Chapter 123: A Stroll Through the Streets-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: A Stroll Through the Streets-1
The next day, In-ho, having grown weary of pacing the house and garden, called for Emma.
"I'd like to head out into the streets for a bit."
Emma seemed to deliberate for a moment at his request, then nodded as if she had made up her mind.
"I will prepare for our outing."
She had In-ho sit down and began the process of getting him ready to face the world.
First, she trimmed the beard that had grown back since his last shave.
Then, she tidied his somewhat disheveled hair.
She picked out formal outdoor attire, far more dignified than the clothes he wore at home.
Finally, she produced a bottle of perfume from somewhere.
Faced with such an elaborate grooming session, In-ho briefly regretted bringing the matter up at all.
After a grueling hour of preparation, In-ho and Emma finally stepped out the front gate.
Clang.
Emma closed the iron gate and checked the lock a couple of times.
"Is it locked?"
"Yes."
Emma replied after giving the firmly shut gate a few experimental tugs.
A gust of cold winter wind swept past the mansion.
The chilly breeze brushed against the back of In-ho’s coat, making him shiver momentarily from the cold.
"Master, are you not too cold?"
"I'm fine. Aren't you cold, Emma?"
In-ho’s eyes scanned Emma from head to toe. She was still wearing the same maid uniform she wore indoors, without anything layered over it.
"I am quite alright," Emma said with a bright smile, reassuring him.
"Hmm... Alright then."
In-ho started to say something as he noticed her hands turning slightly red, but he quickly thought better of it.
The elderly gentleman and the young maid walked down the street.
The atmosphere outside was bustling with the excitement of the upcoming festival. It reminded In-ho of a shopping district preparing for Christmas.
Piles of firewood were stacked in the center of the village; according to Emma, they would light a bonfire on the night of the festival and dance around it.
"So that's what Hans was inviting you to," In-ho muttered to himself.
Emma, walking beside him, came to a dead stop.
Ahem. In-ho cleared his throat and looked away, feigning ignorance, while Emma turned her head to stare at her master.
"Master, let me say this once more... I have no intention of dancing at the festival with such a verm—that man."
He realized then that Emma must truly despise Hans.
In the sunlit areas, the well-maintained stone pavement was visible as people went to and fro, but in the shadows, piles of un-cleared snow still lingered.
In-ho lingered on the sight of the snow—something he hadn't seen in a long time—before hurrying his pace to take in the rest of the street.
With his slow legs, he wouldn't have time to rest if he wanted to see everything.
Since they were out for a walk anyway, Emma had brought her purse to pick up some necessities.
Following her lead, they visited the shops she frequented, and the shopkeepers welcomed In-ho warmly.
"Oh, Mr. In-ho! How is your health these days?"
Perhaps it was because his condition had been reported in the weekly magazine, but the merchants' attitudes seemed to be an equal mix of pity and goodwill.
The butcher tucked an extra slab of meat into their bag just for him, and the greengrocer threw in a few potatoes for free.
A middle-aged woman selling snacks on the street gave him a bag of treats for nothing, telling him to eat them whenever he was bored.
When they stopped by the clothing store to buy a few items, he had to firmly decline the owner's insistent offer of a free hat.
"Maybe I shouldn't have accepted all that. I've only added to your burden."
In-ho spoke apologetically, seeing Emma’s arms full of unexpected gifts.
However, Emma couldn't wipe the smile from her face, clearly pleased by something.
"No, it is quite alright. These are gifts given to you, Master. I actually feel very grateful."
Emma was in a wonderful mood, heartened by the fact that the people hadn't mistreated her master.
At the same time, she felt relieved. Had anyone dared to misspeak to In-ho, she had no intention of letting it slide.
I'm just glad no one did anything cruel to Master.
Though it was a safe village, there was never a hundred percent guarantee; the threat of thugs or pickpockets existed everywhere.
Emma, who had been keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings, was finally able to relax her guard when In-ho suggested they step into a cafe for some coffee.
"Ah, Mr. In-ho."
The barista welcomed him. Aside from his home, this was the place where In-ho had written the most.
Pleased by the visit of a long-time regular, the barista put extra care into the service, and soon two cups of coffee with a rich aroma were placed before In-ho and Emma.
"Master, I really would have been fine..."
Emma, sitting across from In-ho once again, fidgeted bashfully.
Seeing her usually calm face flushed with embarrassment felt quite fresh to him.
"Let's just rest a bit. You worked hard carrying all those bags."
In-ho took a sip of his coffee.
The warmth of the liquid traveled down his throat and spread through his body. His frame, which had chilled while wandering outside, began to warm up again.
"This is nice."
"It's warm and sweet."
"Oh, did you put sugar in yours?"
"Yes. I'm not very good with bitter things."
Emma spoke as she stirred her coffee with a spoon, having added the sugar when he wasn't looking.
In-ho and Emma didn't talk much. They simply watched the scenery outside the cafe window together, as if they were watching a television screen.
Young people dragging decorations for the festival, merchants selling their wares, children running about, and parents trying to stop them.
In-ho felt a sense of comfort in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
"This is a first."
"What is?"
"Spending time like this with you, Master."
"Oh, really? I suppose I was more old-fashioned than I thought."
"We've had tea time together before, but I meant this is the first time we've sat face-to-face like this just to drink coffee."
Emma explained in detail, worried In-ho might misunderstand.
"And?"
"Pardon?"
"And how do you feel about it?"
When In-ho asked as if it were no big deal, Emma slightly averted her gaze. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink.
"How else would I feel? It's lovely."
"Then let's do this more often."
In-ho grinned, showing his teeth, and Emma nodded with a smile in her eyes.
Just as the two were getting back to enjoying the view, someone passing by the cafe came to a sudden halt and pressed their face right up against the window.
"For f—... Ah, my apologies, Master."
A foul word nearly escaped Emma’s lips the moment she recognized the face pressed against the glass.
Exactly three seconds later, the cafe door swung wide open.
"Emma!"
It was Hans who burst in, bringing a draft of cold air with him.
"God... what a jinx," Emma muttered under her breath, which In-ho chose to ignore.
"Master, would you excuse me for a moment?"
Emma rose slowly as she watched Hans approach.
In-ho took another sip of his coffee and nodded.
"Emma... uh, wait... why? All of a sudden? Ow, ow, ow, ow!!"
Emma grabbed Hans by the ear and dragged him straight out of the shop.
"Haha. What a mess."