Chapter 6

Su-hyeok instinctively reacted with surprise and ran toward Seol-ah.

Running alongside her in a single stride, Su-hyeok quickly pulled her into his arms.

"Haa... Haa...!"

Before he could finish speaking, a horse rushed toward them, forcing him to change direction and fall together with her.

"Ah, Master...!"

The startled horse galloped past them, and Seol-ah let out a silent scream, her face turning pale.

The two of them tumbled onto the dirt ground.

A sharp pain spread through Seol-ah's body. But more than that, she was too shocked to even process the pain.

She squeezed her eyes shut and struggled to escape from his arms.

She didn't even think about pushing away his clothes that she had grabbed tightly.

At that moment, the attendants, who had been thrown into disarray, looked down at Su-hyeok and Seol-ah with worried expressions.

"Master Su-Hyeok! Are you all right?"

"Oh dear...! What should we do?"

As murmurs of concern spread among the people, Seol-ah hesitantly opened her tightly shut eyes.

Su-hyeok took a heavy breath and looked down at her worriedly.

Even then, one of his hands was firmly holding onto her shoulder, while the other gently pressed her head against him, as if shielding her.

"Are you all right...?"

Surprised, Seol-ah froze.

For a moment, his voice was filled with worry, completely different from his usual tone.

His warm voice landed softly atop her racing heart.

"Ah, Master..."

Seol-ah lowered her gaze, hesitantly looking up at Su-hyeok.

For some reason, his voice sounded so warm that Seol-ah couldn't take her eyes off him.

She had been so shocked that even her tears had stopped, and her teary eyes reflected Su-hyeok's face in them.

"Master, are you all right...?"

At her question, Su-hyeok finally let go of her from his embrace.

"I'm fine."

As Seol-ah lifted her head from Su-hyeok's face, she noticed a scratch on his cheek.

It must have been from holding her and rolling on the ground—he had gotten hurt.

"Here... You're injured."

She reached out carefully toward the wound on his face.

"It's nothing to worry about."

He got up from the ground and dusted off his slightly crumpled clothes.

Then, he turned his back to her indifferently.

It was as if he had returned to his usual cold demeanor.

She also tried to get up but ended up staggering slightly, reaching out and grabbing onto the back of Su-hyeok's clothes for support.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll change and be right back."

Scraping against the ground must have left a few scratches on him. As he spoke, Su-hyeok absentmindedly rubbed his wrist.

As he moved to return to his quarters, Seol-ah, still dazed, couldn't take her eyes off his retreating figure.

"Who is that...?"

"I heard Master Su-Hyeok jumped in to protect someone...?"

She could hear the murmuring voices of the attendants, all whispering while glancing at her.

She had heard rumors that a woman had followed Su-hyeok here in the middle of the night, but...

The attendants glanced at Seol-ah with curious expressions, as if wondering whether she was his fiancée.

However, despite their wary gazes, she couldn't take her eyes off Su-hyeok.

'There's no way I wouldn't be concerned.'

Since he told her to wait here, she quietly turned away from him.

Seol-ah knelt restlessly in front of Su-hyeok's room.

Her knees throbbed from falling earlier, but more than that, she was worried about Su-hyeok.

She couldn't forget the sight of him bowing politely while covering his injured arm.

"It's done, take this and leave."

She heard Su-hyeok's voice from inside, and soon, one of the attendants stepped out of his room.

Should she go in or not?

As she hesitated, fidgeting with the slightly open door—

"Why."

"Ah...?"

"Are you trying to peek under the excuse of checking on my clothes?"

With his back still turned, Su-hyeok spoke to her in a calm but sharp tone.

"Ah... Master."

Startled, Seol-ah stiffened and awkwardly smiled.

"Are you... badly injured?"

She cautiously asked as she slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"You said you weren't worried."

Su-hyeok replied bluntly before suddenly tossing something toward her.

"Ah...!"

Startled, Seol-ah quickly turned around, biting her lip tightly. But from the quick glance she took, she had clearly seen the scratches on his back.

"..."

Taking a deep breath, she cautiously turned back to look at him again.

There was a scar across his broad and firm back. It was a wound near his shoulder, where it would be difficult to reach with his own hand.

"…There's a wound here."

Her face was clouded with worry as she hesitantly took a step closer to him.

"You should apply medicine before it gets worse."

"..."

"It's on your shoulder, so you might not be able to reach it properly, Master. I can help—"

At her words, Su-hyeok abruptly turned his body.

"...!"

The exposed wound came into full view, and Seol-ah involuntarily gasped. For a moment, her vision blurred slightly.

As soon as her expression changed, Su-hyeok suddenly tensed and shrugged his shoulders, turning away again.

"You said you'd do it yourself?"

"…Oh, that's…"

"You can't even look properly, yet you insist."

His low voice carried a hint of irritation as he casually put on another layer of clothing.

Even as he did, Seol-ah remained frozen, unable to fully take her eyes off him. She stood there stiffly, unable to turn away.

Her startled heart pounded loudly in her chest.

The rustling sound of fabric was oddly clear as he put on his robe.

"How long do you plan to stand there like that?"

With those words, Su-hyeok finished adjusting his robes and stepped toward her.

He stood right in front of her, towering over her as she looked up at him.

"It's because of me… Even your hands got injured."

"..."

"You have treated my injury again today. Thank you, master."

She should offer proper gratitude.

At her words, Su-hyeok simply stared at Seol-ah without saying anything.

"You must have more injuries… doesn't it hurt?"

Seol-ah carefully examined his expression as she asked.

His firm lips parted slightly, and Su-hyeok exhaled a quiet breath.

"It's not because of you. It would have happened anyway."

"Master."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't throw myself into danger because of you."

"...."

"Even if it wasn't you, I would have done the same."

Leaving behind those cold words, Su-hyeok left the room.

Left alone, Seol-ah stared at his retreating figure with sorrowful eyes.

"...Even if it wasn't me."

The bustling market was filled with life.

Just walking down the street without tripping over the market stalls was a challenge.

It had been so long since she had been to the market, and the smell of people mixed together made her feel strangely happy.

"You've arrived, Lord Su-hyeok."

Following Su-hyeok silently, Seol-ah glanced around, and soon, a merchant appeared.

It was as if he had been waiting for them. The merchant respectfully bowed toward Su-hyeok.

"Shall we remeasure this lady's size?"

"Yes, master."

Su-hyeok adjusted his posture and turned to Seol-ah.

"Wait here for a moment."

At his words, she nodded slightly and lowered her head.

Then she glanced around the clothing store.

The distinct scent of fabric tickled Seol-ah's nose. Even back in her old home with her mother, father, and even the servants, there was always a hint of fabric scent lingering in the air.

As old memories rushed back, Seol-ah's eyes reddened slightly.

"Ah, how beautiful."

A delicate yellowish light blended with the deep indigo color, creating a harmonious combination. The fine, soft robe captured Seol-ah's gaze.

It seemed someone had already chosen it and left it there.

She was so mesmerized that she couldn't take her eyes off it.

"...."

Su-hyeok turned his gaze to observe Seol-ah from behind.

A robe that seemed well-suited for her was draped over her arms.

The light fabric and flowing sleeves made Seol-ah appear even more delicate. She looked like a fragile being with no strength.

The noble lady of the fallen Do-seung family—she was now standing quietly under the disapproving gazes of Su-hyeok's subordinates.

At that moment, someone stood in front of Seol-ah.

"I will measure your size. Please follow me."

It seemed to be an employee of the clothing store.

"Yes, I'll be in your care."

Seol-ah smiled slightly and followed the woman.

Su-hyeok silently watched her retreating figure.