Yeongwon closed his eyes, trying to find peace in the silence of the small room, yet his heart refused to calm as he wished. His arms still held tightly around the small figure who had shifted closer behind him. Had she moved closer just because of the cold... or in her sleep, had she unknowingly trusted him enough to draw near?
Her breathing was soft and fragile, like petals falling gently to the ground. Yeongwon gazed at her delicate face under the moonlight filtering through the window, illuminating her fair cheeks like the finest jade.
"Soran..."
Her name echoed repeatedly in his mind, tightening painfully in his chest.
One of her hands gripped his casual robe firmly, making him feel as if she was placing more trust in him than she should.
Yeongwon clenched his jaw, struggling to suppress the feelings that surged through his fingertips, not mere desire for her body, but a deep emotion in his heart he feared would overflow beyond control.
Slowly, he tilted his face and rested his cheek against her head. Her soft, silky hair brushed the tip of his nose, the faint scent of lotus powder stirring his heart that had been cold and unyielding like a mountain, now trembling like flowing water.
"What should I do with you..."
The words were unspoken, whispered only in his mind.
Though he tried to convince himself this was something he shouldn't feel, when her body was pressed close, his heart became like an almost-extinguished oil lamp, rekindled again by her mere breath.
His hand moved slowly, gently stroking her back, just enough to make sure she slept soundly and to remind himself that even a light touch must not go beyond its limit.
The night was long but felt as brief as a blink. His arms remained unyielding.
As the moonlight slowly descended and the midnight breeze drifted through the window, in his embrace was a nameless feeling, a gentleness he dared not call 'love.'
Yet that night, Yeongwon's heart silently surrendered.
At dawn, soft sunlight filtered through the window, touching the cloth in the small room. Yeongwon slowly opened his eyes to find Soran still sleeping peacefully in his arms. Her face, lit by the gentle moon's glow, resembled the first blooming plum blossom, quiet and serene.
He smiled faintly, then used his long fingers to trace the delicate oval contours of her face tenderly.
His heart was captivated by the beauty hidden in the stillness, unable to look away.
Leaning closer to her rosy lips, the soft scent around her enveloping him, he leaned in to press a gentle kiss, but suddenly recoiled quickly, his mind snapping back to reality. Relief flooded him; he had not crossed the line.
Thoughts of Inhyung surged into his mind, stirring his restless heart.
Carefully, Yeongwon rose from the bed as quietly as he could so as not to wake Soran. He pulled the thin blanket snugly over her again, then dressed himself properly.
Having finished his preparations, he stepped out of the room, holding his traditional gat (hat) in hand, and walked into the front garden.
The cool morning breeze eased his restless thoughts for a moment.
But soon he sighed deeply.
He remembered there was an important matter he had to complete without delay.
He walked directly to his attendant, who was sitting nearby with a bashful gaze fixed on one of the maids.
"Ohh… brother, you too…"
The maid replied, blushing.
"Ohh… sister, you too…"
The attendant shot back, unwilling to yield.
The two of them were almost shyly sweet, caught up in a moment of bashful affection. But the atmosphere abruptly shifted as Yeongwon stepped forward and stopped right before them. His sharp, piercing gaze swept over the maid and the attendant with cool indifference.
The maid, sensing the sudden change, quickly nudged the attendant to straighten his clothes and compose himself.
"…Is there anything I can help with?"
The attendant spoke politely, though worry tinged his voice.
"Bunsoo! Go and find out if the daughter of Underlord Yu is truly ill. How severe is her condition? Has a doctor visited her? And…"
Yeongwon fired rapid questions, his eyes serious and focused.
"Master, you ask so much….why not visit her yourself and see for yourself?"
Bunsoo quickly interrupted, puzzled by the command.
Yeongwon paused for a moment, then replied evenly,
"I cannot go. Please look into it for me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away immediately.
Bunsoo scratched his head repeatedly in confusion at Yeongwon's strange behavior. The maid sitting beside him peeked over with a curious look.
"Is he just confused, or does he have dandruff?"
She teased softly.
"Oh, you! Looks like I have work to do. What's with him? The master's acting all high and mighty."
Bunsoo rose slowly, waddling away like a penguin. The maid hurried after him, grabbing his arm tightly.
"No, Bunsoo, wait for me!"
Together, they left.
Yeongwon remained hidden nearby, sitting silently as he watched the trees and grass sway gently in the soft breeze. His left hand rested over his heart, listening to the steady thump-thump of his heartbeat, a rhythm that never ceased. Then he looked up at the sky partially veiled by tall trees. Soft sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, shining directly into his eyes. He squinted with a weary sigh, surrounded by the calm quiet of the early morning.