Everlasting Eternity (2)
My words made Father spit out his tea.
Thanks to Palgap quickly wiping it away, the tea didn't spray onto my face—a disaster averted.
"Are you all right?"
I offered him a handkerchief, and Father took it to dab at his mouth.
"I'm fine. Hm... so, you're saying the Pojeongsa envoy proposed a marriage between you and Miss Seo-hyang?"
"Yes, that's right."
"......"
Father stared at me, seemingly at a loss for words.
Don't look at me like that, Father. It's embarrassing.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"I honestly don't know."
I took a sip of tea and let out a sigh.
"I know I'm of marriageable age. But for now, I want to focus on developing the merchant group."
To be precise, I have to keep pushing forward for revenge.
And as I'd mentioned before, I didn't want to drag some innocent woman into my vendetta.
"Hm......"
Father regarded me thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.
"Let's think about this simply first."
"Yes."
"Does Miss Seo-hyang look like a woman to you?"
"......"
His question left me speechless for a second.
Huh?
I should have immediately blurted out, 'No, she's not!'—so why wasn't that answer coming?
Father chuckled at my reaction.
"You seem to have feelings for her too, so why hesitate?"
I barely managed a reply.
"I think I need to mull it over a bit more."
Leaving Father's study, I scratched under my ear.
The Pojeongsa envoy would probably head back to Guiju Castle once he heard my answer.
"Sigh......"
"Why the world-weary sigh, young master?"
The sudden voice startled me.
"Ack!"
"Why so jumpy?"
I turned to see Palgap standing right beside me. I hadn't sensed his presence at all...
"When did you get here?"
"I came with you, young master."
"Oh, right."
I gave an awkward smile.
"You must've been waiting a while."
"It's fine."
A while, huh. Now I feel bad.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Palgap and I headed to my quarters. Since we were inside the Beijing branch, I'd dismissed the escorts.
"Palgap."
"Yes."
"You were standing there the whole time, so you must've overheard my talk with Father."
"I didn't hear a thing."
Palgap shook his head.
Even if he had, that was the proper response for a servant.
They were taught to say as much during training.
It protected them, too—no one would silence a servant who'd "heard nothing."
I chuckled.
Palgap definitely overheard.
"What do you think if Miss Seo-hyang and I got married?"
"Sounds like your mind's in a real tangle, young master."
"Just..."
"But why aren't you thinking about the most important thing?"
"The most important?"
"Miss Gwak's feelings, of course."
"...!"
His words hit me like a blow to the back of the head.
"Ah..."
Of course.
Marriage wasn't a solo decision—it hinged on both parties' intentions.
Yet here I was agonizing without even considering hers. What a fool...
I looked at Palgap.
"Why the grateful stare?"
"Thanks. You're the best, Palgap."
"I do my best."
I chuckled.
That night,
I told Jin Yeong Daehyeop, who'd come to the Beijing branch for my imperial martial arts training, that I was heading back to Hubei Province.
I didn't ask him to pass any message to the Emperor.
He'd relay it anyway, whether I said so or not.
Man, this is tough.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop marveled at how quickly I was picking up the imperial arts, but mastering martial techniques was never easy.
Drained, I trudged back to my quarters and noticed the light on in the office.
Who's there?
I veered toward it and soon sensed who was inside.
Miss Seo-hyang's aura.
It was late...
I quietly cracked open the door.
Miss Seo-hyang was poring over documents intently.
A stack of processed ones sat beside her.
So focused on her work.
Seeing her like that made my face heat up unbidden.
Why am I like this?
This is weird.
Perhaps a draft from the open door made her look up.
Our eyes met.
"Ah! Young branch leader, you're back."
She stood quickly. I entered naturally and asked,
"It's late—still working?"
"Just doing my duty so you can handle tomorrow's tasks without a hitch."
"Too much diligence can be a bad thing."
"Coming from you, that doesn't ring true. You only sleep two hours a night."
"......"
Speechless.
She wasn't wrong.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat.
"I can manage because I'm cultivating martial arts. You're not, so at least three hours a day."
I smiled and added,
"If word reaches the envoy that you've collapsed from overwork, I'm dead."
She burst into laughter.
"I don't push that hard. But I appreciate the concern."
I chuckled too.
"Miss Seo-hyang..."
"Yes?"
"About marrying me..."
I meant to ask her thoughts on it.
But facing her, the words stuck in my throat.
Why? I'm not usually this cowardly.
But this felt different from mere courage.
What if she was flustered? Or refused, straining our relationship?
Headache...
In the end, I changed the subject.
"Is living with me okay?"
She nodded.
"Of course."
"Good. At least a few more years without the envoy chewing me out."
She laughed brightly again.
"That won't happen anytime soon."
Her radiant smile made my face flush and my heart pound.
This wasn't the first time I'd felt this.
Back when I'd gone to Guiju Castle with eyes for the Pojeongsa's request.
Her stunning smile had left me staring blankly for ages.
I shook my head slightly.
I couldn't let such a beautiful, kind, talented woman walk my thorny path.
Tomorrow, I'd meet the envoy and turn down his proposal.
The next morning,
I sent word requesting a meeting with the Pojeongsa envoy and received a reply.
Pojeongsa Dong-hwi eyed Eun Seo-ho, seated across from him in the reception room.
"So, what brings you?"
"I've come with my answer to your proposal."
"And?"
"I'm sorry, but I must decline."
"Decline?"
He was taken aback. He hadn't expected anyone to refuse his daughter.
Anger flared simultaneously.
But recalling Eun Seo-ho's conduct and the favors received, he quelled it.
"May I ask why?"
"The path ahead for me is a grueling one."
"I know. Aiming for the world's top merchant group is no small feat."
"That's one goal, yes. But I have personal ones I can't discuss."
I continued,
"I don't want to drag your precious daughter into that hardship. She deserves a bed of flowers, not thorns."
Frowning at Eun Seo-ho, the envoy realized something new.
The young man's cheeks flushed and eyes sparkled when speaking of his daughter.
His words were sincere.
That satisfied him.
"I see. I'm grateful you cherish her so."
"My apologies. I know what worries you, but rest easy. She's already my adjutant, and I never abandon my people."
Those words brought considerable comfort.
So he decided to step back.
You may not realize it, but from my experience, romance doesn't always go as planned.
This was one step back for ten steps forward.
Days had passed since our return to Beijing.
Today was departure day for Hubei Province. Leaving later risked weather issues.
Thanks to diligent work, we'd cleared the backlog.
Hyunpung Nation staff stayed in Beijing.
We'd place the Hyunpung branch there, not at the Hubei headquarters.
"Miss Gwak's going to Hubei too?!"
"No way..."
Why the disappointment over her leaving with me?
"Aren't you sad I'm going back to Hubei?"
They flinched, then laughed it off.
"Young branch leader, Miss Gwak is our Beijing branch fairy."
"No comparison."
I chuckled at the absurdity, but it showed how beloved she was.
Fair enough—she was lovable to everyone.
And so we set off for Hubei.
During our Beijing stay, the Emperor never summoned me.
He was busy debating trade with other nations alongside his ministers.
Hurt?
Not at all!
Every audience felt like years shaved off my life.
The road to Hubei was familiar now.
I'd traveled it often.
Miss Seo-hyang, on her first trip, peered out the carriage window with wonder.
"Such stunning scenery. Who knew regions could differ so much? Amazing!"
I nodded.
"It is at first. But familiarity breeds indifference."
She asked with a complicated look.
"Will that day come for me?"
"As my adjutant, yes. I go everywhere."
"Then I'll need to build my stamina to keep up."
She said to me,
"Teach me martial arts."
"Martial arts?"
"Yes."
Before I could respond, Palgap spoke up.
"Our young master can handle it. If he says no, he's just being lazy."
Hey, Palgap, don't put me on the spot like that.
Now refusing makes me the jerk who ditches his adjutant's request out of laziness.
Sigh.
No choice.
Actually, her learning martial arts would build stamina and self-defense—not a bad idea.
"All right. Every dawn... we'll train together."
"Thank you."
She beamed again.
We traveled briskly; headquarters was near.
But sunset forced a campout first.
Escorts prepared ahead; Seo-u Warrior and Myeongjong Warrior stayed by me for protection.
I told Miss Seo-hyang,
"One more day, and we're at Eunhae Merchant Group headquarters."
"Exciting."
"First, we'll pay respects to my master together."
"Of course. What's your master, Lord Gwak, like?"
"A great man. Gruff, but I think it's to shield a soft heart."
"If you say he's great, he must be."
"After that..."
We were discussing plans when
Miss Seo-hyang's gaze suddenly glazed over.
Sadness flickered across her face.
What?
What's wrong?
Before I counted to five, her eyes cleared.
Her first words:
"Who's this woman named Hong Geum-so?"
Seo-u Warrior beside me reacted instantly.
"My wife?"
"Ah... so she's your wife, Seo-u Warrior. That's why you're so sad..."
Sad?
I asked her,
"Why do you ask?"
But she ignored me, face grave, and asked something else.
"How many hours to reach Madam Hong Geum-so if we leave now?"
Hours?
I'd just said we'd arrive tomorrow-ish, and sharp as she was, she wouldn't miss that.
Seo-u Warrior asked in a trembling voice,
"Is something happening to my wife...?"
She didn't answer right away, glancing at me.
I nodded, and she spoke.