Page 22 of Gumiho Kiss
But it was a pathetic attempt to hide his true feelings, especially after he’d just defended his betrothed so vehemently.It would devastate Dol Sam if he couldn’t be with Lady Lee; Hyun Soo was certain of it.
And if he was the friend he claimed to be, there was only one thing left to do.How he felt about Lady Lee personally was immaterial.If Dol Sam was sure she was the one for him, far be it from Hyun Soo to oppose him.
“Don’t worry, Dol Sam-ah,” Hyun Soo assured him, “I won’t let anything or anyone get in the way of you and Lady Lee.Be it this vigilante or even your father.You can count on me.”
Dol Sam’s lips lifted into a weak smile.“I hope so.And if there’s anything I can do to help?—”
“Actually, maybe you can.Let me tell you what I’ve found so far....”
Chapter9
The Gamble
“Hold still,” Hae Rim snapped, pulling the bandage tighter around Chin Sun’s middle.
Chin Sun gritted her teeth as she stared at the midmorning sunlight streaming through her window onto the floor.This nurse grew more insufferable by the day.Any leverage Chin Sun had thought she’d had over her as a jungin had disappeared by the nurse’s second visit.In fact, it seemed the tables had completely turned, and now Hae Rim was the one with all the power.
But Chin Sun forced herself to bear it, no matter how acerbic Hae Rim was, for she couldn’t risk the truth of her injuries coming to light.
“There, that should do it.”Hae Rim sat back with a satisfied grin.“You’re healing remarkably fast.I’d say you should be able to move around now, if you feel up for it.”When Chin Sun’s expression brightened, the nurse wagged her finger.“But nothing strenuous.I don’t want you ruining all the progress you’ve made.”
Chin Sun glared.“Are you certain of that?A longer recovery would mean more income for you.”
Hae Rim didn’t respond to the quip and simply packed up her things.“Send for me if you have any more ...issues.”
“Does that mean you’re not coming back?”
“You sound so excited one might almost think you disliked my company.”The nurse’s head didn’t lift, and her tone stayed as flat as ever, and yet ...
Amusement twitched at Chin Sun’s lips, but she concealed it behind a well-placed frown.“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.Thank you for your service.”
When Hae Rim bowed and turned away, Chin Sun could have sworn there was a grin at the edge of the grumpy woman’s mouth.
Once she was gone, Chin Sun practically leaped off her bed mat and retrieved a sheet of paper from her desk.She peered down at it for a moment, then tucked it safely away in her sleeve.All that time on bed rest had allowed her to plan out her next steps accordingly.Now, it was time to execute them.
“Ah In,” she called cheerily.
The young servant bustled into the room with a deep bow.She lifted her head and smiled.“You’re looking well, my lady.What did the nurse say?”
“She said I’m no longer confined to my chambers.”Chin Sun giggled with glee.“Oh, when does Mr.Park take time to rest?I’d love to go out into the city, but I don’t want to interrupt him if he’s asleep.”She spoke nonchalantly, as if she was only mildly curious, but inside, she couldn’t be more invested in the answer.
“He stops working at about midnight and goes back on duty at eight o’ clock, so there's no need to worry about waking him.”
“Wonderful.Then would you call him?I’d like to buy some fabric for new curtains.”
Ah In’s eyebrows knit together.“I’m afraid Mr.Park isn’t here at the moment.”
Chin Sun blinked.“What?Not here?Where else would he be?”
“Ever since you took ill, he’s been scouring the city for information about”—Ah In dropped her volume to a whisper—“Gwishin.”
Chin Sun took a deep breath.This man just didn’t know when to stop.Wasn’t it enough that he’d almost killed her and stolen her bead?She’d been stuck in this room ever since, and instead of waiting patiently at home like a bodyguard should, he was out there, trying to find her so he could make sure she was dead.
“Oh.”She spoke through her teeth.“Howthoughtfulof him.”
Ah In shivered.“My lady?Are you sure you’re all right?You seem ...tense.”
Chin Sun threw back her head and laughed, a sharp, frustrated sound.“I don’t know why you’d think so.I’m feeling better than I have in days.”She wandered over to the window and peered at the lily pond in the courtyard.Sang Mi was taking a stroll out there, as her cousin often did in the mornings.“I suppose I’ll go see Sang Mi instead.Perhaps she has some extra fabric I can use.”
