Daldal: Main story

Chapter 19

The echo of hooves striking the ground shattered Chae Ga-won's peace, a tumultuous disruption signifying the owner's departure.

The disturbance reached the main courtyard.

Within the master bedroom, a hill-like lump under the blanket wriggled. Suddenly, it sprung up, revealing Eun-oh.

"Haah!"

Eun-oh shot up, inhaling sharply as if catching the air by surprise. At the same time, the heat trapped inside the blanket spreads out in all directions. The blanket was so thick that it was not only warm but very hot.

With blurry pupils, Eun-oh groped around the empty space with vacant eyes. After lingering in that state, he absentmindedly scratched his sweat-drenched neck, blinking.

Natural sunlight, not the artificial glow of lamps, illuminated the room. Realizing that the dreary dawn had passed, Eun-oh felt the warmth of the new day settling in.

It's challenging to estimate the exact time, but judging by the brightness outside, it's likely close to or past noon.

Completely freeing himself from the blanket, Eun-oh stood up and stretched. As his stiff body loosened, a creaking sound echoed.
The loosened ties of his loosely hanging robe opened widely as he lowered his arms, a moment for adjusting his appearance.

The door creaked open, and someone entered. Eun-oh tensed momentarily, thinking it might be the Young master. However, the newcomer wasn't the Young master.

"Oh, you're awake."

The face of this beautiful person with a kind expression was familiar. Eun-oh quickly remembered the other person's name.

Kang hee.

"I was worried since you couldn't get up. Thought you might be unwell."

His words were as kind as his expression. Was he concerned about me? Feeling a bit ashamed, Eun-oh blushed and sniffled. It was the first time he heard such caring words since his mother passed away

"I'm not sick, just tired... stayed up late last night."

It was only around dawn that he managed to fall asleep after being awake most of the day. No wonder. After sleeping so deeply and waking up late in the evening, it was inevitable that he stayed up late again.

So, he spent some time admiring the sleeping face of the Young master until the lamp went out. Then, he found himself trapped in the silent emptiness. Somehow, he fell asleep without realizing it, and now he was awake.

"Got it. Feeling better now?"

"Yes!"

Eun-oh vigorously nodded. Thanks to the excessive but well-deserved rest and food over the past two days, he felt light and refreshed.

"Good. Then it's time to go back."

"Go back?"

"Yeah, you need to return to the outer courtyard."

Confused for a moment by Kang-hee's words, Eun-oh soon nodded. Staying at the main house for two days unintentionally, he was reminded that his actual place was in the outer courtyard.

"Well then, I should say goodbye to the Young master..."

"No need. The Young master just went on a trip. Won't be back for a few days."

"Oh..."

Eun-oh let out a helpless exclamation.

If he went back to the outer courtyard now, there would be no more encounters with the cold Young master. Strangely, that made him somewhat disappointed. Despite the unexpected two days of rest and comfort, he might not have had a chance to express sufficient gratitude. Feeling uneasy about returning like this, Eun-oh fidgeted with the robe ties, mumbling.