I managed to walk around the village without attracting any more attention to myself than I already had, which was almost a miracle in itself. I had just put my little sisters to bed after they almost jumped on me as well since Hana could barely stand they existence. She was a daddy's girl on a whole other level that I have never seen before, and I could only hope that if I had daughters myself, that they wouldn't turn out anything like Seo Hana at all. Thankfully, my twin sisters were a lot more shy compared to her, although it was more likely to Hana bullying them whenever she saw them. My brother Hwan, however, was a much different story in himself. He had always been a troubled baby from the moment he was born and to be honest, I have no idea where he would be if I didn't nearly raise him myself.
"Brother? Brother, are you still here?" "Sleep off your hangover idiot, before I have to clean you up myself and bring you in front of our parents. And if you embarrass yourself in front of father again, then even I cannot save you anymore." "He won't do anything if you are there." "And what makes you think that way?" "Because you're his golden boy and you always have been. He's never beaten you like he has with me." "That's because you intentionally rile him up on purpose, so how do you expect him to react? He is one of the richest men in the entire kingdom, he's given us lives that no other noble person could have ever dreamt of, and here you are on a self-destructive path with your drinking and whoring around. I really wonder what karma our parents have to have a son like you. What? Why are you looking at me like that?" "I thought that you were on my side this whole time, but apparently I was wrong." "What the hell are you talking about? I've been by your side since you were born and you stole mother away from me." "You were always a moody child who hated mother's constant public affections for you, so who took mother away from who?" "Enough, go and bathe and get dressed so we can get today over and done with already. I have a lot of work to do, and its just going to pile up tomorrow…" "..Woe is me, my life is so hard, I am a top scholar with lots of work to do and a pretty hefty salary with noble woman from all corners of the kingdom chasing me, and all I can think of his how to win father's approval even more, blah blah blah…hey! Ouch! Stop hitting me! Hyuk! I'm serious! You know that I can beat you any day of the week old man…" "Who exactly are you calling an old man? Now. Go. And. Take. A. Bath. Before. I. Undress. You. Myself!" "Ok ok! Man, I feel sorry for your future children." "Hwan!" "Don't worry, when you run them into the ground, I will be there to take them from you and raise them myself. The last thing this world needs are smaller versions of you running around. I might even take you wife as well if…OUCH! Ok, I'm getting ready now! Stop throwing things at me, or I'll rat you out to mother and we'll see whose side she takes." "With a brother like you, who needs children? Or even want them?" I managed to mutter under my breath, just as Bo-Geom of all people walked in and almost caught me in an undressed fashion if I didn't turn around just in time to straighten myself out.
"I…I…" "You don't need to explain Hyuk, everyone knows that only your brother could put you in such a state." "I'm sorry about him, he's just…" "Are you forgetting that I also grew up with you guys? I am perfectly aware of his personality." "He just causes so much trouble…and…" "Hyuk?" "Yes" "Take a breather and relax. He really isn't as bad as you think he is." "Are you sure that we are talking about the same person here?" "Hyuk, I have come across all sorts of patients in my lifetime, and I can assure you that illnesses are not the only thing that I notice." "What do you mean?" "A lot of people come with a lot of different personalities with the illnesses that I have to put up with." "So what diagnoses would you give to my brother?" "Insecurity." "Insecurity? Hwan is the most proudest, selfish, and arrogant man I have ever come across, how can someone like that be insecure?" "Because of those reasons exactly." "I do not understand." "If someone has to put on a constant show of who they are, that means that they are really not any of these things at all. I think it is Hwan's way of ensuring that he is loved by everyone around him, most especially you." "Me?" "You have always raised Hyuk yourself, just like how your uncle Hwi raised your mother after they were both orphaned. Isn't it so? You are basically Hwan's substitute father, so he acts up around you the most to get your attention since you are so busy in the palace. You share your father's work ethic but not his methods. Who doesn't remember all of the children in this village running up to Nam Seon-Ho when he was working, sparring or eating? He always made time for everyone no matter what he did. But you lock yourself in a room for hours on end with little food and water, and sometimes you forget to eat at all. No wonder Hwan's behaviour is just getting worse overtime. You should make time for him, ok?" "How do you know all of this? What my work habits are, the food that I eat, and how are you so attentive to me?"
This was the first time in my life that I had seen Bo-Geom blush deeply like she was, and she was barely able to look at me in the eye. As a woman, she was not allowed to be a physician herself unless she decided be an accompanied nurse, which she would never agree to, so she only worked in small villages to help the poor whilst her father had pharmacy branches all over the kingdom now. So I could only spend time with her when I came back to my grandfather's village, although the visits were getting less and less due to my work.
"I…it is not a crime is it? To ask my aunt about the well being of my family? By the way, I have a herbal tonic for you, you must take it after your meals. You're mother tells me that you have digestion issue sometimes because you consume too much meat. And here, have this specific green tea afterwards." "Bo-Geom…" "Oh right, forgive me, I only came over to hand you and your brother your robes that my mother made from the embroidery business. Brown for you and green for Hwan." It was a silent moment, but when our fingers touched as we were exchanging items, I swear that I could feel butterflies in my stomach. I wasn't anything like my father in this aspect at all where he constantly crossed the line and acted like my mother was a possession of his. If I did have any romantic interest in anyone, I would do things properly and slowly and respect the rules of courtship.
"Hyuk? Hyuk! Where did you go? You have been so lost in thought recently every time I see you." "Bo-Geom, can you please spare me a few moments?" "I really should help my mother with the birthday preparations…" "The entire village is helping out with this, Hwan won't throw a tantrum if these is one less person who helps him out at this own birthday." "Are you sure about that?" "Bo-Geom, this is important to me. Please sit down?" "Is something the matter, Hyuk?" "Bo-Geom…we have known each other for our entire lives, right?" "Of course, I was even here when you and your sister were born, I even helped your mother out until she was ok to walk again." "Well…thank you for that, first of all. You really have been a big help to my mother, so much so that my other helped you out with a secret apprenticeship. And…" "And….?" "Bo-Geom, you really are a special woman to me. I really have admired you since my childhood actually and…" "Hyuk, where are you going with this? You know that I am older than you, and that it is not socially acceptable for us to be together." "If my parents can overcome the hurdles they have to be together, then we can do the same. I do not just wish to court you, I want to marry you. I have been waning to ever since I got my first job, to be honest. I just need to know if you feel the same way about me? And not worry about what everyone else thinks. Our parents are close to each other, we have been childhood fiends who still meet up in the city when we can, and I know that you are strong enough to overcome all of the gossip if you have bravely pursued your ambition of becoming a physician inserted of just a nurse. So please, please tell me what you think?" I was trying my best not to sound too desperate, but I was not used to expressing my emotions at all. In fact, this was the very first time that I had expressed myself to any woman before. I really did like her and she always preoccupied my thoughts as soon as she started living with us for a while for her training. She was every bit as kind, patient but firm as my mother was, and they were really close anyways, so there was no better choice of a wife for me than Bo-Geom.
Honestly, once the words were out of my mouth, I couldn't help myself but to breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, I took Bo-Geom by the hand before my brother would come in and ruin the moment and I took her back to the river where a singular cherry blossom tree was currently in bloom. "Hyuk! Everyone can see us! What are you doing…" "I just want to be alone with you for a few minutes, just a few minutes I promise you." "Hyuk?" "Here, let us both sit over here and…" "Hyuk!" "I'm sorry, I broke the rule between men and women being too close. I just got a little bit excited, I guess." "Hyuk…" "I am nothing like my brother Bo-Geom, I am a loyal and faithful man, and I have no intentions of taking in any concubines at all. A man should really have only one woman to begin with…" "Hyuk! Are you going to let me speak at all?" "I'm sorry. Go on." "It's nice to see that you have your own personality." "What do you mean?" "Both your brother and father can be dominant when they want to be, your twin sister can be equally so. But it looks like you have inherited your mother's cool temperament. I guess you are the only one in your family who is like this." "Bo-Geom?" "Honestly Hyuk, I think that everyone around us has been aware of your crush on me for some years now. Even myself." "Aahhh." "You are definitely the most thoughtful boy…man of your entire family. And you take on the most responsibility. You are not a reckless person, you manage your finances quiet well, and you do not have any vices. You are by far the best candidate for a husband for many woman. You could have any young and pretty noble woman on your arm as a wife, are you sure you want someone older like myself? I've not exactly had the best track record when it comes to suitors. In face, I have been far too busy for them." "Are you telling me that you never want to marry then? Because of your work?" "Well, I have been thinking about having a family of my own recently. I just don't want to be forced into it." "So…will you give me a chance?" "Aren't you afraid?" "Of what?" "That if I agree to this, our childhood memories might be replaced by something else?" "Bo-Geom, we are always going to be a family no matter what. But I just want you as part of my family in a different way." "And you are sure that you are alright with how hectic my work can be? Even if I get called in by patient all hours of the night?" "Surely that cannot be comfortable for you?" "Well…I have been thinking of taking on assistants and apprentices…" "I know that I am younger than you, but can you pleas give me a chance? To at least prove myself to you?" "Hmmm….and what if I refused? Would you listen to me and just give up" "I…" "Hyuk? Be honest with me." "Honestly…I don't think I ever could give up. You are the only woman that I have ever wanted in my entire life." "In that case…I have an answer for you. Are you ready?" First she covered my hands with skin that were as soft as cotton despite her profession, and then she left me dumbfounded with a kiss on the lips before she ran away in embarrassment like a little child. That was my first ever kiss, and she took it for herself without my permission. But honestly? This was the first time that I didn't mind at all.