"Will you keep it?"

"Should not a gift be used to have meaning?"

"Then I will put it in for you."

Hwi readily let his hair down. Yunseo received the hairpin and put Hwi's hair up. The rough, simple hairpin, meeting Hwi, created a unique atmosphere. Yunseo stepped back, looked at Hwi, and broke into a broad smile.

"It suits you well."

"Sino had good hands."

"It is a thing made exactly for Hwi-nim."

At the sincere and bright compliment, Hwi smiled and took Yunseo's hand. The two came down the hill with hearts that had grown lighter and warmer.

They ate the breakfast Cheongseon and Hongro had prepared and packed their bags. While Hwi went to check on the horses, Yunseo held back Cheongseon who was looking around to see if there was anything else to offer, and spoke to her.

"By the way, how long has it been since the two of you found each other?"

It seemed an unexpected question, for Cheongseon's eyes went wide before she soon stared into the air as though recalling the years that had passed.

"We knew each other before reaching our twenties, and after Hongro came back from having been married off, we have been together — so one could say more than forty years."

Yunseo let out an inadvertent exclamation. Forty years was just a word, but the fact that they had walked side by side through that long passage of time was wondrous.

"How does one manage to be together as long as the two of you?"

"It already looks as though you get along well — what could you possibly be curious about?"

Cheongseon laughed as she replied. The fact that she had noticed the connection between Hwi and himself was embarrassing, but Yunseo pressed on steadfastly.

"That is why. I want us both to be together in good emotional health. Is not guidance from one who has come before always a good thing?"

Seeing his attitude of being willing to receive whatever was said with grace, a kind laughter like looking at a small child crept into Cheongseon's eyes.

"No matter what hardships and trials come from outside, no matter what storms arise within one's own heart — all you need is the intention to weather it together. Think of your partner as one body with you. Because it is hard and difficult, because one has a change of heart for a moment — can a single body be torn apart? Being together is unchanging. If you engrave only that in your heart, there is nothing that will be difficult."

It was not difficult to say, but to truly carry it out required an immeasurable amount of effort and devotion. But there could be no more clear-headed and wise answer than this. Yunseo chewed over every word of Cheongseon's slowly and marveled.

"Yes. You have given me the right answer, and I will be sure to keep it in my heart."

"I do not think you need to worry. The very act of seeking an answer like this is proof that you cherish your partner dearly, is it not?"

A shameless laugh slipped through his lips of its own accord. Yunseo nodded and whispered.

"That is true. The way the two of you are together has been a model for me."

"That is wonderful to hear."

While Cheongseon was laughing heartily, Hwi came out leading the horses. As though she would keep the earlier conversation a secret just between the two of them, she winked at Yunseo. When Yunseo giggled suspiciously, Hwi raised an eyebrow and scanned his face. Yunseo pretended nothing was out of the ordinary and stood beside Hwi.

Hongro came outside and pressed packed lunches into the hands of the two. Overwhelmed by affection as deep as the sea, Yunseo could not stop expressing his gratitude.

"Thanks to you, we rested comfortably in a warm place for a night — I hope there will come a day when I can repay this kindness."

"We only gave back what we received, so do not say such things. We pray your journey continues safely."

Hwi bowed respectfully to Cheongseon and Hongro. Soon the two mounted their horses and set off down the road. The parting felt regretful and sad, but the memories of one day would leave deep traces in their hearts for a long time to come.

When they had gone quite far, Yunseo briefly stopped and looked back. The cozy house that had sheltered the travelers was no longer visible. Hwi who had been ahead slowed his reins and waited for Yunseo. Yunseo offered Hwi an unfamiliar yet warm form of address.

"Innyeok."

Hwi slowly blinked and tilted his head. Yunseo scattered his shy smile and explained.

"In the palace I cannot call your name, and outside I cannot call you Your Majesty — so I thought something like this might do?"

The form of address the elderly couple used to call each other was filled with affection and respect, and made them look even more like a married couple — which he had secretly envied. Calling Hwi "innyeok" somehow made him feel as though he had become a true adult, which was satisfying.

Hwi, standing with the sun at his back, looked over Yunseo's face and then grinned.

"The way your call pools at the tip of my tongue catches at my heart."

"……"

"Very well, innyeok."

Yunseo's shoulders rose sharply for a moment. Yunseo burst out laughing as though releasing a breath too full, and moved his horse to stand beside Hwi side by side. When Yunseo reached out his hand, Hwi immediately took it. Yunseo swung their joined hands back and forth like a swing and savored the warm sunlight and cool breeze.

* * *

Entering Yeonju, plum trees in full bloom could be seen everywhere. It was said that Yeonju had many plum trees so in spring the scent of plum blossoms filled the air, and that villages called "plum valleys" were numerous — and it was true. Walking down a road where white and red plum blossoms mingled, he could not help but think that if there were such a thing as paradise, it might look like this.

Above all, Hwi looked so mysterious and elegant amidst this scenery that his eyes kept drifting to him. As he kept stealing glances, Hwi must have felt the gaze for his eyes reached Yunseo.

"Why do you sneak looks like that. I am yours, so look all you like."

"……But if you say that, I cannot look at all."

When he grumbled for no reason, Hwi gave a low laugh and came closer to Yunseo's side.

"Are you looking forward to it?"

"Yes. Seeing so many plum blossoms keeps making me excited."

In Yeonju, a festival was held for seven days during the peak of the plum blossoms. Many people had gathered in Yeonju to enjoy the festival, and since Yunseo had timed his arrival to coincide with it, his anticipation was great at the thought of watching the festivities.

"Innyeok, you said you have never enjoyed a festival either?"

"Yes. This is a first for me as well."

The fact that it was a first for both Hwi and himself elevated Yunseo's mood even further. When Yunseo smiled inwardly, Hwi pinched his cheek gently.

They moved a little further and arrived at the town where the Hwasicheong was located. Just as they were entering the outskirts, a man could be seen running toward them from a distance. From his movements and clothing, he was a Yongrin. Though they had sent word ahead of their arrival, they had asked not to be greeted in welcome — but apparently he simply could not let the Emperor and Empress's visit go unmarked.

The Yongrin of this Hwasicheong were a man and a woman. Their names were Gyeongmu and Yangso, if he recalled. Just as he was silently reciting their names, Gyeongmu, who had approached in an instant, went to his knees. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Hwi raised his hand.

"Unless you intend to loudly announce my presence here, stop that."

Gyeongmu quickly shut his mouth and stood up. Then he bowed toward Hwi and Yunseo.

"It is an honor to receive you here. Was the journey comfortable?"

"The scenery nearby was lovely, so we took our time and enjoyed it."

"The spring scenery of Yeonju is the pride of the Realm. It seems the plum blossoms of Yeonju have bloomed all the more brilliantly to see you both. Ha ha!"

Yunseo bit back a smile at the stark contrast between the bright-faced Gyeongmu and the indifferent Hwi. When Hwi moved a finger on the hand holding the reins, Gyeongmu immediately turned around saying he would guide them. Gyeongmu's retreating figure somehow seemed to be humming.

"He is cheerful and unintimidated even before innyeok."

Normally most Yongrin dealt with Hwi with a certain degree of military bearing, but Gyeongmu, while not undisciplined, looked a little freer.

"These ones are like untethered colts. It is fortunate the Yeongchunhwa has a firm grip on their reins."

He had heard about the Yeongchunhwa deployed here. It was someone he had wanted to meet once, and hearing Hwi's words made him look forward to meeting that person even more.

When they arrived at Hwasicheong, a servant took the horses. Whether it was thanks to the advance notice, no one was excessively welcoming or bowing in greeting. Probably the servants employed at Hwasicheong would not know the identity of the two of them.

For Yunseo, who was visiting a Hwasicheong for the first time, Gyeongmu introduced various parts of it. It was smaller and more enclosed than a government office, but as only a small number of people resided there, it felt cozy and full of the feeling of people living.

"This is the office space."

In the office, the last place they stopped, were Yangso the Yongrin, one imperial guard, and the Yeongchunhwa Son Uk. As they exchanged brief greetings, Yunseo looked back and forth at Yangso and Son Uk.

Yangso, who had the corners of his mouth pulled all the way up, appeared bright and cheerful similar to Gyeongmu. Son Uk, standing beside him, was a tall but thin man with a somewhat sharp face — the way he had his hair, not twisted up but roughly tied in one, was memorable. Given that his hair was not long either, it seemed it had been chopped off bluntly.

"It is truly good to meet you. I ask for your guidance during our stay."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After a brief exchange with Son Uk, Yunseo turned to look at Hwi. Hwi nodded and went outside with the Yongrin.