Page 28 of Gumiho Kiss
“So, you saved Young Master Kang’s life.”
Hyun Soo rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable when she put it that way.“I was just doing my job, and I wasn’t acting alone.Even so, Kang Dol Sam felt indebted to me, and the two of us quickly became friends after that.You couldn’t have wished for a better man to marry.”
Dol Sam had more than made up for what Hyun Soo had done by standing beside him when no one else would.By all rights, Dol Sam should have abandoned him when he’d been suspected of espionage.Instead, he’d refused to believe Hyun Soo capable of such a grievous crime, even after he’d been tried and convicted.
“It sounds like he would say the same thing about you.You’re a hero,” Lady Lee pointed out.
Hyun Soo shook his head.“I’m far from a hero.”He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.
A hero wouldn’t be estranged from his father.He would have proven his innocence instead of giving up.
Dol Sam’s words came back to him:“There was nothing else you could have done.If your father can’t see the good person you are, that’s his own problem.Your conduct was completely honorable.I’ve only known you for a short time, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that you were framed.”
He appreciated his friend’s support, but Hyun Soo’s discharge hadn’t affected the Kangs’ family name.It had affected the Parks’.
“Don’t devalue yourself, Mr.Park.”Lady Lee was firm, gaze unwavering.“When I was in danger, you jumped in to save me, too, and that was completely on your own.So even if you try to convince me otherwise, I’ll still say you’re a hero.”
“You really believe that?”
“I do.And even though we didn’t start out on the best of terms, I also know you would have done it even if it wasn’t your job.”
“There’s no way you could know that.”
Something flickered in the woman’s eyes, like she was recalling a memory.“Yeh, there is.”
Before Hyun Soo could respond, Lady Lee halted in front of a blacksmith shop.Scythes, knives, hoes, and sickles hung on the wall next to a small stone forge with still-glowing embers.A large water wheel was situated outside, tirelessly revolving to power the blacksmith’s craft.“Stop here for a moment.”
Hyun Soo wrinkled his nose, keeping some distance between himself and the entrance.Of all places, why here?If the family needed tools, surely Pyung Ho could have made the trek.Blacksmiths were cheonmin, not people a noblewoman should be associating with.
“Ahjussi,” Lady Lee called, seemingly unaffected by her slovenly surroundings.
A stinky ahjussi emerged from the back of the shop, clothing in tatters and hammer in hand.His hulking form was reminiscent of a moon bear, with small, sad eyes and a wide, upturned nose.He frowned at Lady Lee before dipping his head in a deep bow.“Agasshi, it’s an honor to have you in my shop, but I’m afraid I’m not ready with your order just yet.”
The noblewoman bowed in return.“That’s not why I’m here.How is young Hee Joo?”
The burly man’s expression softened.“She’s doing as well as can be expected.I’m hoping to be able to get some medicine for her soon, but until then, she has to stay close to home to preserve her strength.Thank you for asking after her.”
She motioned for Hyun Soo to come over.“This is Mr.Park Hyun Soo, my new bodyguard.He has something for you that may help.”
He sidled up on Lady Lee’s right, eyebrows squished together.What was she talking about?He didn’t have any?—
Lady Lee snatched a bag from his hand and passed it to the blacksmith.The man accepted it with a blank look, then his bearded face split into an overwhelmed grin.
“Thank you, agasshi,” he sputtered, tears forming in his eyes.“This will mean so much to my family.”He bowed to her, then Hyun Soo.“Thank you.Thank you both.”
Lady Lee’s lips turned up.“Please give my best to your wife and daughter.”
After the blacksmith had promised to do so, the pair turned to leave, only to be blocked by a troupe of performers and onlookers gathering in the street.Spectators laughed and clapped as men with multicolored robes and long white streamers sang and danced in time with drums and gongs.
Hyun Soo stretched out his arm to keep people from getting too close to his mistress, but the crowd was too big.A man in a straw hat shoved between them, and before Hyun Soo knew it, Lady Lee was lost amidst the unfamiliar faces.
“My lady?Lady Lee!”he cried, head swiveling in all directions.
A hand latched onto his, and when he looked down, there was his mistress, grinning up at him.“It’s all right, Mr.Park.I’m here.”She pointed down a bend.“That direction will take us to my uncle’s school.”
Hyun Soo tried not to notice how warm her hand felt in his as she led him away from the throng.Tried not to think about how happy she’d looked when she’d given that blacksmith rice for his sick daughter.Tried not to remember that cursed dream of her leaning in to kiss him.
But when she finally let go, he gave up trying, unable to shake the disappointment flooding his veins.
