After a thorough examination by the elderly village physician, who, though not an official royal doctor, was nonetheless respected for his experience, he declared that Lord Yeongwon had collapsed due to sheer exhaustion and emotional unrest. The condition, he explained, was a result of overfatigue and inner turmoil, causing his vital energies to surge uncontrollably, striking his head like an errant gust of wind.
Lord Kim listened in silence before letting out a heavy sigh. With a nod, he signaled for Kureum to escort the physician to the gate, honoring the formal customs of hospitality.
Inside the house, not a single servant stirred. Silence blanketed the space, broken only by the faint scent of dry grass and fallen peach blossoms drifting in with the breeze from the hills behind. The brass chime hanging from the eaves jingled gently in the wind, ting... ting...
Soran sat quietly outside Yeongwon's chamber, her eyes fixed on the closed door. Her face had grown pale from worry, and though custom forbade her from entering, she could not tear herself away. She sat properly on her knees, wringing her hands in restless silence. Her wide eyes stared as though willing the wooden door to open, just to let her hear his breath, feel his presence.
At a quiet corner, Pyonghwa stood watching her in stillness. His expression was composed, yet a subtle shadow of melancholy betrayed him. Though he said nothing, his gaze spoke volumes: I am the one you have forgotten.
Soft footsteps approached, Bunsu stepped quietly beside Pyonghwa, his voice hushed and urgent.
"That letter from earlier... What did it say? Tell me the truth!"
Pyonghwa glanced at him briefly but turned away coldly, walking off without a word. Bunsu frowned in frustration, clenching his fists.
"Tch…"
He turned back toward Soran at once.
"Soran... no, my lady," he corrected himself, his tone now filled with sincere respect. "Please… go to him. He needs you more than anyone right now."
Soran's eyes widened slightly. She looked up at Bunsu, who offered her a gentle, encouraging smile. The breeze calmed for a brief instant. Soran said nothing, but quickly rose to her feet and entered the chamber without hesitation, the afternoon sun casting a quiet gleam across the hem of her robes.
Outside the manor...Kureum followed behind Lord Kim with an impassive face, though his chest burned with unrest like smoldering coals beneath ash. As Pyonghwa passed by in the opposite direction, wearing a faintly troubled yet determined expression, Kureum felt a sudden unease in his gut, That man... something about him doesn't sit right.
Lord Kim clasped his hands behind his back, strolling slowly and speaking without turning around.
"Tell me, Kureum... do you think those two have fallen in love?"
Kureum stopped in his tracks. His lips pressed into a tight line, and his vision blurred, not from tears, but from fear. Fear that the answer he dreaded was becoming a truth he could no longer deny... a love he could never wedge himself between.
"..."
"Hmm? What say you, Kureum?" Lord Kim glanced back at him.
Still, Kureum said nothing. His silence carried a weight more poignant than any words, burdened by the sorrow lodged deep in his chest.
Lord Kim gave a small nod and did not press the matter further. He continued onward, and Kureum followed.
When they reached Yeongwon's room, Lord Kim slid the door open quietly.
The afternoon sun filtered through the finely carved wooden shutters, casting soft golden patterns across the floor. There, beside the bed, Soran had fallen asleep. Her hand rested gently atop Yeongwon's arm. Her face was serene, as though all the turbulence within her had been stilled for a single, fragile moment.
Kureum stood motionless... his heart ached with a pain no words could express. He wanted to turn away, to flee from what he saw, but his legs refused to move.
Lord Kim offered a faint smile and spoke softly.
"Let's go, Kureum... It seems we may have come too late."
He turned away.
Kureum looked back at the doorway once more, eyes brimming with quiet sorrow... as though a part of his soul still lingered inside that room. He took a breath,long and low,and finally turned to follow Lord Kim back toward the main house.
The next morning, as the soft dawn light filtered gently through the large cloths hanging in the courtyard, Lord Kim received an invitation letter from the House of Lord Yu, a part of the sinister scheme devised by Pyonghwa and Inhyeong. After reading the letter, Lord Kim politely sent word to decline the invitation, unable to bring Yeongwon to the event as requested.
Dressed impeccably, Lord Kim descended from the main house with Kureum silently accompanying him.
In the quiet room, Yeongwon let out a soft moan, stirring Soran awake from her nearby rest.
"My lord..." she whispered, sitting up with trembling concern, gazing upon his pale, weary face as he slowly opened his eyes.
Soran rose to fetch water to wash his face, but suddenly his strong hand grasped her wrist tightly. His gaze, deep and calm, held a gentle warmth he seldom showed.
He lowered his eyes to the floor briefly before releasing her hand and turning to lie on his side.
Soran clutched the water, dipped a cloth in it, and gently pressed it to Yeongwon's forehead.
"My lord... please rise and wash your face," she said softly.
Yet, no reply came, only a heavy silence.
"Do you love me, Soran..." Yeongwon's weak voice barely escaped his lips.
"How do you feel toward me? I have yet to tell you what I mean, or what should be done..."
"If I do not speak now, will you ever hear what I long to say..."
"I am lost in a sea of thoughts, difficult to express..."
"Do not trouble me if you do not wish it... I would rather you leave..."
Tears welled in Soran's eyes and overflowed. She threw herself into his embrace, refusing to let go.
"My lord, please do not speak so. I will not leave... please continue," she sobbed gently.
Yeongwon turned to face her, his eyes full of love and hope.
"I love you..." His voice was soft but weighted with sincerity.
Soran paused, then sat upright, letting tears of happiness stream down her cheeks.
She had never imagined that his heart truly loved her this way.
"Listen to me, Soran. I love you," Yeongwon repeated with unwavering certainty.
Soran was silent, her heart trembling with emotion. Tears flowed like spring rain.
Yeongwon smiled tenderly and sat up, wrapping her in a deep, long-hidden love.
"We are married now, Soran..." His voice trembled with heartfelt gratitude.
Soran held him tighter than ever before, feeling a warmth she had never known, a love spreading through her entire being, beyond words.
Outside, the atmosphere was gentle. Cherry blossoms drifted softly on the breeze, painting a delicate scene like an elegant brushstroke on a canvas.
Love and hope blossomed beautifully within two hearts, at the radiant dawn of Joseon's new day.
"What did you say... Lord Yu!, surely there must be some misunderstanding!" Lord Kim hastily protested, his face suddenly pale as if he had seen a ghost upon hearing the scandalous news of Yeongwon and Inhyeong.
"If it were me, I would be just as shocked as you," Lord Kim said gravely, clutching his garment tightly as though to swallow down his surprise.
"How could it be possible, when Yeongwon….?"
"I know well that Lord Yeongwon is already married, yet those two children have rekindled their love as before. I cannot separate them," Lord Yu said firmly, pressing his palm against his forehead as if in pain, both in body and spirit.
"I do not wish to see my only daughter suffer again. Do not forget, the concubine was meant to make your child forget mine. Besides, she is but a quietly appointed concubine , my daughter will always be number one," Lord Yu said, stroking his beard with a wry smile.
Lord Kim sat quietly, pondering these words with a troubled heart. Though reluctant, he had to admit that if the two children truly loved each other, it would be difficult to deny.
Kureum, standing beside him, could not help but feel concern for Soran, yet deep inside, he felt relieved that she might finally be free from Lord Yeongwon's shadow.
"Hmm... I have no choice. When my son disgraces your family like this, perhaps we must let things follow their course," Lord Kim sighed deeply, forcing a smile as he raised a cup of tea in a ceremonial sip.
"If this way can bring my son back to the Yeongwon I know, then I am willing," Lord Kim said, looking thoughtfully at the dignified and beautiful young lady.
"I hope so, too. This is good news. The two children will surely be delighted," Lord Yu smiled brightly, and soon both men discussed their affairs and politely escorted each other away.
"Thank you kindly for listening to me," Lord Yu bowed respectfully before departing with graceful manners.
Lord Kim smiled in return, bowing his head in acknowledgement, then also left.
After walking some distance, Kureum remained silent, lost in thoughts of Soran.
"Are you thinking of Soran?" Lord Kim asked softly, casting a calm gaze toward the young man who appeared deeply troubled.
"Yes, sir. I worry about her greatly," Kureum answered in a heavy voice.
"I am helpless too, Kureum. There is nothing I can do. Those two children do truly love each other, despite the shameful scandal," Lord Kim shook his head with exhaustion.
"The two children? You mean Lord Yeongwon and that young lady from that house?" Kureum asked quietly.
"Yes, that is correct," Lord Kim sighed deeply.
"I hope you do not blame me for causing pain to your friend."
"No, sir. I blame myself for not being able to help her. If possible, I wish to take her away with me," Kureum answered resolutely.
Lord Kim stopped walking and looked at him with understanding. Though displeased, he concealed his feelings.
"Very well, if that is your intent," Lord Kim answered quietly.
Then the two continued walking toward the large house amid the gentle breeze and the occasional birdsong.