Fake Concubine 73

“Your ​expression ​was ​bright.”

“Is ​it not similar ​to ​how ​I ​usually ​look?”

Hae-min touched his cheek ​instinctively. ​Of course, doing ​so didn’t let ​him ​know ​what ​kind ​of ​expression he was ​wearing. ​He ​had been smiling ​until a moment ago, ​so he ​could only ​assume that ​the remnants ​of ​that ​smile remained.

“No, you ​looked like ​a chick basking in ​the sunlight.”

“…….”

What a strange ​metaphor. Moon Hae-min simply ​pretended not ​to ​hear Song Seol’s words.

“Well, you’re gaining ​fame for your masterful ​calligraphy, ​so ​it’s ​only ​natural you’d be ​happy.”

“No, I ​wouldn’t ​say—”

“There is no ​need ​for modesty. I am aware ​that you ​have ​received unauthorized copyRead on Read BL Novelsrequests from ​all ​over ​to ​sell ​your writing.”

“That ​may ​be true, ​but…”

Hae-min answered awkwardly. In truth, gaining fame ​under the name ​’Moon Hee-yul’ didn’t ​bring Hae-min much joy. ​The same ​went for the ​requests ​he received. This ​was because it ​wasn’t solely ​due ​to Moon ​Hae-min’s ​own skill.

“It ​is ​thanks to ​Old ​Man ​Yoon.”

This was a ​fact, ​not modesty.

After ​it ​became ​known ​that Old Man Yoon was delighted upon receiving ‘Moon Hee-yul’s’ writing, people sought to buy Moon Hae-min’s work based on rumors alone. Since the esteemed Lord Yoon had acknowledged him, they clearly believed he was the real deal.

“People might praise me as a master calligrapher even if they saw a rough scribble of mine. What they want is not my writing, but the writing of a calligrapher recognized by Old Man Yoon.”

“Is there a need to think that far?”

“Well, I don’t mean it’s a bad thing. Regardless of the reason, it is a good thing that they hold me in high regard.”

“And yet, you’ve rejected most of the requests.”

“How did you know? …Ah, you must have heard it from Young Master Seung-hyeok.”

Hae-min scratched his temple awkwardly.

If his goal were to become wealthy, accepting as many requests as possible would certainly be the right answer. However, becoming excessively famous was not what Hae-min desired. The more prominent his existence became, the easier it was for variables to arise.

Since he couldn’t disclose the detailed inner workings of his situation, he gave a vague excuse.

“I simply didn’t want to sell my writing to just anyone.”

Now that he had said it, it sounded quite arrogant. Perhaps that was why Song Seol looked surprised.

“That is also a good strategy.”

“Yes, well…”

“Anyway, all sorts of things happen. To think that a rising calligrapher is my concubine.”

Song Seol muttered. His voice, which sounded like he was talking to himself, suddenly sank low.

“And yet, you send requests through Yoon Seung-hyeok instead of me.”

“When you think about it, it is a ridiculous situation.”

Yoon Seung-hyeok, who had no relation to Hae-min, was acting as the intermediary. Dissatisfied with this arrangement, Song Seol frowned.

“There is no need to analyze it; it is simply a bizarre situation.”

“I suppose so.”

However, Hae-min felt he knew the reason. Since Song Seol was such a difficult person to approach, they went through the relatively friendly Yoon Seung-hyeok. Honestly, he would have done the same.

“By the way, My Lord, did you call for me?”

There was no way he had come to find him just for small talk. When Hae-min asked, hoping he would finally get to the point, Song Seol pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve.

“Yes, I came to deliver a letter.”

“A letter? Was it sent from my family home?”

“Yes, you guessed correctly.”

It was only natural, as Lord Moon was the only person likely to send him a letter. Hae-min received the letter politely with both hands.

‘Why on earth did he send a letter…’

He had received letters from Lord Moon in the past. However, back then, it was in response to letters he had sent first; this time was different. While he was curious about the contents, he wasn’t eager to check them.

Regardless, he had to read it. Hae-min looked at Song Seol while gripping the paper tightly.

“I shall take my leave.”

Realizing that Song Seol wanted him to have some privacy, the man turned around. Just as Hae-min was about to unfold the letter with relief, Song Seol added one more thing out of the blue.

“Am I included in ‘just anyone’?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you didn’t want to sell your writing to just anyone. Is that why you rejected my proposal?”

Moon Hae-min froze in place, still holding the stolen contentletter. He didn’t understand why Song Seol was connecting the two. [unauthorized copy]It was merely an excuse anyway.

“No, My Lord is certainly not ‘just anyone.’”

“Is that so?”

The corners of Song Seol’s mouth curled up. It was a smile, but it didn’t feel particularly refreshing.

“Then I shall have to request it again next time. I cannot miss the opportunity to own the writing of a calligrapher who has begun to make a name for himself in the world.”

Song Seol likely didn’t want the writing for purely aesthetic reasons. He probably intended to tease him.

Hae-min had no intention of being easily toyed with. He replied nonchalantly.

“Yes, please tell me whenever you wish.”

“Good.”

Song Seol wore a deeper smile and turned away once more.

Watching his receding figure, [Read on Read BL Novels]Hae-min tilted his head. He seemed satisfied for some [visit our site][unauthorized copy]reason; was it just his imagination?

‘Was he not trying to tease me?’

However, Moon Hae-min didn’t dwell on it. Regardless of Song Seol’s intentions, the answer Hae-min had to give was already decided.

If Song Seol wanted to buy his writing, Hae-min could simply sell it. In fact, doing so might be better than selling to a complete stranger. At least he wouldn’t become the subject of unnecessary gossip.

Having concluded his thoughts, Hae-min returned to his quarters. Having had enough fresh air, he intended to calmly read the letter from his family home.

Moon Hae-min unfolded the neatly folded letter.

In truth, he already knew what the contents would be. ‘Refrain from acting rashly and wait. I will call for you when the opportunity arises. You should be able to return by this winter at the latest.’ Even if the phrasing differed, the point would ultimately be that.

“…Huh.”

But the actual content was different from Hae-min’s expectations.

‘Are you staying healthy?

I have heard the news that Grand Prince Byeokran has taken a liking to you.

Who could have known things would turn out this way, but since this is also fate, think of the family and continue to get along well as you are now.’

Once again, it was only three sentences. However, the atmosphere was quite different from before. Even Lord Moon’s handwriting seemed to have become relatively softer.

“There is no way the Lord would be like this…”

Unable to believe his eyes, Hae-min read the letter over and over. He stared at the sentence ‘Are you staying healthy?’ as if carving it into his eyes.

‘…Why on earth is he concerned about my health?’

As for Lord Moon, he was a man who hadn’t uttered a single word of comfort even when Moon Hae-min suffered from a severe cold and groaned with high fever as a child. Rather, he had strictly warned Moon Hae-min, saying, ‘You must never pass that cold on to Hee-yul.’

There was no way such a man had suddenly changed his personality. He must have simply harbored vain hopes after hearing some baseless rumor.

‘I am merely a pawn. Kept in reserve in case there is a use for me.’

The phrase ‘think of the family’ was the proof. Despite knowing this painfully well, Hae-min’s heart felt strangely restless.

The greeting asking if he was staying healthy felt exactly like something said to his younger self. Although the time when he needed those words had passed [visit our site]long [visit our site]ago, the shard-like emotions embedded deep in Moon Hae-min’s chest reacted helplessly.

For a moment, something hot surged up inside him, but Hae-min clamped his lips shut.

‘Why now…’

The family honor that Lord Moon worried so much about would plummet within half a year. Because he would leave Yeomyeong no matter what it took. He didn’t care about the chaos that would ensue afterward.

Hae-min folded the letter back up. He considered tearing it up entirely but instead placed it deep inside his writing box. Like putting away an object that is cumbersome to keep but cannot be discarded.

The sky grew bluer, and the tender new leaves turned a deep green.

It was truly the season of lush greenery.

As summer ripened, it rained frequently. Today, the rain arrived early in the morning, making the leaves and grass even more vibrant. Moon Hae-min enjoyed the scenery with his doors wide open.

Tapping, drip, pitter-patter.

Water droplets rolled off the roof tiles. The scenery was lovely, but the sound was so cheerful and pleasant that Hae-min closed his eyes for a moment and listened to the rain.

Then, the sound of footsteps mingled with the sound of the rain.

“Young Master Hee-yul, My Lord has called for you.”

It was the steward. Hae-min lifted his eyelids.

“You must be exhausted from going back and forth.”

“Not at all.”

The steward replied nonchalantly and handed him a paper umbrella. However, the words Hae-min had just spoken were half-joke, half-truth.

Lately, the steward had been visiting his quarters two or three times a day. In other words, it meant Song Seol called for Moon Hae-min two or three times a day.

When he first stepped into Song Seol’s space, he had been incredibly nervous, but he gradually grew accustomed to it. These days, he even felt a sense of leisure in the guest room; indeed, human adaptability was remarkable.

‘And it’s not even for any important business.’

The most he did after calling him was engage in empty small talk. In any case, contrary to his serious impression, Song Seol was a man with a frivolous side.

Looking back, he had called for Moon Hae-min frequently visit our sitearound this time in the past as well. If there was a difference, perhaps it was only that they had slept stolen contenttogether stolen contentback then. It was a small but very significant difference.

‘Right, as long as he doesn’t lay a hand on my body, I don’t care what the business is.’

Thinking this, Hae-min stepped into the guest house.

The door to the guest room was wide open. Moon Hae-min presumed that Song Seol was also enjoying the rainy scenery.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yes. I called because I needed a drinking companion.”

As if to prove his words, Song Seol lightly swirled the liquor cup in his hand.

“I am not very good with alcohol.”

“Do you mean you have a low tolerance, or that you don’t know the taste of liquor?”

“The latter.”

“Come in first.”

Hae-min folded the paper umbrella he was using and entered the guest room.