TYMIR Ch 23

For a moment, Hyowon’s voice resonated like a cave. At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned to him. Perhaps because he hadn’t called him ‘Father’ in the last few years, everyone seemed quite surprised.

“Yes, yes. Hyowon, go on and speak.”

He couldn’t hide his joy and even leaned forward, straightening his back.

“For me, preparing for the military service examination alone is overwhelming enough.”

Hyowon’s face, which had been frozen cold, melted as softly as the spring sunlight. At the same time, Lord Kim’s eyes wavered fiercely. Hyowon didn’t even glance at Lord Kim again, quietly shifting his gaze.

“Didn’t you always emphasize it too, Mother?”

Then, he added, looking at Madam Han.

“That I must always live quietly. That I must not bring shame to the family. I simply wish to live quietly, as I was taught.”

“…What did you say?”

Lord Kim’s mouth, which had been hanging open, barely moved to form a sound.

“In the end, isn’t the one who will carry on this family’s line Seunghun?”

“hyungnim, wha-what’s a line?”

Hyowon smiled softly and stroked the child’s head. At the gentle touch, Seunghun, who had been sucking on a spoon stained with meat broth, crinkled his eyes into a grin and asked. At that innocent face, Hyowon gently shook his head.

“If you have nothing more to say, I will take my leave now.”

Hyowon lifted the child up in a flash, carefully set him down, and rose to his feet. Despite this, no one stopped him.

“Tha-that… My Lord, did you see? That fellow Hyowon has become so insolent.”

“Insolent? Not at all. He has truly become a man.”

Madam Han belatedly glared at the empty spot and fumed. Even so, Lord Kim still curled his lips into a subtle expression.

“Oh, have you finished your meal already?”

Just as he was unable to either sit or stand on the main floor, the door to the sarangbang opened. Yoonyi’s eyes widened as if they would pop out, as he hadn’t expected him to come out so soon. But unlike when he went in, Hyowon’s face was incredibly refreshed.

“Let’s go, Yoonyi.”

Before Yoonyi could even help him with his shoes, he shoved his feet into them. Then, with his long legs, he walked around the sarangchae.

“Young Master, let’s go together!”

Yoonyi, who had been frozen in surprise, hastily chased after him. Could he ask what they had talked about? The words pooled in his mouth kept circling the tip of his tongue, about to burst out. As his complexion changed with every ray of sunlight, Hyowon’s striding steps gradually slowed.

“If you’re that curious, why don’t you ask?”

Hyowon added, casually glancing sideways at Yoonyi, who was following him.

“Is it alright for me to ask?”

“And what would be wrong with it?”

His face, which had been dark and gloomy, instantly cleared up. At this, Hyowon inwardly swallowed a laugh.

“It’s just that I was worried.”

For a long time, Hyowon had never been particularly pleased to meet the Lord or the Lady. Moreover, his expression had been visibly stiff even just as he was entering the main sarangchae today.

“In your eyes, Yoonyi, it seems I still look like a snot-nosed kid.”

“…Pardon?”

His neatly defined shoulders shot up to his earlobes in an instant.

“Ah, no, that’s not it. How could you say I see you that way, Young Master?”

Yoonyi, his true feelings exposed, shook his head, even waving his hands.

“What do you mean, ‘no’? You’ve always blushed first whenever you lie.”

“Th-this is…”

Hyowon closed the distance in a single step and came close, tapping his slender cheek with a fingertip, causing Yoonyi to freeze on the spot. The words that had started so confidently could not be finished.

“His Lordship was pushing me to marry again, so I told him that Seunghun is the one to carry on the family line, and now I’m on my way out.”

“Pardon?”

Hyowon answered nonchalantly, as if it were nothing. At the same time, Yoonyi’s brow furrowed deeply. He felt dizzy at the thought of how he could have said such a thing so openly to the Lord.

“Young Master, are you serious?”

“Would I be lying?”

Unlike his flustered self, Hyowon was more relaxed than ever.

“How could you say such a thing!”

Unable to watch any longer, Yoonyi exclaimed in shock. A low voice followed.

“But it’s not wrong, is it? How could a mere concubine’s son marry a woman he has no feelings for, just to carry on the family line?”

“St-still…”

“Weren’t they the ones who taught me from the very beginning that we were different? That’s why our names are different, too.”

There was no emotion whatsoever on his well-defined face. Facing that aloofness, a corner of Yoonyi’s heart ached. After hearing the news that she was pregnant with the young master, he had studied so hard that his books wore out, saying he would study even harder, but in the end, the Lord never even gave him a glance.

The years of neglect had piled up, already spanning dozens of years. If the young master had lived up to the Lord’s expectations, he would have continued to ignore Hyowon and then some. He was so angry at the sight of them now trying to push forward the Young Master, who had grown up so admirably, that his emotions surged, and he couldn’t figure out what to say. His hesitant lips repeatedly curled inward.

“Don’t you look at me with those eyes too.”

In his pitch-black eyes, tears had already formed, making them moist. Hyowon, who had been staring at this, added with a bitter smile.

“Young Master.”

Just as the silence was lengthening, he saw Suni in the distance, carrying a small dining table. She was smiling brightly and waving her hand vigorously.

“What are you doing here instead of going inside?”

“No, we should go in.”

As Suni, who had come closer, cleanly wiped away her smile at the unusual atmosphere and asked, Hyowon showed his back, leaving a short reply. Yoonyi could only gaze endlessly at his retreating figure.

“Did you get scolded by the Young Master too?”

“Pardon?”

Suni, who was looking around, suddenly nudged Yoonyi’s arm with her own and asked. The tears that had welled up at the completely unexpected misunderstanding dried up in an instant. Yoonyi stared blankly at Suni with a slightly dazed expression.

“No? Young Master Hyowon has changed a bit from before, hasn’t he?”

“No, he’s not someone who would do that.”

Yoonyi shook his head quickly as if it were ridiculous. Despite the clean answer, Suni still couldn’t erase her doubts.

🎐⋆｡🍥

Hyowon, standing under the eaves, quietly looked up at the sky. There wasn’t a single cloud in the deep blue sky. The sunlight pouring into the lovely courtyard was exceptionally warm. The chill mixed in the blowing wind had long since half-melted in the warmth.

“Young Master, what’s wrong?”

Seeing him still quietly looking up at the sky seemed unusual, so Yoonyi, who was standing beside him holding a bow and a quiver, spoke cautiously.

“Yoonyi, the weather is nice today, so let’s go together.”

“Really?”

Since he had never once taken him to the mountains before, Yoonyi’s expression was quickly filled with joy. A radiant smile bloomed beautifully on his small face.

“Hurry inside and bring out one more of my overcoats.”

“Your clothes, Young Master?”

At the unexpected command, Yoonyi tilted his head. Nevertheless, Hyowon’s attitude was so firm that he had no choice but to bring it out.

“Young Master, have you perhaps caught a cold?”

A short while later, a thick, light blue overcoat was in Yoonyi’s hands. As Yoonyi fidgeted with the soft overcoat, his eyes were still mixed with an unfading worry.

“No, let’s go.”

As Hyowon approached the main gate, a male servant who had been sitting on the veranda of the servants’ quarters quickly stood up and brought out a horse. With the reins in hand, Hyowon slowly walked through the marketplace. Yoonyi’s eyes darted busily here and there at the fully opened market.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen the market open like this.”

“Shall we look around a bit before we go, then?”

When Hyowon asked casually, Yoonyi didn’t give a proper answer and simply smiled shyly. The corners of his eyes, crinkled up, were so pretty that Hyowon quietly followed behind. His dark eyes looked around at everything with innocent wonder, as if it were all new.

“Come here for a moment.”

Just then, something in the distance caught Hyowon’s eye. He then grabbed Yoonyi’s wrist and pushed his way through the crowd. Yoonyi, with a surprised face, followed breathlessly behind, repeatedly saying, “Yo-Young Master.”

“Oh my, noble sir.”

On the spread-out stall, there were heaps of colorful and beautiful norigae, perfume pouches, and other accessories. Not a single one of them lacked a beautiful color. Yoonyi stared at them blankly.

“Give me this one.”

“You have excellent taste.”

Hyowon’s gaze briefly turned to Yoonyi. Because winter had just passed, his pale skin was particularly prominent. A hand, stretching out without hesitation, picked up a light-colored jade norigae from the stall.

“Let’s go.”

As if his business was done, a slender, jade-like hand, which had approached as gently as a spring breeze, wrapped around his thin wrist like a vine in a single motion.

“Yo-Young Master. Please go slowly, you’ll fall.”

Yoonyi’s eyes, who was being half-dragged, wavered 불안하게.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“Would you like to try riding?”

“Me?”

As they soon left the village, the scattered private houses were no longer in sight. When there were no signs of people, Hyowon asked casually. Wondering how someone like him could ride a horse, Yoonyi couldn’t hide his surprise, his shoulders even shrugging.

“Is there another Yoonyi here?”

“You’re joking… It’s alright. You should get on first, Young Master.”

Yoonyi shook his head, his eyes curving into a bright smile. Hyowon, who had been captivated by his smile, which was like a ripe spring, leaped onto the saddle and extended his hand towards Yoonyi.

“Then we can ride together.”

“Are you serious?”

At his nonchalant demeanor, Yoonyi asked back without even blinking.

“We still have a long way to go, how do you plan on keeping up?”

Hyowon retorted in a still-playful tone. As Yoonyi reluctantly took the offered hand, Hyowon pulled his slender body firmly into his embrace.

His lean back was pressed tightly against the firm chest without a gap. Hyowon, lest his pounding heart be discovered, took short, shallow breaths. And then, with a kick to the horse’s flank, the horse carrying the two of them moved forward with the sound of its hooves.

“…Yo-Young Master.”

As his whole body swayed as if swept away by a strong current, the voice of Yoonyi, who was riding a horse for the first time, trembled helplessly.

“I’ll hold you tight, so don’t worry.”

Hyowon hugged the small body firmly. His long legs once again lightly struck the horse’s side without hesitation. At the same time, the horse gradually picked up speed. The passing wind cut through their skin like a blade.

🎐⋆｡🍥

The two of them soon galloped for a long time across the open grassland. The wind, which had felt like a blade, now felt cool, as if they had grown accustomed to it. Yoonyi bravely and gently opened his eyelids. The scenery passed by in a flash, so fast that he couldn’t even capture it with his eyes.

“Yo-Young Master, it’s too fast.”

“I told you it’s fine.”

His terrified voice trembled pitifully. His slender body instinctively sought warmth and pressed even closer against his back. At this, a wide curve formed on Hyowon’s lips.

How long had they been running? The sound of the powerfully stamping hooves gradually subsided.

“Whoa, whoa.”

As Hyowon pulled firmly on the reins, his whole body jolted again with a whinnying sound. And then, as his entire body became as calm as a wave, Yoonyi finally opened his tightly shut eyes.

“Young Master, this place is…”

All around was a vivid blue with vigorously grown grass. As the wind blew, it swayed and pushed back and forth, making it seem like he was facing a sea he had never seen before. At the unfamiliar scenery, Yoonyi’s eyes widened in surprise.

While his gaze was captivated, Hyowon jumped down first. Then, he naturally extended his hand. At that, the hesitant Yoonyi placed his hand on the offered palm and carefully stepped onto the ground. Dew had fallen overnight, and with every step, the fresh scent of grass lingered at the tip of his nose.

“Have you been training here all this time?”

His small head kept looking around. Questions welled up in his dark eyes. Hyowon, who had been quietly taking this in, laughed under his breath.

“No, it’s just a place I come to sometimes.”

“You said you’d take me to your training.”

At Hyowon’s words, Yoonyi’s lips, filled with disappointment, tilted downwards.

“Never mind that, come here. There’s something I want to show you.”

Before any nagging could erupt, Hyowon quickly grabbed his wrist. At this, the small body that had been standing firm was dragged along helplessly. On the narrow path, just wide enough for two people to pass, their shoulders brushed against each other with every step. In the quiet mountain, the occasional sound of birdsong could be heard.

As his lean body trembled weakly from the strong wind blowing from the mountain, Hyowon placed the overcoat he was holding on his shoulders.

“What about you, Young Master?”

“I’m fine.”

Hyowon shook his head and gently tucked back a stray strand of hair that had fallen. Yoonyi fidgeted with the overcoat draped over his shoulders before quietly lowering his gaze to the ground.

“Young Master, I hear the sound of water.”

How far had they walked? The sound of water became clearer as they followed Hyowon’s lead.

“Look over there.”

And then, their steps stopped, and a finger with prominent knuckles pointed at something. Yoonyi’s straight gaze followed it silently. Water was flowing endlessly from a small waterfall. The water was so clear that it was refreshing just to look at it. Under the clear sky, the sunlight, pouring down gently, touched the water and sparkled.

“Young Master, it’s so beautiful.”

His face, which had been laden with worry just a moment ago, brightened up instantly.

“Isn’t it? Let’s rest here for a bit before we go back.”

Hyowon, his gaze captured by the smiling face, belatedly found a spot under a tree. Then, he patted the space next to him. Yoonyi, pretending to be unable to refuse, sat down beside him. At the faint, sweet scent lingering in the air, Hyowon quietly closed his eyelids.

“Young Master.”

Yoonyi, who had been staring at his figure as if it were a painting for a long time, moved his lips.

“Did you perhaps come here because you were feeling frustrated about yesterday’s matter?”

“How could you…”

At that, his closed eyelids gently opened.

“You’ve always been like this, Young Master, whenever the topic of marriage comes up.”

Yoonyi sent him a warm gaze, as if he knew everything. At that, Hyowon, who had been listening quietly, shot up.

“Yo-Young Master?”

“Marriage, marriage, just hearing about it gives me a headache. I should just use your lap as a pillow and take a nap, Yoonyi.”

A refreshing laugh mixed with the passing wind. A pleasant weight settled on his thighs. Hyowon, pretending not to notice, had already closed his eyes tightly. Due to the shade from the lushly grown tree, the straight bridge of his nose and his jawline were prominent.

“You’re still like a child, Young Master.”

Pretending not to know whenever an unpleasant topic was brought up was one of his habits. Yoonyi sighed and glared at Hyowon. That too was brief, as a small laugh escaped from between his parted lips.

“Is it not just that you see me that way?”

“It must be because you act the same as when you were a child.”

“I am simply doing this because it’s comfortable.”

“As if you can’t even speak.”

The warm sunlight pouring down, the fresh greenery, everything was perfect. At the sound of his even breathing, Yoonyi’s eyelids also grew heavy.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“Young Master, please wake up.”

Startled, he opened his eyes to find that it was already dark all around. Surprised, Yoonyi gently shook Hyowon, who was still sleeping soundly. The tightly closed eyelids opened in an instant.

“I apologize, Young Master. For me to have dozed off as well.”

“It’s fine. I also slept sweetly.”

Yoonyi was at a loss, as if he had committed a great crime. Hyowon smiled casually, as if it were nothing, and sat up.

“I suppose we should be heading back.”

Hyowon, who had gotten up first, let out a heavy breath, mounted the horse, and naturally extended his hand.