Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 11

“Hongyo, you know. Are you not upset that I didn’t receive the gift?”

It seemed like he was worried even though I sent it back. Honestly. Gamyoung was about to tell him that he now had the hair ornament, but swallowed the words. Even between brothers, it was better not to say unnecessary things. Instead, Gamyoung replied with an exaggerated tone.

“Would Hongyo be the kind of person to take such a thing to heart? He has already forgotten about it, eating well and training diligently.”

“That’s a relief. Hongyo, even though he’s small, truly has the greatest spirit. Gamyoung, you should try to be even half as much like Hongyo.”

“Brother, are you implying that I am not manly enough?”

As Gamyoung showed his fist, Kyungrak made a fuss.

“Oh dear! I apologize. How dare I make such a bold jest towards my younger brother, who will become a general in the future? Please spare my life.”

And then he laughed heartily, as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Seeing that, Gamyoung felt deflated. A prince, other than the emperor, becoming a general with military power? He was really good at saying preposterous things. Gamyoung rested his chin on his hand again. Kyungrak, who naturally turned his back following the court lady’s movements, looked at Gamyoung.

“Are the kids at the training hall not upset that I’m gone?”

“Upset? They’re all having fun as if you were never there.”

“Those ungrateful brats. I fed them well and let them play, but they’ve already forgotten me?”

However, contrary to his words, his face looked relieved. As if he knew it would be this way. Seriously. Gamyoung spoke the truth.

“Even if they don’t notice when someone comes, the absence of someone is quite significant. Especially the young ones are still looking for you, wondering where you’ve gone.”

Kyungrak chuckled. Even as the next emperor, he was still human. Parting with those he had grown fond of wasn’t easy, even for an emperor. However, that too was a burden the emperor had to bear.

“I must become a wise ruler. So that those children will praise me.”

“Indeed. Although they won’t see your face again.”

“Who cares? Whether I’m the emperor or a senior at the training hall, taking good care of them is my duty.”

Gamyoung quietly looked at Kyungrak. Usually Kyungrak was very playful and mischievous, but at times like these, Kyungrak looked every bit the emperor appointed by the dragon. Watching him, Gamyoung opened his mouth. His face was a bit wry, but his words were sincere.

“Brother, you will surely become a praised emperor. Even though the children from the training hall won’t be there, I will always be by your side.”

Kyungrak’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. He looked at Gamyoung with a slightly surprised expression, then dismissed the court ladies who had finished taking his measurements, and smiled playfully as always.

“Gamyoung, are you upset that I’m becoming the emperor? It’s unusual for you to say such flattering things.”

This time, Gamyoung looked at Kyungrak with slightly surprised eyes and then pouted.

“A little?”

It was disrespectful to the future emperor, but it wasn’t a reply made without knowing Kyungrak’s true intentions. Kyungrak, amused by the seemingly upset Gamyoung, said with a smile,

“Even if I become emperor, you will still be my younger brother, and as you said, we will always be together, so what’s there to be upset about? I promise. You must stay by my side.”

Seeing Kyungrak laugh heartily again, Gamyoung felt the undeniable feeling of disappointment fade a little. Even though it was a promise that might be forgotten someday once Kyungrak successfully completed the Imryongjae and became emperor, he was grateful to his older brother for accepting his last complaint as a younger sibling. Gamyoung counted the remaining days.

It was now fifteen days until the Imryongjae.

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

Gamyoung looked at the plum blossom hair ornament in his hand. He had bought it in place of Hongyo because the merchant wouldn’t return the money, but it was completely useless. He wasn’t a woman, and he didn’t have a woman to give it to. He was at a loss, unsure what to do.

Lady Sujin approached.

“What’s with the hair ornament?”

Startled by the sudden voice behind him, Gamyoung instinctively hid it. Sujin then naturally sat next to him and laughed as if amused.

“You surprised me last time. Now it’s your turn, Young Master.”

Gamyoung recalled the day he whispered into her ear from behind and laughed awkwardly. He still couldn’t understand why he had acted so childishly that day.

“I’m sorry. You must have been very surprised.”

“I was, but you apologized, so it’s alright. You had every right to be, since I took Young Master Hongyo away that day.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you know? You always get restless whenever someone gets close to Young Master Hongyo, Young Master Gamyoung.”

Sujin’s bright smile felt more daunting than usual today.

“You must be happy. To have such a friend.”

Sujin laughed as if she found it amusing. Gamyoung forced an awkward laugh along with her. He did feel a special connection with Hongyo, but he hadn’t realized it was so noticeable to others. As the atmosphere eased somewhat, Sujin turned her gaze to the ornament in Gamyoung’s hand.

“But really, what’s with that hair ornament? Do you have a lady you admire?”

Sujin tilted her head slightly to get a closer look. It ended up looking like she was leaning on his shoulder. Gamyoung looked at Sujin, who was almost close enough to touch his cheek. The wind blew, scattering her hair and carrying a pleasant fragrance to his nose. Gamyoung, looking at Sujin’s soft-looking hair, said,

“Due to certain circumstances, I have it, but it’s no use to me.”

Sujin lifted her head.

“That’s a shame. It’s so pretty.”

Gamyoung looked at Sujin, who was once again looking down at the hair ornament. Her hair, shining in the sunlight, was truly beautiful.

“Do you want it, My Lady?”

Gamyoung realized what he’d said only after he’d blurted it out. Sujin, also surprised, stared at him with wide eyes.

He couldn’t take it back now. Gamyoung furrowed his brows in distress, then nodded. If he had no one to give it to and no use for it, it would be better to give it to someone who it would suit. Gamyoung held out the ornament.

“Are you really giving it to me? Wow, thank you.”

Sujin picked up the ornament and rejoiced like a child. Her eyes, curved with laughter, sparkled. Gamyoung felt a strange sense of unease even after giving it away, but the ornament was already out of his hands.

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

“I think I’m getting pretty good at swordsmanship now.”

Hongyo, who was walking alongside Gamyoung after their training, suddenly spoke. Gamyoung, who had been thinking about the ornament he’d given to Sujin, missed what he’d said and asked, “Huh?” Hongyo looked at Gamyoung and tilted his head in question, a puzzled look on his face.

“What have you been thinking about?”

Hongyo’s face as he stared at Gamyoung was innocent. Gamyoung chose his words carefully, looking at him. It would seem strange that his friend bought and then gave to another woman the gift originally intended for Kyungrak. Thinking so, Gamyoung awkwardly avoided his gaze. Sensing something suspicious, Hongyo moved his face closer.

“What? What did you do?”

With nowhere left to hide, Gamyoung rolled his eyes. Hongyo, who had been carefully observing his suspicious behavior, exclaimed as if he had figured it out.

“Ah! You stole the persimmons I left to dry on the eaves, didn’t you? I thought one was missing.”

And that was all he said. Even though Gamyoung could buy him dozens of those persimmons. To the disheartened Gamyoung, Hongyo put on a smug expression and replied.

“Why are you so down? If you want to eat them, eat as much as you like. We can make more after autumn.”

Honestly, you’re… Gamyoung felt exasperated, yet he hated himself for being a little touched by this.

“It’s….”

Just as Gamyoung was about to speak, the entrance to the marketplace suddenly became noisy, and people parted to either side. Then, a procession he had never seen before appeared.

“Welcome the Imryongjae!”

A man holding a large flag waved it vigorously at the front. Following him, the priestesses of Hyunjingwan walked in line with their backs straight. And Mohyun, who was leading them, was looking straight ahead, not giving the people a single glance. The people, seeing the real priestesses for the first time amidst the plethora of fake shamans, marveled at the aura of those born with the dragon’s power.

The priestesses, composed entirely of women, were steadfast as if they saw nothing but the dragon they served. Amidst the awestruck gazes, Gamyoung glanced at Hongyo. He knew that Mohyun was Hongyo’s adoptive mother, but since Hongyo hadn’t mentioned it himself, he couldn’t acknowledge it.

Hongyo had a strange expression on his face. It wasn’t one of welcome, or curiosity, but an indifferent one. Yet, his gaze followed Mohyun without wavering. The gaze remained fixed until Mohyun led the long procession around the corner and disappeared. But Mohyun’s gaze, from beginning to end, was fixed only straight ahead.

“Amazing.”

Even though the priestesses weren’t particularly amazing since he had seen them since childhood, Gamyoung exclaimed in admiration like everyone else because he was using a false identity in front of Hongyo.

“Yeah.”

Hongyo, who had been watching the procession until Mohyun disappeared, replied as his gaze followed the end of the procession.

“It is.”

That was all. Gamyoung tried to read Hongyo’s emotions, but no particular emotion surfaced on his indifferent face.

‘They aren’t very close.’

However, his observation didn’t last long. As the procession moved away, men who had been following at the end began posting notices throughout the marketplace. Hongyo and Gamyoung, mingling with the crowd, looked at the notice posted on the wall of a fabric store. The neatly spread hanji listed the date and instructions for the Imryongjae.

As the occasion where a new emperor was chosen by the dragon, nothing was more important than this. It was the day a new emperor would be crowned. Not only the royal family and the priestesses, but also the people outside the palace were not to do anything that might bring bad luck. Even though they couldn’t witness the Imryongjae directly, everyone prayed and prayed on this day for the dragon to bestow a wise and benevolent emperor.

Hongyo, looking at the notice, said,

“A new Emperor. It feels strange.”

Hongyo, born around the same time as Gamyoung, seemed fascinated by the fact that the emperor could change.

“I wonder if I’ll ever see His Majesty in my lifetime?”

Hongyo murmured and looked at Gamyoung. Then he asked,

“Have you ever seen His Majesty?”