Page 71 of Gumiho Kiss
Her relationship with Kim Min Joon was slightly less volatile, for she was able to release some of her pent-up anger through sparring, though he also took care in the topics he chose to discuss.Hyun Soo was completely off-limits, as was any talk of Chin Sun’s wedding plans.The goblin threat was a point of contention as well, for there had been no sign of the goblin ahjussi who’d been so bent on stealing her bead since the night of the fire.Min Joon did give her regular updates on the damo Hae Rim, but so far, her only unusual activity was taking leave to visit her ailing sister.
When the Chuseok holiday finally arrived, Na Ri prepared a grand feast that filled everyone’s belly nearly to bursting, but what should have been a cheerful occasion was shrouded in crackling tension.Uncle tried to lighten the mood by asking Chin Sun to play the danso, but she blew into the instrument so forcefully that everyone covered their ears and begged her to stop.She set the danso down with an apology that sounded sincere enough, but Samchon’s sharp hiss made it clear he suspected she’d done it on purpose.
Which was indeed true, for how could she be expected to celebrate when there was nothing to be thankful for?
One evening, Chin Sun received word that Kang Dol Sam wished to present a betrothal gift to her at the bridge, so she asked Uncle for permission to meet him.He agreed with great eagerness, with one condition: Sang Mi had to come along as a chaperone.
The bridge was a popular rendezvous location for young couples because of a group of zelkova trees by the river’s shore.Their saw-shaped leaves turned a burning orange in the fall, and it was said that anyone who declared their love under the trees’ branches was destined to have a happy marriage.Chin Sun didn’t believe in such things, but perhaps Young Master Kang was more superstitious than she was.
Normally, Sang Mi would have been giggling at Chin Sun’s side about how romantic this all was, but today she lagged behind with vacant eyes and shuffling steps.Her skin seemed paler than usual, and Chin Sun almost asked if she’d been eating enough, but she stopped herself at the last second.
She and Sang Mi didn’t have that sort of relationship anymore.She doubted Sang Mi would even give her an honest answer if she asked.Not that Chin Sun blamed her after all the horrible things she’d said.
An apology rose in Chin Sun’s throat, but she swallowed it down.The brokenness between them had been inevitable, and she needed to accept that.Trying to repair it would be like trying to repair shattered glass: useless and likely to cause even more damage.
When the pair arrived at the bridge, Young Master Kang stood directly under one of the zelkova trees, its lush leaves sheltering him in their shade.He kept one arm behind his back, concealing a large item beneath a cloth.His handsome appearance was like something out of a fairytale, his deep sapphire blue robes with silver embroidery reminiscent of those worn by the crown prince himself.Coupled with the fierceness of his gaze and the hard set to his jaw, it was obvious how important this moment was to him.
But as Chin Sun moved toward her betrothed, the man she envisioned was none other than her former bodyguard, his dark eyes teasing.
Chin Sun started, one hand sliding over her mouth as she fought to hold back a gasp.The vision lasted only a second, but in its echo, a deep ache spread through her chest.Kang Dol Sam was thoughtful and generous, but he was no Park Hyun Soo.
She lowered her hand and pulled back her shoulders, determined to follow through with this.She had to marry Kang Dol Sam if she was going to regain any semblance of control in her life.Her heart would get over it.She resumed her approach, stopping directly in front of Young Master Kang with a small grin.
She bowed.“Good morning, nauri.I was told you wanted to see me.”
He bowed in return, first to her, then to Sang Mi, who stood a few paces back, giving them enough privacy not to be overheard.His countenance softened as he turned to Chin Sun.“Indeed, Lady Lee, though ‘wanted’ doesn’t feel like a strong enough word.”
He ducked his head, cheeks going pink, then raised it again, pressing his lips together.“I know this union is something our families arranged, but I believe it’s only right for you to knowIwas the one who brought it up to my father.”
Chin Sun’s brow furrowed.“You did?But ...why?I don’t understand.”
Hurt flashed across his face before he masked it behind a weak smile.“Perhaps this will give you the answer....”He withdrew the item behind his back and slid the cloth off, revealing a beautiful portrait of a noblewoman encircled by flowers.Her.
Chin Sun froze, taking in each intricate detail.From the lovely mugunghwa blossoms and spider lilies, whose delicate petals looked so realistic she nearly reached out to touch them, to the soft curve of her lips, to the folds of the silk chima, everything about the painting was absolutely exquisite.Masterful.
Yet she took no pleasure in it.
For every brushstroke told the same story, one that should have been a warm embrace but instead slammed against her like a cold slap.It was as she’d feared: Kang Dol Sam was in love with her.
Chin Sun peeked up at him, saw the expectant look in his eyes, and turned away.Before she knew what she was doing, she’d stepped over to her cousin and grabbed her hands.
“Sang Mi-yah,” she said helplessly, voice cracking, “what do I do?I don’t want him.”She trembled under the weight of her confession, of her weakness.She couldn’t bear to meet her cousin’s gaze, afraid of the rejection she’d find staring back at her.She’d been so cruel; how could she ask for support now?
But Sang Mi squeezed her hands, drawing Chin Sun’s eyes to hers.And in those inky black depths, there was no judgment, no resentment, only a question.
“Are you asking me what I think you should do?”Sang Mi’s voice shook, not with fear but with hope.
Chin Sun gripped her cousin’s hands tighter, longing coursing through her veins.Had she not lost Sang Mi, after all?
“Yeh, I am.”
Sang Mi smiled, and in that heartbeat, all was restored, their souls knitting together as though they’d never been apart.Chin Sun felt it in the deepest part of her being, the tears welling up in her eyes identical to the ones in Sang Mi’s own.This was her cousin, her sister, and she’d been stupid to think her anger was strong enough to sever the bond they shared.
“I’m sorry, Sang Mi-yah.I’m so sorry,” she whimpered.
Sang Mi stroked her cheek.“I know, Unni.”She withdrew her hand and let out a relieved laugh.“Now, let’s get back to what you were asking before.”
Chin Sun’s stomach sank as she shot a glance at Kang Dol Sam, who was watching them with a patient, puzzled frown.“Yeh.I ...I don’t know if I can go through with this.”
