Chapter 65: Special Side Story 4: The Fragrance of Sincerity

Under the Emperor’s protection, Hwaun’s health improved noticeably each year. He was no longer the fragile man who would fall ill for days at the slightest breeze. Ajin, being the closest to him, knew this better than anyone.

Yet, such is the nature of the human heart. Even knowing this, Ajin still worried over Hwaun. It was out of pure devotion. Because Hwaun was the only master he would gladly give his life to protect, Ajin remained steadfast in his care, attending to Hwaun with absolute sincerity.

“Your Highness worries even if On-ie leaves behind just a few grains of food,” Ajin pointed out.

“Ah….”

At Ajin’s blunt remark, Hwaun wore a dazed expression. Ajin approached him, skillfully undoing his jade hair-clasp as he continued.

“No matter how healthy On has become, Your Highness frets over that child every single day.”

“Am I… really that much of a worrier?”

Hwaun tilted his head in genuine wonder. Even if I used to be weak, can I really be compared to such a tiny, fragile creature? But Ajin had plenty more to say.

“Cats are naturally small and weak.”

“……?”

“But Your Highness, despite being a man, was so thin and used to faint from dizziness every day.”

“I didn’t faint every day….”

Hwaun trailed off. Even he felt that Ajin’s words weren’t entirely wrong, leaving him with no defense.

Ajin bit his lip to hide a smile. Seeing his master shrink back like that made him forget his nagging and filled him with warmth. To the outside world, this was the Noble Consort who commanded the respect of every courtier just by walking past, but in this moment, he simply looked adorable to Ajin.

Carefully combing his master’s hair, Ajin spoke softly. “What I mean is… Your Highness is just that important and precious to me.”

“…….”

“Just as you worry over On, you are the most precious person to me, so I cannot help but worry.”

Hearing the affection in Ajin’s voice, Hwaun looked at him through the mirror. At this moment, Ajin was focused on combing Hwaun’s hair as if it were the most important task in the world. A smile touched Hwaun’s lips. Many things had changed since Ha-un’s life had become Yeon Hwaun’s, but something precious and unchanging remained right here.

“Ajin.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You must stay healthy too. Eat well, and do not get sick.”

“…Pardon?”

“To me, you are just as precious and important. You know well… that I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”

“Master….”

Ajin’s face crumpled. He felt as though he might burst into tears right then and there while holding the comb.

“I will eat well and take care of myself so you won’t be upset, so you must stay healthy too. Promise me, alright?”

“Yes. Yes, Your Highness. I promise.”

Ajin answered, barely swallowing a sob. How could he dare disobey when his noble master cared for a mere servant so deeply? I must become even stronger to stay by his side for a long, long time.

It was another night that was no longer “special” because of its quiet, steady happiness.

Myeong-ha-won was bustling with life for the first time in ages. This summer villa, where the Emperor stayed to escape the heat, usually hosted him for a few months every year—provided there were “no special circumstances.”

And the last two years had seen plenty of special circumstances.

Last year, frequent skirmishes at the border made a move to the villa impossible. The year before that, the Emperor’s beloved Noble Consort had fallen seriously ill, causing the planned trip to be canceled.

In other words, this was the first time in three years that the Emperor had graced Myeong-ha-won with his presence. For the servants who lived there year-round maintaining the quiet palace, it was a momentous event. While most would never even see the Emperor from a distance, the mere fact that the Son of Heaven was under the same roof was enough to electrify the court.

Si-young, a low-ranking maid whose job was to tend a small flower garden in a quiet corner of the villa, was among those whose heart fluttered at the news. However, her wish was slightly different from the other maids.

“They’ll be returning to Ju-an Fortress soon… I suppose I won’t get to see the Noble Consort this year either,” she murmured, glancing at the bright sky as she gathered weeds into her basket.

While others dreamed of catching the Emperor’s eye to move to the capital, Si-young’s heart was filled not with the Emperor, but with the Noble Consort, Jin Gwi-bi—the man who held the Emperor’s absolute favor.

Even in a distant villa, rumors from the main palace spread fast. Si-young’s favorite stories were always about the only male consort of the nation. At first, it was pure curiosity. The story of a man once so ill-tempered he was cold-shouldered by the Emperor, only to return from the brink of death a changed man and become the most cherished lover, was as thrilling as a legend.

Soon, that curiosity turned into admiration. She wondered about his robes, his legendary beauty that supposedly enchanted all who saw him, and the rumors that he practiced swordsmanship and rode horses. To Si-young, it all sounded incredibly cool.

Of course, a lowly gardener could not simply request an audience. But Si-young had a goal: to work diligently at Myeong-ha-won, catch a superior’s eye, and eventually be transferred to the capital. At least there, the chances of catching a glimpse of him would be higher.

When she heard the Noble Consort was coming to the villa, her heart nearly stopped. She prayed for just one lucky glance, even from afar. But summer was slipping away, and she felt a rare surge of gloom as she walked with her head down.

“Who goes there!”

A sharp shout startled her. Si-young snapped her head up.

There, stood a man.

He wore clear, turquoise robes of a design she had never seen, looking at her with soft, gentle eyes. He possessed a beauty so breathtaking it felt like a physical blow. Her instincts screamed: It’s him. The person I’ve dreamed of seeing.

Before she could even process it, another voice barked at her.

“How dare you stand there… Bow before the Noble Consort this instant!”

Her strength vanished. The basket slipped from her hands, and she collapsed to her knees, pressing her forehead to the dirt. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her throat.

“I—I beg for mercy. I greet the No-Noble Consort.”

Her ears were ringing so loudly she could barely hear her own voice. She couldn’t remember the proper etiquette; she just clawed at the ground with her fingertips, her senses numbed by shock.

Then, a voice drifted down over her head.

“Rise. I seem to have startled you.”

The tone was elegant and warm. Entranced, Si-young lifted her head and finally met the eyes of her long-held longing.

She had heard countless praises of the Noble Consort’s beauty—so many that she had once suspected they were exaggerations. But now, she realized every flowery description was woefully inadequate. Even the legendary beauties of old would lose their luster before this man.

“Lower your eyes!” the Head Eunuch scolded. Si-young hurriedly looked down and stood up, her legs shaking so violently she had to struggle to stay upright.

“I wondered who had been tending this little garden so beautifully. It must be thanks to your hard work.”

The Noble Consort’s voice wrapped around her once more. Looking down, Si-young saw the weeds she had pulled scattered on the ground. She clenched her hands. He noticed. He looked at the weeds and recognized my effort.

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