Chapter 34
34
I awkwardly shook my head.
"No. It's not like that."
"You don't have to lie. I'll keep it a secret."
Namgung Hwi looked at me, his eyes sparkling. It wasn't a lie, it really wasn't.
I wasn't the main character in a shonen manga, there was no way that could be.
But I couldn't be bothered to clear up the misunderstanding. I answered half-heartedly.
"You can't tell anyone."
"Okay!"
Namgung Hwi answered vigorously. He looked very excited.
He was at the age where he wanted a secret with a friend. If you're happy, that's all that matters...
"You know, I understand how you feel. It's not easy to carry the family name."
Well, I've never carried it.
"There's so much to study, you have to show only dignified appearances, you have to be good at everything... I also want to be spoiled by my mother like Yeon-a sometimes."
The guy smiled bitterly and looked up at the sky. I thought he had grown up pampered as the Young Master of the Family, but it seemed he had his own hardships.
"...But I have to do it. I have to become a great person like my father to lead the Namgung Family. I'm the Young Patriarch."
Namgung Hwi shook off his gloom and raised his head proudly.
I nodded gently.
"Of course. You'll do well, Young Patriarch."
You'll become the Patriarch later. You'll even get the nickname Sword Emperor. You'll become the Greatest Under Heaven and control the Central Plains, so you don't have to worry.
"Yeah!... But it's strange. Why do you say you don't know how to read when you're taking heir lessons?"
"Haha. It can happen."
"You didn't study hard?"
Namgung Hwi scratched his head, wondering if it was strange, and came to his own conclusion.
Well, I'm just a Maid.
"It's the second watch! It's the second watch!"
Just then, the patrol of the government, patrolling the night streets, announced the time by beating a drum. I quickly changed the subject.
"Shall we go in now? You have to leave early tomorrow."
"...Should I?"
His face became gloomy, like a child told to stop playing and go to bed. He seemed reluctant to go back like this.
The hesitant guy asked.
"Hey. Shall we just launch a Sky Lantern before we go?"
"Shall we? I've never launched a Sky Lantern before."
"Really? Then let's launch one and go. I'll show you."
Namgung Hwi was overjoyed and grabbed my hand tightly. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him leading the way.
We went up the hill and mingled with the people launching Sky Lanterns.
Namgung Hwi, his face full of excitement, bought a Sky Lantern and skillfully unfolded the paper shade, lighting the oil-soaked cotton.
But unlike Namgung Hwi's, which unfolded easily, my Sky Lantern was crumpled.
What is this? Where do I unfold it?
Namgung Hwi chuckled as I struggled to unfold the shade.
"You have to pull here to unfold it. You can light the fire on this side."
He reached out and unfolded the Sky Lantern so that I could easily light it.
Whoosh!
The flame transferred to the oil-soaked cotton, and the paper swelled greatly. I instinctively screamed at the heat touching my fingertips.
"Ah, hot!"
"Be careful. Can we launch it?"
"Yes. Let's launch it together."
"Launching it. One, two, three!"
Namgung Hwi's and my Sky Lanterns soared into the sky at the same time, carried by the wind.
I stared blankly at the receding lights. Dozens of red Sky Lanterns sparkled like stars in the sky. It was a romantic sight.
Namgung Hwi whispered.
"What did you wish for?"
I didn't wish for anything. Was I supposed to wish for something?
"It's a secret. They say wishes don't come true if you say them out loud."
"Tch."
"What did you wish for, Young Patriarch?"
"It's a secret too."
Namgung Hwi answered the same way and shut his mouth tightly. But he seemed to want me to ask him.
I suppressed a smile and asked.
"Why? What wish is it?"
"You said wishes don't come true if you say them out loud. My wish has to come true, so I won't tell you."
"Okay. I won't ask."
Actually, I felt like I knew even if I didn't ask.
'Please let me become a great Patriarch.' Wouldn't that be it?
As I chuckled and answered, Namgung Hwi grumbled.
"Why are you laughing like that?"
"Haha, let's go back now. Young Patriarch. Everyone will be waiting."
It's because you're cute, because you're cute.
As I changed the subject and pushed him on the back, Namgung Hwi's expression turned sulky.
But he didn't seem to want to argue and obediently started down the hill.
The night market we returned to had noticeably fewer people. The boy, who had been anxiously looking around as he walked down the road, suddenly stopped.
"So-hye. Wait a minute."
"Yes? Why?"
"Can you stay here for a moment? I have something to take care of."
Namgung Hwi said, twisting his body. Looking again, his face was a little red.
Did he want to go to the bathroom?
I readily nodded.
"Okay. Hurry back."
"I'll be right back!"
The guy shouted energetically and kicked off the ground, disappearing into the crowd. I chuckled at his urgent movements.
He must be really urgent.
When Namgung Hwi returned a little later, his hair was all tangled. He seemed to have run in a hurry.
"Did you wait long?"
"No. It didn't even take a moment."
"That's a relief. Let's go now."
Namgung Hwi grabbed my hand and started walking ahead. He opened his mouth in a cheerful voice, as if he was in a good mood.
"Next time, come visit my house in Hapbi. I'll show you around Hapbi then."
"If I get the chance."
You'll probably forget about someone like me as soon as you go home.
Namgung Hwi's eyes narrowed, as if he noticed that I had answered perfunctorily.
"The meeting place next year is the Namgung Family. You'll have to come anyway."
I'm sorry. Maids can't go to meetings like that.
Namgung Hwi went on and on about how beautiful the sunset over Soho Lake in Hapbi was, and how famous Mount Guhua in the suburbs was.
"Do you like fish dishes? I know a place that makes delicious sweetfish dishes."
He subtly tried to coax me into going to a restaurant with him.
He seemed to be trying to trick me, hoping that I would be curious about Hapbi. It was quite a cute act.
"Sweetfish is good. Well, we're here. Young Patriarch."
As we walked and talked, we arrived at the Tang Clan before I knew it. The Gatekeeper, who recognized Namgung Hwi, respectfully opened the gate.
Namgung Hwi, who had entered the castle gate, stood close to me and shouted.
"Oh, I'll take you there today!"
"Oh, it's okay. You must be tired, so go in and rest."
"I just want to take you there once. It's the last day."
Namgung Hwi mumbled in a voice full of regret. He seemed reluctant to part.
I was grateful for his kindness, but I didn't want to be the subject of gossip. If it became known that the Young Master of another Family had entered the servants' quarters, there would be talk again.
I shook my head.
"No. Young Patriarch. You don't want me to be in trouble, do you?"
"...I understand."
At my refusal, the guy's shoulders drooped. I felt sorry for him when I saw his gloomy face.
He's acting cute today.
"Instead, let's go together just to there. We'll part at that crossroads. Got it?"
Then Namgung Hwi, who had straightened his body, sparkled his eyes.
"Okay!"
We started walking down the quiet road.
Namgung Hwi moved slowly, as if he wanted to delay the parting time even a little.
I couldn't help but chuckle at his transparent behavior.
When we stopped in front of the crossroads, which we had reached much slower than usual, Namgung Hwi, who had been fidgeting with his hands, looked straight at me.
"I had fun today."
"I had fun too. You should go back now. Good night, Young Patriarch."
"Uh-huh. You too, have a good dream."
Namgung Hwi, who answered shyly, slowly opened his mouth.
"That, well... if..."
"Yes? If?"
"Ah, no! I just hope you come to Hapbi next year. Go in quickly! I'm leaving!"
The guy, who had mumbled, hurriedly turned his body.
I watched Namgung Hwi's retreating figure, who was running away, and then smiled and turned around.
* * *
The next day, I cleaned the Guest quarters that the guests had left early in the morning. There was a mountain of work to do, but my heart was at peace.
Because the Sim-yang gang was gone.
"Hey, have you seen Sim-yang's group? I haven't seen them all day."
"It's good if you don't see them. At least we won't have any trouble."
"That's true... but it's a little strange."
Songji trailed off, looking uneasy.
"They're probably slacking off somewhere. Sister, give me that rag to wash."
"I guess so? It's strange that all seven of them aren't visible."
Songji, who scratched her head as if it was strange, gave me the rag she was holding.
I put the dirty rag in the basket and headed to the laundry area.
The well water was quite warm, perhaps because the weather had warmed up.
As I absentmindedly washed the laundry, someone called me.
"So-hye!"
When I turned around, I saw Namgung Hwi standing in front of the side gate.
He was breathing heavily, as if he had been running for a long time.
"Young Patriarch? You haven't left yet?"
"I couldn't leave because you didn't come out. I've been looking for you for a while."
Namgung Hwi grumbled as if asking why I hadn't come out.
Well, there's no reason for a Maid to go to a send-off.
I rinsed my hands and approached Namgung Hwi, and the hesitant guy took something out of his arms.
"Here. Take this."
It was a bundle wrapped neatly in silk.
"What is this?"
"You'll know if you read the letter. You have to read it alone. Got it?"
"Yes? Young Patriarch. You know I can't read, right?"
"You're learning to read. It's okay if it takes a month, no, even more than a year, so please send me a reply."
The guy's eyes were so earnest as he urged me that I couldn't bring myself to say no. I nodded.
"Okay. But don't say anything even if it's late."
"Yeah. It's okay if it's late. You promised?"
"Yes. I will."
"You promised."
"I know."
Namgung Hwi, who was relieved only after receiving the answer several times, smiled brightly.
The guy hesitated, as if he had more to say. At that moment, a voice calling for Namgung Hwi was heard from afar.
"Young Patriarch!"
"Hwi-ah!"
"Hwi-ah. Where did you go?"
Anxiety crossed Namgung Hwi's face as he turned around.
"You came without saying anything? Go quickly. Everyone will be waiting."
"Yeah. I'm really leaving. So-hye, you have to send me a reply. You have to!"
Namgung Hwi, who urged me for the last time, hurriedly ran to the other side.
Holding the silk pouch, I blankly stared at Namgung Hwi's retreating figure.
A red knot ornament was tied to the wrist of Namgung Hwi, who was running with his sleeves fluttering.
