SAFBIAN Ch 98

Chapter 98

“Brother!”

The face that turned at the sound of the door opening was bright with joy. Seeming bored from waiting, Yungak rose to his feet quickly and began to grumble.

“Why are you only arriving now? I came because I wanted to share a meal with you, but I nearly had to settle for tea to fill my stomach first.”

“……”

He’s lost his mind.

Haban’s cold gaze swept over Yungak from head to toe.

Today, his attire was more flamboyant than ever. Though the weather was warm, his clothes clung to his body like a second skin, draping in a way that revealed his every movement. Intricate golden embellishments adorned various parts of his outfit.

But more startling than anything was the large flower blooming atop Yungak’s crown.

A flower blooming in season was often worn as an elegant ornament by women. To possess such a large bloom implied no small amount of influence.

And now, the only remaining bloodline of the imperial family—the emperor’s sole younger brother—was wearing such a thing upon his head.

“What a foolish thing to do. If I was late, you should’ve simply left. And what’s with that appearance?”

“You’re always so busy, Brother. I thought it was the only way I’d get to see you. And what’s wrong with my appearance?”

Yungak tilted his head with an innocent expression, seemingly unaware. Whatever he had used to fix the flower to his head, it did not waver in the slightest.

“Just finish your tea and go.”

“You’re too much! Honestly, I dressed up just in case I happened to run into your fox.”

Your fox, huh.

Haban’s gaze sharpened in an instant. Oblivious to the shift in his mood, Yungak reached up to feel the flower atop his head.

“This in particular is my favorite. After all, exceptional beauty is often compared to a flower.”

“And that same metaphor is used to describe madness as well.”

“Besides the time I ran into you, I also spotted the fox while wandering the palace. Even then, the fox couldn’t take its eyes off me!”

“Foxes are naturally attracted to ornaments. They chase anything that sparkles.”

“You truly lack any sense of romance, Brother.”

Yungak let out a long sigh in the end.

Without replying, Haban casually took his seat. Before long, a cup of tea was placed before him. The attendant poured the tea respectfully, bowing slightly before stepping back.

Haban first inhaled its aroma, then quietly looked down into the cup. Perhaps thinking he was suspicious, Yungak quickly offered an explanation.

“Please try it. It’s not tea leaves, but roasted fruit ground into powder. It’s quite nutty. I tried it by chance and immediately thought of you.”

“Where did you get this?”

“I acquired it with some difficulty through a merchant I know from a foreign country.”

Yungak answered readily. His sparkling eyes brimmed with anticipation for Haban to try it and give his opinion.

The tea was a dark, clear black.

The scent tickled his nose.

‘Could it be that Red Concubine and Lady Mun were in league with each other?’

Otherwise, there was no way the exact same tea that nearly killed him in childhood would now be in front of him.

Haban lifted the cup and took a slow sip. At first, it was as nutty as it smelled, but quickly a unique tang spread through his mouth.

Yes, it tasted exactly the same as back then.

“So, what’s the reason you’re here?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean the reason you’re bothering me at this hour, which is unusual for you.”

“……It’s true that I missed you, Brother. But I do have another reason.”

Looking sheepish, Yungak scratched his cheek.

“Sharing a meal was just an excuse, wasn’t it? Say what you came to say and go. It’s better than wasting time like this.”

Haban frowned slightly as he noticed the sun had risen high enough that its rays no longer reached inside the room. Why hadn’t there been any news yet? It was about time he awoke, if only from hunger.

Meanwhile, Yungak adjusted his posture more formally.

“To be honest, I dreamed of Mother a few nights ago. I’ve been thinking of her ever since, and I’d like to visit her family estate for a few days.”

Now that he mentioned it, Red Concubine’s death anniversary was around this time. The aftertaste of the bitter tea seemed even more astringent.

Haban put down the cup and gestured to Secretary Kim.

“Send the prepared items to Yungak’s quarters.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“……Brother?”

“I nearly forgot, how careless of me. It’s lotus leaf rice cakes she liked when she was alive. I’m sure her family will enjoy them too. Take them with you.”

“Thank you.”

Yungak masked his surprise with effort.

Red Concubine hadn’t favored those rice cakes for their taste. She had loved the other meaning held within the same name.

Surely, Haban couldn’t have known that. He had never shown signs of understanding before. Yungak calmly finished the rest of his tea.

In any case, he had achieved his goal today.

The quiet preparations had been completed.

Now, as Haban had permitted, once he left the palace for several days, events would unfold. And at that time, he would be well away, staying at his maternal family’s estate, beyond suspicion.

“Oh, Brother.”

Just as he was rising to leave, Yungak turned back. Haban lifted only his brows in response.

“I nearly forgot to give you this.”

Unfolding a cloth bundle from his sleeve onto his palm, Yungak revealed its contents. Haban, who had been leaning back, slowly straightened up.

…Why, this—

“I requested it together when I ordered the tea, thinking of your fox. To me, it seems it would suit the white fox’s fur beautifully. I hope you’ll like it.”

A ruby-red gem dangled in the center of a long golden thread. It would sway perfectly at the fox’s chest if draped around its neck, a striking match.

Yungak placed it on the table, bundle and all, and added earnestly,

“But please be sure to tell the fox it’s a gift from me. I’ll take my leave now, Brother.”

Even after Yungak had left, Haban’s gaze remained fixed on the table. Or rather, it couldn’t move. The sunlight that had grown longer touched the ruby, making it shine as if soaked in blood.

This was the very ornament the now-deceased Dori had once carried on his body.

The scarlet ruby glared back at him like it held Dori’s very blood. Only after a long moment did Haban rise to his feet.

He had to go—to Dori.

“Seohon.”

A shadow dropped from the darkness. Seohon, who had been reassigned to Haban’s personal guard after retrieving the shadow assassin placed on Dori, now stood ready.

“Look into it.”

Though Haban said no more, Seohon understood at once.

He was to confirm the origin of the tea and jewelry Yungak had just brought, and verify his plans to visit his maternal estate. Receiving the order, Seohon vanished instantly to relay it to another shadow assassin.

Without delay, Haban headed straight for the bedchamber where Dori lay asleep. The ever-present Hong and Cheong stepped aside at his approach.

In their hands was a small tray bearing bite-sized snacks—no doubt out of concern that Dori might wake up hungry.

‘Truly.’

They were quicker to notice things and always took special care of Dori. He remembered the way Dori, in fox form, had wagged his tail at them.

“Give that here.”

Snatching the tray from them, Haban swung the door open and entered alone. He could feel their worry as they fidgeted behind him, but he didn’t want their time together disturbed.

“…Haban?”

He thought Dori was still asleep, but his head peeked out from between the bed curtains.

He hadn’t fully risen, just rolled to the edge of the bed, still lying down. His hair was a mess, and his half-lidded eyes still held traces of sleep.

“You’re awake? You should have called for me.”

“How? Hong and Cheong didn’t come, and Haewon said she was off today… Huh? That’s mine, isn’t it?”

Upon noticing the tray, Dori lit up.

He hurried to push the curtain aside but immediately remembered he was naked and retreated with a sigh.

“…My whole body hurts.”

His lower lip stuck out in a pout of complaint.

Smiling, Haban brushed aside the curtain himself and sat beside him. No sooner had he set the tray down than Dori grabbed a piece to eat.

“Weren’t you working?”

“I was.”

After sucking Dori’s fingertips clean of sugar, Haban began feeding him directly.

“I thought you had gone off on your own. I was starving and my back hurt too.”

“That’s why I came back. If I were so heartless, your sulking would last for days.”

“Wha—when did I ever!”

Though Dori grumbled non-stop, he opened his mouth again and again. Like a baby bird being fed, his gaping mouth was impossibly cute.

“So, when will you leave again?”

“I won’t today, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

By now, Geumhu, having received the message through Secretary Kim, was surely throwing a tantrum. But Haban just smiled with twinkling eyes.

“I don’t want any more.”

Perhaps feeling guilty for eating alone, Dori pushed the tray away. Yet his sideways glances were full of regret.

“Don’t leave any.”

“You’re hungry too.”

“I’ll be eating something else soon, so I’m fine.”

“Really?”

Dori, trusting him without question, smacked his lips. As he brought another piece to his mouth, his lips parted slightly and his red tongue flickered.

Patiently waiting, Haban suddenly pushed Dori down as soon as the tray emptied, climbing over him.

“It’s my turn to eat now.”

Only then did Dori understand what he meant and started to squirm.

But his resistance was short-lived, silenced by the lips that crashed into his own. Slowly, his body melted beneath the pressure.

And so, another dizzying day began anew.