Chapter 126: A Festive Atmosphere
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 126: A Festive Atmosphere
The doctor suggested he stay the night at the hospital since the sun had already set.
He was concerned that traveling on such a cold night might lead to an accident. Thanks to the doctor’s consideration, In-ho was placed in a double room, with the second bed reserved for Emma.
Night had fully fallen, and In-ho was the only patient left in the hospital. The small gas lamps lit by the nurses dimly illuminated the ward and the hallway.
"Emma, aren't you sleeping?"
In-ho spoke to Emma, who was sitting on a small chair next to the bed rather than lying in her own, staring at him.
Ever since they had returned from his treatment, she had been lost in deep thought. Though it was hard to see clearly through the veil of darkness, In-ho could tell she wore a troubled expression.
"...Master, I am so sorry."
Whatever the reason for her guilt, Emma apologized every time In-ho spoke to her.
"No, it was my fault for moving around without you," In-ho replied.
"I was foolish. I should never have left your side. I’m sorry, Master. I won't disappoint you again."
Pulling her chair a little closer, Emma took In-ho’s left hand in both of hers. He could feel her warmth radiating through her touch.
"It’s alright. Don’t blame yourself so much. I was too overconfident in my own body. It’s not your fault, Emma."
Sensing the intensity and weight of her devotion, In-ho spoke to her gently, trying to soothe her.
"Still..." Emma murmured, her voice trailing off.
"...Go to sleep now. You’ve had a long day."
In-ho pulled the covers up to his neck, signaling that it was time to rest.
"Yes, Master."
Despite her master’s kind words, Emma’s spirits remained at rock bottom. As she made a move toward the adjacent bed, In-ho spoke up as if he had just remembered something.
"Oh, right. Emma. Do you see the luggage under the bed?"
"Luggage, sir?"
Emma leaned down to check beneath the bed. In the dark room, she spotted something sitting there. She reached out and picked it up.
"Master, what is this? It looks like... a paper bag."
The bag rustled as she moved it.
"Can you see what's inside?"
At In-ho’s prompting, Emma pulled the contents out of the bag. Her hands brushed against something soft.
"This? Isn't this clothing?"
Emma tilted her head as she pulled out a fairly bulky item. It was definitely clothing—and women’s clothing at that.
"Yeah, it’s a gift."
"Who should I deliver this to?"
When Emma asked, In-ho replied as if the answer were obvious.
"What are you talking about? It’s yours, Emma."
"What? Mine?"
"Yes. One is for winter, and the other is for spring."
Emma looked back and forth between the two outfits. A thick, warm fur coat and a striking yellow dress seemed to glow even in the dim ward.
"I figured you’d need to stay warm when you’re out in the winter... so I bought that one. The spring dress might be a bit early, but I thought it’d be better to get it now than to wait until then..."
In-ho stopped mid-explanation when he noticed her shoulders trembling.
"Heugh... hic..."
"Is the design not to your liking? We can return it if—"
Emma shook her head vigorously.
"I... I’m always... just receiving things from you, Master."
Emma sobbed, burying her face in the clothes.
"I... haven't... done anything... properly for you..."
In-ho couldn't help but smile at the sight. She really is a wonderful, kindhearted girl, he thought.
Emma’s hot tears did not stop until the night grew very deep.
*
Two days had passed since he was discharged from the hospital.
There had been a significant change in In-ho’s otherwise dull routine: he, who had officially put down his pen, had begun writing again.
Of course, Emma was the only one who knew this.
Aside from when she was doing housework, Emma spent most of her time standing by, waiting near In-ho. Even when In-ho urged her to rest, she refused to leave his side. It seemed she couldn't set her mind at ease after his recent collapse.
Emma was pleased that her master had started writing again. To her, it meant he had regained confidence in his work. Even though she didn't know much about literature, In-ho’s writing always felt warm and heartening to her.
Whenever In-ho wrote in his study, Emma would place a chair at a respectful distance and observe him. She was curious about the plot and the characters, but she suppressed the urge to look, believing it would be irreverent to peek at a work in progress.
Occasionally, In-ho would ask her various questions while he worked, which Emma interpreted as a form of research. She felt honored to answer him, feeling as though she was contributing to her master’s masterpiece.
"Emma, what do you think you'll be doing twenty years from now?"
"Emma, what are your hobbies?"
"Emma, what do you usually do when I'm not around?"
The questions seemed a bit random in their application, but Emma believed her wise master had a plan for everything.
— Whiz-zzzz, BANG!
"Hey! Why did you light it now?!"
A loud noise erupted from outside the mansion. It seemed someone preparing for the festival had accidentally set off a firework; a small burst of light appeared in the sky before quickly vanishing.
"Preparations for the festival are in full swing," Emma explained as In-ho stared blankly at the sky where the firework had bloomed.
"I see. It already feels like a festival."
In-ho remained by the window, looking out at the street. He appeared to be lost in deep thought.