22. You lost her

Minho rubbed his temples as the two young girls almost glued themselves next to him. He looked at Mina's direction and saw her busying herself in the kitchen.

As she if was oblivious of his problems, she turned the fire again on and waited for the water to get warm. She pretended not to see his eyes and started sharpening her knives.

The two girls could see his glancing and her completely cold attitude and were relieved. "We can come and help you anytime."

He glanced at them and pressed his lips. Then at his brothers that just shook their heads. They knew he was always polite to everyone, no matter what standing. But that caused many people to missunderstand him.

And he clearly was reaching end of his patience.

He suddenly looked at them coldly. "The most I hate are lazy people. You were called to help and will be paid. If you don't want to work, scram!"

The two girls stepped back in fear as they could clearly feel his anger. Mina could see them acting like they were bullied, but luckily Minho was this time smarter and didn't pay a bit attention towards them.

The girls turned their heads towards her and saw her looking at them icily and then at whole mountain of branches they had to cut and were stunned.

They could see on her face that she really meant it and could only do as she said. Luckily for them, Mina cooked food for everyone so when dinner came the girls were stunned by the meal.

They could see that Minho liked the taste and both had same idea. Ask for recipe.

But is Mina that easy?

"You want what?" She glanced at the girls in wonder.

"The recipe for today's meal. You don't have to pay us, just give us recipe." The girls didn't ask, they recklessly demanded it from her.

" No." It was simple stew, but since she knew that many people didn't knew this way of cooking, she realized that the knowledge she had was important. "This bit of work for precious recipe? You two must have lost your mind. Here is your money, go and do not come back. This time I had it enough with your behavior."

She gave them chance, but they completely ruined it.

Looking at the few coins she gave them and her words, the girls were furious and scared at the same time. Furious as they wanted the recipe, but scared as they knew it was impossible after this to help again.

"And no need anymore to bring me wild vegetables. Gather them and sell in the city. Go now and to not home back." Mina waved her hand and sighed as she saw them furiously leaving. " Foolish."

Minho looked at their back and then at her. "Why did you pay them?"

She snorted at him. "And why don't you start acting like normal person. With the way you act, you will attract always butterflies and bees. Minho, no matter if you are my partner or not, I plan to be honest. My first honest word is, stop being soft. I don't say you have to become killing demon, but stop acting like this. If I acted like you act to all women, I could open reverse harem. Anyway, go home. I'm tiered."

She paid them for their work and just let them out with simple greeting. The two brothers of his stared at Minho and shook their heads. "Actually, she is right. You are talking to everyone as they were your friends and family. What will you do if your wife in future does the same? "

Minho just lowered his head. " She wouldn't dare."

The two men shook their heads. "Female grudge is the worst. Mina is one of women that dares to live alone already by this small age. Do you think she would let her husband play around and have other women crawl over him? Looking at her, she might really make that. She might really gather men that like her."

They actually teased him, but he became serious. Mina's words echoed in his mind. He was soft? Him?

Thinking about the times he just tried to be patient with people surrounding him, he realized why she had such idea about him. No wonder.

He rubbed his temples and hummed in agreement, but his brother's just shook their heads. It was clear as day that Mina and Minho were perfect for each other, but both had stubborn character.

It will be hard for these two to become pair.

They must tell mother about this situation. Maybe she had idea how to help them...

But this time she refused. She stared at Minho and furrowed her eyebrows. "Mina is different girl. Soon you will go back to place you belong. Even if you make choice to take her with you, she can never officially become your main wife. Minho, she is not very patient. Having bees and butterflies in household is impossible if you have her. Stay away."

Minho visibly got angry. "You think she would rather prefer living like this than in safety of noble yard?"

His brothers and sister wordlessly just stood up and left. In wonder he glanced at their back. "What is it?"

It was silence that made him look at the woman that saved his life many times. She got old. But her eyes held strange strength that still made him fear her. "Mother?"

"I guess it is time you leave this place. Soon we will leave as well. Don't come back to us. Living like this might not be your taste, but we are content with this life as it us. Minho, you learned about your noble ground and finally will be back to Jin family. Once you leave, you and I know we can't see each other again. Mina loves this place and it is obvious why. As noble you need to go by their rules. But Mina don't want it. She is child of forest and under great spirit protection. Sorry, I was wrong. I thought you are worthy of her, but... you are not. Pack your things tonight. Us commoners can't be associated with you nobles."

She stood up and left him. The heavy pressure in her chest made her breathe heavy. "Give me some time to teach her what she needs. Just bit time."

She knew her days were numbered, but she still planned to handle her business before her passing. And she chose Mina.

Minho, you brat, you lost her today. Elder Kang could feel Mina's alleniation towards Minho. Maybe it's time she calls her friends...