Chapter 45: Toward the Inevitable Tide

“Hm.”

Song Seol let out a low hum.

What followed, however, was somewhat unexpected.

“Do you know that nations periodically exchange tribute goods with one another?”

“I do.”

“Soon, we must exchange goods with the State of Geumo as a gesture of peace. Yet among the officials, there are far too many who are inept in mathematics.”

“…”

“So, I am reluctant to send capable personnel at this time.”

As if asking what he would do, Song Seol gazed steadily at Moon Hae-min.

There was not the slightest hint that he expected refusal.

Yet Moon Hae-min slowly shook his head.

“I cannot do it, my lord.”

“…”

“I apologize.”

It was not merely to avoid Song Seol that he refused.

This was truly far beyond his station.

Neither Moon Hae-min nor Moon Hee-yul had any right to meddle in affairs of the state.

In the past, the phrase “capable personnel” had tempted him.

Driven by ambition, he had accepted Song Seol’s offer even while knowing he should not.

But now that he had cast aside such desires, there was no reason for him to accept.

“You say you cannot?”

“Yes.”

At the repeated refusal, Song Seol’s brow faintly furrowed.

Through the crack in his composure, a trace of displeasure flickered.

“You said you wished to live according to what is proper.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Then it would not be wrong to interpret that as meaning you wish to fulfill your proper role?”

Moon Hae-min pressed his lips shut.

Song Seol’s words were a threat.

If he dared refuse, then he was being told to fulfill his role as a concubine.

‘So that is what he thinks my role is.’

It became unmistakably clear what the man before him thought of him.

He had known it all along, yet had not wanted to confirm it.

A sudden wave of resentment rose toward Song Seol.

No matter what, how could he corner someone like this, using intimacy as leverage?

Even the pride he had buried deep within began to ache.

“Do not worry. You will suffer no harm.”

As if offering medicine after poison, Song Seol gently soothed him.

His voice even carried a faint tenderness.

“…Understood.”

In the end, Moon Hae-min agreed.

Something felt off.

He could not pinpoint exactly why, but the feeling that he was doing something wrong clung stubbornly to him.

Yet there was no helping it.

From the beginning, it was as if Moon Hae-min had never been given a real choice.

****

After that, Song Seol continued assigning tasks to Moon Hae-min.

The workload itself was not excessive.

Yet throughout it, his chest felt heavy, as though weighed down by a stone.

While totaling the regional specialties, Moon Hae-min let out a sigh.

‘Even after returning to the past, I am repeating the same mistakes.’

Song Seol aside, he found himself just as tiresome.

Still, Moon Hae-min forced himself to shake off the self-loathing.

Since he had already begun, it would be easier to carry on with a lighter heart.

Yet his mood refused to improve, like a day of endless drizzle.

His motivation hit rock bottom, and even his body felt sluggish.

“What is wrong with me?”

At first, he wondered if it was because of Song Seol, but soon he realized the answer.

‘Perhaps it’s because I know what lies ahead.’

The ship carrying the tribute goods was destined to be wrecked off the coast of Yesong Port.

In other words, all of his efforts would ultimately amount to nothing.

“…”

Hae-min looked down at the documents.

They were filled with numbers, ginseng, ceramics, silk, figures representing valuable goods.

Each item was precious.

Even obtaining just one of them would allow someone like Moon Hae-min to live comfortably for at least a month, or even up to ten years.

And yet, a large portion of those treasures was destined to be destroyed…

‘What a waste.’

He stretched out his pale hand and gently brushed over the document.

Without realizing it, he must have grown attached to these items.

The thought that most of them would be ruined unsettled him.

And that was not all.

Many people would suffer because of this incident.

Twelve sailors would lose their lives, officials would toil day and night to resolve the matter, and even Song Seol would…

‘Well, whatever happens to Song Seol is none of my concern.’

Still, something felt deeply unsettling.

Knowing full well that a disaster would occur, was it right to simply stand by and do nothing?

Legally, there was no issue.

No one would blame or condemn Moon Hae-min.

But morally, it was a different matter.

As if trying to convince himself, he muttered,

“Even if I step in, it probably won’t change anything…”

The ship’s destruction had been a true accident.

If an individual could prevent such an event, then it would not have been an accident in the first place.

‘Does that mean what is destined to happen will happen, no matter what?’

It was a bitter conclusion.

Moon Hae-min sat there blankly for a moment.

Precious goods, the ship and the sea, the accident, and his own future…

All these tangled thoughts rolled through his mind.

Then suddenly, he sprang to his feet.

Calling over a maidservant, he said,

“When my lord returns, tell him that I wish to see him.”

****

By the time even the sunset had faded, leaving only the western sky burning faintly red, night had fallen.

The steward delivered Song Seol’s message.

“Young master, my lord is calling for you.”

Moon Hae-min followed the steward out of his quarters.

However, instead of heading toward the men’s quarters as expected, the steward turned in another direction.

“My lord has summoned you to the pavilion tonight.”

“I see.”

Though he followed, Hae-min tilted his head in slight confusion.

Why meet at the pavilion instead of the usual quarters?

Still, the location itself was not important, and he soon dismissed the thought.

After walking for some time, a tranquil garden came into view.

Nestled between buildings, it felt especially secluded and peaceful.

At its center stood a small pavilion.

With no windows or doors and open on all sides, its interior was fully visible.

‘This scenery feels familiar.’

He had been here before, in the past.

Even the sight of Song Seol already seated there was the same.

If there was any difference, it was that no meal had been prepared today.

“You’ve come.”

Song Seol acknowledged him.

Hae-min stopped and gave a respectful bow.

“Sit.”

There was only one empty seat, so there was no need to consider where to sit.

Though he hesitated briefly at the thought of facing Song Seol directly, Moon Hae-min took his seat, just as he had before.

“I heard you wished to see me.”

“Ah… yes. I did.”

Hae-min replied awkwardly.

He had indeed said, “Tell him I wish to see him,” but hearing it from Song Seol somehow made it sound different.

“So, what is the matter?”

Song Seol asked with a faint smile.

Swallowing dryly, Moon Hae-min answered.

“My lord, the work I have been doing lately concerns the tribute goods, does it not?”

“That is correct.”

“Since I review daily what items are loaded onto the ship and in what quantities, I naturally became curious about the ship itself.”

Song Seol gestured for him to continue.

“As you know, I am from Hanseong. I have never seen a ship large enough to travel between nations.”

“That is understandable.”

“Yes. So, I was wondering if I might take this opportunity to see the ship…”

After saying that much, Hae-min cautiously glanced at Song Seol.

He feared being reprimanded for entertaining such thoughts while engaged in important work.

“If you have never seen a ship, have you perhaps never seen the sea either?”

Song Seol suddenly asked.

Caught off guard, Hae-min answered, somewhat dazed,

“No, I have not.”

“Not even once?”

“No, not even once.”

At that, a strange light flickered in Song Seol’s eyes.

It was not merely interest, it was genuine fascination.

‘Is it really that surprising that I have never seen the sea?’

Feeling oddly self-conscious, Hae-min shifted his gaze.

For those living near the coast, the sea might be familiar, but for someone from inland, this was entirely normal.

Even the king himself had likely seen the sea only a handful of times.

“I see…”

After pondering for a moment, Song Seol smiled deeply.

“Then let us go to Yesong Port.”

“…Will you be coming as well, my lord?”

“Yes. As it happens, I have business there too.”

In truth, Moon Hae-min had planned to go alone.

He had only brought it up to seek permission.

He had never imagined Song Seol would accompany him.

“Understood.”

Though it was not what he had expected, it was not unwelcome.

While Song Seol’s presence itself was uncomfortable, in every other respect, it would be convenient.

“This should be interesting.”

Song Seol murmured as if to himself.

He seemed to regard the trip as both work and a leisurely outing.

But Moon Hae-min had his own purpose.

‘Once I get to Yesong Port, I might find a solution.’

He wanted to see whether the future could be changed.

It felt too bitter to accept that “what is destined will happen no matter what.”

If that were true, then his own future would hardly be bright.

“Then let us depart the day after tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

Moon Hae-min nodded.

In truth, there was no guarantee that going to Yesong Port would yield any solution.

Even so, it was better to do something before disaster struck than to sit idly by and do nothing.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Scream for Me

BLLove–Hate RelationshipModern

Read Now →
Not interested