Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 29

The day broke. Even for an event prepared months in advance, it seemed the weather could not be controlled. It was a relief that rain wasn’t pouring from the merely overcast sky.

Gamyoung looked up at the sky with a troubled expression. On a clear day, securing a line of sight wouldn’t be too difficult, but on a day like this, it was hard to even gauge the movement of the animals. If it were to rain, it would be difficult to even venture deeper into the mountains recklessly. However, for that very reason, it was even more difficult to cancel an event where all the lords from each region had gathered.

The hunting grounds were already bustling with nobles who had come up from the provinces for several days and those residing in the capital. Seeing several familiar faces among them, Gamyoung pulled the helmet he was already wearing down further. Since he hadn’t fully revealed his identity to Hongyo yet, it was obvious that things would get complicated if he ran into someone who recognized him here.

But Yeo Hongyo, who was probably unaware of these worries, was nowhere to be seen.

‘He’s not bailing, is he?’

He was a kid who kept his promises better than anyone, so it was unlikely he wouldn’t come, but as the starting time drew near and he still wasn’t in sight, Gamyoung was starting to get a little anxious. Just then, a familiar voice was heard.

“It’s been a while, Gamyoung.”

His fourth brother, who was once the fourth prince but was now married to the daughter of a feudal lord and ruled that region, greeted Gamyoung warmly.

“Isn’t it brother Munhyung? Do you recognize me?”

“No, I didn’t recognize you at first either. Just how precious do you hold your life to be wearing a helmet that covers your entire face like that?”

So he can’t see me well. Gamyoung thought, inwardly relieved, and gave an awkward laugh.

“Well, since all the nobles are here, I’m a little embarrassed….”

“Embarrassed? Since when did you care about such things? You seem to have become very modest while I wasn’t looking.”

“Well, people change.”

“Now that I see it, you haven’t become modest, you’ve just become more brazen. Anyway, be careful. The one to catch the biggest beast in this ceremony will be me, after all. I even got a new sword for this occasion.”

His boasting about his newly forged sword was no different from his days as a prince. Gamyoung let his words flow in one ear and out the other as he surveyed the surroundings. But the person he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.

“So I met the Gyeongju Provincial Governor and came up with him. Our tents were even right next to each other. Isn’t that strange? Oh, there he is now. Why don’t you say hello too, Gamyoung. You probably haven’t met him.”

“Brother….”

But before he could finish, the ever-cheerful Munhyung waved his hand.

“Hey there, Inspector So! Come say hello to my younger brother.”

At that, the Gyeongju Provincial Governor, who was preparing his gear for the ceremony, and a man who appeared to be his son, looked this way. But what stood out more was the woman helping them prepare next to them. The woman, so beautiful it took one’s breath away even from a distance, was receiving the gazes of everyone present. At Munhyung’s enthusiastic wave, they stopped what they were doing and approached Gamyoung.

Isn’t this defeating the purpose of wearing a helmet?

But since he couldn’t hide his face while exchanging greetings, Gamyoung took off his helmet. At that, the Gyeongju Provincial Governor’s gaze changed strangely, as if he recognized him.

“You are His Highness, the Sixth Royal Brother. I am So Wonbu, the Gyeongju Provincial Governor. And this is my son, Jeonghwan. Pay your respects.”

At that, the man next to the governor bowed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am So Jeonghwan.”

“Yes. I am Cha Gamyoung.”

His voice was as spirited as his manly and refreshing features. Though it was their first meeting, from his trustworthy gaze, Gamyoung could see why Kyungrak had recommended him to join the hunting ceremony. If it weren’t for Hongyo, he would probably be participating in the hunt with that man right now. A strange feeling of guilt washed over him. But as if sensing Gamyoung’s thoughts, the governor spoke first.

“He is my lacking son, but it is an honor for father and son to participate together. It is a relief that I can teach my child some practical skills on this occasion.”

Gamyoung looked at the good-naturedly smiling So Wonbu. He was indeed a seasoned and quick-witted old man, as befitting an official who had long held the Gyeongju territory. He recalled the voice that had quietly told him it would be best to avert his gaze as he looked at the throne on the day of Kyungrak’s coronation. Gamyoung looked at him and said.

“It is good to see you with your son.”

“Is that so? My daughter says it’s twice the trouble. This is my daughter, Bian. What are you doing? Pay your respects to His Highness, the Royal Brother.”

At that, the woman who had been watching them silently until now bowed.

“I am So Bian. I greet Your Highness, the Royal Brother.”

Her soft voice rang out pleasantly. The woman before him was a beauty who could make anyone fall for her at first sight. On top of that, the languid air unique to beautiful women made her seem even more mysterious.

But unfortunately, Gamyoung had no capacity to pay attention to Bian. It was because, in that moment, a familiar voice came from behind him.

“Sir. Do you know someone named Cha Gamyoung? He’s about this tall, slender, and has a pretty face. If you see him, please tell him I’m looking for him.”

No matter how informally Gamyoung interacted with others, not everyone knew who he was unless they were members of the royal family. Yet, Hongyo was going around asking about his whereabouts as if everyone here would know him. It was a relief that he was at least using the title ‘sir’, as if he knew the place was full of nobles. But that wasn’t what surprised Gamyoung.

In that moment, Gamyoung was utterly captivated. It wasn’t something to say about another man, but there was no other way to describe it but captivated. Gamyoung couldn’t take his eyes off Yeo Hongyo, who was dressed in the silk training uniform he had gifted him.

The silk fabric wrapping his slender body fluttered with every step. With each movement, the yellow chrysanthemums embroidered on the crimson cloth fluttered along. Over the uniform, Hongyo wore the armor given to him as a gift from the imperial palace when he had informed Kyungrak that he would be his escort warrior. His usually messy hair was tied up neatly, revealing his forehead, and his small, delicate face, which had been hidden by his hair, was fully exposed. A long piece of cloth used to tie his hair flowed down along the long line of his neck.

‘Gau (佳友)….’

The words the court attendant had told him before came to mind on their own. Gamyoung stared at the sight, lost in a daze without realizing it. Was it true that clothes make the man? He never knew that the guy who always wore clothes made of plain cotton and had his hair sticking out in all directions could change so much just by wearing a proper set of clothes. He had seen him in silk clothes at the palace once, but this was the first time seeing him in a training uniform, and for a moment, Gamyoung even felt the illusion that Hongyo was the only thing in his entire field of vision.

It was then. Hongyo, who had been looking around, finally spotted Gamyoung and acknowledged him. Gamyoung quickly came to his senses and urgently spoke to the people in front of him.

“Please do not call me ‘Royal Brother’ in front of that child. I beg of you.”

At that, Munhyung, with a bewildered face, asked why, but there was no time to explain. When Gamyoung shot him a glare as if he were angry, Munhyung shut his mouth. And just in time, Hongyo approached Gamyoung.

“What? Why aren’t you acknowledging my greeting?”

“No. I was greeting other people. You should too. This is my friend, Yeo Hongyo, who will be joining me in the hunting ceremony.”

At that, Hongyo bowed his head curtly.

“I don’t know who you are, but please take care of me.”

It was a greeting that was far from noble etiquette. But as a quick-witted person, the Gyeongju Provincial Governor So Wonbu quickly hid his bewilderment and accepted the greeting.

“Well… to be joining young master Gamyoung, your martial arts must be outstanding.”

“I’m not great, but I’m not bad either. If you’re curious, I’ll catch a beast later and show you.”

This too was an answer that completely deviated from the noble etiquette where modesty was a virtue. But his honest answer seemed to have quite pleased Munhyung.

“Wow. I don’t know which family’s son you are, but to think Gamyoung had a friend like this.”

“And who might you be?”

“Me? Ah, I’m Prince Yikchin… I mean, Gamyoung’s older brother.”

When Gamyoung silenced him with a look, Munhyung quickly changed his words and forced a smile. At that, Hongyo’s eyes widened.

“If you’re Gamyoung’s older brother, then the one who recently married and inherited a fief…? Congratulations on your marriage. And on inheriting the fief as well.”

When Hongyo suddenly offered his congratulations, Munhyung glanced at Gamyoung. When Gamyoung gave him a look to just nod along, Munhyung answered.

“It’s true that I’m married, and as for the fief, well, I am the one who represents it externally. Yes. Thank you.”

It had been a while since he got married, but it was true nonetheless. Munhyung sent Gamyoung a look asking for an explanation, but Gamyoung ignored him and tried his best to get Hongyo away from them.

“Then, we will be on our way to prepare our gear.”

It was as Gamyoung, having bowed his head in farewell, grabbed Hongyo’s arm to lead him away. Bian, who had been watching them silently, took a step forward.

“Your hair ribbon has come a little loose.”

“Ah….”

“If it’s not too much of an imposition, young master, may I fix it for you? It seems you are having difficulty preparing your gear.”

At her soft yet strangely powerful voice, Hongyo couldn’t help but nod, even though he was a stranger. Since it was the first time he was wearing these clothes, it seemed there was something lacking.

“Ah, then please do. My, my lady.”

Hongyo stepped forward. Then, a hand reached behind his neck to the hair ribbon and gently tied a knot. The sleeve, which flowed down her arm as naturally as water, touched his shoulder. Gamyoung’s eyes widened, and then, without realizing it, Gamyoung grabbed her wrist.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

A strained voice came out, as if Gamyoung himself was surprised. But the one most surprised among them was Hongyo. Hongyo looked back and forth between Bian’s arm wrapped around the back of his neck and Gamyoung who was holding her wrist, fidgeting, and only after the hand was removed did he rub the back of his neck. The ribbon that had been tickling the back of his neck was now neatly tied and no longer touched his neck. But strangely, even though nothing was touching it, the back of his neck felt ticklish.

Just then, the large drum hanging in front of the altar at the front boomed loudly.

“Let the ceremony begin!”

As the court attendant who struck the drum shouted powerfully, the people who were behind the altar soon came up. At the very front of the women dressed in ceremonial attire stood Mohyun, her neck held as straight as ever.