A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 31

Chapter 31

“You seem like you’re going to die.”

“…I won’t die.”

Although there was not a trace of emotion in those indifferent eyes, Do-gyeom knew the scariness of that purity. 

Therefore, he calmly headed towards the door, exhaling hot breath.

“And even if I call you brother instead of ‘you’…”

After forcibly pushing Farang out of the room, Do-gyeom pushed the door shut and collapsed. He wanted to crawl into bed and sleep, but he couldn’t even move a finger.

Farang, still standing in front of the door under the moonlight, was still visible, but the closed-eyed Do-gyeom didn’t know.

* * *

“Master, are you awake?”

“I’ve risen. Did you sleep well last night too?”

After suffering quite a bit last night, Do-gyeom opened his eyes only after the dawn bell had rung. He felt the need to hurry for the morning assembly.

“Well, I’m quick to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.”

“I, too, last night…”

He was about to reply without thinking, that he slept deeper and more comfortably than any other night. However, Do-gyeom couldn’t easily get his hands on the foggy memory of how he had fallen asleep last night. 

Instead, he brought his hands to his forehead.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Come to think of it, it looked like he had passed out in front of the door after pushing Farang out.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you sure it’s not a hangover or something?”

“By the way, isn’t Farang awake?”

“Don’t worry. Lady Farang came to the inner quarters a little while ago, checked on you, and then went out. I called out to her, thinking you might not be here, but she said you were sleeping and asked me not to make too much noise. Should I go check again?”

It seemed that the concern was due to Farang, who kept disappearing unexpectedly. The servant had half risen, but Do-gyeom shook his head.

“No, it’s not necessary. As you know, she’s not a gentle child, so don’t bother her carelessly. She might even bite if you’re not careful.”

“I see?”

Seeing Sun-yi’s father with wrinkled eyes, Do-gyeom smiled faintly.

“I think I should wash up since I’ve been sweating all night and go on my trip. I’m sorry, but could you prepare the bathwater for me?”

“Oh, of course, my lord. I’ll do that.”

Do-gyeom watched the figure hurrying out, and then he touched his forehead once again.

It seemed like he had a high fever to the point of feeling dizzy earlier, but now he didn’t feel any abnormal heat. His body felt light. 

Do-gyeom casually glanced at the door.

The latch that he had securely fastened was now Eonne.

“…I guess there’s no latch left for the duration of your stay here.”

Do-gyeom looked out the window where the bright sunlight was streaming in and in the direction of the inner quarters.

It was a refreshing morning he hadn’t tasted in a long time.

* * *

“Hurry up! Do you know how many places we need to visit?”

Sun-yi’s short legs moved at quite a fast pace as she walked ahead and then returned in a repeated pattern. Farang followed behind her, her eyes half-closed.

“I’m not running away. I just want to sleep peacefully. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“Oh my, it’s already late. There are so many things the lady needs right now. She needs to choose a lot of fabric for her new clothes, buy ingredients for the ancestral rites, and buy gifts for the respected guests…”

Sun-yi earnestly tried to remember as she folded her little fingers one by one. Her round face was filled with excitement. 

Her cheeks, reddened by the cold, resembled the red fruits grown in Farang’s garden.

“You’re probably the first human being to ever wake me up and still be okay.”

Farang rubbed the corners of her eyes and glared at Sun-yi through them. She was about to head back into the house and go to bed when she grabbed her arm.

“Lady, pull yourself together. After the noon hour, we need to call for the cosmetics merchant, learn how to apply makeup quickly and get ready to go inside. Skillful maids from the noble houses might already be snatched up. It’s urgent!”

Suddenly, she stormed in and dragged Farang out to dress her without any rhyme or reason. Irritation showed on Farang’s face.

“I’m tired, I’ve been up all night because of your master… no, I mean brother…!”

“You can buy the same hairpins and jewelry you saw last time. Your lordship said you can buy anything you want.”

“Hairpins?”

“Yes. Although you don’t need hairpins since you haven’t had the wedding yet, you can buy a bracelet or a brooch. Last time, there was no money, but this time, there should be, right?”

She was probably talking about jewelry. Farang’s furrowed brow slightly relaxed at Sun-yi’s words.

“…Really, you’ll buy everything?”

“That’s right. If we don’t hurry, other ladies from different houses will grab all the good items as soon as they’re available. We’re in a hurry, and you can’t dawdle here!”

“When did I dawdle? It’s your slow pace. So, where to?”

She wanted to show Do-gyeom, who had scoffed at her desire for jewelry, that it was time to spend.

As if asking when she had ever been reluctant, Farang’s steps suddenly quickened, and Sun-yi, holding a purse full of money, cautiously followed her, fearing that a coin might fall out.

* * *

“What are you saying? You found a substitute?”

“Please lower your voice. It’s confidential, Your Highness.”

Do-gyeom looked around, not stopping as he walked behind the group. Those who followed him stood a short distance behind.

The rumor about rain falling after the late king visited this place had led them to wander around more frequently lately. However, they couldn’t be sure if anyone was eavesdropping.

“Exactly as it sounds, although my cousin cannot participate in the selection of the Crown Princess, I have found a girl to use her name. In preparation for the astrological reading…”

“Choi Do-gyeom!”

Eon, who raised his voice, showed his hand to calm the approaching court officials. Then, he turned back to Do-gyeom with a sigh.

“Do you know what you’re trying to do right now? I’m asking if these words can come from the mouth of that Choi Do-gyeom I know.”

“To respond to those who do not discriminate in their means and methods, one must also choose means and methods.”

“Hmph.”

“She’s an extraordinary woman. Your Highness, you will understand once you see her. And there will be no leaks.”

“I will not allow it. Adding a competitor to the already determined Crown Princess situation will only make that child suffer, isn’t that obvious?”

“At the very least, we should attempt to shake that decision, shouldn’t we? With that girl, we can certainly shake the established order.”

“Why not just let them raise the Crown Princess as they wish? Pulling her down from the highest point might destroy them, wouldn’t it?”

“Wouldn’t it also be to Your Highness’ advantage?”

“It could be a virtue. Why are you rushing like this for something uncertain?”

Do-gyeom didn’t want to waste the unique opportunity he had gained with Farang, which he believed was no mere coincidence. He wondered when he should reveal the unbelievable truth about what Farang was.

Perhaps Eon would eventually agree if he disclosed the truth, but Do-gyeom thought carefully about how to convince him. While he hesitated, Eon made a persuasive argument.

“Do-gyeom, you’re my close friend, my closest companion. Don’t you know what I’m saying? It’s just that I’m worried about losing my one and only friend. Do you think they will just stand by quietly? Neither you nor that woman can do it. No, you can’t. I won’t allow it.”

“…I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Do-gyeom lowered his head.

“I’ve already arranged for an astrological reading.”

“What?”

“I’m not daring to oppose Your Highness’ intentions. If we can correct the problem, I will give up as well. It’s just to buy some time.”

“Do we have to do it this way?”

“Haven’t we been disgraced and disheartened every time we failed? Not this time.”

He spoke resolutely, but the truth was that the situation was completely uncertain, and the presence of Farang, which he couldn’t fully control, was perhaps the biggest risk of all. 

Moreover, if he mentioned that his life was on the line, Eon would surely oppose even more vehemently, potentially going so far as to remove the astrological reading he had arranged. 

Therefore, Do-gyeom decided to remain silent about Farang.

“I will put an end to everything.”

“I may not be able to help much.”

“I mention this fact in advance because I would like to ask for one condition.”

“What condition… Choi Do-gyeom, what are you doing?”

Surprised, Eon took a step closer and grabbed Do-gyeom’s shoulder. Do-gyeom had knelt on the dirt floor.

“Even if the situation goes awry, please do not protect those who are above.”

“What?”

“I am not pursuing this solely out of loyalty to Your Highness. It’s not just for personal vendetta.”

“Don’t say such things. How can I stand by and do nothing?”

“I’m not here to protect Your Highness. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have entered this forbidden place.”

“Get up, hmm?”

Despite Eon’s attempts to reason with him, Do-gyeom stubbornly refuses to budge.

“Please make a promise.”

“You bastard, how could you say that I would easily make a promise?”

“If it is difficult for you to do it easily, why not make a harsh promise?”

“Then I also have a condition.”

Kneeling with one knee bent, Eon sat in front of Do-gyeom and said.

“Instead, if we determine that it is impossible to use our strength, we will stop. You also need to agree to the condition. In that case, I will as well.”

Do-gyeom’s strength seemed to have already surpassed that of a human being and become a force beyond. He felt a pang of guilt.

“…I agree.”

“You stubborn fellow, that’s enough. Stand up now.”

Without waiting for Do-gyeom to get up, Eon turned and urged him forward without a word. Do-gyeom simply followed quietly behind him.

As they walked along the winding path of the pavilion, they savored the faint spring air that felt almost imperceptible.

“By the way.”

Eon was the one to break the silence. He suddenly turned and stopped, facing Do-gyeom, and asked.

“Why are you so confident in this woman?”