they were clearly expensive.
“Wa—it’s all so beautiful and precious.”
Maki admired them sincerely, urging Jihan to try on the hat cord and sash. When Jihan moved to close the box, Seon stopped him. He personally lifted the hat cord and began to fasten it.
“……”
A pleasant scent wafted from the sleeve of Seon’s robe as he worked. Jihan found himself staring blankly at Seon’s focused face—his clean-shaven jaw, the way his lips quirked up slightly, his sharp nose like a blade’s edge, and his dark eyes, deep as simmering medicine.
His heart lurched.
The brush of Seon’s fingers against his cheek sent a tingling warmth through him. His pulse quickened softly in his chest.
Seon quickly tied the hat cord and draped the seonchu sash over his shoulder, letting it hang down. The soft, dense horsehair tassels swayed above the pale blue pouch and jade-hilted dagger, the latter also adorned with plum blossoms.
“It really suits you.”
Seon’s quiet praise made Jihan’s face burn. Maki, genuinely impressed, chattered on without hesitation.
“Young Master Jihan, your fair, pale skin makes it look even more stunning! The jade beads in the hat cord catch the light by your cheek—it brightens your whole face!”
The pouch gave off a rich plum blossom fragrance. As Jihan inhaled the clear, delicate scent, his face flushed even redder.
He remembered how, during their last encounter, Seon had grabbed his foot, pressing kisses to the instep and murmuring that his feet were the color of red plum petals—how the contrast of his white skin and rosy toenails was intoxicating. How Seon had nibbled at his nails and traced his toes with hot breaths.
To hide his embarrassment, Jihan turned his head and grumbled, “It’s cumbersome…”
“Dressing up can be enjoyable.”
“As if I don’t know that.”
There was a time when Jihan had loved adorning himself with all manner of expensive trinkets. He’d been called the most stylish dandy in the capital, praised for his refined taste among young nobles. But after turning twenty-five, he’d lost interest in such vanities.
Yet his drawers were still overflowing with accessories. So why did these items in this box feel so… different?
“They’re beautiful.”
Because it was the first time. The first time anyone had ever given him a gift like this.
Suddenly, his nose stung as if he were catching a cold. He fiddled with the dagger, lips parting slightly before he spoke in a half-choked voice.
“You…”
“Yes?”
“Is there… something you want?”
“……”
“It doesn’t have to be grand, but perhaps a gift for passing the exams…”
Seon and Maki froze as if they’d heard something unimaginable. Jihan froze harder.
What kind of stingy bastard do they take me for? The mere offer of a gift had them gaping like fools. Humiliation flared into irritation—until Seon asked seriously, “Could we move up tomorrow’s plans to today? Instead of an exam gift?”
He meant sex. Jihan replied coldly, “Absolutely not.”
Seon let out a pleasant laugh.
***
The three of them packed up as the sun began to set, hurrying down the mountain. Grand Secretary Choi would return from court soon, and they needed to be back to greet him.
But when they arrived home, the front courtyard was piled with unfamiliar items. The faint smile that had lingered on Jihan’s face stiffened.
Just then, the stable boy rushed over to take their horses, while the housekeeper and Old Man Suno approached.
“Young Master of the Annex, the betrothal gifts you ordered from the market the other day have just been delivered.”
Old Man Suno bowed to Seon and handed him a ledger listing the items. As Seon reviewed it, Jihan slowly surveyed the pile.
The first thing he noticed was the betrothal chest—its gold bat motifs symbolizing longevity and fortune, far more ornate than the plum blossom box he’d received. There was also a five-drawer chest inlaid with Tongyeong mother-of-pearl, bolts of satin and silk, hairpins, silver daggers, cosmetics for the bride, rings, and an array of colorful fabrics.
“Gods, is all that for the Left Minister’s household?”
“Young Master Jihan personally went to the market the other day and picked every single piece himself! Not only is he handsome, but he’s got an eye for quality too. They say he even sent a separate letter to the lady’s family.”
“Honestly, nobles and their weddings—so many steps. Makes me jealous. How much did all that cost? When I got married, all I had was one cotton quilt, a new chamber pot, two sets of clothes, and a single hairpin.”
Ignoring the maids’ grumbling, Jihan left the noisy scene with a rigid expression. A faint dizziness swept over him, as if the ground beneath him had shifted.
Alone in the Little Love Pavilion, he yanked the hat cord from his temple. The jade beads scattered across the floor with a sharp clatter.
“I went to the market the other day.”
He hurled the plum blossom box he’d tucked into his inner pocket.
“I saw some new accessories from Yanjing, so I bought a few things for you.”
He undid the seonchu sash. The dried lotus leaf pouch and silver dagger slipped from his fingers.
“It really suits you.”
His hands began to tremble.
So these had all been afterthoughts—things Seon had picked up while shopping for his real betrothal gifts. And Jihan, like a fool, had been thrilled, thinking they were meant just for him.
He didn’t understand what was happening to him. Confusion churned inside, a dark blue storm clawing up from his depths, scorching him from within. With a choked cry, he hurled the dagger at the folding screen.
“Ah—!”
The force must have loosened the scabbard—pain flared across his palm. A shallow cut from the blade’s edge. Cursing under his breath, he winced… just as the paper door slid open. Seon stood there, his face unreadable.
“Are you hurt?”
“Get out.”
“Wait, let me see.”
“I said GET OUT!”
Seon urgently grabbed his hand, but Jihan violently shook him off.
“Let go, you filthy bastard. Never touch me again.”
Silence hung between them. Seon’s brows furrowed, and for a moment, Jihan thought he might back away. But then he stepped closer.
“At least let me look. Wounds need tending.”
He pulled Jihan’s wrist toward him. Jihan recoiled, trying to wrench free—but as always, strength was the issue. No matter how hard he pushed, Seon didn’t budge. The frustration of it all exploded at once.
“Stop touching me! Keep your disgusting hands off!”
Seon’s mouth pressed into a thin line.
Jihan advanced another step, spitting the words into his face.
“Just because we took in a rootless orphan, you think you’re someone? Some nobody leeching off this house—where do you get the nerve to lay a hand on me? I tolerated your noise and your presence, and this is how you repay me? You worthless stray, you pathetic beggar with no one in the world to call your own—!”
Seon’s eyes flickered with momentary hesitation. Jihan saw it. The realization that he could still affect him sent a twisted thrill through his veins. His mouth twisted into a sneer as he ground out each word.
“You’re filth, a vile thing we let into this house, and look what’s become of me because of you. You ruined me. So get this through your skull and leave. I can’t stand the sight of you—just looking at your face makes me sick. Do you understand?!”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
Someone jealous