Chaotic Nights (Wild Night)

CHAPTER 13

After he finished eating the food prepared, Ji Hak opened the window, and lit a cigarette. Then, while staring in the direction of the gentle breeze, he closed his eyes.

He exhaled the smoke, smiling coldly at all the scent carried by the wind.

'They said there were seven bodies, so why didn't they try to hide the smell?'

After clearing the table, the girl immediately took out a book and began to read. He had read the book enough to memorize most of the sentences, but the words coming out of her mouth were strangely unfamiliar.

It was surprising she wasn't a woman of status because not only could she read and write, but she was also fluent in a foreign language that was difficult to learn and not well known.

If she had been born into a family with power, he thought, he may have met her in the palace instead of here.

'The royal family's marriages are arranged at the age of nine, so maybe...'

Ji Hak recalled the tiny, fragile Crown Princess who passed away before she had the chance to hold his hand. His daring and smart young fiancée couldn't endure the prison-like life in the palace and lost her life due to a lung disease.

Ji Hak smiled cruelly.

It is rather fortunate that she fell ill and died young. If she, the daughter of the manufacturer, had not died, he would have killed her with his own hands.

"Stop."
At Ji Hak's words, Eun Ha, who was leaning close enough to the book that her nose was nearly touching the book, raised her head.

"If you don't like this part..."

"No."
Ji Hak casually flicked the ashes from his cigarette and nodded in the direction of the door.

"Come in, Yul Jae. Eun Ha, you should go and rest."
"Right now?"

'It's only one o'clock?'

Eun Ha stood up with a puzzled expression. She thought he would have her reading all night.

"I can't just make you read without filling your stomach. Right?"

Dazed, she parted her lips at his words, then hugged her stomach, her cheeks blushing.

"Oh, did you hear that? I tried not to make a sound, but it didn't work out the way I wanted."
"What?"
"Well, it's..."
"Are you talking about the rare sound of your stomach growling?"

Like a flower blooming, Eun Ha's cheeks turned even redder at his teasing question. Ji Hak's mouth went dry as he watched the blush travel down to the back of her hands. She couldn't help but be curious and intrigued.

After the Crown Princess died, all kinds of women were selected and pushed into his palace. Even though they had the backing of fairly famous families, they were women of virtue, who wanted to become the Queen of the royal palace and knew how to conduct themselves. Their behavior was obvious and very boring.

That made the girl in front of Ji Hak all the more interesting and entertaining. Although he knew everything about her, he couldn't tell what she was thinking. It was shameful for her to create a situation where he had to take care of her.

"It's a joke. I didn't hear anything, so go back to your room and eat."

"After I eat, I will return to tidy up your room. If you need bedside assistance, please let us know. I will bring the book."

"A bed attendant? Ha, Are you going to put me to bed?" Ji Hak asked in amazement.

Unaware of the issue, Eun Ha smiled shyly and glanced down at the book in her arms.