ushernet Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Recently, I was gradually starting to understand the joy of eating. Although I couldn’t eat much, there was no disagreement that a short meal was satisfying.
Because of that, the chef, Geum Baekcheon, was suffering every day. He prepared and brought food that I could eat, but most of them required a lot of work.
I told him it was okay and that simple things like dumplings or noodles were fine too, but Geum Baekcheon shook his head firmly and said it was his job.
Of course, the food tasted excellent thanks to his efforts, but the problem was that I couldn’t finish all of it.
When I couldn’t finish even the reduced portions he brought and had to put down my chopsticks, I felt embarrassed and apologetic.
I wanted to reciprocate his kindness and efforts, but that was just a thought.
Still, there were no major incidents. After moving to Hyuk Dojin’s room, no one suddenly barged in anymore.
As a result, time passed quietly and calmly.
It was a morning about ten days after arriving at the Demon Cult. As usual, during my meal with Hyuk Dojin, he casually opened his mouth.
“How is your body today, Sowol?”
Body? I tilted my head while bringing bok choy* to my mouth. (tl/n: a type of Chinese cabbage)
Nothing had really changed when he asked. After chewing and swallowing the finely chopped spinach, I lightly said:
“I’m fine.”
Hyuk Dojin seemed relieved by my answer, softly smiling as he put down the teacup in his hand. The teacup made a soft tapping sound against the table, followed by Hyuk Dojin’s voice.
“Then, could you spare some time for me?”
“Time... how much?”
My condition hadn’t worsened, but it wasn’t good either, so I didn’t want to overexert myself unnecessarily. Since I hadn’t told Hyuk Dojin the details, I cautiously asked, and he spoke slowly.
“Just for a bit.”
A bit couldn’t mean half a day, right?
After briefly pondering his request for time without explaining what it was about, I nodded. Hyuk Dojin’s expression brightened as if relieved.
I glanced at Joo Hwarin, but she shook her head lightly, seemingly unaware of the situation too.
It must be an important matter.
“Is it an urgent matter?”
“If you call it urgent, then yes, it is urgent.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
“It’s nothing. There’s just something Sowol needs to see, so if you could spare some time, that would be enough.”
When he said there was something I needed to see, I tilted my head, and Hyuk Dojin rolled his eyes to look at the bowl in front of me. Although the portion wasn’t large, I hadn’t been able to finish it today either.
As his gaze lingered on the remaining food, I calmly put down the chopsticks in my hand. I couldn’t eat any more anyway.
Hyuk Dojin’s eyes gently rolled to meet my gaze.
“Have you finished your meal?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go right away. It seems better to show you than to tell you.”
He stood up from his seat, approached me, and extended his hand. I placed my hand on his palm and stood up, leaning against him.
I followed behind Hyuk Dojin as he took the lead and walked down the corridor. In the middle of our walk, Hyuk Dojin glanced at me and said:
The white and black colors contrasted against each other. It didn’t cling tightly, so it wasn’t uncomfortable. And the gold embroidery across the entire outfit removed any overall plainness.
“How is it? Are you uncomfortable?”
I shook my head lightly at the maid’s question.
No, it’s comfortable. I had the thought that it fit comfortably on my body, even though I didn’t know how they knew my measurements.
However, the more it fit well, the more I felt this outfit was unnecessary for me.
Biting my lip as I examined my reflected appearance, the consideration Hyuk Dojin had shown me up until now was already enough.
The dozens of outfits he had gifted me were more than I could wear over this summer alone. And after this summer passes, those clothes will be left without an owner.
So for me, having that many outfits was meaningless.
Day by day, I only hoped this peaceful time would not be broken. Every day savoring the food Geum Baekcheon made, getting up from bed and spending quiet time.
And before going to sleep, having conversations with Hyuk Dojin and then falling asleep was enough satisfaction for me.
“Miss?”
Turning my head, the maid was looking at me with a puzzled expression. Was she telling me to hurry out and show him?
I strongly felt that I didn’t know how to react. Although I felt I should express gratitude, my voice was stuck in my throat.
‘I am deceiving you, Hyuk Dojin.’
I was being selfish. Based on my own judgment, I was deceiving him and accepting his consideration and kindness without speaking the truth.
I thought I could speak it at any time as time passed.
That this winter would be my last. So he didn’t need to show any deeper kindness after that.
“Is the outfit okay?”
Pulled out of my reverie by the voice piercing my ears, I turned my body. As I opened the door and stepped out, Hyuk Dojin, who had been leaning against the wall, looked at me and opened his eyes wide.
Calmly straightening my clothes, I approached him. Hyuk Dojin stared at me intently, then slowly opened his mouth as I stopped three steps away.
“I thought a fairy had descended from the mountains.”
“Am I a fairy or a snow lady?”
At my retort, he chuckled and nodded his head. At his smile, the corners of my mouth slowly curled up as well.
I should have told him. It would become difficult if I delayed any longer.
“You are more beautiful than a snow lady, Sowol.”
But at his smile more beautiful than anyone else’s, I couldn’t voice any words.
My mind kept repeating that I shouldn’t do this, but my heart rejected that voice.
‘Just a bit longer... just a little bit.’
With only half a year left, I wanted to be selfish for just a little while longer. Just a tiny bit.
In my life where I had to live suppressed without any greed, if there was one thing I wanted, it was to enjoy this time a little longer.
I was deceiving Hyuk Dojin. Even if it was said to be wicked, it didn’t matter. Even if I was thought of as a bad woman, it didn’t matter too.
I didn’t know with what thoughts he was showing this to me, but I just liked Hyuk Dojin’s current appearance. I wanted to see that appearance a little longer.
“Thank you for the clothes.”
Even if I was a precarious snow lady standing on the surface of the lake, I wanted to be with him a little longer.