Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

19. The Watcher

Ji-ah lay back on the worn wooden planks of the pavilion, one arm flung carelessly over her eyes against the late afternoon sun. Her other hand idly twirled a fallen maple leaf by its stem, its edges already starting to curl and brown with autumn's approach.

"Yah!" Eun-soo's scandalized whisper cut through the peaceful quiet. "That is hardly ladylike behavior."

"Who says I'm trying to be ladylike?" Ji-ah didn't bother moving her arm, though her lips curved in a slight smile. The wood was sun-warmed against her back, and she could feel the gentle vibration of temple bells through the planks. Sometimes she wondered if this was what cats felt when they sprawled in patches of sunlight, utterly unconcerned with proper behavior.

"The servants can see you," Eun-soo persisted, though Ji-ah heard the rustle of silk that meant her sister had settled nearby. "What would Mother say?"

"She would say I'm hopeless, as usual." Ji-ah finally shifted her arm enough to peek at her sister. "Though I notice you didn't immediately drag me inside, so perhaps you're becoming a bit hopeless yourself."

Eun-soo's lips twitched despite her attempt at severity. "The heat makes everyone a little mad, I suppose."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, listening to cicadas and the distant sounds of the marketplace. A cart rattled past the outer wall, its vendor calling out the virtues of fresh river fish.

"Where is my brother-in-law these days?" Ji-ah asked carefully, studying the play of light through her maple leaf. "I haven't seen him at the usual family meals."

The silence stretched a heartbeat too long.

"Business," Eun-soo said finally. "He's been busy with... business matters."

Ji-ah lowered her leaf, taking in her sister's too-straight posture, the way her fingers worried at her sleeve's embroidery. "Just business?"

"What else would it be?" But Eun-soo's voice carried a brittle edge that made Ji-ah sit up properly.

"Unnie..." Ji-ah reached for Eun-soo's hand, but her sister pulled away, standing abruptly.

"We should go in. The evening air isn't good for your health."

"Eun-soo—"

"I said we should go in." The words came out sharper than either of them expected.

Ji-ah studied her sister's face, noting the shadows under her eyes, partially hidden by carefully applied powder. The slight tremor in her usually steady hands. The way she wouldn't quite meet Ji-ah's gaze.

"Tell me about Master Park," Ji-ah said instead, deliberately changing the subject. "I hear he's been asking about continuing our meetings."

The annoyance in Eun-soo's shoulders eased slightly. "Yes, he... he seems quite taken with you."

"Does he?" Ji-ah picked up her fallen maple leaf again, twirling it thoughtfully.

Eun-soo's sharp intake of breath was answer enough.

"It doesn't matter," Eun-soo said quickly. "The match is practically settled. Mother has already started planning the engagement celebration."

"Has she?" Ji-ah's fingers stilled on the leaf. "Without asking me?" She scoffed. "I have my own plans and my own goals. I want this on the terms I wish for it!"

"Ji-ah..."

"I want this on my own terms! Not with her help."

"What you want?" Eun-soo's laugh held an edge of hysteria. "Since when do any of us get what we want? We do our duty. We make advantageous matches. We..." Her voice cracked. "We bear it."