Chapter 21
“…Pardon?”
“Would you like me to let you… check what’s inside this scent pouch?”
The woman untied the scent pouch from her waist and spoke with subtle suggestion. Just as he was about to nod gratefully at the offer to check it, Hwi wrapped one arm around Yun-seo’s neck and pulled him back.
“I’m concerned this child’s curiosity exceeds that of a newborn puppy and might cause unnecessary trouble.”
A newborn puppy, for a man nearly coming of age. Yun-seo glared at Hwi for the inappropriate comparison, but the woman gave a meaningful smile.
“If you want to raise a lovable puppy in your arms, you should be willing to endure some trouble.”
“Touching something that already has an owner requires no ordinary effort.”
A strange silence divided Hwi and the woman. As Yun-seo unconsciously glanced at Hwi, the woman clapped her hands together to change the atmosphere.
“I understand. Since I’ve met two such gentlemen for the first time in my life, I’ll tell you the interesting story behind this swing.”
So what kind of scent was it? Yun-seo rubbed the bridge of his nose while recalling the fragrance that had lingered, then his eyes met Hwi’s.
“Why are you… looking at me like that?”
“You know how to flirt, just like a cat that’s climbed onto the kitchen counter.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ignorance is an even greater sin.”
While they were arguing, the women had returned to the swing and were beckoning them to come quickly. Although Yun-seo was curious about the story of the swing, he didn’t want to waste time. However, unable to coldly ignore the women, he decided to listen briefly before leaving and moved toward them.
“There’s a romantic tale associated with this swing. A young girl prayed while swinging here, longing for a devoted husband. She wished that a man who would look only at her for a lifetime would appear, and that when she jumped off the swing with her eyes closed, she would land in his arms. …How do you think it ended?”
Immersed in the story, Yun-seo furrowed his brow at the sudden question directed at him.
“Did it really come true?”
“Yes. When she closed her eyes and jumped off the swing, she found herself in a man’s arms, and they made a lifelong promise to each other.”
“Oh, then this swing must have become quite a famous spot.”
Whether it was true or not, with beautiful plum trees surrounding the swing, it seemed likely to have become a romantic attraction. Yun-seo nodded at the woman’s comment that they were lucky to have come when there was no one else around.
“Now, why don’t you try it?”
“Pardon? No, I’m fine.”
“Being a man doesn’t mean you can’t meet your lifelong companion, does it? This swing is secretly known among men and is popular even at night.”
The three women rushed over and forcibly sat him on the swing, leaving him no way to resist. Yun-seo sat on the swing and looked at Hwi with pleading eyes, but Hwi merely tilted his chin as if to say “let it be.”
“Fall into the arms of the one you desire.”
“Ah, considering us as candidates? That sounds good.”
Yun-seo shot a glare at Hwi for encouraging rather than stopping this, but was promptly ignored. Then two of the women pushed the swing ropes with all their might, sending Yun-seo soaring through the air.
Yun-seo awkwardly held onto the ropes, feeling uncomfortable, but gradually became excited and pushed with his feet to add momentum.
This was the first time he had ridden a swing since his early childhood. As he rose high, the view of the hillside below came into full view, eliciting an exclamation of wonder. The flower scent carried by the wind pleasantly brushed his nose. Somehow his heart felt full, and he didn’t want to miss even a moment of the scene unfolding before him. Yun-seo savored the present moment with sparkling eyes.
“Now, jump!”
At the woman’s shout, Yun-seo checked the situation below and burst into laughter. The three women were standing in a row with Hwi at the very end, though it was obvious without looking that he hadn’t positioned himself there voluntarily.
However, not only did he have no interest in making a lifelong promise with anyone, but as a man, he couldn’t readily jump into the arms of a woman much smaller than himself. Though he felt bad about spoiling the fun, he thought it best to get down now and stopped moving his feet.
But strangely, even though he had stopped pushing, the swing showed no signs of slowing down. Moreover, he felt as if something kept pushing his back, so he turned around to look, but of course there was nothing there. The wind was blowing, but it felt like something stronger than that…
As the swing arced forward, his upper body suddenly lurched forward. His hands slipped from the ropes and his body was flung out in an instant. Yun-seo urgently shouted toward the women.
“Get out of the way!”
Unable to properly center himself, he was destined to crash without even being able to land on his feet. Yun-seo curled his body as much as possible, squeezed his eyes shut, and waited for the impact.
However, his lightly launched body soon landed with a not-so-dull sound on something warm and solid.
It felt as if his heart had dropped. He should have experienced a strong impact throughout his body, but apart from his racing heart, he was unharmed, leaving him bewildered. Yun-seo carefully opened his eyes, inhaled sharply when he met Hwi’s gaze looking down at him.
“You were determined to fall into my arms.”
Determined…! His tone sounded as coarse as a street thug. Yun-seo glared and tried to push Hwi away, but Hwi held his body firmly and wouldn’t let go.
“Well, now you’ll have to make a lifelong promise to each other.”
“It seems that story was true. In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen someone truly land in their husband’s arms.”
“How romantic!”
The women whispered together in perfect harmony, making his face burn so hot he couldn’t lift it. He hadn’t seen exactly what happened since he closed his eyes when falling from the swing, but he had indeed ended up in Hwi’s arms.
“It’s time for us to go.”
Hwi glanced at the women, turned around, and strode away. The sound of the women saying goodbye faded, and Yun-seo, quiet as a mouse, cautiously opened his mouth.
“Please put me down now.”
“Why? You worked so hard to get into my arms, it wouldn’t be right to let you down so easily.”
“I didn’t do it intentionally! Something pushed me…!”
“Pushed you? Perhaps a bird stepped on your back?”
His words were stuck when Hwi responded as if he’d heard something absurd. It really did feel like something had pushed his back, but even to himself it didn’t make sense, so he couldn’t refute Hwi’s retort.
Perhaps the wind had blown strongly for a moment… Anyway, fortunately no one was hurt. Yun-seo examined Hwi and cautiously asked.
“Are you hurt or in pain anywhere?”
“A beggar pitying the heavens.”
What an unpleasant way to say not to worry. Yun-seo complained inwardly, then quietly inhaled. Could it be because the plum blossom scent had met him? It lingered around his nose, slightly thicker and cooler than before, and he found it more pleasant than the original.
Concentrating on the scent, Yun-seo suddenly felt his still-pounding heartbeat and clutched his chest. As he breathed deeply to calm his startled heart, he recalled the story the woman had told. A devoted, lifetime promise…
Yun-seo stealthily observed Hwi, who was walking steadily forward, staring straight ahead. It was truly amazing how he could carry a grown man without showing any signs of strain. He tried to open his mouth to thank him for catching him when he fell, but strangely, the words wouldn’t come easily.
Yun-seo fidgeted with his collar while repeatedly glancing at Hwi. The pounding in his chest continued long after they had reached the horse they had left behind.
* * *
There was a faint smell of water, and soon a river appeared, bathed in the late afternoon sunlight, followed by houses lined along the river.
The exterior of the houses was less colorful and more modest than in other regions, which created an elegant atmosphere when combined with the dark-colored river. It was a waterside village.
Looking at the scenery, he seemed to know where they were. He had seen paintings and poems depicting this village before. It was exactly as they had portrayed it, leaving him in admiration.
“It’s just like a village from a painting.”
“Do you like the northern painting style?”
“Yes. It’s modest but has profound charm that leaves a lasting impression.”
While the southern painting style was colorful, diverse, and complete, the northern style was modest, with more empty space and precision. The southern style caught the eye at first glance, but it was the northern style that kept drawing one back.
“I like such things. Things that are small yet strong, faint yet leave a long afterimage.”
He saw a ferry boat flowing leisurely down the middle of the river. Yun-seo held a smile as he took in the leisurely scenery, then followed Hwi’s footsteps.
“We’ll stay at the guild hall here.”
“Guild hall?”
“Yes. It’s both a lodging maintained by the merchant guild and a courier station.”
“Ah… Are guild halls only here? We didn’t stop at one in the larger Seonju City.”
“The place where you and I stayed was owned by the guild.”
Yun-seo’s eyes widened at this newly learned fact. To think that the impressive inn with its fine exterior, interior, and furniture was owned by Hwi’s merchant guild—it was truly surprising, and his mouth fell open.
“My lord, you truly are… wealthy!”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
