My Way || Hongjoong (A Treasure Tale)

Enemies at Jangwon

Hongjoong stayed buried underneath the blankets and hidden away in his temporary bedroom as long as he could until someone came to fetch him.

He didn't want to face the fact that he was alone now in this strange maze of hallways filled with strangers, and everyone was whispering about him and his parents and no one told them off for it.

The knock at the door was soft, and Hongjoong poked his head out from the covers, squinting his eyes at it in suspicion. Whoever it was didn't sound like they were here to drag him out of his sanctuary.

"Who's there?" He finally ventured, cringing at the crack in his voice.

The door cracked open and a familiar head poked through. "Just me, Yujung."

Cousin Seyong's wife.

She was a quiet and gentle woman, and she always saved extra fruit from the refreshment trays for him when he visited the manor with his parents, so Hongjoong liked her.

He liked Seyong too, even if he had trouble understanding him. The man was even quieter than Yujung, and always frowning at some troublesome burden of his. But he meant well, and when he smiled at him, Hongjoong knew he meant it.

Yujung opened the door enough for him to see the tray she had brought him.

A wave of relief washed over the boy. He had still expected to be brought to breakfast and paraded around to receive the condolences of every great uncle and third cousin that didn't even know his name. A quiet meal with only Yujung as company was much more appealing, so he silently accepted the food, ready to scarf it down and make up for picking at his plate yesterday.

"How are you doing?"

Hongjoong let the egg flop back into his bowl and met Yujung's eyes. He knew she wasn't talking about his head injury but his reaction to... the accident. Yujung wouldn't use his answer against him, but it was a difficult question anyway. "I-I don't really know. I'd much rather be at home instead of bracing myself every time I turn the corner."

Yujung nodded soberly. She was of humble stock, which Hongjoong knew meant she had to prove herself to the pompous family she had married into. Especially when it came to producing an heir. Bracing herself every time she turned the corner was routine for her. The woman had enough on her mind, and taking care of Hongjoong was not in that job description, so he appreciated it that much more.

"Would being at home make things any better?" She asked carefully, wiping his face for him when a blob of jam got stuck to his cheek. "Reminders of your parents everywhere would probably be distressing, wouldn't they?"

"So is Aunt Minkyung sobbing into her handkerchief all night."

Yujung tilted her head in acknowledgment. "I know everything here seems like it's just for show..." she said carefully. "But we love you. And we loved your parents. So we really do want what's best."

Hongjoong's grip tightened on his glass of water. It was emptied already in an attempt to ease his headache, probably one borne of all his crying last night.

"If we can agree what's best," Yujung mumbled to herself as she collected the empty dishes and prepared to bring them to the kitchens.

"What do you mean?" Hongjoong asked suddenly, climbing out from under the blankets to stop her before she left.

Yujung sighed and turned to face him, tray perched on her hip. "There's a meeting in Ryeowook's study later to discuss everything."

Hongjoong's eyes widened. "Why didn't anyone tell m—"

"It's not about what's happening to you. For now, you stay here with Ryeowook and Minkyung. They're discussing your house and the funeral first."

Hongjoong blinked at the floor in confusion until he realised— it was a money issue. They probably wanted to sell it to afford a funeral.