I looked at the pole spear with blank eyes for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“It seems you’re hungry, given the strange noises you’re making.”

What relationship do Danmokchang and I have, that if I stay by his side, his pain would be relieved?

‘Come to think of it, every time I met Danmokchang, I think I fed him something. So maybe he thought of me when he was hungry.’

It doesn’t seem like he was wellfed, even though he was treated so well in Danmoksega.

Danmokchang fidgeted with his fingers at my words. His slightly reddened face was like he had been pricked.

“That’s …….”

He was indeed hungry. I chuckled and turned my body.

“Follow me. I made some snacks. They must have hardened by now.”

Danmokchang shuddered his shoulders, but obediently followed me. Not far from where I met him, in a separate room, the snacks I made were lined up on a tray.

I offered him a white, moderately hard, and moderately chewy rectangular snack, and smiled.

“It’s milk candy.”

In the central region, milk and peanuts are often mixed in snacks, and milk candy was the representative. Even after I entered Jegalsega, I made various snacks when I was bored, and this happened to be what I made the day before yesterday.

Danmokchang, who popped what I offered into his mouth, widened his eyes at the sweet taste and chewy yet dense texture.

“You made this?”

“My grandfather likes it.”

Grandfather Jegalyun, despite his age, boasted good health. So he enjoyed sticky snacks like milk candy. Usually at that age, they prefer snacks that don’t need chewing like Castella or ripe persimmon.

Hearing my answer, Danmokchang tilted his head slightly and chuckled.

“You’re still kind to others.”

“You haven’t changed much either, sir.”

That was my line. Danmokchang still had an upright and virtuous feeling, even though he must have had a tough time in Danmoksega.

Danmokchang, who laughed softly at my reply, spoke in a soft voice.

“Don’t call me ‘sir,’ just call me Chang. There’s no reason for you to honor me anymore.”

“How can you say that?”

As he said, I was Jegalsega’s daughter and he was Danmoksega’s eldest son, so I didn’t need to honor him anymore.

But it felt awkward to be informal as he was to me, so I just tried to laugh it off when:

“Jegalsojeo.”

Since I didn’t lower my speech to him, he seemed to have raised himself. At the familiar yet strange sounding title, my eyes widened.

He bowed his head with a bright smile.

“I’m very glad to see you again.”

My heart fluttered inexplicably at his markedly different tone.

(This is a time separator.)

After sharing some more milk candy, Yeona returned to her quarters. Of course, I did not forget to pack her some more snacks.

“You don’t think of anything when you’re hungry. Your stomach should be full, especially when your mind is complex.”

‘Even though I don’t know what’s bothering her.’

Danmokchang held the bundle Yeona gave him and smiled faintly.

‘She’s the same as always.’

Only one or two accidental meetings when they were young. Even then, they had to part quickly, promising to see each other again. So this time, Danmokchang couldn’t say ‘let’s meet again.’

For fear that Yeona might disappear like a heavenly maiden who fled to the moon.

‘I was ashamed of myself.’

He had many thoughts when he went to see Yeona. It was because his father, who had not looked at him for years, suddenly pushed him this time, seeing it as an opportunity to be a useful son.

Meeting Yeona again was nice, and getting along with her might make his father love him again; everything was so mixed up that he didn’t even know what his true feelings were.
But when he actually faced Yeona, she was still such a good person that he felt ashamed of himself for having various thoughts about her.

Danmokbi, who had been standing blankly for a moment, tightly clenched a bundle with both hands.

‘I like her.’

The feeling struck his heart quickly and clearly like lightning. His heart beat fast when he thought of Yeona. None of what he said to her was a lie.

‘I wish you were by my side.’

In a world where he had never had a good thing since he was born, she was good to him. He thought it would be enough if she was by his side.

‘I really wish she would open her heart to me.’

Not because his father ordered it, but because he himself desperately wanted it. Danmokbi closed his eyes tightly with a longing wish.

And he was about to return home, but Danmoksoo was standing at the crossroad with his arms crossed, waiting.

“How is it? Did that woman’s heart waver?”

Why was the laughter that usually didn’t bother him so irritating today? Danmokbi unconsciously revealed a displeased expression, then forced a stiff smile on his face.

“You recognized me as Danmokbi instead of Danmokchang at once.”

The reason he answered like that was because Danmoksoo’s first proposal was to approach as Danmokbi.