Chapter 41
Hearing footsteps approaching, Yun-seo pulled up the corners of his mouth. He wanted to show Hwi, who must have been tired from his urgent business, as bright a face as possible. It was just as he turned around with a smile and a lightened heart.
In an instant, Hwi drew close and fell into Yun-seo’s arms as if collapsing. Yun-seo’s eyes widened as he hastily spread his arms to catch the heavy weight.
He was startled first by the acrid smell that hit his nose, and then again by Hwi’s body heat, which felt like a ball of fire. Hwi dropped his head onto Yun-seo’s shoulder, his breath touching Yun-seo’s neck, making it clear that his condition was far from normal.
“My lord…!”
“Shall we run away together?”
Hwi embraced Yun-seo tightly as if to crush him and murmured in a low voice. The unexpected words landed heavily, leaving Yun-seo frozen white.
“Abandon everything, forget everything… and flee far away.”
Pain like the removal of long-hardened scars burst from the end of his words. He was speaking of “us,” not just you and I.
Yun-seo didn’t know since when he had belonged in Hwi’s heart. But hearing his confession, everything suddenly made sense—the time they had spent together, the gazes Hwi had fixed on him, and the touch that seemed bold yet hesitated for a moment.
Yun-seo was someone who had to leave, and Hwi was someone who had much to protect and remain where he was. Their situations were worlds apart—Yun-seo having left everything behind, and Hwi needing to keep everything in his grasp. Even if their hearts connected, they couldn’t easily act on it.
Having lived in shackles and barely escaped them, Yun-seo couldn’t help but understand Hwi’s heart. Just the fact that he existed in Hwi’s heart, that Hwi’s emotions were directed toward him, brought such joy that Yun-seo nodded and embraced Hwi in return.
“For now, my lord, you need to rest.”
Though he impulsively wished time would stop right there, the hope of many more days together encouraged Yun-seo. His immediate task was to bring down Hwi’s fever.
Yun-seo supported Hwi into the Donggak and laid him on the bed. Sweat beaded on his neck from moving the large, heavy man.
After catching his breath, he placed his hand on Hwi’s forehead. How had he managed to come all this way in this condition…? Realizing that Hwi must have hurried because he knew Yun-seo was waiting, a mixture of joy, concern, and guilt made his heart sink.
“I’ll call for a doctor…”
As Yun-seo turned to leave, Hwi grabbed his wrist. Pulled by Hwi’s strength, Yun-seo sat down on the bed as if falling forward.
“It’s fine.”
“What? Your forehead is burning like fire right now.”
“I know my body well. I’ve already taken medicine, so it will get better if we wait. No need for a fuss.”
“But…”
“Stay here. By my side.”
The weary voice gripped Yun-seo. Left with no choice, he nodded. Hwi scanned Yun-seo’s face with hazy eyes before closing his eyelids.
The acrid smell stung his nose again. It was definitely a familiar scent, and as Yun-seo searched his memory, he recalled a past event and let out a sigh.
It was the tobacco smell that had filled that decadent tavern. He couldn’t understand why Hwi, who had never smoked during their time together, would return covered in this smell. Why would someone with such a high fever…
His labored breathing was rough. After checking Hwi’s condition, Yun-seo removed his outer garment to help him rest comfortably. He unfastened the sword from his waist, set it aside, quickly wet a cloth, and wiped Hwi’s forehead and neck.
After cooling his skin with the cold cloth for nearly half an hour, Hwi’s breathing became more comfortable. Only then did Yun-seo catch his breath and sit down by the bedside, his concerned gaze following the contours from Hwi’s forehead to his cheekbones and chin.
Seeing him after so long, Yun-seo realized even more keenly how much thinner Hwi had become since they first met. It was a natural consequence of a man who didn’t sleep well, moving constantly while handling his affairs. Having been by his side yet unable to help in any way, Yun-seo felt only regret and deep sorrow.
As Yun-seo sighed deeply, his eyes fell on the sword placed beside the bed. The scabbard was flawless and smooth, with honeysuckle patterns on the sword ring. As Gyeong-ae had mentioned, the gold hilt indeed had two dragons intertwined, seemingly climbing upward, carved with vivid detail and exquisite craftsmanship.
Since people from Great Yeong were particularly fond of dragons, it wouldn’t be special unless it was a seven-clawed dragon symbolizing the Emperor, a five-clawed dragon symbolizing the Crown Prince, or a three-clawed dragon symbolizing the Yongrim. However, since dragons couldn’t be used on just any item, they were typically depicted on valuable and precious objects.
‘First: That man is not a simple merchant.’
When he first heard Gyeong-ae’s words, it hadn’t resonated with him, thinking that such a wealthy man wouldn’t lack anything money could buy. But seeing this sword now, he finally understood what she had meant.
Dragons were inherently difficult to carve due to their many curves and complex form. Creating such a lifelike carving on a sword hilt would require not only a fortune but also entrusting it to an exceptionally skilled craftsman.
Moreover, this sword exuded an undeniable nobility. The more he looked at it, the stronger his impression grew that this was no ordinary item.
Had Gyeong-ae meant that Hwi was hiding his true identity? But why would he need to conceal it?
Yun-seo’s gaze shifted to the sleeping Hwi. The man himself had more nobility than the sword. He was meticulous in his demeanor and moved without making a sound, as if thoroughly trained—like a nobleman.
Questions filled his round eyes. Could his claim of running a trading company be a lie? But that wouldn’t explain the inn and the guesthouse… And if he held an official position, he couldn’t have been absent for so long.
Yun-seo bit his lip thoughtfully and considered one possibility: that Hwi might be of noble birth. But then, why would he hide it?
Because he no longer was.
‘No. That’s not right. When a twelve-year-old child ascends to that position, one should rightfully be suspicious and concerned. Especially if the fate of the country depends on that single child.’
Looking back now, Hwi had been hostile toward both the Emperor and the Yongrim. Why? Yun-seo hadn’t delved deeper before, simply assuming Hwi happened to be near some Yongrim…
If he was of noble birth but no longer held that status, it meant he had either fallen from grace or had his position taken away.
Taken away. Suddenly, an incident from seven years ago flashed through his mind.
The rebellion that occurred while the current Emperor was at Hell Island, led by Gong Hwan-cheol, who was then the Minister of War and the Great General of Sage Virtue. He had claimed that Yongson only focused on governing Hell Island, and that harmony could be achieved if an Emperor without Sage Power ruled the country, so he invaded the palace with the then Prince of Ye.
The result was the complete defeat of the rebels. The Emperor entered the throne hall alone and in one swift move, broke the necks of the conspirators before they could even resist, bringing everything to a futile end. Afterward, although traitors traditionally faced extermination of their entire family, it was said that the Emperor showed mercy and spared many lives.
Could Hwi have been involved in that incident? If so, his contempt for the Yongrim would make sense. As would his extraordinary, even peculiar martial prowess and refined bearing.
Yun-seo couldn’t forget the bitter, tired face of Hwi when he had talked about shackles on that rainy day. Perhaps more burdens rested on his shoulders than Yun-seo could possibly imagine.
Would he tell if asked? It would be nice if he shared, but that was just Yun-seo’s wish; he didn’t want to touch on areas that might cause pain.
Before he realized it, the sky outside the window had grown dim. As Yun-seo rose to close the open window, he took in the sight of small houses with lit lamps. The yellow light seeping out reminded him of the lanterns they had released at Suhyang.
‘Is your reason for going to Yehang to leave this country?’
Hwi’s low voice echoed in his ears with a heavy resonance.
‘Don’t you have any thoughts of staying in Great Yeong and finding your path here?’
Yun-seo closed the window and turned around. The river of his heart surged violently, shaking his long-rooted firm resolve and goal to the point of being overturned.
Returning to the bedside, Yun-seo gently held Hwi’s hand. It was the first time he had seen him sleeping. Hwi’s hand, usually cold, now felt lukewarm, perhaps due to the fever. Yun-seo moved his lips and carefully spoke.
“My lord.”
Hwi seemed to be in a deep sleep, not responding to the call. Yun-seo himself didn’t know whether he wanted Hwi to hear his words or let them pass unheard.
“My lord. Do you like me?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
