DKM 14

Soseo’s daily routine after returning to the Paeng Clan was incredibly tight. He woke up at five in the morning to pay his respects to the Clan Head, then began training at the training grounds. After training, he had a simple breakfast and studied books in his room. While studying, servants would bring lunch right on time; after eating, he would take a light stroll through the garden. Following the walk, he returned to the training grounds to train again, swinging a great saber as tall as himself for so long that it would make any onlooker exhausted just watching. And we, watching him from right beside, became…

“I can feel a wall coming from the Young Master. Perfection!”

“The Young Master’s day is more productive than my entire week!”

In just a few days, we had become Soseo’s fan club. Carrying water and towels, we cheered Soseo on fervently as he swung his great saber. They say there’s nothing more attractive than someone living life to the fullest; I didn’t know I could like Soseo even more. But Soseo… is really strong. I stared blankly at Soseo during his training. Yesterday, Grandpa Jang, who had been responsible for the Paeng Clan’s household affairs for two generations, explained that everyone in the Paeng Clan has an excellent physical constitution and is thus strong, but I didn’t realize it was to this extent.

“Truly amazing. How can a person be that incredible?”

“Brother is the one who will become the Head of the Paeng Clan. It’s only natural that he’s incredible.”

“…Young Master Soyu?!”

We quickly bowed our waists. Soyu laughed heartily and smacked me on the back.

“Why the sudden formality? I told you to speak comfortably. Brother’s friends.”

“It’s because we are currently servants serving Young Master Soseo.”

“Oh, as expected, you two are just like Brother in your clear distinction unauthorized copyvisit our sitestyle="opacity:0;font-size:0;">Read on Read BL Novelsbetween public and private matters.”

“Please stop using honorifics, Young Master Soyu. I’m scared someone might overhear.”

“Hmm, if you’re requesting it that much, I have no choice! Everyone is just too worried!”

“Ack!”

“Myoha!”

Soyu smacked my back again without warning. This time he hit so hard that I had no choice but to faceplant into the ground. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the Paeng Clan’s trait of having a great physical constitution, no matter what happens. After spending an hour bragging about Soseo, Soyu declared that he couldn’t lose either and headed to another training ground. Despite my suggestion that he should at least say hello to Soseo since he was already here, he dashed off like lightning, claiming he couldn’t contain his passion. We went back to watching Soseo’s training. Only then did Soseo put down the great saber and ask, panting heavily,

“Can I have some water?”

“Yes!”

We rushed to Soseo’s side. Soseo sat on a rock at the edge of the training ground and drank the water Myoryeong handed him. There’s no one else around, right? It’s okay to speak comfortably now. I held out the towel.

“My arms have no strength right now, so could you wipe the sweat off for me?”

“Sure.”

I rubbed the towel across Soseo’s face. Soseo smiled awkwardly.

“I look pretty hideous right now, don’t I?”

“Not at all. Close your eyes for a second.”

Answering firmly, I focused on wiping Soseo’s face again. Once his face was clean, Soseo slowly opened his eyes. I met his gaze and beamed a bright smile.

“All done.”

“Thanks.”

Ha, seriously, can we change the genre to a Romance Fantasy novel right now? I’ve seen a lot of Martial Arts RomFants lately. Soseo, you’re too precious to remain just a character in a martial arts novel. I looked at Soseo with genuine pity. Having finished his water, Soseo stood up.

“Let’s head inside now.”

“Huh? You’re not doing more?”

“No, I’m supposed to have a meal with Father today.”

Soseo washed up and changed into particularly fine clothes. Once the servants helping him dress withdrew, Soseo spoke, looking thoughtful.

“The preparations finished faster than I thought. What should I do now?”

“Should I bring some books for you to read?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering, Soseo suggested,

“Want to tour the house for the remaining time?”

“Really? Is that okay?!”

“Yes, of course. Let’s go.”

Having wanted to explore every corner of this magnificent house since we first arrived, we immediately followed Soseo. Every time Soseo opened a door, a fantastic space unfolded before our eyes. A warehouse where books were piled like mountains, an armory where sharply maintained weapons were neatly aligned, and a front yard so vast it was hard to tell if it was a garden or a forest. It was truly a feast for the eyes. Finally, Soseo opened the innermost door and said,

“This is the place I wanted to show you most.”

“Really? Where is this?”

“This was my mother’s room.”

“…Your mother’s room? Ah, this is the room the Madam used?”

“Yes.”

We stepped inside cautiously. His mother’s room. Since the day we arrived, we had only seen the Clan Head, so we had guessed… but we couldn’t help the ache in our hearts.

“How is it?”

“It’s a very cozy place.”

Rather than flashy or elegant decorations, the Madam’s room had many cute ornaments, like animals made of wood. Perhaps that’s why it felt more affectionate. I looked closely at the decorations. There wasn’t a single speck of dust on them; it was clear the servants managed them with great care. Just then, Myoryeong tugged at my sleeve.

“What is it?”

“Over there.”

A luxurious portrait painted in ink hung on the wall. It was a portrait of a woman who looked very much like Soseo. I looked back at Soseo. Soseo gave the expected answer.

“It’s a portrait of my mother.”

Soseo joined us and looked at the portrait.

“When my mother was truly gravely ill, she called a [unauthorized copy]our site" style="display:none;" aria-label="visit our site">visit our sitepainter to draw this. When I asked why, she said she wanted us to keep remembering her face.”

I struggled with what to say before finally managing one sentence.

“You really look like her.”

“That’s right. The reason I don’t resemble Father or Soyu is because I take after my mother. The reason the old man is so particular about me is also because of my mother. He thinks I might be physically weak because I resemble her. Even though I’m this healthy.”

Soseo’s expression became wistful.

“I really miss her. I wonder if my mother misses me too?”

Being weak in these kinds of situations, I nodded vigorously.

“Of course. The Madam must miss you too.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“No, don’t thank me.”

“Ah, by the way, Myoha.”

Soseo gave a bright smile.

“My mother is perfectly alive.”

“…Huh?!”

The solemn atmosphere vanished instantly. We were aghast.

“But you clearly said this was the room your mother used…!”

“Ah, she returned to her hometown for some business. That’s why I meant it’s not being used right now.”

“I’m sorry, we didn’t know that…”

“No, I did phrase it confusingly.”

Soseo poked my cheek as he explained.

“It’s true that my mother was frail, but not anymore. Fortunately, Father got his hands on a very precious spiritual elixir.”

“Spiritual elixir?”

“Literally, a medicine with a mystical effect. After taking that elixir, stolen contentmy mother shook unauthorized copyoff her illness and recovered.”

“I’m so glad she’s healthy now. When is the Madam coming back?”

“…I’m not sure.”

What kind of person was Soseo’s mother? Since Soseo said he resembled her, there was a high probability that the Madam also had a delicate and gentle personality. I wanted to meet her once. Until that moment, I thought so with a light heart.

Unaware that this wish would soon be granted.

“The meat is melting in my mouth today.”

“Yes, it is truly delicious.”

After finishing the house tour, we moved to the garden, the dining area. The meal began as soon as Soseo took his seat.

“Brother, please eat heartily too.”

“Right. You eat plenty as well.”

Before long, empty bowls began to pile up like towers on the table. I had wondered why more than ten servings of food were laid out for only three people, and it turned out it was because of those two. The Clan Head and Soyu tore into the ribs with the gusto of tigers. I felt that if those two did a ‘mukbang’ in the world we originally lived in, hitting a million subscribers would be a piece of cake. Just then, I locked eyes with the Clan Head. He set down a bone cleaned of all its meat and spoke.

“By the way, Soseo brought those children again today. BL Novels -->Read on Read BL NovelsIt seems he truly cherishes them.”

“Yes, it’s very enjoyable to be with these two.”

The Clan Head gestured to us.

“You two, sit here as well.”

“What? We wouldn’t dare!”

If Grandpa saw this, he’d roar at us for being arrogant. As we shook our heads vigorously, the Clan Head urged us once more.

“Now, now, I said sit down.”

What should we do? We looked at Soseo. Soseo also nodded.

“Sit, guys. I’ll explain it well to the old man.”

Left with no choice, we pulled out chairs and sat.

“Do you like meat?”

“…Yes, we love it.”

“Eat plenty.”

—Thump.

Pork dishes were placed before us. Should we take as much as we want? I found a side plate and served myself just enough. At that, Soyu’s eyes widened.

“Huh? You’re only eating that?”

“What? Yes.”

“You two eat small portions just like Brother?”

“Eh, small portions?”

Me and Myoryeong eating small portions? That was as absurd as saying I, who only watches hetero even if I die, watch BL or GL. I waved my hands frantically.

“Absolutely not. We get told we eat well very often.”

“Is that so? Seems like you’re eating very little.”

“…”

The problem with this guy is that he thinks everything based on his own standards. I stared blankly at Soyu, who was eating steamed fish by the plateful, then snapped out of it and served some food to Myoryeong. Then the Clan Head asked,

“Come to think of it, is Myoryeong a year younger than Myoha?”

“Yes, I am a year older.”

“Does your older brother treat you well?”

“Yes, he does.”

“It’s wonderful to see siblings getting along so well. Though, of course, they can’t possibly keep up with the brothers of our house.”

“That is absolutely correct! There couldn’t be brothers as close as Brother and I, for sure!”

“…Soyu, you should be quiet while eating.”

Before we knew it, we had completely relaxed and were having a meal with the three father and sons of the Habeuk Peng Family. It was thanks to the Clan Head and Soyu treating us so kindly.

Around the time Soyu had piled up plates to create another tower, the Clan Head suddenly stood up.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just that I suddenly hear a commotion.”