There was no need to hear polite words about how delicious it was. It wasn’t in Jeok Igeon’s nature to say such things anyway, and the bowl, without a single drop of broth left, already spoke for his feelings.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
Cheongang had advised me to refrain from speaking as much as possible in front of Jeok Igeon, but from my half-day of experience, he actually tended to demand explanations quite often. Though I was still nervous, I intended to say what needed to be said from now on. I didn’t want to die simply for failing to answer.
Huh?
But why won't this lift?
I had already given my farewell, so it was time to take the table away. But the damn thing wouldn’t budge at all. The noodles were gone and the ice water was completely drained, so it should have been lighter than before, yet it remained as immovable as a boulder.
“…Y-Young Master?”
Finding the cause wasn’t particularly difficult. Sure enough, Jeok Igeon was pressing down on the table with just one index finger. He wasn’t even applying much force, just resting his finger there, yet the table seemed glued to the floor.
Flustered, I gripped both sides of the table and faced Jeok Igeon in an awkward crouch. As expected, he was glaring at me menacingly again.
If you want something, just say it, you bastard! What the hell are you going to do with that mouth of yours? Do I have to read minds on top of everything else?
All sorts of curses swirled in my mind, but I frantically racked my brain. What could Jeok Igeon want at this moment? Could it be… that?
Jeok Igeon was nineteen years old. In modern terms, he’d be a high school senior. Boys that age aren't satisfied with just one bowl of noodle soup. Isn’t that the prime age for inhaling several packets of ramen at once? Moreover, Jeok Igeon was a martial artist who burned through energy. I’d heard they ate enormous amounts.
“Should… should I bring more noodles?”
Jeok Igeon neither nodded nor replied. He simply removed his finger. It was a silent command to bring it immediately.
Geez.
The sisters at the Servants' Quarters would be thrilled.
I practically ran while carrying the table. From Jeok Igeon’s expression, it seemed like something terrible would happen if I were late. Fortunately, there was plenty of chicken kalguksu prepared, and I returned to the pavilion without delay.
Jeok Igeon’s slurping began again. Just in case, I had brought nearly twice the amount as before, and he devoured it all in the blink of an eye. Yet not a single drop of broth splashed; he ate so cleanly that his natural elegance showed through even now.
After finishing his second bowl and putting down his chopsticks, Jeok Igeon looked remarkably satisfied. It might be a good idea to serve different types of noodles for lunch for a while. At least he probably won’t grab the table legs and hold on again.
Contrary to my worries, this time the table lifted easily. Finally able to escape, I was genuinely delighted and hurried to descend from the pavilion. Though the ordeals of dinner and late-night snacks still remained, completing lunch safely made me feel much more at ease.
I needed to get as far away from here as possible. For the sake of my mental and physical well-being, a brief reprieve was a necessary measure.
“The Young Master seems to have a good appetite today.”
On one side of the training grounds stood a zelkova tree with a thick trunk. Cheongang, who had been watching from beneath its shade, walked toward me with a smile.
Oh, my favorite character is smiling at me.
Just this morning he seemed to find me pathetic, so this was remarkable progress.
“He must have been very hungry. How about you, Cheongang?”
Since I happened to have something for him, I set the table down on the ground.
“I didn’t see you eat anything for breakfast or lunch either. Aren’t you hungry?”
“Don’t worry about my meals. You are the Young Master’s personal maid; you only need to look after him.”
“Yes, that’s true. But people need to eat to work. How can you serve on an empty stomach? Especially for a bodyguard like you—you should eat more than anyone.”
“No, I’m…”
“Here, take this. I got it from a friend at the Servants' Quarters. Please, Cheongang.”
What I offered was a rice ball that Seolok had given me. She would occasionally pack them for me to eat at the laundry area, and they tasted amazing. Despite her clumsy personality, she was a natural at cooking.
“This is really delicious. Even just one is quite filling.”
“I’m really fine. I can’t take something your friend gave you out of consideration.”
“I didn’t say I’d give you all of them, did I?”
“…What?”
“I have one for myself too.”
I triumphantly pulled the remaining rice ball from my sleeve. It wasn’t an empty boast—one was truly enough.
“Actually, what you told me this morning was very helpful. Consider this a thank-you, so please don’t refuse. It’s embarrassing for me.”
Surely he’ll accept it after I’ve said all that? Who could understand the joy of feeding your favorite character something delicious?
“Alright, I understand. Thank you.”
Yes!
Cheongang finally gave in to my earnest tone. He smiled as he took the wrapper and immediately took a big bite right there.
Whoa, he’s eating it here?
I assumed he’d eat it quietly alone indoors, but apparently, I had misjudged him. He seemed to be much more easygoing than I thought.
“You weren’t just being polite.”
After swallowing a bite, Cheongang’s expression shifted.
“This is the best rice ball I’ve ever had.”
“Right? My friend’s cooking skills are no joke.”
Before I knew it, the rice ball had completely disappeared. The look in his eyes after finishing it was one of clear regret.
Oh yeah, successfully fed my favorite! I never expected to experience the joy of making a "tribute" here.
“I’ll bring more for you next time.”
“I’ll be in your debt.”
Given Cheongang’s usual personality, he would have refused, but the rice ball must have been exceptionally good. Indeed, nothing beats food when it comes to winning people over.
“Well then, Cheongang, I’ll be going now. I'll see you at dinner!”
Time was tight if I wanted to sweep the interior of Hall of Lasting Glory again. The booklet Madame Gwak gave me stated that Jeok Igeon had mysophobia and required the premises to be cleaned twice a day without fail.
Anyway, he’s so high-maintenance.
I picked up the table and walked toward the training grounds entrance. That’s when I turned my head, curious about what Jeok Igeon was doing.
“…!”
I nearly dropped the tray.
What... what is that? Why is he glaring at me like that again!
I don’t know when it started, but Jeok Igeon was shooting lasers at me. His aura was so murderous that, despite the distance, I felt as if my throat were being sliced. It was a miracle my heart didn't stop.
Thank goodness I didn’t lose my composure.
What did I do wrong this time?
It was Jeok Igeon’s habit to glare as if he wanted to kill me at the drop of a hat, but usually, there was a reason. Now, no matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't find one. He just ate two whole bowls of noodles, and now he’s throwing a fit?
As expected, Jeok Igeon was someone I couldn’t let my guard down around for even a moment. I thought the atmosphere had relaxed over food, but that was my own arrogance.
Right, this is the Jeok Igeon. There’s no way he’d become docile so easily. To stay alive, I had to remain in a constant state of tension.
Feeling that cold hard fact once again, I fled from the training grounds. The brief, beautiful moment with my favorite character had long since vanished.