SAFBIAN Ch 156

Chapter 156

“Do you see it? The full moon.”

Dori spoke softly to Haban through the open window. A gentler, warmer breeze brushed his cheek from outside.

Soon, it would be summer.

Dori’s eyes grew wet as he looked at Haban, still asleep.

That day, Haban had fallen unconscious after being hit by an arrow. A physician, recalling a forgotten item, had turned back the carriage and saved him. Yet Haban had lost too much blood and severely injured his organs; since then, he had never opened his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Geumhu made a decisive call to immediately move the emperor back to the palace.

The emperor’s palace was heavily guarded by his close protectors, and Haban was shielded within a strict watch. Dori, at his side, did not stir. Despite the cozy bed, Haban did not awaken from his deep sleep.

The moon waxed and waned, then waxed again.

Time flashed by like an arrow.

Among the villagers, it was said that Iyeok, a subordinate of Yungak, was the one brandishing a sword. It was also claimed that he was the one to suggest seeing off the emperor.

Though the village head was suspicious, Iyeok persuaded him by offering money and saying, “When else would common folk like us get to speak to the emperor?” and the village head, along with the villagers, acquiesced.

It turned out the villagers each received a bit of money. They had simply heard the emperor was staying nearby and wanted to join in the farewell, believing it harmless. The dagger Iyeok had prepared seemed a better gift than the trivial ones the villagers brought.

In truth, Iyeok had slyly wheedled the village head and deceived the villagers completely.

Thus, the village head and villagers were punished together. Though innocent and deceived, harming the emperor was a grave crime punishable by eradication of one’s lineage.

Still, Dori tentatively spoke on the matter and was sternly scolded by Geumhu. Though painful, it was law here.

Wonwoo, who had shot the arrow at Dori, was captured after a relentless chase. Afterwards, Geumhu and Jipyeong withheld the details from Dori, likely out of discomfort given they were fellow fox beastmen and had lived in the same village.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

“Are you not cold?”

Hongi draped a thick outer garment over Dori’s shoulders. Only then did Dori realize he was shivering and his skin tingled.

Haban must be cold too.

Dori closed the window just as raindrops splattered inside. Wanting to give the resting Haban a view outside, he feared the cold might worsen a possible cold.

“Your Highness, please try this. Lady Jang sent it.”

Lost in thought staring out the window, Dori turned his head.

Cheongyi placed a round dish on the table, fragrant with ripe, sweet fruit. Beside it was a medicinal decoction in a ceramic bowl, a black liquid that dimmed Dori’s gaze.

The physician, Haewon, had been punished—a crime for aiding in abducting the emperor’s white fox.

At first, the accusation seemed unbelievable, even excessive. Though Dori dawdled returning to the palace, the scolding was harsh.

Yet when Hongi and Cheongyi, swollen-eyed from crying over seeing Dori again, burst into tears once more, reality struck Dori hard, and he sank heavily.

Remembering that moment still stung his nose.

“Ah, bitter.”

Dori gulped the decoction with one breath and placed a fruit in his mouth. Tart and sweet, fruits were of the season. Biting two or three, he rose.

“I’m going to wash up.”

“Not going to eat more?”

“No, no appetite.”

What had happened? The once insatiable, gluttonous fox lost all interest in everything after that day. With a troubled face, Cheongyi prepared Dori’s bed.

After washing until his cheeks flushed warm, Dori lay quietly beside Haban.

…Haam.

He hoped Haban would awaken tomorrow.

Since that day, it was his daily prayer.

The empire appeared peaceful on the surface. In truth, everything was precarious.

Externally, neighboring states eyed border crossings for opportunity, while internally, ministers jostled for power.

The young man in the prime minister’s seat was resented by some officials. After the emperor fell and the prime minister took charge, some claimed Geumhu must also be one of those planning rebellion. But showing the imperial seal entrusted directly from the emperor changed their stance.

There was no heir. Without a will, the one with the imperial seal would become emperor.

Thus, a division arose: some wanted Geumhu as crown prince, others argued it was too soon, as the emperor might awaken.

Amidst such tension, assassins slipped over walls nightly, attempting to kill Geumhu.

“Ugh!”

Jipyeong withdrew a sword deeply stabbed into an assassin’s body, wiping the blood.

“Finished?”

“Yes. Told him not to come out for safety.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong, so why hide?”

Geumhu strode out indifferently and kicked the assassin’s side as the man seemed dead and couldn’t even groan.

Jipyeong, guarding the emperor by day and Geumhu by night, shook his head helplessly.

“Did you call me for this?”

“Partly. I was about to sleep at home, but heard there were many pests.”

Realizing the strange and awkward meaning of Dori’s words, Jipyeong felt utterly despondent. Though safer than Geumhu being in danger, he was utterly deflated.

“Disappointed?”

Geumhu smiled faintly and leaned on his shoulder.

“…”

Jipyeong avoided denying it. He knew how busy and exhausted Geumhu was, standing in for the emperor’s duties, barely sleeping.

“Come in.”

“I’ll stay outside.”

“Then shall I do it alone?”

“…!”

Geumhu’s hand made a seductive gesture. Like he was touching something below. Quick to cover him, Jipyeong grabbed his wrist and entered.

Dori felt good since morning. The flower bud he had eyed days ago had finally bloomed.

Without picking many, just this single bloom sufficed. Dori gently snapped the stem near the base. His steps toward Haban’s palace felt lighter than usual.

Decorating the vase, Dori glanced around undecided and placed the flower in the center of the table. It would be the first thing Haban saw upon waking.

“Haban, look. Isn’t this the biggest flower you’ve ever seen?”

Dori chatted brightly to the still-sleeping Haban, who did not reply, but it was fine.

“…Yes. It’s beautiful.”

Yet today was different.

A low, rough voice sounded behind him.

“…”

…No way.

Dori took a deep breath. When expectations are great, disappointments tend to be as well. It wasn’t the first time he had thought he heard things that weren’t real.

Gathering himself, Dori turned slowly, trying not to hope.

“Well, did you sleep well?”

The deep black eyes matched his black hair.

The eyes he had hidden tight beneath his eyelids now looked directly at him.

“Why are you standing like that?”

“…”

Haban raised himself and leaned back. He seemed weary, breathing slowly and spreading his arms.

“Come on, don’t just stand there.”

“…”

Dori, by contrast, hesitated and stepped back.

Though the arrow wound had fully healed, his body was weak from lying down so long. If he moved closer, he would cling so tightly to Haban he might not let go.

Dori blinked after looking at Haban once and lowered his head limply. A round mark appeared there. He hadn’t cried once since then, but tears now fell constantly.

Unaware, Haban interpreted Dori’s reluctance as rejection. Having recovered his memories, he naturally wanted to leave. His presence until now was probably out of guilt for saving Dori’s life.

Haban smiled bitterly.

“Have you come to hate me now?”

Dori pressed his palms over his eyes and shook his head.

How could he say such cruel words so soon after waking? He was glad that nothing had changed yet angry too.

When Dori’s shoulders heaved as if struggling for breath, the rustling on the bed was heard.

“That fool. Still stubborn as ever.”

Haban pulled back the blanket and got down from the bed. His limbs dragged on the floor like dead weight, but he was relieved Dori was not fleeing him.

Haban wrapped a crying Dori in his arms.

“I’m sorry.”

Dori, his cheeks damp with tears, sniffled. When Haban tried to soothe him, Dori stopped him.

“So you apologize too, Haban.”

His tear-filled golden eyes shone with determination.

“This time, I will be totally honest with you.”

“…”

Haban forced a smile, but it soon broke.

This was no simple joke.

Dori knew everything and sought a promise.

“Do you love me?”

Dori asked.

Haban grasped one of Dori’s hands that had trembled for some time. Pressing his lips and cheek to the palm, he slowly opened his fingers.

“Yes.”

I love you. I love you. I love you.

In the past, he lost everything for not saying these words. Not understanding them, he had hurt the one he loved, blaming outsiders.

“Dori, I…”

In the past life, he was never honest with his feelings, and in this one, he hid his past until the end. He had never truly been genuine to Dori.

“You…”

This time, he vowed not to repeat that regret.

“I love you.”

Only then did tears stream from the corners of Dori’s eyes, and he smiled brightly.

“Then, we’re lovers now, right?”

Meeting at winter’s end, spending spring and summer, and parting in autumn, their bond was renewed in spring after winter.

And for them, countless seasons awaited ahead.

The End