YCHW Ch 12

Unlike when he had only dipped his feet, the water felt quite cool, but even that was welcome. At first, Yoonso cautiously splashed around in the shallows, then mustered the courage to venture into deeper water. Though he had never learned to swim, he naturally figured out how to keep himself afloat.

To think he could swim in such an open place, in such a splendid lake. Not as some noble’s son, nor as a fugitive disguised as a servant, but as an ordinary person who, in the summer, seeks out scenic spots to splash around. That’s how it felt.

The warm sunlight gently warmed his water-soaked skin. Freedom. This must be what they call freedom. In this moment, he didn’t envy the birds soaring freely or the dogs running about without care.

This time, he dove underwater, opened his eyes to look around, and then resurfaced. Perhaps loosened during his movements, his tied-up hair slipped free, and the hairpin securing it fell with a plop. He quickly dove back in, grabbed the hairpin, and, for some reason, burst into laughter, emerging from the water with a wide grin.

Brushing back the wet hair clinging to his face, he turned to look at Hwi, who stood quietly by the shore. Water droplets, caught on his long eyelashes, slid down the corners of his eyes. His flushed cheeks glowed in the sunlight, and his lips, moist with water, parted.

“Come in, my lord!”

Of course, he didn’t expect Hwi to join, and the invitation was made in a moment of enthusiasm, fully expecting a rebuke. But Hwi didn’t respond, just gazed at him silently. His face was expressionless, calm. Yet, it seemed as though the lake’s shimmering reflections danced in his dark eyes.

Didn’t I have that same look when I first saw the lake? The sudden thought puzzled Yoonso, but he soon shook off the smile and dove back into the water.

Emerging completely soaked, his white undergarment clung to his body, revealing his skin. Though he had been ready to strip entirely, the prominence of his nipples now made him self-conscious, and Yoonso hurriedly headed toward the horse where his belongings were tied.

As he was about to untie his pack, a robe, warm from someone’s body, settled over his shoulders. Hwi turned Yoonso around, fastened the robe’s collar securely, and tied the strings.

“Oh, it’s fine…”

Before he could protest, the strings were tightly knotted. Yoonso awkwardly bowed his head, but then Hwi’s hand rose and suddenly traced the line of his neck, sliding from bottom to top. The unexpected touch made Yoonso instinctively shrink back. Hwi nonchalantly shook the water droplets from his fingers and turned away.

Though the air felt chilly after emerging from the water, the spot where Hwi’s hand had touched burned hot. Yoonso blinked, rubbed his neck, hastily tied his hair, and mounted his horse.

He had expected them to head straight to the village, but Hwi suddenly veered onto a secluded path. Thinking it might be a faster route since it was a hill path, Yoonso followed without a word, until a small cave caught his eye. Hwi stopped his horse in front of it without hesitation.

“Why did you come here?”

“Let’s warm up before we go.”

“What? We can warm up in the village.”

“It’s too far for that.”

Without further discussion, Hwi began gathering fallen branches nearby. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Yoonso hurriedly dismounted to help, only to trip over the too-long robe. As he flailed his arms to regain balance, Hwi firmly grabbed his forearm.

At the sound of Hwi’s low tongue-click, Yoonso sniffled and gave an awkward smile. Ignoring him, Hwi carried the firewood into the cave. Feeling embarrassed, Yoonso rubbed the tip of his nose, carefully held the robe to avoid dragging it, and followed.

“Change your clothes first.”

“Yes.”

Hwi effortlessly started a fire. Though Yoonso initially wanted to decline, the chill creeping into his body convinced him to obey quietly.

He took his clothes and went to a corner. Glancing at Hwi before changing, he saw him sitting with his head resting against the wall, eyes closed. Yoonso quickly changed into dry clothes and placed his wet undergarment by the fire.

Then, he sat across from Hwi and stretched out his hands. As his chilled body slowly warmed, he felt revived. Rubbing his palms together, he cautiously spoke.

“If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve just kept going. I’m sorry for delaying us because of me.”

Hwi’s closed eyes slowly opened. He looked Yoonso over and lifted his head from the wall.

“There’s no rush.”

True, the urgency was Yoonso’s alone. With someone possibly pursuing him at any moment, to leisurely swim like this?

He didn’t know. If he’d been alone, he probably wouldn’t have even dipped his toes in the lake, rushing on instead.

They’d only known each other for two days, but being with Hwi made his anxiety gradually fade. It felt like if he just stayed close to him, he’d safely reach Araksa. Where did this baseless confidence come from?

“Is my lord… a good master?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Just, from how you treat me, it seems like you’d be kind to others too.”

At first, Hwi seemed intimidating and unapproachable, but spending time with him, wouldn’t everyone see it? Though Yoonso had met few people in his life, he could tell, even in this short time, that Hwi was a good person.

Hwi gave no response, leaving Yoonso to fidget with his hands. Staring at the fire, he glanced up to see the corner of Hwi’s mouth curl slightly.

“If I treat you just a bit better, you’d give me your heart and soul, wouldn’t you?”

“There’s absolutely no way that’d happen, so don’t even dream of it.”

He’d said something kind, only to be met with teasing, and his lips naturally pursed. But soon, a soft chuckle reached his ears, softening Yoonso’s expression.

“If you’re going on a long journey, it’s best not to easily trust those you meet on the road.”

“Even you, my lord?”

“Well, nothing can be guaranteed.”

The rather cynical remark made Yoonso study Hwi’s face closely. His words weren’t wrong. Yoonso hadn’t decided to travel with Hwi because he fully trusted him either. But…

“I can’t claim to know the ways of the world, but I believe the kindness that wells up like this can’t be faked by just anyone.”

Anyone could give alms out of charity. But the careful consideration and attention Hwi showed him weren’t things just anyone could possess.

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind.”

This advice, too, was for his sake, wasn’t it? Expressing gratitude with clear eyes, Yoonso saw Hwi gaze at him steadily before lowering his eyes and smiling.

It was a gentle smile, like a breeze, melting away Hwi’s usual cool demeanor in an instant. Yoonso’s fingers, warmed by the fire, twitched upward. He hugged his knees tightly, as if warding off the cold, but his cheeks flushed red with warmth.

“Then tell me. Between your lady and me, who’s the better master?”

The unexpected question left Yoonso hesitating. His lady was actually a young master—himself—so his thoughts tangled. He couldn’t exactly call himself a good master, but neither could he, as a servant, speak ill of his late master.

“My lady was, of course, a good master… but she didn’t think of you that way.”

“Why not?”

“She wasn’t exactly well-behaved. Whenever my lady caused trouble, I’d get scolded… She believed I could go to a better household, but when I chose to stay by her side, she felt sorry.”

“You had the chance but didn’t go.”

“I…”

Reflecting on Yeondeok’s situation, Yoonso’s chest felt tight, both heavy and unsettled. He let out a soft sigh, shaking off the rising emotions.

“When I was young, my grandmother fell ill and could no longer work. Though I took on chores, I was seen as an unnecessary hand and nearly cast out. But the young lady clung to me, sobbing loudly… and so I stayed in that household.”

Because of that incident, Yeondeok treated Yoonso like a savior, cherishing him dearly. But Yoonso often wondered if he had held Yeondeok back. Each time, Yeondeok would scold him, saying servant life wasn’t easy and that no household was as kind as theirs, telling him to stop thinking useless thoughts.

“You both cared for each other. A fine master and servant.”

“…”

“Did you hold your master in your heart?”

“What?”

Lost in wistful thoughts, Yoonso widened his eyes in alarm. Hwi’s gaze sharply traced Yoonso’s features.

“What are you saying? We were like siblings—beyond that, like brothers.”

“Your master might’ve felt differently.”

“Absolutely not, I tell you!”

He didn’t know what Hwi was assuming, but the mere thought gave him goosebumps. Rubbing his arms, Yoonso saw Hwi withdraw his gaze and stand.

“Let’s go.”

Yoonso gathered his still-damp clothes separately and followed Hwi onto the horse.

Descending the hill and heading toward the village, the brilliantly shimmering lake under the setting sun grew farther away. Reluctant to leave it, Yoonso kept looking back. The floral scent carried on the breeze danced lightly around the swaying horse’s tail, trailing them for a while.