A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 17

– CHAPTER 17 –

If the military had been mobilized to trap Farang, it would have probably resulted in even more dire consequences. At least from what he saw, it seemed evident that the waves were not familiar with this place.

Being trapped amidst such chaos, many might have been pierced by the ice spears conjured by that woman or might have had their necks snapped by overwhelming force.

“Seeing you here by my side even though I left you alone, I understand now. My choice was correct.”

Farang smirked silently as he listened. He seemed somewhat wounded in pride. Do-gyeom gently smiled back.

“So tell me, why are you here?”

“…It’s about this.”

Farang extended the hair she had been twirling to Do-gyeom. In the dim light of the not-yet-bright dawn, it wasn’t visible, but Do-gyeom cautiously touched the silky blue hair.

“Has the color changed again?”

“To be honest, I don’t know why it changed.”

Just then, the sharp sunlight began to filter through the shutters. 

“Probably…”

Before long, Do-gyeom and Farang were able to identify the cycle of hair color change. As the dazzling sunlight poured into Do-gyeom’s room, naturally, Farang’s hair also turned a deep black shade.

“It turns black when the sun rises, and returns to its original color when the sun sets.”

Even after seeing it twice, it was still strange and new. Farang, breathing out a sigh, looked visibly worn out, but in reality, Do-gyeom, who was trying hard not to be fascinated like a child, felt that Farang was truly a mysterious being.

“It’s fortunate it doesn’t turn white. If it did, you would have been treated like an old woman without a word.”

“…I don’t like it.”

Though the owner of the hair seemed disgusted, Do-gyeom realized once again that Farang was truly a mystical being.

Her hair had lost its color and she looked depressed, just like a fairy who had lost her winged clothes. Though he wasn’t a woodsman, Do-gyeom offered the best comfort he could.

“Isn’t it the third day tomorrow? I’ll take you to the Buyongji tomorrow night, so just bear with it a little longer.”

Farang gazed at Do-gyeom soothingly.

“What if I can’t go back there?”

“What?”

“What if I can’t return to where I lived… what then?”

For a moment, Farang seemed incredibly delicate in Do-gyeom’s eyes. She felt somewhat inexplicably remorseful, but what seemed truly gloomy was that, even after spending the night, she still seemed terrified of the unfamiliar situation.

“Well, I suppose the journey will be a bit longer than expected.”

As much as Do-gyeom’s gaze, Farang’s hair tips, as silky and resolute, were tied up.

“You suddenly fell here, but even within a day, you adapted well, helping with chores and even cooking, haven’t you? Although the environment here may be lacking compared to where you live, it’s not entirely unbearable. Take your time to explore while looking for a solution.”

“….”

“Do you think I’d just leave you here because you can’t go back? Such matters were already decided when I brought you to my home, so don’t worry. I made a promise to return you, and I always keep my promises.”

The implication was more of a plea not to be angry than a comforting reassurance. It wouldn’t be good if she got angry and created ice spears to attack people or destroy the household.

But there was no need to mention that she was prepared for even the worst-case scenario. She simply reaffirmed in a different direction.

“You’ve been keeping your promises excellently, so it’s my turn next.”

Farang, who had been staring at Do-gyeom as if peering into him, pursed her lips into a slight smile.

“Then… there.”

“Master! Are you coughing?”

Just as Farang was about to say something after hesitating for a long time, Sun-yi’s father hurriedly came to find Do-gyeom from outside. It was probably because Do-gyeom woke up later than usual.

“I just woke up.”

Since the conversation was interrupted, it was fine to hear it later. Do-gyeom reached for the neatly folded robe next to the bedding.

“What’s the matter?”

“You should come out quickly. Cheol-bong has returned.”

“…Already?”

Cheol-bong was a trusted messenger whom Do-gyeom relied on to send letters back and forth. This time, he had been instructed to deliver a letter and bring back a response, so Do-gyeom expected it to take at least three to four days. It was strange.

As the sensation of something stirring in his bones arose, his hands busied themselves tying the garment. In the meantime, his gaze shifted to Farang, who sat silently like a sparrow.

“Weren’t you about to say something earlier?”

“…No.”

“Alright. If you have something to say, feel free to say it anytime.”

“Yeah.”

The obedience of the woman was amazing and made him laugh a little. But as soon as he opened the door and saw the serious face of Cheol-bong, Do-gyeom’s expression hardened.

“Why the rush? Has something happened in Haeju?”

“Master, that’s… I did go to Haeju late last night to deliver a letter to the old lady, but…”

“Speak up already.”

“Well, that, that…”

Finally, the steward smacked Cheol-bong’s back, who was hesitating, urging him on.

“Speak up to Master!”

“That…!” 

With a grim look, Cheol-bong hurriedly continued, brushing off the pain in his back.

“I arrived and found the old lady’s household in mourning.”

Mourning? Do-gyeom’s complexion turned pale, wondering if the dream he had until just now was a sinister omen.

“No way… Are you saying my uncle passed away?”

“What? Oh, no. It’s not that.”

Feeling he might get another smack from the steward if he continued hesitating, Cheol-bong hurriedly explained.

“It’s Lady Cheong’s funeral!”

“…What?”

Do-gyeom’s white-clothed feet hesitantly descended the steps, barely having time to put on his shoes. No, it can’t be. 

Wasn’t this the only way to protect the crown prince and buy time? Adding to Do-gyeom’s shock, Cheol-bong added.

“Forgive me, Master. The old lady… asks to inform you that Lady Cheong has passed away!”

* * *

“Should I put it here?”

Farang held the large and heavy basin alone. Although it wasn’t heavy at all except for being slightly inconvenient due to her short arms, she seemed burdened. The woman who saw her couldn’t help but smirk.

“Looks like you’re making a mountain of dishes for the master’s guest to wash.”

Despite criticizing Sun-yi, she didn’t help Farang. She only shoved another log into the fireplace with her wrinkled hands.

Inside the bone-dry fireplace, the flames leaped. The heat was warming the large pot placed on the fireplace. The layers of pots stacked on top were peculiar.

“I said I’d handle the water.”

Farang quickly put down the basin, intending to leave. She disliked hot things whether in her past life or here.

“It’s better for me to use my hands rather than watching you struggle.”

During the time Do-gyeom hurriedly left the house in the morning, Farang had decided to go to the spring. But she was irritated to see Sun-yi carelessly pouring out the water she had just drawn onto the floor.

If she was going to use water like that, she should let her handle it. There seemed to be more to do than she thought, and she began to feel annoyed.

Animals from her previous home would be surprised. The king of the dragon tribe, who always enjoyed swimming in the water and sipping vitality from it, was now using and cleaning human dishes.

“Water is precious during droughts, but seeing you suffer like this, it seems the Lady doesn’t understand her position.”

The old woman who had been sitting and shuffling logs seemed to have had enough of her irritation. Her words didn’t anger her much as she realized they weren’t entirely wrong.

“What’s so hard about using water?”

If she went back now, Sun-yi would probably assign her more chores. Farang didn’t like the heat, but she decided to sit near the kitchen and sulk.

“Your delicate hands are soon going to crack and peel, of course, it’s hard work.”

Namsan wagged her tongue, but Farang couldn’t understand.

“No, it’s not. I dry up when there’s no water.”

“I know. I’ve never seen a lady so fond of water that she even does the dishes. Did a waterless ghost possess her?”

While Sun-yi and her father seemed to keep an eye on Farang as they assigned her tasks, Namsan was shameless. Farang, who was planning to sneak into the spring, suddenly wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow.

“But what’s that smell? It’s strange.”

“What else? It’s alcohol. Haven’t you seen anyone brewing alcohol before?”

“Alcohol?”

Namsan continued to torment the fire that burned well.

“Our Master doesn’t sleep much, but he likes to have a little brewed when the prince comes occasionally. We need to brew it quickly because if it doesn’t rain, the liquor tax will be due soon.”

It made no sense to her. She had asked what it was, but Namsan was explaining why they brewed alcohol. It seemed like she assumed Farang already knew what “alcohol” was.

“Wanna taste it?”

Namsan poured a little of the transparent liquid into a bowl and offered it to Farang outside the kitchen.

“Oh, what are you doing? My arm hurts.”

Before she could even respond to the offer to taste it, Farang was forced to accept the bowl. The old woman before her was truly peculiar, different from Do-gyeom and Sun-yi.

“If you were going to force it on me like this, why bother asking?”