Despite the obvious, it was difficult to visit the young master often. He wasn’t someone she could just drop by to see anytime, as he was a noble person, and she too had her daily life to attend to.

            June was the busiest month of the year, with fieldwork so demanding that even if she had ten bodies, it wouldn’t be enough; she had to harvest barley and potatoes to store in the granary. The young master would also be busy with his studies.

            Yunhu had been particularly affectionate towards her these days. If her earnings were insufficient, he would give her part of his own meagre possessions. It was embarrassing to accept such generous gifts, and while she was grateful for the young boy’s thoughtfulness, it was also burdensome.

            Even with two younger siblings to care for. It was hard enough to provide for his family, let alone look after her. She couldn’t say this in front of Yunhu, but she once mistook his actions as affection for her.

            “Yunhu.”

            “Yes?”

            As Beodeul watched the gentle eyes smiling and turning back to look at her, she found herself utterly unable to turn away. Speaking from a woman’s intuition, there was an indescribable peculiarity about the way this person treated her. Even setting aside the excessive care, whenever their eyes met by chance, this person would blush like a cherry and shy away.

            It would indeed be a pity if this person’s preference were truly for men.

            “Beodeul, I heard there’s going to be plenty of food at the lantern festival.”

            The offer had come to join them for dinner at their home before going to the festival. Beodeul had been reluctant to eat with the five family members, not wishing to feel out of place, but the endearing insistence of the cute twin sisters made her give in, pretending to be defeated by their playful tugging at her heart.

            “Is it already time for that?”

            “It happens on the first day of every lunar month.”

            Beodeul recalled seeing Nanhee’s father purchasing large quantities of lotus-shaped lanterns. Ara had come to her the previous night, fuming about being forcibly matched by her parents with a betrothed at the upcoming lantern festival.

            “Do you want to go together?” the timid person blushed, asking shyly.

            “Going to crowded places... Mother might not like that.”

            Beodeul had attended the lantern festival only once, on the first full moon in Muritmaegol. It was an event to celebrate the children born in that month and to bless those becoming adults. This year, especially, the village head had put in a lot of effort to rejuvenate the dampened spirits of the townsfolk due to an unfortunate incident on the day of the Soru River festival, rumours of a spreading epidemic, and attacks by evil spirits.

            “So you can’t go?”

            “I will ask my mother.”

            With about two months left before leaving Muritmaegol, Beodeul thought this lantern festival might be her last. She hoped her mother might reluctantly permit her one last bit of fun if she presented enough reasons.

            After a hearty meal, Beodeul left the house. Walking down the path lined with collapsed reeds, she reached home to find someone leaning against the hackberry tree next to the stone wall. A tall figure stood motionless, shrouded in shadow, with a piercing gaze that sent a chill down her spine.

            For a moment, startled, Beodeul thought it was a bounty hunter come to capture her and her mother.

            “You said you’d come. Breaking promises again.”

            The young man had probably come straight after finishing his studies, as books lay scattered on the ground, and he leaned casually against the tree.

            “How did you know where I live?”

            “I asked your nanny. But, you see, I’ve given up my friends following your advice. Breaking promises, isn’t that a bit too much?”

            “I didn’t mean to...”

            Internally, Beodeul strung together excuses, but from that day, she had felt awkward making eye contact with the young man. To him, ignorant of the full story, her excuses must have sounded like empty bluster.

            “I understand it’s not easy for you to come out. I forgive you.”

            “I’m sorry.”

            “Then come with me to the lantern festival.”

            As if he had been waiting for the right moment, he suddenly suggested. The people of Muritmaegol, both adults and children, endured the month anticipating the small monthly event, but Beodeul hadn’t expected to receive the same invitation twice in one day.

            Yunhu’s expectant eyes briefly flashed in her mind, but as soon as she met the young man’s gaze, the image vanished like mist.

            “I’ll be in disguise on the day, so you needn’t worry about being recognised.”

            Beodeul gazed at the young man. Sunlight sparkled in his eyes, and the corner of his mouth was tilted upwards.