SAFBIAN Ch 75

Chapter 75

The two had known each other since the time Haban was still the crown prince, so how long had they already spent together? The number of times they’d shared meals and drinks was too many to count.

And yet, the fact that he couldn’t even remember the taste that had never changed all this time—this meant Jipyeong hadn’t had the slightest interest in him.

Geumhu’s mouth tasted bitter. He had known it already, yet still felt disappointed. His heart swelled with resentment, like a ripe pomegranate about to burst at a touch.

“Was that so? You’re so picky with food and have such a small appetite that I got confused.”

“My appetite isn’t small—it’s just that you’re a glutton who stuffs yourself like an idiot.”

Sure, he did eat less than most people, but how could anyone compare him to Jipyeong, who piled his bowl high and devoured several servings of meat?

“Hey, hey. What if someone hears you? You’re a prime minister—mind your language.”

“I could just kill you right here. Then no one would ever know.”

“You? Kill me?”

Jipyeong gave him a once-over from head to toe as if incredulous at the thought. In that moment, Geumhu kicked him hard.

“Ugh!”

Caught off guard, Jipyeong bent over in pain, clutching his shin. Geumhu looked down at the top of his head with a disgruntled gaze.

But soon, that sharp look in his eyes softened.

Indeed, he was a righteous and upright man. While others had already taken several lovers or kept concubines even after marriage, he had never once crossed that line.

There was a time when Geumhu had deliberately drunk beyond his limit, pretending it was a mistake, in hopes of spending a night with him. But the next morning, when he had been carefully sent home, he gave up.

‘It’s better for us to remain friends like this until the end.’

After all, before long, he would be married.

He knew his elderly parents were searching for a suitable girl from a respectable family. So now, it was time to let go of this foolish feeling.

Geumhu had first met Jipyeong not long after Haban was formally installed as crown prince.

At the time, the royal court handpicked boys around the crown prince’s age and selected only the most intelligent among them. The crown prince was already being taught by dozens of esteemed scholars, but the concern was that, due to the age difference, he might develop a narrow worldview.

Thus, Geumhu and Jipyeong had been chosen.

Geumhu, called a prodigy since birth, took most lessons with Haban except for those in imperial governance. Jipyeong trained and sparred in martial arts with the crown prince.

‘What a beast.’

That was Geumhu’s first impression of Jipyeong—cold and blunt.

Even at a young age, he was tall and strongly built. On top of that, he was overly familiar for someone he barely knew, which made him irritating.

‘Your name’s Geumhu?’

And his voice—so loud and noisy.

While Geumhu spent all day reading at his desk, his skin pale and arms slender, Jipyeong was tanned from sweating under the sun, his body sturdy and rugged like a wild animal.

At first, he considered him a brute who did nothing but swing wooden swords every day. Then he revised that judgment: though dull in the head, the guy had a good heart.

‘Hi there!’

No matter how often Geumhu ignored him, Jipyeong would run over the moment he spotted him from afar.

‘Want this?’

And every time they met, he would shove something into Geumhu’s hand—packs of sweets or yakgwa.

Geumhu had refused a few times since he didn’t like sweets, but when it kept happening, he eventually gave up one day out of annoyance. That day, Jipyeong grinned widely, showing a missing tooth.

‘…Is he an idiot?’

After that, Geumhu had no choice but to take the gifts home.

They weren’t street food, but colorful, fine-quality treats, too precious to throw away. He told his parents that a friend had given them to him, and they were delighted. His parents had sacrificed everything to raise their only son and had gone their whole lives without so much as tasting sweets.

That made Geumhu feel indebted.

Jipyeong might have been clueless, but training alongside the crown prince meant that he would eventually be in charge of guarding the future emperor—a position of significant responsibility.

While Geumhu had been selected for his exemplary looks among his peers, Jipyeong had been personally chosen by the former empress’s family. They were of the same rank but from completely different backgrounds.

‘What’s going on between you two!’

The next change in Geumhu’s opinion of Jipyeong came when he witnessed him being bullied outside the palace.

At the time, Geumhu had little family power and a small frame. He would often be assaulted on his way back from lessons with the crown prince by the children of powerful families who hadn’t been selected as companions.

One day, Jipyeong witnessed such an incident.

Surrounded by three boys, Geumhu had curled up, shielding his head with his arms while being kicked.

His clothes were torn and covered in dust. At that sight, Jipyeong immediately drew the wooden sword from his waist. That was the first time Geumhu saw him wield a stick like it was a real blade.

‘……’

He had never once desired to hold a sword before—but in that moment, it looked incredibly cool.

‘You okay?’

If only he hadn’t followed that up with nonsense.

Noticing Geumhu’s ripped clothes, Jipyeong had hesitated and, as if surprised, said,

‘…Huh? …You’re a guy?’

‘What?’

‘Your pants… and the way your robes tie… it’s odd…?’

‘What are you saying? Get out of the way.’

‘You really look like a girl though…’

In that moment, furious, Geumhu had smacked Jipyeong across the head with all his strength.

Whack!

Just like now.

Jipyeong straightened up, rubbing the shin where Geumhu had kicked him.

“Your strikes are getting nastier with time.”

“That was a kick, not a hit.”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s just an expression.”

“Quit with the nonsense and move already. Someone’s been waiting behind the door to deliver a message.”

“Oh, right.”

The attendant was a palace servant sent by Chamberlain Kim, bearing a summons from His Majesty.

“Understood. Go on ahead.”

After sending the servant away, Geumhu motioned with his chin at Jipyeong.

“What are you waiting for? Pick it up.”

“Me?”

“Should I do it, then? The one who spent all night reading memorials while you sat around yawning?”

“There are plenty of palace servants out there. Honestly, aside from His Majesty, you’re the only one who bosses me around like this.”

Jipyeong grumbled, but Geumhu ignored it. It wasn’t that hard to use his spare strength for something simple. He placed the selected scrolls onto a silver tray and made Jipyeong carry it, leading the way.

“By the way.”

They weren’t heading to the emperor’s temporary office, but his formal one, so the walk was long.

Following behind, Jipyeong spoke.

“Do you think His Majesty really has no intention of marrying?”

“Who knows.”

“I know you understand my concern.”

“Of course.”

“Then why don’t you try speaking with His Majesty yourself?”

“Who knows.”

They were exchanging half-hearted replies when they spotted Yungak approaching from the opposite direction, strolling gently along.

Their steps gradually slowed and eventually stopped.

They lowered their heads briefly to let Yungak pass, but instead of moving away, he came even closer.

“In a hurry, I see.”

“Yes, we’re on our way to His Majesty.”

Geumhu stepped forward slightly, as if shielding Jipyeong. Yungak glanced down at his movement before raising his gaze with a light smile.

“Oh? To His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Is that so? I was just worrying since I hadn’t seen him since he returned from the ancestral rites. Mind if I come along?”

“As you know, the imperial residence cannot be entered without a summons.”

Of course, Haban had summoned them to the fox’s new palace, but Geumhu calmly told a lie.

Yungak’s eyes curved with a more delicate smile.

“Which is why I want to go with you two.”

“Apologies, but I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

Yungak stared silently at Geumhu for a moment, who stood firmly in front of Jipyeong.

How annoying.

Having such a capable and sharp man at the emperor’s side was vexing. Still, he had other matters today.

Yungak had grown up in the palace. It wasn’t as though he didn’t know he couldn’t enter the emperor’s residence uninvited. He was just using this pretext to lead into another topic.

“By the way, I don’t see His Majesty’s fox today.”

“You mean His Majesty’s fox?”

“It usually comes out around this time to wander the palace grounds. I was feeling a bit bored and thought I might spend time with it.”

“I’ve been busy with His Majesty’s orders and haven’t seen it at all.”

“That’s unfortunate. Such a lovely creature. But tell me—aren’t you His Majesty’s head of the guards? Why aren’t you with him?”

“His Majesty ordered me to protect the prime minister.”

“How odd. Who in the palace would dare harm the prime minister?”

“Apparently, those who’ve committed grave sins and have much to fear dislike me greatly. Just recently, a eunuch with his tongue cut out was found in a dry well, and I’m handling that investigation too.”

Yungak’s expression stiffened for a brief moment. He wanted nothing more than to rip that insolent mouth and cut out his tongue—but unfortunately, this was the imperial palace.

“Even so, it doesn’t look good for the head of the guards to be away from His Majesty.”

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind. But… is it really alright for you to be wandering about like this?”

“Only thanks to my brother’s boundless grace.”

It was common knowledge in the palace that Yungak had been ordered to remain under house arrest by the emperor. Yet here he was, strolling about as if nothing happened—so clearly the order had already been lifted.

Most likely, Haban had assigned the task to someone else knowing Geumhu would oppose it.

He might be the emperor’s only brother, but that was far too generous. Especially since there wasn’t a shred of real affection behind it. Geumhu resolved that he would confront Haban about it this time.

Yungak, still smiling pleasantly, finally told him to hurry along before His Majesty scolded them and then took his leave. As Geumhu watched him go, he tugged at the hem of Jipyeong’s robe.

“What.”

“I don’t know. I just really dislike that guy.”

A beast indeed—lacking tact but sharp in instinct.

Dori curled up, hugging his fluffy tail, deep in thought.

‘Why on earth?’

In the original story, “Dori” had successfully escaped through a dog hole. So why had he failed?