Chapter 48
"…."
I should have denied it right away, but I froze in surprise before I could.
I set the medicine bowl aside and said, "…Human life is precious."
"My life isn't."
I looked at Yahul again, startled. He wore a calm expression, as if he were simply stating an obvious fact.
I stared at him for a moment, then beckoned him closer.
Yahul approached obediently, though his face showed confusion. And just like that, I flicked him hard on the forehead.
"…!"
He recoiled in shock.
"I'm not trying to take credit for saving you, but do you have to spout nonsense right in front of someone who barely escaped death?"
"No, I…!"
"Talking about it just pisses me off again. Come here. One more."
He actually came when I called again. I couldn't believe it.
"You come again? Fine."
I flicked him once more without protest.
"My head hurts because of you. I can't eat now. Later."
"…."
I pushed the medicine bowl aside and settled down to lie back.
To think he was harboring thoughts like that.
A sour feeling settled in my chest. His face, blinking rapidly in flustered panic, was nothing like the Yahul I remembered.
Sleep wouldn't come, but I closed my eyes and pretended anyway.
Yahul stayed quiet for a long while, then there was a rustling sound, like he was doing something… and after that, my memory faded.
I'd fallen asleep.
I only realized it when I opened my eyes.
Whoa, I fell asleep right in front of Yahul?
It was absurd—when had my nerves become so relaxed?
Just then, a commotion erupted outside.
"Are you going to keep this up? Get out of here right now!"
It was the noise that woke me. As I stirred to sit up, someone supported me.
I was used to Father doing this, so I rose without thinking—then froze when I saw who it was.
"Yahul?"
He tilted his head slightly, as if asking what was wrong.
"You've been here the whole time?"
"Yeah."
"Uh… you don't need to stay by my side from now on."
"Deputy Shim said to watch over you."
"Oh. Right."
I screamed internally. Deputy Shim!
Yahul lowered his gaze, then murmured quietly, "I'll stay out of the way."
"…."
He fetched me some water, rolled up the bamboo blinds, and left the room.
"This brat—seriously, aren't you… no good? How many times do I have to say no?!"
The racket outside continued unabated.
What's with all the noise?
My mind was already troubled enough without the distraction. When Yahul returned with the medicine bowl, I asked him.
"What's going on?"
He tilted his head, puzzled.
"Outside. It's so noisy."
"Outside? Don't know."
He'd just come back from there—how could he not know? Yahul handed me the steaming bowl. I took it, set it down, and slipped on my shoes.
"Going out?"
"Yeah."
He naturally offered his arm to support me. I meant to say I was fine and brush him off, but it was too much hassle, so I let him help as we headed out.
The moment we stepped outside, the source of the uproar came into view.
"How can I trust you enough to let you in? You're already suspicious, and now you keep overstepping without knowing your place…!"
"Enough, enough. No point talking. Just chase him off."
A man dressed like a Namgung clan warrior grabbed the child by the scruff and started dragging him away.
That's So Nok? What's he doing here?
Deputy Shim appeared from somewhere amid the chaos, scolding in a low voice. "What's all this commotion?"
"Sorry. We'll take him away now."
At that moment, So Nok looked our way and pointed. I flinched, thinking he was pointing at me—but no, he was jabbing at Yahul beside me.
So Nok gestured wildly, like he desperately wanted to say something, but I couldn't make sense of it.
I turned to Yahul. "Seems like he's talking to you. Any idea what he's saying?"
"No."
In the meantime, So Nok shook off the distracted warrior's hand and bolted toward us.
"No!"
The warrior panicked, but before he could react, Deputy Shim's sword blocked So Nok's path. A following guard scooped the boy up by the waist.
So Nok thrashed like a fish out of water.
"This little punk thinks he can get away with it! Stay still!"
I called out to the guard. "Hold on a second."
I gently pushed down the sword sheath blocking my path. At Deputy Shim's glance, the guard set So Nok down.
So Nok hit the ground running… and straight into my arms.
"!"
He hugged me tight.
* * *
I headed to the backyard with So Nok. Since they'd rented out a whole farmhouse, one corner was piled high with harvested grains, and the chickens clucked in alarm, fleeing with their chicks as they spotted us.
In my light-vision, the adult hens had clear forms, but the chicks looked like little baseballs tumbling away—adorable.
I stopped in a suitable spot and said, "Could you… let go a bit?"
Only then did So Nok release my waist. But he kept a death grip on my sleeve.
I glanced sideways. "You, go somewhere else for now."
Yahul had supported me all the way here. He lowered his eyes, clearly reluctant. "…Call me when you're done."
"Yeah."
Once I confirmed he'd walked off, I turned to So Nok. "You weren't looking for me, right? You came for Manshin-ui."
His eyes went wide, and he shook his head vigorously side to side.
"Not that? But you knew about the pill-refining room nearby and were poking around there, didn't you?"
The kid clearly knew this spot led to Manshin-ui's secret refining chamber. This time, So Nok nodded frantically.
Then what wasn't it?
Whatever. It wasn't important. Manshin-ui hadn't said it outright—didn't have time, really—but I'd seen how he'd worried for So Nok before dying.
"So Nok. That's your name, right?"
His eyes bulged, then he nodded hastily.
I stared at the ground for a moment before speaking. "Manshin-ui has passed away."
"!"
Manshin-ui had no family, so So Nok was the closest thing to kin. I figured he deserved to know.
I explained Manshin-ui's final moments in gentle, comforting words.
By the time I finished, So Nok was sobbing soundlessly—I could feel it even through his veil.
I simply patted his shoulder quietly.
A Namgung warrior came to fetch me two or three times and turned back empty-handed before So Nok finally stopped crying.
I'd sat with him to comfort him, so I brushed off my clothes and stood.
"Take this."
I pulled a heavy pouch from my sleeve and handed it over—filled with gold and silver coins.
"Well, I'll be going now."
Yahul approached as if he'd been waiting. He'd come along when the warrior fetched me and stood off to one side of the yard the whole time.
I patted So Nok's hand, which clutched mine, and pried it loose. "Don't worry. I heard you've been asked to stay with some villagers for now."
I'd told Deputy Shim we needed someone to look after So Nok, and he'd already arranged it.
"Plus, once I'm back, I'll talk to Father and help you find good adoptive parents."
But So Nok clung to my hand like a spiderweb and shook his head no.
"Hm? Why? Not enough money?"
He shook his head even harder and suddenly prostrated himself. I stepped back in surprise, but then he grabbed my feet.
"Wh-what are you doing? Hey, let go."
I tried to pull free, but his grip was shockingly strong—he wouldn't budge.
Yahul, who'd been watching, grabbed So Nok's shoulder and shoved.
But So Nok wouldn't release me and nearly toppled over—we both startled.
"You…."
Yahul muttered low, grabbed So Nok's collar in evident anger, and hoisted him up.
Whoa, what kind of strength….
Snapping out of my shock at the choking sounds, I grabbed Yahul's arm. "Yahul! What are you doing?!"
"He almost made you fall."
"Still, let him go—now!"
At my shout, Yahul released him with a slightly startled look.
So Nok thudded to the ground.
Yahul glanced at me. "Sorry."
Did he even know what he was apologizing for? It was obvious he was just saying it to appease me.
I'd seen plenty of street urchins like this in my beggar days—kids exposed to violence from childhood, for whom it was normal and familiar.
I'll deal with Yahul later.
I helped So Nok up. After a few coughs, he latched onto me again.
I thought it over, then asked, "Don't tell me… you want to come with me?"
My expression hardened as So Nok nodded frantically.