Fake Concubine 36

“Thank ​you.”

Moon ​Hae-min ​offered ​a brief greeting ​and ​moved ​on.

In ​truth, ​even if the maid ​hadn’t ​shown him the ​way, he could ​now ​find ​his ​way ​to ​the Namdaemun Market ​with ​his ​eyes closed. Following ​the familiar main road, ​the Namdaemun ​Market soon ​appeared.

“Earthenware for ​sale, earthenware!”

“Fresh ​radishes ​are ​here! Pungent and ​sweet radishes ​are here!”

The shouts of ​vendors hawking their wares ​echoed from every direction. ​Thanks to ​the ​lively atmosphere characteristic of the market, ​Moon Hae-min felt his ​own ​spirits ​lift.

He ​felt ​glad that he ​had come ​out. ​He had visited ​Namdaemun ​Market once or twice before, ​so there ​was ​nothing new to ​see, ​but ​simply ​blending ​in among ​the ​crowds gave ​him a subtle sense of strength. Without ​a set destination, ​Hae-min walked wherever ​his feet led him.

“Oh.”

Just ​then, a ​shop caught his ​eye. ​It was a ​store with a ​small plaque ​above ​the door ​that ​read ‘Book ​Rental ​Shop.’

At that ​moment, ​a ​woman stepped [stolen content]out ​of ​the shop. ​In ​the ​brief ​instant the door swung wide, he caught a glimpse [Read on Read BL Novels]of unauthorized copybookshelves packed tightly with volumes.

“…….”

Come to think of it, it was around this time. The time when he had visited the book rental shop to ask for transcription work.

If he were to make the same request to the owner now, the man would likely agree readily once again. However, Moon Hae-min turned his head away.

‘He is someone who suffered because of me.’

He felt he had no right to face the owner. Even if the man was safe now, Moon Hae-min’s heart was not at ease.

For all he knew, the man might be harmed in some way because of him. It seemed better to simply pass by as if they were strangers.

‘He was such a good person…’

The words the owner had told him lingered in his ears. That he was leaving because he was someone who had to leave, and therefore, he should leave with a light heart without leaving any regrets behind.

At the time, he had been burdened with so many worries that he hadn’t fully realized it, but looking back now, those words seemed to have put his mind at ease, if only a little.

‘I should just keep those good memories.’

Comforting himself with that thought, Hae-min turned [stolen content]his heavy [Read on Read BL Novels]steps [unauthorized copy]away. At that moment, someone collided strongly with his shoulder.

“Agh!”

The other person screamed, clutching their shoulder. It didn’t sound like two people bumping into each other, but rather as if someone had been struck by a blunt object. Startled, Hae-min apologized in a panic.

“I-I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

“Good heavens, my shoulder’s popped out.”

“What are you going to do about this? How are you going to take responsibility, huh?”

Not only the person he collided with, but three or four companions also glared at him threateningly. Only then did Moon Hae-min realize he had run into the wrong crowd. These men seemed to be thugs who enjoyed bullying others.

“My shoulder is injured because of you. At this rate, I won’t be able to work until it heals. How are you going to take responsibility?”

“Isn’t it only right that you pay for the medicine?”

“I am sorry…….”

Moon Hae-min simply repeated that he was sorry. Even if it were true that he had been distracted for a moment, the collision had been mutual, and it certainly wasn’t severe enough to warrant medicine. It was unfair, but there were five of them, and all of them were hulking men. It wasn’t easy to face them alone.

“Just give us four nyang and go.”

“Pardon? ……Even for medicine, isn’t four nyang excessive?”

“Excessive? I live hand-to-mouth, and now that my shoulder is injured, I’m about to starve. Shouldn’t I have enough rice to eat until I’m fully recovered?”

“Mister, you have a pretty face, but you’re being too much. You look like you’re well-off, so is four nyang too much to bestow?”

“If you felt that was a waste, you shouldn’t have let a passerby’s shoulder pop out.”

“No, your shoulder didn’t actually pop out…….”

When Moon Hae-min protested timidly, the man raised his voice.

“What do you mean it didn’t pop out? I won’t be able to use my arm for at least a month!”

“If you can’t pay for the medicine, we’ll have no choice but to make you the same.”

It was an atmosphere where reason would not prevail. It felt as though this would escalate into a physical fight. While facing five men alone was worrying, the aftermath was the real problem. If things grew too large and he was dragged to the government office…….

‘Rumors would spread that Grand Prince Byeokran’s concubine got into a brawl in the marketplace.’

At that thought, Moon Hae-min turned pale. Just then, one of the men muttered.

“Wait a minute. I smell something…….”

“What smell?”

“A scent that whets the appetite.”

The man stopped mid-look around and froze. His eyes, likely those of a yang-person, gleamed grotesquely.

“Mister, you’re an Eumin, aren’t you?”

“…….”

Gulp. Hae-min swallowed hard. He desperately wanted to hide his Chromatic Scent, but it wouldn’t go his way. Perhaps because he was flustered, the Chromatic Scent leaked out even more.

“Are you perhaps in your heat cycle?”

“N-no, I am not.”

“No? It’s definitely a heat cycle.”

The man strode closer. Hae-min instinctively [unauthorized copy]stepped stolen contentback, but [stolen content]he was forced to stop as another man blocked his back.

“Is he really an Eumin? Are you sure?”

“I’m telling you he is. The Chromatic Scent is this thick; there’s no way I’m mistaken.”

“Hoh, I heard male Eumin are rare.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen a male Eumin in person, too.”

The gang exchanged glances. The signs were not good. He tried to leave the spot quickly, but it was impossible, as he had been surrounded by the hulking men at some point.

“If you’re in your heat cycle, I’ll give you some special help.”

“I told you it’s not a heat cycle. I don’t need any help!”

“Stop that and just stay still, will you?”

One man reached out. Moon Hae-min barely managed to dodge the hand, but his shoulder was grabbed by another. It was the man who had claimed his shoulder had popped out earlier.

“You, you’re using your arm just fine……!”

Even in this situation, he asked in disbelief, to which the man laughed brazenly.

“I’ve been wondering what a male Eumin tastes like anyway.”

“Let go of me!”

“Why? I’m just saying I’ll help you through your heat cycle.”

The men were relentless. At this rate, the problem wouldn’t be the scandal of being dragged to the government office, but something far worse. Moon Hae-min trembled, unable to do anything.

Suddenly, the scent of a chilly breeze drifted in from somewhere, followed by a voice even colder.

“Let go of that hand.”

It was Song Seol. Song Seol had come.

He didn’t know how he had found him, but upon realizing Song Seol’s appearance, Moon Hae-min felt relief and a sense of dread simultaneously. Even if he had done nothing wrong, there was nothing good about him knowing that Hae-min had gotten into a dispute in the market.

The men seemed equally dismayed as the atmosphere shifted abruptly. Even if they didn’t know Song Seol was Grand Prince Byeokran, his appearance alone was enough to guess that he was someone of high status. The man holding Hae-min’s shoulder slowly let go and asked.

“Are… are you perhaps this person’s lover… are you?”

The man hurriedly corrected visit our sitehis speech. Moon Hae-min unauthorized copywas more appalled by the content than the change in attitude.

A lover. That was absurd. It was like putting a fierce beast and a flying bird in the same category, or trying to graft a pine tree onto a fruit branch.

Surely, not only he but Song Seol would find it ridiculous. Just as he opened his mouth to correct them, Song Seol spoke first.

“It is none of your concern.”

His voice was clearly displeased. Moon Hae-min flinched. The men were also overwhelmed by his presence.

“We… we apologize for the rudeness.”

Muttering apologies, the men retreated one by one. The sight of them fleeing in haste looked quite pathetic. Regardless, he was glad to have escaped the crisis.

“Thank you for your help, My Lord.”

As he turned to greet Song Seol, Moon Hae-min started. Song Seol’s expression was extremely fierce. He didn’t seem to be angry at him specifically, but for some reason, he felt he should leave the area as well.

“I followed because I smelled a familiar Chromatic Scent, and then I find this…….”

“…….”

“Did anything happen to you?”

If he answered yes, it seemed Song Seol was ready to seize those men immediately. It was likely his sense of responsibility as a Grand Prince.

“No, nothing.”

Hae-min glossed over it. It was true that the men had been lawless, but since they hadn’t committed any serious crime, he felt awkward reporting it.

Even as he spoke, the Chromatic Scent continued to flow from Moon Hae-min. Song Seol followed the invisible trail of the scent with a sharp gaze.

“Indeed, you need to learn the knack of controlling your Chromatic Scent.”

“I am sorry…….”

The person who felt that necessity most acutely was the one experiencing it. Moon Hae-min tried to gather his Chromatic Scent again, but as expected, he failed once more. It felt more difficult than trying to gather spilled water.

Frustrated, Hae-min bit his lower lip. Seeing that expression, Song Seol spoke indifferently.

“I am not blaming you. It can be difficult if it hasn’t been long since your manifestation as an Eumin.”

“……Yes.”

It was a problem because he wouldn’t be able to use [unauthorized copy]that excuse unauthorized copyforever. Feeling troubled, Moon Hae-min reached the conclusion that he should avoid Song Seol for the time being. He bowed his head deeply and said.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

“Wait. You…….”

Song Seol started to speak, but he didn’t finish. It was a hesitation unlike him. Soon, he frowned slightly, as if he couldn’t understand himself, and asked.

“Have we met somewhere before?”

“…….”

Moon Hae-min froze like a small mountain animal caught in a trap.