🌹 A Game of Hearts
Qian'ai watched the young nobleman with a mixture of disbelief and amusement, as Seo Ju's latest attempt to win Yun Yuhua's attention failed spectacularly. He sighed dramatically, tilting his head with mock contemplation.
"What a master of failure," he remarked loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Perhaps we should send him to the gibang. The gisaengs might just pay a small fortune just to admire that face. At least someone would find it charming."
Ji-nara bit back a laugh; Ae-shim's giggle burst from behind her sleeve. Seo Ju, however, offered only an inscrutable calm. Yun Yuhua lowered her gaze; Tian Ke's brow creased with quiet concern.
"It's late," Tian Ke said quietly. "You should rest, Yuhua. Ae-shim, you as well."
Both girls nodded, their hanbok skirts swishing as they rose. Yun Yuhua paused, her posture stiff, something unreadable flashing in her eyes before she turned away, her expression unreadable.
Ji-nara lingered, silent, standing beside the boys. Tian Ke's gaze flicked to her briefly, unreadable, as though he had words he wanted to say but couldn't find the right ones. Qian'ai sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You can ask Ae-shim for a room," Qian'ai said to Ji-nara, his eyes briefly meeting his brother's. "But don't expect a farewell from him. His heart is more guarded than a fortress."
Ji-nara nodded, her eyes lingering on Tian Ke. For a fleeting moment, she searched his face—hoping, foolishly, for the smallest sign that he might choose her. But his expression remained implacable, as cold as stone. Her chest tightened, heavy with the weight of his silence.
Without a word, she turned away, her footsteps soft but laden with the weight of everything he would never say.
Tian Ke stood motionless, watching her retreat into the trees. Only when her figure disappeared did his scowl slice through the still air, eyes narrowing on Seo Ju, who wore that maddeningly placid smile.
"To find a lady fair is no crime," Seo Ju remarked lightly, as though teasing a friend.
"To admire beauty is no fault," Tian Ke countered, his voice steady but his eyes like ice. "But to speak of it without sincerity—without heart or honor—is dishonor."
"Such righteousness." Seo Ju tilted his head, amusement dancing on his lips. "One might mistake you for a Confucian scholar. Or is that jealousy I hear, brother-in-law?"
"Do not call me that." Tian Ke's jaw clenched, his words cold and sharp.
"Ah, but you object too strongly for a man indifferent to her." Seo Ju's smile widened, maddening in its ease.
"What do you want from us? Why do you stay in our shadow?" Tian Ke's voice was flat, but suspicion weighed each word.
"Do you mean to toy with her affections? To break her heart for sport?" Qian'ai stepped forward, his eyes unwavering.
"You think me a villain in a tale," Seo Ju chuckled softly, folding his arms. "What reason have I given for distrust?"
"Then give us one to believe otherwise," Tian Ke said, his gaze like a sharpened blade. "Show us you're not here to harm her."
Seo Ju stretched, his smile growing wider as he looked between Tian Ke and Qian'ai. "Look, she's beautiful. I simply want to know her better. But with her overprotective brothers, I couldn't even glance at her without an interrogation." Tian Ke groaned, exasperated.
"Must I silence him myself?" Tian Ke muttered in Ming. Seo Ju chuckled.
Qian'ai shot Seo Ju a glare. "We should just send his body to Ming."
Seo Ju laughed louder.
"Why are you laughing?" Tian Ke asked in Joseon.
"Because I understand every word," Seo Ju answered in flawless Ming. Tian Ke and Qian'ai's glares intensified.
"You take the lower half. I'll handle the upper," Qian'ai declared, his voice sharp with a dangerous humor that matched the tension of the moment. Tian Ke exhaled sharply, frustration flickering across his features as his jaw tightened. Seo Ju's satisfaction was palpable—it was clear the man was testing their limits. Tian Ke gave Qian'ai a quick, almost imperceptible pat on the shoulder, silently signaling him to sit.
"Enough with the games," Tian Ke said, his voice low but steady, carrying a quiet but unmistakable authority. "You're not trustworthy. You're hiding something, and it's obvious you don't view my sister the way a man should look at a woman."
Seo Ju's lips curled into a mocking smile, and a scoff escaped him, laced with amusement.
"An astute observation," he drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. "But you're wrong about one thing: I do look at her as a man looks at a woman…"
The weight of Seo Ju's words hung heavily in the air, thick with implication. Tian Ke's gaze sharpened, his eyes cold as steel, locking onto Seo Ju's calm, self-assured stare. The silence that stretched between them was a palpable thing, more dangerous than any words could have been.
Seo Ju's words were sharp, deliberate, each one a challenge to the fragile peace. The quiet weight of their shared history seemed to press down on Tian Ke, making his thoughts race. He clenched his fists, trying to hold back the surge of frustration rising within him.
He couldn't let Seo Ju see how close to breaking he was. It would show weakness—something Tian Ke could never afford. Every part of him wanted to lash out, but he knew that was exactly what Seo Ju wanted.
And then, like a breath of fresh air, Qian'ai's voice sliced through the suffocating tension. "It's late. He can stay." The simplicity of his suggestion was a balm to Tian Ke's burning irritation, allowing him to exhale, his tension melting away in a single, relieved breath.
Tian Ke sighed as he entered his room, the weight of the evening's words pressing down on him. He reached for his cloak, his mind still tangled in the remnants of the conversation.
Before he could settle, a shadow moved behind him. Two arms wrapped around him from behind, and his body stiffened. A cold jolt of dread swept through him.
"Please... marry me," Ji-nara's voice pierced the stillness, soft but desperate. Tian Ke exhaled, frustration and weariness settling into his chest. He stiffened, turning his head slightly, his voice low yet firm, betraying the inner conflict he couldn't suppress.
"Lady, I cannot do as you wish. Please, release me and return to your chamber."
"No!" Her voice was firm, eyes unwavering. "I won't leave. Not like this... not when I'm—" She faltered, then blurted, "I've left my pride behind… I stand before you with nothing. Not even my dignity."
Tian Ke's face flushed. He hadn't expected her words to strike so sharply. His mind raced for an escape, but there was none. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself, then gently took her hands. His fingers trembled slightly as he moved them behind him.
"Leave," he said again, voice strained but steady. His words were firm, a quiet plea. Yet Ji-nara, undeterred, spun him around, her grip tight with frustration. Before he could respond, his instincts kicked in. He wrapped his cloak around her, the gesture more protective than reproachful.
"Leave," he repeated, his voice rough, but his words brooked no protest. Still, Ji-nara didn't move. He felt the stubborn fire in her presence. With a deep breath, he turned toward the door. "Yuyu!"
Ji-nara's eyes darkened at the sound of her rival's name. Her heart ached, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned sharply and swept out of the room, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"You always cast me aside…" she whispered, her voice breaking as she disappeared into the shadows. As soon as the door shut behind her, Tian Ke reached for the latch, sealing it in haste. His face burned from the memory of what had passed. He exhaled, rubbing his brow, the shame clinging to him like smoke.
"Heavens, help me…" Tian Ke muttered, collapsing onto the bedding with a heavy sigh. He buried his face in his arm, his thoughts scattered and restless. He stared at the ceiling, the shame still clinging like smoke.
The next morning came quietly, and Tian Ke kept a wary eye on the surroundings, searching for any sign of Ji-nara. He moved about awkwardly, hoping to avoid her as much as possible. Qian'ai and Yun Yuhua exchanged glances, their concern for their brother growing.
"Is he well?" Qian'ai whispered, eyeing Tian Ke as he fidgeted with little purpose.
Yun Yuhua shrugged slightly. "I'm not certain. What happened last night?"
Qian'ai shrugged too, offering a casual answer. "Nothing much. We spoke for a while, and then we slept."
Tian Ke fidgeted restlessly, his movements stiff and uneasy, as if trying to evade any direct interaction with the others around him. His discomfort was palpable. In the meantime, Seo Ju remained inside his room, deep in thought. A quiet knock interrupted his solitude.
"Enter…" Seo Ju commanded, his voice smooth but tinged with impatience. Jinji stepped into the room, his footsteps barely audible, and knelt before him.
"Your Highness," Jinji began respectfully, his tone serious. Seo Ju met his gaze, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"Any news?"
Jinji hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I saw Lady Ji-nara leaving the eldest one's room last night. She was in a hurry, her clothes light, but covered by a man's cloak. Her face… was streaked with tears."
Seo Ju's expression shifted from curiosity to irritation as he groaned softly. "I'm asking about my royal grandmother, Jinji… Why would she go in there dressed like that?"
He exhaled sharply, his disappointment settling into a weary sigh. "Truly, the mysteries around here never cease."
Yun Yuhua happened to pass by a room, unaware it was Seo Ju's. Just as she walked past, the door opened. Their eyes met, and her breath hitched. Without a word, she turned and stormed off, heart racing.
Seo Ju grinned, his hand darting out to catch hers. In one smooth motion, he pulled her back toward him, guiding her until her shoulders brushed the wall. She looked up at him, startled, flustered.
"What?" she asked, her voice tight. Seo Ju's smile deepened, his expression pure amusement.
"I asked your brother for your hand in marriage," he said casually, as if the claim didn't carry weight.
"Lies," she muttered, blinking at him in disbelief. Her mind raced—was he serious?
"How so? You saw me naked that night." Seo Ju leaned in slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"I didn't!" Her face burned crimson as she shoved him away. "You truly are impossible!"
Yun Yuhua's frustration finally boiled over. She shoved Seo Ju aside with a sharp motion, storming down the hallway, her face flushed bright red. Behind her, Seo Ju stayed in place, his laughter fading into a soft, fond smile. The faintest pink hue appeared on his cheeks as he muttered under his breath, "Cute."
Flustered, Yun Yuhua spun on her heels and hurried toward Ji-nara's quarters. Her heart raced, and she quickly glanced back, hoping she wouldn't find that insufferable smirk still lingering in the hallway.
"That annoying brat…" she muttered under her breath before knocking on Ji-nara's door.
"Who is it?" came Ji-nara's voice from inside. Yun Yuhua exhaled, trying to regain her composure. She forced a cheerful tone as she responded.
"It's Yun Yuhua. May I have a moment of your time?"
The door creaked open, revealing Ji-nara, still looking sleepy, her hair mussed and her face soft with the remnants of sleep.
"Good morning…" Ji-nara said quietly.
"Good morning!" Yun Yuhua beamed. "There's breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
Ji-nara's eyes widened, and a light pink color crept across her cheeks at the thought of seeing Tian Ke.
"N-no, thank you," she replied, her voice a little flustered as she began to close the door. Yun Yuhua, sensing something was wrong, gently stopped it with her hand.
"Is something the matter? Did something happen with my brother?"
Ji-nara hesitated, her expression shifting. She glanced around nervously before pulling Yun Yuhua inside and shutting the door behind them. Once they were alone, Ji-nara turned toward Yun Yuhua, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"I asked your brother to marry me…" Her voice cracked, and tears began to well in her eyes. "But he looked at me as if I were nothing…"
Yun Yuhua's heart lurched in shock. She hadn't expected this.
"Wait… my brother? Do you really like him?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer. Ji-nara nodded tearfully, unable to meet her eyes.
"He's such a good man… Strong, caring, protective…" She sniffled, wiping her eyes. "But he won't even give me a chance."
Yun Yuhua couldn't help but chuckle softly. Ji-nara looked up, her brow furrowing.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I'm sorry," Yun Yuhua said, still smiling kindly. "But I think you've misunderstood. I think my brother does like you."
Ji-nara blinked in disbelief, her face searching Yun Yuhua's for any hint of teasing.
"You're not joking?" she asked, hesitant.
"Not at all," Yun Yuhua replied, her tone firm. "He's more aware of you than he's ever been of any other woman—aside from me, of course." She added the last part with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood. "He just doesn't know what to do with feelings like that. He's never had the time to think about them properly."
Ji-nara's eyes softened, a glimmer of hope returning to her gaze.
"Really?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Really," Yun Yuhua confirmed. "I think you just need to be patient. The door isn't closed—he just doesn't know how to open it yet."
A small, relieved smile spread across Ji-nara's face, but then her eyes widened in sudden horror. Her face turned crimson as a memory came rushing back.
"Oh no…" she gasped, covering her face with both hands. Yun Yuhua, confused, tilted her head.
"What is it?"
Ji-nara's voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "Last night… I… I snuck into your brother's room, and I wasn't wearing much…"
Yun Yuhua's face instantly went scarlet.
"You—what?!" she stammered, her eyes widening in shock.
The memory of Seo Ju telling her, with no small amount of amusement, that he had been completely unclothed when they first met, rushed into Yun Yuhua's mind. She felt her knees go weak as she processed what Ji-nara had just confessed.
Both girls stood frozen for a moment, staring at each other in disbelief before collapsing onto the bed in mortified silence. Neither of them had the courage to join the others for breakfast that morning.