Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

8.The confirmation

The morning sun danced its shadows like untamed petals within the reception room as Eun-soo set down her tea cup.

As Nandi waited for her hostess to settle, her gaze wandered to the outer garden. Chrysanthemums nodded in the breeze—some still proud and vibrant, others beginning to bow their heads, petals browning at the edges. Like many things in noble households, she mused, they were kept well past their natural time.

Eun-soo's eyes followed her glance before returning, a slight shift in her silk skirts betraying her impatience. She cleared her throat delicately. "You've found him then?" Her voice remained measured, though her fingers betrayed her interest as they smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her hanbok.

"I have," Nandi confirmed, accepting the tea a servant offered with a slight nod. The scent of fresh green tea rose between them.

"And?" Eun-soo's eyes lifted to meet Nandi's, curiosity winning over decorum. "Is he as decent as my sister muses?"

Nandi's lips curved slightly, remembering her own encounters with the man in question. "He's... something." She took a deliberate sip of tea, aware of Ji-soo's quiet presence by the door, steady as a shadow.

"Something?" Eun-soo echoed, one eyebrow raising delicately. "That's rather vague, Lady Matchmaker."

"His reputation for ambition seems well-earned," Nandi offered carefully.

A small crease appeared between Eun-soo's brows. "I see. And my sister—"

The sharp sound of footsteps in the courtyard interrupted her words. Moments later, Ji-ah appeared in the doorway, clutching several books to her chest, her study robes slightly disheveled.

"Unnie, I—" She stopped abruptly, eyes widening as she took in the scene. "Lady Matchmaker." She attempted a proper bow, sending one of her books sliding to the floor.

"Mind your manners," Eun-soo murmured, though her tone carried more warmth than rebuke.

Ji-ah retrieved her fallen book and settled onto a cushion, arranging her robes with attempted grace. Her eyes darted between her sister and Nandi, barely containing her curiosity.

"Lady Nandi has news," Eun-soo said simply.

"News?" Ji-ah's voice came out barely above a whisper.

Nandi inclined her head. "The initial inquiries have been... promising." She chose her words with care, watching Ji-ah's cheeks color. "Though of course, such matters require time and proper consideration."

"Of course," Ji-ah echoed, though her fingers twisted in her sleeves. After a moment's hesitation, she added softly, "Did he... that is... was he..."

"He received the proposal with interest," Nandi offered diplomatically, not missing how Ji-ah's shoulders relaxed slightly at her words.

"Well that's good then, though I must rush you off, Lady Nandi." Eun-soo's voice took on an edge of urgency. "My uncle will be visiting today, and I will be leaving to head home. I wouldn't want unplanned run-ins."

"Of course." Nandi rose smoothly, recognizing the subtle dismissal. Such was the dance of noble households—everything precisely timed, even their goodbyes.

Moments later, as the evening air had begun to soften, Ji-soo and Nandi made their way home through streets growing quiet with dusk.

Ji-soo waited until they'd turned onto a less traveled path before speaking. "He doesn't strike me as the marrying kind," she mused, adjusting the document box in her arms. "Your Park Tae-young."

"He's not my anything, other than a fun project." Nandi replied, sidestepping a puddle left from the morning rain. A group of children darted past them, their wooden tops spinning forgotten in their hands as they raced home for supper.