Hong Woo Geon’s face was not bright.

It was already well past the hour of the dog (7-9 PM), but Kwon Jwa Woo had not returned.

The feast laid out before his eyes did not register.

He should not have agreed to Kwon Jwa Woo’s suggestion to split up and visit those with stomach aches, given how large the village was.

If he had known it would be like this, they should have moved together even if it was slower.

Nothing bad could have happened, right?

As time passed and darkness deepened, his mind split into countless thoughts and imaginings. Worry accumulated and anxiety deepened.

How could food go down his throat when his mind was so troubled?

Unaware of his feelings, Arang kept nagging him to eat dinner beside him.

Arang’s words, which he usually let in one ear and out the other, now felt annoying due to his uneasy state of mind.

He wanted to be alone.

No, he didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to be with Kwon Jwa Woo.

That small woman kept appearing in his mind’s eye and muddling his thoughts.

As this was the first time experiencing such confusion,

Hong Woo Geon was flustered and bewildered, not knowing what to do.

The world had always been clear to him.

Right and wrong were certain, likes and dislikes were distinct.

There were pressing matters to resolve, and mountains of issues to tackle in the future. And not for personal reasons, but for the greater cause.

Yet here he was, in such a state of indecision.

When did this situation begin?

Hong Woo Geon recalled Kwon Jwa Woo with a mix of lament and worry.

Where could she be at this hour, and what could she be doing?

Surely she doesn’t actually think she’s a man just because she’s dressed as one.

How fearless, when the world is so frightening. Why hasn’t she returned so late?

As time passed, his worry, which started as a crescent moon, swelled like a full moon.

Should I wait a little longer?

Or should I go out and look for her now?

Hong Woo Geon couldn’t even hear Arang’s voice muttering something in front of him.

How much time had passed like that?

He thought he heard a faint sound from outside.

Has she finally arrived?

Just as Hong Woo Geon was about to turn his head in delight,

“Ouch!”

Arang suddenly cried out, clutching the tip of her finger.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I got pricked by a fish bone.”

Arang held out her index finger to Hong Woo Geon with a pained expression. As she said, a dark red droplet of blood was forming on the fingertip that had been pricked by the dried corvina bone.

“That’s why I told you I’d eat on my own.”

“But you’ve been saying that without taking a single bite since earlier.”

Arang shot him a gentle glare.

It was all because of concern for him, so he couldn’t even blame her.

Hong Woo Geon sighed softly and took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the tip of Arang’s finger.

But his attention was focused on the door outside.

“You’re really too much.”

Arang’s eyes finally reddened, and a tear dropped.

Faced with this sudden, inexplicable tear, Hong Woo Geon could only blink his eyes.

“Why are you crying?”

“You’re ignoring the person right in front of you, with your mind somewhere else.”

Arang’s voice was filled with moist emotion.

She felt hurt.

Having met Hong Woo Geon in this unfamiliar place had made her so happy.

Every time she saw his indifferent gaze, it felt like thorns were piercing her heart.

It had always been like that.

To that man, she was not a woman.

She was just a cute younger sister, someone he had cherished since childhood… She knew that well.

But the human heart was strange. Even knowing Hong Woo Geon’s feelings towards her, she couldn’t withdraw the affection pouring out towards him.

Was it because she had sung about marrying Hong Woo Geon since childhood? At some point, she couldn’t imagine anyone else standing beside him.

Arang had lived to become Hong Woo Geon’s wife.

But he had never truly looked at her. No matter how often others called her pretty or beautiful, she had never heard such words from Hong Woo Geon.

Still, it didn’t matter. That was just how Hong Woo Geon was. Just as he didn’t look at her, he didn’t look at others either. She thought it would be that way forever.

But… it wasn’t.

The Hong Woo Geon she met this time was different.

Someone had changed him.

Who could it be?

Perhaps…

Arang saw a shadow on the paper window.

It was Kwon Jwa Woo, Hong Woo Geon’s fellow secret royal inspector candidate.

Though clearly a man, a presence that kept disturbing her peace of mind.

Could that man be the one making Hong Woo Geon uneasy?

No way… it can’t be.

Even as she thought this, Arang tried to hold Hong Woo Geon’s gaze to prevent him from turning around.

She used forced tears to keep Hong Woo Geon from looking at anyone but herself.

Elder brother is my person.

He must be mine alone.

The shadow flickering on the paper window gradually faded away.

A faint smile bloomed on Arang’s lips. The tears at the corners of her eyes slowly dried up.

It was at that moment.

Hong Woo Geon’s gaze, which had been focused on Arang, suddenly turned towards the door.

Then he rushed outside without hesitation.

Heavy footsteps approached behind Kwon Jwa Woo as she was about to leave through the middle gate of the government guesthouse.

A large hand touched her shoulder, which she dared not turn to face.

Tap tap.

A gesture seemingly careless yet not so careless turned her around.

As Kwon Jwa Woo slowly turned her head, Hong Woo Geon’s face suddenly appeared before her eyes.

And he said,

“Where are you going?”

“…”

“I’ve been waiting.”

Hong Woo Geon grabbed Kwon Jwa Woo’s wrist and led her into the room.

Moments later.

In the warm room Hong Woo Geon entered with her, the dinner table was set.

Seeing the prepared meal, she suddenly felt intensely hungry. Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten anything since taking a spoonful at breakfast. On top of that, she had spent quite a bit of energy walking around the large village. It was no wonder her stomach was growling.

But…

Kwon Jwa Woo stood awkwardly.

Sitting across from her, Arang tilted her head coyly and gestured for her to take a seat.

“We were just worrying because you hadn’t returned.”

“Is that so?”

“You must be tired after a long day.”

“It’s just part of my job.”

“You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

“Huh? No, not yet…”

“Oh my, so much for the famed rural hospitality. I thought you might have had a meal at someone’s house since you were late, but I guess not.”

“Ah…”

It sounded like she was criticizing the villagers’ lack of hospitality, but it also felt like she was chiding Kwon Jwa Woo for not being resourceful enough to get a meal in the village.

It’s probably just my own guilty conscience?

Kwon Jwa Woo sat down with a slightly embarrassed expression.

At that moment, Hong Woo Geon cut in between Kwon Jwa Woo and Arang’s conversation.

“How could a government official on national business waste the people’s food?”

“Oh my, elder brother. I didn’t mean it like that…”

Arang’s large eyes quickly reddened at Hong Woo Geon’s reproachful words. Soon, they were brimming with moisture.

Arang quickly adjusted her posture and bowed her head towards Kwon Jwa Woo.

“I’m sorry. You’re not upset by what I said, are you?”

“Not at all.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

She gazed at Hong Woo Geon, her eyes still teary.

“Elder brother, this Arang was short-sighted. Please forgive me.”

“…”

“Elder brother…”

Arang’s voice trailed off as she called out to Hong Woo Geon.

Even with the refined young lady’s cute aegyo, he might have softened his gaze at least once. But for some reason, Hong Woo Geon maintained his rigid expression.

“I should tell the kitchen to prepare your meals separately from now on.”

“Elder brother. It hurts my feelings when you say that.”

“I came here to work. Not to reunite with you.”

“Arang knows that well. I’ll be more careful from now on. So can’t we just eat together while you’re here? You know we can’t do this in Hanyang because of father’s watchful eye and mother’s nagging.”

Arang brought her hands together at her chest, almost as if begging. But Hong Woo Geon was adamant.

He shook his head firmly, a frosty glint in his eyes.

“If it’s something you can’t do in front of your parents, don’t do it here either. Besides, we’ve already broken enough rules of propriety here.”

“Elder brother, aren’t you even a little happy to see this Arang?”

“You said you came to recuperate, so do that and go back.”

“What? Why are you talking as if we’ll never meet again after this?”

Arang’s voice trembled, on the verge of bursting into tears.

Hong Woo Geon drove the final nail in.

“I’d prefer if we didn’t run into each other again while here.”

“Elder brother!”

Tears finally rolled down Arang’s cheeks.

Paying no heed, Hong Woo Geon even issued a stern order for Arang to leave.

“It would be better for you to have your meal in your room. I have things to discuss with my colleague.”

Hong Woo Geon gestured towards Arang as if telling her to leave now. His eyes pointed towards the door.

Under this silent pressure, Arang stood up as if pushed.

“You’re being too cruel.”

Arang’s face was now completely wet with tears.

Kwon Jwa Woo felt uncomfortable, feeling as if her presence had somehow caused this situation.

“Don’t do this, I’ll leave instead…”

“Stay right where you are.”

Hong Woo Geon stopped Kwon Jwa Woo from leaving.

He then jerked his chin at Arang.

A wordless gesture telling her to leave quickly.

With no choice, Arang left the room.

Thud, the door closed and as Arang’s shadow faded away, Kwon Jwa Woo remained silent.

An awkward silence fell over the room.

Just as she was wondering what to say and how to say it, Hong Woo Geon picked up chopsticks and handed them to Kwon Jwa Woo.

You want me to eat now? In this situation?

“How can I eat at a time like this?”

“Then how else would you eat, through your nose?”

“You’re even joking now. Aren’t you too calm for someone who just made a perfectly fine woman cry?”

“Not a perfectly fine woman, but a young lady who thinks she can get her way by throwing tantrums. And I didn’t make her cry, she cried on her own.”

“You upset her, didn’t you?”

What’s with the point-by-point rebuttal as if you did nothing wrong?

As Kwon Jwa Woo was about to add more, Hong Woo Geon suddenly asked,

“What about you?”

“Pardon?”

“Were you not upset?”

“About what? What would I have to be upset about?”

“Really? There was truly nothing that upset you at all?”

“…”

Kwon Jwa Woo scratched her chin as she looked at Hong Woo Geon.

Facing her, Hong Woo Geon muttered as if to himself,

“I guess I was the only one who was worried.”