TYMIR Ch 6

“You won’t have to wrap it anymore.”

Suni, who had come in every single day for several days to change the cotton cloth, unwrapped the rolled-up fabric. She gestured as if to ask if he could stand up. In response, Yoonyi carefully took a step.

“You’re all healed already?”

Makgae, who was leaning crookedly against the wall, chimed in abruptly. He even craned his neck, looking thoroughly surprised.

“Hold on a minute…….”

Makgae started folding his ten fingers one by one, as if calculating something. Watching him, Yoonyi swallowed dryly. Just one week. In just one week, the frostbite he had gotten on that cold, snowy ground had completely healed as if washed away.

“What are you counting for? It’s a good thing if he heals quickly.”

Suni, glaring at Makgae, forcefully struck his back.

“Ah, that hurts! But it’s really strange, he didn’t even see a physician, did he?”

The suspicion that settled like a thick fog on Makgae’s broad face showed no sign of dissipating. He stared persistently at Yoonyi without ever looking away. When he first saw him with the young master, he was buried so deep in the snow that it wouldn’t have been strange if he were dead. It was amazing enough that he survived, but to recover and get up so quickly. As if he couldn’t understand it at all, Makgae kept narrowing his brow. Whenever that stinging gaze landed on him, Yoonyi quietly bit his lip.

“I had Manseok fetch some medicinal decoctions and a salve. Is that a good enough answer?”

Hyowon, who came in with a light dusting of snow on his shoulders, answered for him.

“The young master took care of this guy’s medicine?”

“Yes, we have to clear out the storehouse and throw everything away after this year anyway.”

Suni chimed in as if to support him. Only then did Makgae grunt and shut his puffy lips.

“Are you truly all better?”

Hyowon’s eyes sparkled as he sat facing him. Yoonyi then calmly nodded his head.

“The young master is asking you a question, and the lowly thing doesn’t even answer.”

Seemingly displeased by this, Makgae pointedly sharpened his tone. At that, Hyowon’s eyes instantly sharpened as he glared.

“That’s a real relief, I can finally rest easy.”

“It’s all thanks to you, young master. Thank you.”

Hyowon smiled brightly, as if he had forgotten all his worries. Had there ever been someone who was so happy to see him? At the child’s clear smile, Yoonyi quickly bowed his waist.

“What have I done? Suni did all the hard work.”

Just as he seemed to be answering maturely, his short legs quickly twisted in embarrassment. As if that weren’t enough, Hyowon, his neck blushing red, quickly hid behind Manseok who was positioned in the corner. His small body was hidden by the broad back, only his neatly braided daenggi faintly visible.

“Are you that shy, young master?”

Suni asked, peeking her head out. Her round face was full of playfulness.

“Thank you, older sister, hyungnim.”

“Ahem, ahem….”

Yoonyi, unable to take his eyes off the charming sight, made eye contact with Suni and Manseok in turn and offered his thanks. Manseok just coughed dryly, his gaze darting around aimlessly.

“If you’re so thankful, give me a few sweet potatoes later or something.”

Suni nudged his arm, teasing him playfully.

“You all have such good tempers.”

Only Makgae, sitting crookedly by himself, pouted his lips like a duck, muttering just loud enough to be heard.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“But don’t you think the young master has seemed a bit brighter lately?”

“Right? Before, he wouldn’t even answer when you tried to talk to him.”

“Right, right! Just the other day, I….”

The voices of the women gathered in the kitchen, grilling pancakes, drifted over the threshold. At this, Yeonim’s steps, which were headed towards the inner quarters, came to a halt.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Yeonim asked demandingly, her face a little cool.

“Oh my, you scared me.”

At the unexpected appearance, the women quickly rose to their feet and furtively exchanged glances.

“I asked what you meant.”

When no answer came no matter how many times she asked, Yeonim scowled deeply and raised her voice. Her shrill voice soared so high it seemed to stir the ashes in the furnace.

“Well… Yeonim, it’s about the young master. We were just saying he seems strangely brighter, and it’s nice to see.”

“Young Master Hyowon has become brighter?”

So she hadn’t misheard. Yeonim, who had been tilting her head, immediately creased her brow.

“His appetite seems to have returned. The amount of rice he’s been taking recently has increased compared to before.”

“That’s right!”

Another woman, as if remembering something, clapped her hands and added a word.

“……Is that so? Since when?”

For a moment, Yeonim’s jet-black eyes grew cold. She paused for a moment before asking again carefully.

“Has it been about a fortnight?”

“A fortnight? What are you talking about, it’s been a little over a week. But why are you asking?”

“Never mind, just get back to work.”

Yeonim, who had been silent as if deep in thought, lifted her skirt and quickly jumped over the threshold.

“Has that girl Yeonim gone mad?”

“Oh my, watch your mouth. The madam treasures her so much, having brought her from her parents’ home.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. The atmosphere in the inner quarters has been a bit unusual lately, too.”

As she moved away, the women began to whisper amongst themselves as if they had been waiting. Yeonim’s quick steps swiftly crossed the middle gate and, in an instant, entered the courtyard of the inner quarters. Her straw shoes were scattered haphazardly on the stepping stone.

“Madam, Madam!”

As her voice echoed as if to shake the inner quarters, Madam Han, who was seated neatly on a thick cushion, quietly raised her gaze.

“Why is it that you still haven’t fixed your habit of causing a commotion?”

“It’s not that, Madam. I just heard something strange.”

“……Strange, you say?”

“It’s about the young master.”

Instantly, Madam Han’s expression turned cold.

“They say the amount of rice going to the young master’s quarters is more than usual these days. And that he’s become brighter compared to before….”

“Brighter?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Hmm, go and call Chilbok.”

Tap, tap, tap, Madam Han’s eyes grew cold as she tapped the desk with the tips of her well-manicured nails.

🎐⋆｡🍥

As winter reached its peak, the cold deepened even further. Fierce snow flurries blew violently, making it difficult to see ahead. Despite it being a market day, held for the first time in a while due to the weather, the marketplace was sparsely populated.

“Makgae, let’s hurry.”

Hyowon loved this time of day, going back home. His steps, treading on the softly piled snow, gradually picked up speed.

“Aigoo, young master. I told you not to run, please.”

He had already been running for a while from that corner, and the nagging to hurry up was relentless here too, making Makgae feel like he was dying in many ways. Thus, he dragged his legs, his eyebrows constantly furrowed.

“Why are you being so lazy?”

“Lazy! Isn’t it because the young master wants to go play with that brat Yoonyi quickly?”

He couldn’t just abandon his servant and leave. It was a truly difficult situation. So Hyowon stood with his legs planted firmly and raised his voice as best he could. But what was this? That brat Makgae retorted fiercely instead.

“Th-that’s…… aren’t you cold too, with your nose all red from the cold?”

“You’re thinking of me now? When you’re always giving all the good things to Yoonyi.”

Hyowon reluctantly glanced at Makgae’s face. The blunt tip of his nose was red and raw, unable to withstand the biting wind. Makgae narrowed his already slanted eyes and showed his displeasure.

“Fine. I’ll give you some too, won’t that be enough?”

“Aren’t you coming, young master?”

For the past few days, Yoonyi was never absent from Hyowon’s daily routine. Before going to his teacher’s house, after returning, before bed. It was no exaggeration to say they spent most of the day together. It was also true that Makgae had been quiet for a while. So Hyowon reluctantly moved his lips to speak. But by then, Makgae was already far ahead with a satisfied look on his face.

“Ha, what kind of guy is he….”

With a look of utter disbelief, Hyowon quickened his pace. In the distance, a familiar stone wall came into view. Red flower petals clinging to the wall scattered pitifully. The thought that he could see Yoonyi just by turning that corner made his heart race.

“Young master, you’re really going to fall!”

Makgae’s restraining voice was heard repeatedly from behind him. Nevertheless, he couldn’t stop. As he rounded the corner, the wide, towering gate was wide open, unlike usual. Since it was rarely ever open, Hyowon peeked his head out with a quizzical expression. Where his gaze fell, he saw the figure of someone just stepping down from the stirrups. A towering height that surpassed those who stood by his side, and a very familiar dark blue dopo.

“How is father already here……”

He was sure he had said it would take a month. Why had he come already? After a moment’s hesitation, Hyowon very slowly took a step.

“Young master? Oh my, Lord Kim.”

Makgae, who had finally caught up to Hyowon’s heels, quickly bowed his waist upon seeing Lord Kim.

“Father.”

Hyowon moved his reluctant lips with difficulty and approached Lord Kim. At the same time, cold, sunken eyes took in the sight of Hyowon, who didn’t even come up to his waist. But that was all. Lord Kim averted his gaze and walked right past Hyowon. As if he were a shadow.

“My lady!”

His long strides crossed the courtyard in an instant. The underlings couldn’t hide their surprise at his behavior, which at a glance seemed almost frivolous. Madam Han was the only one reflected in Lord Kim’s eyes.

“My lord, the weather is so bad, why have you come in such a hurry?”

Madam Han’s eyes drooped as she wore a pitiful expression.

“What does this weather matter? I was so surprised when I received that letter.”

Lord Kim, who had always been stoic and emotionless, was now filled with joy, his eyes welling up with tears. A completely unfamiliar sight. It was as if he were facing a different person. His large, pot-lid-like hand swept over his chest several times. Hyowon couldn’t take his eyes off his unfamiliar reaction.

“I was very surprised too….”

Madam Han’s gaze tilted shyly like the rising moon. Her slender cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, as if dyed with balsam.

“Hoho, my lady, you have fulfilled my long-held wish.”

A hearty laugh that seemed to reach the upturned eaves of the roof echoed through the courtyard. Lord Kim wore a tender expression, the likes of which had never been seen before, and squeezed Madam Han’s hand even tighter. Her face was still shyly tilted like a flower bud. Then suddenly, cough, cough, Madam Han let out a small cough.

“How could you let the madam stand out here like this!”

“I-I have committed a mortal sin, my lord.”

Then, the gentle smile vanished, and Lord Kim suddenly berated Yeonim who was standing beside them. Yeonim’s shoulders trembled as if struck by lightning at his thunderous, tiger-like roar.

“No, my lord. How could a wife not come out to see her husband when she knows he is coming?”

Moisture gathered in Madam Han’s eyes, which shimmered gently like the night sky. As her delicate hand gently stroked the back of Lord Kim’s hand, a smile quickly spread across his face, which had been filled with anger. Everyone’s lips curved up slightly at the sight of the affectionate couple, like a pair of mandarin ducks.

“Now, now, let’s go inside.”

Lord Kim, as if his much younger wife might catch a cold, tenderly wrapped his arm around her shoulder like a treasure and hurried into the inner quarters. Hyowon still stood far away, blankly watching the whole scene. Everything was like a painting, but he felt as if he were the only one who had fallen out of it.

“My, how are the two of them still so deeply in love?”

As Lord Kim moved away, one of the gathered underlings spoke up.

“It’s only natural that they are. How could he neglect such a young and beautiful wife?”

“But, what will happen to Young Master Hyowon if they suddenly have a young master of their own?”

“Oh dear, he’s already so neglected as it is. If that happens, then truly…”

“I wonder if he’ll be cast out.”

Sympathetic glances were cast at Hyowon, who stood there blankly.

“What are you all doing! The lord has arrived, hurry up and bring a table to the inner quarters!”

The Gatekeeper, who could no longer bear to watch, roared like a thunderclap. At that, with exclamations of “Oh my goodness!” they scattered in all directions as if their tails were on fire.

“Young master, this servant has some business to attend to in the servants’ quarters.”

Hyowon still stood there, unable to move until the back of his heartless father disappeared from sight. Makgae, who had been glancing at him, approached and whispered.

“……Yes, go ahead.”

Hyowon, who had finally come to his senses, moved his lips weakly, his eyes empty. Come to think of it, he was going to ask his father for permission for Yoonyi to stay. But in the end, he just stood far away, unable to even open his mouth. A belated regret washed over him like a cold wind.

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Suni’s footsteps, which always came at this time, had for some reason come to a halt. Rattle, rattle, the window shook violently in the fierce wind. It was always a quiet place, but now it was beyond quiet, even eerie.

“Did something happen?”

However, since he couldn’t go out, Yoonyi opened the window just a tiny bit. Under the hazy sky, unfortunately, only the mountain covered in a thick layer of snow was visible. Yoonyi closed the door as it was and sat leaning against the wall, curling his legs.

His round ears perked up continuously. No matter how he strained his ears, he couldn’t hear anything but the sound of the wind. As if there were no signs of life at all. As he listened intently for a long time, the light sound of footsteps, as if gliding over the snow, mixed with the scattering wind. At this, his gloomy complexion instantly brightened. Yoonyi quickly got up from his spot and stood in front of the threshold.

The sound of climbing the stepping stone, the creaking of the floorboards, the sound of walking down the hallway. But strangely, the steps were slower than usual. Finally, when the cotton-padded socks reached the door.

“Young master.”

He quickly pushed open the doorknob. Then, he saw a tiny face buried in a thick nambawi. The traces of the wind were left on his pale skin, making it look blotchy. His black eyes trembled slightly, as if he were a little surprised.

“Please come in.”

Yoonyi firmly grasped the small hand that had fallen limply like a leaf and pulled him inside.

Then, he familiarly took off the nambawi that was on his head. The one who would usually be chattering happily was, for some reason, keeping his mouth tightly shut and not saying a word. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Yoonyi gently bent his knees to meet his eyes.

“Young master, did something happen?”

A thin layer of moisture, like a thin sheet of ice, had formed over his clear eyes. Hyowon still kept his lips tucked in and moved them slightly.

“……Th-that is, I made a promise.”

Hyowon, who had been silent, seemed to finally open his mouth, then dropped his head. Nevertheless, Yoonyi did not rush him, but gently wrapped his hand and simply gazed at the round, acorn-like head with a gentle look in his eyes.

“Actually, my father came back today, but I couldn’t tell him about you, Yoonyi.”

Hyowon, who had been fidgeting with his hands for a long time, slowly lifted his head and finally added more words. Instantly, Yoonyi’s brow furrowed. His shoulders felt heavy, as if he had unnecessarily burdened the young master.

“……Young master, I am sorry.”

“No, why would you say that.”

When Yoonyi lowered his head with a sad expression, Hyowon squeezed his clasped hand.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be so upset, would you?”

“Don’t say that. You don’t know how much fun I had because you were here.”

As if he were listening intently to Yoonyi’s words, Hyowon suddenly stroked the black hair that fell in front of his eyes, so much so that it made a rustling sound. At that warm touch, Yoonyi’s eyes widened as he looked at him.

“Oh, th-that is….”

His clear eyes shook wildly with bewilderment. Yoonyi smiled brightly and lowered his posture to offer his head. Then Hyowon, as if pleased, stroked his hair.

“Tomorrow for sure, I will try to tell my father.”

“Shall I go with you?”

“No, you seemed scared of him last time. Don’t push yourself, I will go alone.”

Hyowon shook his head firmly. Then he quickly smiled broadly and snuggled into his arms. A pleasant, warm feeling spread throughout his body.

At the sight of the child, who didn’t even know the details of the situation, noticing his fear and speaking in a mature way, Yoonyi felt his chest grow as heavy as the warmth he was feeling now.

Looking at him, he didn’t seem like a young master who didn’t know the ways of the world, but the fact that he so easily opened his heart to a stranger whose identity he didn’t even know felt somehow poignant.

Yoonyi could only hope that his existence would not cause great trouble for Hyowon.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“Makgae, please dress me as neatly as possible.”