Chapter 46
The marketplace was their first destination. As people began to appear in greater numbers, Yun-seo tried to release Hwi’s hand, but Hwi tightened his grip, making it impossible to pull away. With Hwi’s tall stature and extraordinary appearance that always attracted attention, people glanced at the two men as they passed by, holding hands.
“Why are you fidgeting so much?”
Hwi grasped Yun-seo’s hand even more firmly, making it impossible to move even his fingers. Unable to hold his head high, Yun-seo looked down and whispered.
“People are staring at us.”
“Eyes are made for looking. What’s wrong with them looking a little?”
“Still…”
“Once they get used to it, their interest will naturally fade.”
Just as he said, people’s gazes were gradually moving away from them. Impressed by Hwi’s composure in holding another man’s hand in the middle of the street, Yun-seo decided to stop caring about others’ stares.
Would they appear as ordinary lovers to others’ eyes? Even if people secretly cursed them for being shameless or making a spectacle, it would be because they were seen as a couple, which was actually something to be happy about.
In truth, he liked it. He had never dreamed he would form a bond with someone and freely walk through the marketplace like this.
“Since we’re out, shall I buy you some sweets?”
“…Don’t treat me like a child.”
“So, will you eat them or not?”
“…I’ll eat them.”
Hwi’s eyes curved as he put his arm around Yun-seo’s shoulders and kissed the top of his head before pulling away. Under the bright sunlight, his face was without a single shadow, and his gentle smile was radiant. He looked not like the heir to a trading company or a high official with many burdens to carry, but like an ordinary young man spending time with his lover. Yun-seo couldn’t take his eyes off him.
“Make way, make way!”
Yun-seo’s gaze was interrupted by a procession pulling carts. To avoid interfering with the moving carts loaded with rice sacks, fruit, and various boxes, Yun-seo stood close to Hwi’s side.
“Is all of that bestowed by Prince Inchin?”
“Yes. A storm broke out and many sailors died. They say he donated all of this to the local shrines to honor their spirits and appease the gods.”
The crowd, split in two by the carts and packed together, buzzed with chatter. Yun-seo was surprised to hear Prince Inchin’s name again in this distant place and glanced back.
“To be so generous even to such a small place—truly, he is a gentleman!”
“It’s not easy for the imperial family to understand the struggles of common people like us. How fortunate that Prince Inchin is by His Majesty’s side. Thanks to him, the people’s welfare is being looked after.”
Coincidence? Yun-seo turned his gaze to the man who had just spoken. Though not someone he had seen in Suhyang, the expression he used was nearly identical.
It felt strange that people seemed to value Prince Inchin’s contributions more highly than those of the Emperor, who was personally fighting in the hellish war zones. Of course, it was natural that Prince Inchin’s virtuous deeds would make him feel closer than the distant and elevated existence of the Imperial descendant, but still…
“Here.”
Hwi handed Yun-seo some sweets. Just as the procession of carts ended and the gathered crowd dispersed, he put the sweets directly into Yun-seo’s mouth. The sweetness spreading in his mouth naturally brought a pleased smile to his face.
With that, the fleeting thoughts that had crossed his mind were quickly erased.
Yun-seo deliberately bought this and that, enjoying the fun of shopping at the market with Hwi. After finishing their shopping, they went to the coast to watch the fishermen catching fish and the sea people harvesting seaweed and abalone, and then visited a small shrine located on a rocky cliff.
After having a simple dinner at a modest restaurant, the sun was already about to set.
Yun-seo and Hwi slowly walked toward the beach lined with pine forest. When Yun-seo sat down on the bare ground without hesitation, Hwi followed suit beside him.
The sunset-tinged sea, its blueness fading, was charming. So were the faintly salty breeze and the whispering sound of rising waves. Yun-seo looked at the man beside him. His face was peaceful as he gazed at the distant sea, making Yun-seo’s smile soften.
“My lord.”
“Yes?”
“After looking around the village today, I think there might be work I could do. Since Yehang isn’t far from here, I could help transport goods or join a merchant group, or I could assist the many fishermen here. Since I know how to read and write, I believe I could earn my keep quite well.”
The calm gaze turned toward him. Hwi silently looked at Yun-seo before speaking.
“Didn’t you say your dream was to write travel journals?”
“How could I travel with an empty pocket? I would have needed to earn money wherever I went, so it’s the same here.”
“That you would work for money while I’m here—it’s quite embarrassing for me.”
“I don’t want to live as a commoner just feeding off your wealth.”
“When there’s an easier way to come under my care.”
“I don’t want to burden your shoulders with my livelihood. Wouldn’t you feel more at ease if I found my own place here?”
Hwi had his own affairs and couldn’t stay here indefinitely. But it wouldn’t be right for Yun-seo to simply follow him everywhere he went. By earning money here, establishing himself, and broadening his horizons, he could become a reliable partner who could offer Hwi his shoulder in return.
Hwi took Yun-seo’s hand and slowly stroked the back of it with his thumb.
“How could you manage such harsh work?”
“If others can do it, why can’t I? I can do well.”
As Yun-seo smiled confidently as if to say not to worry, Hwi’s fingers interlaced with his. The sensation of soft valleys pressing against each other was somewhat sensual, making his toes curl. Hwi caressed the back of Yun-seo’s hand almost like he was scratching it with his fingertips, then raised his eyes.
“Alright.”
His low voice sounded muffled, as if spreading underwater. Yun-seo paused to study Hwi’s face, then raised Hwi’s hand and carefully kissed the back of it.
It was his first time initiating a kiss, and his cheeks flushed. Yun-seo covered the back of Hwi’s hand with his palm, as if trying to preserve the warmth left by his lips. As he smiled brightly, Hwi gazed at him intently, as if capturing Yun-seo in his pupils.
Unable to overcome his embarrassment, Yun-seo turned his head to look at the sea. The sun had sunk low, and the sunset was growing deeper.
Though he wasn’t a child who couldn’t sleep alone, seeing the empty bed made him reluctant to lie down. As he was aimlessly pacing near the bed, Hwi’s voice came from behind.
“Shall I put you to bed?”
Turning around, he saw Hwi leaning against the doorway. Under his knowing gaze, as if he could clearly see what Yun-seo was feeling, Yun-seo hesitated to answer immediately.
Knowing how men shared intimacy with men, he felt awkward about sharing a bed. Though he knew it was something they would eventually experience, he was uncertain whether it might happen today.
“You seem to be expecting something rather naughty. But no matter how much you beg, I won’t embrace you, so don’t worry.”
“What are you saying? I wasn’t expecting anything, and I absolutely won’t beg!”
Embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed, Yun-seo turned abruptly and climbed onto the bed. Lying close to the wall with just a sideways glance, he heard Hwi laugh softly before approaching and sitting slightly apart from him.
Hwi gently pulled the blanket up to Yun-seo’s neck and patted his shoulder softly with his large hand. Since he wasn’t planning to sleep here, was that why he wouldn’t lie down? Feeling somewhat disappointed, Yun-seo fidgeted with the blanket’s edge while glancing at Hwi.
The candlelight softly illuminated Hwi’s cheek. While patting Yun-seo’s shoulder, Hwi occasionally raised his fingertips to stroke Yun-seo’s ear and chin. The ticklish touch suddenly made him realize how much closer they had grown since confirming their feelings for each other.
Soon, when the wedding date notice arrived, he would marry Hwi. It still felt surreal that such a joyous event was happening in his life. His parents would surely faint if they found out. He wondered what Yeondeok would say when he heard the news.
Suddenly his thoughts extended to Hwi’s parents as well. While he had essentially severed ties with his own family and could do as he pleased, he belatedly worried whether it was acceptable not to seek permission from Hwi’s parents. They probably wouldn’t approve of his existence if they knew about him. That would be a natural reaction, so it didn’t make him particularly sad—just a little bitter.
“My lord.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask what your parents are like?”
Hwi’s hand movements slowed, as if he was considering his answer. Yun-seo secretly observed his neatly trimmed, even fingernails.
“Well, one thing comes to mind. My father was irresponsible, and my mother wanted to hold him accountable for that irresponsibility.”
Though he had guessed that Hwi’s relationship with his parents wasn’t good, the story from Hwi’s lips was unexpected. Yun-seo carefully took Hwi’s hand from his shoulder and gently stroked it.
“Do you resent them?”
“No.”
Hwi’s face remained impassive, as if he truly harbored no resentment or hatred. But this response gave Yun-seo a sense of the distance between Hwi and his parents. Calmly considering Hwi’s feelings, Yun-seo asked casually:
“They wouldn’t approve of me, would they?”
Hwi turned his head completely to look down at Yun-seo. Then he brushed Yun-seo’s hair as if catching it between his fingertips.
“Their opinions don’t matter. No one dares to judge you.”
*High official: A person in an important position or office. From the National Institute of Korean Language, Standard Korean Dictionary.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
