Fake Concubine 67
“So, get plenty of rest for the time being. And stop wandering around here and there.”
Was he being overly sensitive, or did those words sound like, ‘Don’t cause any trouble for a while, and don’t go wandering for no reason’? Hae-min grumbled under his breath.
“When did I ever wander around…?”
“You go to the market every chance you get.”
Moon Hae-min flinched. While he hadn’t exactly sneaked out in secret, he hadn’t realized Song Seol was paying attention to it.
“…Yes, I will be careful.”
“I am not telling you to never leave the house. I mean you should be careful when you do. Or, how about going out with me?”
“….”
Hae-min silently chewed his food. The reason he visited the market often was that it was familiar and full of things to see, not because he had a particular fondness for the market as a place. Besides, the weather was cold; staying indoors until spring arrived wouldn’t be so bad.
“Right, since we’re going out, I might as well receive the payment.”
Song Seol spoke as if the thought had just occurred to him.
“That sounds good.”
That was exactly what Hae-min wanted. Regardless of anything else, as a matter of human decency, he had to repay the debt of his life. If he didn’t, it would weigh on his conscience indefinitely, so he figured it would be best to settle it now.
“Then we shall go to the market the day after tomorrow.”
Originally, the day after tomorrow was the day his aunt and other maternal relatives were supposed to gather. It seemed he intended to go to the market instead of holding that meeting.
‘Is that alright…?’
It didn’t matter to Hae-min, but considering Song Seol’s position, it was quite unconventional. At the same time, he thought, ‘He probably suggested it because it’s fine.’
Regardless, this was a case of a blessing in disguise. He had been inwardly pleased that the family gathering was canceled, but now he found himself going to the market alone with Song Seol.
Even so, dealing with one Song Seol was far better than facing several relatives, including his aunt, all at once. Having finished his calculations, Hae-min answered readily.
“Yes, let us go the day after tomorrow then.”
“Good.”
Song Seol replied as he lifted his spoon. Only then did Hae-min notice that he hadn’t eaten until now. He wondered why he wasn’t eating despite the presence of his favorite dried yellow croaker, but Moon Hae-min assumed he had his own reasons and didn’t dwell on it.
The day they agreed to visit the market arrived.
Hae-min left his quarters to keep the appointment. He was wearing the padded cotton clothes Song Seol had given him previously.
It felt awkward, as if he were wearing someone else’s clothes, but he had no choice. Because he had tumbled down a cliff, the quilted overcoat he had spent so much effort getting tailored had been reduced to rags. He couldn’t describe how heartbroken he had been to see the cotton bursting out, torn apart like a piece of napa cabbage kimchi. He had been more upset about that than the injuries to his own body.
“You finally look presentable.”
Unaware of his inner turmoil, Song Seol gave a nonchalant critique. While Hae-min usually let things slide, he couldn’t let this one go.
“What do you mean, ‘finally look presentable’? When did I ever dress strangely?”
“That black coat you always wore; it looked as if you had snatched your brother’s clothes. Even the new coat you had tailored was black, wasn’t it?”
“What is wrong with black? Doesn’t it look calm, like well-ground ink?”
“Not like well-ground ink, but like a gloomy black rabbit.”
“I mean, a gloomy black rabbit…? A rabbit is just a rabbit; what on earth is a gloomy black rabbit?”
As he spoke, a sudden sense of déjà vu hit him. He had shared a conversation of this nature with Song Seol in the past.
‘…You gave me clothes?’
‘I did.’
‘There is no need for that, My Lord.’
‘Though you are not the primary wife, since you have entered this residence, you are like family to me. My reputation would suffer if you walked around in such a worn-out coat.’
‘….’
‘So, accept them for the sake of my reputation.’
He had wondered why he was handed a whole bundle of clothes this time. He thought it was for his own sake since he had nothing to wear, but it seemed it was actually because Song Seol was worried his own reputation would be tarnished.
“Regardless, I cannot agree that I dressed strangely all this time.”
It was true that the coat was somewhat worn. However, aside from that, all his other clothes were high-quality. This was thanks to Lord Moon, who had hurriedly provided clothing befitting the son of a noble family, fearing that people might realize he wasn’t ‘Moon Hee-yul.’ Some of them were actually clothes Hee-yul had worn. So, he couldn’t have looked particularly strange…
“You were strange.”
Song Seol was needlessly stubborn. He didn’t know why he was exercising the steadfast integrity of the Four Gentlemen in a matter like this.
“Isn’t that just another way of saying the same thing?”
“If you truly cannot accept it, let us settle on ‘your attire was unsuitable.’”
His tone suggested that while his opinion remained the same, he was graciously offering a compromise since Hae-min couldn’t accept [Read on Read BL Novels]it. While he found Song Seol’s prim unauthorized copybehavior absurd, Hae-min flinched as if he had been struck in a vital spot while off guard.
‘I suppose I would look like I’m wearing unsuitable attire.’
In a way, it was only natural. Moon Hae-min wasn’t actually a young master of a noble house. Just because the measurements fit didn’t mean the clothes belonged to him.
“And why are you dressed so simply, My Lord? Someone who doesn’t know you would think you’re a middle-class commoner rather than a Grand Prince.”
“Exactly.”
“Pardon?”
“What benefit is there in drawing unnecessary attention? It is only a hassle.”
“Ah… so you’ve partially disguised yourself.”
No wonder the brim of his hat was small and he wore plain clothes without any patterns. He didn’t think Song Seol’s identity could be hidden just by that, especially here in Songdo. However, this time, Hae-min said nothing.
With that, the conversation died. During the walk to the Namdaemun Market, Song Seol didn’t say a word. Given his naturally taciturn nature, it wasn’t surprising.
Hae-min didn’t speak either. He had nothing to say anyway, and he didn’t find this silence uncomfortable. He preferred silence over babbling nonsense.
The slight awkwardness gradually faded as they approached Namdaemun Market. The boisterous noise filled the void between the two.
“Fresh and tasty! Fresh spinach in season is here!”
“Buy your brassware! This isn’t just any ordinary brassware!”
The cries of the vendors were clamorous. Hae-min kept glancing around, looking from one shop to another. It was enough to be overwhelming, but he didn’t feel that way. Rather, as if absorbing the vivid energy of the merchants, he felt a surge of strength within himself.
‘I must really like the market… more than I thought.’
Despite visiting the market frequently, he had only just realized this fact. Startled by this new realization, Hae-min paused.
“Do you want some yakgwa?”
“Why are you suddenly saying that?”
Song Seol silently pointed somewhere. Following his gaze, Hae-min saw a yakgwa shop. Song Seol likely thought he had stopped because he spotted the shop.
“No, I’m not thinking of any.”
“You can be honest.”
“I am already being honest.”
Just then, whispering could be heard from behind them. They seemed to be trying to be discreet, but their voices reached his ears clearly.
“Where?”
“Uh, over there…”
“Now, why are you pointing like that? Lower your eyes at once.”
“I think I saw him correctly, right?”
“Of course. Would there be two people like that in the world?”
It felt like a conversation about Grand Prince Byeokran. No, it was certain.
They whispered among themselves. According to etiquette, they should have knelt immediately, but for some reason, the atmosphere didn’t seem to call for it, so they seemed hesitant.
Song Seol must have sensed it as well. Yet, he continued to act as if everything were ordinary.
“If you want to eat some, eat. I will buy it for you.”
“It’s not that… I understand.”
Hae-min gave up on explaining. For now, avoiding the people’s attention was the priority. He followed Song Seol toward the yakgwa shop.
“Welcome—”
However, the shop owner stopped mid-greeting and flinched. Bewilderment flashed across his face, which [stolen content]was as glossy as the yakgwa.
‘He recognized him.’
Moon Hae-min was certain. The yakgwa shop owner seemed to know Grand Prince Byeokran. Otherwise, there was no reason for him to tremble so much.
“W-w-what brings you to our humble shop, Your High—”
“Naturally…”
“Hieek! Please show mercy!”
“…I came to buy yakgwa.”
The owner’s face turned pale, as if he were imagining some terrible reason why Grand Prince Byeokran would personally grace his shop with a visit. At this point, Hae-min wondered if the man had lived a life full of sin.
Because he was being so frantic, even the passersby began to glance over. A few of them gasped.
“…Hah.”
“Is something happening today?”
The atmosphere was so suspicious that even those who didn’t know Grand Prince Byeokran’s face could tell something was up. Fear and respect appeared on their faces.
The small commotion spread like a ripple. Standing unintentionally visit our siteat the center of the commotion, Hae-min realized once again.
‘As expected, Song Seol is an object of awe.’
It was only natural, given his high status and immense authority. Song Seol was the undisputed ruler of this place.
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