Chapter 16: The Golden Puppy

Cheonhong and Ihwan had only heard the situation inside through sounds. It was like this.

Inside the carriage, small metal trinkets were scattered everywhere. Every day, whether yesterday or the day before, Yun had appeared with gold, silver, or iron and used his ability to perform little tricks.

Because Muheun especially lit up and enjoyed watching any use of ability, Yun comforted the boring, long march that way.

A few days ago, he brought a sword and made all kinds of flowers. Yesterday, he came in with some silver pieces and made figures from Romance of the Three Kingdoms one by one, melting and remaking them, which thrilled Muheun.

After that, using the excuse that he was tired from using his ability so much, Yun regularly grabbed Muheun’s hand as if robbing him and drew out power.

Today, Yun climbed into the carriage with a small gold nugget clutched in his fist. Disappointment colored Muheun’s voice when he saw it.

“Today the amount of gold seems a bit small…”

“Haha, I peeled off all the gold leaf attached to the carriage and lumped it together, but this is all it made. All the gold items are packed in the luggage. Instead, I brought something more fun.”

“What is it?”

“What animal do you like?”

“Why ask that all of a sudden?”

“Pick one.”

“Then… a puppy.”

On Yun’s palm, the round lump of gold changed into a small puppy. Muheun gasped and picked up the shining ornament.

“To think you brought something this cute. Duke Ju has an unexpected side.”

“What I prepared comes next. Now, let’s see the real ability.”

With an interested expression, Yun rubbed his hands together and tapped the small puppy Muheun was holding.

“I’m going to make this one walk. Where should I put it down?”

Muheun laughed with a childlike cheer and stretched out his leg. He placed the gold puppy, only as long as a little finger, above his knee.

“Here? On your thigh?”

“Duke Ju, go ahead, begin.”

This was the part Ihwan and Cheonhong heard outside the carriage and misunderstood. When Yun made the golden puppy move, its small, cute four feet twitched and began walking on Muheun’s thigh. Muheun burst out laughing again and again.

“It tickles! Kya, ahahaha, stop!”

Yun waved his hand gently, making the puppy trot a little faster. Its four cute feet reached the inside of Muheun’s thigh.

“Aht, there… mm…”

Unable to bear it, Muheun grabbed the cheeky puppy with his thumb and index finger and lifted it up.

“Duke Ju, are you going to do that?”

“Who knew passing leisure time with Prince Eunjeung would be this enjoyable?”

“Don’t you usually do things like this?”

“Using my ability for playful tricks like this is a great luxury for me. Only now, because you are here…”

Yun pulled Muheun’s hand and grasped it firmly.

“The power will be settled.”

“Ah…”

“I used a lot of ability making the golden puppy and making it toddle. Since we laughed and enjoyed together, the purification is yours.”

“You’re so shameless.”

Yun met his eyes and grinned, then playfully pressed a light kiss on the back of Muheun’s hand held in his own. Muheun was startled and glared, but Yun paid no mind. Muheun shook his hand off with all his strength and pushed Yun away.

Yun looked full of regret, and even suddenly wore a wistful gaze as he rambled about old memories.

“When I was young, I relied on my mother, a healer, and made and played with things like this to my heart’s content. The one who liked my tricks most was His Highness Prince Yeomrok, who is now detained in Huiryo Kingdom. Whenever Prince Yeomrok came to Hyomyeong Castle, I would gather what I had made and give them as gifts.”

“You have a personal friendship with Prince Yeomrok?”

“He was my mother’s cousin and my father’s closest friend. He doted on me… His Highness Prince Yeomrok doubted the Hoeryun Stone theft case and my parents’ deaths, and while investigating with the emperor’s permission, he was dragged off to Huiryo Kingdom.”

“I heard it from my master. You said before that Geonwon’s eunuch had a hand in it.”

“Just now, what… what did you say…?”

“Did I say something wrong? Why are you so surprised?”

Yun even held his breath and spun his thoughts.

The night before Prince Yeomrok was kidnapped, he left word that there was a likely mastermind behind it. The eunuch at the time must have known he was suspected and struck first, taking Prince Yeomrok down.

‘Why did that eunuch not kill Prince Yeomrok and instead leave him alive? That would have been a more certain silencing.’

The question arose, but no answer came immediately. Since it was something to dig into further, Yun quickly added another question.

“Regarding that, have you heard anything else?”

“Related to that… ah, the merchant guild! They said mercenaries from a merchant guild were used to kidnap him. It’s likely they were also involved in stealing the Hoeryun Stone.”

“The name of the guild?”

“I don’t know beyond that. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Thanks to you, I learned the eunuch was involved, and narrowing it down to merchant guilds with mercenary bands is a big step.”

“Then how many guild candidates are there?”

“Well… all merchant guilds of medium size or larger have mercenary bands. But if we limit it to guilds that trade with both Geonwon and Huiryo, it might narrow down somewhat. When I arrive at Hyomyeong Castle, I will begin investigating first.”

The moment Muheun nodded, Yun grabbed his hand tightly again. A look asking why returned, but Yun ignored it, met his eyes, and sat up straight.

“Prince Eunjeung, I have been secretly investigating His Highness Prince Yeomrok’s kidnapping under Emperor’s secret order. Of course, I have personal reasons for being eager about the investigation. Because of that, the information you just gave me was a great help. Thank you.”

Yun’s eyes were so serious that Muheun found it unexpected. It did not seem like information important enough for him to be so polite and thank him.

“What is your personal reason?”

Yun gently patted Muheun’s held hand twice with his other hand, hesitated for a moment, and began to speak.

“Twenty-one years ago, His Highness Prince Yeomrok seems to have guessed the identity of the eunuch behind the Hoeryun Stone case who drove my parents to their deaths. He did not reveal the name because there was no proof.”

Muheun became awkward, not knowing how to answer. The reason Huiryo had infiltrated Geonwon’s land and stolen the Hoeryun Stone was because he, the third prince Prince Eunjeung Muheun, had been born with white hair.

Ever since he learned that the person sitting before him was the Lord of Hyomyeong Castle, there had been a heavy story weighing on his heart, and he brought it out.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hm?”

“That you lost your parents at a young age was practically because of my birth. So… I thought the current Lord of Hyomyeong Castle would regard me as an enemy.”

“When I was young, there was a time I resolved to make that person called Prince Eunjeung of Huiryo, whom I had never even seen, my enemy. I needed somewhere vague to pour my resentment. But the more I thought, the clearer it became how foolish that was.”

Still holding Muheun’s hand tightly, Yun wore a comfortable smile. Pat, pat. He tapped the back of Muheun’s hand again like before.

It was time to let go of his hand now, but Yun did not. There was no reason to refuse the power pouring in.

Muheun did not scold him as usual and stayed quiet. After allowing some time, he muttered.

“I must learn to control power soon, Yun.”

“…If you insist, I will secretly arrange a meeting as soon as Teacher Dohak, who is traveling, returns.”

That was when Ihwan’s voice rang out loudly outside the carriage.

“Whole army, halt!”

Wondering what was happening, Muheun pulled back the window and looked outside. Almost at the same time, Cheonhong ran over at incredible speed and delivered the news.

“My lord, a messenger! A messenger has come from Hyomyeong Castle.”

Only then did Yun let go of Muheun’s hand. He nodded a greeting and hurried out of the carriage. Muheun stared after him, then felt eyes on him and turned his head.

He met eyes with Cheonhong, who was still hanging on the window and grinning.

“Why… are you looking at me like that?”

“Hehe, the two of you were holding hands tightly?”

“No, that was… uh…”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. Our lord has met someone so suited to him. All of us are happy just for that.”

“All of you?”

“Yes, Ihwan said he saw the two of you sharing a kiss.”

Muheun’s face flushed red in an instant.

“E-everyone knows about that?”

“Hehe, good news should be shared. I told everyone.”

Muheun pressed his forehead. The kiss Cheonhong was talking about was the time Yun, claiming to check something, rolled his eyes back and pressed his lips to Muheun’s on the day it was revealed that Muheun had the power ability.

“Haa…”

A sigh escaped. But if he thought about it, being misunderstood like this might not be so bad. If Yun kept trying to hold his hand even after they arrived at Hyomyeong Castle, everyone would surely think it strange.

“According to Ihwan, our lord sent a letter to Hyomyeong Castle telling them to prepare Prince Eunjeung’s quarters well. I was sure you would share a room, so it’s unexpected…”

“Share a room, what nonsense!”

Muheun jumped. Share a room! Sharing a room with another person was something he could not even imagine. Yet at the words that quarters were being prepared, one side of his chest grew warm.

Could he, who had always lived locked away alone, now live like a human being? What would it feel like to live mixed among others? A quiet expectation crept in.

“But what’s this about a messenger?”

“It’s a messenger from Hyomyeong Castle. Are you curious? Should I go find out? Wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Cheonhong, always excited, poured out words without pause and then vanished. He headed to a spot a few steps away from where Yun, Ihwan, and the messenger were gathered. He seemed to be waiting for their conversation to end.

Muheun rested his chin on the carriage window and looked outside. Yun was unfolding the letter he had received from the messenger.

‘I heard we arrive at the castle tomorrow, but a messenger came out early. Did something happen?’

As Yun read down the letter, surprise and puzzlement crossed his face in turn. As if something displeased him, he furrowed his brow deeply.

‘What is it?’

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