TMTISTBH CH 3

Chapter 3

Bae Honyoung. The only son of Magistrate Bae of Jamsong Valley.

Though my lifelong nemesis is the Third Prince Taeseon, my first ill-fated entanglement was undoubtedly with Bae Honyoung.

Jamsong Valley, where I spent my childhood, wasn’t far from the capital, but a steep, rocky mountain path cut through the region, making travel rarer than in other villages at a similar distance. With no reason for other noble families to settle in such an isolated area, the Bae clan, who first took root there, wielded unchallenged power for generations.

The Bae family, strictly speaking, were of lower nobility. But like a rabbit reigning in a forest without tigers, they held absolute authority in Jamsong Valley. Most of the valley’s inhabitants were somehow connected to the Bae household—my family included.

My mother made a living sewing for Magistrate Bae’s household, and once I was grown enough, I too became a bonded servant under Bae Honyoung, assisting with his daily commute to his academy in the neighboring Seungwon Village. Around this time, he was likely preparing for the lower civil service examination in hopes of entering the Royal Academy.

Back then, I naively believed that if he passed and went to the capital, I might get to go along with him. But Bae Honyoung failed the examination quite spectacularly, and his already arrogant nature turned violent and depraved. Not long after, he extended his vile hand toward me.

It was around that time that he tried to assault me one night. I struck him and barely managed to flee. Afterward, I realized I could no longer live in Jamsong Valley and left immediately.

I hid my identity and sought refuge at Prince Tacheol’s Gwangya Palace. But even after entering the imperial court, Bae Honyoung continued to torment me—this time as the lackey of the Thirteenth Prince Taesuwolgi. He constantly obstructed me and eventually dragged Yeoseol into the political intrigues of the palace.

Truly, a vile connection that refused to end.

He was also the first person I ever killed.

“What are you doing, just standing there? Hurry up.”

Bae Honyoung, apparently out of patience, turned and walked ahead.

“I told you, didn’t I? There’s a welcome banquet today. We’re already late.”

Grumbling, he led the way toward the Bae household estate.

Though it had been decades since I last stood in this place, the moment I stepped foot here, the old memories came rushing back. I carefully took in the surroundings of Jamsong Valley.

The roads I grew up on, the road I fled, and the road I must leave again.

Bae Honyoung stopped in front of the stables. In the largest stall, a splendid, jet-black stallion pawed the ground arrogantly, its mane glossy and thick.

Seeing the horse still unprepared, Bae Honyoung burst into fury.

“I told you to have it ready in advance!”

“My deepest apologies, young master. Today of all days, Moonbyeok wouldn’t listen…”

Though it didn’t suit him, Bae Honyoung did own one exceptional horse. It was a pedigree so fine it rivaled even the horses of imperial princes. As remarkable as its abilities were, so was its wild temperament—difficult to manage and quick to resist.

Oddly, I was the only one it ever allowed to handle the reins. But no matter how hard I tried, the best I could get out of it was a steady trot. Still, that seemed enough for Bae Honyoung, who enjoyed flaunting it while riding to his academy with me as his servant.

“You stupid mutt! This is why you can’t go easy on slaves. Just two days off and everything’s a mess!”

“I’ll prepare the horse.”

I stepped between him and the servant he had just kicked, intercepting the reins. Slowly, I approached Moonbyeok, meeting its pitch-black eyes and gently stroking its neck.

“Shhhh…”

The horse stared at me before snorting and lowering its head obediently. I was honestly surprised. Not even when bribed with carrots had it ever behaved so tamely.

Now, I understood why Moonbyeok had listened only to me. Imperial heirs, due to their bond with divine beasts, often possessed heightened affinity with animals. Clearly, Moonbyeok had recognized me from the start.

“How could you say the horse wouldn’t obey when it’s this docile?”

“Master, I swear I—”

“It’s even more disgraceful to lie just to avoid blame. I’ll hold you accountable once I return.”

Bae Honyoung dismissed the bowing servant and stood watching me ready the horse.

He had never been one for chatter, but something about him today felt different. Older, more composed, like the calm stillness of the sea at night.

“All set.”

Our eyes met as I turned to report, and Bae Honyoung, inexplicably embarrassed, shook his head to brush off the thought.

What am I even thinking about a mere servant?

At the academy in Seungwon, I helped Bae Honyoung dismount. A nobleman’s son emerged from the interior and greeted him warmly.

“Honyoung, you’re here! You said you’d arrive early for the welcome banquet, but you were so late, we started to worry.”

“I was delayed. Blame the idiot servants. I’ll ask my father to replace the lot.”

“Come now, be generous. With a horse like Moonbyeok, you could cross two-day distances in one.”

“Well, being a little late is nothing when you’re riding Moonbyeok. Inho, go tie up the horse.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Bae Honyoung walked inside with his friend, I led the horse to the stable. Unlike before, when it resisted being tied, today Moonbyeok obeyed without resistance.

Gazing into Moonbyeok’s clear eyes, I checked my surroundings. Seeing no one, I gripped the horse’s back and leapt up. I nearly slipped due to my short stature, but Moonbyeok bent its knees slightly to help me climb.

Raised in a small valley with no formal training, the horse still performed a clean trot, responded to commands, and even lifted its hooves gracefully when prompted—all with seamless unity, as if reading my thoughts.

It was, without doubt, a legendary steed.

The problem was, it had never acted this way before. Standing out in Jamsong Valley would bring me no good. Bae Honyoung would still fail the exam in this life, and the court would still issue their decree. Until I vanished from Jamsong Valley and evaded the imperial net, all actions must remain discreet.

Dismounting, I stroked Moonbyeok’s mane and whispered sternly.

“Don’t go showing off. Just behave as usual.”

If it refused, I was prepared to damage its legs or tongue to ensure it behaved. Fortunately, Moonbyeok proved smarter than I expected—obedient to my reins, yet pretending to disobey, clicking its teeth or tossing its head for show.

Back at the academy, a group of a dozen or so students chatted together. At the center stood a boy with a visibly awkward expression—surely the new student for whom the welcome banquet was being held. Yet it was Bae Honyoung who led the conversation, as if he were the main guest.

“I hear we’ll be hosting an important guest at our estate next month. A high official from the capital. There’s a chance I may even stay at his mansion while preparing for the next civil exam.”

“Magistrate Bae’s influence is truly impressive!”

“I’ve heard finding good lodgings during the exams is nearly impossible, but you won’t have to worry and can focus entirely on studying!”

“All thanks to my father.”

Bae Honyoung glanced toward one corner.

“Speaking of which, what about you, my lord? Will you be taking the exam this year? Now that I think of it, we haven’t even heard your name.”

Only now did he give the boy a chance to speak. The awkward student answered politely.

“I am Yu Won of the Myeon family. My father is the magistrate of Sawi County…”

From behind the central hall, where the servants gathered, I looked up in surprise.

Did he say Myeon Yu-won? What is he doing here?

“Sawi County? That’s quite far. What brings you here?”

“I have my reasons.”

“I see. And what about the exam, Lord Myeon? Will you be participating next year?”

“Yes, I plan to take it.”

“Then we may be competitors. But don’t feel pressured—you’re still young and have plenty of time to try again.”

Despite the childish provocation, Myeon Yu-won only smiled courteously.

I stared at his profile intently.

Sawi County is home to the nation’s most notorious prison, so those from there are often looked down upon. Even so, to be the magistrate there is a position far more prestigious than Magistrate Bae’s. Yet that idiot Bae Honyoung decided to dismiss Yu-won just for being from Sawi.

What puzzled me more was why Yu-won was here, at this obscure little academy. I had come to know him in my past life through his older brother.

Myeon Yu-heon, the eldest son of the magistrate of Sawi, was considered a once-in-a-generation genius. But because he swore loyalty to the Second Prince Taak, he fell out of favor with Taeseon…

And I killed him.