TYMIR Ch 7

His rice-grain-like face was firmly set. Hyowon woke up earlier than usual and hurried his preparations. Makgae, who was also rushing, had a somewhat sullen expression, openly showing his displeasure.

“Young master, are you really going to ask the master?”

His protruding lips finally formed a spiteful sound. In the quiet room, Hyowon, despite clearly hearing him, gave no reply.

“Didn’t you see how cold the master was yesterday? Instead of saying something unnecessary and getting a scolding, it would be better to just quietly send that boy away….”

At Makgae’s words, Hyowon’s small hands automatically tightened into fists. He had known for a long time that no one in this household welcomed him, not just his father, Lord Kim, but to have even his own personal servant not be on his side was truly sorrowful. His gentle eyes looked down at Makgae as quietly as the morning fog.

“You are truly noisy this morning.”

Silence finally fell with that one calm remark. It was part of Lord Kim’s daily routine to always have his breakfast and read in the main study. That time when he was alone. Hyowon intended to aim for that time to quietly make his request.

“……I-I’m just worried about the young master.”

But the silence did not last long. Makgae once again pouted his lips. The one who claimed to be worried, how did he so readily flee to the servants’ quarters yesterday? The more he thought about it, the more resentful he felt, and Hyowon no longer looked at his face.

“How on earth are you going to handle the aftermath of this?”

“Is getting scolded something that only happens today or yesterday?”

Unlike the anxious Makgae, Hyowon was more peaceful than ever. At this, Makgae, who was tying the ribbons of his clothes, let out a series of sighs.

“What on earth is that boy to you?”

When Hyowon’s momentum faltered, Makgae, on the contrary, questioned him fiercely.

“It’s just that I feel sorry for him. Didn’t he say he has nowhere to go?”

“That’s how all the lowly ones are, is there any lowly one who has a place to go?”

“Makgae, have you already forgotten how you came to this house?”

The gentle child’s eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light. Most of the servants in this house were wanderers who had been beaten by their masters or had nowhere else to go, whom Lord Kim had personally taken in. Of course, Makgae’s situation was not much different. Therefore, he could not question further and kept his mouth shut.

“Young Master Hyowon, the master is looking for you.”

It was then. A male servant’s voice rang out from the courtyard. It was extremely rare for Lord Kim to seek Hyowon out first, so what on earth could be the reason? On his pale face, along with anticipation, there was also a hint of curiosity.

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Lord Kim, sitting upright and dignified on the thick cushion, did not even glance at Hyowon as he entered. Even the cold indifference was now familiar, so Hyowon cautiously stepped over the threshold, careful not to even make a footstep.

“I heard that you were looking for me….”

In his black eyes, fear and excitement coexisted strangely due to a flicker of hope. Even to his careful question, the sound of pages turning was heard intermittently in place of an answer. The lengthening silence made him anxious, and Hyowon couldn’t even sit on the cushion in front of him, standing awkwardly and pulling at his innocent trousers until they wrinkled.

“You’ve come.”

When his palms were soaked with sweat, Lord Kim slowly opened his mouth. However, his gaze remained fixed on the book.

“Yes, Father.”

“Sit.”

With the permission finally granted, Hyowon cautiously approached as if walking on ice and gently knelt on the cushion. He could no longer even remember how long it had been since they had sat face to face like this.

Hyowon furtively glanced up at his father, waiting for him to speak.

“Don’t you have something to say?”

Lord Kim, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

“……Yes?”

His mind went blank at the sudden question, and Hyowon just moved his lips blankly.

“Do you truly have nothing to say?”

Suddenly, Lord Kim’s eyes shot up. His pitch-black eyes flashed with a strange light. Like a beast in front of its prey. Sweat trickled down his spine as if he were facing scorching heat. Just as Hyowon was about to slowly open his lips.

“I heard that you are hiding someone of unknown origin in the small master’s quarters without even seeking your mother’s permission. Is that true?”

A low voice, as if sharply cutting through the silence, rang out, and only then did Lord Kim face Hyowon.

His gaze was so cold that it would not have been strange if his skin had frozen solid. Hyowon couldn’t say anything, his lips just moving in the air.

“I asked if it is true.”

“Th-that is….”

Judging by his attitude, it was closer to a conviction than a question. He couldn’t bring himself to lie, and there was nothing more he could do. His terrified voice trembled pitifully.

“Judging by your reaction, it seems to be true.”

Lord Kim quietly averted his gaze. It was a pity that even that cold gaze was being taken away. Hyowon diligently tried to capture the image of his father in his eyes. Then, suddenly, a fear surged that he might drag Yoonyi out and chase him away immediately.

“I am sorry, Father. I was going to tell you today anyway.”

Hyowon prostrated himself on the floor. The heat of the warm floor transferred to his forehead.

“You were going to tell me?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

A hint of doubt crept into Lord Kim’s tone. Therefore, Hyowon lifted his head and nodded frantically. Transparent dewdrops formed around his eyes, looking so precarious that they might fall at any moment.

“You had plenty of time to tell your mother, so why didn’t you? If I hadn’t come, were you planning to keep hiding him?”

Lord Kim’s monotone voice crashed over Hyowon like a giant tsunami. At this, his slender arms, propped on the floor, began to tremble like an aspen tree. His throat was blocked, and he couldn’t even speak properly.

“It is absolutely not like that….”

“It seems you still do not consider your mother as your real mother.”

“N-no, Father. I was going to tell her when I went to give my morning greetings, but my mother….”

“Now you are making excuses about your mother!”

Hyowon didn’t even know what he was saying. All he could do was shake his head, saying it wasn’t true.

“I already know that you find your mother awkward. Still, I thought it would get better. But.”

“Please forgive me just this once. I-I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again. From now on, I will ask my mother about everything first.”

He had tried to get closer in his own way, but he just couldn’t bridge the gap. It wasn’t something he could explain in detail. The tears that had welled up from a sense of injustice finally streamed down his chubby cheeks and soaked the floor. Hyowon just begged and begged again.

“……Hmph.”

As the sound of the child’s crying went out through the paper door for a long time, the murmuring of the underlings standing outside could be heard intermittently. Nevertheless, Lord Kim still stared at Hyowon with a cold gaze.

“……hic, yes, Father. It is not a lie. Please believe me.”

Hyowon kept sniffling, his eyelids swollen and red. Then, another man’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“My lord, we have brought the boy.”

“Bring him in.”

Hyowon looked out the door with tear-filled eyes. At that moment, through the open gap in the door, he saw a familiar figure, trembling so pitifully, filled with fear. Yoonyi couldn’t even lift his head and was dragged in like an animal by a rough hand.

“Walk straight.”

His already pale face turned blue, as if he would stop breathing at any moment. When he couldn’t even control his legs properly, Chilbok pushed his thin back forcefully. The fragile body collapsed helplessly at the angry touch. A rising fear spread like wildfire. Yoonyi barely managed to get up and steady his staggering steps, looking only at his own feet.

“Y-Yoonyi……?”

Finally, a very familiar voice was heard. Only then did Yoonyi slowly lift his head. He saw Hyowon, his pale eye area flushed red. In front of the crying child, a man stood firm like a village guardian post.

“So you are the one Hyowon was hiding.”

A thunderous voice, as if lightning had struck, rang in his ears. Yoonyi couldn’t answer and quietly shifted his gaze. He was much older to be Hyowon’s father. Nevertheless, his imposing presence was like facing a tiger. A perfectly straight posture without a single flaw. Beneath his thick eyebrows, deep-set eyes that were so black they had a bluish tint. His teeth chattered from instinctive fear.

“……F-Father, I will tell you everything.”

Hyowon, who had blossomed like a pitiful wildflower. The child bowed his head for him, his face pale white. His anxious heart pounded. He couldn’t stay still any longer.

“I-I am sorry. My lord. I, I made an unreasonable request to the young master to let me stay a little longer.”

“…Y-Yoonyi?”

Yoonyi prostrated himself on the spot. The heat from the floor rose through his skin, yet his whole body trembled. Hyowon stared at him as if in a daze.

“The young master has done nothing wrong. Please punish only me.”

It felt as if his skin would burn under the piercing gazes. But Yoonyi, though trembling, did not stop speaking.

“Ha? What an audacious thing.”

At that moment, Lord Kim’s eyes glinted menacingly, like a grim reaper from the underworld. It seemed as though he would have him flogged and thrown out into the harsh winter at any moment. Suddenly, Hyowon’s small fists clenched tightly.

“N-no, Father. I am the one who forced him to stay.”

Hyowon, who always tucked his tail like a puppy whenever he saw Lord Kim, faced him for the first time. Not only that, he had even defied him, saying it wasn’t true. A faint but resolute will spread across his black eyes, which had been stained with fear. Lord Kim simply stared at him, as if finding it very unexpected.

“Y-young master….”

The flat back of the person prostrated on the floor heaved ceaselessly like a wave. Yoonyi took in the sight with a sense of helplessness.

“You stay quiet.”

Hyowon, with a firm tone, repeatedly bowed his head towards his father. The old father’s gaze upon his young son was so fierce it made the fine hairs on his skin stand on end. He could feel his entire body hardening like stone.

“My lord, I will be entering for a moment.”

Just then, a gentle voice echoed from outside. At this, Yoonyi’s gaze involuntarily twisted towards the door. Though it was the middle of winter, a faint floral scent spread with each breath, as if spring had fully blossomed.

“My lady, you’ve come.”

Lord Kim, who had been so fiercely on edge just a moment ago, stood up from his seat as if nothing had happened and welcomed his wife.

“……My lord, since it is a joyous day, how about we just let this pass?”

Madam Han, who entered with the support of a maidservant, looked around for a moment and then curled her lips into a bright smile. At that moment, Lord Kim laughed so heartily that the spacious study seemed to shake.

“That’s right. That’s right. My lady is right. Seeing this, it seems Hyowon is a man after all, protecting someone like this.”

“Ah, Father.”

At the incomprehensible words, Yoonyi cautiously lifted his head. Lord Kim laughed heartily, as if very pleased. When he glanced to the side, the elegant woman was also tilting her head with a questionable expression.

“……My lord?”

Everyone in the room just blinked blankly, unable to guess Lord Kim’s meaning.

“My forgiveness is only for this one time.”

The smile that had been on his face was instantly erased. Lord Kim looked at Hyowon again with cold eyes.

“Yes. I-I will not cause you any more worry.”

“That’s good, Hyowon.”

Only then did Hyowon let out the breath he had been holding and bowed his head once more. Yoonyi also quickly lowered his head. Almost simultaneously, Madam Han’s slender eyebrows twitched slightly.

“What is your name?”

Lord Kim’s gaze fixed piercingly on the top of Yoonyi’s head. Yoonyi opened his mouth, stammering.

“My name is Y-Yoonyi.”

“Your heart for Hyowon is quite commendable. Since it has come to this, serve him well from now on.”

Lord Kim quickly averted his gaze, as if not having much interest.

“I will do so. Thank you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Tears welled up in Hyowon’s eyes, which were already red and swollen, as if he were deeply moved.

“My lord, do you not have something to say to the young master?”

“Yeonim, you too.”

As the air grew warmer, unlike before, Yeonim, who had been standing like a shadow in the corner, smiled brightly at Lord Kim. At that, Madam Han waved her hand as if to stop her.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Hyowon, who was about to stand up at the low voice that rang out again, blinked blankly.

“Your mother is finally with child.”

Lord Kim, with the imposing presence he had shown a little while ago completely gone, continued speaking with a gentle smile, as if he were a different person. His tone was as if he didn’t even remember meeting him at the gate yesterday.

“My lord, you will startle Hyowon by telling him so suddenly.”

Madam Han caressed her flat stomach and blushed. Yoonyi’s gaze secretly shifted to the side. The madam was much younger than Lord Kim and at a glance, looked like a concubine.

“Startle him? It’s a joyous occasion that he will have a younger sibling. I am so happy that I will finally have a legitimate son to carry on the Kim family line.”

“My lord, really. It could be a daughter.”

“A daughter? It will surely be a son. My lady, just don’t worry about anything.”

Lord Kim gently took Madam Han’s hand.

“Hyowon, why do you say nothing?”

For a moment, Lord Kim’s gaze turned to the frozen Hyowon.

“C-congratulations on your pregnancy, Mother.”

Only then did the frozen Hyowon finally move his lips. He pulled up the corners of his mouth and smiled brightly. Yoonyi blankly captured that pitiful sight in his eyes.

“Thank you so much. When your younger sibling is born, you must protect them, Hyowon. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I will.”

The gentle tone flowed like a spring breeze and tickled his ears. Hyowon sat properly and repeatedly nodded his head.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“My head has been hurting a little since a while ago….”

Affection filled the eyes that had been filled with coldness. Madam Han touched her temples.

“That won’t do. Hyowon, you should go now. And Yeonim, you go and fetch the physician at once.”

At that, the face of the tiger-like Lord Kim turned pale, and he waved his hand in the air as if to tell Hyowon to leave immediately.

“My lord, a physician is….”

“How can you say that when you know what kind of child it is, my lady.”

As if he couldn’t even hear Madam Han’s dissuasion, Lord Kim had already stood up from his seat a long time ago.

“Mother, please take care of yourself. I will be going now, Father.”

“Yes, it seems it will be difficult for me to receive your morning greetings for the time being.”

As if he couldn’t even see Hyowon leaving, Lord Kim’s gaze was still fixed only on Madam Han.

The courtyard of the inner quarters was very busy with people coming and going. They all passed by as if Hyowon were invisible, like a shadow. The small child, with his shoulders slumped, turned not towards the study where he had been staying, but towards the main gate.

“……Young master.”

Hyowon’s steps finally stopped when Yoonyi called out to him cautiously.

“I’m so glad it all passed safely, Yoonyi.”

Only then did Hyowon turn sideways and force a smile. On his young face was a deep sorrow that was impossible to fathom. Yoonyi, who had been staring at that pitiful sight for a long time, took one step, then another. Very slowly, he closed the distance.

“……Y-young master?”

The winter sunlight, holding a faint warmth, shone on his clear eyes. The welled-up dewdrops flowed down without a sound. Just as the surprised Yoonyi was about to reach out his hand, before he could say anything to stop him, Hyowon ran out of the gate.

“Young master!”

Yoonyi urgently followed Hyowon. Laughter still lingered in the inner quarters, where various sounds of people mingled, as if it were a different world.

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His steps, which had been pushing through the oncoming figures in a daze, finally stopped in front of a rock at the entrance of the front mountain. He had run without looking back, so a white mist bloomed from his parted lips and continuously wafted up to the sky.

“……Now Yoonyi won’t want to be with me either.”

Hyowon roughly wiped away the tears that had formed like icicles with the back of his frozen hand. Then, as always, he crouched down in the narrow crevice just big enough for one person to enter and curled his back inward.

This was a place where Hyowon would stay alone whenever he felt lonely. A feeble voice flowed through his panting breaths. He had run away after seeing Yoonyi’s face for the first time. Was he disappointed that even though he was an illegitimate son, he was no longer the only young master? He didn’t have the confidence to face him anymore.