Chapter 7: A Dream Finally Seen

The next day, Moon Hae-min left his quarters feeling as if he were going on a spring outing.

In truth, it was still the depths of winter. But compared to the bitter cold of previous days, the weather had grown relatively mild. Perhaps this was the “four warm days” of the saying three cold days, four warm days.

“I’ll lend you a horse.”

“Thank you…”

The moment they met, Song Seol held out a set of reins.

Hae-min accepted them, though he quietly swallowed a sigh.

‘What should I do…’

Moon Hae-min had never properly learned horseback riding. At best, he had only picked up the basics while riding from Hanseong to Songdo.

If he had been raised as a proper noble, he should behave like one. Yet every habit ingrained in him still belonged to a commoner.

Silently cursing Minister Moon for forcing him to impersonate Moon Hee-yul, Hae-min awkwardly climbed onto the saddle.

“Let’s go.”

When he pulled the reins, the horse began to walk.

It seemed well-trained. Even though Hae-min did little, it moved steadily forward on its own.

Still, his awkward riding was impossible to hide. Song Seol guided his horse closer.

“Is riding difficult for you?”

“…A little.”

In truth, the real Moon Hee-yul was not particularly skilled at riding either, so this much likely wouldn’t raise suspicion.

“Even so, you shouldn’t show fear. Horses are intelligent animals. They quickly sense when their rider is afraid.”

“And what happens if they notice?”

“They look down on their rider.”

“…”

In that case, this horse was probably already looking down on him.

That alone would be fine, he just hoped it wouldn’t suddenly bolt or run wild.

“Still, you should be fine. The horse you’re riding has a gentle temperament.”

“Is that so…”

At Song Seol’s reassurance, Hae-min loosened his grip.

He hadn’t realized he had been clutching the reins so tightly. No wonder the horse could sense his fear.

“Just endure a little longer. Yesong Port isn’t far.”

Leaving those words behind, Song Seol spurred his horse forward like the wind.

Moon Hae-min watched the black horse race ahead and couldn’t help but admire it.

Its sleek black coat shone beautifully, and its thick tail swayed elegantly. Even someone like Hae-min, who knew little about horses, could tell it was a fine one.

To control such a spirited-looking horse so effortlessly… it stirred a sense of admiration in him.

There was no way he could match Song Seol’s riding skill, nor did he dare imagine trying.

Still, gathering his resolve, Hae-min urged his horse forward.

The scenery rushed past.

After leaving the bustling streets and passing beyond the city gate, an endless field of reeds stretched before them.

Song Seol galloped through the reeds, occasionally glancing back to check if Hae-min was keeping up.

‘If he were alone, he would’ve reached Yesong Port long ago.’

It seemed like a reasonable guess.

Even with the slower pace, the two of them eventually arrived at Yesong Port.

“The wind here smells salty.”

“Because it’s the seaside.”

Song Seol answered as if it were obvious.

But what was obvious to some was not obvious to Moon Hae-min.

“Ah… so this is what the sea smells like.”

Hae-min inhaled deeply until his chest filled with the briny air.

Song Seol turned to him.

“Have you never seen the sea before?”

“No.”

“You’ve never seen the sea?”

“No, I haven’t.”

This time Hae-min answered as if it were perfectly natural.

Song Seol looked skeptical but soon nodded.

“That makes sense if you’ve lived in Hanseong your entire life.”

“That’s right.”

Hae-min responded calmly.

In truth, the real Moon Hee-yul had also never left Hanseong.

Not just them, unless someone was a traveling merchant wandering from place to place, most people spent their entire lives within the region where they were born.

Because of that, Moon Hae-min himself had never imagined he would see the sea.

Of course, he had once wished, Before I die, I want to see the sea at least once.

But that had been a distant dream—something for a far-off future.

Yet here he was, seeing it unexpectedly.

Perhaps that was how mysterious life could be.

“Is that the sea?”

In the distance, waves rolled and shimmered.

From afar it didn’t look that different from a river, but up close it would surely be different.

Excited, Hae-min tugged the reins.

“Ah- wait- !”

Suddenly the previously calm horse moved unpredictably.

It began walking in the wrong direction.

Frozen, Hae-min clutched the reins helplessly until Song Seol quickly rode over.

With a swift motion, he grabbed the reins.

Speaking softly to the horse, he calmed it down as if it understood human speech.

“But… it wouldn’t listen to me…”

Did horses judge people too?

Muttering in disbelief, Hae-min heard Song Seol chuckle softly.

“You’ll need more practice turning directions.”

“Yes…”

“Dismount.”

Song Seol stepped down from his horse first.

Hae-min hurried to follow, but his lingering tension made him hesitate.

Noticing this, Song Seol extended a hand.

“Thank you for helping me.”

Hae-min said softly, politely enough not to seem rude, and took his hand.

His hand was unexpectedly warm.

“My lord, you’ve arrived.”

Just as Hae-min’s feet touched the ground, a group of men approached and bowed.

They appeared to be workers from Yesong Port.

Song Seol addressed them.

“Are preparations for departure going smoothly?”

“Yes, my lord. We’ve nearly finished. The ship should depart as scheduled.”

“I should inspect the cargo.”

“I will guide you, my lord.”

An older man stepped forward.

Song Seol followed him, and Hae-min walked along as well.

But he began to notice curious glances from all around.

At first he thought it was his imagination.

But it wasn’t.

Every person they passed stole a look at him. Even the guide occasionally glanced back.

‘They must be curious about the Grand Prince’s companion.’

That seemed the only explanation.

Sure enough, the man finally asked carefully:

“My lord… may I ask who that person is? It’s just that not anyone may board the ship. Of course, since he accompanies Your Highness, his status must be certain, but we must confirm it regardless.”

He looked deeply apologetic for even asking.

Song Seol, however, answered calmly.

“He is my concubine.”

“Ah…! I see!”

The man exclaimed in sudden understanding and looked at Hae-min again.

The gaze felt strangely different.

Or perhaps it was simply Hae-min’s imagination, because the word concubine had filled him with humiliation.

Yet that unpleasant feeling vanished the moment he stepped onto the ship.

“Wow…!”

The only boats he had ever ridden were small ferry boats crossing rivers.

This ship was enormous in comparison.

It carried countless goods, and the sea stretching beyond it was so vast that his eyes could hardly take it all in.

“Is it that fascinating?”

“Yes. It truly is.”

Pure wonder appeared on Moon Hee-yul’s face.

Everything within his sight seemed amazing as he eagerly looked around.

But to Song Seol, it was that very reaction that felt fascinating.

He watched Moon Hee-yul quietly.

Unaware of the intense gaze upon him, Hee-yul looked out toward the distant sea.

The ocean reflected fully in his pale jade-colored eyes, making them seem to shimmer blue.

At that moment, a laborer carrying cargo nearly collided with him.

Song Seol quickly pulled him back by the sleeve.

“Be careful.”

“Th-thank you.”

Barely avoiding the collision, Hee-yul clutched his chest.

His already large eyes widened even more in shock.

“What were you thinking about that you couldn’t even see what was in front of you?”

“I apologize…”

“I’m not scolding you. I’m simply curious.”

“Well… I was wondering where that ship is going.”

Embarrassed, Hee-yul pointed toward the harbor.

Sure enough, a large merchant ship was docked there.

“It appears to be a trading ship from Michang Kingdom.”

“Ah, Michang Kingdom.”

Hee-yul nodded.

“I once copied a travel journal about Michang. They say its natural scenery is very different from ours. For instance, the mountains are not shaped like the character siot but are pointed like candlesticks. And apparently strange animals live in the deep mountain valleys…”

As he spoke, a faint joy gradually appeared on his face.

Just like when he first saw the sea, it was easy to see what captured his interest.

“My lord, I’ve brought what you requested.”

If the clerk hadn’t spoken up, Hee-yul might have continued talking even longer.

Instead, he immediately closed his mouth like a clam.

Come to think of it, Hee-yul seemed naturally shy.

He had been distant even with Song Seol until today, only recently beginning to speak more freely.

Watching someone cautious like a wary kitten slowly approach only him… the feeling was oddly satisfying.

Enjoying that quiet sense of pride, Song Seol accepted the document from the clerk.

It was a summary of the exchange goods, their types and quantities.

Everything was organized clearly and neatly.

Moon Hee-yul’s work.

“Would you like to check it as well?”

Since they had come this far, it felt wrong to exclude the very person who had organized the documents.

Strictly speaking, it was giving him more work, but Song Seol was certain Hee-yul wouldn’t mind.

As expected, Hee-yul’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he accepted the paper.