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As he scolded himself inwardly, Song Seol muttered beside him,
“From him, you say… Seems you’ve grown quite close.”
“…Should I not get close to him?”
He didn’t particularly intend to, but he asked just in case. Song Seol replied coldly,
“Do as you wish.”
“…Yes.”
With nothing more to say, Hae-min fell silent. A quiet settled between them, broken only by the steady rhythm of horse hooves.
Strangely, Hae-min found the silence more comfortable. After all, what place was there for idle chatter between him and Song Seol? There needed to be a certain distance between them.
“There it is.”
After riding for some time, a grand estate with blue-tiled roofs came into view. Even among the noble district filled with wealthy homes, this one stood out for its extravagance. The sheer presence of its gate alone spoke of its grandeur.
“Wow…”
A quiet exclamation escaped him. The boldly rising eaves seemed to pierce the sky itself. Judging by it, the master of this house must have a rather grand and unrestrained personality.
By then, Song Seol had dismounted and knocked on the gate.
“Welcome, my lord.”
The gate opened at once. A servant bowed deeply and took Song Seol’s reins, while another approached Hae-min.
“Please use my shoulder to dismount.”
Perhaps it was obvious he wasn’t used to riding, or perhaps this was simply proper service. Either way, Hae-min was grateful.
“Then I’ll take you up on that.”
Just as he placed a hand on the servant’s shoulder to dismount, Song Seol strode over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him down.
“Ah-”
Hae-min stumbled forward, nearly falling into Song Seol’s arms. Though his feet touched the ground, Song Seol didn’t let go, instead, he pulled him closer by the waist.
Startled, Hae-min tried to push him away. A low voice followed.
“If you’re accompanying me, act accordingly, Moon Hee-yul.”
The voice was quiet enough that no one else could hear it, but it was unmistakably a warning. Don’t behave foolishly and tarnish the dignity of the Grand Prince.
It was a fair point, and Hae-min had no choice but to accept it.
“…My apologies.”
Only then did Song Seol release him. He stepped inside, and Hae-min followed silently.
‘Incredible.’
Inside the walls, the Yoon estate was lavish to the point of extravagance. Every window bore intricate floral latticework, and only thick, straight timber had been used for the pillars. Most striking of all was the vividly colored dancheong, so ornate it seemed to include gold leaf.
If Song Seol’s residence was elegant and refined, this place was dazzlingly magnificent. While it delighted the eye, it also made Hae-min uneasy. Should a noble’s estate really surpass that of a Grand Prince?
‘Not that I’m in a position to worry about others…’
Looking closer, it seemed built just within the bounds of propriety, skirting the rules without breaking them. That, in itself, was impressive.
“Welcome!”
As they entered the reception room, Yoon Seung-hyeok stood and greeted them warmly, his smile bright as the full moon. Perhaps because it was his own home, he seemed especially confident and cheerful today.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
“The pleasure is mine. Please, have a seat.”
Hae-min sat down, fidgeting unconsciously before realizing it and stopping. Then he didn’t know what to do with himself and grew uneasy.
It was his first time being invited to someone else’s home. How was he supposed to act? Glancing at Song Seol, he saw him conversing naturally with Yoon Seung-hyeok.
“Is your grandfather in good health?”
“Very much so. At his age, he’s even planning a trip to Geumo.”
A maid brought refreshments. Hae-min held his teacup with both hands, pretending to savor the aroma.
“Since you’re here, would you like to see a piece of calligraphy I recently acquired?”
Yoon Seung-hyeok asked, eyes sparkling. It seemed he had noticed Hae-min being left out and was trying to include him.
“Yes, I’d love to.”
“Good.”
They stood, and Yoon Seung-hyeok led them to another room.
It was filled, completely, with books.
“Wow…!”
Shelves upon shelves of rare volumes.
“How did you gather all these?”
“Some I collected myself, others my grandfather accumulated over time.”
“May I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Drawn in, Hae-min approached a shelf. He had only ever peeked into his father’s study before, under threat of scolding. Standing here now felt like a whole new world opening before him.
‘Where should I start?’
Excitement coursed through him. He picked up a random book—and gasped.
“Choe Chiwon’s prose collection?”
“Yes. You may borrow it if you like.”
“…Really?”
“Books are meant to be read. Some collectors can’t tolerate even the smallest blemish, but I’m not one of them.”
“And you seem like someone who would treat books with care,” Yoon Seung-hyeok added.
“Then I’ll read it carefully and return it.”
“Please do. The book will be glad to be read by you.”
“Thank you.”
Still, Hae-min wondered, why was Yoon Seung-hyeok being so kind to him? Though his family was respectable, it wasn’t as wealthy as the Yoon family. What could Yoon Seung-hyeok possibly gain?
“You were going to show us the calligraphy.”
Song Seol cut in.
“Ah, right!”
Yoon Seung-hyeok led them to a hanging scroll.
“This is it.”
Hae-min was first surprised that there was even space for a scroll, and then by the calligraphy itself.
“Wow…”
The strokes were delicate yet bold, flowing with elegance and spirit.
****
A Casual Writing on a Spring Dawn
How can it be? The water that flows east never returns,
Though seasons hurry on, no one comes.
A gentle morning rain softly falls,
Lovely flowers bloom and bloom again.
****
Hae-min read each line slowly, savoring every word. Yoon Seung-hyeok stood silently beside them, waiting for their impressions.
“Good writing.”
Song Seol commented flatly.
Hae-min added,
“It’s delicate yet spirited, a fascinating piece. I can see why you cherish it.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
Yoon Seung-hyeok smiled, lightly tracing the air over the scroll without touching it.
“Ah…”
He let out a soft, almost pained sound, as if overwhelmed.
Hae-min felt oddly embarrassed, like he was intruding on something private.
“Why that expression?”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of expression am I making…?”
“You look like you’re watching something perverse.”
“P-perverse? No, that’s not it, you misunderstand!”
Hae-min waved his hands frantically.
But inwardly, he couldn’t deny it…
The word did seem to suit Yoon Seung-hyeok.
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