Setting Up a Bridal Chamber in Someone Else's House
These kids were setting up a bridal chamber in someone else's house. Another unfamiliar ceiling greeted me this morning. Still groggy from sleep, I stared blankly upward until I remembered where I was. It was a room in Yi In-su's sarangchae.
"Ughhh... streeetch...!"
The moment I woke up, I stretched out my limbs with a big yawn. I didn't really believe in that old wives' tale about growing taller from it. I just did it to shake off the sleep.
"Kuhhh...!"
Feeling like I still needed more, I stretched again before finally sitting up. Mindful that this was someone else's home, I was folding the bedding when a child's voice came from beyond the closed sliding door.
"Captain Hanryang, sire. Did you cough?"
"......"
Knowing I'd be freeloading here for a month, the title "Hanryang" stung a bit today. Still, I answered the boy outside.
"Yeah. I'm up."
"Then I'll fetch water for washing your face."
"Got it. Take your time."
"Yes, sire. Right away."
I listened to his reply, then walked over and flung open the sliding door. Takji, the boy who'd just been leaving, turned back around and approached again.
"Is there anything else you need, sire?"
"Huh? No. Nothing. I just wanted to air out the room."
"Understood. Call for me anytime if you need anything."
"Got it. Thanks for your help."
Takji, who would be attending me during my stay, bowed his head and left. I felt a little burdened by the kid, who couldn't have been much over ten. It wasn't just his polite demeanor—his eyes especially gave me pause.
"Here you are, Captain Hanryang, sire."
"Oh, uh. Thanks."
Takji set his own washbasin down on the floor. As I sat in front of it and splashed water on my face, I glanced sideways at him.
"......!"
Takji was peeking at me with half-lidded eyes. It wasn't admiration or respect—his gaze brimmed with suspicion.
"Hey, what?"
I finished washing and asked him directly. Takji handed me the towel he'd brought, countering with a question of his own.
"Are you really the Chaekho Boy?"
"Yeah."
"For real?"
"I said yes."
"......"
"I said yes!"
His skeptical glare stung more than his words. Even as I insisted, flustered, Takji didn't buy it easily.
"No, but......"
"What? Is it because I'm too handsome?"
"No."
Look at him cutting me off flat like that.
"Argh, you polite little punk."
I wiped my face and, in petty revenge, plopped the towel over his head. Takji brushed it off, picked up the washbasin, but his suspicious eyes lingered. What was his deal?
Takji might've been suspicious as hell, but he did his duties perfectly. He'd brought washing water just now, and he even set up breakfast. His stares were annoying, though.
Anyway, after breakfast, I started getting ready to head out. Not to see King Sejong—it was a few days off before entering the palace with Yi In-su. Today was for sightseeing in Hanyang.
Of course, with Eori.
"My lord? Are you there?"
"My lord? Have you undone your topknot?"
"Huh? Oh. Why?"
"I'll tie it for you."
"I already did it, I said. Eori?"
She ignored me completely and slid the door open, coming in...!
"Heehee. How do I look?"
Eori had ditched her male disguise from yesterday and was dressed properly for her gender. But I wasn't shocked just because she was in a skirt.
"The lady of the house lent it to me. Heeheehee."
Her rich, dark skin flushed like spring blossoms as she smiled shyly. She was dressed not like a Hwacheok villager, but neatly like a yangban lady.
"My lord. How do I look?"
"......!"
"My lord?"
I couldn't answer even when she asked again. I'd never seen Eori look so stunningly beautiful—it left me speechless. My face burned as I stared blankly.
"Heeheehee."
My reaction must've been answer enough; Eori bowed her head bashfully.
That's when Yi In-su appeared behind her.
"Hohoho. These kids setting up a bridal chamber in my house."
"Oh, sir."
"Elder, have you come?"
I shot to my feet, and Eori turned to him, clasping her hands politely and bowing.
Yi In-su gazed at us fondly.
"So, planning to tour Hanyang?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I'd love to guide you myself, but alas, I have business to attend."
Yi In-su was dressed formally, as if heading out. On a hunch, I asked,
"Are you going into the palace, by any chance?"
"Didn't I say we'd enter a few days from now? Worried about not following a royal decree promptly? No need—resting from the journey before audience is customary. Or are you just itching to see His Majesty?"
"No, not at all."
"Hohoho! Even you find His Majesty intimidating?"
It wasn't fear—just daunting to go alone. Oblivious, Yi In-su chuckled warmly and called his servant.
"Hey! Bring what I told you."
"Yes, master."
A maid entered promptly, holding indigo robes and a gat hat in both hands toward me.
"Cheollik my nephew wore. You're sightseeing in Hanyang—ought to dress sharp."
"No, you don't have to give me something like this...!"
"Is that so? No need, then. Take it away."
"I was just being polite. Polite. Thank you. I'll wear it well."
"Hohohoho!"
Having teased me, Yi In-su left to meet friends. But the maid who'd brought the clothes lingered.
"Um, aren't you leaving?"
"I'll help you dress."
"!"
Eori startled at the maid's offer. I savored her flustered look a moment, then shook my head.
"It's fine. I can dress myself."
"But,"
"Really. I'll just accept the thought. Thanks."
"Then I'll withdraw."
The maid bowed politely and left. Waiting till she was gone, I changed into the cheollik over my clothes. As a kind of overcoat, it was easy even in front of Eori.
"How's it look? Eori?"
"Very... manly...!"
Just swapping coats, and she blushed, turning away. Then, as if remembering something, she looked back.
"Ah! My lord! Let me tie your topknot!"
"I already did."
"Aigoo! Don't do that! I've practiced plenty on Father! Sit here!"
"No, it's fine......"
Her bright, pleading face made refusal impossible. I sat again, and Eori settled behind me, undoing the topknot I'd just tied.
"Heeheeheehee."
Looks like she'd tormented her father plenty. Skillfully, she gathered my hair and started retying it. Her touch was surprisingly soothing; I closed my eyes and let her.
"My lord."
She murmured softly while combing with her fingers.
"Truth be told, I'm deeply grateful."
"For what?"
"For bringing me to Hanyang. You could've come alone, but you included me."
"Oh, that? Figured it'd be boring solo."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. And we promised, remember? To come to Hanyang together."
"!"
Her combing paused. Resuming, she asked in a trembling voice,
"Wh-what promise do you mean?"
"The old one. Five years ago? Six? In Yangban Village. After beating those illegitimate kids. We promised to come to Hanyang together. Gotta keep promises."
It'd been like promising a trip to an amusement park back then. Lucky we could fulfill it now.
"R-really?"
"Yeah. You didn't forget, did you?"
"No, no! I think of it every day!"
"Liar. You forget stuff all the time."
"No! My memory's great! Like when you wore that tall hat chasing salt, back then—"
"Eori?! Aaaah!"
"Heeheehee! No turning around."
I whipped back in shock, yelping at the scalp tug. Eori giggled triumphantly, finishing the topknot.
"There. All done."
"Yeah? Looks good?"
"Yes. Don't you trust me?"
"A little?"
"Aaaang! Too much!"
Savoring her unfailing reaction, I patted it. Firmer than mine.
"Whoa. You really nailed it."
"Heehee! Practiced on Father lots!"
"Poor dad."
"No! He loved it! Um, my lord."
Her whining trailed into hesitation as she called me. I turned, and she shyly asked,
"While we're here, may I tie your topknot? And back home too...!"
She trailed off, face scarlet, head bowed. Too cute—laughter came before words.
"Truth is, today's was really bad. So next time it'll be better, so please let me do it again...!"
Peeking up sideways, eyes wide. So different from her prim attire, but my heart raced the same.
"Yeah. Do it."
"Pardon?"
"Keep tying it. Even after we go home."
"......!"
Joy silenced her; she mouthed wordlessly, eyes sparkling.
"You'll do it again, right?"
"Yes, yes! My lord! I'll tie your topknot forever!"
"I've only got one."
"Aaaang! That's not the point! How can you not get a girl's heart!"
Morning cuteness from Eori. Made me feel today's tour would be perfect.
"Your Highness. The boy's on the move."
"Where to?"
"Pi-mat-gol in Jongno, they say."
"Pi-mat-gol, eh. Even the Chaekho Boy's just a kid."
"What now? Contact him?"
"No. Too soon."
"No time. Your Highness rides out incognito tonight. We need contact by midday at latest."
"Let the elder brother take first shot. Pulling him in can wait."
"Pull the kids off, then?"
"No need. Tell them to keep tailing."