The cries of crickets were scattered in the empty air on that dawn night. On the day when Yeonwoo’s soft, rose-pink lips, like flower petals, stole a kiss from Geon’s deep crimson lips. Geon’s entire world came to a halt at the confession that flowed from Yeonwoo’s lips. Amidst everything surrounding Geon freezing in place, only his heart beat rapidly. Due to his entire body stiffening like ice, he couldn’t move a single finger, but inside, a fiery warmth took its place.

Geon, bewildered by the situation unfolding in front of him, grabbed Yeonwoo’s shoulders, seeking answers.

“You say you like me, what does that mean?”

The normally calm and composed voice with a mid-low tone subtly trembled.

“Speak up. Why did you say such words to me?”

Yeonwoo, already intoxicated, had been asleep for a long time.

Geon, captivated by the significant task Yeonwoo had left, calmly settled his thoughts after calming down his head. Intoxicated with alcohol, Yeonwoo was practically in a state of unconsciousness.

Confessions like “I like you” or kisses might have been nothing more than the drunkard’s nasty habit or a mischievous prank. However, did Yeonwoo have a reason to play such a prank on me? And, moreover, from one man to another, it wasn’t a joke that a soldier made towards a lord. Could the meaning of “liking” have a different interpretation?

Perhaps it could be just a compliment as liking someone as a person, Geon thought. However, there was no way to explain away the previous kiss. The kiss and confession borrowed the influence of alcohol. To dismiss it as a simple mistake was impossible, considering all the circumstances indicated that Yeonwoo had feelings for Geon.

He knew that Yeonwoo’s heart was with Yeonho, her brother. When did Yeonwoo start harboring feelings for him? If he had feelings for her, why did he introduce her sister?

Countless questions occupied Geon’s mind. Amidst the tangled emotions and confusion, Geon’s heart continued to beat rapidly.

The reason his heart pounded when he saw Yeonwoo was previously attributed to her resemblance to Yeonho. But now, when organizing his feelings towards Yeonho, why did his heart react to Yeonwoo? Where was his sincerity directed?

Unable to find answers even after pondering, Geon couldn’t stay outside forever. After carefully embracing Yeonwoo, Geon headed towards the bedroom.

Upon entering the bedroom, a fragrant scent wafted through the air. It was a mixture of the scent that occasionally emanated from Yeonwoo and the fragrance that lingered in Yeonho’s pouch. Geon spread a blanket on the floor and gently laid Yeonwoo down.

As he entered the room, a pleasant aroma surrounded him. It was occasionally the scent that Yeonwoo emitted and, oddly, the scent that wafted from Yeonho’s pouch. Geon spread a mat on the floor and carefully laid Yeonwoo down.

A few strands of stray hair tickled Geon’s finger as he brushed against Yeonwoo’s slender neck. The neck was so thin and white. When Geon’s fingers touched Yeonwoo’s delicate neck, his fingertips stung and trembled.
Amidst the tangled and confusing array of emotions, Geon’s heart continued to beat rapidly. The reason his heart had pounded when seeing Yeonwoo was attributed to her closely resembling Yeonho. However, at the moment when he was organizing his feelings towards Yeonho, why did his heart respond to Yeonwoo? Where was his sincerity directed? Despite pondering, there was no answer to the problem. He couldn’t stand outside indefinitely.

Geon carefully embraced Yeonwoo and then headed towards the bedroom. Upon entering, a fragrant scent filled the air. The fragrance was occasionally emanating from Yeonwoo, and it was also mysteriously mixed with the scent from Yeonho’s pouch. Geon spread a blanket on the floor and gently laid Yeonwoo down.

A few strands of stray hair tickled Geon’s fingers as he brushed against Yeonwoo’s slender neck. The neck was so thin and white that when Geon’s fingers touched Yeonwoo’s delicate neck, his fingertips stung and trembled. Looking at the peacefully sleeping Yeonwoo and the lips that exhaled a refreshing breath, Geon’s heart throbbed once again.

However, he shouldn’t harbor such emotions for a man like Yeonwoo. Geon chastised himself, saying it was just confusion due to Yeonho’s resemblance. As he stood up and tried to remove the lingering steps of reluctance, Yeonwoo’s drowsy voice reached him.

“Where are you going?”

As Geon turned around, he found Yeonwoo, who seemed to have awakened, sitting up with half-opened eyes. Was it due to sleepiness or intoxication? In response to the drunkard’s question, Geon answered with a rather serious tone.

“I’m going to bed.”

“No, you can’t.”

“Are you telling me not to sleep?”

Even in this situation, Yeonwoo had a serious expression and tilted her head slightly. Then, as if inviting him, she patted the space beside her with her palm, making an unreasonable request.

“Come over here?”

Pleased that his intentions were understood, Yeonwoo nodded vigorously and giggled.

“But it’s not allowed.”