The sound of horses walking side by side and a cart rolling along filled the road with a quiet peace. From behind came the soft murmur of the elderly women's conversation, just barely audible. The sun laid itself down between the tall evergreens. As a dark blue blanket was drawn over it and the stars began to appear one by one, a solitary house came into view.

"It is there."

At the elderly woman's words, he slowly pulled in the reins. They came to a stop in front of the house. After waiting for the elderly women to get down from the cart and disconnecting it, the woman in blue came forward and bowed her head.

"Thanks to you we arrived this comfortably — I do not know how to express this gratitude."

"We only did what people ought to do. We happened to be able to accompany you on the way, so please think of it as a fortunate coincidence."

"If it would not be rude to ask, may I know where you are headed?"

"We are traveling to Dongju."

"Then where are you planning to stay. There is no lodging in the nearby village, and at this hour on the road you are likely to encounter wild animals."

Yunseo had secured a house to stay the night in advance, but he held back his answer. Then the woman in red looked back and forth at Hwi and Yunseo and said.

"Having met like this is also a connection — how would it be to spend the night? It is a small room, but it should be enough for two men to stay without discomfort."

"Yes, do that. I think our hearts will be easier for it too."

Any other time he would have declined, but this was Sino's home. It was a good opportunity to feel his traces, and Yunseo hoped Hwi would not let that opportunity pass. He quietly raised his hand and tugged at Hwi's sleeve, and Hwi studied Yunseo for a moment before giving a slight nod.

It was the gesture of permission. Yunseo scratched the back of his neck and answered with a deliberately somewhat awkward air.

"Then if we may impose for just one night? As it happens, the road has run a little late and we were in a hurry, so if you provide a place to sleep, our schedule will be easier."

"Of course. Please come in."

When Yunseo took out the luggage from the cart, Hwi intercepted Yunseo's share. Yunseo followed Hwi who was carrying all the bags and whispered.

"I have hands too."

"Yes. I have eyes too."

"Is it not because you carry each and every thing like this that my strength is not increasing?"

"We agreed that this journey would put your health first."

At the fairly firm reply, Yunseo shrank slightly and watched Hwi's expression. Hwi glanced at Yunseo with a seemingly indifferent face before curling up the corner of his mouth and lightly bumping his forehead against Yunseo's.

"How could I leave such a trivial task to the most esteemed sir here."

At the teasing whisper in his ear, the corner of his mouth crumbled. He was idly fiddling with his earlobe when Hwi set the bags down in the place the elderly woman had designated.

"Thank you."

While the woman in blue organized the luggage, the woman in red led Yunseo and Hwi to a room. All the necessary furniture was in place, but there was no sense that anyone lived there currently.

"Here it is. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to say so."

"Yes, the room is truly lovely. We will be able to spend the night comfortably thanks to you."

"That is a relief. I am preparing the evening meal — is there anything you cannot eat?"

"No, there is nothing. The fact that you are preparing a meal on top of everything else fills us with nothing but gratitude. If it would be alright, however, would you not join us? I would like to lessen the trouble for you, and as a traveler I would like to hear stories of the area."

"I will do so."

When the elderly woman moved away with a considerably softer expression, only Yunseo and Hwi remained in the room. Hwi came close and stroked Yunseo's hair.

"This is the first time I have seen you be quite so brazen."

"With me beside you, Hwi-nim will have nothing to fear."

"Reassuring indeed. From now on I need only trust in you."

He knew it was just going along with him, but his shoulders still lifted. As his lips twitched, Hwi grinned and kissed the corner of Yunseo's mouth.

"The room is truly lovely. It seems to have been consistently cared for."

"Yes."

Hwi's gaze, lightly roaming the room, came to a stop on something. Yunseo followed it and discovered a sword hanging on the wall.

The lacquered black scabbard was smooth enough to reflect light, and the grip was wrapped in ray skin. The red knotted tassel at the end softened the sharpness of the sword, and the fact that there was no worn part — looking exactly like new — showed how preciously its owner had treated it.

"Is it Sino's sword?"

"I…… bestowed this sword."

Yunseo swallowed an exclamation. This would be the first time Hwi had seen this sword in nearly eight years. It was the first time he had seen Hwi gazing at something — other than himself — in a bewitched manner.

Yunseo watched Hwi in silence. In those dark eyes it was as though countless stars were rising and setting. That quiet turmoil made even Yunseo's chest swell.

To allow Hwi to remain immersed in his own time, Yunseo was looking around the room idly, when a presence was heard and the woman in red entered.

"When you are ready, let us have the evening meal."

"Yes."

Following the elderly woman into the sitting room, they saw food laid out on the round table. There were not many dishes, but all of them looked appetizing and neat. It was simply remarkable that such a spread could be prepared in so short a time.

"It seems we receive more than our help was worth."

"It has been a long time since we have received guests, so we prepared it cheerfully — please eat without feeling any burden."

"We will eat gratefully."

Yunseo deliberately took big spoonfuls trying to eat with hearty appetite, but the food was good enough that he could eat well without even trying. A glance at Hwi showed it suited his taste too, and a laugh came out.

"Seeing you eat so well is a pleasure to behold. It reminds me of our son too. Does it not, dear?"

He was surprised once at the sudden mention of a son, and then again at the affectionate term of address "dear." Hwi's chopsticks stopped for just a moment in midair before moving again.

"Yes. That child always ate well."

"Your son……"

"He has passed from the world now, but we had a child."

"May I ask what he was like?"

The elderly women looked at each other and spoke of Sino with a faint smile. Most of the stories stayed with his childhood years, but anecdotes such as writing letters every month, or how on the rare occasions he came home he would quietly fix the broken and worn parts of the house, allowed his affection and character to be glimpsed.

Of course, in the elderly women speaking of him, affection for Sino could also be seen. Moreover, they were proud of him.

"It must have been a pity that you could not see him often, though unavoidable with affairs of state."

"How could one put into words all the longing of that pity. But that child was proud of his work and loved it. So we could only respect him for it."

Not all Yongrin's families would share the same feelings, but the fact that Sino's mother carried this sentiment and that it could be conveyed to Hwi was deeply moving.

Yunseo took a sip of tea and gave Hwi a glance. When their gazes intertwined, Hwi looked Yunseo over and then quietly lifted the corner of his mouth. The fact that that smile looked a little more at ease put his mind to rest.

"By the way, may I ask your names? I am sorry to ask only now, having received such a delicious meal."

"I am Cheongseon, and this person is Hongro."

"Your names contain 'chong' and 'hong.' Could it be that you wear blue and red clothes because of that?"

"Ha ha, that is right."

"How charming."

Yunseo laughed along with Cheongseon and Hongro. Hwi's lips also softened warmly, and the atmosphere among the four grew even more cozy and comfortable. With his heart at ease, Yunseo even accepted the drinks Cheongseon offered. Hwi stopped him midway so he did not drink enough to get drunk, but by the time the mood had mellowed, Yunseo's cheeks had flushed pink along with it.

Cheongseon and Hongro had many stories and knew how to tell them entertainingly. Yunseo fell completely under the spell of their storytelling and laughed and felt sad and grew indignant. Pleased by such reactions, the two women's eyes directed at Yunseo were full of laughter.

"Dear, are you tired?"

As the night deepened, Hongro stifled a yawn, and Cheongseon turned to look at her with concerned eyes.

"A little tired."

"Then go in first. It has been a truly hard day today."

Because Hongro had an unusually pale complexion, her color looked even worse. Yunseo nodded and rose from his seat.

"Yes, I will help the lady tidy up, so please rest comfortably."

"Shameless as it is, may I ask the favor? Age makes one weary easily."

"Of course. Should we not earn our keep? Please go in without worry."

After Hongro went to her room, the three of them cleared the table together. Yunseo was quietly taken aback by the fact that Hwi, who was always waited on, moved briskly without the slightest awkwardness. It seemed the only clumsy one here was himself, and Yunseo glanced at their movements sideways and tried to reflect them in his own actions.