Daldal: Main story

Chapter 12

"Kang-hee! Hey, Kang-hee!"

At the boisterous call, Kang-hee lifted his head. The one who had burst into the quarters with the door wide open was none other than the maid, Seo Hwa. She had hurried in unannounced, her face flushed red, and even her breath seemed forced. Her abrupt entrance conveyed a sense of urgency. Observing the scene, Kang-hee queried with irritation evident in his delicate and pretty face.

"What's going on? Why the disturbance?"

It was a reasonable situation, considering he was handling the Young Master's fabric. To remove the wrinkles formed while doing the laundry, a heated iron was used. This iron was inherently hot, and if not handled carefully, it could easily burn the clothes. It required considerable caution. Yet, such a commotion at a time like this was unexpected. If he had been startled and dropped the iron, there might have been holes in the fine silk, which couldn't be replaced even with a year's worth of earnings. Seo-hwa paid no heed to Kang-hee's annoyance and waved her hand as she gasped.

"There was a lot of chaos outside!"

"Chaos, you say?"

"Well, Young Master!"

The urgency in Seo Hwa's demeanor was palpable. Kang-hee, placing the iron he had been holding back into the stove, demanded a thorough explanation.

"What, Young Master?"

"Phew." Seo Hwa took a deep breath, placing her hand over her chest. After exhaling a lungful of air, she composed herself and continued in a calm but unfinished tone.

"Young Master is summoning everyone from the outer courtyard and reprimanding them. The atmosphere is anything but ordinary."

"Why... all of a sudden? What happened?"

"I don't know the details, but, you know, that boy brought in by the Young Master after the hunting trip."

The vague yet certain reference made it clear to Kang-hee who Seo Hwa was talking about.

"Why is that kid here?"

"Young Master didn't call for him?"

"He didn't call him. Can you believe it? Just like this!" As Seo Hwa spoke, she gestured with her arms, forming a rounded shape against her side, as if carrying a basket.

"I heard Young Master came in with him by his side like this?"

"What?"

In an instant, Kang-hee's expression turned cold.

By the time Kang-hee and Seo Hwa arrived in the courtyard, the commotion had already erupted.

"...!"

What first caught the eye were faintly piled snow and gradually falling bloodstains. Following the blood led to a large body sprawled on the ground.

Mouth agape, dead—a corpse. Even the eyeballs were gouged out, tears of blood streaming down like tears.

And another one, Mr. Cho. The elderly head slave from the outer courtyard lay sprawled on the ground, emitting groans of pain. His life clung precariously, but one arm hung unnaturally limp, heavily drenched in blood.

"Oh my goodness."

Seo Hwa, standing behind Kang-hee, stifled a groan with her hand over her mouth. The ground was entirely covered in blood. The stench of blood was overwhelming. It looked like a hellish hunt spread across the yard.

Even the most casual observer could tell who the perpetrator was—aside from the Young Master, was there anyone else?

Despite the chaos, Young Master was silent.
No one among the slaves made a sound. Not a single breath was comfortably exhaled. It was all due to the Young Master, who disliked noise.

Kang-hee's gaze, after sifting through the bloody chaos, soon fell upon the Young Master's broad back. The Young Master, still wearing the robe Kang-hee had carefully chosen this morning, sat casually.

After a while.

"Haha...!"

Kang-hee could not believe his ears.

It was laughter – the Young Master's laughter.

That's why it seemed unbelievable.

Kang-hee, who had served him very closely as a personal servant, knew better than anyone how rare it was for the Young Master to laugh. Despite often twisting his lips with a sarcastic intent, he had never laughed so openly.

The hearty laughter continued for a while, then abruptly stopped. With laughter ceased, Chae Yoon-sa tilted his head and muttered something. Even in that small sound, there was a hint of laughter.

Kang-hee, who was upset, bit his lip.

Whatever the reason for the laughter, the Young Master's unfamiliar joy did not sit well with him.

Subsequently, Chae Yoon-sa rose to his feet and gestured into the air. When he intended to indicate something below, he often used gestures rather than words, signifying anyone should crawl over. Before anyone else could respond to his call, Kang-hee swiftly approached.

"Yes, Young Master. Kang-hee is here."

Kang-hee greeted with a cheerful smile. Each time he responded to the Young Master's call, he made sure to mention his name, hoping it would be recorded at least in Young Master indifferent subconscious. Originally, to Chae Yoon-sa, a slave was just a slave. He neither distinguished nor differentiated. He was indifferent to people in that way.

Chae Yoon-sa cast a gaze at Kang-hee. In response, Kang-hee instinctively tensed, squeezing his throat.

"Take him and have him cleaned up"

Chae Yoon-sa ordered, the subject left unspoken, but there was no problem understanding. Kang-hee glanced at the boy sitting behind the Young Master.

"Yes, Young Master."

"To room."

"Yes. ...Yes?"

For servant, regardless of the Young Master's words, they must always obey. That made things easier. Thus, Kang-hee responded habitually 'Yes, Young Master' As always.
However, this time, he was momentarily shocked and questioned.

To send him to the room – could it be the Young Master's private room? Kang-hee was brimming with questions as he gazed at the Young Master. However, under the cold glare of the Young Master, his head quickly bowed.

"I apologize, Young Master. I will do as you ordered."

The Young Master not only disliked slow responses but also detested being questioned. It was considered a prelude to deceit. Therefore, Kang-hee's mistake was a clear violation. Trying to rectify his error, he quickly lowered his head and apologized.

Chae Yoon-sa didn't comment on Kang-hee's mistake. Instead, he seemed completely indifferent, displaying no thoughts or interest.
He swiftly withdrew his attention from Kang-hee and ascended the stairs with a deliberate pace. Once he disappeared into the main court, the tension that had frozen the servants began to thaw, and various sounds erupted.

Someone sighed, another person gasped, and yet another started retching. Even from Mr. Cho and the girl, who had been suppressing their sounds, intense cries began to emerge.

Kang-hee looked down at the trembling boy who was whimpering softly. Quite literally, the boy's appearance was a mess. Tears streamed down his face, creating a disarray, and below, urine flowed uncontrollably, creating another mess. Amidst the dampness, an unpleasant odor wafted up. Grimacing at the unpleasant smell, Kang-hee covered his nose with the back of his hand.

Observing the frightened boy in silence, Kang-hee took a deep breath before opening his eyes. Suppressing the disgust from the lingering smell, he asked, "Can you stand up?"

This question, at least, held a semblance of kindness.