Chapter 74
“Huia, your aunt will be fine.”
In front of Jegal Hwaryeong’s room, Jegal Dam quietly spoke, holding Namgung Hui’s trembling hand. His hand was freezing cold.
“…Huh? What did you say, brother?”
Namgung Hui looked at his hand in surprise, seemingly unaware that Jegal Dam had spoken.
Jegal Dam forced a small smile and spoke again.
“Your aunt will recover. Don’t worry.”
“Yes, yes. She will.”
Namgung Hui nodded, trying to muster courage, and followed with a forced smile.
Jegal Dam looked at Namgung Hui with a tender, almost sorrowful gaze.
In truth, Jegal Dam was worried too. It was because Jegal Hwaryeong, who had taken the elixir, had yet to awaken.
The doctor had assured that Jegal Hwaryeong would wake up. But her physical strength was so weak that it would take some time.
So the family waited for her to regain consciousness.
Last night, Namgung Seong had come to the Jegal family mansion in a disheveled state.
“I… I’ve brought the medicine.”
Having fetched the elixir from afar and likely rushing all the way here with lightness skills, Namgung Seong collapsed immediately.
Jegal Myeong took what he offered and first consulted the doctor. Fortunately, Namgung Seong was only exhausted, and the doctor confirmed that the medicine he brought was indeed “Gosan Mansugilgyeong” (a rare, powerful medicine).
Without delay, Jegal Myeong headed to Owhwanji with Jegal Hwaryeong. Though the formation at Owhwanji could slow the progression of illness, using medicine inside it was uncertain.
Seeing Jegal Hwaryeong after months, her face was noticeably thinner.
“He… he’s here.”
Many welcomed her, but her first gaze sought Namgung Seong.
Hearing her voice, Namgung Seong immediately opened his eyes.
“My lady… how… how are you…”
Namgung Seong and Jegal Hwaryeong looked at each other with the tenderness of two souls existing alone in the world.
Their love, said to be love at first sight, was widely known. Yet at that time, Namgung Seong had a fiancée—the daughter of the Jin family.
Namgung Seong was firm, ultimately taking both Jegal Hwaryeong and his fiancée, Eon Hyeji, as his wives.
Jegal Dam’s grandfather, Jegal Jo, had strongly opposed it, but because their hearts were firm, he eventually gave permission.
A few years after Namgung Hui was born, Jegal Hwaryeong fell ill, and Namgung Seong did everything he could for her.
But she eventually returned to the Jegal family. Though she claimed it was for propriety at Owhwanji, in the end, she chose a place where she might die.
“I didn’t want to die by his side.”
One day, when Jegal Dam came to see Jegal Hwaryeong, she said:
“I didn’t want the one I love to see me weaken and ugly from illness.”
Jegal Dam couldn’t understand. He had never harbored such feelings himself, and this was the first time he had seen such deep emotion.
His understanding of love was limited to what he had read in books. His parents had a political marriage, living in mutual respect, as did most around him.
“It was painful to see him with another woman. I can no longer be a woman…”
Yet what he could not understand even more was why she shared this with him.
“I know it’s selfish. But my leaving will be good for everyone.”
Jegal Hwaryeong said with a bitter smile, apologizing.
Her honest words left a profound impact on Jegal Dam. He resolved never to harbor such feelings himself.
“It would be unfair to Huia too. He is still a child, and I couldn’t nurture him. So I ask you.”
She hoped that if by some chance he ever truly loved someone, he would never leave her alone.
“Please be a good brother to our Huia, and help him get along with his siblings.”
Jegal Dam could only nod.
Her eyes were filled with an earnestness that made the future seem heavy and uncertain.
“Huia, go in.”
“Yes…?”
Coming out from Jegal Hwaryeong’s room, the exhausted Jegal Myeong spoke to Namgung Hui.
“Your mother has awakened. Go in.”
“Yes, uncle. Thank you.”
Namgung Hui bowed and ran into the room with a bright smile.
“Mother!”
Hearing him call out, Jegal Dam finally snapped out of his thoughts.
“You’ve been waiting all this time?”
Jegal Myeong asked Jegal Dam.
“Yes, father. I worried about leaving Huia alone.”
“Well done. Thank you.”
“No, it was my duty.”
“Indeed.”
“Yes, I promised your aunt to be a good brother.”
“You made that promise? Good. Very good.”
Jegal Myeong smiled warmly, and Jegal Dam followed suit.
“How is your aunt now?”
“She regained consciousness and immediately looked for her husband.”
“Was she upset?”
“Well… perhaps. Even with her husband by her side, she didn’t glance at him first.”
“Ha ha. I see.”
Jegal Dam laughed at this uncharacteristic joke from his father. Jegal Hwaryeong awakening seemed to bring him ease.
“Dam-a-ya.”
“Yes, father.”
“What have you been busy with lately?”
“Ah…”
Since returning to the family, Jegal Dam had spent every day in the secret archive.
He hesitated slightly at how to answer.
“…I’ve been searching.”
“For what?”
“For records.”
“Are they truly necessary for you?”
Jegal Dam asked himself.
“Yes.”
The answer came quickly. Though the question was posed by his father, the decision was his. He truly sought answers.
“Then you must proceed.”
“Yes, I must.”
Jegal Myeong looked at his son with pride. He had noticed that Jegal Dam had wandered recently, but it seemed he had found his own path.
“Dam-a-ya.”
“Yes, father.”
“Do you remember the story I told you when I took you to that archive?”
“Yes, father. You told me about Sun Suk-oh, the former Magistrate of Chu long ago.”
“Good. Tell me.”
“The young Sun Suk-oh was crying. His mother asked why. He said he had seen a two-headed snake and would soon die.”
Jegal Dam looked at his father and continued.
“His mother asked where the snake was. Sun Suk-oh said that although those who saw the snake were doomed, he buried it so that others wouldn’t die from seeing it.”
Though he had heard this story long ago, he remembered every word.
“His mother comforted him, saying, ‘Heaven blesses those who secretly do good.’ Sun Suk-oh continued doing good and became the Magistrate of Chu.”
“Good. You remember well.”
“Father, I forget nothing.”
“Haha. I had momentarily forgotten that our son is special.”
Jegal Myeong laughed softly.
“Dam-a-ya. Though I didn’t explain properly then, I knew you were like Sun Suk-oh.”
“That’s hard to understand.”
Until now, Sun Suk-oh’s story felt like a shackle to Jegal Dam—an endless lesson of being virtuous and righteous.
“When you were five, a baby bird fell from its nest. Do you remember?”
“Yes… I remember.”
“I knew it would die, so I didn’t look. If I didn’t give it affection, it wouldn’t be sad. But you tried to save it.”
Jegal Myeong’s gaze wandered as if searching for the young Jegal Dam.
“And when it died, I know you buried it alone in the garden. You cried a lot.”
“…You saw that?”
“Yes. You are that child. You embrace everything you hold in your arms.”
“…That.”
At that time, he wanted to ask why his father didn’t tell him, how he could be so certain, and what he saw to think so.
But Jegal Dam could say nothing.
“I have never once considered anyone but you as the heir. Your father likely felt the same.”
Jegal Dam tightly closed his eyes.
He heard the voice asking if he was doing his best.
“You will be a good heir, a good head of the family, a good younger sibling, a good older brother, and perhaps a good husband to someone.”
It was a kind voice, yet Jegal Dam felt as if his throat was being constricted.
“So do not worry. Just trust yourself.”
Jegal Dam just wanted to scream.
