Secret of the Two Kings (89 CHAPTERS - ON HOLD)

제 30 부

Shun hurried to the chest and placed back the silk cloth and the daggers back into it. As the silhouette of the man came closer, he closed the dusty box slowly. However, he suddenly realized that the headband was left on the floor.

"Shun?" the voice even became louder and closer to him.

Just like a reflex, he instantaneously grabbed the headband and quickly placed it on his pocket. He stood and walked towards the stairs, welcoming his father who was tottering and still sweating.

"Shun! There you are. I was looking for you. What are you doing there?" his father said, chasing his breath.

The teenage boy darted his eyes sideways. He suddenly thought of a way to diverge the topic. He grabbed his father's shoulder and back, guiding him upstairs. "Aigoo, Appa! I should be the one asking that question to you. What are you doing here? You should be lying in your bed. Come. I have prepared some medicine for you."

Surprisingly, like a tame dog, his father followed. They went up to his father's room and helped his father to lie in bed. Shun went to their kitchen and poured the licorice extracts in a wooden cup. He blew the hot tonic and assisted his father in drinking it. After finishing the drink, his father rose and sat up; he had somehow returned to his senses.

"Now tell me... What were you doing in that storage room? What did you see? Did I not tell you before not to go there?"

Shun bowed his head down and sighed. "All right, father. You got me. I apologize. It was open so I could not hold my curiosity. I just saw your old things."

His father leaned forward and held his arm slowly. "What things?"

"Err, just rusty swords, worn-out clothes, and some ceramics with cracks."

The old man frowned as his eyes narrowed. "Are those all?"

"Yes, father." the boy lied, he looked straight into his father's eyes without even blinking. He hugged his father, which made the sick man surprised.

"Please forgive me, father."

The man caressed his son's hair. "All right. But please do not do it again." Thank Heavens, he did not see my headband and his blue baby cloth.

"I promise! I will not do it again." Forgive me father, for I have lied. I would never get tired of asking for your forgiveness for I will continue to lie for your recovery.

Letting go, the teenage boy smiled as he planned on changing the topic. "Father, I have something to tell you. This is important."

"What is it, son?"

"I have talked to Doctor Yang about your condition. Your heart problem is getting worse. You need to be medicated but the hospitals here do not have the supplies of your medicine. So he suggested that I should go Cheongju-mok to buy some medicines for you."

His father's face became more pale, exhibiting worry and fear. "Cheongju-mok? It would take you a day or two to be there... No! I will not allow it!"

Shun grabbed the old man's hands and gazed at his father's sunken eyes. "Father, I am doing this for you. I want you to recover. I hate to see you suffer. I resent the thought of losing you. Please, let me help you. You have done so much to raise me alone for the past fifteen years. Now is the right time to do my part."

The father smiled. "Even if it takes a thousand of years, I will never get tired of you. That is what parents are." He sucked his lips and held his son's right face. "Fine. I will let you go. But promise me that you will take care of yourself. Never start a fight, but never forget to defend yourself when in trouble. Remember those techniques that I have taught you. You are turning fifteen in a few days. I want to have a small celebration with you."