114.
#It’s Protection
“There’s something I’m a bit concerned about, so I want to take precautions in case someone tries to harm Dawoon. I’ll be increasing the number of security guards outside the mansion, so please be aware of that. And please prevent Dawoon from going out until he leaves for his studies abroad.”
The butler’s face hardened when he heard that not only would security be increased, but Dawoon would also be forbidden from going out.
“Is it not external factors you’re trying to control, but perhaps the young master himself?”
At the butler’s question, Hayun stared at him silently for a moment before giving a gentle eye-smile.
“It’s not control, it’s protection.”
At this unhesitating answer, the butler quietly met Hayun’s gaze. Seeing Hayun unmoved as if asking what the problem was, the butler took a deep breath and gave a slight bow. It was an answer that he would follow Hayun’s will.
As Hayun was about to turn away, having received an answer, the butler called out to him.
“Vice Chairman.”
“Do you have something else to say?”
Though he asked, the smile had disappeared from Hayun’s face. It was a silent warning that he wouldn’t entertain unnecessary questions. The butler, who had worked for this household since Hayun was young, noticed this subtle change immediately but didn’t back down.
“The young master has cared deeply for the younger master since childhood.”
The form of address for Hayun changed from “Vice Chairman” to “young master.”
“The late madam was very grateful to you for that as well.”
The “madam” he referred to was not Hayun’s mother, but Dawoon’s.
“Has that feeling… changed from when you were young?”
The question was quite abstract. Hayun immediately understood what the butler wanted to say from his quiet gaze and expression. It was clear that he suspected something about their relationship. It wasn’t strange that the butler had heard something, given that some of the staff had already found it suspicious that Dawoon frequented Hayun’s room, or vice versa. Even if the staff didn’t speak freely, as the person closest to caring for the Jeong brothers, he was bound to have noticed something.
“What do you mean?”
Hayun deliberately pretended not to understand and asked with a smile. However, the butler continued to gaze at Hayun with a calm expression. His eyes seemed to ask if Hayun really didn’t know what he was talking about.
“If you’re asking whether my feelings of caring for my brother have changed to something else.”
Finally, Hayun spoke first.
“No.”
At this firm answer, the butler’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He seemed to be considering whether to take Hayun’s words at face value.
“Because it’s been the same as now from the beginning, so if you ask if it’s changed, I can only answer no.”
At these words, the butler’s eyes wavered. Still, he didn’t make the mistake of contorting his face.
“Please take good care of Dawoon. Make sure no one lays a hand on him until I take him abroad.”
Hayun finished what he had to say with a slight smile and turned away. Even as he walked away, he could feel the butler’s gaze fixed on him, not moving an inch from where he stood, but Hayun didn’t look back. The butler was someone who had known everything – when their father had an affair while their mother was still alive, when their father had fabricated Dawoon’s genetic test results to bring him into this house, when Hayun had fabricated the paternal lineage test – yet had never once spoken of it.
So this time too, he would remain silent. As always, he would not defy the master of this mansion. And now, Hayun was the master of this place.
***
Dawoon slowly lifted his eyelids. He had vaguely awakened when Hayun caressed his cheek. He had been awake the whole time, even when Hayun touched his lips, even when he kissed his forehead, but he didn’t have the strength to move a finger, so he just let it be.
As Hayun got up from the bed and opened the door to leave, Dawoon heard him talking on the phone with someone. Judging by Hayun’s tone, the other party was undoubtedly Director Park. Afterward, he also heard Hayun’s conversation with the butler in the hallway.
Security guards, and a ban on going out.
Just those two phrases were enough for Dawoon to immediately understand what Jeong Hayun intended. It was surveillance disguised as security guards, meant to prevent him from meeting anyone.
More than that, even the butler had noticed.
After hearing their final conversation, a sigh caught in Dawoon’s throat. It had been three years. He had been intimate with Hayun for three years, so more people than he thought had noticed but kept their mouths shut. It seemed that, as Hayun had said, there was a limit to staying in Korea.
His vision cleared after blinking a few times, but he just stared blankly at the ceiling. Grandfather, the butler, and Choi Seon-gyeom. Who else might have noticed his relationship with Hayun? Lee Ui-hyeon? He hadn’t mentioned Hayun since first confiding in him, and Ui-hyeon hadn’t asked again, but maybe he had guessed too.
What about Haram? Did Haram really not know?
Just thinking of Haram’s name made his chest feel heavy, and Dawoon covered his eyes with one arm. His eyes stung, but no tears came.
People were truly fickle. Perhaps because he now knew he wasn’t related to Jeong Hayun, he didn’t feel nauseous even after being intimate with him. Realizing this fact, he let out a bitter laugh.
But that didn’t mean there were no problems. Jeong Haram. Jeong Haram was still Hayun’s brother and Dawoon’s brother. As long as Haram existed, Dawoon could never be a complete stranger to Hayun. So he hoped, no, he needed Haram to never find out about his relationship with Hayun.
***
The sky outside gradually began to brighten. Although the sun rose early in summer, it meant that Dawoon had been sitting blankly by the window, looking outside for hours.
Only after the sky was fully bright did Dawoon turn his head to check the time. It was about time for Hayun to prepare for work and leave. Sure enough, he sensed movement in the hallway. As he came down from the window and opened the door, Hayun was standing right in front of it. Though Dawoon had thought Hayun might stop by before work, he was slightly taken aback that he actually came like this.
“I thought you’d be asleep.”
Hayun also didn’t seem to have expected Dawoon to be awake.
“Did you do this often?”
At the question of whether he often stopped by like this on days when he left earlier than Dawoon, Hayun smiled faintly. The answer seemed unnecessary.
“I should lock the door properly.”
“Go ahead.”
His tone suggested that even if Dawoon locked it, Hayun could easily open it with a key. Swallowing a sigh that was about to escape, Dawoon grabbed Hayun’s arm and pulled him into the room.
“You’re quite proactive this morning.”
As the door closed, Hayun wrapped his arm around Dawoon’s waist, pulling him close.
“If that wasn’t enough for you last night, you’re not human.”
Dawoon frowned and pushed Hayun away. It wasn’t a joke; he really felt like his waist might give out. He couldn’t remember how many times they had done it last night. Towards the end, even his consciousness had been hazy. It was too much, even if it was the price for his initial provocation.
Hayun seemed to acknowledge this and backed off without resistance.
“I heard you’re placing security guards.”
As Dawoon spoke while meeting his gaze directly, Hayun’s eyes narrowed.
“Should I call it surveillance instead?”
At the brusque tone, a faint smile appeared on Hayun’s lips as he stared silently.
“It’s protection.”
Dawoon frowned at this correction.
“Whatever it is. It’s not necessary. I won’t do anything even without that. If you tell me not to go out, I won’t.”
Hayun tilted his head as if this was unexpected.
“I’ll handle Haram’s study abroad preparations too.”
“What’s brought about this change?”
“I told you. It would be better to leave Korea.”
When Dawoon answered sincerely, Hayun made a long, drawn-out nasal sound. He seemed to find it strange that Dawoon was agreeing so readily.
“In exchange.”
Dawoon averted his gaze from Hayun.
“Haram, make sure he enters the dormitory as you said. Without fail.”
“…This is unexpected.”
Even for Hayun, this was truly an unforeseen request. He had been prepared for Dawoon to strongly oppose the dormitory idea and make a fuss. He had expected Dawoon to protest about sending such a young child to a dormitory and refuse to let go of him.
Dawoon closed his eyes and took a long breath. Hayun watched him with eyes full of suspicion.
“I just think it’s better to separate him than to let him find out.”
Hayun let out a short “Ah” at Dawoon’s voice, heavy with resignation. It was a very Jeong Dawoon-like reason. If given the choice between distancing himself from Jeong Haram and letting Jeong Haram discover his relationship with Hayun, Dawoon would choose the former.
There’s no such thing as an eternal secret anyway. Hayun had no intention of hiding it from Haram once he grew up a bit more. He didn’t care about criticisms like how the family tree was tangled or how brothers could do such a thing.
“Do I need to say it again? I’ll kill myself if Haram finds out.”
Dawoon stared at Hayun almost glaring as he emphasized this. Hayun let out a hollow laugh and reached out his hand. Until Hayun’s hand touched the top of his head, Dawoon just stared intently, not trying to avoid it.
“Alright. I’ll do as you wish. Anything else you need?”
“…No.”
Dawoon answered gruffly and turned his head away.
“I’ll still place the security guards as planned.”
At these words, Dawoon’s face scrunched up, but Hayun lightly ruffled his hair and smiled gently.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
