#83
Iobel, who had been casting glances, now burst out in admiration. The expression on his face was as if there were all these people, but when Sehyun shrugged his shoulders, a sigh-filled tone came out.
“Ha, of course not… . Who would mess with a symbol that is no different from the empire’s beliefs? The Lord is a being who conveys the nobility of the race, and of course he should be treated with the respect he deserves… .”
“The Archduke just touched me.”
“W-just?! Oh, let’s stop talking like that! This is such a shame! And it’s possible because it’s the same symbol as the Archduke! I heard that only the Archduke can wash his wings, so what should I do?! No, and if you’re so dissatisfied, why don’t you go to the Archduke and argue with him? Why did you do that to me?”
“Because I’m afraid of the Archduke.”
“… “You know that very well.”
Iobel looked somewhat convinced. It seemed like all the vassals knew how scary Ruhak was.
“What happens if someone touches it?”
“Will the Archduke stay still? “The heroes will be in an uproar.”
“Even though it was a mistake?”
“Ah, ask the Archduke about that. Be prepared to die when you go. Anyway, it would be better not to go somewhere and make fun of your mouth. If you happen to see it, please let me know. Oh, I guess it’s because I don’t have eyes to see.”
“Yes, well… .”
Sehyun just answered appropriately. Just then, Keppel was seen coming out through the wide open door of the weapons refinery, as if he was about to smoke a cigarette. As soon as Iobel saw Keppel, she jumped up like someone who had been caught fooling around.
“Ah, anyway, keep what I say. “I’m busy so I’ll just leave.”
“Yes, please come in.”
“You work too, work!”
“Yes, of course.”
Sehyun saw Iobel off in a relaxed sitting position. Keppel’s gaze could be felt all the way here. Keppel slapped Iobel’s back until it was on fire and then came straight to where Sehyeon was. A heavy body sat on one side of the bench.
“Well, where did your wings go?”
“Because it’s annoying. And it’s so heavy.”
“Heng, if the Archduke catches you, you’ll be scolded like catching a rat, right?”
“I win.”
“Then wipe away your tears. “It’s good even if you don’t look at it.”
Sehyun turned her stretched body over and laid her head on Keppel’s legs. Keppel just put a cigarette in his mouth. Seeing as there was no smell, it seemed like I quite liked the bathhouse that had been expanded next to the weapons smelter.
“I guess you’ve been washing up well lately, Keppel?”
“Heng, my life depends on it, so I have to wash it. “Don’t you know that a high-ranking person over there has threatened to kill you if you don’t wash for even one day?”
“I didn’t know that. Oh, Jeha, are you okay?”
“Hahaha!! Well, then. This guy is so precious, it’s like gold. Where did such a guy come from? I am a very talented person, with persistence and talent, and I am lacking in nothing. Rod, you put in some effort, didn’t you?”
Keppel said with a big smile. He even giggled at the end, and it seemed like he didn’t really like it.
“You’re not just pampering me because I’m good, right? “I think so.”
“What are you going to do without seeing it?”
“I’m going to see you at lunch. “I have somewhere else to stop by now.”
“Oh, then I’ll spare you time for lunch so you can come.”
Keppel’s hand brushed Sehyun’s hair. Perhaps because it was peaceful, the sweeping hand felt pleasant. The touch quickly moved away. As soon as the cigarette-scented hand fell, Sehyun also stood up.
“Smoke in moderation.”
“Oh, yes. What should you do and talk to the mercenaries? Heng, I can’t stop this as long as those guys are around.”
“I will tell you carefully. Oh, Keppel, take this and share it with the other vassals.”
Sehyun took out the dessert she had brought from the banquet hall from her inventory and held out a handful. Keppel looked somewhat fed up, but she didn’t refuse.
“I’m going, smoke a bit and then go in.”
“Well, just be careful while driving. “She shouldn’t go out alone.”
Instead of answering, Sehyun smiled slightly. And then I turned to the lake where Kwak Jeong-han was. It was clear that Ruhak would probably use yesterday’s incident as an excuse to take some action against Kwak Jeong-han. There was also the possibility of considering anything from a no-contact order at a small scale to an order of expulsion at a large scale.
So, I had to take advantage of the heroes’ absence and meet them now. Perhaps because it was a hot day, sweat formed on my back as soon as I walked a few steps. Only when I was out of breath and sweat was beading on the tip of my chin did the cool view of the lake emerge.
As I headed towards the ferry, taking a deep breath of the wind blowing away my sweat, I saw Kwak Jeong-han floating in the middle of the lake, looking the same as yesterday.
“Mr. Kwak Jeong-han.”
When the wind that swept the surface of the water stopped, Kwak Jeong-han turned to Se-hyeon. And he began to approach at a frightening speed, creating long foam. His stocky shoulders with exposed gills and swollen fins fiercely cut through the current.
When Kwak Jeong-han reached the land, he jumped up from the surface of the water and landed on the ferry. He conveyed peace through his breathing that was not disturbed at all and his languid breathing.
Kwak Jeong-han looked more stable than yesterday.
“Are you here, Sehyeon?”
“yes. “How are you feeling today?”
“It has improved a lot. however… Sehyun, your wings… .”
Kwak Jeong-han’s gaze looked over Se-hyeon’s shoulder. A shadow appeared on Kwak Jeong-han’s face as he wondered what he was thinking. Sehyeon turned his body and walked towards the shelter. And he bobbed his head.
“Shall we go and talk?”
“… yes.”
Kwak Jeong-han followed quietly. The rest area was a resting place that Sehyeon created after spending several days thinking about it for his vassals who were engaged in fishing. There was a beautiful tree, and under the tree there were many hammocks where you could take a nap.
“Jeonghan, would you like to sit down here?”
Se-hyeon tapped the side of the long wooden chair and called out Kwak Jeong-han. It was a location with a wide view of the lake. Kwak Jeong-han sat next to Se-hyeon, the wind blowing past his nose.
“Do you have something to say?”
“yes. hmm… You probably won’t be able to see Kwak Jeong-han for a while. “I expect it to be about 15 days.”
“… “It’s because I caused trouble yesterday.”
Sehyun didn’t bother to answer. For the current Kwak Jeong-han, recognition and acceptance were more important than anything else. It was better to let them accept it if possible, even if it was something trivial.
“So, starting tomorrow, Jeonghan, you will have to find your way alone. “But don’t stay in the water too much, I’m worried.”
“… Mr. Sehyeon.”
“yes.”
Huo Jeong-han raised his gaze and looked at the other retainers fishing on boats. The appearance of the vassals engraved in his eyes was extremely ordinary. The vassals classified into the fishing industry were those people. Low-level, weak, auxiliary beings.
Nevertheless, they were confident, proud of their work, and did their best in everything. Even the heroes did not treat them poorly, everything was equal and equal. A place where there are no nobles. This was the state of the empire that Kwak Jeong-han saw while staying here.
Kwak Jeong-han could not do that. He had to live with caution, live with his position, and grade himself. For him, grades were an absolute standard.
However, for the first time, I encountered a contradiction in that standard. Commonly referred to as the weakest. To Kwak Jeong-han, Se-hyeon was a person who was difficult to set standards for.
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A person with completely different principles than oneself. The person named Do Se-hyeon, defined by Kwak Jeong-han, was like that. He was infinitely weak yet strong. Even though he was not straight, his principles had clear reasons and standards.
Maybe that’s why I encountered intolerance every time I saw him. Kwak Jeong-han was a man whose magnanimity was not wide. He was a man of small courage. And he was immature.
So I had a choice. I was able to think about it and look back.
Kwak Jeong-han decided to walk through a life without rails. When those eyes made their decision, Kwak Jeong-han’s wandering also ended. Huo Jeonghan’s mouth slowly dropped.
“me… “Won’t you accept me as your vassal?”
The wind swept the leaves and passed by. Kwak Jeong-han’s eyes landed on Se-hyeon. Kwak Jeong-han went back to the time when we first met. He was a person who had more courage than anyone else and a person who never knew he would break.
“… “Is that Mr. Kwak Jeong-han’s choice?”
“yes.”
The calm answer was solid. There was no longer any hesitation for Kwak Jeong-han.
“regret… You can do it too. Once you become a vassal, you cannot leave. Even if I free him, neither the Archduke nor the heroes will forgive him. Even if you’re not a vassal, just like now… .”
“Mr. Sehyeon.”
“… yes.”
“I am telling you this fully aware of everything. “I know everything.”
Kwak Jeong-han has always been like that. Although he was solid and quiet, he often looked like he was about to cry. He seemed so calm even though he was like this.
“Please accept me as your vassal.”
But, that wasn’t an illusion.
“And give me the same affection as them. I am… “That’s all.”
Kwak Jeong-han said with a faint smile. Not an expectant gaze, not an affection received on the back of success, but affection as it is.
Kwak Jeong-han was hoping for that. He wanted to start life again.
“… Come this way.”
When Se-hyeon stretched out his hand, Kwak Jeong-han stood up. Even though he was right next to her, Kwak Jeong-han knelt in front of Se-hyeon. He knew what the retainers did whenever they saw Sehyeon.
Soon, a thick arm wrapped around Sehyeon’s waist. Hugging her quite strongly, Kwak Jeong-han leaned his head into his dry embrace.
