Fwssh.
The wooden sword sliced through the air with a heavy sweep. I was almost done hitting today’s quota.
As soon as I picked training back up, time started moving fast again.
When I said I’d found a new method and planned to train again, the whole family was wary but thrilled. Moyong Muhyeok, especially, looked like he was about to cry as he ran off to order me a new weapon.
I decided to polish and store the one he’d gotten me before in the corner of my room. It’s a good blade, after all. I could probably sell it for decent money someday.
And surprisingly enough, Moyong Jegeom seemed genuinely invested in my recovery. He started seriously studying dual sword techniques. I heard the lights in his spartan Choje Pavilion stayed on late into the night. I was… slightly, just slightly moved.
Sometimes I sparred with Sahyeon. Sometimes I ate snacks with Hyangah. And overall, I was getting along alright with the family.
“Haa…”
Though, I did end up with two new problems.
First—my stamina really is worse than before. I figured it would be, but still, it hits me every single time I train. I’ve gotten so damn weak. I keep having to force myself not to remember how I used to be.
Second… is, of course, that tempting little bombshell of an offer from Dang Iheon.
For some reason, after he dropped that sweet time-bomb, he hadn’t shown his face since. Even Sahyeon hadn’t brought up “Sichuan” again.
So of course, my head was full of noise the entire time I was training. Not a single moment of focus. Fuck’s sake.
I didn’t even have the strength to walk to the stream, so I just rinsed my face and neck with the water I’d brought.
“Ugh… let’s go.”
Even Sahyeon didn’t show today. Since the seasons were changing, everyone was busy sewing new clothes and washing bedding. I guessed Sahyeon had been roped into that too. Just my luck.
Dragging my heavy legs back toward my room, I found an unexpected guest waiting.
Dang Iheon.
“Oh, there you are.”
“Yeah. Just got back. You training?”
“Mm. Sort of. Trying to build stamina again—my body’s gone to shit.”
Apparently, he’d been waiting outside the whole time. He could’ve gone in and had some tea or something. No way Hyangah would’ve turned him away. Maybe he just preferred to wait outside.
Wait—was it to avoid muscle loss? If so, that I could understand.
Even though I hadn’t asked, he offered an explanation.
“The flowers were blooming so nicely… I was just admiring them.”
“Oh. So not a muscle-loss thing.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”
I glanced over to where he was looking. I usually never paid attention, but yeah—those flowers really were blooming, bright and red and full.
“You like flowers?”
“Mm, a little? What about you, Yeonhwa?”
“I didn’t even notice they’d bloomed until now.”
“Huh… Back then, I thought you liked them. You’d always stop to look at even a single weed in bloom.”
“Well, you know. People get older, emotions dry up.”
Now that I think about it, neither of us seems all that into flowers, yet here we are talking about them. It’s a bit ridiculous.
“You know what those flowers are called?”
I asked, and Iheon gave me a long look before tossing the question back.
“What are they?”
“I’m asking because I don’t know.”
“Huh?”
Ah, fuck. I really am shit at small talk. He smiled awkwardly, probably just as embarrassed.
“I came because I wanted to talk. Can I come in for a bit?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
So the flowers stayed nameless and we headed into the reception room together. On the way, I told Hyangah to bring tea.
I let Iheon go in ahead, but as I followed him in, Hyangah caught me and whispered quickly,
“My lady, it’s the Young Lord—shouldn’t you at least fix your hair a little—?”
“He’s already seated. It’s fine.”
Too much effort. I brushed her off and shut the door.
While waiting for tea, we chatted about what we’d been up to. We even talked about meeting up with Dang Choye sometime.
But we both knew what he really wanted was an answer about that offer he made. And I still hadn’t decided. So I just kept dancing around the subject.
He must’ve picked up on it too. I was blathering on about sword training when he finally said it.
“Yeonhwa. I’ll be heading back to Sichuan sooner than expected.”
“What?”
“Some very helpful person cleaned up the rest of the stragglers for us. No more reason to chase them down.”
He said it with a bitter smile. And something about that didn’t sit right.
That “helpful person”—did that mean it wasn’t Dang Iheon or Dang Ri?
“Someone else got involved?”
Maybe I shouldn’t ask, but I did. He stared at the center of the table for a moment before nodding.
“Yeah. Don’t know exactly who yet, but I’m guessing the Hao Alliance. I wanted to dig into it more, but…”
He didn’t even have to finish that sentence. Tracking the Hao Alliance is basically impossible. They’re more like a loose web of minor agents and informants than an actual sect.
Still, I’ve been hearing the name ‘Hao Alliance’ way too often lately. Probably not a coincidence.
“Anyway—thanks to that, or because of that, I’ll be heading back to Sichuan as soon as possible. I know you’re still unsure, but… I don’t think I can wait much longer.”
“……”
“Sorry for rushing you.”
Not that it’s his fault. This was all clearly one person’s doing.
“That little shit… Sahyeon…”
“Huh? What?”
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
I sighed hard. So Sahyeon singlehandedly fished out intel from the Hao Alliance, tracked down the stragglers, and wiped them out?
Just to stop me from going with Dang Iheon? Or to make sure Dang Iheon left quickly?
Un-fucking-believable. That bastard is unreadable and predictable at the same time.
Dang Iheon, still in the dark, looked at me patiently. But there was a faint edge of tension in his calm expression, and I felt a little bad.
“So… if I did go to Sichuan, wouldn’t that throw people off? We’re not even married—it’d be weird to just show up, right?”
I didn’t really care, but figured I should ask. Iheon shook his head immediately, face set with conviction.
“Absolutely not. No one would dare mistreat a guest the Young Master personally invited.”
“It’s fine if they do. Just… feels like it could be awkward.”
I hedged and sighed. My mind was still torn. I’d been planning to make a decision soon, but I didn’t expect the moment to come this fast.
Just then, someone knocked. Must be Hyangah with the tea. I told them to come in—and froze.
“…What the hell.”
The person who walked in, carrying the tea with a perfectly demure smile, was Sahyeon.
We locked eyes. He wasn’t winking or grinning or pulling any of his usual shit. Just walked in holding the tray like a proper servant.
I was so thrown that even Iheon glanced over curiously.
“Tea…”
“Where’s Hyangah? Why are you here?”
“She had to run off to handle… something urgent.”
His voice stammered, but his gaze was sharp, locked on Dang Iheon. Maybe sensing something off, Iheon stared right back.
Panic rose in my throat.
“Right! Thanks for the tea! You can leave now!”
I waved him off with both arms. But he didn’t move.
What the fuck is wrong with him?
I changed the subject fast, trying to pull Iheon’s attention back.
“So, uh, where were we?”
“Hm? Oh. I said no one would dare slight you in Sichuan. You’re my honored guest.”
“Right. Yeah. That.”
I nodded and threw Sahyeon a glare. Get out. Now. Stop whatever the hell this is and just go.
Usually he’s too sharp for his own good. Today he’s pretending not to get it and shrugging like a clueless idiot. I wanted to kick him in the shin.
Iheon looked slightly puzzled by Sahyeon’s sluggish movements but didn’t seem suspicious yet.
“Still haven’t decided?”
“Uh… yeah. The situation’s gotten kinda messy. It’s all a bit sudden…”
“Understandable. But everything I said is true. I really believe it’d be a good move for you. And… my sister would love to have you there too.”
Damn it. Now he’s playing the Dang Choye card. Of course he knows I’m weak to that.
I glanced at Sahyeon, who was now finally heading out the door. I let out a sigh.
“I’ll give you an answer tomorrow morning. Promise.”
Iheon didn’t seem surprised. Just gave a quiet smile and nodded.
“Alright. Come to my place when you’re ready. We’ll be waiting.”
“…Okay.”
When I looked back, Sahyeon was already gone.
We left the reception room together, barely touching the tea. I walked him out even though he said I should rest—I felt a little guilty.
Then he stopped in front of that patch of red flowers again.
And said,
“It’s rosa rugosa.”
“…What?”
What the hell. My name’s Yeonhwa.
“The flower. It’s called rosa rugosa. The fruit and petals are both used in medicine—promotes circulation, relieves pain.”
“Oh… I see. Wait, hold on. You knew the name? Then why didn’t you say earlier? Were you mocking me?”
He shook his head.
“I just… wanted to talk to you. That’s why I asked.”
The sun had dipped low behind him, casting long shadows. The last rays of red light spilled over his dark green robes.
For a second, the scene looked like a painting. And I thought—yeah, if he’d answered right away, the conversation would’ve just ended.
But the real problem was… why did he look so fucking sad?
After all that running away from marrying me.
“Next time, ask something else. Like how to beat someone up without leaving marks. I could help with that.”
“Haha. Sure. If that ever comes up, you’ll be the first I ask.”
“…Go. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah. I’ll be waiting.”
He turned with a soft smile. Then turned back again and awkwardly waved.
Even I could tell, at this point—Dang Iheon’s feelings had changed. If I were the real Moyong Yeonhwa, I’d be over the moon.
But I’m not. So it’s complicated.
I was still staring after him when a low voice sounded behind me.
“Feeling sad?”
It was Sahyeon. Still wearing that same plain, forgettable mask—but somehow, I could see his face under it.
I stared at him, then asked,
“That was you, wasn’t it?”
I didn’t need to be specific. He’d know exactly what I meant.
And sure enough, instead of answering, he just shrugged.
“You already know. Why bother asking?”
“Why?”
“……”
“Why did you do it?”
A lone insect began chirping faintly somewhere nearby. Evening had fallen. As the shadows grew longer, Sahyeon stood silent.
Then, finally, he turned his back.
“You know that too. So why ask?”
💟 Translator Notes 💟
해당화 (hedanghwa) is rosa rugosa, a wild rose commonly found in Korea. It’s used in traditional medicine and associated with bittersweet nostalgia in Korean poetry and lyrics.
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