The Last Imoogi

A Tacit Understanding

That night, Sandara sat by her favorite spot, by the window in her tea room, which has a better view of the huge residence just across hers. She used to think the courtyard felt lonely everytime the lights were out in His Excellency's residence, but now that the lamps inside were lit, she somewhat still felt despondent.

Unknown to her, Kwon Jiyong was sitting on the rooftop of her quarters. He took charge of guarding her residence every night the entire week that he was home, only retiring to his own room just before sunrise.

Kwon Jiyong felt tormented these past few days. He should be glad that Sandara was finally being obedient but why did he feel only worse? Whenever they'd see each other, the woman would only greet him half-heartedly, or sometimes, over the top politely, which was not her usual attitude. 

As foolish as it may sound, Kwon Jiyong felt he had lived for almost a millennium yet he'd never encountered anything as puzzling as his wife.

The next day, Sandara was surprised to see Jo Sanggung, Seol and Byeol arrive in her room to serve her.

"Manim, how have you been?" Jo Sanggung's smile was kind and heartwarming. Even if Jo Sanggung was the one who tainted her innocence, she still missed her kind and motherlike care. "Manim, Daegam finally lifted the punishment. This one is back to serve you."

"Really? Jo Sanggung, I'm really sorry for causing so much trouble," Sandara was so happy upon hearing the news, yet still very guilty for making Jo Sanggung and Moo Yeon receive punishments.

"Manim, it's nothing. I hope you can find it in your heart to understand His Excellency as well... I've known that boy for so long. He wouldn't act like that without a reason,"

Sandara nodded. Definitely, Kwon Jiyong has his reasons, but how would she understand if he's not willing to talk to her about it? 

Meanwhile, she noticed Seol and Byeol's unusual silence in a corner. "What's wrong with the two of you?"

"Manim... We received a message from Head Mistress earlier. She was asking us to go back already," Byeol explained making Sandara's smile fade.

She knew that the two girls were only here because they were given a break by Head Mistress. Of course she has no right to object Head Mustress' decision now that she wanted them back. Still, she felt disappointed and sad. She was banned from going out and now that Jo Sanggung was back to serve her, these two were saying goodbye? She already felt empty these days and she realized she was about to feel more suffocated inside the estate on the coming days.

"Manim, if it's possible, can we have an audience with His Excellency?" Seol asked. "We just want to thank him and say our farewell."

Sandara forced a smile and nodded. Seol and Byeol's thoughts were sincere. How could she say no?

After washing up and having her breakfast, Sandara went to visit her small garden beside her residence. She decided to look for Kwon Jiyong after.

"Manim!" Ryung rushed to her with a dipper in his hand. "Good morning!"

"Well, good morning to you, too, little Ryung!"

The boy only smiled widely when she patted him on the head. "Let me see how well you were doing your job..."

Ryung stepped aside, allowing her to check his work. He rubbed his scrunched up nose like an old man, beaming with pride for taking care of the small garden.

Sandara smiled in approval, seeing how Ryung took great care of the plants. The vibrant pink azaleas were in full bloom and the purple irises started to blossom as well. Sandara crouched down when she saw there were more little iris flower buds beneath, but then in the cornermost plot, a few small white and yellow bulbs caught her attention.