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chapter 33
“An… an award? I only did what I should as a member of Hyeumwon.”
Hearing Serin’s words, Euncheon set down the documents and rose from his seat. Then he slowly began walking toward her.
‘Huh? W-why is he coming this way?’
Serin stepped back in panic every time Euncheon took a step closer. Before she knew it, her back hit the bookshelf.
When Euncheon stopped in front of her, the cool scent of dawn forest drifted toward her.
‘Wow, what is this smell? It’s so good—! No, no, that’s not the point! Why is he suddenly getting close!!’
Her heart pounded wildly.
Her back was blocked by the bookshelf, and in front of her stood this picture-perfect man. Euncheon slowly leaned closer, casting a shadow over her face.
‘W-wait, this… this situation…?’
She hadn’t only watched traditional historical dramas. She’d thoroughly studied fusion historical rom-coms that made hearts flutter. She recognized this cliché instantly.
It was absolutely that! The moment of close, intimate lip-to-lip contact!
The pleasant scent drew nearer and nearer.
‘…My first kiss is happening in a dream?! Oh Serin, were you really that starved for affection?!’
With a mental “whatever happens, happens,” Serin clasped her hands together and shut her eyes tightly.
…
But then—
‘…Huh?’
Nothing happened.
No expected event.
Opening one eye slightly, she saw Euncheon’s back. He had already picked out a book from the shelf and was walking back to his desk.
‘He… he came here just to get a book?!’
‘Aagh! So embarrassing!’
Serin’s face burned red from embarrassment.
‘Serin! Are you crazy? Why did you close your eyes?! He must think you’re weird!’
Euncheon sensed her staring and glanced her way, making Serin jerk her head down instantly.
Because of that, she didn’t notice the tips of his ears turning red.
“…Just as punishing the wrongdoer warns a hundred people, so shall rewarding the deserving inspire everyone. So do not refuse.”
It was the first time he had ever stumbled over his words.
“I—if that’s the case…”
Serin was so mortified that she wanted nothing more than to flee the room.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Euncheon opened a drawer and took out the award he had prepared.
“It is the amount equivalent to one-tenth of a Wonri’s monthly salary.”
At that, Serin lifted her head.
‘One-tenth…? That’s quite a bit.’
But she didn’t look particularly happy. After all, it was dream money—money she could never use once she woke up.
Then an idea struck her.
“…If it wouldn’t be disrespectful, may I request something other than money?”
“What is it?”
Serin cautiously checked his intention first.
“Lord Director… are you planning to hand over the children we took in yesterday to the county office?”
“And why do you ask?”
‘To avoid the bad ending of this nightmare?’
She didn’t want the dream to end with the death of children who had stolen only because they were starving.
“Um… could you please… not hand them over?”
“…You ask me to overlook those who committed a crime?”
Euncheon’s expression hardened.
“Huh? N-no! I mean—maybe there’s a peaceful solution? I could use the reward money to pay their fine, or…”
“For simple theft, a minor corporal punishment or a fine may suffice. However, attempting theft as a group is not a light offense.”
A cold breeze seemed to blow from him.
‘Right… this is Goryeo. They might not consider motives or circumstances like in my era.’
Even so—this was a matter of children’s lives!
“Punishment… doesn’t have to be served at the county office, right?”
“So you’re implying there is another way to make them atone?”
“…Huh?”
“Is there not?”
“Y-yes! Yes! Of course there is!”
Serin’s mind began racing at full speed.
She focused so intensely on recalling details that she momentarily forgot the intimidating presence in front of her.
Euncheon quietly watched her.
‘What is she thinking this time…?’
Her constantly changing expressions were strangely fascinating to him.
He recalled the moment earlier.
He had only approached the bookshelf to get a reference book. But when Serin suddenly closed her eyes and lifted her face slightly, he froze.
Her trembling eyelashes looked like the flutter of a delicate butterfly’s wings—he almost reached out to touch them without thinking.
Euncheon found himself staring at her closed eyes.
And suddenly, he felt as if this wasn’t the first time. Serin with her eyes closed… and him looking down at her.
A faint familiarity, like a memory from long ago.
‘…Ridiculous.’
Snapping out of it, he had hurriedly grabbed a random book and returned to his seat, forcing his expression back to normal.
‘What was that strange déjà vu just now…?’
To steady himself, he intentionally spoke more coldly. Yet even frightened, she argued her case thoroughly.
And now she was frowning, deep in thought.
‘How can such a small body hold so many emotions…?’
He couldn’t help finding her oddly captivating.
He had thought stories about her handling the crisis after the cook collapsed were exaggerated. But the famously strict Deputy Director and the clerks who participated in the exam all recounted it like they were telling heroic tales.
Even more, someone was already trying to recruit her into their department.
Now he was curious. What was this “other method” she had in mind?
Truthfully, Euncheon never intended to hand the children over in the first place.
As an official, it weighed on him to confront subjects who were driven to steal because of hunger.
But he couldn’t simply release them without consequences either. That was why he had brought them for now.
“I recall hearing in class about the origins of Hyeumwon,” Serin said.
Euncheon returned his attention to her.
“One of its purposes was to provide relief for the people. Since we have suitable candidates now, wouldn’t it be appropriate to put that into practice?”
“You suggest providing relief… in what way?”
“A method? Well… Ah!!”
A single word burst into her mind.
“Hotel security—no, I mean—assigning them to Hyeumwon’s security unit!”
She recalled seeing the children in the monk’s room yesterday. They were thin but sturdy.
“…Assign them to security?”
“Yes! Let them handle the inn’s safety. Have them patrol regularly to detect dangers in advance. Prevent unauthorized intrusions—like mountain bandits. And depending on circumstances, they can be assigned to various other tasks. Their usefulness is practically limitless!”
When she finished, silence settled between them.
“…So you propose that they work at Hyeumwon to atone.”
Impressed that he grasped it instantly, Serin continued eagerly:
“Yes! Exactly! Hyeumwon is a government facility, so labor here could count as punishment. Then we gain local manpower, and the children avoid harsher penalties—it’s a win-win situation.”
Serin nervously checked Euncheon’s expression.
