Page 21 of Gumiho Kiss
“Dol Sam-ah, I know you told me I should come see you when I got the chance.I’ve just been busy.”
“Clearly,” was the yangban’s dry response, but the crinkle at the corners of his eyes revealed he was only jesting.
Hyun Soo ran a hand down his face.“Stopping Gwishin has proven more ...difficult than I anticipated.”
Dol Sam nodded sympathetically before calling the innkeeper over to ask for some stew and a second bottle of soju.Once she’d brought him his meal, he took a swig of alcohol before asking, “Have you found any leads at all?Any clue as to where he might be hiding?”
Hyun Soo glared at the innkeeper, who was overtly eavesdropping a few tables over.She huffed and stomped off to another table, but still, Hyun Soo kept his voice hushed.“Actually, I met him a few nights ago.”
Dol Sam slammed his bowl down, catching everyone’s attention and sloshing so much liquid onto the floor that the innkeeper hissed in disapproval.“Where?Where did you see him?”Gone was Dol Sam’s teasing tone, replaced by a fierce urgency that bordered on hysteria.
“Calm down.”Hyun Soo grabbed his arm, surprised at the man’s visceral reaction.Hadn’t he not even blinked when he’d been under an assassin’s knife three years ago?“Do you want to get us kicked out?”
“Sorry.”Dol Sam waved to the innkeeper and apologized again, dipping his head a few times until the woman seemed reasonably placated.He turned back to Hyun Soo.“Please tell me what happened.”
“I ran into him just outside the Lee residence a few nights ago.I fought him, injuring him just below the ribs, but the coward escaped into the woods.”
“You hurt him, but he still got away?Gwishin must be slipperier than I thought.”
Guilt weighed heavily on Hyun Soo’s heart.His friend had entrusted him with his betrothed’s safety, yet with Gwishin still out there, he wasn’t able to guarantee it.“I’m sorry, Dol Sam-ah.I wish I had better news to tell you.”
The two fell into silence, the only sound between them the slurping of janggukbap.Finally, Hyun Soo ventured, “About Lady Lee, are you sure she’s the right woman for you?From what I’ve seen, she’s—” He broke off at the dark look on his friend’s face, then tried again.“I just don’t think the two of you are a good fit.”
“And you figured this out after only knowing her for a few days?”
Hyun Soo didn’t miss the sharp undercurrent in Dol Sam’s voice warning him not to discuss the matter further, but Hyun Soo wasn’t going to let it go that easily.No matter how much Dol Sam liked Lady Lee, he didn’t want his friend making a mistake.The noblewoman was argumentative, moody, and deceptive.She may be beautiful and good at managing her household, but Dol Sam needed someone who would support him, not question his decisions at every turn.“I can’t say anything for certain, but she seems very different from the woman you made her out to be.”
Dol Sam crossed his arms.“After everything we’ve been through together, I thought you of all people would understand and be on my side.But you’re just like everyone else, looking down on her because she’s jungin.”
The jab stung, but Hyun Soo forced his pride down.“Iamon your side.It’s not because she’s jungin.”
“Then you don’t like that she’s an orphan?She had no choice in that.The Lees raised her as their own, and Lord Lee is perfectly respectable.”
Hyun Soo held up his hand.“Please, you’ve got it all wrong.I’m not against Lady Lee because of anything like that.”
“But you are against her.”It wasn’t a question, and though Dol Sam hadn’t raised his voice, there was no mistaking the anger simmering within the young yangban.If Hyun Soo didn’t calm him down soon, this conversation might turn into a full-fledged argument.
“I’m just worried about you.”
Dol Sam sighed, some of the fire leaving his eyes, and took a bite of stew.“Well, you don’t need to.I know what I’m doing.I’ve known the Lees for years, and Lady Lee is everything a man could wish for.”
You may have known her family for years, but how much have you actually spoken to her?Hyun Soo wanted to ask, but he held back, knowing that question wouldn’t help anything.Perhaps a different approach would be better.
“What do your parents think of her?”
Dol Sam didn’t respond at first—a bad sign—and then he said, “Mother is very happy for me.”
“And your father?”
“He’s ...he’s not opposed to the Lees, but they’re not his first choice,” Dol Sam admitted.“That’s why it’s so important you stop Gwishin, and soon.Father doesn’t want me anywhere near the Lees until the vigilante is no longer a threat.He’s even suggested moving somewhere safer.”
“Moving?But what about your wedding?”
The stricken expression on his friend’s face was answer enough.
Compassion welled up in Hyun Soo’s chest.He may not like Lady Lee, but he didn’t want to see his friend hurting.“Doesn’t he know how much you care for Lady Lee?”
“That hardly matters to him.Connections are what’s important.The Lees are wealthy and respectable, but there are plenty of other families who fit that description.Plenty ofyangbanfamilies who would love the chance to form ties with my father.”Dol Sam fixed his attention on his food, lip quivering like he was holding back how much it bothered him.
