TMTISTBH CH 11

Chapter 11

There was only one thing I could say to the woman who had once been my mother.

“I will protect Seol. …Please forgive me for not being able to stay by you in the end.”

“May Your Grace remain in good health and peace.”

Meeting her gaze as if sealing a promise with eyes opened wide and full of strength, Inho clasped Chimseon’s hand tightly before rising. Without looking back, he mounted the horse and disappeared into the darkness with Seol.

Chimseon watched them fade into the night, staring into the void until even the sound of the horse’s hooves was gone. She coughed and drew shallow breaths. The faint white mist escaping from her parted lips looked as though her very soul was dissipating.

‘This lowly Chimseon has kept her promise to His Majesty…’

In some unknown place, Chimseon slowly closed her eyes.

Grabbing Yeo Seol, who cried, insisting she wanted to stay with her mother, Inho shouted with a fearsome voice.

“Listen carefully. You must never speak of your past, no matter where you go. Not about living in Jamsongol, not about Scholar Bae, not about your escape—nothing. Do you understand me?”

“Hu… Huuuh… Brother, Mom…”

“I said, do you understand?!”

“Brother, you’re scary… Hic… I want Mom. I miss Mom.”

Unable to calm the crying child, he instead muffled her cries by holding her close so the sound wouldn’t escape.

“…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He apologized for stealing the peaceful life that could’ve been hers and her mother’s. For being too weak to protect them once again.

Carrying Seol, who had cried herself to sleep, Inho crossed over the ridge, repeating to himself over and over.

That in this life, he would protect her no matter what. That he would kill Bae Honyoung so her injustice could be avenged. With bloodshot eyes, he vowed.

With no destination, he could not stop. Urging Moonbyeok* forward just to get farther and farther away, Inho clutched at his chest. At only sixteen, the pain wracking his still-young body soaked him in cold sweat.

“Ah…”

Losing consciousness, Inho fell from the horse with Seol still in his arms.

Snorting and sniffing at the ground, a massive wild boar suddenly began to root around with its snout. Larger than an ox, it wandered without direction, causing nearby guards to panic and scatter.

“Step back and make way for Gasari.”

Prince Eunhun calmed them as he gave the order.

Bun Seojeong, who quickly stepped forward to coordinate the guards, turned to ask the prince,

“Why is Gasari acting like this all of a sudden?”

“That’s what I’m wondering. Seems he’s found something interesting.”

Delighted that Gasari, who had been quiet the entire patrol, was finally back on the hunt, Prince Eunhun glanced at his subordinates and said,

“We’ve already inspected all the major habitats. You may return. I’ll take a look at the final area with Gasari.”

“I’ll go with you!”

When Seojeong volunteered, the prince shook his head.

“You must return and deliver the herbs to Gajin.”

“I can assign the task to a subordinate. I cannot let you go alone, Your Highness…”

“I will accompany you.”

At the voice from behind, Seojeong’s face twisted. Seeing who had spoken, Prince Eunhun smiled in approval and nodded.

“If you’re coming, then I have no worries.”

The man, dressed in dark martial robes and with ebony-black hair neatly tied down, had such striking features that once seen, they could not be forgotten. Beneath thick, carefully painted-looking lashes were eyes that sparkled like stars, a straight nose, and lips that always held a gentle, sincere smile. His dignified and graceful presence was fitting for a member of a prestigious noble family.

‘…Still, he’s just discarded refuse.’

Bun Seojeong clenched his fist in secret.

Gyeon Jaun. A man once considered the most promising among the latter-generation prodigies. Seojeong himself had once been curious about the man’s famed looks and talent, having heard the rumors. But two years ago, when Prince Eunhun brought him to Hwalwongung*, everything changed.

Despite being an outsider, he quickly gained the prince’s trust and was entrusted with major responsibilities. His skills effortlessly outshone Seojeong’s, who had trained in martial arts his entire life. And above all, that composed demeanor, polite yet unwavering, made him all the more insufferable.

Even if he was a direct descendant of the Gyeon clan, once at Hwalwongung, he should have submitted to the authority of their branch family. And everyone knew he had practically fled from his family in disgrace.

“…You’d best serve His Highness well.”

“Of course.”

Even at Seojeong’s biting tone, Jaun simply smiled faintly and bowed slightly as he passed.

Leaving behind Bun Seojeong and the other guards, the two followed Gasari’s trail. As the prince stepped over damp, fallen leaves, he glanced up at the sky.

“Looks like it might rain.”

“Good timing, now that the patrol is complete.”

“Thanks to everyone’s hard work. Especially you, Jaun. Following your suggestion, we were able to finish several days early.”

“I only did what I was supposed to.”

“You said you’ll be going to the capital after this patrol.”

“Yes. I’ll be away for a while.”

“It’s been some time, hasn’t it? I’ll have Suwan prepare travel expenses for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. Just giving me shelter without question is more than enough.”

“Take it anyway. The treasury of Hwalwongung is more than plentiful.”

Faced with the prince’s insistence, Jaun could only bow and express his thanks.

By the time they caught up, Gasari had already crossed a stream and was standing still, the blue stripes on its black fur softly glowing. Perhaps it had been waiting for its master—once the prince drew near, the beast began to move again.

Following its trail, the prince scanned the area.

“There are hoofprints here.”

Without a word, Jaun rested his hand on his sword hilt.

Gasari, who had been walking without hesitation, suddenly froze. Seeing a massive collapsed horse ahead, the prince and Jaun rushed to inspect it.

“It’s still alive.”

“Get it some water. Bring the herbs.”

The horse needed to rise by its own strength to survive. Pouring water into its mouth, the beast finally regained consciousness and began to drink.

As Jaun patted the horse’s snout, he noticed Gasari still sniffing around.

“Someone rode this horse here.”

“…Must be nearby, then.”

Just then, Gasari, now standing atop a large rock, let out a loud cry. Prince Eunhun raised a hand to hush it and blocked Jaun’s path. Once Jaun nodded, he stepped back and followed.

Climbing onto the rock where Gasari had stopped, they scanned the surroundings and spotted a collapsed figure just one jang (about 3 meters) below—a boy curled protectively around a young girl. At once, Prince Eunhun and Jaun leapt down.

As Prince Eunhun entered Cheongrinwon*, the busy physicians quickly paused their work to bow. When Gyeon Jaun followed in behind him, all eyes shifted to the rare figure.

He was a sight to behold. But after only a moment of stolen glances at his ethereal beauty, the prince’s question about the children brought them back to their senses. They led him to the innermost bed.

The prince had arrived earlier than his men, even before dawn—and he had not come alone.

“Neither of them have regained consciousness yet. The girl seems to have fainted from exhaustion, but has no major injuries. The boy, however, is a different matter. His wounds are severe; he must remain completely still for at least a month.”

“Did he fall from the horse?”

Shaking his head, the physician replied,

“More than that, his buttocks are severely torn. There’s barely an uninjured patch below the waist. Had we been even slightly later, the wounds might have festered or caused permanent damage.”

The boy was lying face-down, having just completed treatment. Even beneath a thin cloth, his emaciated frame was clearly visible. Muttering under his breath as he took in the sight, Jaun said,

“Those who’ve been flogged bear the same injuries.”

“Yes… that’s most likely the case…”

The silence that followed was broken by the prince.

“Inform me the moment the child wakes. And don’t let anyone else see them, as I’ve said.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Clicking his tongue in pity as he looked down at the unconscious boy, the prince turned and left.

Jaun followed silently behind him on the way back to their quarters.

“What do you think of those children?”

Though the question was sudden, Jaun answered calmly.

“They are unlikely to be spies from Sasugung*. During the patrol, they had plenty of better chances to catch Your Highness’s attention. The timing and location don’t align with a setup. If it weren’t for Gasari, they’d likely be dead.”

“That’s what I thought. I was worried Seongsoo* would scold me again.”

Relieved, Prince Eunhun burst into hearty laughter. Jaun waited until the laughter faded before continuing in a composed tone.

“However, they must be sent away from Hwalwongung as soon as possible.”

Footnotes:

• Moonbyeok (문벽): Likely the name of Inho’s horse.

• Hwalwongung (활원궁): A palace or stronghold likely belonging to Prince Eunhun.

• Cheongrinwon (청린원): A medical facility, possibly within Hwalwongung.

• Jamsongol (잠송골): A remote village mentioned in relation to Seol’s past.

• Sasugung (사수궁): Another palace or rival faction; often opposing in court politics.

• Seongsoo (성수): Possibly a high-ranking official or adviser to Prince Eunhun.

• Jaang (장): Traditional Korean unit of measurement, about 3.03 meters.