Chapter 18
— — —
I heard you liked sweets.
Arin was flustered because she hadn't expected to be rejected, but she soon resigned herself to it. Over the past year, Arin had become accustomed to walking on eggshells around everyone. Ever since she failed her Phantom Beast Transformation, she had felt as if she were constantly sitting on a bed of thorns. No matter where she went, she was met with glares, and the majority of people wouldn't even deign to speak to her.
Do-yeong must want the *yakgwa*, but he’s just acting this way because I make him uncomfortable.
Just like with the persimmon this morning.
‘I guess he really does hate me.’
Having reached her conclusion quickly, Arin set the plate of *yakgwa* down next to Do-yeong.
"I'll leave these here. They're really delicious."
"……."
"See you next time."
Arin finished her sentence, trying her best to remain calm. She had thought she was already used to people avoiding her. Still, she had hoped that since this wasn't Red Snake Village and they wouldn't know she couldn't perform the Phantom Beast Transformation, it might be different. Even so, being rejected by a peer again made her heart sting.
Arin steeled herself and looked at Cho-ryeong.
"Shall we go?"
Meanwhile, Cho-ryeong was utterly baffled by the current situation.
‘Young Master Do-yeong is refusing food? And sweet food at that?’
He was the type to seek out sweets even when he was sick. Puzzled by his uncharacteristic behavior, a thought suddenly occurred to Cho-ryeong.
‘Could he have heard those rumors?’
She had strictly warned the servants not to gossip, but it was possible he had heard them beforehand.
‘Young Master Do-yeong was especially close to Lady Jin-gyeong.’
He was the boy who would sit beside his mother, who had been wasting away from an unknown illness, and chatter away every single day. If Do-yeong, who had been so fond of Jin-gyeong, had heard those rumors, his rejection of Arin made sense.
Furthermore, what worried Cho-ryeong wasn't just Do-yeong.
‘Is she used to this kind of thing?’
Arin was forcing a smile, pretending she hadn't been hurt. It would be natural for her to dislike Do-yeong, who was openly showing his hostility. Yet, she didn't even look offended, as if this were something she experienced all the time. If they left like this, it was obvious they would continue to avoid each other while walking on eggshells.
‘Is it my turn to step in?’
Cho-ryeong was well-versed in mediating fights between her younger siblings. In situations like this, the best way to clear up misunderstandings quickly was to share a meal. Especially with Young Master Do-yeong, he would surely soften the moment he had food in his mouth.
Cho-ryeong reacted with deliberate exaggeration to Arin’s suggestion that they leave.
"What? You're really just going to leave? Didn't you bring all of this to eat with the Young Master?"
"Oh, no. I'm fine. I don't have to eat!"
As Arin waved her hands in panic, Cho-ryeong said firmly, "Oh, come now. You said this was something you were saving because it was precious, didn't you? And you're giving it all to the Young Master? Really?"
As Cho-ryeong played the role of the instigator, Do-yeong’s shoulders flinched. Seeing this, Cho-ryeong muttered in a theatrical tone.
"Ah, to think you were going to give all these precious *yakgwa* to the Young Master. If it were me, I would have just taken them all back. Our Young Master Do-yeong is so cold-hearted!"
"……Just take them."
When Do-yeong refused again with a look of lingering regret, Cho-ryeong, sensing he was already wavering, raised her voice once more.
"Oh, these are such precious *yakgwa*, you really don't want to eat them? You won't have another chance if you don't eat them today, you know?"
"……."
"If the two of you eat them together, I’d be happy to bring out the green tea I’ve been saving. They’d melt in your mouth if you had them with green tea. Oh, what should I do!"
Just as Cho-ryeong drew out her words and let out a sigh of feigned regret,
"W-we can just eat them together!"
Do-yeong, who had been turned away the whole time, shouted and sat down facing her.
‘I’m just eating the *yakgwa* with her. The *yakgwa* didn't do anything wrong.’
Once Do-yeong was completely won over by the *yakgwa*, Cho-ryeong seized the moment and sat Arin down in front of him.
"Then please wait a moment. I'll be right back with the green tea."
With Cho-ryeong gone, the two were left in an awkward silence, both looking away and not daring to touch the *yakgwa*. Just as they were both carefully watching each other, Do-yeong ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Ugh, seriously! You have to eat first so I can eat, too. You’re the one who brought them, so why are you acting so timid around me?"
"I just……."
As Arin stammered, biting her lip, he picked up a piece of *yakgwa* and held it out to her. When Arin just stared at it blankly, Do-yeong said,
"Eat. Hurry up."
"Can I really eat it?"
"It’s yours, isn't it? I need to eat too, so hurry up."
Arin accepted the *yakgwa* he had shoved at her and smiled brightly. He really was his father’s son. Even if he was clumsy with his words, his actions were so kind.
"Thank you. Hehe."
Seeing that smile, Do-yeong was dumbfounded.
‘She’s the one who brought the *yakgwa*. Why is she thanking me? Is she an idiot?’
It bothered him that she acted as if it hadn't been hers to begin with.
‘She’s so thin, like a child who’s only ever lived on scraps. She’s so small, has she never been able to eat a proper meal?’
Just as he was grumbling to himself and took a bite of the *yakgwa*,
"Gasp!"
Do-yeong’s eyes widened as he stared at the *yakgwa*. The honey *yakgwa* he was tasting for the first time in his life was simply the best.
"This is insanely good! Wow!"
Forgetting the fact that he had been at odds with Arin, Do-yeong let out a shout of delight and became completely absorbed in the *yakgwa*. Watching him quietly, Arin stood up and went to fetch some water. Her movements were swift, as if she had been waiting to see if he needed anything.
"Drink this while you eat."
"Thanks! I was just about to choke on it……."
Do-yeong, who had been about to take the water out of habit, frowned.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
"Hm?"
"Why are you serving me water?"
When Do-yeong glared at her, Arin’s heart sank. It was because the events just before she was confined to the Annex flashed through her mind. At the time, Arin, who had fallen out of favor, was often completely ostracized by the servants. They even frequently dumped their own work onto her. When the flowers in the garden withered, the servant had scolded Arin for watering them.
‘The flowers all died because you watered the garden, Young Lady. How are you going to take responsibility for this?’
‘I just watered them like you told me to…….’
‘When did I ever tell you to do that? I’m just a lowly servant! If you hate me, just say so to my face!’
It happened to be a garden her mother cherished, and Arin had been forced to endure her mother’s icy gaze. Recalling the sorrow of that day, Arin trembled involuntarily.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't do anything to the water! I just thought you might be choking……."
She looked terrified, and Do-yeong, who had been about to tell her that such things were for servants to do, opened his mouth in shock.
"Hey! Why are you making me look like a bad guy? Did I ask if you put something in the water?"
"Huh?"
He added, "I’m only saying this because you keep acting like you're walking on eggshells around me."
"……."
Perhaps feeling awkward about his outburst, Do-yeong shoved a piece of *yakgwa* into Arin’s mouth.
"And you! Eat properly! You’re so thin, like you haven't had a decent meal in your life—you look like you wouldn't even fill a handful. If you keep acting like this, it makes it look like I’m bullying you!"
Having muttered something that was half-comfort and half-threat, Do-yeong, as if that weren't enough, jumped up and fetched water for Arin.
"Drink some water, too! I’m giving this to you because you brought me water, okay?"
0 Comments