VBC 16🔥

Chapter 16

“It’s closer if we go this way to the paper shop.”

Once again, Yi-hwan, dressed in the flamboyant attire of a noble’s son, strode ahead with confidence.

His crimson robe was so striking that even if he were lost in a crowd, it would be easy to spot him again.

Still, seeing the bustling throng of people around her, Soha shrank back a little.

“Want me to hold your hand?”

Yi-hwan, noticing Soha frozen in place, asked. At his words, Soha was jolted awake by the realization that she was being pitied like a child.

“I’m fine.”

In just a few days, Soha had grown comfortable enough to treat Yi-hwan almost like a friend. His casual and easygoing tone had rubbed off on her.

Maybe they had grown a little closer.

Today, once more, she gathered courage to follow him.

She kept repeating to herself: blending into a crowd wasn’t so difficult.

At the market entrance, rows of stalls stretched out vibrantly.

Some sold snacks, others pancakes or meat dishes.

She was startled for a moment at the sight of a pig’s head on display, but the savory aroma piqued her curiosity.

Clothing and accessories glittered across other stalls, making Soha’s eyes dart everywhere.

As a result, she stopped every ten steps or so.

Yi-hwan, watching her repeatedly get distracted, shook his head and lightly grabbed her wrist.

“You’ll get lost at this rate. Let’s go like this.”

“Ah—sorry. I’ll focus and follow properly.”

Yi-hwan stared at her slightly dazed face, then pulled something from his sleeve.

He unrolled a piece of paper, revealing a candy covered in white powder.

“Ah.”

When Yi-hwan opened his mouth and said “Ah—,” Soha reflexively did the same.

The candy slipped neatly into her mouth.

Sweet.

“First let’s find what we came for, then we’ll eat all the delicious things.”

Do-cheol, who was curled up in her arms like a clingy pup, whispered sarcastically:

“Why so sharp all of a sudden, human?”

“Because my responsibility on this journey is huge!”

Yi-hwan’s eyes glimmered with a strange light.

Yi-hwan had been ordered by Unseon to look after Soha properly.

Not to lose her, but also not to stifle her enjoyment—his task was to guide her just enough.

He had no desire to disappoint anyone, especially his mother.

Others might call him reckless or a troublemaker, but like his father, he was always sincere when it came to protecting his own.

And Soha was now firmly within his circle of protection—at a very deep and important place.

Yi-hwan glanced at her as she slowly savored the candy.

“Let’s go.”

Now that the sweetness had relaxed her, Soha smiled as she spoke, and Yi-hwan felt his own tension ease. It was strange—he had played in this market countless times, yet for some reason, he’d been nervous.

“Yi-hwan young master!”

A man called out to him.

Yi-hwan bowed politely. It was the fish seller.

“Been a while since I last saw you here.”

“Haha, yes. Uncle Hwang, how have you been?”

“What could change much? Are you here on an errand?”

“Yes. Mother sent me to the apothecary.”

As Yi-hwan chatted with the man, other merchants began gathering, recognizing him.

“Oh my, young master! You’re such a rare sight!”

“You’ve grown so much. Did you eat already?”

“What’s going on?”

“The young master’s here!”

Everyone knew Yi-hwan and welcomed him warmly. He responded with a bashful laugh, clearly used to such attention.

It wasn’t just his flashy clothes that made him recognizable.

“Here, young master, have some.”

The fruit seller handed him a bunch of fresh grapes.

“Ay, Mother told me not to take handouts anymore.”

“Come now, we’ve known you since you were in swaddling clothes. Are we strangers?”

“Well, that’s true.”

He laughed and ate one, then plucked off another grape and gave it to Soha.

Since the candy had already melted away, Soha popped the grape into her mouth as well.

“By the way, who’s the young lady with you?”

“Oh my, she’s so pretty.”

Attention quickly shifted to Soha, whose wrist Yi-hwan was holding.

“I, uh…”

Soha opened her mouth to introduce herself, but before she could, a woman spoke up:

“Could she be the young master’s fiancée?”

In noble families, it wasn’t unusual to arrange engagements early. Seeing Yi-hwan with a girl so openly, the thought naturally arose.

Yi-hwan practically jumped.

“W-what, fiancée?! No way!”

His face flushed scarlet. The merchants exchanged playful looks.

“Oh my, but you two look so cute together.”

“Could it be that he’s already engaged?”

“Is that why he disappeared for a while?”

“Hahaha, when did our young master grow up like this?”

Catching their teasing tone, Yi-hwan yelled back:

“I told you, it’s not like that! You just enjoy making fun of me, don’t you?!”

“Hahaha, teasing you is always the best!”

“Here, have some dried fish.”

“Careful, don’t choke—want some sweet rice drink with it?”

It was obvious to Soha just how much these people adored Yi-hwan.

“Anyway, I need to finish my errand first, I’ll be back later!”

Yi-hwan pushed through the crowd of merchants, dragging Soha along. She followed while bowing politely in thanks.

“Be safe, young master!”

“Watch your step, they just sprinkled water up ahead!”

Thanks to their care, Yi-hwan and Soha reached the paper shop without trouble.

“Seriously, everyone just loves teasing me. Must be because I’m so cute, huh?”

His ears were still red as he muttered about the merchants’ comments.

Soha looked at his back and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

At the paper shop, they picked up the special paper for fans, then arrived at the apothecary.

“Young master, welcome.”

The shop owner was an elderly man with a snow-white beard. He greeted them warmly.

“And this must be young lady Soha.”

“Hello.”

Soha bowed politely, and the apothecary looked at her with a satisfied smile.

“That puppy—does the young lady keep it?”

“Ah, yes… somehow…”

Though she had reluctantly taken him in, explaining Do-cheol was tricky.

As she trailed off, Do-cheol bit her sleeve in protest with a sharp little “Arf.”

It didn’t hurt, but her sleeve grew damp.

“What a clever-looking pup.”

The old man chuckled, then handed over a bundle of herbs he had prepared.

“Please give these to Lady Cheon.”

“Yes.”

Soha accepted the bundle. One arm held Do-cheol, the other the herbs—it was heavy.

“I’ll carry it.”

Yi-hwan reached out, but strangely, Soha wanted to carry it herself.

It was the first responsibility entrusted to her since she’d come here. If she let someone else carry it, it felt meaningless.

“Alright then.”

He handed it over without protest. With the errand complete, their steps grew lighter.

“Did you see that sweets shop earlier? Looked so good. Want to stop by?”

Yi-hwan hopped cheerfully at her side. His light, bouncy steps weren’t annoying.

Instead, they gave her the reassuring sense that everything was safe.

This must be what it felt like to let your guard down.

“Sure.”

Relief washed over her—how silly that she’d been so tense over such a simple errand.

Perhaps only those who hadn’t lived like her could fail to understand such defenses.

“Let’s get grilled fish too. They say the fresh Spanish mackerel is amazing today.”

“Alright.”

Her ready agreement made him prance even more, as though he had a wagging tail.

“Me too! Me too!”

With Do-cheol’s warmth in her arms, Soha followed Yi-hwan back toward the market.