・・・・・
‘Here it comes.’
As Gio sat facing Susu's parents, Lord Eok and Lady Yeon, his mind was consumed with that thought. He had expected that such a day would come eventually. He had even thought it might be best to sever ties by leaving for some distant place. However, his desire to see Susu for even one more day led him to delay and delay, until finally, the day had arrived when she had reached adulthood.
"Gio, how long has it been since you formed a connection with our family?"
"...It has been sixteen years."
"Time passes like flowing water. Thanks to you, Susu has grown so well, and Suwon has also found a good friend."
"You're too kind. How could the family's blessings be attributed to someone as foolish as me?"
"Foolish, you say..."
Lady Yeon's gaze, filled with pity, felt painful to Gio. He knew that after his mother's passing, she had cared for him even more out of sympathy, so he lowered his eyes and kept silent. It was then that Lord Eok continued speaking.
“Now that Susu has come of age, won't you truly become a part of our family?"
“If you agree, I will send a matchmaker.”
This was the request he had long hoped for. Yet, at the same time, it was also something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
“...As always... I am deeply moved by your unwavering thoughts and kindness. However, Susu and I are not a suitable match.”
Each word of rejection felt like a bitter pill lodged in his throat, making it hard to breathe. Nevertheless, Gio’s stubbornness pushed him to finish speaking, and Lady Yeon let out a deep sigh.
"How can you say such a thing? I have watched the bond you two have built over the years, one that goes beyond mere friendship."
"I apologise. However, if I were to marry Susu, I can already foresee how my father would react. Also... Susu is too precious to be with someone like me, someone who is not pure."
"That's nonsense. Did you do it because you wanted to?"
"We know better than anyone else that this is not the case. As Jinah's friend, and even more so as Susu's mother, I can assure you of that."
Gio’s heart tightened at the sudden mention of his mother’s name. His mother, Lady Song, had been a foolish woman who loved the most wicked man in the world. Yet, she had pushed him into the Eok family, passively protecting him. However, in her final moments, she begged Gio not to abandon his father — a contradiction he could never forget.
The Eok couple, aware of his circumstances, felt an immense pity for Gio. Just referring to his biological parent as ‘Abi’ instead of ‘Abeoji’ [1] revealed the deep, unresolved resentment, making the situation even more heartbreaking.
"I understand how difficult it is to break away from your family. But I will offer you my support, so do not worry. You also know that His Majesty is closely observing Lord Gok."
Gio knew this well. He smiled bitterly.
However, he could not bring himself to accept the help of Lord Eok and his wife. They were Susu’s parents, more precious to him than his own life, and people he respected even more than his biological parents. He could not stain their hands by involving them in this, even if it meant dirtying his own.
"Isn't this the way of Heaven, watched over and protected by the divine? I will gratefully accept your considerate heart."
Gio bowed slowly, suppressing the feeling as if his heart were bleeding, and withdrew. Even at this moment, he longed for Susu. His own self-pity was so absurd that it made him laugh bitterly. As he stepped out of the living room, Suwon sharply seized his collar.
"You bastard!"
Gio was briefly surprised to see his usually calm long-time friend angry — a rare sight — but he quickly grasped the reason.
"How dare you abandon Susu! What about all the actions you've shown over all these years?!"
“...I didn’t expect you to be listening. I’m sorry...”
Gio, about to apologise with a guilty heart, hesitated for a moment. This was the first time Suwon had become so enraged, his face reddening all the way to his neck.
‘No way.’
"Did Susu hear it too?"
Instead of answering, Suwon's punch flew towards Gio's face. Since Suwon usually preferred books over martial arts, the blow wasn’t too strong. However, his heart felt as though it had been crushed by the words.
‘Even if we were to part, I never intended to do it this way.’
She must have been deeply shocked. Were tears flowing from those big eyes? Or perhaps... was she collecting all the gifts he had given her and burning them?
At that moment, a maidservant, hesitating in the tense atmosphere, approached the two and delivered a message.
"Young master, someone from Lord Jin's household has come."
"Is it not Susu, but me you're looking for?"
If someone were to send a messenger from that family, it would definitely be Dalrae, Susu's close friend.
Nodding, the maidservant, bowing her head, spoke not to the puzzled Suwon, but to Gio.
"My lady said that Lady Eok will be spending the night at Hwaonru, so there is no need for you to worry."
Tiiiing
A faint ringing echoed in Gio's ears. Susu did not cry alone, nor did she blame him and throw things in anger. Without hesitation, she set out on a night trip.
After that realisation, Gio could not recall for a moment what state of mind had led him to mount his horse. He charged through the familiar gates of Hwaonru and immediately leapt off his horse. Gio grabbed the first person he saw and pressed them for answers.
"There’s a woman who came with the daughter of the Jin household. Where is she, and who is she with?"
"Tonight, she went to the Half-Moon Room with Jakya..."
Gio heard just that much and dashed off.
"...And he said to prepare moxibustion and warm water."
The person left behind muttered awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
The men of Hwaonru captivated women not only with their natural beauty but also with the unique skills they had honed. Among them, Jakya was a descendant of a long line of physicians and was renowned for his exceptional ability to cure insomnia. When he requested moxibustion, it signified his intention to provide treatment, not to engage in physical relations.
However, no one could stop Gio as he rushed forward thoughtlessly, his face contorted with jealousy. Or rather, no one tried to stop him. After all, when would they ever see the usually calm Gio lose his composure like this again?
This was the moment when, under the active neglect and spectatorship of the people of Hwaonru, Gio swiftly arrived in front of the Half-Moon Room. A soft sound emerged from inside the room.
"Aah... huuu..."
“Do you like it, my lady?”
"...Mmm..."
Languid.
Susu’s.
Voice.
Gio's vision turned red. While he was running, his empty head had boiled with heat. The fact that he himself had rejected the marriage proposal and thus had no right to be angry now — none of it made sense. He couldn't think of anything. All he could focus on was the unbearable fact that Susu was being held by another man.
But then, bang!
As soon as the paper-covered door was flung open, Gio came to a realisation.
“...”
He had been thoroughly deceived by Dalrae and Jakya.
The smell of burnt mugwort and incense, the steaming basin and towel, and Jakya, spinning around and smiling while shouting, “Who’s there?!”
His mind suddenly cleared, and reason returned. A sharp warning rang in his head: he had to turn and leave now. But instead of doing so, his body moved forward, and he found himself pushing Jakya out. It wasn't until he slammed the door shut, ensuring Jakya couldn't enter again, that his full attention shifted to the situation behind him. The rustling sound filled his ears like thunder, and when Susu finally spoke, his heart sank.
"Why are you here, oraboni?"
“...How did you find a place like this?”
Only then did Gio finally turn around and show his face. Susu instinctively held her breath. She had tried to forget, but now it all came rushing back, and despite herself, her heart swelled with joy. But that feeling was fleeting. Instead of his usual gentleness, Gio's demeanour was sharp and intense, causing Susu's eyes to narrow in response.
"A place like this? I hear it's a place that any woman from Mo Kingdom would want to visit. Since I am also a woman from Mo Kingdom, shouldn't I experience it at least once?"
"Experience? Do you even know what kind of place this is?"
"They say it’s a place that makes you feel good and helps you forget your worries. It seems to be true.'"
‘Feel good…’ Gio knew that nothing had happened with Jakya, but emotion surged within him. He forcefully suppressed it and grabbed Susu's wrist to lead her away. He had to send her back now.
"I'm glad you feel lighter. Let's go back now. I'll take you home..."
"No! This is my first night out, and I want to enjoy it more."
Seeing Susu shake off his hand and coldly turn away, he felt his breath catch. Gio had long resigned himself to the idea of letting Susu go and allowing another man to stand by her side. His words in front of Lord Eok and his wife were not insincere.
But when faced with reality, none of those resolutions meant anything. His composure cracked as he watched someone else try to take Susu, and when she turned away from him, it felt like his very existence was shattering.
Gio slowly clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to relax them.
"Enjoy it? Do you even know what it means to 'enjoy it' here?"
“What does it matter what I know or what I do here?”
His efforts were in vain, as futile as his earlier resolutions. Feeling his nails dig into his hard palm, Gio spoke through gritted teeth.
“So.. are you telling me not to meddle in your affairs?”
“You don’t want me anyway, oraboni!”
The more they talked, the more Susu’s emotions surged. Since he had rejected her, she had tried to forget about him. It was hard, but she had made an effort to redirect her thoughts elsewhere. Then, out of nowhere, he barged in and turned everything upside down. The disappointment and sorrow she had been holding back all this time erupted in an outburst, spilling out alongside her shout.
“We-we’re not a suitable match, you said...”
As tears fell from Susu, drop by drop, Gio pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes widened as she froze in place. The shock, the familiar warmth of his arms, and the urge to push him away clashed within her all at once, leaving her unable to do anything.
What was she supposed to do now? Why was the oraboni who had rejected her suddenly acting like this? Many questions came to mind, but one truth was clear.
‘I like Gio oraboni.’
She didn’t want to escape from his firm embrace. Hesitantly, she raised her arms to hug him back, and he gently lifted her face, leaning in.
“...!”
Having stopped crying in surprise, the teardrops that lingered around her eyes disappeared with the tip of Gio's tongue. Lips hotter than her feverish cheeks pressed against them, stealing the breath that escaped her parted lips. As he took away her every shaky breath, Susu leaned in closer to him. Gio, holding her slender waist tightly, whispered in her ear.
“After the elegant time of reciting poetry and singing songs passes, this is the kind of fun one engages in.”
Unfortunately for Gio, Susu was not afraid at all. Although she was breathing hard, the electric sensation that surged through her the moment their lips met was more intense than anything else.
‘Could something this wonderful really exist in the world?’
She wanted to do it again. If possible, she wanted to do it for a very long time. At the same time, a stubborn defiance suddenly surged up.
‘Gio oraboni is mine. I will never let him go."
She had never experienced anything like this before, but somehow, she knew that it was a feeling she could never have with anyone else. If it was possible, wouldn’t people be kissing on the streets like this? She didn’t want to share a moment like this with any other man.
Was there no way? As anxiety built up, she bit her lip, and a thick thumb gently pressed against her slightly swollen lower lip. The moment she looked up, she met Gio's gaze, which was filled with an unprecedented heat. It was an unfamiliar sight, but Susu intuitively understood.
‘Gio oraboni actually wants me too.’
Susu decided to put everything on the line.
“...Don’t lie, Gio oraboni.”
“What?”
"That person earlier... Jakya only applied moxibustion and massaged my hands. He didn't come as close to me as you did, Gio oraboni."
As soon as she pushed Gio away and slipped out of his embrace, he grabbed her hand as if it were magnetised. Susu struggled to maintain her composure and spoke coldly.
"I will go to Jakya right now and ask again."
"Ask him what?"
"Since Jakya is my partner tonight, shouldn't I spend the night with him?"
Susu's response hit Gio’s head like a hammer. She was the one who, upon hearing his words, visited the courtesan house with her friend. Therefore, her words did not sound like mere bluffs.
Moreover, Susu wasn’t finished.
"From what you're saying, it seems like that 'fun' doesn't end with just a kiss."
“...”
"Gio oraboni, I'm not that naive, you know. I hear they even teach you the art of consummation here, so I should probably learn a thing or two. I don't know who will become my husband, but I can't afford to be ignorant, so I'd better pay attention!"
‘You’re not naive, huh?’ Gio groaned, covering his eyes as the image of a round-faced rabbit stomping its hind legs flashed through his mind.
While the people here were technically beneath him, the courtesan house was a place where all kinds of individuals gathered. Some, like Jakya, were considerate enough to leave Susu alone out of respect for his feelings. But there were also plenty of ambitious schemers, drawn to the wealth and power of the Eok family, who sought to charm and ensnare her. If things went on like this, it was obvious — she’d be devoured completely, leaving not even a scrap of flesh on the bone.
Gio pulled Susu back into his arms as she tried to walk away, his face unknowingly filled with desperation.
Translator's Corner:
[1] 'Abi' (아비) is a less formal term for "father." It can sound more distant, and when used in this context, it may indicate a colder or less affectionate relationship.
'Abeoji' (아버지) is the formal and respectful term for "father" in Korean. It's used in most situations when referring to one's father, particularly in a respectful or polite context.
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