Seo Reun sat quietly at the edge of the gathering, his gaze flat and unblinking, like one forced to endure a play he had already seen too many times. The fire crackled in the center of the yard, its flames throwing wild shadows over the dancers whose feet moved in repetitive, rehearsed motions. He watched as they circled the fire again, their sleeves fluttering like birds in flight. The crowd clapped in rhythm, some already swaying with intoxication, laughter spilling freely from their lips.
But to Seo Reun, it was a tedious performance, one that had lost its charm long before this third night of celebration. To the villagers, it was joyous, sacred even. To him, it was monotonous. He had counted the same dance steps over and over, each spin and stomp merging into the next like a drumbeat stuck in a loop.
The only reason he remained seated among them was out of politeness, not desire. After saving Ah Li and in the process, providing a wild boar for the village to feast on that very night, Seo Reun was instantly cast in a favorable light. Even those who had appeared skeptical or uncertain during the earlier council meeting were now hovering around him with warm smiles, eagerly offering him delicacies and bowls of sweet wine, as if trying to win his favor.
He had no choice but to go along with it, though it drained him more than he cared to admit. Three nights of song, dance, meat had dulled his senses, he refused the wine because it doesn't taste good to him neither does he want his senses to go dull. Still, it was the final night, and for that, he was thankful.
His eyes flicked upward, catching the subtle glance of Hae Rin from across the fire. She looked away the moment their eyes met, feigning interest in the serving pot beside her. Seo Reun sighed inwardly. He hoped she wouldn't bring him more food. For the past two nights, she had taken every opportunity to approach him, engaging in small talk while slipping grilled meat into his bowl always with a smile that asked nothing yet lingered too long.
Since he had agreed to stay, she had gifted him a heavy earthen pot filled with dried meats enough to last a month. He appreciated the gesture, though he doubted he'd finish it before it turned stale. Seo Reun had little choice but to accept, from her gestures, he could only gather that she was expressing gratitude for saving her brother, and it would have been rude to refuse her goodwill.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Seo Reun turned slightly at the voice. The village chief had quietly taken a seat beside him, though he left a respectful gap between them. His tone was gentle, his posture relaxed, but there was something deliberate about the way he settled in like a man who had something important to say but didn't want to startle his listener.
"Yes," Seo Reun replied, his voice calm and neutral just as he always answered that question. It was the safest answer, the most forgettable one.
He wasn't surprised by the chief's presence. The man had been gracious to him from the start, making small talk, offering warm food, ensuring he felt welcomed by the villagers. It was almost enough to soften him. Almost. In contrast, the village shaman had done nothing but pierce him with accusing stares, as though his presence disturbed some sacred balance. Tonight, however, the shaman was noticeably absent from the gathering, a quiet relief.
The chief folded his hands over his lap, eyes on the crackling fire ahead. "What do you think about my daughter?"
Seo Reun blinked. The question came softly, but it cut through the evening like a blade. He had no idea where the conversation was heading, or why the chief would bring this up now. Still, he kept his tone even.
"She is… caring."
"Good," the chief nodded, smiling faintly. "She is a good girl. My precious one. Ever since her mother passed, she's carried more than her share. She looks after Ah Li as if he were her own. Whenever that boy wanders off, and he does it often, she's the one who goes looking for him, no matter how far. But since you brought him back… saved him.." the chief paused, giving Seo Reun a look of quiet gratitude. "He hasn't tried to run off once. Do you know how rare that is? We usually spend half the day searching for him."
Seo Reun gave a small nod. He made a mental note: he'd have to keep a closer eye on Ah Li, and speak to the boy each morning, reminding him not to go anywhere alone. The environment might be kind, but kindness didn't always keep a child safe.
"And what do you think of Tien?"
This time, Seo Reun inhaled deeply before answering. If he was asked about Tien, surely Dong Ha would follow, maybe Min Ho too, then perhaps even the goats and chickens of the village. Still, he answered plainly.
"He is nice."
"Very good," the chief said again, voice steady, unreadable. "I won't keep you. I only wanted to say this, your choices are your own. Whatever you decide, whichever road you choose, I trust it will be the right one."
With that, he stood and gently dusted off his robes, offering a short nod of farewell before walking away, his figure fading into the soft murmur of the gathering.
Seo Reun remained seated, watching the fire flicker. The warmth of it touched his face. His thoughts drifted back to the tribe chief's parting words, trying to sift meaning from them, yet finding none. The chief had spoken as though scattering loose thoughts into the air, half-formed, without purpose. It almost sounded like an indirect way of saying that if Seo Reun chose to leave, he would not stand in his way. Yet, from what Seo Reun had observed, the chief desired his presence here… and so did many of the villagers.
"Cheon Sa…" Min Ho appeared with his usual easy grin, slipping into the spot the chief had vacated moments earlier. "How do you like your new home?"
"Nice," Seo Reun replied, and for once, he meant it. It was small, yes, but it was still the best roof and walls he'd been offered in years.
Min Ho, however, was not one to stop at a single question. The boy had a way of appearing no matter where Seo Reun was, whether he was cleaning himself in the water, eating, or simply sitting alone. Always with that bright, eager smile, always offering to help with something or other. The constant attention was awkward for Seo Reun, who valued his space, but avoiding Min Ho had proven impossible. He'd had no choice but to endure the teenager's presence, much like one endures the warmth of an overly clingy bug, unasked for, but persistent.
"That's good," Min Ho said, leaning forward slightly. "I know the blankets I gave you aren't too thick so you won't get too hot at night and the clothes might be a bit small or tight, but if they bother you, I can fix them." His eyes lit with pride. "My grandmother taught my mother, and my mother taught me how to sew. Do you know how to sew?"
"No, I don't," Seo Reun said flatly, hoping that would be the end of it.
In truth, he did know how. His aunt had made certain he could mend torn hems and patch worn sleeves, insisting it was a skill that could one day save him. But telling Min Ho would only spark a longer conversation, perhaps even a demonstration, and Seo Reun wasn't in the mood for that. Best to cut the matter short.
"Then I'll teach you," Min Ho announced with the enthusiasm of someone bestowing a great honour.
Seo Reun's eyes flickered in mild alarm. That had been a mistake, he should have claimed the skill and been done with it. "I don't need it," he said quickly.
"Yes, you do. It's an essential skill," Min Ho countered without missing a beat. "Who knows? You might be so good at it that you could sell your work in the neighbouring village.... three days' journey from here. They pay well for fine stitching."
"Okay," Seo Reun said at last, giving in. Not because he had the slightest interest in learning from Min Ho, but because agreement was often the fastest way to silence.
Satisfied, Min Ho sprang to his feet when another boy called to him from across the space. "I'll come find you later!" he said cheerfully before darting off, leaving Seo Reun with a rare and fleeting moment of peace.
Unable to endure another round of forced smiles and full bowls, Seo Reun rose to his feet and slipped away from the gathering. The sounds of laughter and drums faded as he moved farther from the circle of firelight. His feet found the familiar path that led toward the edge of the village where a large tree stood. His quiet refuge.
He hadn't slept properly since arriving. The hanok they had given him, though modest and clean, felt too still, too silent. When night fell and others dozed off in drunken piles around the yard, Seo Reun would drift instead to the tree's broad roots, half sleeping beneath its branches where the air was cooler and the sounds of celebration distant.
He settled into his usual spot now, leaning back against the bark, letting his mind wander for the first time in days yet his senses was as sharp as ever to detect any danger.
"Cheon Sa."
The voice came low and uncertain, breaking his thoughts. He didn't need to look to know it wasn't Hae Rin. The footsteps were heavier, the gait less graceful.
He opened his eyes and turned his head.
Tien stood a few paces away. His cheeks were flushed with pink, and his eyes glistened with the soft haze of alcohol. A faint smile tugged at his lips, one that seemed to falter as he met Seo Reun's gaze.
"Do you need something?" Seo Reun asked quietly.
This was the only time anyone left him alone. After the child Ah Li had fallen asleep in his arms for two days in a row, he had been passed over to the care of Hae Rin or one of the older women. Tonight, like the other children, Ah Li had dozed off early, none of them had the strength to wait for nightfall after two long nights of celebration. Hae Rin had gently carried the boy in.
"You know I am now a Supreme Guard," Tien said, his voice breaking the silence between them. His tone carried a forced nonchalance, but his fingers twisted the hem of his jeogori so tightly the knuckles turned white.
Seo Reun gave a nod, slow and quiet. He had seen it, the supposed grand ceremony, the heavy thin crown woven from bright feathers and sturdy leaves, placed atop Tien's head by the shaman while trembling elders touched it as he passed by for their blessings. The village had erupted into cheers, declaring him Ah Li's future Chief Protector, a title everyone seemed to think was fitting.
"I… I now have a bigger house," Tien continued, his voice wobbling slightly, "with... uh... all the necessities. You know, space, proper sleeping big room, even a yard. What I'm trying to say is…" He swallowed. "…I can provide for you."
Seo Reun frowned faintly. If not for the feast earlier, he would have no idea what he'd be eating tonight or tomorrow. He wasn't traveling anymore, and he had no concrete way to earn food in this quiet village. But even so, he hadn't thought much of it.
Now, though, Tien's nervous babbling suddenly made sense. He was worried about him.
Seo Reun looked away. He had no idea how to respond to Tien whose words hung in the air, heavy and sincere, but Seo Reun couldn't quite grasp how to meet them. Refusing him outright felt unkind, yet accepting his offer especially the offer of food felt like stepping into something uncertain. He didn't know if it would be wise to depend on someone like Tien, not when he'd spent so long surviving on his own.
Tien fidgeted for a few more seconds, shifting weight from foot to foot, then abruptly dropped to his knees. The movement startled Seo Reun, and their eyes locked, Tien's wide and glistening, his chest visibly rising and falling in uneven breaths.
"Cheon Sa…" he said, using the name like a plea, "…please look at me. Look at me not just as someone you travelled with. I want you to see me as a man… as someone who could stand beside you... not behind you."
Seo Reun said nothing.
Tien's voice cracked as he went on, "What I mean is… I want you to consider me as a… as a prospective partner. I.. I want to marry you."