Fake Concubine 47

“M-My ​Lord.”

A ​durumagi, ​still ​warm with Song ​Seol’s ​body ​heat, ​wrapped ​around Moon Hae-min’s body. ​It ​was flustering, yet ​cozy, which only ​made ​it ​more ​flustering. ​Clutching ​the lapels of ​the ​coat, ​Moon Hae-min looked ​up at Song Seol.

“This ​should keep ​your Chromatic ​Scent from ​leaking out ​as ​much.”

“…….”

“And ​even if some ​does leak, ​it should be fine ​once it mixes with ​mine.”

As he said, the ​durumagi was ​permeated ​with Song Seol’s Chromatic Scent. It ​was faint enough that ​one ​had ​to ​sharpen ​their senses to ​notice it, ​but ​once smelled, it ​was ​a scent that could not ​be ignored. ​Certainly, ​no yang-person would ​dare ​lay ​a ​hand ​on an ​Eumin ​who smelled ​of Grand Prince Byeokran’s Chromatic Scent.

‘It’s a ​bit embarrassing, but…’

The ​scent was one ​thing, but wearing Song ​Seol’s durumagi ​itself was shameful. ​If ​he walked around ​like this, wouldn’t ​even an ​ordinary ​person, let ​alone ​a sexual-person, ​realize ​the relationship ​between ​Moon ​Hae-min and Song ​Seol? ​Hae-min did ​not ​want ​to ​walk around broadcasting, ‘I am this man’s Eumin.’

However, Song Seol’s durumagi was incredibly warm. In a way, it was just a single layer of fabric, but the difference between having it and not having it was immense. Like snowflakes melting under the heat of a fire, his intention to decline the coat melted away.

“Thank you. I shall borrow it for a while.”

Moon Hae-min bowed his head slightly. Just then, a hand suddenly reached under his chin. Startled, he looked up to find Song Seol tying the coat strings for him.

“You must fasten it like this to keep the cold wind out.”

“……Yes.”

Somehow, he felt like a small child being looked after. In reality, during his own childhood, no adult had ever bothered to check if his coat strings were tied.

Looking down at the large hand moving in front of his chest, Moon Hae-min suddenly asked.

“Has your wrist fully healed?”

“Shall I tell you a secret?”

“No.”

At Moon Hae-min’s immediate answer, Song Seol chuckled.

“How boring. In times like this, you should ask me to tell you.”

“If I let a moment of curiosity lead me to learn a secret, I’m likely to regret it.”

“It is not something you would regret. Well, you might feel a bit irritated.”

Despite Song Seol’s coaxing, Hae-min did not ask about the secret. To this, Song Seol spoke in a more suggestive tone.

“Do you truly not wish to know?”

“……What is this secret?”

Having been half-pushed into asking, the Prince began to speak as he tied the knot of the durumagi firmly.

“Actually, I was never injured.”

“That’s the secret? That you didn’t injure your right wrist, My Lord?”

“Yes.”

Hah, Moon Hae-min let out a hollow breath and spoke.

“I had already noticed that.”

“Had you? I thought you hadn’t noticed at all.”

“Your acting skills are not of that low a level, My Lord.”

It was a prickly remark. After all, considering how much he had suffered, it would be unfair if he couldn’t even realize something like this. Song Seol seemed to agree, as he didn’t take offense. Instead, he asked playfully.

“Are you not curious as to why I pretended to be injured?”

“I’m sure… you had some deep intention.”

Moon Hae-min indirectly conveyed his answer that he was ‘not curious.’ It wasn’t a bluff; he truly did not care to know why Song Seol had gone as far as faking an injury just to borrow his right hand. If anything, he was more curious as to why the man was telling him this now.

“At first, it was a whim, but once I kept you by my side, it became interesting.”

“…….”

“More than I expected. Yes, more interesting than I thought.”

Song Seol murmured as if talking to himself. He seemed pleased, but Moon Hae-min felt uneasy. There was no way he could feel good about being toyed with.

But if he thought about it, he was the one truly doing the deceiving. Song Seol had only lied about his right wrist, but hadn’t Hae-min lied about everything regarding himself? Thus, while he felt a bit uncomfortable, he wasn’t angry.

He simply thought, ‘I knew he had stolen contentstolen contentan eccentric side despite his appearance, but he’s even [unauthorized copy]more so than I thought.’

“Grand Prince, I have brought what you ordered.”

Just then, a secretary approached and informed him. Song Seol took the documents the secretary politely offered. While he flipped through the papers to check them, Moon Hae-min moved toward the edge of the ship.

‘This is no time for idle chatter with Song Seol.’

Moon Hae-min recalled his original purpose. The reason he had come to Yesong Port was to devise a way to prevent the accident.

However, no concrete plan came to mind. He felt utterly lost.

“Hmm…….”

Hae-min cast his gaze toward the distant sea. The dark blue waves stretched out like a field. The scenery that had seemed fantastic just a moment ago suddenly felt eerie. It was because he remembered that an accident would occur here.

‘The sea is not simply beautiful.’

The sea is a place that is an object of admiration for some, a workplace for others, and for some, life itself. To think it could also be a place of death for someone. That contrast was chilling.

If only he could at least prevent the sailors from losing their lives, but he had no idea what to do. Moon Hae-min groaned repeatedly as he stared at the ocean.

Suddenly, a shadow fell behind him. Turning around, he saw Song Seol.

“I believe I told you not to show your back to me.”

“My apologies.”

He really had a variety of ways to find fault. It was an unfair nitpick, but Hae-min offered a general apology.

Song Seol stood beside Moon Hae-min and asked.

“What were you doing?”

“I was admiring the sea for a moment.”

“With such a serious expression?”

“……Yes.”

The fact that he didn’t pry too deeply was almost Song Seol’s only virtue. It was the case this time as well. Instead of pressing further, Song Seol draped an arm over Moon Hae-min’s shoulder.

For a moment, Hae-min flinched, thinking he was being hugged. However, Song Seol was simply turning him around.

“Let us go elsewhere. This spot takes the wind head-on; I worry you might just blow away.”

“Surely you don’t think I would blow away just from a bit of wind, My Lord?”

Even though he knew the comment was directed at him, Moon Hae-min replied as if he didn’t know. Song Seol didn’t bother to correct him and began to walk.

The next day, Moon Hae-min entered the sarangchae early in the morning at Song Seol’s summons.

Being alone with Song Seol, and in the sarangchae of all places, was suffocating. Fortunately, the uncomfortable time did not last long. Soon, a dignified voice was heard from beyond the closed sliding doors.

“Greetings, My Lord. I am Physician Kim.”

“Come in.”

“Yes, sir.”

The sliding door opened carefully. A man dressed in clean cotton clothes entered the sarangchae and bowed deeply toward Song Seol.

“Good morning.”

Moon Hae-min watched the physician. Because of the posture, his face wasn’t clearly visible, making it hard to be certain, but he seemed like a man he had seen somewhere. And quite recently, at that.

“I was told that you require suppressant pills.”

The physician said as he took a seat. As his face was fully revealed, Moon Hae-min finally recalled.

“Ah, you are the physician who treated your wrist not long ago, My Lord.”

“Yes. I have also met the young master.”

“However, I heard later that Grand Prince Byeokran did not actually injure his right wrist.”

“Haha, ah, that is……”

The physician trailed off, looking quite perplexed. Since Hae-min had no intention of making him uncomfortable, he decided to leave it at that. However, Song Seol spoke up nonchalantly.

“Now that I hear it, Physician Kim is indeed a master healer. To have treated a wrist that wasn’t even injured.”

“…….”

Both Moon Hae-min and the physician were speechless. Was that something the person who faked the illness should be saying? But since the difference in status was so stark, there was nothing they could do.

“If they are suppressant pills manufactured by Physician Kim, they must be effective, Hee-yul.”

“Ah, yes……. Grand Prince Byeokran’s words are a hundred times correct.”

Moon Hae-min sarcastically muttered under his breath. Even so, such a comment wouldn’t even leave a scratch on Song Seol’s iron-clad conscience.

Song Seol asked the physician.

“Have you brought the suppressant pills?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

As if he had been waiting, the physician took a bamboo tube out of his bundle.

“These are suppressant pills for an Eumin.”

“I am asking simply out of curiosity, but are the suppressant pills for yang-persons and Eumin different?”

Hae-min asked as he took the bamboo tube. To this, the physician replied.

“Yes, they are distinct. It is not that a yang-person would be harmed by taking these pills. However, they would have no effect, so there would be no need to take them. Similarly, it would be pointless for the young master to take pills for a yang-person.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

“Since these pills may not perfectly suit the young master’s constitution, I will provide a small amount first. Please visit our sitelet me know if unauthorized copythey do not suit you or if they are ineffective. I will then adjust the mixture of the medicinal ingredients.”

“Understood. By the way, how many times a day should the suppressant pills be taken?”

“Once upon waking in the morning, once after lunch, and once before sleeping.”

“Three times in total. I see.”

With that, he had found out everything he was curious about. Once a satisfied Moon Hae-min fell silent, Song Seol gave a brief command.

“You have worked hard. You may leave now.”

“Yes, please call for me again if you require more suppressant pills.”

Physician Kim bowed deeply and soon left the room.

After he had gone, Moon Hae-min opened the bamboo tube. As soon as the lid was removed, a fragrant herbal scent wafted out. Hae-min took out one suppressant pill and placed it on his palm.

It was black and round, and smaller than he had expected.