Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

33.The Binding

The path before Nandi's gate had begun to show wear from Eun-soo's pacing.

Back and forth she moved, each step stirring dust from her skirts.

Three times she'd raised her hand to knock. Three times she'd lowered it.

A servant passed with a water bucket, bowing low. Eun-soo turned away, not wanting anyone to recognize the second wife of the Yi family lurking like a common beggar.

"Lady Eun-soo?"

She startled at Nandi's voice. The matchmaker stood in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame. Her usual grace remained, but exhaustion lined her face, her expression carefully blank.

"I..." Eun-soo's mouth felt dry. "Forgive the intrusion."

"Can I help you?"

Lady Eunsoo remained silent.

"What brings you to my door?" Nandi repeated.

"I shouldn't have come."

Nandi studied the noblewoman's face - noting the shadows beneath her eyes, the way she seemed to sway slightly on her feet. "When did you last sleep?"

Once more Eun-soo just sighed.

"Come inside." Nandi moved to support the swaying woman. "Before you fall."

"No." Eun-soo jerked away. "I won't enter your house. I won't—" She pressed her hands to her face. "I've said such terrible things about you."

"Many have."

"The truth. The truth is...My husband is ill." The words scratched her throat. "He hasn't eaten since..." She swallowed. "Since that day at the festival."

Something flickered in Nandi's expression. "I'm sorry to hear that. But I don't see how—"

"He calls for you." Eun-soo's hands fisted in her skirts. "In his fever. He keeps... he thinks he sees you everywhere."

"Lady Eun-soo—"

"Please." She took a step forward. "I know we've had our differences. I know I've been..." Her voice cracked. "I've said terrible things. Done worse. But he's dying."

Nandi's fingers tightened on the door frame. "Surely the physicians—"

"He won't let them near." A bitter laugh escaped her. "Says they're all Mother Yi's spies, come to poison him again." She pressed her hands to her chest. "I don't understand any of it. The fires he keeps talking about, the memories, why he..." She drew a shaky breath. "Why he looks at painting of your son like he's seeing a ghost."

"These are matters best left to his family."

"We are his family!" The words burst out louder than intended. Eun-soo lowered her voice. "At least, I thought we were. But now..." She shook her head. "I don't know what's real anymore. I just know I can't watch him waste away."

Nandi was quiet for a long moment. "What exactly are you asking of me?"

"I don't know." Eun-soo's shoulders slumped as she adjusted her position on the dusty ground, her formal silk skirts forgotten. "Perhaps... perhaps just to see him?" Her fingers traced aimless patterns in the dirt. "To tell him... to give him whatever peace he seeks in these fever dreams."

Nandi shifted her weight, one hand still. The morning sun cast long shadows across both women as she considered her response. "Does Lady Yi know you're here?"

"I don't care what she knows anymore." Eun-soo's bitter laugh scattered a few sparrows from a nearby bush. She pushed herself to her feet, swaying slightly. "She's part of why he's like this. Her and her secrets..." Her voice trailed off as she caught herself. She took an unsteady step forward. "Will you come? Please?"