Chereads / Stain of Red: Crimson Fate / Chapter 11 - Chapter 9: Threads of Fate (Part 1)

Chapter 11 - Chapter 9: Threads of Fate (Part 1)

"I swear..." Asher uttered really pissed, "I swear if this guy doesn't stop I'd freakin' curse him!"

They, Han Dae and Han Zoraida are in Nagafushi. Han Zoraida is currently presenting Han Dae to the head servant in the place named Han Lulu, an adult gentleman with freckly face, black eyes and a tan skin with his hair tied in a bun.

He smirked, "Ha! Old Lady Han, maybe your eyes are getting blurry?" fanning himself, he continued, "You call this wimp, to be the replacement of Old Beardy? He would never make the cut!" he mockingly said.

Han Zoraida smirked, "If I may Head Servant Han, do you have problems in my way of doing things? This lad here moved his way up the ladder in years."

Grinning in disappointment, he answered while circling Han Dae who's glaring at him, "This shrimp may be a good option for you but I reckon you choose someone else. Someone that is ten years older." He moved his face near Han Dae with daunting eyes before emphasizing the words 'ten years older'.

Asher leaned on a thirteen year-old Han Dae, hugging him from behind saying, "Beat his ass! Beat his ass!"

"Head Servant! Head Servant!" one female servant rushed to their way. All of them faced her direction.

"No running! Have you no manners?!" the Head Servant said.

The young woman lowered her head in their presence and apologized, "Young Lord Han is summoning you and the new recruit! He said anyone will do!" she is indeed in a rush.

"What?!" the other exclaimed, "I thought we have until tomorrow?!"

"Y-Young lord has to attend an urgent matter tomorrow!" she exclaimed.

Han Zoraida smirked, "So? Do you have other choice?"

The head servant clicked his tongue in irritation, "Tck! Fine! Follow me!" and he started walking away with a grumpy face and a frown. Han Zoraida gave him a pat on the shoulder before saying, "Remember, you cannot do your petty tricks here. Now go!"

Han Dae gave her a one last bow and said, "Thank you for everything you've taught me Han-jia! I love you lots!" then he rushed behind the head servant.

Han Zoraida smiled with a brow raised, "Make me proud too, my boy." She said before going back to Fushi.

They walked towards the study hall with Han Dae lowering his head with a perfect poise. Nagafushi is very different compared to Fushi. One mistake and you can be punished or thrown out, worse, both.

"Greetings, young lord." Han Lulu and Han Dae bowed.

The young lord greeted them with a smile after putting down his brush with ink. "What is it Han-chou?"

Han Lulu wondered, "I beg your pardon, but young lord hastily summoned me here..."

"Huh?" he asked, "I did not..." but then he thought, "Maybe it was father. So? What did he say?"

"Yes," the servant answered, "Young lord's new personal attendant has been chosen."

Han Dae's mind freaked, 'P-p-personal attendant?! Who?! Me?! No wonder he's so against this!'

Asher freaked as well, "The heck! Han Dae did climb up the ladder! No wonder why this guy here is too strict! Who would want his young lord to have an attendant younger than him?!"

The Young Lord chuckled lightly, "It seems like father is really worried about me huh? It has only been a week since old man Han-chou retired..."

"Hurry up!" Han Lulu whispered angrily at Han Dae, some of his saliva even spitting out! Gross!

Han Dae, who's lost in thoughts, irritatingly wiped his face and faced him asking, "What?!" in a whisper.

"Introduce yourself! Seriously, you unruly rascal don't even know how to act properly!" he whispered back.

Han Dae immediately faced down saying, "My name is Han Dae, It is a pleasure to serve the young lord."

"Oh?" he blinked and asked, "That is surprising." Then he continued, "You may go back to your work now Han Lulu-chou. I would like to speak to him."

Han Lulu once again bowed at the young lord 'ever so respectful' before meeting Han Dae's eyes with a cold, criticizing glare, "Hmph! Can't wait 'til you mess up." He whispered before leaving.

Asher stick his tongue out, "Bleah!"

Han Dae faced him, his young lord, slowly but he is too afraid to make a contact in his eyes. "No need to be formal, Han Dae." He said.

"B-but..." Han Dae stuttered.

"Face me." He ordered. Slowly, Han Dae and Asher both witnessed a beautiful figure in a crimson robe sitting properly with hands on the table. One holding the paper down and one putting the brush on the ink.

His long black hair is very captivating to the eyes of many who have seen him, as if a calm sea. His eyes are shining red, as if a tender dawn. His very fair skin matches his enchanting face, like a painting carefully painted by a painter in years without letting a single stroke and shade go wrong adding a small dot-like mole under his left eye, curving his lips upwards giving him a kind smiling face as a finishing touch.

Han Dae have heard of him before. He is the rumored blessed child, the person who tamed the moon. Now, the people calls him in a different title, 'The Rising Phoenix' or simply 'The Phoenix'.

Han Dae stood in awe without breathing nor blinking. This is the young lord he met years ago, the young lord he is serving. Truly deserving of respect and power. This is not the first time Han Dae met him, but it is the first time he truly revered him as the Crimson Han Tribe's next Head.

Asher is astonished as well. He would never think that this person in front of them is god-like both in appearance and presence. A Hashi in their time is nowhere near his level.

"I am Han Zeno. Currently, I am a Hashi. Pleased to meet you again." He smiled but Han Dae is still staring at his face intensely. He blinks but Han Dae's eyes is locked open to his face, staring deeply in awe. Starting to feel embarrassed, he forced a laughed in awkwardness, "Is there a dirt on my face?"

Han Dae snapped back to reality, "Ah! N-no! Y-Young Lord Han looks drop dead gorgeous!" Both of them got surprised after hearing what he uttered.

Then a memory flashed in Han Dae's mind, when Han Zoraida said, "Stop saying compliments like that. It sounds sexual harassment!" while getting his ears pulled by her as he groans in pain.

Han Dae freaked out, 'Fuck! What's with this mouth?! There are a lot of words you can use Han Dae!'

Drop. Dead. Han Dae!

"I-I beg your pardon—" Han Dae cannot relax.

Han Zeno chuckled, "I will take that as a compliment." Grabbing something from his long wide sleeve, he called Han Dae, "Come here, Han Dae."

'I-is he going to punish me?!' is what Han Dae has in mind at the moment.

Nevertheless, Han Dae walked in front of him until the only thing that separates them is the table in front of Han Zeno. "Sit and lower your head." He ordered. Without complaining, he followed.

Sweating, Han Dae gulped and closed his eyes when he felt that his young lord is doing something on his tied hair.

Han Dae, "..."

Asher, "..."

Han Zeno, "There!" he smiled and Han Dae faced him, "All done!" picking up a small mirror, he gave it to him and said, "That will tell people that you serve me directly."

Han Dae saw a rounded crimson with hint of gold clip on his hair. Every personal attendant of the young lord own one whether retired or still working. Then he gave Han Dae a dangling earring made of gold and ruby stones. "And this will tell people that you are a servant from this place. You should wear it on your left ear every time, never to take it off."

"Oh!" Han Dae realized. 'That is why he is looking at my left ear that time!'

Han Zeno stood and said, "Follow me, Han Dae." After wearing his earring.

While they are walking, Han Dae can't help but to take glances at his back. He really is graceful. He always wear a smile on his face and greets everyone no matter what their status is.

"Han-dou." He called a female servant, the one who is rushing back then.

"Yes, Young Lord Han." She lowered her head.

"I want you to teach Han Dae of his work here, can you do it in a day or should I call someone else to assist you?" he asked kindly.

"Thank you for worrying. This servant, Han Qin, can manage, young lord." She answered politely with face flushing pink.

Han Zeno smiled, "Thank you." He faced Han Dae, "I have to go now." Han Dae lowered his head when he heard him whispering to his ear, "Don't let your tongue slip again okay? I won't be here to help you this time."

Han Dae blushed in embarrassment and Han Zeno left with a smile still.

Asher carefully critiqued him with eyes squinting, "Yup." he came to a conclusion, "I think he's crushing on you Han Dae. Good job!"

The next day, Han Qin, the female servant, taught Han Dae everything, from Han Zeno's routine to his preferences. Where his hang out places are, where his room is, and the like. Han Dae is learning a lot when she said,

"Young Lord Han also goes monster hunting every now and then as his past time and duty. Sometimes, the young lord is bringing some Zushis, Hashis or his Shihans but most of the time, young lord likes to go alone."

"Hmm..." Han Dae thought, "If I told the young lord that I want to accompany him, would it offend him?"

Han Qin shook her head, "He would probably allow it." She thought, "Oh! But Han Dae, you must be tough enough to protect yourself, after all, those were evil creatures we are talking about!"

That answer replayed on Han Dae's head again and again.

And so, that same night, Han Dae knocked on his door, "Young Lord, it is Han Dae."

"Come in." he answered. After entering and closing the door, he continued, "You can just enter, you are my personal attendant after all. There is no need to be too formal in front of me."

"Really?" Han Dae blinked and he nodded. Han Dae then rushed to his bed where he is sitting. Sitting on the ground, leaning on the bed, he asked, "Young Lord Han?"

"Hmm?" Han Zeno smiled, not looking bothered at all. Han Dae's eyes sparkled as he giggles when he pay his behavior no mind at all.

Han Dae is liking it.

Turning his head, "Young Lord Han?" he eagerly called again, this time, with a smile on his excited face.

Han Zeno faced him, "Hmm?" he repeated.

Han Dae faced him with both of his head and arms leaning on the bed, "Can I join you in your next monster hunt?"

"Can you use your spiritual energy?" Han Zeno asked in a wonder with a smile.

Han Dae smiled, "Yup!"

Asher, "No!"

Uttered simultaneously.

Asher continued, "You can't! You practiced alright, but you still can't control it properly!"

Han Zeno smiled, "Alright."

Asher, "And you really believed that?!"

Han Dae rejoiced, "Yes!"

Han Zeno, "I'd be hunting again after ten days." He said, "So I want you to join the ranks of Zushi apprentice and train."

Han Dae's eyes sparkled, "I-I can join them?!"

"Of course, I already told their rabbi to take you in." he said.

Han Dae got excited, sitting up straight, he exclaimed, "Waah! I can finally train properly! Young Lord Han you're so sweet!" he continued, "I would love to call you Hashi-ni since I'd be one of your juniors now! And of course, you will pay for my expenses right?!"

Han Dae's unstoppable tongue once again slipped, 'Oh shit!'

"I-I mean--! 'I' will--! I'm the who--! I swear!" he blushed in embarrassment.

Han Zeno blinked and pinched his nose after smiling once again, "Hashi-ni... I love that."

"S-So... am I allowed to call Young Lord Han that way?" Han Dae asked.

"Mhm..." he smiled, "And don't worry, I will handle your financial problems as well." Han Dae once again turned red. He cannot believe at how shameless he has become in front of a young lord.

Location: Buried Forest of the Mist; Approximately two years later

Han Zeno from above ground fall like a thunder, slashing a huge beast with one sword clearing the mist around him. However, the beast, even if sliced in half, grew another arm and leg and have increased.

Han Zeno smiled, "Hmm... so you can multiply." He jumped to avoid the beast attacks.

Meanwhile, in the same forest, Han Dae is also avoiding the attacks of an undead wolf. Han Dae smirked saying, "Who disturbed your sleep, dear sir?" while avoiding, he gave it a kick that made it flying.

Transforming into a much bigger and thicker one, it stopped the strong force by burying its long claws on the ground.

"Yikes!" Han Dae exclaimed, "Don't you know when to give up?"

Han Zeno hooked his two fingers and attacked the other beast on the forehead, the beast dissolved like a dust in the wind. Right after that, he avoided the punch of the other beast. While dodging, he sheathed his sword and focused a portion of his spiritual energy on his right palm and hit its stomach leaving a huge hole.

Han Zeno smiled and said, "Goodnight." Using the same movement he used to the other one, the beast is also defeated. After wiping the blood off his cheek with his crimson sleeve, he wondered, "Is Han Dae finished already?"

Han Dae is avoiding the wolf's attacks while trying to find an opening to attack. While doing so, he saw an opening and used his Latigo to choke it and cut its head off. However, the wolf anticipated it and used its fangs to cut the rope.

"Ack!" Han Dae exclaimed and got scratched by its long nails when he blocked his body using his arms. Flying because of the impact, he bumped at Han Zeno whose reflexes are quick and caught him safely.

"H-Hashi-ni?!" Han Dae wondered.

Han Zeno smiled, "What happened?"

Han Dae laughed awkwardly, "How about you Hashi-ni?"

"Me?" Han Zeno wondered, "I'm already finished. Han Dae, don't tell me you are beaten up?"

Han Dae immediately hid his arms, "I-I am not!"

Han Zeno continued, "And what happened to your Latigo? You broke it again?"

Han Dae, "I-It was just an accident!"

Suddenly, the wolf appeared above them ready to make a meal out of them when Han Zeno moved his right hand forward, ordering his sword unsheathed itself. It stabbed the wolf turning it into skeleton and dust. His sword once again sheathed and he smiled at Han Dae.

"That's how you kill them Han Dae."

Han Dae got pissed, "You-! That should've been my first kill! Hashi-ni you're always greedy! Ugh!"

Han Zeno chuckled, "You always say that but you've never manage to kill them." While holding Han Dae's arms, he is transferring his some internal energy to cure his arms.

"It's not my fault that this sacred weapon is always breaking!" Han Dae snubbed.

Han Zeno smiled, "How many times should I tell you? Your strength determines the strength of your sacred weapon. You are still working your way through being a Zushi right?"

Han Dae pouted, "Tch! Rabbi Han is so strict! It has been two years and he still doesn't want to move up my rank!"

"This is the reason why." Han Zeno said while examining his Latigo. "See? I even cured the marks left on your arms by your own sacred weapon. A competent Jinji would never suffer from his own weapon now, would he?"

Han Dae sighed, "Fine! Fine! You win."

"Well then," Han Zeno said unsheathing his sword once again and cutting a branch of a tree near them. Han Dae got surprised when a young girl with pink hair and dark brown skin tone fell sitting on tree ground.

"A child?" Han Dae wondered, "No, a demon!"

"I-I am not here to fight!" she cried. Terrified, she crawled back until she hit the trunk of the tree while still shaking, sweating terribly.

"Then what are you doing here?" Han Dae asked.

"To..." she uttered, "To gain experience... I am here to watch... nothing more." Her tears fell, "Please! Please spare me!"

"Hmm..." Han Zeno wondered, "What do you think we should do, Han Dae?"

"Well..." Han Dae said, "Hashi-ni, technically it is a demon so we have to kill it."

That scared the crap of the creature.

"Even if it is still a child?" Han Zeno asked.

Han Dae, "They'd be pretty dangerous when they get older! They attack and kill people. Hashi-ni, you know that more than I do, what is the point in asking me? Even the villagers would burn it."

Han Zeno picked up the young demon girl and caressed her hair, "I will let you go this time."

"Huh?!" Han Dae exclaimed in disbelief.

Asher, on the other hand, whistled in awe.

Han Zeno smiled at him, "Look at her, Han Dae, can she kill you? She is still a kid and she has never killed any person yet. She don't deserve to be killed yet." Petting her to calm her down, he asked him, "Do you know why humans and demons loath each other?"

Han Dae's eyes widened and is speechless for a second by how he addressed the demon.

The majority refer to demons as 'it' for they do not want to acknowledge the demons as humane. However, there are still people who would address these creatures as 'he' or 'she' as a form of respect, not wanting to offend them.

"T-Territorial dispute?" Han Dae responded, answering his question, uncertain.

"Mhm." Han Zeno answered, "Forests, rivers, caves, even Mt. Rahab was once their territory. But we humans have a lot of offspring and had no choice but to covet their land. Demons then became violent and started attacking us, wanting to take their land back, while we do everything to protect our kind."

"But this kid here is innocent. Should she kill people when she grew up, she'd be judged as well." Han Zeno continued and faced the demon giving her a bun from his hand pocket, "Here, grow up well."

She took it and he let go of her, "What is your name human?" she asked.

Han Zeno smiled, "It's Han Zeno."

"Why is Zeno agreeing to let me go?" she asked in a wonder, "W-Would he f-follow he and k-kill everyone?"

Han Zeno smiled, "I would never dare." he wipes her dusty face and said, "If I could only bring peace to both races, I would do everything I can. If we can only remove the boundaries, wouldn't it be beautiful?"

"I-If that happens... can I come here more often?" she asked in a wonder, "Can I bring my friends to play? Would humans stop throwing stones at us? Also... can you and me..."

"... be friends?" she continued.

Han Zeno's lips curved upwards, but his eyes are filled with sadness, "Mnn."

She looked at him with face full of bewilderment, she gasped as if a long inhale. She smiled afterwards, "I will grow up! Then I will help!" she smiled and waved before leaving. Han Zeno waved back with a smile and faced Han Dae.

"Why do you look so triggered?" he asked in a wonder.

Han Dae, 'Oh? You really ask me why? She didn't even address you properly! And to call you by your first name only... I swear if I see her again I will dispose of her immediately!'

Asher felt the chills of Han Dea's threat, 'I would never want to end up in this guy's bad side...'

"Let us go back." Han Zeno said and Han Dae nodded.

After telling the villagers that the creatures would no longer attack their village, they all sighed a breath of relief and thanked the both of them. "We do not know how to pay you equally Young Lord Han..." the elder of the village lowered his head.

Han Zeno smiled, "You don't have to, Elder, it is our job to do this much for A-jins like you and your people."

"If only all Jinjis are as kind as young lord, this Elder here would never dare trouble thee whenever these things happen..." the Elder then took a sack of fruits, "Please accept our gratitude!"

Han Zeno got flustered but composed himself afterwards, "N-no! I mean, thank you, but I cannot accept that..."

Han Dae is listening to their conversation while tending to their horses. He thought, 'Hashi-ni is really kind to everyone... I would love to see him get mad...' Han Dae smirked, 'Oh well, at least his smiles are bright!'

An old lady approached Han Dae, "Hey there young man."

Han Dae faced her and said, "G-Grandma Elder... what is it?"

She smiled saying, "Here, take this. It is our thank you gift for you." While showing him a purple pouch.

"Oh... We are flattered but we couldn't..." Han Dae waved his hands, rejecting her, but she insisted.

"Inside is a special tea flower. It is popular here in this village." She uttered, "The fragrance can relax a person's mind. Take it and give it to the young lord over there, he looks tired. I am sure that he will love it." She said while putting it on his palms.

Han Dae cannot find a way to reject her anymore. He knows that Han Zeno is always calm and collected but in these past years, he really is very busy. He smiled and said, "Then, thank you for giving me this grandma. I will definitely serve this to young lord."

Han Dae put it in his pocket and Han Zeno approached him, "Are you finished?" Han Dae nodded and they rode their horses. Han Dae smirked and pointed at the sky saying, "Hashi-ni, what is that?"

Han Zeno slowed down to look when Han Dae hit his horse shouting, "The last one is a rotten egg! Hya!" Han Zeno faced Han Dae who is already far away.

He smiled, "Isn't that cheating?"

The confidence in Han Dae's face is so visible and his grin is unfading. However, when a shadow covered the light above him, he got startled. Slowly raising his head, he saw Han Zeno's horse landed on in front of his.

"Ah!" Han Dae shouted, very displeased. "That's cheating!"

"No it isn't." Han Zeno answered, "Besides, who's the first one to cheat?"

Han Dae got irritated. Frowning, he grinned and advanced beside Han Zeno, however, Han Zeno's horse is still a bit faster.

Passing to the forest's riverside, Han Dae pulled his horse closer to Han Zeno's. "Whoa!" Han Zeno exclaimed when his horse lost its balance. Unconsciously, he held Han Dae's sleeve and they both fell on the river.

Han Dae swam upwards to breathe when he noticed that Han Zeno isn't swimming up.

Gasping, he bit it nail on his thumb. Looking everywhere, he really couldn't find him.

Asher teased, "Oh dear, you murdered him."

"Hashi-ni?!" Han Dae shouted when he suddenly feel like drowning. Something caught his feet that pulled him downwards. Opening his eyes, he saw Han Zeno pulling his feet down. Han Zeno swam up and he did too. Chasing his breath, he clung into Han Zeno because he feels like he'll drown if he let go... even though the river is not that deep.

Wrapping his arms around Han Dae's waist, he asked while chuckling, "Are you alright?"

"You-!" he shouted furiously while still taking deep breaths, "You scared me! Are you trying to kill me?!"

Asher is also chasing his breath, 'Fuck! I could really die in this dream!'

"That is my line." Han Zeno smiled, "You got me all wet too!" he giggled.

"Ehem." Asher faked a cough, 'Why does my mind work like shit? Surely I'm not the one who would think such crap upon hearing that, right?'

'Huh?' Han Dae wondered. Finally noticing that his arms are wrapped around Han Zeno's neck, he immediately let go because he thinks he is being too disrespectful.

"We need to go back." Han Zeno said.

"Huh?" Han Dae wondered, "Hashi-ni, why are you in a rush?"

Han Zeno laughed awkwardly, "I just remembered that mother said I have a meeting to attend today..."

Han Dae, "..."

Han Dae, "Huh?!" he exclaimed. "Holy-! We need to go back immediately or else I'd be punished again!"

Asher, "Shouldn't you be the one who's remembering those kinds of things in the first place since you are the one who tells him his schedule?!"

Rushing back to Nagafushi, sneaking, Han Lulu of all people had to see them! Such good luck everyone! Give them a round of applause!

"Young— Oh my gosh! Young Lord Han what in heaven's name happened?!" he exclaimed the moment he saw him dripping wet. Han Zeno laughed awkwardly. Han Lulu glared daggers at Han Dae who is on the same boat as Han Zeno, "You--!"

"I-It is my fault!" Han Zeno said while going in between them, "I tripped and fell into the river. He tried to grab me but we both fell..."

"Even so," a woman's voice continued behind them. All of them got surprised.

Asher and Han Dae is slowly facing behind them as if their heads are glitching, thinking, 'Don't tell me...'

Han Zeno turned his head seeing a beautiful, tall hourglass body shaped woman with long black hair filled with accessories made from gold and rubies, reddish purple sharp eyes, fair skin, and a bright crimson lips as she wears a proud crimson hanfu with patterns of gold.

He uttered, "M-mother..."

Asher and Han Dae freaked inside, 'Ack! Her Ladyship Han Freia!'

"This attendant of yours is still to blame for being incompetent! Son, don't you really want to replace him already?" she asked but she sounds more like,

'I want you to take this shit out of my place already and choose another.'

Han Zeno lowered his head. Han Dae and Han Lulu did the same, "Dear mother, I would like him to stay as my attendant." he insisted.

She sighed in disappointment as she scolded him with harsh tone but with a worried voice, "Look at you. You are already late and this is how you present yourself to me? You dare make our visitors wait in that room?" and raising her voice.

"I dare ask mother to forgive me and let me redeem myself." Han Zeno said with a smile. Her cold glare disappeared and she sighed.

"Hurry up and get change." She ordered before turning her back on them, "Then go straight there."

"I will." Han Zeno said and left after taking one last glance at Han Dae who is still lowering his head, peeking at him.

"Han Lulu," she said.

"Yes, Her Ladyship Han Freia?" he asked.

"I will leave this matter to you." She said before leaving.

Asher and Han Dae, 'Oh shit!'

Han Lulu faced him and ordered without a second thought, "Go! Kneel properly in front of the Discipline Hall! Once you slouch your time will start all over again!"

Han Dae turned around to walk.

"Psshh..." Han Dae rolled his eyes.

"Hey!" Han Lulu called, "Where are you going? Discipline Hall isn't that way!"

Han Dae sighed thinking, 'I freakin' know!' he turned to faced him saying, "Can't I at least change my clothes first?"

Asher, "That's right! Want me to get sick?!"

Han Lulu, "Who cares?! I order you to kneel over there for four hours, now!"

Han Dae had no chance but to kneel in front of the Discipline Hall while still wearing his wet clothes. Kneeling properly, his irritation grew stronger while other servants walk past him as they mock him. Some whispers, some would let him hear their trash talks deliberately.

"Look... he is being punished again."

"What did he do to the young lord anyway?"

"He doesn't deserve to be here. He is always a burden to him! Oh! I feel pity for the young lord!"

"Ha! Let him kneel until he drops! Make him realize his place!"

"How many times is he punished now? Why don't they just kick him out?"

"Tch! Didn't you know? Young Lord Han insists that he stay!"

"Huh?! No way!"

"Ah, I tell you, he is taking advantage of our young lord's kindness, after all, he has become the favorite."

"He is!"

"The Favored One... what kind of skin does he have?"

"It's so annoying!"

"Fuckin' die already and disappear for good!"

Meanwhile, Han Zeno just finished the long meeting and is about to retire to his room when he saw that it is snowing already as the moon shines bright. Taking a breath, the air on his mouth is very visible as he exhales.

"Tonight will be a long night..." he uttered, "Do we really need to hold a celebration in this cold night?" while walking, his smile vanished when he saw Han Dae kneeling, snow piled up on his pale body.

He saw a servant, Han Qin, walking to a building next the Discipline Hall. He called her and asked, "Han Qin! Do you know how long is Han Dae kneeling?"

The servant is hesitant, getting a bit shy, scared, and guilty with mixed emotions, but then she answered, "A-almost four hours young lord..."

"I see..." he sighed, "Thank you."

The female servant entered the servant's chambers. Han Zeno, 'I cannot help you if it isn't four hours yet...' he faced him.

But then he heard laughing from the room. Because of curiosity, he peeked and heard them while they are drinking alcohol.

"Ha! I told you he still refuses to drop!"

"Seriously, what kind of body does he have?!"

"I won the bet! I won the bet!"

Han Qin said, "Young Lord Han just asked me about Han Dae..."

"So?" one answered sarcastically.

"Let's stop this! I don't want to lie!" she said.

"Oh don't be a party pooper! It is almost time anyway!"

Han Zeno opened the door completely to ask what they were talking about when he discovered it without even saying anything.

Han Qin, "But he is freezing! He is kneeling there for four hours and four hours ago!"

His eyes widened in shock. Every servant inside the room got startled the moment they noticed him.

Dumbfounded, he faced them with a hint of worry on his face.

"H-how long?" he asked one again.