“Oh, stop it. It’s useless to bully a child.”
“Your Majesty, sir... you’re here.”
As the adult servant who had been scolding the young servant lowered his head, a man wearing a pink robe and a dark blue-and-black turban embroidered with peach blossoms entered the courtyard through the main gate. With his dignified gait, neat attire, a slender waist revealed by a pale river-green sash, broad shoulders, and small face, he could easily have been the son of a fairy.
Not only her body, but her face was like that too. Her plump, red lips, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned in a smile that never left her face, her pale blush like a ripe peach, her thick eyebrows, her eyes like a deer's, and her face as pure and white as porcelain—a beauty that could be said to have been created through the blood and sweat of the Jade Emperor.
Moreover, his upright character made his reputation known throughout the eight provinces of the country. Jealous men cursed him, saying that he was a daughter of a wealthy family disguised as a man.
“What good is it if a few grains of barley fall? If they fall, you can just pick them up. Give me your soul only when you need it.”
When the man tried to pick it up himself, the boy picked it up himself and put it back in. Then he bowed his head in greeting and looked up at him. The boy knelt down, lowered himself, and stroked the boy's head.
“No matter what, he is still a servant. Don’t touch him. You will defile your noble body.”
“Don’t worry, I like it. And judging by the clean water smell coming from this child, I think his mother washed him for me.”
“Ah... yes, Master Seokjin.”
Seokjin stroked him a few more times, then handed the boy two coins, stood up, and patted him on the back. The boy, elated, ran to the kitchen where his mother would be.
“Is Grandpa feeling better?”
“For a while, he would take a nap and go to the backyard with his wife, but now he just lies down all day.”
“Ah... I see. I understand. I’ll go back now.”
"Yes, my lord."
Seokjin quietly headed toward the Sarangchae. After neatly removing his clothes, he went to his room and came out carrying a lacquered bookcase and a bundle filled with newly purchased books.
“It’s a nice spring day, so I should read a book while smelling the flowers.”
-
“Your Majesty.”
When the woman called out to Seokjin, who was reading a book, he jumped up from his spot.
“What’s going on?”
“Please take this back. It’s too much.”
What she was holding in her hand were none other than the two coins she had given to the boy.
“Oh, you’re that child’s mother?”
“Yes, sir. Not two pennies, but two coins.”
“What I gave that child was not two coins, but just a piece of iron. Your child probably didn’t know whether it was a coin or just a piece of iron. So don’t think it’s too much.”
“Thank you...your majesty.”
Everyone held their breath at the loud roar. No matter how old and toothless the tiger was, it was still a tiger, so no one could say anything nonsense.
“You’re still the same, Grandpa.”
“Are you trying to annoy me?”
“Seokjin, stop doing that and go back to your room.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
When Seokjin bowed his head and entered the room, the lord became angry and left with Seokjin's grandmother. Seokjin, who had been watching through the crack in the door, was startled by a sudden voice and collapsed.
“Eww!...Ah...It was you. Long time no see, Ewha.”
“Yes, my lord. Did you have a good trip?”
The one who reached out to Seokjin and helped him up was none other than his bodyguard, Lee Hwa. Although he always wore neutral clothes, he had a cute white rabbit-like face and light brown hair, and was Seokjin's friend and refuge.
"Not really."
“What should I do if a problem arises because of the greeting?”
“Still, I have to meet that person.”
Seokjin smiled at him and handed him a neatly folded piece of paper.
“Give that letter to ‘Tangja’ and come back.”
“Yes, my lord.”
When he left, Seokjin took off his black hat and lay down.
“The house is nice.”
-
“Look here, Dohwa.”
“Oh, Tangza. I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay, since you’re awake.”
Across from Seokjin, who was waking up and tying up his disheveled hat, sat a man wearing a black robe, a crimson hat with yellow tangerine berries embroidered on it, and a light green belt tied around his head. He was blowing the spring breeze with a bamboo hat with a tangerine tree design on it.
“The spring weather is really nice. Let’s go boating or go for a dip. I heard that the flowers are all in bloom these days, making for a breathtaking view.”
“Two men going boating? Is there any reason to show off to people?”
“No one would think that way, if you dressed up like a woman.”
When the man said this, Seokjin tilted the back of his neck in disbelief.
"...Me?...Crossdressing?"
"I brought clothes too."
Seokjin's eyes were drawn to the black wooden box wrapped in an orange cloth behind the man. When Seokjin chuckled awkwardly, the man placed it on top of his neatly folded desk as if it were nothing.
“Change and come out. I’ll wait outside.”
"...I see. But wouldn't you be a better fit?"
“I’ll pay the fare in advance and go like this so I can find out. So please understand-.”
As the man ran out, Seokjin untied his coat and hurriedly stuck his head out the door.
“Look here, Park Jimin!”
"But why?"
"...No."
When Seokjin went in with a blank expression, Jimin just smiled.
-
“Ahhh- good-.”
As Jimin rowed the boat, humming excitedly, Seokjin lowered his head and sighed.
"I wish I hadn't dressed up as a woman..."
“Are you thinking of changing now?”
“...There are so many eyes watching, so that can’t be happening.”
Even though she was talking, her actions were already in motion. She quickly put on her robe and took off her jacket and skirt. Since she was still wearing her original underwear, she was able to change them quickly.
“Wait, Dohwa. Stop moving.”
“But why, huh...?!”
In an instant, the boat capsized and everything turned upside down. The bubbles that had been leaking from his lips gradually diminished, and he struggled to survive, but the wet silk robe prevented him from doing so. Jimin, already on the surface, desperately called out to him, but Seokjin sank deeper and deeper. The rippling sunlight was gradually fading.