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Chapter 10
“I beg your pardon. That was a careless remark.”
Hwan-wol bit her lip hard and lowered her head. Seeing this, Hyeonrang’s expression softened.
“I will speak with the children myself. You may withdraw for now.”
“Yes, sir.”
A faint, bitter smile lingered at the corner of his mouth — one he hadn’t meant to show.
That evening, he missed his wife more than usual.
The injury to Seoyu’s leg was worse than expected. For two more days, she remained confined to her room.
Yet far from bored, she found herself almost happy. Cho Garam and Cheok Eunhyang often came to visit, chatting softly to keep her company.
“Second Young Lady and the Third Young Master are twins?”
“Yes. They look exactly alike, though they quarrel often. Since you’re close in age to them, I’m sure you’d get along quite well.”
If they were near her age… could they become friends?
“No, they’re noble children. They wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like me.”
The little spark of hope she felt was quickly smothered.
“More importantly… how can I repay the Lord’s kindness?”
He had saved her life, given her shelter, good food, and even fine clothes. She longed to express her gratitude — yet she had nothing of her own to offer.
By fortune, Lord Hyeonrang was away from the estate for a short while, buying her a little time — though not enough to prepare anything meaningful.
“There must be something I can do…”
Otherwise, she was nothing but a burden.
Nothing but what they used to call her in the Deer Clan: a parasite living off others.
The thought made her tremble.
And yet—
“I don’t want to go back…”
For the first time in her life, she felt at peace here in the eastern household of the Hwangryong Clan. Though she had only been here three days, every moment felt like sunlight after a long winter.
But she knew: she was not a guest, only a patient.
To linger without reason would be an imposition.
“…Haa.”
Her sigh, heavy with worry, dissolved into the quiet air. That was when she heard footsteps outside.
Cho Garam suddenly sprang to her feet, looking startled.
“Oh dear, it must be Master Hyeonya. Take care during the examination, we’ll come again later.”
Hyeonya? The name was unfamiliar, but Seoyu guessed he must be the physician.
“Yes,” she answered politely, and the two maids hurried out, almost too quickly.
‘Why did they leave in such a rush?’
Before she could ponder it further, the door slid open.
A man stepped in.
“Ga—”
She almost called him Lord Hyeonrang, but caught herself in time.
‘No… he’s not the Lord.’
The man wore a pair of glass lenses — a rare aech’e, or “eye-catcher.” He looked much like Hyeonrang but younger, leaner, and colder in bearing. His expression was devoid of the warmth that the Lord always showed her.
“So this must be Hyeonya. Another of the Hwangryong family, then.”
He had treated her while she was unconscious, so this was their first proper meeting. Seoyu bowed deeply.
“Good day to you, sir.”
“There’s not much good about it.”
The curt reply caught her off guard.
“Did I… offend him?”
She had never met anyone who answered so bluntly to a greeting.
He spoke again, without even glancing at her face.
“How’s the leg?”
“It’s much better now. The swelling has gone down, thanks to your treatment.”
She smiled earnestly — and meant every word. Compared to before, it hardly hurt at all.
But Hyeonya only clicked his tongue.
“Too well-behaved for her own good.”
“Pardon?”
“Show me the wound.”
Startled, she hurried to pull aside the blanket and bare her knee.
He leaned closer, inspecting the injury, then drew out a small lacquered box. Dipping a spatula into a pale ointment, he spread it thickly over her skin.
The sting made her flinch — and then she recognized the scent.
“Elderberry leaves… and silken grass?” she murmured without thinking.
“What?”
Her heart leapt. The faint golden light behind his lenses gleamed sharply.
“Say that again.”
Seoyu swallowed hard.
“T-this ointment… it smells like elderberry leaves mixed with silken grass. You can tell by the smoky scent and the white sap. Though I think there are other herbs too…”
She trailed off — his gaze had grown far too intent.
“You know your herbs, then. Were you trained in medicine?”
“Oh, no, not at all! I only learned to recognize a few plants… and how to gather them.”
“Hm. I see.”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then finished dressing her wound with a strip of clean cloth. Handing her the box, he said:
“Seoyu, was it? Apply this every day. Once your leg heals, come find me at the Physician’s Hall.”
“Y-yes? Ah, yes, sir.”
The command came so suddenly that she could only nod.
At the doorway, he turned and added:
“Don’t forget. I’ve said it twice now.”
Then he was gone.
Seoyu stared at the door, bewildered.
‘He seemed cold at first… but he looked almost pleased when he left?’
She clutched the little box tightly to her chest.
“If it’s the Physician’s Hall… maybe there’s something I can do there.”
For the first time, hope flickered in her heart again.
A few days later, when she could walk without pain, Seoyu approached Garam.
“Um, Lady Garam… would it be all right if I went to the Physician’s Hall?”
“The Physician’s Hall?”
For the first time, Garam didn’t smile.
“Well… Miss Seoyu, Master Hyeonya doesn’t like people much. I’m only worried he might say something harsh to you.”
“Hyeonya doesn’t like people?”
“Yes. It’s just how he is.”
Seoyu tilted her head.
“But he told me to come see him.”
“What?” Garam blinked, then called out, “Eunhyang! Come here!”
“What is it?”
“Master Hyeonya invited Miss Seoyu to the Physician’s Hall!”
“What?”
Even Eunhyang, who was usually calm, stared at Seoyu in surprise.
‘Why are they all so shocked…?’
Still confused, Seoyu followed Garam to the hall.
“If he scolds you or… tells you to leave right away, promise you’ll come back at once, all right?”
“I promise.”
With a reassuring smile, Seoyu stepped into the room.
“Physician, are you here?”
Peeking through the half-open door—
She froze.
Inside were two children she had never seen before.
Twin pairs of golden eyes turned toward her in perfect unison.
“Who are you?”
“Who are you?”
Her jaw dropped.
“They’re identical!”
Golden hair, golden eyes — as bright as sunlight itself. Their faces were so alike that for a moment, she thought she was seeing double.
“Do you know her, Hwang Rigon?”
“No. Do you, Iryeong?”
“Not at all.”
Then it dawned on her.
“Ah… they must be the Young Lady and Young Master!”
