Chaotic Nights (Wild Night)

CHAPTER 43

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Yuljae took Eunha to the bathroom because her clothes were soaked with snow. She did not feel her feet freezing inside her socks.

She did not know why. Since Eunha was separated from Yongi, she was in a trance all the way, so she didn't notice.

"It was an order from the Lord. You must warm up before you visit him."

Yuljae left a folded garment, then exited the bathroom.

Drops falling from the ceiling echoed in the bathroom like a cave. Eunha took off her clothes amidst the suffocating silence.

When she took off her snow-covered clothes, she felt a tingling in her frozen feet.

She had only visited this place twice before. But it felt like the first time.

She contemplated whether it was really right for her to be in this precious place, but when she remembered what had happened last time, she stepped into the bathtub.

The warm water touched her toes, then her knees, thighs, navel and even her chest in that order. She drew her knees together in the hot water.

'Let's run away, Eunha...'

She wondered why her sister had said that.

The older sister she knew was a kind but strong woman, she remained resolute despite fear. But running away meant she was tired.

They had always lived in Harye. Eunha, who had never considered departing from her hometown, was taken aback when Yongi wept.

"—I will rescue you from the courtesan's house, and afterward, we can lead a regular life in Harye.

"—No. That's not allowed. Eunha... I want to disappear from here. I want to live in a place where no one knows me"

She wanted to live in solitude.

When she tilted her head back to look at the ceiling, there was helplessness in her eyes. When her body warmed up, Eunha got out of the bathtub.

Although she had Jihak's permission, she didn't want to appear shameless.

The clothing Yulje gave her was a red men's sokjeoksam. It was not crafted from a gentle material, so it likely belonged to Jihak.

After wringing out her damp hair, Eunha seated herself before the mirror to comb it. The reflection in the mirror revealed a slender girl dressed in men's attire.

'Why is he so nice to me? Is it because I am an ornament?'

It seemed that he was not blind.

Eunha put down the comb.

She knew it. Although he could open his eyes, he could not see.

When she released the lip she had unconsciously bitten, the scab stuck to the cracked wound falls off and blood seeped into her mouth.

Eunha came out of the bathroom. Her clothes were so big that she looked like a child dressed in adult clothes, but she had no complaints.

When she reached Jihak's quarters, Yuljae opened the door. Again, the window was open. Jihak wore a thick jacket over his shoulders.

His gaze was fixed on the snow-capped mountain.

"Did you get warm?"

"Yes."

"I'll leave the window open today, too. What do you plan to do?"

His dark eyes slowly turned to her. There was a kettle on the stove.

"Do you want me to get on your lap?"

Eunha asked Jihak as she approached him.

He lifted the corner of his mouth.

She positioned herself between his legs. Only then did Jihak embrace her.

"It's nice your warm body."

He buried his lips in her neck.

"Then I'll read the book."

"Yes."

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