Chapter 27: When the Hawk Answers

The hawk, which had spread its wings wide and taken flight with a flutter, landed gently on Suyong’s arm and began to tear at the meat.

A moment later, Changcheon turned its head back toward Haeryeong.

It made him happy, as if the bird were asking to be called again.

“Changah.”

At Haeryeong’s soft call, the hawk took flight.

Though he hadn’t even taken the meat out yet, the hawk flew over with its bells jingling as if it understood his voice perfectly and landed upon his extended arm.

“Changah.”

Gurgle. Coo.

At the sound vibrating from the bird’s throat, Haeryeong let out a small laugh and lightly stroked the hawk’s face.

After he had stroked it a few times and pulled his hand away, the hawk bobbed its head vigorously and hopped atop his arm.

“Do you want more meat?”

When Haeryeong pulled out a piece of finely cut beef, Changcheon spread its wings and shook its body even faster.

“Good. Good bird.”

Even though he knew he shouldn’t feed it with his bare hands, he reached out his fingers.

Chang pecked at the meat with its sharp beak and then held it with its talons to tear it apart.

Even while eating, its head darted back and forth.

‘Is it the presence of people passing by?’

Haeryeong followed Chang’s gaze but found no one, prompting him to ask curiously.

“Chang-ah, what is bothering you? Let me in on it, too.”

Chirp, chirp.

The several short cries sounded as if the bird wanted to say something, but Haeryeong, unable to understand, simply let out a laugh mixed with a sigh.

“I am sorry. I cannot understand you.”

Feeling apologetic, he took out another piece of meat, and the hawk wagged its tail feathers.

Seeing the bird wagging its feathers with the meat in its beak, he felt he understood the meaning.

“You are in a good mood. Is that it?”

Once more, the tail feathers fluttered.

It felt as though the bird were answering “yes,” bringing a natural smile to his face.

****

Whether the construction of Dorim Stream was progressing slower than expected, the Minister of Public Works had been complaining incessantly.

Gangcheon sat slumped upon his dragon throne with an indifferent expression and let out a long yawn.

“So, what is it the Ministry of Public Works wants from me now?”

“The Ministry of War is not properly following Your Majesty’s supreme command. I beg you to…”

“Should I have the General’s head for you?”

The Minister of Public Works immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Seeing that he didn’t protest, it seemed that was exactly what he hoped for.

Gangcheon waved his hand, signaling for him to continue, but then felt a telepathic message and a crooked smile touched his lips.

[The Empress has arrived at the courtyard.]

Gangcheon gestured with his chin toward Manchul, who was standing beside him.

From Manchul’s confused expression, it seemed he hadn’t understood the intent.

Tsk. Gangcheon clicked his tongue lightly and spoke.

“Open all the doors.”

“I shall do so, Your Majesty.”

At Manchul’s signal, the waiting eunuchs moved busily to open all the folding doors at the front of the Great Hall, hooking them to the rafters.

With three sides opened wide, the distant blue sky was visible even from the dragon throne where Gangcheon sat.

And below, in the vast courtyard paved with grey-white stones, he stood.

His light blue robe, a shade similar to the clear sky, caught the eye.

Every time a gentle breeze blew, his long hair—half-tied and left to hang—could be seen swaying like a tail near his waist.

Gangcheon rested his chin on his palm and watched the figure, which appeared no larger than a finger, for a long while.

Haeryeong seemed to be speaking continuously to the hawk.

As Gangcheon narrowed his eyes at the distance, the image became a bit clearer.

‘He’s excited.’

Gangcheon clicked his tongue at the bright, innocent smile—one he felt he was seeing for the first time.

Seen like that, Haeryeong looked his age, a sight that felt remarkably foreign.

Furthermore, despite saying he would practice calling the bird for food, the Empress simply held the hawk the entire time and never let it fly.

Seeing Haeryeong constantly reach for his waist, Gangcheon couldn’t see the details but assumed he was just feeding it non-stop, causing the Emperor to click his tongue again.

‘How can he tame it by being so soft?’

Watching him was stifling.

Silence finally fell as the Minister of Public Works, who had been babbling for a while, finished his report.

Sensing the man’s restless aura—like a dog needing to relieve itself—Gangcheon spoke indifferently.

“The deadline will not be extended for a project that has already been delayed once.”

“Ensure it is finished before this month is out, no matter what. I shall be waiting for you to bring me good news. Do you understand, Minister?”

“Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty.”

Gangcheon waved his hand as if telling him to leave since his business was done.

As the minister withdrew, another person who had been waiting entered.

It was Seong I-chan, the calligraphy teacher of the Noble Consort.

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty.”

Gangcheon waited for I-chan to kneel in the center of the hall before asking:

“Sang-hyo, the reason I wished to see you is none other than to ask how the Consort’s studies are progressing.”

The man’s sharp eyes narrowed as he prostrated himself.

“I am sorry to report, Your Majesty, but I do not believe I am the right person to be the Consort’s teacher. In my humble opinion, His Grace has no interest in learning whatsoever.”

Gangcheon let out a long sigh and asked:

“What do you mean by that?”

“From what I have observed, His Grace simply has no will for academics.”

At his formulaic answer, Gangcheon’s brow furrowed slightly.

“What kind of excuse is that? If a student cannot focus on their studies, is it not the teacher’s duty to make them do so?”

I-chan replied without backing down.

“How am I to create motivation where none exists? I do not possess such a talent.”

Gangcheon folded his hand against his cheek.

His fisted hand pushed up his skin, adding a layer of petulance to his already bored expression.

“Sang-hyo. Do not disappoint me. If you lack the talent, you should at least put in the effort to create it.”

“Your mercy is boundless.”

“So, has there been no progress at all?”

“We only just finished the ‘Subjects Yield to the Tribes’ section yesterday.”

“We have a long way to go.”

It had been four months, yet they hadn’t even covered 120 characters.

Gangcheon’s brow creased deeply.

The Consort had at least pretended to study when the Emperor looked in on him every day.

Seeing the progress slow down even further now that he had stopped visiting, it seemed the man had lost all motivation once he stopped being watched.

“I shall speak firmly to the Consort, so you should also pay a bit more attention to his progress.”

I-chan bowed his head with a look of great reluctance.

“I, Seong I-chan, shall devote my heart to it.”

In the meantime, Haeryeong had let the hawk fly only twice and seemed ready to end the training session.

Gangcheon rose from the throne and began to walk down the dais.

“I shall conclude the session here.”

As he exited the Great Hall, he saw Haeryeong trying to place the hood over the hawk’s head.

Perhaps because his touch was clumsy or because the hawk was looking down on him, he seemed to be struggling quite a bit.

Even as Gangcheon walked across the long courtyard, Haeryeong remained troubled by the hawk, which was playfully biting the straps of the hood.

When Gangcheon drew closer, he saw the Empress was practically pleading with the bird.

“Chang-ah. Do not do this. We have to put on the hood so we can return. Hmm? Stop biting it and let go.”

“Empress.”

When Gangcheon called out as he approached, Haeryeong finally turned his head.

Gangcheon waved his hand to stop him from bowing as he drew near.

He expected Haeryeong to look distressed, but his face was more composed than anticipated.

“I told you to train the hawk; does it seem the hawk is training you instead?”

Haeryeong laughed with an expression of pure relief.

Then, in the next moment, his face crinkled in embarrassment.

Whether it was because of the hawk or their recent frequent interactions, Gangcheon felt Haeryeong’s expressions had become much richer.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

Gangcheon watched him bow and then extended his hand.

“Give it to me.”

Haeryeong blinked slowly, staring at Gangcheon’s hand.

‘Why are people so slow on the uptake today?’

Feeling a bit irritated, his words came out bluntly.

“The hood, I mean.”

Only then did Haeryeong hand over the hood. Gangcheon took the worn cowhide hood and clicked his tongue.

He had ordered a new one to be made, but he had been told it would take some time to complete.

‘Must I keep looking at this shabby thing until then?’

A long sigh escaped him from deep within.

“Watch closely.”

Gangcheon placed the hood over the hawk’s head from above and pulled the straps tight to secure it.

The hawk, which had been darting its gaze around restlessly, became quiet once its eyes were covered.

“Because their field of vision is wide, you must cover them from the top. If you do it the way you were, you won’t have it on by next year.”

Haeryeong’s expression showed visible relief, as he had indeed been at a loss.

Rich expressions were well and good, but Gangcheon was reminded of something that had been bothering him.

‘Those eyes.’

Haeryeong met his gaze more easily than before he fell ill, yet strangely, it felt as if something was missing.

Furthermore, the occasional flashes of fear were not to his liking.

As Gangcheon stared down at him, Haeryeong’s gaze quickly dropped to the floor.

“Are you returning?”

“Yes. I was told that too much training at once is not good, so I was thinking of heading back.”

“A calling session of ten to fifteen times a day is appropriate, yet you did far fewer than that.”

As Gangcheon began to walk, Haeryeong followed quietly behind, looking troubled.

“It is because… Chang-i would not leave my arm.”

“It is because you gave him too much meat. He isn’t doing his job because he gets food without a reason. If he starts being lazy like that, he won’t be able to hunt. No matter how precious he is, you must only feed him when it is time.”

Gangcheon expected a typical answer about keeping it in mind, but instead, Haeryeong stole a glance up at him.

Then, after a pause, he gave the expected reply.

“I shall keep it in mind.”

‘Hmm.’

Gangcheon narrowed his eyes and scanned Haeryeong, who was walking with his gaze turned away again.

Something had changed, but he simply couldn’t put his finger on what it was.