Chapter 27
27
"Young Patriarch, I'll get it! You'll catch a cold."
I was startled and ran down the pavilion, but Namgung Hwi was already in the pond. He didn't care about his sleeves getting wet and retrieved my shoe.
To soak his expensive silk robes to retrieve my dirty leather shoe... I was speechless at his unexpected action.
Namgung Hwi, who met my dumbfounded gaze, smiled, his eyes crinkling as if to say it was okay.
"A lady shouldn't show her bare feet."
And you can get soaking wet?
He walked out, dripping water, and shook the water off my shoe.
Then, he sat me down on the pavilion steps.
"Young Patriarch? What are you doing?"
"Just a moment."
Namgung Hwi replied casually and took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wrapping it around my foot.
A subtle fragrance of osmanthus wafted from the silk handkerchief. It was a sweet floral scent that didn't seem to suit a Martial Artist.
It probably wasn't Namgung Hwi's taste; his mother or sisters must have given it to him.
A Young Master carrying a scented handkerchief... if he were only five years older, I might have been a little fluttered.
Namgung Hwi carefully wiped the dirt off my foot and squeezed the water out of the leather shoe. He seemed ready to put the shoe on for me, so I waved my hand and stopped him.
"Y-Young Patriarch? I'll do it. Give me the shoe."
"Wait. I'm almost done."
"Still, ick?!"
Namgung Hwi put his hand inside the shoe to check if any water remained, then lifted my foot and placed it on his knee.
For someone who was so concerned about bare legs, this was an excessively natural skinship.
Where did this little rascal learn this?
I glared at the top of Namgung Hwi's round head and watched what he was doing. He was quite skilled at putting on the shoe.
Namgung Hwi, who had cleaned the dirt off the ground, smiled brightly at me.
"All done."
I was momentarily speechless at his pure, innocent smile.
He was soaking wet himself, yet he said, "All done."
I looked away, feigning disinterest, and barely managed to say a word.
"Young Patriarch. You shouldn't be so kind to just anyone. People will misunderstand."
I almost fluttered. Maids my age dream of romance with Young Masters from prestigious families in other regions. Though not me.
Namgung Hwi didn't care about my nagging.
"Father always puts on Mother's shoes for her. He said a man should cherish and care for his Madam."
That's a married couple. You and I are nothing, so you shouldn't do that.
More than that, he learned by watching.
Recalling Namgung Sang's cold attitude, I felt a strange sensation. The Namgung Patriarch seemed like a devoted husband, contrary to his appearance.
This is why you shouldn't judge people by their looks.
"And you're not just anyone. When we return to Anhui, I'll formally send a ……"
Namgung Hwi mumbled, trailing off.
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"Nothing. It's a secret."
When I asked, not understanding, Namgung Hwi pursed his lips as if it were nothing. I let it go and changed the subject.
"Yes. You should change your clothes first."
"It's okay."
"It's still chilly, and you'll catch a cold. The Guest quarters are nearby."
I urged him again, but Namgung Hwi shook his head and refused.
"No. The Clan Members will laugh at me for coming all the way to Sichuan just to play in the water. It's not dignified."
You have no dignity anyway.
I rubbed my forehead and sighed.
"Still, you have to change. If you get sick from being wet, I'll be punished."
"What kind of Martial Artist gets sick from getting a little wet?"
Namgung Hwi grumbled as if it were absurd, but when he met my eyes, he quickly changed his words.
"I'll change."
"Good choice."
Namgung Hwi, looking pleased with my praise, hurried back up to the pavilion.
He seemed a little excited as he ran toward me, barely putting on his shoes.
"You're coming with me, right?"
I chuckled at the look in his eyes, which clearly expected me to come along. I replied.
"Of course. I'll go with you."
* * *
Contrary to Namgung Hwi's worries, the Guest quarters where the Namgung Family was staying were empty. Namgung Hwi asked me with an anxious expression.
"No one's here, right?"
"It seems so."
Still not reassured, Namgung Hwi looked around for a while before whispering to me.
"Wait here for a moment."
Then, he dashed off to change his clothes. He seemed quite skilled, as if he had done it many times before.
Shouldn't a kid his age be familiar with scaling walls and disguises? What kind of trouble does he usually get into?
Just as I was starting to worry about the future of the Namgung Family, Namgung Hwi returned, walking out in a pristine white robe as if nothing had happened.
Unlike his neat attire, his hair was a mess.
A crooked hair ornament dangled from his disheveled hair.
"Young Patriarch. You should fix your hair. Shall I fix it for you?"
"Okay."
Namgung Hwi answered obediently and plopped down on the wooden floor. As I reached out to touch his hair, he flinched and gasped.
He's just being dramatic even though I barely touched him.
"Does it hurt? I'll be gentle."
Of course, I didn't say it out loud. Fully embracing my professional spirit, I began to gently untangle the hair ornament.
The hair ornament, crafted from thin silver, was shaped like a dragon embracing a cloud.
The luxurious accessory made me realize the Namgung Family's wealth once again.
With this level of craftsmanship, you could probably buy a house with just one hair ornament. No wonder this kid casually throws around silver coins at the market.
Envious of their extraordinary wealth, I ran my fingers through Namgung Hwi's hair like a comb. His fine hair took shape as I combed it.
"Am I pulling too hard or hurting you?"
"Uh-uh."
I neatly arranged his disheveled hair and tied it up in a bun. When I placed the hair ornament on top, it matched his white robe and gave him an air of nobility.
"There, all done, Young Patriarch."
As a sign that I was finished, I lightly tapped his shoulder. Namgung Hwi fidgeted and touched the back of his neck. He looked somewhat shy.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing. Are you going back to the banquet hall?"
"An hour has passed, right? Yeah. I guess the adults are all in the banquet hall. Let's go back now."
Namgung Hwi stood up and strode forward confidently.
"Young Patriarch. Not that way, this way."
I grabbed Namgung Hwi, who was going in the wrong direction, and turned him toward the banquet hall.
This kid doesn't even know the way but has a habit of going straight.
Namgung Hwi coughed awkwardly and matched my pace.
Even though we were walking side by side, his footsteps were strangely silent. I stared intently at Namgung Hwi's feet.
He seems to be walking normally, so why is there no sound? Does learning footwork make you like that?
Namgung Hwi, aware of my gaze, tilted his head.
"Why?"
"I'm amazed that you don't make any sound when you walk."
"Martial Artists are all like that. You have to hide your presence so your movements aren't read."
"Ah, I see. So you practiced not making any sound?"
"Something like that. I heard you're being taught by the Poison King? Once you start learning stances, he'll teach you footwork."
……That's right. I have to learn footwork too.
The guests will be leaving soon, and I'll be starting my training in earnest, so I should mentally prepare myself.
My mouth felt bitter as I recalled the days of endlessly throwing coins.
When will I ever succeed in hitting the carp with a coin? Can I even do it?
As I looked down at my hand with a heavy heart, Namgung Hwi spoke up.
"Hey."
"Yes. What is it?"
Namgung Hwi fidgeted with his fingers as if he had something to say. After hesitating for a while, he asked.
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I wonder. Perhaps tomorrow's work is waiting for me?"
"What's that? Don't joke around."
Namgung Hwi glared at me with a deflated expression when I replied calmly. But it's the truth.
"I'm serious. I have to work tomorrow too."
"……I see. Okay."
Namgung Hwi's shoulders slumped as he turned his head away. He seemed disappointed by my answer.
But I didn't have time to play with him. Until the banquet was over, I had to stay with the maids.
Just as I was about to say something to smooth over the awkward atmosphere, a Maid approached and spoke to Namgung Hwi.
"Excuse me, Young Patriarch. May I dare to speak?"
"What is it?"
"There's a great shortage of hands at the banquet hall. Would it be alright if I took that child with me?"
Why are you asking Namgung Hwi that? What about my opinion?
Namgung Hwi narrowed his eyes as if asking why she was asking him that, and refused outright.
"No."
"Thank…… What?"
"I said no. So-hye is going with me."
"B-But we need the help……"
The Maid, who looked like a weasel, seemed flustered, as if she had expected him to agree.
I stared at the weasel-like Maid for a while and remembered that he was one of Sim-yang's group. What was his name again? I can't remember.
I didn't want to, but it wouldn't be good to be disliked by Sim-yang's gang. I scratched my head and stepped forward.
"It's okay, Young Patriarch. I'll go. Please go in first."
Namgung Hwi frowned and looked back and forth between me and the Maid. He didn't look pleased. I mouthed at him.
Hurry.
When I urged him to go in, Namgung Hwi sighed, glancing at me.
"Okay. You have to come quickly."
"Yes. I'll see you in a bit."
Namgung Hwi kept looking back as if he couldn't leave. I waved at him to reassure him.
The Maid also gave a fake smile and bowed to Namgung Hwi. But the smile disappeared as soon as Namgung Hwi was out of sight.
"Hey. Come this way."
Who is this person to suddenly call me "hey"?
I tried to keep my expression under control and asked.
"Where are we going?"
"Just come when I tell you to. Why do you have so many questions?"
"You have to tell me where we're going so I can follow you."
"You don't need to know. Just follow me."
I frowned at his sharp response. What rude manners. Should I have not said I would follow him?
A sense of wariness bubbled up in the chilly atmosphere. It was clear that he was leading me to a secluded place, but I couldn't tell where.
What is he plotting?
The moment I stepped into the alley with a tense expression, something poured over my head.
I felt like throwing up at the pungent smell that stung my nose. It was dirty water.
"Eek, what is it?"
When I screamed and looked up, Sim-yang was glaring at me with a face full of anger.
Is he crazy?
