Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 28

Returning to his quarters, Gamyoung was lost in thought. He couldn’t figure out what kind of connection it was that led her to adopt him, but it didn’t seem to be a simple situation. Hongyo hadn’t told him anything, so he didn’t know the details, but what business would a boy living in the mountains have with the country’s top shaman? Then again, if he himself hadn’t gotten lost in the mountains that day, he would never have met Hongyo either.

Are people who are fated to meet bound to meet no matter what?

Gamyoung was the type to believe in forging one’s own destiny rather than following fate, but at times like this, he couldn’t help but think about destiny bestowed by the heavens. Even if it was a coincidence, if that coincidence was part of a destined meeting, were they bound to meet somehow?

But for Gamyoung, who had little interest in such matters, it was just difficult to comprehend. More than that, he was just more curious about Hongyo, for whom no records could be found even though the Chief Shaman had adopted him.

Gamyoung recalled the very worried Mohyun. He was surprised that she had sought him out first, but what was more surprising was the fact that Mohyun worried about Hongyo far more than he had thought. Of course, she would think of him as her adopted son, but recalling the stories Hongyo would occasionally tell about his adoptive mother and the expression on his face when he saw Mohyun during the procession before the Dragon-Welcoming Ceremony, he had thought their relationship wasn’t very affectionate.

But the Mohyun he met today, though she didn’t express it, was clearly worried about Hongyo. And quite a lot, at that. Worried that Hongyo, who had lived more than half of his short life as a hunter, might get hurt while hunting.

‘I beg of you. As a mother.’

The end of Gamyoung’s eyebrow twitched up. Hearing her say that really didn’t sit well with him.

But he had no intention of being deprived of this either. How could he let go of an opportunity he had worked so hard to get?

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

The royal hunt, Kyungrak’s first state event, was proceeding smoothly. The hunting ceremony was scheduled to take place on the last day, when the training that the common people also participated in would conclude.

In the meantime, Gamyoung received the garments that had arrived from the Royal Wardrobe. Receiving a total of two sets of clothes—the one he would wear to the hunting ceremony and the one he would gift to Hongyo—Gamyoung immediately inspected the clothes on the spot. He pushed aside the clothes he would wear for the hunt, since they were always similar, and examined the ones Hongyo would wear first.

As expected of clothes made by a court attendant famed for her skill even within the Royal Wardrobe, they were flawless. In particular, the chrysanthemum pattern embroidered on the collar, the belt around the waist, and the hem of the garment was as beautiful as a blooming flower. Amidst his satisfaction, Gamyoung felt a slight worry.

“Is it too flashy?”

For a hunting competition, the pattern was indeed ornate, but compared to the finery of the nobles who would be there, this level of dress was actually necessary. There were plenty of people who judged based on appearance without having any skill, so for a competition like this, it was better to put some effort into one’s look.

The only thing was, he didn’t know if Hongyo would like it.

He was worried that Hongyo, who had only ever worn rugged cotton training uniforms that were beyond plain, would feel burdened by such a flamboyant outfit. From what he saw before, it seemed he also wore clothes made of silk, but even that was a plain robe with no patterns.

Gamyoung scratched his cheek and then gathered the clothes. In any case, he would have to give them to him to find out. He could think about what came next later.

‘Still, since I’m giving it to him, I hope he likes it.’

He left the palace as usual, but for some reason, he felt a little more excited.

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

Hongyo, having finished his training diligently at the dojo again today, stared at the cup of water held out to him.

“You’ve worked hard, Hongyo.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Then he gulped down the water. Perhaps because he was thirsty from swinging his sword for a long time, the plain water tasted very sweet.

“Kyah. That’s refreshing.”

Hongyo wiped his mouth and placed the empty cup on the tray Sujin was holding.

“Thank you, it must be a bother every time.”

“Not at all. It’s my job.”

Her gentle smile was no different from that of a celestial maiden. Hongyo thought as he looked at Sujin. If I were really a man, wouldn’t I have fallen for Sujin? Where else could you find a woman as kind, pretty, and good as her? Seeing how the seniors and even the younger ones had a good eye and admired Sujin, it seemed his judgment wasn’t wrong. Of course, even so, it seemed Lady Sujin had her heart set on someone else.

Hongyo recalled the hair ornament that was neatly pinned in Sujin’s hair. But no matter how he looked, the ornament she had been wearing every day recently was gone.

“Oh? You’re not wearing it today?”

When Hongyo pointed to his own head in surprise, Sujin, understanding his meaning, touched the spot where the ornament had been.

“Ah….”

Sujin, who had been touching her hair for a moment, smiled at the empty spot.

“I’m just going to treasure it.”

She was smiling, but the smile looked lonely somehow. Hongyo looked at Sujin, who was saying things he couldn’t understand, and scratched his forehead.

“Really? It suited you so well, that’s a shame.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing her face, which still looked lonely, Hongyo didn’t know what to say. It seemed something had happened with Gamyoung, but since Sujin had never said she received the ornament from Gamyoung, it was difficult to ask.

Hongyo looked at Sujin. Even from a woman’s perspective, Sujin was not just a decent woman, but a good one. Her kind heart, gentle demeanor, and way of speaking were things he would find hard to imitate even if he had lived his life as a woman. That’s why, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand that Gamyoung fellow.

But when could a person’s heart ever be understood by logic? Even he himself had admired Kyungrak at one time, though he had of course given up on those feelings now. Thinking about it now, it was closer to admiration than romantic love.

Hongyo couldn’t easily find the words and, seeing Sujin about to leave, blurted out impulsively.

“Um, my lady! If it’s alright, may I buy one for you?”

After all, the one that Gamyoung fellow had gifted her was originally something he had bought. At that, Sujin’s eyes widened, and she stared at him intently. He didn’t know what possessed him to say that, but Hongyo, feeling like he had said something unnecessary, added without realizing it.

“No, I mean, it must feel empty if something you wear every day is gone.”

Was that even a sentence? Hongyo, at his own pathetic behavior, couldn’t bring himself to look at Sujin and averted his gaze. But the reaction he got was a little different from what he expected.

“…That’s true. It does feel a little empty trying to stop wearing something I wore every day.”

Huh? At the unexpected answer, Hongyo blinked, and Sujin laughed.

“Thank you. But I’ll just accept the thought.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, Sujin wiped away her lonely smile and continued.

“You are very kind, Hongyo. I think I know why he smiles when he’s with you.”

What’s that supposed to mean? As Hongyo stared, unable to understand, Sujin bowed her head slightly.

“I should get going now. I have to bring water to the others as well.”

“Ah, yes.”

As Hongyo nodded, Sujin, still with that inscrutable smile, headed elsewhere. It was then.

“Why are you so lost in a daze?”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from right beside him. Gamyoung, who knows when he arrived, placed a hand on his shoulder. Hongyo, startled, flinched and whipped his head around to see Gamyoung staring intently at him.

“What is it? When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

“Then you should’ve said you were here!”

“It looked like you were in the middle of a conversation.”

Then, seeing Gamyoung gesture with his chin towards Sujin, Hongyo exclaimed, “Ah.”

“Did you say something to Lady Sujin again?”

At that, Gamyoung furrowed his brow with a look of utter confusion.

“What are you talking about? What did I say? Say something I can understand.”

When Gamyoung asked, Hongyo stared at his face and then said.

“No, suddenly Lady Sujin isn’t wearing her hair ornament. The one you gave her. You didn’t get into a fight with Lady Sujin, did you?”

Ha. Gamyoung barely managed to hold back a scoff. As if he had no one else to fight with, that he would quarrel with Lady Sujin. His face automatically hardened out of sheer disbelief. Yeo Hongyo did some foolish things, but at times like this, he was truly dumbfounding. When Gamyoung’s expression didn’t soften, Hongyo, realizing his mistake, grumbled.

“It’s just that she wasn’t wearing something she wears every day. I thought maybe you two had a fight. If not, I’m sorry.”

Hearing those words, Gamyoung felt his blood run cold for some reason. His feet, which had quickened on their own as he left the palace gates, now felt as heavy as if they were nailed to the spot. Worried that he might reveal his soured mood, Gamyoung thrust out the bundle in his hand as if to shove it at him.

“What on earth do you take me for? No, never mind. Just take this.”

Gamyoung said so and held out the bundle he had brought. Worried that Hongyo would feel burdened if it was wrapped in luxurious silk, he had deliberately wrapped the gift in black cloth. Hongyo took it.

“I had a set of clothes made for you. The hunting ceremony starts at the Hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM), so come without being late.”

“Wow. I’ve never received anything like this before.”

Hongyo looked at the bundle with fascination and then lifted his head.

“Can I look now?”

Hongyo’s eyes sparkled, already captivated by the gift. Seeing that, the strange gloom that had settled over him just a moment ago seemed to lift a little. He looked at Hongyo, who was about to untie it right away, and grabbed his hand.

“No. Not now, look at it later.”

At that, Hongyo, who had been on the verge of undoing half the bundle, glanced down at his captured hand and then slyly pulled it away.

“Stingy. Just how nice is it that you’re hiding it so secretively.”

He said that, but he seemed quite embarrassed to have received a gift, as he avoided eye contact, which was a little cute…? Gamyoung realized he was grinning without knowing it and fixed his expression. He had no idea why he was being like this lately.

Feeling self-conscious, Gamyoung averted his gaze. Just then, the ornament that had always been in Sujin’s hair recently caught his eye, and it was no longer there.