Thief of Twilight

Part Two: Chapter 69

I found myself wandering around the villa again. I've taken up a little routine to fill my days. I wake up, bathe and eat breakfast. Then I go for a little walk. Sometimes I bring my sketchbook and charcoal sticks. Sometimes I don't.

I rounded a corner before heading to the garden. For some reason, I find myself drawn to that area of the villa. I'm not sure what it is but I can't seem to stay away. Walking past a pair of open doors, I saw Ha-yun standing in front of Lady Gim.

"How are your lessons going?" Lady Gim asked.

"Th-They are going w-well..." Ha-yun responded.

"Is that so?"

I hid behind the door and peeked through the window.

"Ha-yun." Lady Gim pinched the bridge of her nose. "You are my only child. And you are a woman. I want you to become head of the family but I need to know that you can fulfill your duties. I need to know that you are confident and can do whatever is necessary to keep our bloodline strong. If you cannot do that, then how am I to entrust the family's future to you? I don't want to look to someone else, let alone a member of the branch family. I want Gim to hold onto this villa and this land. Not another." Lady Gim held her pipe to her lips. "Do you understand?"

Ha-yun slowly nodded her head. "Y-Yes, I understand..."

"Good.

I hurried around the corner before Lady Gim could step outside. I don't want her to see me. She might think that I was eavesdropping. Even though I was, I don't want her to know that. After a few moments, I walked past the room and saw Ha-yun standing alone. I guess Lady Gim went to her study like she always does to handle any family affairs. I know Ha-yun is her daughter but she didn't have to say it like that. Ha-yun is incredibly sweet. To have that weight being forced onto your shoulders like that...

I'm not sure what I could say that would make her feel better. She looks so sad after hearing her mother's harsh words. Maybe I'll invite her to my room tonight. We can have dinner together and I can cheer her up. I walked around the villa until I reached the front gate. I stepped just a few feet off of the property before turning to the stone wall. Holding up my hands, I used my fingers to frame the space before me. The front gate to the villa is very beautiful. Even though it is a large pair of wooden doors, the gold etchings were definitely done by a seasoned craftsman.

"What are you doing out here?"

I spun around to see Yohan walking up the stone path.

"You should be inside the villa."

"I just wanted to see the wall." I said. "I wanted to take another look at the door. I was thinking of sketching it."

Yohan looked up at the door. "Would you like for me to bring your paint and brushes? Or colored charcoal?"

"No, not really." I said. "It's okay. Were you able to finish your work today?"

"Yes." he wrapped his arms around me before leaning in.

"W-Wait! You can't! What about the rule!" I looked around to see if anyone was nearby.

"We are not on the property. I can kiss you." he leaned in to gently kiss me.

"But last time...we went so far away..."

"I didn't know if I would be able to control myself that time." he kissed my forehead. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes." I turned back to the wall. "Oh, will you come with me to the village tomorrow? I want to see Hyemi."

"I have a meeting with Lord Shu tomorrow. But I will send one of the Black Wolves to accompany you."