Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

15.The Observer

The brush paused in Scholar Kim's hand, a drop of vermillion ink threatening to fall. Madam Jin's breath caught as she watched it hover, bright as fresh blood against white paper.

She shifted on her cushion, unable to stay still under his presence.

She knew that look by now. The one that made her feel like he could see right through her painted face and silk robes, past all her careful pretenses. His hair fell loose past his shoulders today, ink-black against white robes, and she found herself counting his breaths.

"I saw you three nights ago," she said softly, heart racing as she crossed this dangerous line. "In the alley behind the wine shop. With Cho's men."

His brush continued its steady path across paper, ignoring her.

"The way you handled those men... so efficient." Her voice wavered, caught between fear and fascination. "Clean. Like brushing away unwanted ink." She shivered delicately. "You didn't even hesitate. The way you moved..." Her eyes sparkled with dangerous delight as she traced the arc of an imaginary blade through the air. "Like poetry written in blood."

"I needed more red for my paintings." He said almost flatly, gaze never leaving his work.

"Ah? You're a mystery through and through." She watched him work, eyes lingering where his black robe fell open at the throat, betraying hints of muscle beneath scholarly refinement. "I believe more men sent by Lord Cho were searching your room." A practiced pause, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You'd think he had better things to do. I hear his niece is getting engaged to the crown prince's cousin."

Morning light caught the edge of his blade, propped within easy reach beside the inkstone.

"My personal servant kept them quite occupied in the front rooms." She adjusted her robe. "Though I wonder what they hope to find? Letters perhaps..." Her voice dropped. "Trade contracts? Or something more... treasonous?"

"It makes one wonder," she continued into his silence, "what could be so valuable." Her eyes traced the strong lines of his frame, the way his dark hair caught the light.

"The Cho family has always been ambitious."

"Mm." Madam Jin's fingers toyed with her sleeve, an affected gesture that hadn't worked on him in all the weeks she'd known him. "I hear the Cho woman. She's a lovely girl..."

"You've moved again."

"You're ignoring my words. As usual."

"Curious that you'd notice such things. Pity you don't accept defeat."

"I notice many things. Like your visits to the matchmaker's office." She leaned forward slightly. "Three times this week alone."

The brush stilled completely. "Careful, Madam Jin."

"Oh? Have I touched a nerve?" She tilted her head, studying his profile. "It's just... interesting. A scholar of your... talents, spending so much time with a foreign matchmaker." Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "In the beginning I thought it was for something... else?"

The brush stilled. A drop of red fell, staining the pristine paper like a wound.

"Careful," he said softly. "You're straying. Your games amuse me, Madam Jin. Your intelligence serves you well. But mention the matchmaker again, and you'll learn firsthand why Lord Cho's men fear shadows."

"So protective," she whispered. "I didn't realize scholars could be so... passionate about their art."

She observed him a moment longer before raising her hands in mock surrender. Only for a moment.