Son Uk offered a seat and Yunseo sat facing him. He was wearing a fur skin draped over his shoulders even though it was not particularly cold, making his body look even thinner. He had not heard that his health was poor — just as that thought crossed his mind, Son Uk poured him tea.

"It is plum blossom tea. They say Yeonju's plum blossom tea is superb."

"Thank you. It tastes wonderful. By the way, do you feel the cold a great deal?"

"Yes. It is only in early summer that I can take this damn…… cumbersome thing off. There is no issue with my health, so please do not worry."

Did his voice just change slightly for a moment……? Yunseo studied Son Uk's face with interest, which only appeared indifferent and nonchalant at a glance. Even at an initial audience with an authority, there was not a trace of nervousness to be found — those of similar temperaments had gathered together here and it seemed like they would get along well.

"Before coming here, I heard about you. It is said that your contribution to the Yongrin Guard has been great."

Son Uk's guardian star had good compatibility with the majority of Yongrin. There was no one Yongrin particularly well-suited enough to be assigned to him permanently, but because many Yongrin felt at ease when Son Uk treated them, he had been one of the most frequently called upon Yeongchunhwa in Yeonwiwon.

"I only benefited from having an inborn quality that was serviceable."

"Were there no difficulties? There must have been various hardships."

Since there were no small number of court nobles who struggled even with a single Yongrin relationship, he could not help but be concerned when he learned of Son Uk's situation. With so many Yongrin needing him, it would have been difficult to even set that responsibility down for a moment.

At the cautiously offered question, Son Uk scratched the bridge of his nose and briefly showed a hesitating expression.

"May I speak frankly?"

"Of course. Did I not ask for candid opinions? If there are parts you would prefer not be recorded, please say that as well."

"Ah. I do not particularly mind being left in history. It is just that…… well, yes. Then I will speak frankly."

Yunseo nodded happily and picked up his teacup. There was quite a bit of honey in it and the tea was sweet, which suited his taste.

"I am naturally a person of vigorous desires, so I find this work satisfying."

"Pfff……!"

Yunseo, who had almost spat out his tea while swallowing it, burst into a cough. As though anticipating this reaction, Son Uk calmly held out a handkerchief. Yunseo wiped his lips with it and looked at Son Uk with a blank expression before composing himself.

"Is……that so."

"Yes. As Your Majesty knows, I grew up in a family full of civil officials. They are conservative and rigid. I was betrothed to a woman I had no feelings for, and the opportunity to meet other people was not even something I could dream of, when I sprouted and entered the palace. Without needing to consider the world's gaze, I can be held by men and women, and can hold them in turn — is this not a wonderfully free and fortunate position?"

At his frankly admiring attitude, Yunseo scrutinized the man before him with wondering eyes. This was…… to put it plainly, it was the first time he had heard the court noble's perspective on treatment from a sexual standpoint. Normally one would shy away from interpreting the treatment carried out between Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa sexually, but this person seemed not to mind at all.

People think in accordance with what they have experienced. Until now Yunseo had always assumed all court nobles carried a burden and difficulty regarding treatment. But to think there was someone who welcomed it — it was truly fresh and astonishing.

It was fortunate that his inborn qualities and temperament as a Yeongchunhwa were a good match. Yunseo quietly accepted this, but a moment later unable to overcome the rising curiosity, he quietly asked.

"You said you hold them……? Meaning you take a Yongrin in?"

"Yes, that is right."

"That is also…… something that happens?"

"Actually, among ourselves it is not uncommon for us to privately encourage Yongrin to be taken. A Yongrin has no worry of pregnancy, so is it not all the more comfortable and good?"

"……I see. But why privately?"

"In the end they are warriors, are they not. Even men who wield swords are rigid in certain areas."

It seemed as though he half-understood, and Yunseo nodded quietly. He had thought he now knew everything about the physiology of Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa, but learning new things like this once more, he resolved to make even greater effort going forward.

"Although in terms of relationships you are…… free, were there not discomforts in the restricted activities? Given your temperament, it seems it would not have sat well."

"It would be a lie to say there are no regrets. But with money, I can taste the finest delicacies and obtain precious old books. I spend the summer in cool places and the winter in warm ones. I have no great desires and am simple, so I am satisfied with my current life. Out of sympathy for me staying perpetually in the palace with a windfall of work, the senior consort dispatched me to Hwasicheong and I got to see a little of the world. During that great disaster I thought I was going to die right there — but look, I have returned to daily life like this, have I not?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Son Uk's lips. It was the first smile he had shown, and it approached gently and left quite a deep impression.

"However, I know that I am unusual. I could be recorded as a peculiar fellow who existed, but I do not think I can remain in memory as someone who was doing alright among the many court nobles who had to give up many things. Since it happened anyway, I decided to take treatment itself lightly — but Yeongchunhwa and Yongrin who do not feel the same way genuinely exist, so all the more so."

"I understand what you mean."

From Son Uk, who seemed to maintain a consistently languid and pessimistic tone, respect for his colleagues and affection for this work could be glimpsed. After concluding the conversation, it truly felt like a meaningful time had been spent. When Yunseo conveyed words of thanks, Son Uk briefly indicated his humility and then asked.

"May I ask Your Majesty one thing?"

"Of course."

"Is the rumor true that Your Majesty fled before entering the palace?"

A dry cough escaped. Not only was it the first time anyone had posed such a question to him, but he had not expected something that felt so long ago to be brought up like this. When Yunseo was flustered and could not readily give an answer, Son Uk nodded.

"I think it is rather ideal for someone who tried to escape belonging to a group to become its leader."

Son Uk's expression was the same as usual, but the words sounded like praise, and Yunseo replied without thinking.

"Th, thank you."

He seemed to have no idea why he was being thanked, and stared at Yunseo before draining his teacup in one go. Yunseo also brought his teacup to his lips in imitation, and for some reason laughter was about to come out. Yunseo swallowed it along with the tea.

* * *

The place where Hwi and Yunseo were to stay was a small house situated near Hwasicheong. True to its reputation as a town of plum blossoms, there was one plum tree in the rear garden, and the swaying blossoms could be seen through the open window.

Yunseo set down the documents he had finished reviewing and looked past the window. He fell into contemplation, thinking about things that needed to be dealt with after returning to the palace, things he wanted to keep as records, and the road ahead.

When the contemplation was nearing its end, a rustling sound was heard. Hwi was also reviewing documents across from him, but he had more than Yunseo's share and a considerable amount remained.

He quietly rose and leaned over to peek at what Hwi was checking, and Hwi glanced up and playfully raised an eyebrow. Yunseo smiled inwardly and came to his side.

"Shall I help?"

"The thought is appreciated, but I would rather not hand off work even here. I will gather and convey what I want to discuss with you, so how about taking a rest?"

"Then is it alright if I go out alone?"

"……If that is what you want."

The smile was still on his lips, but the brief silence conveyed Hwi's feelings. Yunseo was not unaware of his heart, yet deliberately spoke in a lively voice.

"I plan to go to Yeonju Fortress."

"You know you must take an escort with you."

"Of course."

It was not that he wanted to sightsee alone, nor was he trying to ignore and dismiss Hwi's anxiety. Perhaps Hwi could have set down the documents he was reading right then and followed him. The reason he was not doing so would be out of respect for him.

Yunseo hoped that Hwi would recognize that even if he went out alone, he would return to his side. He looked steadily at Hwi and then took his hand, and Hwi naturally turned his palm over and clasped Yunseo's hand.

Whenever he felt the somewhat cool fingertips, a corner of his chest would tingle. Yunseo made an effort to smile and swung their joined hands.

"I will be back at the right time."

"Yes. I will wait."

Hwi pressed his lips to the back of Yunseo's hand. Yunseo kissed Hwi's forehead and then turned around.

He changed clothes and went outside, and the waiting imperial guard brought a horse. Yunseo mounted and headed for Yeonju Fortress with his escort keeping a distance behind him.

Since the festival was approaching, the city was full of people. An already excited energy was passing back and forth between them. That atmosphere carried over, and Yunseo looked around with a fluttering heart before heading straight toward the market.