Fake Concubine 37

‘Could ​he ​possibly ​remember ​the past?’

He wasn’t ​sure ​if ​he ​should ​call it the past ​or ​the future. Regardless, ​Moon Hae-min believed ​that ​Song ​Seol ​did ​not ​remember everything that ​had ​happened ​between them. The ​gifts exchanged, the nights ​spent together, ​the tragedy ​regarding Bok-deong-i—all ​of it ​had ​become ​as if it ​never happened.

“No.”

Moon ​Hae-min played innocent, acting ​as if absolutely nothing ​had occurred.

“I have never ​met you, ​My ​Lord.”

“…….”

“I have lived in Hanseong all ​along, and since you ​also ​resided ​in ​Hanseong ​originally, it is ​possible we ​may ​have passed each ​other ​by chance.”

“Is that so.”

Song Seol ​muttered. He ​seemed ​as though his ​doubts ​hadn’t ​been ​entirely ​resolved, but ​Moon ​Hae-min made ​a conscious effort to ignore it.

“Then, I ​shall see you ​later at the ​private residence.”

After leaving his ​greetings, Moon ​Hae-min finally departed ​from ​the scene.

He couldn’t ​exactly wander around ​the marketplace ​while ​leaking his ​Chromatic ​Scent. Thus, ​Moon ​Hae-min headed ​straight ​for ​the private residence.

Upon ​entering ​his quarters, ​he ​shut ​the ​door tight. Immediately, the fragrance of plum blossoms diffused deeply throughout the room. He felt resentful that his own Chromatic Scent felt even more potent today.

“I won’t be able to go anywhere for a while….”

Until he learned how to suppress his Chromatic Scent, he would have to remain confined to his room. Having suffered a stroke of misfortune anyway, his desire to go out had vanished completely. Hae-min leaned his back against the wall and slid down to the floor.

‘That was a close call earlier.’

A chill ran through his body as the tension finally caught up with him. Being molested against his will was truly unpleasant and terrifying. If it hadn’t been for Song Seol….

“…….”

While he was grateful for the help, it was difficult to be purely thankful since that very Song Seol had once forcibly harassed him. Hae-min pulled his knees up and buried his face between them.

Like pouring ink into a river to wash it away, he had decided to treat the events of the past as if they never happened. If so, should he also forget his grievances toward Song Seol?

In his honest heart, he wanted to act as if they were complete strangers. Yet, Read on Read BL Novels[Read on Read BL Novels]whenever they faced each other, something surged up inside him. Since he had already decided to become strangers, it unauthorized copymight be logical to pretend that the grudge knotted in his heart didn’t exist either. But then again, was that absolutely necessary?

‘I don’t know.’

Like crumpling up a piece of paper with a mistake in the writing, Moon Hae-min stopped his complicated thoughts. Now was not the time to worry about Song Seol; he had to first learn the knack of controlling his Chromatic Scent. It would be a disaster if he couldn’t manage it by the day Song Seol left for Hanseong.

Just then, a call came from outside the door.

“Young Master Hee-yul, the Grand Prince is calling for you.”

“What?”

Hae-min snapped his head up.

Though sunset was approaching, it wasn’t yet time for Song Seol to return home. Yet he had already entered the residence and was calling for him. This was the first time such a thing had happened since returning to the past.

“Tell him it is inconvenient for me right now.”

It wasn’t simply that he didn’t want to face Song Seol. He couldn’t stand before a yang-person while leaking his Chromatic Scent like this. However, the maid was adamant.

“His Lordship insisted that I bring you to him.”

“…….”

“Please come quickly, Young Master.”

He had no suitable excuse. She knew full well that he spent his days doing nothing, so he couldn’t claim to be busy. Moreover, since they had encountered each other perfectly fine in broad daylight, an excuse of being sick wouldn’t work either.

“Fine.”

Ultimately, Moon Hae-min stepped out of his quarters.

As it was winter, there wasn’t a single leaf on the branches, and the clumps of grass were dry and brittle. Nevertheless, the small garden in front of the guest house had its own kind of charm. Of course, nothing of that registered in Moon Hae-min’s eyes.

“You called for me?”

“Come in.”

It was the voice of Song Seol, who was sitting in the guest room with the door wide open. For Moon Hae-min, who had experienced all sorts of things in that very room before, it couldn’t help but feel unsettling. Thus, even after taking off his shoes on the stone step, he hesitated, prompting Song Seol to urge him subtly.

“If you do not close the door quickly, it will be cold.”

“……Yes.”

Then why didn’t you just close the door in the first place? Moon [stolen content]Hae-min [unauthorized copy]grumbled inwardly as he entered the room. Once the door was closed, Song Seol spoke.

“Sit.”

A cushion was placed in front of the low table. Moon Hae-min silently sat upon it. Naturally, he ended up facing Song Seol, but Hae-min slid his gaze downward.

“Moon Hee-yul.”

“……Yes.”

“You may not know since you have only recently manifested as an Eumin, but in the world of sexual-persons, failing to suppress one’s Chromatic Scent is a dangerous thing. You could easily be swept up in a troublesome situation. Like today.”

“I will be careful.”

He had already guessed that this would be the purpose of the summons. When he answered obediently, Song Seol continued in a casual tone.

“Therefore, I shall teach you the knack of controlling your Chromatic Scent.”

This was something he had not expected at all. Beyond being flustered, Moon Hae-min was appalled and rejected the offer outright.

“You need not go to such trouble. If I put in a little more effort, I believe I can figure out the knack on my own.”

“Then, do you intend to walk around leaking your scent until you master it?”

“I will refrain from going out until then. Thus, there will be nothing to bring shame upon your Lordship’s reputation.”

Perhaps displeased by the repeated refusals, Song Seol frowned slightly.

“You do not understand. The very fact that your scent wafts through the corners of my residence is the problem.”

“…….”

“Are you aware that the scent of plum blossoms is carried by the wind every night?”

He hadn’t known.

Since the guest house was far from his quarters and the doors were kept closed, he thought his Chromatic Scent wouldn’t be felt at all. If it was leaking despite those conditions, it truly must be potent. Hae-min muttered awkwardly.

“I will strive to learn the knack as quickly as possible….”

“You insist on taking the long way around while ignoring the shortcut.”

‘Even if it’s a shortcut, if it’s full of obstacles, it can’t be said to be better than the long way.’

Moon Hae-min suppressed the words that had risen to his throat.

“However, I feel apologetic asking this of someone as busy as you.”

“If you refuse so persistently, I can only misunderstand.”

“What sort of misunderstanding?”

“That you wish to do what you wish with me.”

“…….”

“Or perhaps, is it not a misunderstanding?”

Song Seol stared straight at Moon Hae-min. His intention to provoke was blatant. Despite knowing this, Hae-min felt a surge of emotion.

“You are making a terrifying misunderstanding.”

“A ‘terrifying misunderstanding’…. In any case, there is no chance that such a misunderstanding will become reality. I have no hobby of plucking flowers with promiscuous fragrances.”

The words were similar to before, though the nuance was different. Whatever the reason, it meant he would not sleep with him.

Back then, he had been relieved to hear those words. But the human heart [unauthorized copy]can flip in an instant. Moon Hae-min did not trust Song Seol’s assurance Read on Read BL Novelsin the slightest. Had he not revoked his words and taken him before?

“You must not let that heart change. For I have no hobby of being plucked by someone who calls me a flower.”

The area beneath Song Seol’s eyes twitched. He looked displeased, but his voice remained calm.

“I shall take that as your agreement to learn the knack of controlling your scent from me.”

“…….”

The atmosphere suggested that further refusal was impossible. Hae-min reluctantly nodded. In truth, as long as Song Seol wasn’t planning something wicked and was merely teaching him the knack, it wasn’t a loss for him.

“Sit comfortably.”

“Now……?”

However, he hadn’t expected him to mean teaching him right this moment. Was smelling his Chromatic Scent really that unpleasant? When he asked in confusion, the other replied in a flat tone.

“Yes.”

Left with no choice, Hae-min adjusted his posture. Instead of kneeling, he sat cross-legged.

“More comfortably.”

“…….”

“You still seem tense.”

Moon Hae-min only wiggled his toes. He wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, but it seemed he looked that way to Song Seol. The man let out a sigh.

“Come here.”

“Pardon?”

“You keep making me say things twice.”

Though reluctant, Hae-min eventually stood up. He moved his steps carefully, like a cat walking through a dangerous area. When he stood before Song Seol, the man grabbed his hand and pulled him in. Suddenly embraced in Song Seol’s arms, Hae-min became extremely tense.

“Le-let go….”

“Stay still.”

Song Seol turned Moon Hae-min around, making him lean his back against him. Hae-min’s heart leaped. Thump, thump, thump, thump—his pulse raced erratically. Perhaps Song Seol could feel this heartbeat too.

“You told me to sit comfortably… but this is not comfortable.”

“Seeing as you can still wag your tongue, you seem quite comfortable. First, close your eyes.”

“…….”

“Take a deep breath.”

Moon Hae-min closed his eyes, deciding to trust him. As he took a deep breath, he could clearly feel his own Chromatic Scent. Naturally, it seemed there was no effect yet.

“Now exhale….”

Amidst the blackness of his vision, a voice that resembled the night sky reached him. Strangely, hearing that voice made the strength leave his body. As he gradually relaxed, Song Seol patted Moon Hae-min as if praising him.

“Chromatic Scent naturally becomes thicker when one is agitated, so maintaining composure is the first step. If it is too difficult, rather, discard the obsession that you must absolutely control the scent.”

“……Yes.”

“Instead, focus on the flow of your will, and try to think of yourself following it.”