Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 24

There was a force in his voice, as if the words had been difficult for him to bring up.

“I heard when I visited my family home the other day. Apparently, with the new Emperor’s ascension, he’ll be presiding over the hunting ritual.”

“A hunting ritual?”

“Yeah. It’s called a ritual, but it’s just like a competition. You even get a prize if you do well. I wasn’t planning on going either, but an order came down for all children of noble families to participate.”

It wasn’t a lie; in reality, any child of a reasonably well-known noble family had to participate, even if only in name. But Hongyo himself looked sullen.

“Hmm… thanks for the offer, but can’t you just go by yourself?”

“Well… they say you have to participate in pairs. It’s perfect, isn’t it? Winter is coming, so we can use this chance to catch a bunch of animals, make some clothes, and sell the meat. And who knows? Maybe we’ll do well and get a prize.”

Gamyoung deliberately said it as if it were no big deal. The boy had no interest whatsoever in getting ahead in the world, so he would surely feel burdened if he started talking about government posts or the Emperor. As expected, when he brought up the topic of fur clothes for the winter, Hongyo showed a flicker of interest, and Gamyoung pushed a little more aggressively.

“Where else would I find someone who hunts as well as you? If I go with you, we could easily catch at least one deer, and if we do well, maybe we could even aim for a wolf. Wolf pelts are highly valued, so we wouldn’t have to worry all winter.”

At that, Hongyo showed a thoughtful expression. Gamyoung found himself holding his breath and watching Hongyo. But after careful thought, Hongyo shook his head again.

“That may be so, but I just feel uncomfortable.”

Even though it was an expected answer, he couldn’t help but be disappointed. But Gamyoung couldn’t back down just like that. What a waste of talent to let him live as just a hunter. Besides, he had steeled himself to reveal his identity; he couldn’t just quit after being rejected once. Seeing his still reluctant appearance, Gamyoung asked.

“Why? Surely it’s not because you lack the skill.”

At that, Hongyo, looking troubled, raised an eyebrow, chose his words for a moment, and then replied bluntly.

“Aren’t those kinds of places usually for nobles? I don’t think I’d be much help even if I went. I think it would be better for you to go with someone who’s been properly trained. Someone from your family, or if you really have no one else, there are skilled people among the senior brothers at the dojang.”

Hongyo scratched his cheek and lightly tapped Gamyoung’s shoulder.

“Have a good trip. Since you’re going anyway, I hope you catch the biggest wolf and get the prize.”

His smiling face showed no lingering attachment. At that sight, Gamyoung was about to hold on to him but stopped. Thinking Gamyoung had understood, Hongyo neatly organized the wooden swords he was holding and put them back where they belonged.

“Ah, that was a refreshing spar, Cha Gamyoung. Let’s get some food…”

But Hongyo couldn’t finish his sentence. Gamyoung, who had come up behind him at some point, was looking at Hongyo.

“Yeo Hongyo.”

Even though it was his own name, called countless times, Hongyo felt a shiver run down his spine. When he turned around, he saw Gamyoung looking at him with a more serious gaze than ever before. He was usually a calm person, but it had been a long time since he had seen such a deep gaze. Hongyo swallowed dryly without realizing it.

“No one else will do.”

“Huhh?”

“It’s because it’s you that I can trust.”

There was no wavering in his gaze, which was filled with conviction. It was a stare as straight as his definitive words. Seeing those firm eyes, which seemed to trust their opponent completely, Hongyo was at a loss for words. He could tell without being told that this was not a lighthearted proposal. Seeing how much more serious he seemed than he had thought, Hongyo met his gaze directly.

He had a feeling that if he were in Gamyoung’s situation, Gamyoung would have followed along without a second thought. There was something about Gamyoung that you could know without having to ask. The reason Gamyoung was acting this way was because he had that much trust in him. Only then did Hongyo think he understood a little of what was in Gamyoung’s heart when he made such a request.

So, my friend needs someone he can trust. Not just someone who’s good at hunting. In that case, the story changes a bit.

Hongyo looked at the eyes that were so dark they seemed to have a hint of blue and said.

“If you say so, then I have no choice but to go with you, do I?”

Although he grumbled slightly, Gamyoung’s eyes widened a little at the rather positive response.

“So you’re saying you’ll go with me now?”

“You said I’m the only one you can trust, so how can I tell you to go alone? Sheesh. You’ve got yourself a good friend.”

Hongyo, who had become smug in an instant and grinned, soon wiped the smile off his face and said.

“In exchange, I’ll only protect you. Don’t go introducing me to any useless young masters from noble families.”

The moment he heard those words, Gamyoung felt a jolt in his chest once again. …What is this? Why am I like this? Gamyoung, flustered, was momentarily at a loss for words, but then realized the emotion was embarrassment and frowned. When Gamyoung didn’t answer for a moment, Hongyo’s face immediately contorted.

“What’s with you? Why aren’t you answering?”

“Uh, yeah. Of course. That’s why I asked you to come with me.”

At that, Hongyo nodded and continued.

“And promise me. That you won’t get hurt. Well, it’s not like that’ll happen with me by your side, but you have a knack for tripping and falling.”

Gamyoung was momentarily dumbfounded by Hongyo’s comment, which treated him like some fragile young master, but his heart pounded more at the response, which was as good as a promise to participate. Gamyoung nodded.

“Right. As if I’d get hurt with you by my side. And…”

Hongyo, who had been nodding at Gamyoung’s words, looked at him quizzically when he paused.

“After the hunting ritual is over this time, let’s go visit my hometown together.”

Seeing Hongyo, whose mouth had slightly parted in surprise, Gamyoung clenched his fist as if he had made up his mind.

“I want to introduce you to my family.”

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

“So you told him you’d introduce me?”

“Hongyo will find out anyway if he goes to the hunting ritual, won’t he? He’ll find out I’m an imperial prince, so how could he not recognize you, brother?”

Kyungrak burst out laughing upon hearing that.

“Right. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of face he’ll make when he finds out I’m the Emperor.”

He looked delighted. But Gamyoung, who had brought it up, still had a worried expression on his face.

“To be honest, I am worried. Whether Hongyo will be able to act the same as before after learning this.”

“Didn’t you take that into account from the beginning? He’ll be surprised, sure, but is he going to cut ties with you?”

Kyungrak drew his bowstring. The arrow, which landed precisely in the center of the target as always, quivered.

“Now, it’s your turn, dear brother.”

Pushed by the force of Kyungrak’s slap on his back, Gamyoung stood in front. Even though he had trained in all sorts of martial arts with Kyungrak since he was young, handling a bow was still difficult. Unlike other martial arts that aimed for an opponent’s opening, it was like a fight against oneself.

Calming his breath, Gamyoung closed one eye and stared at the target. After carefully steadying his breathing, Gamyoung released his hand from the bowstring. The arrow, which immediately flew in an arc, landed slightly off-center on the borderline. Kyungrak let out a sound of admiration.

“Oho, you’re getting better and better.”

“I’m still a long way from catching up to you, brother.”

“That may be so, but what’s important is that your skills are steadily improving. You’ve been training quite a bit lately, haven’t you, while pretending not to.”

Gamyoung slyly avoided his mischievous gaze. Since it was a hunt and not a spar, he would be holding a bow more often than a sword. If he were participating alone, it would be one thing, but he had dragged Hongyo into this, so he at least shouldn’t be a burden. It would be even better if he could catch a large animal, just as Hongyo had said.

Kyungrak, seeing his younger brother whose thoughts were so transparent even without asking, smiled faintly and picked up his bow again. In a situation where he wasn’t borrowing the dragon’s power, his eyes, still as black as ink, carefully looked at the target. This time too, the arrow that flew straight away landed right in the middle of the target. But instead of admiration, a gentle voice was heard first.

“I am in Your Majesty’s presence.”

“Empress.”

The woman, who was the current empress and former crown princess, had a large hair ornament modeled after a hydrangea, the symbol of the empress, in her hair. As the daughter of a high-ranking official, a woman who was in no way lacking for the position of empress, she had a refined and elegant demeanor that seemed to have been ingrained in her since birth. When Gamyoung bowed in greeting, the empress also smiled warmly.

“I am sorry to have disturbed your pleasant time together.”

“Not at all. The sun is about to set, so I was just about to head to Gyeongjeonggung.”

There was still a full hour before the sun would set, but Kyungrak’s mouth was already stretched from ear to ear.

“Still, to have the Empress come out to greet me first like this, as her husband, I’m truly looking forward to it.”

“Your Majesty. Your dignity…”

“Dignity is for me to maintain in front of the officials, not something to show to you.”

The way he whispered in a suggestive tone was an unseemly sight. When Gamyoung deliberately looked far away, Kyungrak unhesitatingly handed his bow to Gamyoung.

“Dear brother, you should practice a bit more before you go. You have to at least make a set of clothes for your friend, don’t you?”

The way he grinned was annoying. Gamyoung bowed his head toward the empress.

“Then, please take care on your way, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Yes. You too, Your Highness, please go in early so you don’t harm your body. The weather is cold.”

At that, unable to hold back, Kyungrak chimed in.

“Ahem. Such worries are more than enough for your husband to receive. You, Empress, must not catch a cold. Let’s hurry back and get ready.”

And with that, he swiftly headed to his quarters with the empress. Gamyoung kept his back bent until they were out of sight, then straightened up. Kyungrak was right. After all the years they had spent together, would he really cut ties just because he found out? If that were the case, they wouldn’t have continued their bond for so long in the first place.

Gamyoung picked up his bow again. As Kyungrak had said, if he wanted to make him another set of fur clothes for the winter, he had to practice diligently. But contrary to his intentions, the arrow that missed the target flew towards the small forest behind the training ground, and soon birds fluttered up from the trees. Gamyoung’s face contorted. It seemed his concentration had waned after shooting arrows alone for over two hours before Kyungrak arrived at the training ground.

He decided that was enough for today and was about to leave the training ground. Suddenly, he remembered the sound of a bird crying, as if it had been hit by the arrow he had shot earlier. Although he wasn’t against hunting, unnecessary killing left a bad taste in his heart.

Gamyoung, who was about to return to his quarters, stopped for a moment, looked at the forest, and then changed his direction. If it was already dead, there was nothing he could do, but if it was only slightly injured, he had to at least treat it and send it back. It was surely with that thought that he turned his steps towards the forest.

Gamyoung quickly hid behind a tree. Then, he peeked his head out slightly and glanced at the figure he had just seen. His face, full of puzzlement, continued to stare at the figure until it disappeared down the side path that led to Hyunjingwan.

Yeo Hongyo, dressed not in his usual training clothes but in a neat yet luxurious silk robe, was certainly unfamiliar, but…

He couldn’t understand why, at that moment, he had thought he was beautiful.