14 Chapter 14

The next couple of days went by without any significant events. Yoon-Yi was still trying to get accustomed to her new environment and Jung-Hee was growing very fond of her cousin.

They spent a lot of time inside the house, talking or doing embroidery. Well, Jung-Hee did most of the sewing, as Yoon-Yi was very bad at it. She soon realized that with her lack of talents there was not much to do in Joseon. She could not embroider or draw even if her life depended on it. She never had a voice for singing and using the musical instruments was out of the question. The first time she touched a gayageum she broke two of its strings, causing Jun-Ho to laugh hysterically and Shin to glower at her ineptitude.

Yoon-Yi was starting to feel really hopeless, when one day Jung-Hee thought of something else to cheer her up. She came to her cousin's room with her arms filled with books. Sure, they were old books, containing fables and tales, but she thought Yoon-Yi might find them amusing.

"What is all this?" Yoon-Yi asked, perplexed, seeing the stack of books that Jung-Hee just lowered onto the table.

"These are some of the books I liked to read a few years ago. I thought they might keep us entertained until the weather gets warmer. Then we will be able to go out into the garden or sit on the terrace with all the windows open." Jung-Hee said, clearly satisfied with herself.

Yoon-Yi picked up one of the books at random. It was made of mulberry tree paper and bound with thick covers, sewn together with straw. The pages were covered with a beautiful and neat writing, the Chinese symbols ending and starting in fluid and continuous strikes. The writing was aligned vertically in the old style and Yoon-Yi looked at it in awe.

'I am holding an ancient book.' She thought flabbergasted, turning the book in her hands, flipping the pages slowly. 'It does not look that old. I am sure it must have been written a few years ago, by the look of it. In my time, though, this would have been hundreds of years old.'

Her eyes stopped on one of the pages, the black lines gleaming up at her. She was grateful to her grandfather for teaching her hanja, Chinese writing, when she was young. Unfortunately, she did not know it well enough in order to fluently read those books. With a pang of regret, she brushed her fingers across the covers.

Nevertheless, she hid her feelings quickly, not wanting to disappoint Jung-Hee. Not having the heart to tell the other girl she might not be able to read the stories thoroughly, Yoon-Yi started the arduous work of perusing a story about the Three Kingdoms.

While the girls kept themselves thus entertained, Jun-Ho and Shin started training for the archery competition that was approaching fast. It was going to be held in a few days, during the Samjinnal festival, also known as Double Three Day. The festivities were meant to signal the beginning of spring and were marked by outdoor activities, such as games or walks outside the city. During this time, the men were preoccupied with the competitions, while the women prepared different types of rice cakes and food.

On the third day since her official admission as Kim Jong-Seo's niece, Yoon-Yi was finally starting to grow tired of staying inside her room. Despite being of comfortable size and containing all she could possibly want, Yoon-Yi still wanted to walk and explore more of the house and courtyard.

That day Jung-Hee was busy helping her mother with something Yoon-Yi did not quite understand. Therefore, she was left to her own devices. Bored out of her mind, she snatched the book about the Three Kingdoms and went outside.

On her way to the courtyard, she passed by a few servants who bowed to her respectfully. Hastening her pace, she soon reached the stone steps that led to a small tree garden. Her shoes were ready, and a servant girl hurried to help her step into them.

"Thank you." she said in a small voice, feeling uncomfortable.

It was difficult to get used to people showing up out of nowhere with the purpose of helping her with the clothes or even putting her shoes on.

The servant bowed her head and left without saying a single word. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Yoon-Yi walked slowly around the trees. The blossoms were as beautiful as the last time she saw them, and the spring breeze swayed them gently. A few petals fell, looking like snow in the middle of spring. She soon relaxed and looked around trying to find a place to sit. A small veranda was visible near the corner of the house and she went straight for it.

As she was approaching the place, Yoon-Yi heard voices and swishing sounds, followed by loud thumps. Intrigued, she craned her neck around the corner to see better. It appeared the archery range was just over the tree garden and she could see Jun-Ho and Shin shooting arrows at targets. They seemed to enjoy the activity, if the laughs that came from their direction were any indication.

Looking closely, Yoon-Yi felt no surprise at seeing Jun-Ho smiling widely, his face luminous from the effort as he was releasing an arrow. It hit the target right in the middle and the young man grinned.

Without realizing she was smiling as well, Yoon-Yi followed his movements, taking in his features. She liked watching him. There was something very attractive and peaceful about him, something that made her think about those classic beauties painters usually talked about; the ones you never manage to represent faithfully. She imagined Jun-Ho like that, a model too beautiful to be painted.

Then her gaze moved slightly to Jun-Ho's left and her eyes fell on Shin. His face was fixed in concentration, his arm pulling the string closer to his face. He waited for a moment, then released the arrow. It hit the target in the middle of the red circle. He laughed and moved from his spot.

The light fell on his face as he was turning to Jun-Ho and a beaming smile graced his features. The transformation was extraordinary. He looked radiant and beautiful. His dark hair waved with every movement, contrasting with his pale skin. The training costume was tight around his waist and arms, highlighting his well-proportioned body.

The distance was too great for Yoon-Yi to see his eyes, but she was somehow sure they were full of passion and excitement. He looked… alive and happy. She liked him like that, much better than when he was scowling.

Realizing what she was thinking, Yoon-Yi's breath caught in her throat. Shin chose that precise moment to turn his head and saw her looking at them. She turned her head so quickly it hurt, and she swiftly settled on the veranda.

Feeling flustered, she opened the book and tried to concentrate on the symbols, but it was impossible. Her mind kept showing Shin's face smiling brightly. Aggravated by her own thoughts, Yoon-Yi glowered at the book, willing herself to see the writing instead of a dark-haired man.

"What did that poor book do to deserve such glares?" an amused voice said, startling Yoon-Yi.

She gasped and dropped the book on the ground. Looking around she saw Jun-Ho crossing from the archery range towards the tree garden veranda where she sat.

"I'm sorry. I did not want to scare you. But you scowled so furiously that I could not help it." he said with a soft chuckle.

"No, it's alright." Yoon-Yi said quickly, bending down and scooping up the book. She brushed her fingers over the cover, making sure it was clean, then turned to look at the man in front of her.

Jun-Ho's face broke into a smile and he took a seat next to her.

"I see you are reading." He said, gesturing towards the book she was holding.

"Trying and failing I'm afraid." She said with a deep sigh, gazing down at the pages. "I do not know all the symbols in order to read the story correctly. I did not have the heart to tell Jung-Hee about it because she was so happy about the idea of us reading together."

"I can teach you if you want. Or better yet, you can ask Shin to help you. He likes to read, you see."

Yoon-Yi's look of incredulity made Jun-Ho laugh wholeheartedly.

"Yes, I know it may come as a shock, but that fellow over there," he said, pointing at Shin who was just then launching another arrow, "used to sneak out of the house and hide in order to read. His favorite places were the rooftop or the garden surrounding the pond."

"It does come as a shock. I never imagined him being interested in such a… peaceful activity as reading."

"Well, he grew out of it a few years back, but still likes to read from time to time. I am sure if you ask him, he will be glad to help."

Before she could stop herself, Yoon-Yi let out a snort. Realizing what she did, her eyes went wide, and she clasped her hands over her mouth, looking mortified. It was too late though, Jun-Ho had heard and was now laughing heartily.

"Not a dull day with you here, I see. I am very happy your escape plan failed." He said teasingly.

At his words, Yoon-Yi's disposition changed rapidly into a different kind of embarrassment. Slowly, she removed her hands from her mouth and glanced down at her knees.

"About that" she started, wringing her hands in her lap. "I am sorry for trying to run away. Shin was right. I was ungrateful and I apologize for it." Yoon-Yi finished, bowing her head slightly, looking remorseful.

"I hope he wasn't too hard on you." Jun-Ho said, giving her a small smile. His voice had lost its cheerfulness, but it still sounded kind. After a second, he looked away from her, gazing towards the archery range where Shin was busy picking up the arrows. "I think in a way, you remind him of himself."

"Me?" Yoon-Yi asked in disbelief. "I hardly think that is possible."

"You know, he was five years old when my father found him and brought him to our home. I was six." Jun-Ho continued as if he had not heard Yoon-Yi's words.

"He found Shin?"

'Wait, does that mean he is not Jun-Ho's brother?' She thought, her mind struggling to register this information. Sure, he always seemed to be politer towards the family, but she never thought this could be the reason.

"Yes." Jun-Ho continued, arousing Yoon-Yi from her thoughts. "My father was coming back from battle when he passed through a small village. People were either lying dead on the streets or rummaging for food wherever they could. It was a horrible sight, one of many during wartime. He saw Shin just as he was about to exit the town. A small, frail looking boy, not older than five years old, trying to drag a heavy looking man ten times his size. The man had been dead for at least two days, but the child wanted to bury him in the woods outside town. My father tried to stop him, but Shin threw him a wild look and between sobs told him 'Either you help me or leave me be!' My father had to concede in the face of such fighting spirit."

Jun-Ho stopped for a moment, a mixture of fondness and amusement appeared on his face. He had a different kind of smile on his lips, one that was only reserved for Shin; it was sad but loving.

"He had always been too stubborn for his own good, but in time he had learned to control his impulses. Until you came along, and somehow managed to wake up the beast within him." he finished with another chuckle.

Yoon-Yi scoffed, making Jun-Ho laugh again. They remained quiet for a short moment, before curiosity got the better of her.

"So has your father adopted him?" she asked, hoping it would not be considered prying.

"In all but name." Jun-Ho nodded slowly, his voice carrying a note of sadness. "Unfortunately, his position at court did not allow my father to adopt the son of a lowborn. Making Shin one of his heirs was impossible, but he did everything else for him. We learned how to read and write together, how to fight and ride horses. We always considered each other brothers and my father treated him as his younger son. Shin never calls him father, but I am sure he feels it in his heart."

"So that is why he is dressed slightly different than you." Yoon-Yi said quietly, more to herself, but Jun-Ho heard her and laughed again.

"Very perceptive of you." he nodded, beaming at her. For some reason she felt herself blush and looked away. "Well, that and the fact that he doesn't like flashy clothes. He always said he prefers clothes that allow him to fight well."

Yoon-Yi scowled at Jun-Ho's last words as if she was scowling at Shin. Jun-Ho leaned over and patted her head gently. Taken by surprise at his rather tender gesture, Yoon-Yi blushed furiously. She tried to hide it by looking down at her feet, but she could not ignore the tightening sensation in her chest, nor the warmth of Jun-Ho's hand.