Chapter 23. Return (1)

Eunha was up all night, pacing back and forth as she waited for Yongi. However, in the end she didn’t come.

Shihoon passed by the courtyard several times as if he was worried, but he hadn’t spoken to her since the incident with the boots. Somehow, Eunha felt that this is how it should be.

She felt a strange guilt whenever he was friendly. She felt more comfortable with his current aloofness.

Just as the sun began to rise, Shihoon’s assistant came out into the courtyard. When he saw that Eunha was still there, he felt sorry for her. Her cheeks had turned red and her fingertips had turned blue from the cold.

“Eunha, go back inside and lie down for at least a little while. You have to come back today, right?”

“I’m fine, sir. Excuse me… could I ask you a favor?”

“What can I do for you?”

Eunha showed the assistant the bag with the boots and a letter.

“Could you give this to my sister?”

“The boots the young master gave you to wear…”

“I can’t. You also know it well, sir. It would be frowned upon for someone like me to wear them.”

“You’re not less than others. In fact, there is no one like you. Anyway, I understand you.”

Shihoon’s assistant carefully accepted the boots and the letter. Finally she smiled brightly and went back to her room to pack up her stuff. She only had a change of clothes and a book.

It was still too early for breakfast. Eunha sat in the drawing room, undecided whether to say goodbye to Shihoon.

From the courtyard you could see the living room, the servants who came out to sweep it took a look at her. The moment she felt a little uncomfortable sitting in silence, Shihoon walked in with a stiff expression and said,

“What are you doing?”

Eunha quickly stood up and bowed to Shihoon,

“I was waiting for you because I wanted to say goodbye to you before I left. Thank you for the food, the room and the care.”

At that decorous attitude, Shihoon clenched his fists and suppressed his anger as best he could.

“Okay. You can leave.”

“Are you still angry?”

“How could I not be when you didn’t even accept a pair of boots from me?”

“It’s not like that… I did it thinking of you, young master.”

“Well, then I’ll send you something to the mansion where you work. Don’t reject it, take it. It will be useful to you.”

That said, Shihoon turned around and left the drawing room for fear that Eunha would refuse. Unable to refuse again, Eunha bowed her head deeply towards the closed door.

Once she said goodbye to the assistant and the cook, who served her delicious food three times a day, Eunha went out.

“Eunha! Eunha!”

The bookshop owner shouted as he ran towards her. When Mr. Song arrived in front of her, he was sweating profusely and breathing heavily. Maybe because of the thick coat he was wearing to protect himself from the cold weather.

“Oh, my… Oh, my… I’m going to die.”

“Mr. Song? What are you doing here so early?”

“Brat, yesterday… Phew, I’m exhausted. What the hell were you doing yesterday? Huh?”

“…”

Eunha, her eyes wide open, tilted her head as she accepted a note from the bookshop owner.

“Your sister left this in my bookshop!”

“My sister?”

“Yes! I was really surprised… Phew, my heart is racing… Haven’t you talked to Yongi?”

Eunha shook her head vigorously and opened the note with trembling hands. Then, her eyes filled with tears as she read the letter in her sister’s neat, fine penmanship.

[My dear Eunha.

I wanted to see you sister, but there were many eyes on me on the way, so I leave you this message. I saw the face of the man you serve. He scared me, but I felt that he is someone who cares about you.

Eunha, as long as you’re fine, I can wait as long as it takes to see you. I know what you think, but don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself first.

I will always be there for you. Without a doubt we will meet again. When that day comes, I will give you a hug like your big sister, not like a courtesan.

I love you, Eunha.]

‘So my sister did come to see me… but she had to turn back because she was being watched.’

Eunha wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks and clutched the note to her chest. She then bowed her head and expressed her gratitude to Mr. Song.

“Thank you for bringing me this note from my sister, Mr. Song.”

“Hey, don’t do that. We’re all in the same boat.”

He responded with a kind smile.

“Still, I’m sad that I couldn’t meet my sister yesterday.”

“I understand you. If Yongi leaves other notes, I’ll make an effort to bring them to you. By the way, are you leaving already?”

“Yes, I’m leaving. I have nothing else to do here… It would be better to go to the lord.”