“Right! You, the headpin of that jerk!”

Biyeong, recalling the tavern, furrowed his brows.

The man was undoubtedly the one who snatched a hairpin from a peddler in the tavern several months ago while trying to buy a gift for Yeonu. Somehow, the man’s arrogant attitude didn’t sit well with Biyeong, but perhaps due to intoxication, the memory surfaced later than usual.

It seemed that, every time they met, the man had a knack for leaving a displeasing impression.

“Ha! Meeting you here again!”

But was it due to the influence of alcohol?

Unlike the first encounter, where Biyeong felt a strong aversion, Hwan now seemed quite pleased to see Biyeong.

“…If you don’t have any business, I’ll be on my way.”

“Just a moment!”

As Biyeong was about to turn away, Hwan, who had transformed back into an ordinary man, grabbed Biyeong’s wrist.

Recently burdened by the events involving Hui-gyeong, Hwan, feeling stifled, had come out for a drink, as he often did, accompanied by Ikwisa.

Usually, he would quietly return to the palace, but this time, he didn’t want to go back.

Returning to the palace meant enduring the judgmental gazes that made him uncomfortable once again.

He would have to spend lonely and desolate hours in the palace where no one wanted to stay by his side.

Feeling like an outcast, he had come out for a drink to alleviate the oppressive feeling, but nothing had changed.

Even trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol hadn’t improved the situation.

He wanted to share his pent-up feelings with someone, but Ikwisa, who only urged him to return to the palace, didn’t provide much companionship in that regard.

So, Hwan felt a desperate need for the warmth of another person, someone who had seen him only once.

Since his true identity was unknown, turning away would end their connection.

If he didn’t vent his feelings now, it felt like his heart might truly burst.

“Judging by the smell of alcohol, it seems you’ve been drinking too. In that case, how about being drinking buddies in fate?”

“We’re not close enough for that.”

Biyeong responded dismissively to the impolite man.

This made Ikwisa lose his temper.

“Outrageous! How dare you disrespect an official!”

“Calm down!”

Hwan, in his disheveled state, tried to persuade Ikwisa.

“Haona, it’s too late. You need to go now.”

“Shut up! Who do you think you are to stop my decision?”
Hwan, as if indicating that he won’t let Biyeong leave, grabbed his arm and showed no intention of letting go.

“Decline? Don’t be so hasty. I’ll personally treat you to drinks and snacks.”

“No need.”

Biyeong exerted force on his arm, pushing Hwan away. Judging by Hwan’s behavior and manners in the marketplace and his attitude towards those beneath him, it was evident that his character didn’t require close scrutiny. Getting involved would only sour the mood.

Just as he was about to turn away, he was halted by a sniffle.

“Sniffle…”

“…….?”

Again, even when heard, the sound of swallowing tears was unmistakable, so he turned back.

There, sitting on the ground with his face buried in his knees, was Hwan.

Despite being a man of Biyeong’s height, Hwan’s crouched posture made him seem incredibly small and pitiful.

Perhaps touched by this sight, Biyeong, who was initially turning away, approached Hwan.

“…Get up.”

“……?”

Hwan lifted his head from his knees.

The person who had just turned away moments ago was now facing him. With a face now reddened with confusion, Hwan gazed up at Biyeong with a puzzled expression, wondering why the person had returned.

“Didn’t you say you’d treat me to drinks and snacks?”

“!”

Only then did Hwan’s expression brighten.

It was unclear why the man had changed his mind, but it didn’t matter to Hwan. Biyeong, who had initially seemed like he would turn away, now approached Hwan.

“I… I know a charming place, so let’s go!”

Leading the way, Biyeong followed Hwan.

Why did he turn back to someone he had just pushed away? Even if it was due to the influence of alcohol, he couldn’t comprehend it.

However, he couldn’t just leave the man who was now left alone. Perhaps in the man’s teary eyes, he saw a reflection of the self that wanted to cry.

On this day, spending time with a stranger seemed like a decent way to comfort his own heart.

The place Hwan led him to was an elegant pavilion.

Although the aged trees shed their leaves long ago, they still exuded a serene atmosphere. As the lanterns were lit one by one, the surrounding darkness receded, adding to the graceful ambiance.

The snacks and drinks that Ikwisa had busily prepared were placed on a table.

The taste of the alcohol was pleasant, and the snacks were excellent.

However, in this brief encounter between strangers, there was no conversation worth having.
Amidst the sound of pouring drinks echoing, Biyeong brought up the topic first.

“Did you give the hairpin as a gift?”

In response to his question, Hwan let out a wry smile.

“She politely declined.”

“And after taking it, you just left it there?”