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Only after doting on Bok-deong for quite some time did Moon Hae-min finally calm down. He went over his plan in his head.
‘In two days, I need to go to Yesong Port.’
That was the only way to join the Muam Merchant Group that the book rental shop owner had introduced him to. Hae-min planned to board their ship and leave Yeomyeong. His destination was Geumo Kingdom, specifically, Wonya.
Wonya was a place frequently visited by merchant groups, and people skilled in accounting were in high demand. Hae-min intended to take charge of accounting at one of their branches.
But that was all for the distant future. For now, his priority was to reach Yesong Port without catching anyone’s attention.
‘By now, the residence of Prince Byeokran must be in chaos.’
They would have realized that the prince’s concubine had disappeared. They might not think he had run away, but they could assume something had happened and formed a search party.
Whatever the reason, he couldn’t afford to be caught by Songseol’s subordinates. If that happened, all his efforts would be in vain.
“I’ll lie low for two days…”
Hae-min muttered quietly.
The best way to avoid the search party was to stay hidden. Since he had nothing urgent to do, he decided not to leave the tavern for the time being.
****
For the next two days, Moon Hae-min focused on recovering his body and taking care of the baby.
Doing both at once was no easy task. A newborn needed to be fed frequently, and caring for a baby who couldn’t even roll over on its own was exhausting.
Still, simply staying indoors improved Hae-min’s condition significantly. Bok-deong was also growing well. Hae-min had worried the cold wind might give him a cold, but the baby hadn’t even coughed once.
“Our Bok-deong is such a good boy. Healthy and everything.”
Not only that, Bok-deong had begun to open his eyes.
The first time Hae-min saw them, he couldn’t help but gasp. The baby’s eyes were a clear jade color, not muddied like his own, but pure and bright.
Looking into those eyes, Hae-min spoke softly.
“Bok-deong, we’re going to Yesong Port today. It might be tough, but can you endure it?”
It was the middle of winter, so he was deeply concerned. He dressed the baby in layers to keep him warm, then changed his own clothes. This time, he wore trousers instead of a skirt, he couldn’t maintain his disguise when meeting the merchants.
Fully prepared, Hae-min stepped out of the tavern.
“Ugh, it’s freezing.”
The air outside, felt for the first time in days, was painfully cold. Every breath felt like it might freeze his throat. Hugging Bok-deong tightly, he quickened his pace.
‘Why is it so cold? Did I just forget because I stayed indoors?’
He wondered. Last winter had been harsh too, but not like this.
“Ah, it’s so cold.”
“I’ve never felt cold like this in my life.”
“Same here. Even for winter, this is too much…”
Hearing even locals complain made it clear, the cold this year was truly unusual.
‘If only I could ride a horse…’
It wouldn’t make things warmer, but at least he’d reach his destination faster. He briefly considered borrowing one, then dismissed the idea. With his poor riding skills, carrying a baby on icy roads would be far too dangerous.
“…”
Suddenly, Hae-min recalled last winter.
A day that had been unusually warm despite being winter. He had gone to Yesong Port with Songseol to inspect goods meant for Geumo Kingdom.
That had been the official reason, but Hae-min had been far more interested in what lay beyond. His heart had pounded with excitement for the new world he was about to see.
And then… the sea.
‘It was overwhelming.’
So much water, stretching endlessly.
It had been a magnificent sight, though Hae-min had been the only one awed by it. Song Seol had seemed more amused by his reaction than the sea itself.
That had been Song Seol’s world.
A world of state affairs, skilled horsemanship, and distant seas.
And thanks to him, Hae-min had been allowed a glimpse of it.
‘…He really was a good person.’
Sometimes mischievous in ways he couldn’t understand, but fundamentally kind.
And yet, Hae-min had betrayed that trust.
His steps grew heavier, but he didn’t stop. As the bookshop owner had said, he was someone who had to leave.
****
Finding Yesong Port without getting lost was a relief. Meeting the Muam Merchant Group also seemed to go smoothly at first.
But then…
“The sea has frozen…?”
Hae-min muttered in disbelief. In his understanding, the sea didn’t freeze easily.
But the weather… was no ordinary weather.
“That’s right. So we can’t set sail as planned.”
“Th-then what do we do?”
“What else? We wait until it melts.”
“When… will it melt?”
“Well… no one knows.”
The merchant glanced at the young man before him. Hae-min stood there, holding a baby, looking as though his world had collapsed. Even the merchant felt a twinge of sympathy.
“With weather like this, it might not thaw until after Daehan. Maybe even longer.”
“I see…”
Hae-min barely managed to steady himself. Not being able to leave as planned was a serious problem, but there was nothing to be done.
“You can stay at the inn where our merchants lodge.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Bowing deeply while supporting the baby’s head, Hae-min expressed his gratitude.
“Tsk, raising a child must be tough.”
“No… the child suffers because of me.”
That answer only made him seem more pitiful. The merchant kindly gave directions before parting.
“…Ha.”
Hae-min tried to reassure himself. Looking back, everything had gone surprisingly smoothly until now. Even giving birth safely without a midwife had been a miracle.
But the unease wouldn’t go away.
‘If Song Seol hadn’t been away, I wouldn’t have made it this far.’
It had already been a month since he left. It wouldn’t be strange if he returned any day now.
And if he did.
What would happen?
The answer was obvious.
Deceiving royalty and fleeing with his child… at best, execution. At worst, something even more brutal.
Just imagining it darkened his expression.
Then…
Soldiers appeared in the distance.
“…Oh.”
Hae-min stopped, watching carefully.
They were stopping passersby, questioning them.
And the one they were looking for was likely…
‘…Me.’
It was entirely possible.
Fear surged through him. He turned and walked away, quickly, but not suspiciously.
His chest burned with anxiety.
Something was going wrong.
He could feel it.
****
Six days passed with no progress.
The frozen sea showed no signs of thawing. Merchants were troubled as schedules collapsed.
But Hae-min was in an even worse position. Stuck here, not knowing when Song Seol might return, his anxiety grew by the day.
And to make matters worse, Bok-deong wasn’t doing well.
“Bok-deong… why aren’t you eating? No appetite?”
Hae-min murmured worriedly. The baby who once fed well now refused milk.
‘Is it because I’m not producing enough…?’
He wasn’t sure, but it felt that way.
At this rate, he might have to start feeding him porridge.
“And why can’t you sleep?”
The baby kept waking shortly after falling asleep.
“…That’s why you’re so weak, isn’t it?”
Gently stroking his back, Hae-min sighed.
He didn’t seem sick.
Just…
Exhausted.
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