𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐋𝐄 ♕ 𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐊

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

The last time Gaeun had seen Hyun Seok was a few days before the Queensguard captured and burned her student on a stake in the Middle District. That had been nearly two years ago. The Dowager liked to do as she pleased in the absence of her son, the King of Yeol. And so, she had ordered for Gaeun to be locked up in the Citadel for the 'tantrum' she had thrown in the Market Square and for endangering the citizens by nearly letting her powers loose.

Gaeun never knew what became of her ten-year-old student's corpse after that. The guards patrolling her prison of gold said nothing to her. No ravens from the rookery flew to her high window. Meagre meals had been slid into her chambers at precise timings. But Gaeun had no way of contacting her family or her friends. She didn't know that the team of Masks she had been a part of had taken on a mission without her or Seok. She had only been allowed to leave the Citadel of Embers a few weeks later to attend their funeral.

Seok found out about the ordeal months later, after Gaeun had fled from Yeol in the night, prompting her father and brothers to follow her till Daeho. But Seok had been sensitive enough to not bring up anything that had happened. He didn't breathe a word about Subin or Kota or Mako or Sana. Or their captain, Ren. Or how much the House of Serpent loathed Gaeun.

Because in spite of their line of work, and despite her past, Min Gaeun had never handled death well.

So he embraced her, over and over again, to make up for the time they missed together. He told her about his travels and their mutual friend Haneul's travels and then dozed off at the table.

Gaeun laughed to herself as she stood up to adjust his beloved quilt over his shoulders. All of the Academy and the Teukjeondae knew that Hyun Seok loved to sleep and managed to conk off at the oddest of places.

"He must be tired," she said to herself, wearing a fond smile, "He's not used to so much excitement to begin with anyway." She shut the windows of the infirmary room to keep the cold wind out and let her friend rest, leaving to look for Madam Kim.

When her search for the stewardess led her to the balcony overlooking the bamboo forest, Gaeun found Wook pressed against the wall while Mu Deok pulled open his overcoat and undid his belt.

"This isn't why I bought you—" Wook was sweating from panic before his eyes landed on Gaeun who seemed more interested in the ginseng tea on the table. "G-G-Gaeun! Wife!" His voice cracked as he suddenly found the strength to push Mu Deok off him. He laughed nervously, pointing at the maid, "This isn't—it wasn't what it—"

"That doesn't bother me," Gaeun replied offhandedly as she peered into the teapot, "Did you drink from this? Hyunseok-ie doesn't like leftovers."

"Hyunseokie—?" He fumbled before frowning, "Hey, that's for Mu Deok and me. We're the recovering ones."

"Don't be silly. Look at yourselves. You two are fine now."

Wook gasped in offence, sharing a look with Mu Deok. "Maidservant Kim won't let you—"

Already carrying the tray of tea and snacks, Gaeun began to leave, "She will when I tell her who it's for. Don't worry. She already knows about me and him."

"What about you and him—?"

"Lady Gaeun!" Mu Deok exclaimed to stop her from leaving, "What do you know about breathing techniques?"

She hummed in thought, "I don't know much about the techniques in Daeho since mages in Yeol have a different energy system."

The maid narrowed her eyes in disbelief. It seemed nobody had told her. "You're from Yeol?"