Struggle Chapter 16

The ground was muddy. Only once they reached the main hall did he set Nanyoung down on the stone step. With his eleventh birthday—an age fit to meet a betrothed—just around the corner, Nanyoung felt this incident was a little embarrassing and very shy-making. In a fading voice, he said, “Thank you, uncle…” but the indifferent Taerok merely looked at Nanyoung’s deeply bowed, bright red nape and thought, Why is he embarrassed by something like this?

“Uncle, was I late? Is your betrothed… is she already here?”

Nanyoung asked cautiously. Taerok briefly cast his gaze inward. That was answer enough. Thinking he had been unmanfully late, Nanyoung quickly grew gloomy again. Flushing red, then losing heart. He certainly kept busy. Taerok did not understand most of the reactions Nanyoung displayed. However, instead of his usual attitude of coldly judging most things he did not understand, he observed Nanyoung, and observed him again. Was it because, having found the rumors amusing since Nanyoung was young, he had decided to look upon him a little fondly? Did such a twisted inclination have an effect? It was bothersome at times, but generally, watching him was entertaining.

“He can wait a little. I have properly entertained him myself, so you, nephew, need not worry about my betrothed.”

Taerok stepped up onto the main hall first. Nanyoung neatly lined up his shoes beside Taerok’s. Taerok’s shoes were somewhat stained with thick mud; Nanyoung’s were clean. And in width and length, they were pathetically small.

“I had them brew quince tea. Do you like it?”

Taerok asked in a curt tone. Nanyoung quickly nodded and followed behind his uncle.

“I like it. Quince tea. Did you prepare it for me?”

A voice brimming with excitement. He had been shy, then gloomy, and now he was touched again. Unknowingly, Taerok gave a short laugh, Pfft, and said, Well… think what you like.

The guest quarters for receiving visitors had its dampness dried out by the fire lit in the furnace, and was filled only with a soft, cozy warmth. Taerok looked at Nanyoung’s heavily bundled-up appearance and wore a slightly appalled expression.

“You must be hot.”

“Pardon…?”

Indeed, perhaps because he was a bit warm, Nanyoung was panting.

Sweating and then cooling down was worse than being cold from the start. Before crossing over to the large guest room within the guest quarters, Taerok undressed Nanyoung. Looking at the sable fur jacket, Taerok understood just how much Nanyoung was cherished, and looking at the otter fur winter hat, he realized anew just how frail Nanyoung was.

Only after Nanyoung was dressed in a manner befitting a child in winter was he able to cross over to the large guest room. The sprawling sixty-kan princely residence had two separate guest quarters, and each guest quarter had its own large guest room, small guest room, and opposite room. The place they were in now was where Taerok most often stayed, a room with a large window where the pine tree in the courtyard gracefully bent its waist, casting its shadow and pine scent directly. He had never once brought his betrothed, Nanok, in here. For they were a betrothed couple whose relationship was cold to the point of frigidity.

If so, the reason he had suddenly brought Nanok into this large guest room was, no doubt, because Nanyoung was also coming. Was it because he suddenly felt self-conscious showing Nanyoung a Grand Prince’s residence smaller than the palace? Taerok had not asked himself, so that feeling would forever remain unknown.

The sliding paper door opened. Nanok quietly rose from her seat.

Beyond the door that Taerok had personally opened stood a boy with flushed cheeks. Because of the heavily layered, quilted clothes, one couldn’t see precisely, but judging by his exposed neck, he seemed to have a small frame regardless.

“I behold Young Lord Heonui, the Grand Prince. I am called Min Nanok.”

Though they could have been in the relationship of aunt and nephew, Nanok observed the formalities.

After finishing her greeting, she glanced at Taerok behind Nanyoung. A look passed between them more like comrades-in-arms than a woman and a man. No, without even the bond of comrades.

Nanyoung also saw that shift in gaze. But he was still too young to understand the dryness contained in that look.

‘She’s dignified… and has an air of spirit about her.’

His first impression of Nanok was that, for a woman, she was tall with strong features, giving her a spirited appearance. Taerok moved first and made a place for Nanyoung. Consequently, he stood beside his betrothed. As if mesmerized, Nanyoung took in the sight of the two of them.

They matched like a painting.

∞ ∞ ∞

The world Nanok spoke of was entirely filled with things Nanyoung knew nothing about. He listened as if spellbound. As his uncle had said, Nanok’s storytelling ability was remarkably excellent. Though she did not speak with any particular fuss, the process of her stories building layer upon layer was substantial.

Taerok, who had clearly been in the same places yet remembered entirely different things, reacted to the content with a nonchalant attitude, as if thinking, Was it like that…? However, Nanyoung’s reactions were so large—opening his lips wide in surprise, nodding along and then startledly covering his mouth with his hand—that observing it was quite a sight to behold.

Through those honest reactions, Taerok came to know roughly what sorts of things Nanyoung was interested in. He likes paintings and has an interest in miscellaneous anecdote collections, I see. Many would disapprove, knowing a Grand Prince enjoys common tales circulating among the populace. He’s surprisingly full of curiosity, but lacks the stamina to travel to those far-off countries, so what to do.

Taerok was briefly lost in these various thoughts. It was then. A small whisper, Sir, was heard. Raising his head, he saw Nanok quietly tilt her head towards Nanyoung.

“…”

Nanyoung was nodding off.

It was cold outside. Had it not been for Nanyoung’s stubbornness about not wanting the year to end without this visit, he would not have been brought out here in the first place. Moreover, it had been raining, so it was only natural that his body, warmed by the heated floor, would melt into drowsiness.

“Will he sleep at the Grand Prince’s residence tonight and go?”

“How could he not? The daylight is short for returning.”

“I have generally thought that rumors are mixed with nonsense, but it seems this time is an exception.”

“What do you mean.”

“The rumor that you, sir, hold your nephew especially dear. That rumor has crossed the palace walls and reached the noble families…”

In the meantime, Taerok, who had been about to lay Nanyoung down on a thick cushion, stopped his movement.

“The only time I respect you is when you are my betrothed. You know well that if even the betrothal is broken, my reason to respect you disappears.”

By cutting her off and simultaneously settling into place, Nanyoung’s head, having lost its resting place, ended up pillowed on Taerok’s thigh. It was not his intention.

“I know it well.”

“In that case, do not privately spread rumors from within the palace to the outside. No good will come of it.”

“I shall bear it in mind.”

“…No matter how I look at it, you do not seem like someone who would be satisfied as the wife of a Grand Prince. What on earth do you want from me?”

“Is it not because I am too old to become the Crown Princess?”

Taerok propped his chin on his hand. Only his index finger and thumb were extended, resting against his cheek. He tilted his head and gave a scoffing laugh, but his eyes alone did not smile. They were like a sheet of ice.

“I’ll let it pass for now, but I do not trust the meritorious elite families to begin with, so at least for the sake of a passably smooth married life, it would be good to reveal your true intentions someday. Before I unearth them myself.”

“I shall bear it in mind, and bear it in mind again.”

In the end, it was a repetition of the same words.

Nanok glanced at Nanyoung and then asked, “May I take my leave first?”

“As I too must return home before the sun sets, out of filial duty to my parents.”

“Do so. I’m afraid seeing you off will be difficult.”

“Tending to your nephew seems more agreeable to me as well.”

Nanok wore a subtle smile.

“He is a lovely Young Lord Grand Prince. He is endearing.”

Taerok let out a deep sigh.

Haaah…

“It would be wise to clearly distinguish whether you find the Grand Prince endearing, or whether you are fond of Lee Nanyoung.”

Taerok muttered in a tone laced with weariness. There were indeed many around his nephew who were fond of him. Whether this was a talent or a curse, he did not know. But for a Grand Prince who was not the king, it would likely prove a curse. Taerok had probably been unhindered in becoming an existence that was not loved precisely for that reason. The moment a person realizes they appear lovely in others’ eyes, they become greedy. Once greedy, one’s sight may also blind. Or, some villain who realizes they are only lovely in the eyes of others might exploit it.

Nanok looked at Taerok’s irritated brow. It seemed it would be fine to reveal her own inner thoughts after a bit more time had passed. For now, it was difficult to be sure whether Taerok was pretending to cherish his nephew, or truly cherishing him.

‘They called him cold-blooded, but I didn’t know he would be that cold-blooded. It’s impossible to discern his true thoughts, as if he is wearing a mask.’