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chapter 36
“Lycoris.”
Doheon muttered once again, holding the bouquet close to his chest. His intense gaze slowly swept over Yeonseo’s face.
“Do you know this flower?”
“Yes.”
“How…?”
“I’ve seen it blooming in the garden before, and your grandmother told me about it.”
“Ah…”
Yeonseo had also learned about this flower through her grandmother. She could almost hear the stories she had been told as a child while nestled in her grandmother’s arms.
“Yeonseo, do you know the name of this flower? Do you know what its meaning is?”
She wondered if Doheon might even know the meaning of the lycoris.
“It’s a love that cannot be fulfilled, a longing.”
“Grandmother, why does such a beautiful flower have such a sad meaning?”
“The leaves fall, then the flowers bloom; the flowers fall, then the leaves bloom. They can never meet, which is why this meaning exists. It’s a bittersweet flower.”
It didn’t matter if he didn’t know the meaning. She simply wondered if he already knew all the feelings she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to hide or reveal to him.
She knew she shouldn’t, but she felt restless. Probably because there wasn’t much time left for her to be with Doheon.
Still, Yeonseo decided to postpone sharing the thoughts she wanted to speak. The flower’s meaning and her feelings toward Doheon—she would keep them for now. That was enough.
If she could simply give him a bouquet without him knowing the flower’s meaning and offer him pure congratulations, that was all she could do.
“I’ll put it on the desk in the office tomorrow.”
“…Okay.”
Yeonseo snapped out of her thoughts at Doheon’s words. Holding her hand again, he spoke.
“Shall we go to the hotel? I don’t think you’ll be able to rest comfortably if we go back to Myeongseonjae.”
“Do you think grandfather will be okay? I’m worried…”
“I spoke with Lady Paju. He had a temporary spike in blood pressure, but he’s feeling much better now. He’s sleeping, so we won’t see him. We can see him again tomorrow.”
Doheon, who usually valued Chairman Seo’s opinion above his own, seemed today like he wanted to rest for himself. Thinking back on the day he had spent, it was clear he must be exhausted.
“Then let’s go rest at the hotel.”
Yeonseo nodded.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
“I’ll check on Myeongseonjae. If you’re not going in, I feel like I should at least go….”
“What?”
Doheon blinked, surprised by her unexpected reply.
“You’re going to spend your life with my parents. I feel like I should stay there.”
“It’s fine…”
Doheon didn’t finish his sentence. He pressed his fingers to his brow, seeming to weigh her determination.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“You should go to the hotel alone and rest, Doheon. I really am fine.”
She tried to insist, but Doheon ignored her and pulled her hand. They headed toward Myeongseonjae.
Yeonseo was puzzled by his sudden change of heart. At the same time, the calm waves of emotion stirred within her at his unwillingness to leave her alone.
Even after walking hand in hand dozens of times, the warmth of their palms brushing still sent a ticklish shiver through her.
Perhaps unconsciously, she wished this time walking side by side with Doheon could last forever.
She wished for a moment where happiness could exist simply like this, forgetting that such a wish was a luxury.
Myeongseonjae, which had earlier been in chaos, was now eerily calm. Yeonseo took a deep breath before entering.
“It seems everyone’s gone. There’s no one in the living room.”
She carefully pulled the door open. Glancing at Doheon, she noticed his slightly tense expression.
Soft light glowed from the kitchen, where Lady Paju was tidying up. Seeing them, she hurried over.
“Oh, you’re here! You must have been so startled earlier.”
“It’s alright. Is everyone resting?”
“Madam went out, and your uncle seemed restless, so he went out too. They’ll be back.”
‘Could Geumseonae have gone to the Lasserin Hotel now? I have the hotel key…’
Yeonseo’s heart began to race.
“Where did they go? Did they say where exactly?”
Forgetting Doheon was next to her, she asked urgently. Lady Paju tilted her head.
“I’m not sure. He doesn’t usually say. Judging by his clothes, it seems nearby… You’re worried, aren’t you?”
At that moment, Doheon stepped in to answer.
“Looks like they went to the Seoguk Hotel. Sometimes when they quarrel with your father, they stay there to cool off in a suite.”
“Oh, I see… Thank goodness it’s not somewhere else.”
Yeonseo felt a huge sense of relief. Please, let it be that. There was no proof yet. Geumseonae must not discover that the hotel key had gone missing.
“And father and grandfather?”
Doheon asked Lady Paju.
“Both of them have had a hard day. They’re resting and told us not to let anyone in.”
“I see. Let’s go in then.”
“Rest well. Oh my, you’ve been through a lot.”
After Lady Paju disappeared, Doheon and Yeonseo headed to their bedrooms.
“Wash first.”
As soon as Yeonseo entered the room, she said softly. He nodded and disappeared toward the bathroom, and the sound of running water followed.
Yeonseo picked up her light gray bag, where she had put the hotel card key. It was still there.
Tomorrow, she thought, she’d check if Geumseonae entered Myeongseonjae. But what if time wasted itself in the process?
Her mind was in turmoil. The limited time she had left in this house only made it worse.
Soon, the shower stopped. Yeonseo left the dressing room and sat on a chair.
She had to act calm, as though nothing had happened, so Doheon wouldn’t notice anything suspicious.
The bathroom door opened, and Doheon emerged in a robe, towel-drying his hair.
A fresh scent lingered around him. Wet, he was both refreshing and wild, naturally drawing her gaze.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
Doheon loosened his robe. Yeonseo quickly lowered her head.
Though she had seen this before, every time she saw him like this, heat spread from the nape of her neck to her whole body.
Doheon let out a faint deflated laugh, then pressed his lips to hers with a soft ‘smack.’
When Yeonseo lifted her head, he nonchalantly brushed his hair back as if nothing had happened.
“That reaction’s like you saw a pervert. Did I do something extraordinary?”
“N-No, I… I’m going to shower!”
Yeonseo tugged at her lips and went into the bathroom, locking the door. She was flustered, yet she didn’t dislike his playful teasing.
Even a single kiss from him lifted her spirits. Unlike before, she now looked forward to the night with him.
The scent from Doheon filled the bathroom. It was strangely intimate, as if they had already shared a body.
‘How wonderful it would be if I could stay like this with him forever.’
She knew it was selfish. The end was already decided.
Still, she felt relieved. She had done everything she could for Doheon. There might be lingering feelings, but no regrets. That had to be enough.
After drying her hair and putting on her robe, Yeonseo saw Doheon lying on the bed. He looked utterly exhausted, asleep without a care in the world.
Yeonseo crept closer, cat-like, under the soft glow of the bedside lamp, catching sight of his closed eyes.
She reached out and traced his handsome face—straight eyebrows, long lashes, fair skin, the small mark under his eyes. Doheon looked almost angelic in his beauty.
“Come here.”
He whispered lowly, not quite asleep.
Yeonseo lay quietly beside him. Doheon’s arm immediately pulled her close. Nestled in his broad chest, she blinked.
“Doheon…?”
She called his name, but only the sound of his even breathing reached her ears. Now he truly seemed to be asleep.
It felt like the first time she had slept this close to him. Being this near gave her a curious sense of relief.
All anxiety about what might happen tomorrow evaporated in an instant.
