TYMIR Ch 26

Caught off guard, Yoonyi, left alone, bowed his head deeply and darted inside.

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Master Choi’s house always exuded a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. In the tranquil courtyard, a crape myrtle tree, welcoming spring, showed off its fresh greenery. The newly sprouted leaves still looked delicate.

“What more is there to learn from this old man that you’ve come to visit again today?”

It was then. A low voice cut through the quiet air, and Yoonyi’s gaze followed the sound. Master Choi, his hair now completely white, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the well-lit pottery jars, alongside Okgeum.

“Has this lacking disciple already become a bother to you?”

“You rascal! You just have to have the last word.”

Hyowon, who had been striding forward, stood neatly with his hands clasped and bowed his waist. At the playful remark, Master Choi’s nose twitched.

“My lord.”

“Yoonyi, it seems like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you too.”

As the startled Yoonyi also lowered his head, the sharp gaze from moments ago softened into a friendly curve. Okgeum, watching this scene unfold, offered a spoonful of fine-colored soy sauce, and Master Choi tasted it by dipping his finger in without hesitation.

“It’s turned out well this year too. You’ve worked hard, Okgeum.”

“Oh my, thank you, my lord.”

As Master Choi’s expression brightened immensely after smacking his lips, Okgeum also smiled shyly. She smiled so brightly that her chubby cheeks rose all the way to her cheekbones.

“Do you personally oversee such things, Teacher?”

Even though it had been over a decade since he started visiting Master Choi’s house, Hyowon’s eyes sparkled with particular intensity, as if seeing such a sight for the first time.

“Of course, it’s all part of running the household. Hyowon, if you had listened to Lord Kim and gotten married sooner, you’d be enjoying such pleasures with your wife and wouldn’t even be visiting this old man by now.”

Master Choi, who had been smiling contentedly, narrowed his eyes and persistently examined Hyowon.

“Please don’t say such things, Teacher. How can there be an end to learning?”

“What a boring fellow. Yoonyi, you must have a hard time serving such a rigid master.”

Despite the mischievous joke, Hyowon showed no sign of embarrassment and still wore a faint smile. At this, Master Choi clicked his tongue and turned his gaze to Yoonyi.

“N-no, not at all. The young master treats me so well.”

“Is that so? You brat, if you had been that kind to a woman, you’d have had two sons by now.”

At the strangely pitying look, Yoonyi quickly took Hyowon’s side. At that, Master Choi raised his white eyebrows in utter surprise and spat out a blunt tone.

“Teacher, why are you being like this too? I’ve already been nagged for a few days as it is.”

Hyowon was already of coming-of-age. It was not as if he wasn’t a little late to be taking a spouse. Perhaps that was why talk of marriage followed him everywhere he went. He had heard it so much that his ears were starting to ring. His gentlemanly demeanor gone, Hyowon’s eyes drooped as he let out a half-whining sound.

“Well, you deserve it. But it’s not as if a bond can be forced. Now, hurry up and bring your books and follow me, you rascal.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Master Choi, as if he understood, shook his head with a sigh and slowly walked toward the main building. Hyowon followed right behind him, like a puppy from his childhood.

“But it’s truly amazing.”

“What is, Noona?”

Okgeum, who was staring blankly at the sight, muttered feebly.

“I mean Young Master Hyowon. He was so tiny as a child, how did he grow up to be so dependable?”

An unusually small child. Hyowon had been so little that he didn’t even come up to the waist of Yoonyi, who was also small for his age. He was also timid, so the rims of his eyes were always red. Compared to back then, he now had broad shoulders and was, by anyone’s standards, a handsome, well-built man. So much so that one couldn’t even imagine his former self.

“It feels like a dream that there’s already talk of his marriage. Is there any young lady he has his heart set on?”

“…Pardon?”

While he was lost in thought, Okgeum asked nonchalantly. At this, Yoonyi just gaped blankly like a person who had lost his mind.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not strange. In fact, he’s in his prime. Even if he were to visit the gisaeng houses, it wouldn’t be a flaw.”

Okgeum added secretly, glancing around as if afraid a scolding would fly her way.

“I’m sure no matter which family’s young lady he meets, if she gives birth to a son who resembles Young Master Hyowon, he’ll be handsome. Right, Yoonyi?”

Okgeum muttered, her cheeks already flushing red as if the mere thought was delightful. Of course, with his fair skin, perfectly drawn features, and towering height. If a child resembled Hyowon, there was no way he wouldn’t be good-looking.

“Yes, he most certainly will be.”

Yoonyi only moved his lips, a bitter smile on his face. A son who resembles Young Master Hyowon. The mere thought of it made a corner of his heart feel distinctly stuffy.

Contrary to his sinking heart, at the clear answer, Okgeum looked relieved, picked up her basket, and left. From the inner quarters, low voices could be heard intermittently. The sun was still nice, and the wind was still pleasant, but for some reason, he felt gloomy.

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“Yoonyi.”

A gentle voice lingered by his ear. Yoonyi slowly lifted his eyelids. In his blurry vision, the surroundings had already been swallowed by a hazy darkness.

“…Young master?”

As his vision gradually cleared, a figure as beautiful as a painting came into view.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long, my conversation with the teacher went on for a while.”

At the faint voice, like a crawling ant, Hyowon bent his knees to meet his line of sight. When their eyes met, he formed a crescent moon with the corners of his eyes, as if pleased.

“Ah, my apologies. I must have dozed off.”

“No, it was I who was late.”

Yoonyi quickly dusted himself off and stood up. It seemed he had gotten tired of waiting and fallen asleep.

“You must have slept sweetly.”

Hyowon murmured nonchalantly and extended his sleeve, dabbing Yoonyi’s mouth without hesitation. At that casual action, Yoonyi froze as if facing a harsh winter wind, unable to do anything.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

Finding his stillness deeply strange, Hyowon stepped forward abruptly and asked. Yoonyi quickly shook his head. Then, as if fleeing, he jumped down the steps.

“Let’s go back now, young master.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

“Did you say goodbye to the teacher?”

Yoonyi, who was about to step into the courtyard, turned around abruptly and asked. Even under the dim lantern, the embarrassment on his fine face was palpable.

“Of course, I did. Do you know how long I’ve been standing here?”

“You should have woken me.”

Hyowon curled the corners of his lips into a cool smile as he asked back. He looked so refreshing. Yoonyi watched, mesmerized, before pretending not to notice and hurrying his steps first.

“That was a joke. Let’s go together, Yoonyi.”

Hyowon hurriedly followed him.

“I suppose I should have asked Okgeum for a lantern.”

The crescent moon had faintly risen, and with the thick clouds, the surroundings were dim. As the hazy darkness blurred even their footing, Hyowon muttered in a worried tone. The once vibrant marketplace was now eerily silent. The two of them trudged along the empty road, walking and walking. How long had they walked?

On a night so quiet that not even the chirping of insects could be heard. Yoonyi’s energetic pace gradually slowed until he naturally came to stand behind Hyowon. At the sound of the light footsteps following him, Hyowon, with a faint smile, slowly turned to face him.

“Your expression was so bright earlier, have you suddenly fallen ill somewhere?”

As if the night had settled on his jade-like face, Yoonyi’s expression was noticeably stiff. Surprised, Hyowon came close enough for their breaths to mingle and caressed Yoonyi’s face with his large hand. The hand, calloused in places, felt scratchy as it brushed against his cheek. But strangely, wherever the gentle hand touched, heat rose.

“Yoonyi…?”

Under the relentlessly intense gaze, Hyowon carefully called his name.

“Young master, why did you ask me earlier if I wanted to get married?”

Without a moment’s thought, his lips moved on their own, forming the words. At that instant, the hand that had been caressing his smooth face stopped and fell limply downwards. His gaze wavered anxiously. A heavy silence fell between them.

“…Because I don’t want you to get married.”

Hyowon, who had been silent for a long while, reluctantly opened his mouth.

As if asking what he had just heard, Hyowon’s neat figure wavered in the moonlit, clear eyes. The short silence passed, and Hyowon parted his once-closed lips again.

“Yoonyi, I hope you never get married for your entire life.”

“Thank you, Yoonyi… Now, just as back then, you’re the only one I have.”

The hesitating lips finally uttered a firm tone. Even in the darkness, the beast’s clear eyes reflected everything as vividly as a mirror. How much time had passed like that? Hyowon’s eyelids, which had been drooping, intoxicated by the softness, finally closed completely. The calm sound of his breathing brushing past his ears spread evenly.

Confirming that he was deeply asleep, Yoonyi couldn’t bring himself to leave right away. He stood still for a long while, his gaze fixed on him. His well-defined features, as if crafted by a potter, were the only thing that shone in the deep darkness. The once-chubby cheeks had lost all their baby fat, exuding a manly aura. Beneath his gracefully closed, long eyes, a shadow subtly lingered along the sharp line of his nose.

‘What’s happening to me?’

Suddenly, his heart began to pound violently, as if he had just been running. Yoonyi, in his small body, scrambled out and slumped against the door as if it were a wall. For some reason, the longer he looked at that face, the more his stomach churned.

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Faintly waking to the gentle sunlight, Hyowon very naturally reached his hand up and began to feel around. He waited for the touch he expected to feel on his hand, pleasantly enjoying the morning sun. However, when only the cold floor met his touch instead of the soft texture, his closed eyes flew open.

“…It would have been nice to wake up together.”

A tone mixed with regret flowed out like a whisper. His heart had been troubled for the past few days, causing him to only toss and turn, but thanks to a rare good night’s sleep, his body felt truly refreshed. Still, the hand stroking the cold blanket was thick with lingering regret.

Inexpertly, yesterday, he had no way to fully express his surging heart. So he had turned the conversation into a playful joke, and the delicate Yoonyi had noticed the subtle change and came to him at night. And in the form of a fox, which he adored the most. Mulling it over again, the corners of his mouth lifted on their own.

“To think I could convey my feelings so honestly last night.”

A sigh quickly escaped through his teeth. Hyowon stealthily slipped a hand into his clothes and took out a norigae he had bought at the market a few days ago.

“I need to give this to him soon…”

His skin is so fair, it will surely suit him very well. If he had his way, he would love to dress him in a beautiful silk robe of a matching color as well. But he’s so fine and neat in his own right, wouldn’t anything he wears look lovely? The mere thought was so pleasing that his worries had long since melted away.

“Young master, have you awakened?”

A calm voice carried through the paper screen. Hyowon quickly put the norigae back inside his clothes and belatedly called out.

“Oh? Yes, I’m awake.”

Yoonyi, who had brought in water for washing, stared blankly at the strangely flustered Hyowon.

“What are you doing over there so early in the morning?”

“No, it’s nothing. I was just about to look at some books.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed strangely, as if caught in a storm. At this, Yoonyi’s gaze fell on a neatly wrapped bundle placed beside the desk.

“You were going to look at them on top of this?”

“What. Why are you questioning such things?”

The person who was always so composed was so rushed today; Yoonyi tilted his head again and again. A brass basin filled with hot water was gently placed on the floor.

“By the way, when did you go back?”

“…Pardon?”

The steady hand suddenly froze mid-air at the abrupt question.

“Last night, I mean. I truly enjoyed it.”

“Wh-what you’re saying, I don’t quite…”

His conspicuously clear eyes wandered aimlessly over the floor. The rims of his round ears were already tinged red. Hyowon’s lips curved without a sound.

“Really? Ah, I must have been dreaming. If I sleep a little more, I might dream it again…”

Hyowon laid down flat on his back, using Yoonyi’s neatly bent knees as a pillow. Not only that, he calmly closed his eyes.

“Y-young master?”

“I have to sleep to see that cute fox again.”

As Yoonyi’s cheeks flushed, revealing his utter bewilderment, Hyowon’s eyes opened into slits as he moved only his lips.

“…If you keep teasing me, I… I won’t show you ever again.”

A faint tremor instantly spread through his entire body. Yoonyi, his earlobes flushed crimson, spoke in a feigned stern tone. At this, Hyowon turned over onto his stomach and stared intently at him.

“Truly, hyungnim, oof…”

As soon as the short silence that had fallen was broken, a dry hand flew up and swiftly covered the mouth that was chattering away.

“If you call me that, I’m going to the servants’ quarters.”

His eyes were slightly upturned, as if he were thoroughly cross. The hand covering his mouth showed no sign of moving. Hyowon watched this quietly, then his eyes crinkled into a bright smile. Just as Yoonyi was about to scold him for his mischievous grin…

“Young master, the lord has… Oh my goodness!”

The firmly closed door opened without warning, and Suni’s round face popped in. At the bewildering scene before her, she unknowingly covered her eyes with her hands.

“…Noona, it-it’s not like that.”

“The lord has?”

They were too close, far too close. He had offered his lap and was leaning his upper body close to cover his mouth. Unlike Yoonyi, who was so flustered that his neck was flushed red, Hyowon quickly pushed away the delicate hand and stood up, dusting himself off. Then he straightened his back as usual.

“Ahem, the lord asked for you to come to the main quarters for a moment.”

“I understand, I’ll be there shortly.”

Suni rolled her eyes at the ceiling a couple of times before letting out a dry cough. Hyowon’s posture remained perfectly composed. Her curious eyes stared intently at the two of them before finally looking away.

“I-I’m sorry, young master. It’s all because I…”

“It’s fine. It’s my fault for teasing you too much.”

Yoonyi, instantly deflated, curled his shoulders inward pitifully. Hyowon gently patted his back and spoke kindly. A smile that looked ready to spill over still bloomed radiantly on his face.

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“I cannot express how delighted I am that you, my lord, have sought out Seunghun first.”

Madam Han’s face, which had been as cold as a snowy day, was uncharacteristically radiant. Her clear skin, a testament to her youthful beauty, shone with a newfound transparency.

“The way you say that, wife, makes it sound as if I had been deliberately ignoring him.”

“…And you weren’t?”

“Hmph, that’s enough.”

Suddenly, a chill crept into Madam Han’s eyes. Lord Kim cut her off fiercely, as if he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. The air shifted so rapidly, like a swing between spring and winter, that Yeonim, standing by, darted her eyes around, trying to read the room.

“But, what is the real reason you called for us?”

“What reason? I just wanted the family to gather and have some tea.”

“…Don’t tell me, you called for Hyowon as well?”

Madam Han asked, her straight eyebrows knitting together. At that, Lord Kim coughed dryly, ahem, like someone trying to evade the question.

“Our Seunghun is standing right here with his eyes wide open, yet why do you keep looking for that fool, my lord?”

Suddenly, Madam Han’s sharp voice shot out fiercely. She sprang to her feet and glared piercingly at the aging Lord Kim. At the sight of his sharp-tongued mother, Seunghun’s hand, which had been quietly putting a sweet into his mouth, gradually slowed.

“How long will you continue to act so narrow-mindedly?”

Lord Kim asked, quietly lifting his teacup without even glancing at her.

“Wh-what did you just say?”

Her bewildered expression crumbled silently, and her eyes welled up with moisture.

“Is it not so? Even Seunghun is so fond of Hyowon, yet his own mother, tsk.”

Lord Kim, glancing at her, took a sip of tea and muttered the rest.

“When my father was alive, it couldn’t be helped, but how can you still blame me now? You’ve truly changed with age.”

Madam Han poured out her pent-up resentment, lashing out at Lord Kim. Her resentful voice was close to a wail. This was something unimaginable in the past, and the servants standing by could only lower their heads and exchange glances.

“Wife, why don’t you try thinking about it carefully as well? If we look at our Seunghun objectively…”

Lord Kim, who had been staring blankly at Seunghun sitting opposite him, sucking on a piece of candy, managed to speak with difficulty.

“Are you about to say that because he’s a simpleton, he’s more useless than a bastard son!”

Madam Han finally brought out the words that had been welling deep in her chest. Her insides burned like a hellfire, and she couldn’t bear it. Tears streamed down her distorted cheeks.

“Oh no, M-madam, please compose yourself.”

“Let go of me! Are you too looking down on me now!”