Chapter 18: A Question of Love, Answered in Silence

Even today, Moon Hae-min was working at the Songdo Provincial Office.

“My lord, it seems there’s an error in the grain ledger.”

At his remark, Song Seol set down the document he had been reviewing and turned his head.

“Which part?”

“This section here. I think the calculation might be off. Because the incoming record is written like this…”

Hae-min pointed to a part of the ledger and continued,

“I believe a mistake was made when recording the outgoing amount.”

“I see.”

“Rather than correcting just this part, I think it would be better to review the entire ledger. Shall I?”

“Do so.”

As soon as he received permission, Hae-min pulled out an abacus. As he carefully compared each entry of incoming and outgoing records, Song Seol spoke.

“That must be tedious.”

“Not at all.”

Hae-min was confident in his calculations. There was something deeply satisfying about doing work he excelled at. When he focused on numbers, it helped him forget his tangled thoughts.

“Capable people often end up handling all the work. Not only your own duties, but even others’, in a way, your exceptional ability is the problem.”

“…”

The calm praise tickled Hae-min’s heart. He paused mid-calculation and covered his cheek, trying to hide what must have been a rather strange expression.

“Thank you…”

No matter what, being praised by Song Seol felt good. It felt as though he was being acknowledged for himself, not as the noble heir of the Moon family, but as Moon Hae-min, who was quick with numbers and skilled with writing.

“My lord, it is Seunghyeok.”

At that moment, the office door swung open. Without even waiting for permission, Yun Seunghyeok stepped in.

“A dispatch has arrived, so I came to deliver it- ah, isn’t that Young Master Moon!”

Recognizing Hae-min, Seunghyeok greeted him brightly. Hae-min returned the greeting.

“Good day.”

“More than good! Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

In truth, it hadn’t been that long since they last met.

At some point, Hae-min had begun accompanying Song Seol to the provincial office regularly. Naturally, he ran into Seunghyeok often, and had even seen him just three days ago.

After being firmly rejected the first time, Seunghyeok never again asked to buy his calligraphy. Instead, he would cheerfully strike up conversation whenever they met.

It was hard to rebuff someone who smiled so openly, and before long, Hae-min found himself fairly friendly with him. It was almost embarrassing now, considering how firmly he had once rejected Seunghyeok’s request to be conversation partners.

“This dispatch is six days later than usual. I wonder what kind of important news delayed it so much…”

Seunghyeok said as he handed over the bundle. Song Seol accepted it and shot him a cold look—a silent warning to stop chattering.

But Seunghyeok was not the type to be deterred.

“Speaking of news, have you heard the latest?”

“What news?”

Hae-min asked in Song Seol’s stead, once again impressed by Seunghyeok’s boldness.

“Well, the beloved daughter of the Muam Merchant Guild’s head apparently ran away with a male servant.”

“Is that so?”

Even Hae-min, who wasn’t yet fully familiar with Songdo, knew of the Muam Guild. Their daughter would have lived in great luxury, yet she abandoned it all. She must have loved that servant dearly.

“They say she had a huge argument with her father, then packed her things and left at dawn. The guild master tried to keep it quiet, but you know how that goes, everyone’s talking about it, even the reason behind the quarrel.”

“What was it about?”

“He wanted to marry her into a noble family. Apparently one that had fallen on hard times…”

Such arrangements weren’t uncommon, merchants gained status, and nobles gained wealth.

“Ah, a love strong enough to abandon one’s family! I almost envy it.”

Seunghyeok fanned himself with a decorative folding fan, clearly amused.

“I only find it foolish.”

“Who do you mean? The guild master? Well, I suppose, though perhaps he could have arranged a decent position for the servant and-”

“No, I meant the daughter.”

At that, both Seunghyeok and Song Seol turned their attention fully to Hae-min. Feeling slightly pressured, he continued.

“Marriage is arranged by elders. It isn’t something done for love.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Seunghyeok nodded.

At that moment, Song Seol cut the conversation short.

“We’ve spent too much time.”

“Ah, I’ll take my leave.”

Seunghyeok bowed and left, giving Hae-min a quick glance of farewell.

It felt like a small whirlwind had swept through and vanished. A bit chaotic, but not unpleasant. Hae-min returned his attention to the documents, only for Song Seol to speak.

“Was it the same for you?”

“What do you mean?”

After a brief silence, Song Seol asked again,

“Did you become my concubine because it was arranged by your elders?”

“Yes, of course.”

Hae-min had had no say in it. The decision had been made entirely by others.

“Then… do you not love me?”

“My lord…?”

Hae-min couldn’t believe his ears. The word love didn’t suit Song Seol, and the question itself was startling.

“Forgive me… I do not understand your meaning.”

“There is nothing to interpret. I meant exactly what I asked.”

“…If you are asking whether I love you… then no, I do not.”

It was the obvious answer. Still, saying it outright felt uncomfortable.

“I see.”

For a moment, Song Seol’s demeanor seemed to grow colder.

“But what importance does love hold?”

“…”

“Even without love, people can trust and rely on one another.”

“You are right.”

The atmosphere eased again. Hae-min felt relieved.

Of course, Song Seol couldn’t have been serious, so why would he be hurt by such an answer?

And yet, that night, when Song Seol summoned Hae-min, his actions were far more intense than usual.

****

Afterward, breath still uneven, Hae-min tried to catch a moment’s rest.

“Wait…”

He wasn’t refusing, just asking for a brief pause. But Song Seol pressed close again, as though even that short reprieve was too much to grant.

A large hand gripped his thigh firmly, holding him in place.

Hae-min instinctively shook his head.

“…”

Noticing, Song Seol stopped and looked down at him.

Damp hair clung to pale skin, flushed with heat. His eyes, clear and trembling, looked almost like glazed porcelain with droplets of water.

A strange thirst rose within Song Seol.

“Does it hurt that much?”

“…Yes.”

“Even when you’ve already loosened so much?”

His tone carried a hint of teasing, but Hae-min snapped back despite himself.

“It’s too much. That’s why.”

“Hard to believe. You’re this…”

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