Engraving Your Face in My Memory
I'm etching your image into my mind right now.
The sweet newlywed life flew by like an arrow, and the day of the entrance exam drew near. One day to get to Jeonju, about ten days to secure lodging, take the exam, and see the results, and another day to come back. Twelve days in total—nearly two weeks. This was the first time we'd be apart for so long since our wedding.
We knew we'd reunite after just twelve days, but our feet wouldn't budge.
"Eori, maybe I just shouldn't go?"
"No, my lord! I know full well you're a man destined for great things in service to the nation! Steel your heart!"
"Ugh, yeah. Got it."
Eori desperately shot down my offhand remark. I felt a little hurt.
"Ah, n-no, my lord, that's not what I...!"
Realizing I'd taken it personally, she floundered in panic. Then she threw her arms around me with all her strength.
"My lord!"
"Whoa?!"
Since we were facing each other, my face buried straight into her chest. Her sweet scent filled my nostrils, making my heart pound wildly.
"My lord."
Oblivious, she whispered right in my ear.
"I'll be waiting here in this house for you. So you must come back. You absolutely must. Promise me."
"Mmph, mmph."
"Ah, my lord."
She finally noticed and loosened her embrace. Thanks to that—or because of it—I could lift my face from her chest and respond.
"Eori. I'll definitely come back. Got it? No matter what happens, I'll come see you."
"Yes, my lord. Understood. I'll keep it firmly in mind."
Eori's arms crept higher as she hugged me, cupping my cheeks. Her face slowly descended.
Mwah!
The soft touch of her sweet lips made my head spin. The sweetness overflowed my chest, tingling all the way to the back of my skull.
"The rest... we'll do when you return."
"Can't we just do it now?"
"No! Off you go!"
"Eori?!"
"Heehee. Hurry now, or you'll be late."
She physically released me but grinned playfully. Still, I couldn't tear my feet away just yet. I looked up at her.
"......"
"My lord?"
"Eori. Hold still for a sec. Just like that. I'm memorizing every bit of you right now."
"Aaaah, my looord."
"Don't move, I said."
"Eeeh, my looord."
She pouted bashfully at first, then puffed out her lips in a sulk when I insisted. Only after storing that expression in my mind could I finally resolve to step away.
"Alright. That's it. Eori, I'm going now."
"Yes, my lord. You must come back. You absolutely must."
"Like I'd go anywhere without you."
"You're leaving me here and heading off to faraway Jeonju, aren't you?"
Geum-ok chimed in from the courtyard. She looked downright exasperated, face scrunched up.
"The sun will set at this rate. Hurry up already."
I could sense Takji's spirit in her swaying hair ties.
"A-alright, I'm going. Geez."
Geum-ok had changed a lot too. For the first couple weeks after we brought her home from the village, she was all prim and proper, but now she nagged like a close little sister we'd known forever. Not a bad thing, of course. It meant she'd really warmed up to us.
"Oh, and ma'am—take this."
Regretting her grumpiness, she approached and offered something with both hands. A small bundle, soft and warm in a palm-sized cloth wrap.
"Mugwort rice cakes. Eat them when you're hungry on the road."
"Thanks, Geum-ok. I'll savor them."
"And this is from Eun-ok."
This time, a clumsily folded paper crane.
"No need—we'll see her soon enough anyway. I'll thank her in person."
I grumbled affectionately, but pocketed the crane carefully all the same.
"Well, I'm off then. Guard the house well."
"Yes, my lord. Safe travels."
"Hurry up, or you'll be late."
With Eori and Geum-ok seeing me off, I stepped through the gate. Dol-soe had been waiting out front the whole time.
"Whew, finally. I figured you'd show tomorrow."
"What's the big deal? I was bound to run a bit late. Come on, let's go."
"Setting off now?"
"Nah, still gotta say goodbyes."
"......"
"Hurry it up, or we'll be late."
I dragged the grumbling Dol-soe around Chaekho Village. Said farewells to my mother, Eun-ok, and Eori's parents, then fetched my horse from the village stable. Only then did we leave.
Next stop: Kim Jin-sa's place to pick up that Hui-un punk. Dol-soe grumbled and sighed the whole way.
"Aigoo, the young master won't stay quiet about this."
"Why? How late was I, really?"
"That man gets sharp as a new mother bear around exam time."
"He's always like that."
The guy's been rude forever—why make a fuss now?
"How dare you be so late! If I fail because of this, will you take responsibility?!"
See? Nothing new.
At Kim Jin-sa's gate, the Hui-un brat greeted us with prickly attitude. True to his rich-kid style, he had two horses ready.
"You scum! Kim Si-jin! Think you can strut around like that just 'cause you met His Highness? Is that why you keep a yangban waiting?!"
"Sorry, young master. I was saying goodbye to Mother and got delayed."
"Shut it! You think I want your excuses? If you're truly sorry, lead the way already!"
"First, a word with Lord Jin-sa—"
"Did you forget what I just said?!"
What? Can't he see the sword at my waist? My hand drifted to the royal blade I'd buckled on for protection. I didn't draw it, of course—just bowed my head and apologized again.
"My apologies, young master."
"Apologies? Apologies? If you're so sorry, kneel and beg forgiveness!"
"Yes, young master."
No choice. The punk was itching for a sword through the gut. Ignoring Eori's warning to be careful, I rested my hand on the hilt.
Just as I was about to draw, Dol-soe jumped in.
"Aigoo! Lords, please! It's a fine day—why fight?!"
Positioning himself behind me, he desperately tried to calm Hui-un.
"Young master! Now that he's here, shouldn't we at least let him greet the master of the house? Captain Kim's blood kin too, isn't he?!"
"What?!"
Hui-un's face went pale. He twisted one corner of his mouth and stepped toward Dol-soe.
"This scum... same blood as me?"
"Y-yes, sir."
"Hah, really? Is that so, you—"
Slowpoke. Even his slaps lacked speed.
Whack!
He grabbed Dol-soe by the nape and yanked, his hand swinging through empty air as Dol-soe finished his words.
"Wh-what? Huh?"
"Why go after folks like that, young master?"
I brushed past the clueless Dol-soe and approached Hui-un. His prickliness? I got it—failed exams'll do that. Rude attitude? Standard for this punk. But hitting people? Unacceptable.
Kid stuff maybe when we were young, but a grown man with a bit of beard? No excuse.
"Y-you, you bastard...!"
Hui-un's face flushed beet red, like it might explode. He raised a fist as if to strike, but couldn't bring it down.
"Hit me. What're you waiting for? Why stop? A real man draws steel and cuts weeds, right? So why just stand there?"
"Y-you think I... I won't...!"
"I know you will. That's why I'm telling you to do it. Oh, scared you'll ruin my hat? Here—go ahead."
I doffed my gat, exposing my wrapped head. Naturally, no blow came. Total coward. Chihuahua type—shaking in fear but yapping away.
"What is this nonsense?!"
A familiar bellow rang out.
"I said greet them, not brawl! You fool!"
Kim Jin-sa had appeared at the gate, taking in the scene. He stormed over and laid into his youngest son, who was just lowering his fist.
"The road ahead is nine thousand ri long—how dare you swing at your travel companion! Think you'll become a court official acting like this? Enough! Forget the exam—stay here forever!"
"My deepest apologies, Father."
"If you're sorry, don't do sorry things! One more time, and you'll never see another exam! Understand?!"
"Yes, Father. My deepest apologies."
Hui-un bowed low, face still crimson. Meanwhile, I adjusted my gat.
"And you, Si-jin! You...!"
Then Kim Jin-sa turned his ire on me. Me? Why? He started it!
Suppressing my indignation, I bowed politely.
"My apologies, my lord."
"Hah! Forget it!"
"......!"
Hui-un glared daggers at me, eyes bulging, as if I'd gotten special treatment.
"Si-jin."
Oblivious to his son's glare, Kim Jin-sa addressed me.
"I know it's your first time on this road—won't be easy. Hui-un will lead well, so serve him properly."
"......Yes, my lord."
Serve him? Why should I?
"And Hui-un."
Now it was the brat's turn. Kim Jin-sa placed a hand on his youngest's shoulder, hoping his intent sank in.
"I know you're anxious. How could a father not? Relax—there's always next time if not this one."
"Yes, Father. I will."
"Good. And while traveling with Si-jin, observe and learn."
Hui-un's fist trembled faintly at my name. The shake lingered. Undeterred, Kim Jin-sa kept poking.
"Si-jin's younger and rough around the edges, but at that tender age, he's achieved great things and caught His Majesty's eye. Plenty for you to learn from. Got it?"
"Yes, Father."
"I trust you'll gain much from him. That path will lead you to success."
"I'll keep it... firmly in mind...!"
Now his voice quavered. Not content with comparisons, telling him to emulate a social inferior? Must've stung bad.
Hah, driving me nuts already. Missing Eori. Hadn't even left the county yet, but I knew the road ahead wouldn't be smooth.