Page 33 of Gumiho Kiss (Realm of Eternal Blossoms #1)

The Gift

H yun Soo turned his mind to more practical matters.

His momentary lapse of control was just that—momentary.

Father’s affairs still needed to be put in order, leaving no more time for useless things like grief.

Hyun Soo threw himself into this purpose with such abandon that the servants had to remind him to eat, to drink, to rest; otherwise, he might wind up in an early grave, too.

But grief had a way of haunting Hyun Soo’s steps no matter how diligently he distracted himself, clinging to him like the hemp mourning clothes he wore.

Occasionally he’d find his cheeks wet with tears or feel a lump forming in his throat, but each time, he fought the sorrow back, fearing if he allowed himself to succumb again, he might never find his way back out.

He wished he could chase the feelings away with alcohol, but doing so would violate Confucian dictates, and despite the anger he felt toward his father, he didn’t want to shame the Park family further.

His dogged focus had been legendary when he was part of the palace guard. When he set his mind to something, nothing could shake him. He would win this fight, too. He had to.

Except . . . it wasn’t just memories of his father that he was trying to push away. It was also memories of her . And she had a way of sliding past his defenses like no one else could.

He’d be eating a meal and suddenly wonder if she was eating well, too. Or sharpening his weapons and start wishing he could spar with her again. One time, he asked a servant her name and then realized he never used to care about such things.

But the worst time was in that breath between sleeping and waking, when dreams hover at the edges of memory, whispering wishes that could never be reality.

The best mental shield in the world couldn’t help him there.

Each morning, he woke with a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart had been pierced during the night.

He chuckled bitterly anytime he thought about it, for how could his heart be pierced when he’d left it behind in Sokju?

One afternoon, Hyun Soo was in his quarters, reading through a list of some of his father’s assets, when a knock sounded at the door. He frowned. It wasn’t the time the servants normally brought him a meal.

A wide-brimmed black hat entered the room, followed by elegant eyebrows pinched together in concern. The visitor clucked his tongue. “Hyun Soo-yah, what’s become of you?”

Hyun Soo’s gaze cleared, alertness flooding his limbs. “Dol Sam?”

His friend smiled softly, though a touch of sadness remained in his eyes.

“I told you I was coming, didn’t I?” He glanced around the disheveled surroundings and wrinkled his nose.

“And by the state of this room, not a moment too soon. Why don’t we talk outside?

You look like you could use some fresh air. ”

Hyun Soo rose to his feet, hope and strength returning to him. Dol Sam had drawn him out of his melancholy before; surely he could do it again.

As the pair circled the courtyard, they exchanged a few words about the events of the past week.

Dol Sam was courteous and thoughtful, allowing Hyun Soo to lead the discussion instead of pushing him to share more than he was comfortable with.

Hyun Soo wasn’t a very forthcoming person, but it felt good to get a few things off his chest, namely the cold reception he’d received from his relatives and his bewilderment over his unexpected inheritance.

Dol Sam offered his sympathies and encouragement, but his eyes widened as they passed the estate’s stable. “Oh! I almost forgot.”

He hastened inside and returned a few moments later with a large item wrapped in cloth. A sword of some kind. He held it out expectantly. “When Lady Lee heard about Minister Park, she felt so bad she had this made to express her condolences.”

Hyun Soo stumbled, pain flaring in his chest as a pair of honey-brown eyes skittered across his thoughts.

“Are you all right?”

He waved away his friend’s concern and took the proffered gift. “Yeh, nothing to worry about.” He forced himself to smile, relieved when the pain subsided to a dull ache.

“Well?” Dol Sam prompted.

Hyun Soo waited for a beat, not understanding the man’s meaning.

Dol Sam dipped his chin at the sword. “Aren’t you going to look at it?”

Hyun Soo reluctantly peered down and removed the cloth, revealing a beautiful hwando.

Of similar make to his own, but the craftsmanship was more ornate than anything he had ever seen.

Lightweight with a hand guard of blackened brass and a blade of the finest steel.

There was no doubt such a weapon would cut down anyone foolish enough to oppose its wielder.

“This sword looks like it’s taken quite a beating in your care. You should get it replaced.”

Hyun Soo swallowed a lump in his throat. She’d said that to him the day they’d sparred in the clearing, the day he’d very nearly kissed her.

“She had this made for me?” His voice trembled with more emotion than he intended.

“Yeh, she’s so generous, isn’t she? I continue to fall more in love with her the longer I know her,” Dol Sam said dreamily. “I’m actually planning to see her as soon as I return so I can give her?—”

“I’m very interested in hearing more about your conversation with my father,” Hyun Soo interrupted, hanging the sword at his hip. It was rude to cut his friend off, but his heart couldn’t handle any more torture right now.

Besides, he was genuinely curious to hear about Dol Sam’s proposition. If it was something within his power, he wanted to do it. For his father’s sake.

His friend stiffened momentarily. Then he nodded and said, “Of course. But let’s head back inside. What I’m about to tell you is for your ears only.”

Once the two were seated in the sangbang and had refreshments, Dol Sam began, his expression grave.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed the unrest in Sokju.

There’s always been some, but in the last year and a half, the sangmin and cheonmin have become more rebellious than ever.

I fear we may be on the brink of an uprising. ”

Hyun Soo took in this information with a somber nod. So, his friend wanted help preventing a revolt. Familiarity settled over his shoulders. Assessing and removing threats was his specialty. “Why do you think things have become worse lately?”

“It’s all that vigilante’s fault,” Dol Sam snarled.

At the mention of Gwishin, Hyun Soo schooled his expression into one of detached concern despite the way his pulse roared in his ears. “Is that why you’ve been so determined to capture him?”

When Dol Sam’s eyebrows rose, he coughed and added, “Besides your desire to protect Lady Lee, of course.”

Dol Sam rolled his lips, frustration etched into his features.

“Gwishin has thwarted my attempts to better this city, stirring up the commoners with dreams of grandeur. Before he was here, they knew their proper place. Now they’re questioning the systems this city depends upon.

More and more are refusing to pay their taxes—the taxes we yangban use to serve them—which has forced the police to crack down harder on lawbreakers.

There’s even been talk of a rebel camp in the mountains, but so far, no one can prove it’s more than a rumor.

It all puts me in a difficult position. I want to be understanding and merciful—these people have children to take care of.

But how can I let it go when my fellow nobles are so angry they’re about to start forcing sangmin into slavery until they can pay off their debts? ”

“So, what solution have you come up with?”

Dol Sam’s face brightened. “Magistrate Hong and I have been working closely for the past several months to gather enough firepower to silence this resistance once and for all.”

“Firepower? You mean, you intend to put rifles in the hands of the police?”

Dol Sam shook his head, a smug twinkle in his eye. “Not the police, though Hong doesn’t know that yet.” He pulled a document out of his sleeve and handed it to Hyun Soo. Correspondence between himself and a commander by the name of Song Seo Jun.

“I’ve been amassing an army, and according to this, it’s ready to move on my command.”

Hyun Soo nearly dropped the paper, nausea building in his stomach. “What? Dol Sam, you know keeping private armies was outlawed years ago. If anyone were to find out?—”

“Who’s going to stop me?” The nobleman chuckled dryly. “The magistrate? He’s the one who helped make it possible. If I go down, he’ll go down with me.”

Hyun Soo didn’t answer, trying to process what he was hearing. Dol Sam had always advocated for following the law, not taking it into his own hands.

His friend cocked his head to the side, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “This is something your father approved of.”

Hyun Soo stared at him in disbelief. “My father supported your army taking over Sokju?”

“Yeh, he did, my friend”—Dol Sam drew the words out, slow and deliberate—“especially when I told him you would be the one to lead it.”

* * *

Hyun Soo gulped down some more soju, disappointed when he realized he’d completely drained his bottle. “Jumo!” he called to the tavern owner.

An older woman bustled over, but at the sight of his raised drinking bowl, she snapped, “Not until you pay for it.”

Hyun Soo reached into his sleeve and withdrew a small bag of rice. He handed it to the woman, who shook her head.

“This will only cover what you’ve already had.” She held out an open hand.

Hyun Soo sucked his teeth, alcohol fanning his annoyance into a flame. “What do you mean, it’s not enough? That’s robbery, woman.”

The ajumma put her hands on her wide hips. “What choice do I have when ingredients cost so much? If you don’t like it, you can go complain to someone else, you ungrateful boy.”

“Boy?” Hyun Soo blinked until his double vision subsided. “I’ll have you know . . . I’m the son of the Minister of National Defense.”