Three rules, one promise
After the morning dew had dried, the sunlight filtered through the stone path in the courtyard. In the front yard of the servants' quarters, amidst three targets, each casting its own shadow, Noah drew his bowstring. A quiet moment passed. With the release of the bowstring, the arrow sliced through the wind and pierced the center of the target.
puck-
“You’ve been practicing archery since early in the morning.”
Despite my words, he didn't immediately turn his head. He placed the next arrow on the bow and took aim, catching his breath.
“It looks like rain clouds will gather in the afternoon.”
The second arrow struck the first without a hair's breadth of error.
Only then did Noah slowly turn towards me.
The smile that crossed his lips was as gentle as the morning sunlight.
"Are you in love? Your eyes are so passionate."
I pretended not to hear his sly words.
"...There's an error in the ledger, so things will be a bit chaotic at home today. That's why I'm here to tell you."
Noah walked to the target and pulled out two arrows.
He handed me one of them.
“Would you like to try it?”
“Are you talking about a bow?”
“When things get complicated, you need to move your body to clear your mind.”
It was an atmosphere that was difficult to refuse.
I got involved in the protest.
The grain of the pine tree was felt heavily on my palm.
Noah took a step closer.
His voice was soft yet clear.
“Keep your wrists relaxed and let your shoulders drop naturally. Take a deep breath and pause for a moment—.”
As soon as the arrow was released, it grazed the white border of the target and embedded itself in the dirt.
Noah let out a short laugh.
"It's the same as before"
“Where would I ever shoot a bow?”
at that time His fingertips lightly rested my elbow on my sleeve and then released it.Although it did not come into direct contact with the skin
That brief moment was transmitted like a thrill.
"Take a half step back. Let's try again. Relax your wrists and use just two knuckles to strike the string."
Strangely, my breathing became shallow.
“The wind is blowing from the left now. Don’t look at the target, just look at the stillness.”
I held my breath. I let go of the protest.
Boom—
This time, it barely passed the black border.
Noah nodded with satisfaction.
“That’s it.”
“It must be a coincidence, right?”
“No. I just put it down at the moment when I truly ‘stayed.’”
He said.
I put down my bow. Noah took it and leaned it against the pillar of the annex.
“Let’s finish archery here.”
He said as he walked towards me.
“I said there was an error in the ledger. When the ledger is out of order, the whole house is bound to be in an uproar.“You don’t like noise, do you?”
“Who would like that?”
"Then why don't we try to resolve this quietly? Let's go."
—
As I sat down on the veranda, the storekeeper spread out the ledgers before me. The numbers I'd been pondering all night once again appeared before my eyes, a dizzying sight.
"One of the three bundles of lumber that arrived today didn't arrive. Could you explain the situation?"
The groom took off his hat and carefully held it with both hands, answering.
"Namdaemun-gil was so muddy at dawn that I had to take the Seosomun route. The toll was higher than expected... So I only took two bundles..."
“There was no provision in the contract regarding additional costs due to detours.”
I lightly tapped the blank space in the ledger with my fingertips.
“Charging additional costs without prior notice is against the principles.”
The coachman's lips were dry and sticky.
“Because that road is so rough…”
At that moment, Noah's voice, leaning against the pillar behind him, flowed out softly.
“I heard the market price went up three pun yesterday, but this ledger says it went up five pun. Is that correct?”
The barn keeper suddenly raised his head.
"..you're right."
For a moment, I looked up. He hadn't even looked at the ledger yet, yet he had already pointed out the problem.
Noah didn't come any closer or try to take my place. He just added one more word.
"The detour is understandable. The key question, however, is whether it was announced in advance."
The coachman bowed his head deeply.
“I couldn’t… report it to you.”
I looked at the margins of the ledger and then looked up at Noah.
He asked in a calm tone, narrowing his eyes.
"Don't you think you'll leave it to me just for today? I'll only open the ledger in front of you."
My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected suggestion.
“Let’s do that just for today. Thank you.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
Noah drew the inkstone closer and dipped the tip of the brush in ink.
“Could you turn the ledger over to me a little bit?”
The barn keeper pushed the ledger from me to the center between us.Noah turned the pages one by one,I took a look.I checked the calculation part by just touching it with my fingertips.
“Okay. Let’s set the standard like this.”
Noah picked up his brush and wrote down the words in the margins.
1. The additional cost cap is measured by the market average price.
2. For unannounced detours, only half of the additional cost will be recognized.
3. The detour time and route must be reported in writing and a pass must be attached.
The whole time I was writing, he kept his head slightly tilted towards me.
"Today's case will be handled according to the principles written here. Do you agree?"
He spoke while looking at the coachman who was struggling.
"Yes, I agree."
"What are you going to do?"
“I permit it. I will process it in my name.”
Noah finished the last line, put down his brush, and looked at the coachman.
"Come back before the gates open tomorrow morning. Please write down the detour time and route in detail on the form and submit your Seosomun pass along with it."
"yes!"
The coachman bowed deeply.
Noah stopped turning the pages. He wiped the tip of his brush neatly with a handkerchief and added quietly.
"Let's transfer the provisions we've just written to a separate sheet and draw up a formal agreement. Make it clear that the half-grant granted today is not a precedent, but a special measure."
“Yes! I will definitely write it down.”
The groom answered.
I pulled the payment box forward and finished signing.
He closed the ledger cover and stood up from his seat.
“I’ll tell my father too.”
Noah nodded briefly.
“Okay. I’ll wait here.”
_______
Noah, who had found me returning to the veranda, slowly stood up from his seat and met my gaze.
“Did it end well? Is it quiet now?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I got approved.”
I started looking at him with a different perspective than yesterday.
“It was a great help.”
He laughed. A light laugh, but one that was difficult to imitate for long.
"You're so blunt, Miss Gyusu. If you're so grateful, wouldn't you consider playing with me? Yesterday, I played with you. Today, you play with me."
“Me?”
"Okay. Let's set three rules and stick to them."
I crossed my arms and looked at him.
“I’ll listen to it.”
Noah raised his finger and explained clearly.
"First, if you nod in agreement, I will comply. If you refuse, I will stop immediately. I will not force you."
“..Good. What’s next?”
"Second. You will answer my questions. If you don't like this, you don't have to answer."
“Yes.”
"And the last one is no fun if you know it in advance—so that's all. Okay, first question. What do you usually do at this time?"
“I read.”
“As expected, you are a noble lady.”
“..If you don’t like it, do something else.”
“No. Today I follow you.If you're curious.”
_______
Library.
The seven books I borrowed last night are neatly stacked up.
The top volume was open. Noah looked through the stack.
"There are six bookmarks. The one left must be the one you're currently reading. I've actually read it all."
I only looked up after I finished the sentence.
“You have great observation skills.”
“I’m originally a meticulous person.”
He leaned his shoulder against the pillar and relaxed his ankle.
“Don’t disturb me. Just stay quiet next to me.”
“…Is this the last rule?”
"This isn't a rule, it's a promise. I won't interrupt your time."
He sat at the end of the floor and neatly adjusted the hem of his robe.
There is about a hand span distance between us.That level was actually comfortable.
I fell back into the world of letters.
One line, two lines. The breathing continued evenly, and the sound of paper turning resonated briskly.
After about three pages, a low voice seeped through the paper.
“As the spring light deepens, people’s words become shallower.”
I turned the page without taking my eyes off it.
"The next line is more crucial: 'Because the sincerity is evident beneath the shallow words.'"
He let out a small laugh.
“Then I must be careful today so that my true feelings are not revealed.”
“You’re doing great. You’re someone who can’t be seen through at all.”
“I see.”
He answered briefly and opened the poetry book next to him.
It was really quiet.
The light filtered through the pillar, gently touching the tips of his hair before sliding down.
As I was about to drink my tea, my cup tipped over and the tea almost spilled. Just then, his hand quickly caught the cup.
“How could you do it with your hands! Are you okay?”
For a moment, our hands met. He stabilized his glass and spoke calmly.
"Oh, dear. What a shame about the book. Was it a precious book?"
Noah returned his gaze to his book without saying anything.
"Is that a book? Is there anyone out there? Bring me some ice water!"
“You can just say ‘ho—’ without doing that.”
“I was worried for nothing. I’m fine.”
"Your concern always makes me feel good"
He smiled broadly.
As soon as the words reached my lips, my cheeks felt hot.
I don't think I'm immune to this kind of thing.
It was just as Sohee was about to push open the door and come in.
“Oh, the ice water is enough. Go away.”
“Baby, that’s not it, the customer…”
Customer? Laughter flowed in before I could even speak.
It was a pleasant tone to hear, but it was so light that it felt heavy.
“Can I come in?”
As the door opened, a bright red energy seeped in.
The hem of the silk skirt glistened as it shook off the moisture, and a raindrop or two splashed onto the floor.
“My name is Yun Seo-ryeon. I am the granddaughter of the Yun clan, Prince Yeongpyeong.”
She nodded gracefully and continued speaking.
“I came to pay my respects to your parents, but it started to rain, so I stopped by to take shelter from the rain.”
After exchanging a brief greeting, Seo-ryeon looked at Noah almost immediately.
“Noah.”
There was no courtesy in addressing others. It was a distance only permitted between people who had known each other for a long time.
“Seoryeon.”
The corners of the eyes are thin and curved.
‘What’s with that eye smile?’
It was a different kind of eye smile than the one he showed me.
A look that seems to be looking at something lovely.
"long time no see."
She smiled, sweeping up her wet sleeves.
“I was sad that I couldn’t see your face even though I only heard the news that you were back, but now I get to see you like this.”
“Okay. How have you been?”
There was a brief silence.
‘...There is no such thing as a lovers’ reunion.’
I closed the book.
"The rain has almost stopped. If you go to Sarangchae, we'll arrange for a more comfortable conversation."
"for a moment."
Seo-ryeon tilted her head.
“Are you, by any chance, Noah’s fiancée?”
"you're right."
Seo-ryeon's eyes shook slightly and then lay down gently again.
“I was having a good time, and I wonder if I’m taking it away.”
Seo-ryeon's smile grew thinner.She took a step towards Noah.The sleeves fluttered as if they were about to touch the hem of Noah's robe.
I just smiled.
“..I am not in a position to hold you back.”
Seo-ryeon suddenly changed her tone of voice and became aware of me.
Anyone can see that it is a hostile attitude.
"Then I'll leave Noah and I. I'll see you again when the opportunity arises."
“What should I do?”
Noah tilted his head slightly as if asking me a question.
I was breathless. You're asking me this in the middle of nowhere?
“...”
When I didn't answer, he added quietly.
“first, if you nod ‘yes’, I follow, if you nod ‘no’, I stop right there.”
Seo-ryeon's eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly.
Noah continued,
“Second, answer my questions, but if you don't like it, you can remain silent."
At that moment, the air changed slightly.
I pretended to put the books away in a panic.
“Have a nice day. I have to organize my books.”
“If that’s what you want… Then I’ll see you later. I’ll be back.”
When I turned my eyes away for a moment, Seo-ryeon's face was still polite, but the corners of her mouth were slightly stiff.A faint trace of anger crossed his face.
“I’ll be back soon.”
"yes."
I answered without looking up.
It's understandable that Seo-ryeon would be angryTerriblyHe finished with a polite smile.
“Excuse me. I have some adult things to do, and I have a lot to talk about with people I haven’t seen in a long time.”
The sound of two people's footsteps faded away towards the end of the floor.
Noah turned around and looked back at me.
A silent gaze. Just a little. It was a gaze that clung to him like a puppy waiting for its owner.
“You have someone else in mind… why me?”
That expression is so sincereI almost got fooled.
Even while thinking like that
I noticed it before my fingertips.My face is turning red
Episode 4Three rules, one promise - the end