TYMIR Ch 5

The old man, who was watching the small face instantly turn to despair, carefully asked again.

“……A letter, you say?”

“My lady sent it.”

However, is it really right to send a letter to my father over such a private matter? His round head was quickly thrown into turmoil.

“……No, it’s not.”

After contemplating for a long time, Hyowon shook his head with difficulty.

“Come to think of it, before the master left, he certainly said he might return earlier than that.”

“Is that true?”

As the Gatekeeper, who had been watching his reaction, belatedly added a word, Hyowon’s complexion cleared up, unlike before.

“Yes, so please don’t worry.”

“Thank you so much.”

🎐⋆｡🍥

As the night deepened, the dim moonlight seeped through the papered window. A single, faintly lit candle cast a shadow. Unable to fall asleep, Yoonyi gently unwrapped the newly wound cotton cloth. He could see with his own eyes that new flesh was growing day by day.

He himself couldn’t tell if it was truly healing quickly thanks to the salve, as his older sister had said. As he was staring at it blankly for a long while, his round ears twitched at the light sound of pattering footsteps.

“Yoonyi, are you perhaps asleep?”

“Not yet, young master.”

Yoonyi hurriedly wrapped the cotton cloth around his wrist again. Then he spoke as if nothing had happened.

“I left something behind.”

However, although the door would have normally opened by now, for some reason Hyowon had no intention of crossing the threshold.

“The nambawi?”

For a moment, his gaze shifted to the place where his sweet scent lingered strongly. Yoonyi asked back with a soft smile. Only then did the door creak open, and a pale face appeared in the dim light.

“That… and also, I don’t think I can sleep well alone.”

In Hyowon’s arms was already a small pillow with delicate embroidery.

“Young master, was the nambawi just an excuse?”

“An excuse? A man must take good care of his own belongings.”

When Yoonyi stared at him with narrowed eyes, his small shoulders shot up to his earlobes. But that was only for a moment; Hyowon cleared his throat with a “ahem, ahem,” and then replied with dignity. Even that appearance was so lovely that the corners of Yoonyi’s eyes curved gracefully like a crescent moon.

“Yes, young master. You are truly admirable. But, is it alright for you to sleep with me?”

However, cute is cute, but he wondered if he dared to sleep with him. Worry came first. So he asked carefully.

“No one will care anyway.”

“For such a precious young master, you say such indifferent things.”

Hyowon answered nonchalantly, rubbing the tip of his nose. Then he placed the pillow right next to him and flopped down. Yoonyi, who was watching him blankly, turned off the candle and lay down gently beside him. The steady breathing unique to a child could be heard.

“……By the way, Yoonyi, when your body is all healed.”

“Yes, young master.”

Hyowon, who was tossing and turning slightly, cautiously started to speak.

“Do you have a place to go back to?”

“……”

There was no way he did. It was as if he had been chased out by Lord Lee and had fled his hometown. So Yoonyi kept his lips sealed and couldn’t answer.

“Then……! How about staying here with me?”

“With you, young master?”

As his eyes gradually grew accustomed to the darkness, Hyowon asked again. At this, Yoonyi’s gentle eyes widened silently.

“If you’re okay with it, when my father returns, I’ll try to ask him……”

As if illuminating the darkness, the child’s clear eyes sparkled brilliantly as if they held the stars. Yoonyi looked at him without a word.

“……Thank you so much, young master.”

At the end of the long silence, Hyowon firmly grasped his exposed hand as if to rush him. The warmth transmitted from the small palm, too small to even cover the back of his hand, was incredibly hot. The comfort was so welcome that Yoonyi moved his lips as if possessed.