YCHW Ch 31

A flood of unanswerable questions poured into Yoonso’s blank mind. Was Hwi improvising to hide him from those men? If so, why a kiss of all things… Hiding him meant Hwi knew he was being pursued, so how did Hwi view this situation?

What Hwi was thinking right now was what Yoonso most wanted to know. Glancing up, he saw Hwi take a step closer, causing Yoonso to jump back like a puppy with its tail stepped on. Hwi raised an eyebrow, then closed the distance again, carefully draping the slipped cloth back over Yoonso’s head.

Then Hwi pulled Yoonso by the shoulder and started walking.

As they left the dyeing house, Yoonso tensed, but fortunately, they didn’t encounter the men on the way to the guild hall.

Only upon reaching the second floor could he finally relax. But anticipating Hwi’s inevitable questioning made it hard to fully let go.

How should he explain? What could he say to make Hwi understand? And why did Hwi kiss him? That kiss *earlier was so…

“Stay put.”

Hwi’s curt words snapped Yoonso out of his spiraling thoughts. Hwi gazed at him steadily before turning and leaving the room.

Yoonso listened blankly to the fading footsteps, then hurried to the doorway. The sound of a closing door suggested Hwi had left the guild hall.

Stunned, Yoonso blinked in a daze before his legs gave out, and he sank to the floor. His swollen lips belatedly burned. Touching them with his fingertips, he glared at his lower body, which was finally calming down.

He knew, from his studies, what this reaction meant. But to think a mere kiss could cause this… No, could it even be called a kiss? Their tongues had deeply intertwined…

When he lived at the academy, he had learned from a scholar that intertwining tongues was an effective way to transfer protective energy. He had thought it was something only done between Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa. Was that not the case?

He didn’t know. Why had Hwi kissed him then? With his martial prowess, subduing the pursuers and escaping might have been better.

“Is that the issue? In a country where even the emperor indulges in male love.”

A conversation with Hwi faintly resurfaced. Was Hwi a lover of men? Could he possibly have feelings for Yoonso…?

Unable to conclude the thought, Yoonso’s cheeks burned hotter. Covering his mouth, he let out a silent scream. The red cloth against his skin only heightened his agitation, so he tore it off and threw it aside.

Staring at the liquor bottle before him, Yoonso poured a cup. Holding it, he looked out the window. A cool but softened breeze drifted through the open frame, revealing a moon glowing faintly, as if Hwi had left it behind. The man he awaited still hadn’t returned.

No word on where he went. Not that Hwi ever announced his comings or goings.

Thinking he’d be back soon, Yoonso decided to eat a late dinner alone when no news came. Asking the man guarding the guild hall if there was liquor to accompany the meal, he was given this bottle. Come to think of it, Yoonso still didn’t know that man’s name. Maybe he’d ask when Hwi returned…

Yoonso downed the liquor in one gulp, wincing at the burning sensation. Having learned the way of liquor from his father, it wasn’t his first time, but it was still bitter. He wondered if a day would come when liquor tasted sweet, as he’d heard.

Still, the alcohol seemed to unclog his stifled chest a little. He refilled the cup and sipped slowly this time.

As time passed and his pounding heart settled, Yoonso’s expression gradually calmed. The reality before him was cold and stark.

Having encountered his pursuers, he needed to plan for the future. They didn’t seem as formidable as Yongrin, so they were likely his father’s men. That was better than Yongrin, but now that his trail had been found, the road ahead wouldn’t be smooth.

Moreover, he still hadn’t figured out how to explain this to Hwi. He had considered several options, but the urge to confess everything outright kept surfacing. The expectation that Hwi might understand, or even help, tickled his skin.

But that kiss lingered. Not knowing Hwi’s intentions left Yoonso’s heart adrift, unable to find its bearings. Sighing deeply, he poured more liquor.

“Drunkard.”

Startled by the voice from the doorway, Yoonso turned. How Hwi moved without a sound was truly baffling. Facing him again, Yoonso felt too shy to meet his eyes.

“…I’m not even drunk, what are you talking about?”

A petulant tone slipped out. Unfazed, Hwi strode over, snatched the bottle from Yoonso’s hand, and poured himself a cup in the empty one across the table.

Yoonso quietly watched Hwi, who sat opposite, drinking with his usual impassive expression before asking.

“Are you good with liquor?”

“Just… as much as most people.”

“And how much is ‘most people’?”

The casual retort somehow felt irritating.

Yoonso waited for Hwi to get to the point, but Hwi focused on eating in silence for a while. Only Yoonso squirmed restlessly.

“We can leave this place tomorrow, so prepare.”

“Tomorrow…?”

“Yes.”

The news that they could leave tomorrow was welcome, but it wasn’t what Yoonso had been waiting to hear. Licking his dry lips, he studied Hwi’s demeanor before blurting out.

“Why… aren’t you asking me anything?”

“About what?”

“You saw everything.”

Acting like a guilty thief might not be wise, but Hwi’s refusal to bring up anything made Yoonso more anxious. Besides, didn’t they have something to discuss?

“If you want to confess, then confess. That’s all.”

Yoonso couldn’t hide his disappointment, deflating instantly. Yet he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he was disappointed about, leaving his chest heavy.

What happened? Is it something to worry about? Is there anything I can help with…? If Hwi had asked such questions, Yoonso might have spilled everything without hesitation. He realized that was what he’d been hoping for. The belated realization pressed heavily on his heart.

Why did you kiss me?

He caught the question before it slipped out. Slowly emptying his cup, Yoonso calmed his stirred heart. The sparks of expectation that had flared wildly from that first touch of lips settled quietly.

He almost did something foolish.

If that kiss truly meant something to Hwi, if he harbored feelings for Yoonso, he would have explained upon returning. If Yoonso had kissed someone first, unless it was a mistake, wouldn’t he take responsibility?

A mistake. Yes, perhaps Hwi wanted to brush it off as an unavoidable error, acting as if nothing happened. Yoonso finally reminded himself of his place.

The youngest master of some household was no longer here. He was a fugitive with nothing, a mere commoner fit to be a servant at first glance. Hadn’t Yeondeok told him? Many depraved people toy with servants for amusement. Of course, he didn’t think Hwi was that kind of person, but…

“Do you trust me?”

If Hwi, who had been so kind to him, made a single mistake, Yoonso should let it go. He forced himself to meet Hwi’s eyes calmly.

“For all you know, I could be a thief. Maybe I stole something and ran, or perhaps I’m being chased for stealing a lady’s treasure.”

Even with the deliberate provocation, Hwi’s eyes glinted with something like amusement.

“If you want something, just say so. I’ll give it to you.”

Why would you give it to me? What do you think I’d ask for? Does a born rich man not care about such things?

Biting his lip, Yoonso poured liquor into his empty cup with a splash. He didn’t want to trip over false hopes and fall. What he decided to forget, he should forget. He downed the full cup, swallowing his resolve.

“Actually…”

The man before him was undoubtedly good, regardless of anything. So confessing the truth and seeking help might be wise. Hadn’t Hwi praised the courage of an escaped Yeongchunhwa instead of condemning it? So…

“Is there great meaning in a dog’s loyalty to its master? A master can abandon a dog, but a dog cannot abandon its master.”

His lips, which had started to part, closed again. The cynicism and contempt in those words. Hwi had disparaged Yongrin as merely pursuing self-interest, unlike Yeongchunhwa, but could kindness truly be directed at a master who could abandon their dog at any time?

Yoonso didn’t know why Hwi spoke that way. Perhaps he had some connection to Yongrin or Yeongchunhwa. He wanted to know, but decided to bury his curiosity.

It’s better not to reveal to this man that I’m Yeongchunhwa.