You're Really Weird
Namgung Ryu-cheong muttered under his breath.
"......You're really weird."
For some reason, he had a sullen expression. The bruises from a few days ago had faded, leaving his pale cheeks slightly puffed up.
So cute......!
I squirmed, unable to hold back, and blurted out, "Can I just touch your cheek once?"
He replied firmly. "No."
"Hng."
"Don't make weird noises."
"Heeng."
Unable to bear it, Namgung Ryu-cheong shot me a glare. "Fine. Let's read now. You can look at whatever you want too. I can turn the pages with one hand anyway."
With a sigh, he went off to find a book worth reading. I straightened up and watched him walk between the shelves, examining the books, before opening one myself.
After getting deeply absorbed for a while, there comes a moment when your concentration suddenly fades, like your mind wandering off. Since it had been ages since I last read a book crammed with dense text, that moment arrived quicker than expected.
I closed the book and looked up, spotting Namgung Ryu-cheong seated across from me. Staring at him blankly, I soon realized something was off.
His gaze wasn't on the open book—it was drifting into empty space. He didn't even notice me watching him.
After observing for a bit, I spoke up. "Young master? Namgung young master."
At my voice, he snapped back to attention. "What?"
"You were spacing out. Tired?"
"Ah. It's nothing."
"If something's bothering you, tell me. I might be able to help."
"You?"
He frowned like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.
"Well, if you don't want to, forget it."
I shrugged and stretched my legs out straight.
How much time has passed? It feels about time to go.
Then, the silent Namgung Ryu-cheong finally spoke. "Hey."
"Yeah?"
"That thing Seo Sojeo mentioned last time......"
He clammed up again. I waited patiently for him to continue.
"Is it true that you told her the move I fell for during our spar?"
When did Seo Ha-ryeong say that? Oh!
......And you even taught her Young Master Namgung's swordsmanship weakness!
That day when Namgung Ryu-cheong went to apologize to Seo Ha-ryeong, that's what she'd said. I nodded vigorously. "Yeah. I told her."
A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes. "How? You haven't learned martial arts."
"I just...... saw it?"
"Saw it?"
"Yeah."
I decided to play it bold.
It's not even a lie.
"How is that possible?"
He bit his lip, incredulous. "Then......"
Bang!
It was then. The door suddenly flew open.
"So here you are."
Namgung Wan strode in, his robe flapping dramatically. Shim Bu-gwan followed right behind.
"Deputy Shim? When did you get back?"
Weren't you at Palgwaechon?
"It's been a while. I arrived today."
"Whoa! That's great!"
"Aigoo, you're the only one who welcomes me like this, young lady."
He was the one who'd taken such good care of me at Palgwaechon while Namgung Wan and Father were away. Naturally, I had fond memories of Deputy Shim.
Shim Bu-gwan smiled warmly. "Looks like you've been well, young lady. How are your eyes?"
"Much better!"
Bang bang.
Just then, a pounding on the door shattered the moment.
"Save the tearful reunion for later! Baek Ri-yeon, what are you doing here?"
"Huh?"
"Why aren't you here for treatment!"
"Eh?"
I had treatment sessions every day at the set time in the medical quarters. They'd check if my wound was inflamed and Uncle Namgung Wan would infuse his inner energy to speed up healing.
"Has it been that long already?"
"You're an hour late!"
"Ah, sorry!"
"I went looking when you didn't show— you weren't even in your room!"
"Haha, calm down, young clan leader. We found her safe and sound, so it's all good."
Shim Bu-gwan soothed him like a babysitter. Namgung Wan, who'd been glaring at me, shifted his gaze to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"But why are you two together?"
"Huh?"
I blinked in confusion.
What's this? Doesn't Uncle know?
Namgung Ryu-cheong kept his mouth shut tight, eyes downcast.
Namgung Wan eyed him suspiciously before yelling, "Ryu-cheong, what mischief have you been up to now? You weren't bullying Yeon-i again, were you?!"
Eh?!
Why's he reacting like that? Flustered, I looked back and forth between them.
As Namgung Ryu-cheong stayed silent, Namgung Wan bellowed again. "Did you glue your lips shut? Why won't you speak? I'm asking you!"
"......"
"Forget it. I'll ask Yeon-i!"
Clicking his tongue, he turned to me. "Did that punk bully you?"
......Honestly, I'm the one who's been bullying him. But why won't this guy say anything?
Even with Uncle misunderstanding, he kept his lips sealed, glaring at the floor like he wanted to bore a hole through it.
I stepped in front of Namgung Ryu-cheong, blocking him from Uncle's view. "No! The young master was helping me."
"What nonsense is that?"
"It's true! He was attending to me."
"Attending to you? Him? Why?"
Namgung Wan looked utterly baffled. Honestly, I got it—I'd reacted the same way at first.
I explained slowly. "My hands are inconvenient, right? So Young Master Namgung offered to help. I wanted to come to the library, so he brought me. Right?"
"......"
I turned and poked Namgung Ryu-cheong. "It's true. Why won't you say something?!"
He avoided my eyes. Looking closer, his ears and cheeks were red.
No way...... Is he embarrassed?
Namgung Wan's tone softened a bit. "Ryu-cheong, is what Yeon-i said true?"
Biting his lip hard, Namgung Ryu-cheong spat out, "......Yes."
"Gasp!"
The gasp came from Shim Bu-gwan. He continued, "Wait, does that mean those rumors were true?"
"What rumors?"
"That the young master has been visiting Baek Sojeo's quarters frequently."
"Why didn't I hear about this?"
"No, young clan leader, don't look at me like that. I just got back from Palgwaechon today. I only overheard the servants gossiping on the way. I even thought it was fake."
Shim Bu-gwan sounded truly indignant. "And rightly so—after he beat up that Jang family brat, the young master didn't even visit once...... Ahem."
"You and your loose tongue."
Namgung Wan glared at him.
The Jang family around here? Oh, that place with the antagonistic side character who kept picking on Namgung Ryu-cheong?
Arms crossed, Namgung Wan drummed his fingers on his elbow. "Unbelievable. I wondered what wind blew when you skipped afternoon lessons for a while."
He waved it off. "Whatever. If she needs someone to attend her because of her hands, I'll assign a careful servant. Don't bother Yeon-i and go do your own thing."
We'd grown close lately, so I spoke up for the tight-lipped Namgung Ryu-cheong. "It's fine. He's doing a good job."
"Ha! A spoiled young master who's never served anyone—how good could he possibly be?"
Hmm, Uncle had a point, honestly. Compared to my maids or Yahul, he wasn't the best, but still—that tone? Too harsh for someone trying his best!
I bristled and shouted, "Why say it like that! What matters is the heart behind it!"
"What? You've only spent a few days with him, and you're already taking his side?!"