Jihan’s grip on Maki’s shoulder tightened brutally.
“So stop your sniveling while you still can. Unless you’d rather chew your rice with your gums.”
“No matter how much you threaten me, I can’t do it, Young Master! You’ve been so kind to me all this time… I’m your hands and feet… I know how much you despise the Young Master of the Annex, but this—this is just too wicked!”
“Wicked?” Jihan’s expression darkened.
“Oh, spare me your hypocrisy. Did you think I didn’t know you’ve been spreading your legs for every filthy bastard who bats an eye at you?”
Maki nearly bit his tongue in shock.
“H-how did you—”
“I’m doing this for your sake. For your sake.”
Jihan growled, grabbing Maki’s chin and shaking it roughly.
“I know you’ve been lurking around the annex every night, mooning over that orphan bastard. I know you’ve been stealing my midnight snacks to feed him.”
“…”
“Disgusting. A lowly servant scheming to bed a noble? But what can I do? As your master, I suppose I can grant you one little wish.”
“Oh, Young Master, please! I never meant it like this! It’s true I’ve… had feelings for the Young Master of the Annex, but I never wanted to repay him this way!”
“What’s so good about him? His pretty face? His tall frame? Or is it that monstrous thing between his legs that’s got all the servants gossiping?”
“Please, spare me such vulgar talk… I just… liked looking at him. How could I ever dare—”
“Ah, how touching.”
Jihan released his chin abruptly. Maki kept his head bowed, trembling.
“So I’m giving you an opportunity. When else would a wretch like you get to see him like this?”
“But the Young Master of the Annex doesn’t know!” Maki swallowed hard, his sobs finally subsiding.
“Doesn’t know what?”
“That I… admire him.”
Jihan scoffed.
“You think he doesn’t know what I know? He’s just too refined to acknowledge something so repulsive.”
“He’s not like that! He’s kind and noble! The maids make up every excuse to visit the annex, but he never even glances at them!”
“…Yes. He’s that kind of man.”
Jihan suddenly agreed, stepping closer to Maki.
“Which is why this is your perfect chance. You don’t want this, do you?”
“What don’t I want?”
“The fact that the man you adore is about to be married. Did you know my father and the Left Minister are returning tomorrow morning for breakfast?”
Maki blinked blankly. Jihan gripped his shoulders and spoke calmly.
“This is the last chance to ruin the wedding. If you do exactly as I say…”
Jihan’s plan was this: slip Seon three doses of the aphrodisiac to keep him unconscious until tomorrow morning, then stage a scene where he’s caught in a compromising position with a lowly male servant. The engagement would be broken off instantly. Given his father’s rigid nature, Seon might even be expelled from the household. And Maki, the male servant who’d “defiled” a nobleman, would—
Realizing the implications, Maki recoiled like a trapped animal.
“Young Master! Are you telling me to die?! If this happens, I’ll be ruined! The Young Master of the Annex might survive, but I’ll be lucky to keep my life! Male-male relations are a capital crime!”
Jihan’s patience was wearing thin. His brow furrowed in irritation.
“What are you blabbering about? You think I can’t protect your life? My father always prioritizes my opinion on household matters.”
“…”
“I’ll make sure you’re safe. Just say you were forced—that he was out of his mind, and you had no choice. I’ll back your story completely.”
Maki’s eyes fluttered shut in despair. He had no real choice. A servant’s fate was to obey or face punishment—sold off, branded, or quietly killed and dumped by the roadside.
“You… actually want me to take advantage of the Young Master of the Annex?” Maki’s voice was weak.
Jihan clicked his tongue.
“I’m giving you what you want.”
“That’s not what I—”
“You don’t have to actually do anything. Just strip naked and lie there with him unconscious.”
The annex still glowed with lantern light.
Maki wiped his tears and looked around. The side gate leading to the annex loomed ominously in the darkness. The estate’s many doors were locked tight with the latest imported mechanisms—no one could enter without the special key.
Inside, Seon, oblivious, would be reading by candlelight.
“Don’t mess this up.”
Jihan shoved Maki forward. Swallowing his fear, Maki stepped through the side gate.
***
“…Young Master, I’ve brought your nighttime meal.”
The annex was brightly lit, as if it were daytime. Seon, seated on a mat with books spread before him, looked up. Even at this late hour, his topknot was immaculate, his white sleepwear pristine.
The scent of ink filled the room. Maki’s mouth went dry. Seon truly seemed unaware. The threat of tears returned, and Maki quickly shook his head.
“Grand Secretary sent… a new batch of chongmyeongtang. He said to make sure you drink it before bed.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. And I brought some late-night snacks to go with it.”
Seon examined the steaming broth, then met Maki’s gaze. The soft curve of his red lips and the gentle crinkle of his eyes made Maki’s chest tighten.
“Sorry to trouble you so late.”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Tears threatened again. This was what he liked about him—Seon was always kind to servants, never showing irritation.
“Has Grand Secretary left for the Left Minister’s?”
“Yes. He took Old Man Suno and my mother with him at dusk.”
“Will he return by tomorrow morning?”
“So they say.”
“I see. Leave the medicine there.”
Seon returned his attention to the book.
Maki bit his lip nervously, forcing himself to speak.
“G-Grand Secretary said… to watch you drink the chongmyeongtang and bring back the empty bowl…”
Seon glanced at the broth with slight hesitation.
“Hmm. It smells strong.”
“T-there’s also honeyed water and dried persimmons… please have some.”
Seon sighed and picked up the bowl. He seemed to check the scent before tasting.
A faint, unfamiliar aroma made him tilt his head, but he took a sip. The quiet room echoed with the soft sound of swallowing.
Maki watched, dazed, as Seon’s throat bobbed with each gulp. When the last drop was drained, Seon placed the bowl back on the tray.
It was the hour of the Rat.
***
The drug would take two sikgyeong to take effect, another sijin to induce unconsciousness.
As the first rooster crowed, Jihan quietly slipped out of the small pavilion’s main gate.
Maki, crouched by the annex’s side gate, lifted his head at the sound of footsteps. His face was streaked with tears.
Chongmyeongtang – A medicinal broth (likely tonifying or “clarity” soup)
Hour of the Rat – Traditional time unit (~11 PM–1 AM)
Capital Crime – Legal term for severe offenses (here, male-male relations)
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
