As soon as they were inside the carriage, Chunho's mask of calm slipped, and his anger erupted. "What were you thinking, Jeoyoon?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "You know the rules. You're not supposed to leave the manor without my permission. And yet, you deliberately disobeyed me and went out."
Jeoyoon cowered, his eyes fixed on the floor, his fingers played with his robe him as he muttered . "I-I'm sorry, Chunho," he stammered. "You've been gone for two days, and I wanted to get you a welcome gift to celebrate your return. I didn't expect to run into Yoon Doowon."
Chunho's grip on his arm tightened. "A welcome gift?" he repeated, his voice incredulous. "You risked disobeying me for a gift?"
Jeoyoon nodded. "I didn't think it would be a problem. I was just…happy you were coming back…"
Chunho's eyes narrowed. "You're happy I'm back?" he repeated, his voice softening slightly. "You're happy I'm back, but you didn't think to wait for my permission to leave the manor? Not less when your injuries haven't healed?"
Jeoyoon shook his head, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Chunho. I wasn't thinking. I promise it won't happen again and my wounds has healed….i just feel some pain from time to time that's all.."
"You're not allowed to leave the manor without my permission again, Jeoyoon," Chunho growled. "Do you understand?"
"Got it!"
Jeoyoon's eyes fell at the stack of boxes and he tapped his knees lightly.
Chunho chuckled lightly as he leaned and placed his hands on Jeoyoon's knees.
Tapping them lightly as well "What is it? You seem a bit distracted?"
"…!"
"You saw wrong, I was merely admiring the carriage…. So the emperor, did he punish you?"
Jeoyoon turned his face away as he changed the topic.
"Don't worry I won't be punished in exchange for sparing Injo's life.."
Jeoyoon stroked his chin, he had a feeling Injo wasn't the reason the emperor spared Chunho, he had a gut feeling it was something deeper.
"I happened to stop by the market.."
"And I got you some gifts," Chunho said, his voice low and husky.
Jeoyoon's eyes widened in surprise as Chunho handed him the packages. He unwrapped the paper to reveal three boxes, each containing a dozen of the red bean buns, rice balls, and candied fruits he had been craving.
"Ahh, you actually got them!" Jeoyoon exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
Chunho smiled, his face softening in a way that made Jeoyoon's heart flutter. "I'm glad you like them," he said, his voice gentle.
Jeoyoon nodded eagerly, digging into the treats with gusto. Chunho watched him with a soft expression, his lips cranking up at the corners as Jeoyoon made happy noises while eating.
"Mmm, this is so good. I wish I could eat them all day!" Jeoyoon said, his eyes lighting up with delight.
Chunho chuckled, his smile growing wider. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," he said, his voice low and husky.
Jeoyoon's eyes sparkled with excitement as he devoured the treats. After a few moments, he looked up at Chunho and asked, "Chunho, would you like to try some?"
Chunho raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Jeoyoon thought he would refuse, but then his face softened and he nodded.
"Just one," Chunho said, his voice low and husky.
Jeoyoon's face lit up with excitement as he carefully selected a red bean bun and handed it to Chunho. Chunho took a small bite, his eyes never leaving Jeoyoon's face.
The room was silent for a moment, the only sound being the soft crunch of the bun. Then, Chunho's eyes brightened at the corners and he smiled, a small, gentle smile.
"It's good but too sweet," he said, his voice low and husky.
Jeoyoon's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Chunho's smile. He felt a sense of happiness wash over him, and he couldn't help but smile back.
"I'm glad you like it, here try the rice balls they're delicious.."Jeoyoon said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No I'm okay, you should eat.."
"…"
"But…I can't finish it all myself, are you sure you won't take another bite?"
Jeoyoon pouted as he stuffed two rice balls inside his mouth, making his cheeks bulge.
"Ah.."
Chunho swept his hands through his hair as he chuckled, Jeoyoon looked so cute he felt he was candied.
"Alright, just one more.."
Chunho leaned and opened his mouth, waiting for Jeoyoon to give him a piece.
"Okay.."
Jeoyoon blushed as he picked a piece of rice ball, if they were any closer their nose would touch.
"If you like them so much, I'll hire a cook from capital..he or she will make it just the way you want it…"
"…"
"Really?? Wait I'm supposed to be your servant why are you being so nice to me…"
"Mhm.." Chunho paused and grinned "because now I'd rather make you my wife than my servant.."
Jeoyoon's eyes widened in shock, and his face turned bright red as he stumbled backward, almost choking on the rice balls in his mouth. He looked like he had been hit by a bolt of lightning, his eyes fixed on Chunho's face with a mixture of surprise, embarrassment, and shyness.
"N-no,no!" Jeoyoon stuttered, his voice trembling as he tried to protest. "I-I mean, I'm just a servant, you can't...you can't say things like that to me!"
Chunho's grin only grew wider as he watched Jeoyoon's reaction. He couldn't help but be amused by Jeoyoon's embarrassment and shyness.
"Why not?" Chunho asked, his voice low and husky. "You're a beautiful and you fit my preferences, Jeoyoon. Besides I think you would make a wonderful wife."
Jeoyoon's face turned an even deeper shade of red as his eyes fixed on the floor. He looked like he wanted to disappear into thin air, his embarrassment and shyness overwhelming him.
"N-no, no, no!" Jeoyoon repeated, his voice still trembling. "I-I won't...I mean why do I have to be the wife?"
Chunho chuckled, his eyes brightening with amusement as he watched Jeoyoon's reaction.
"You want to be my husband?? Mhm sure but you're the one giving birth…I can't be the wife?"
"…."
As Jeoyoon wanted to protest, when he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. His vision began to blur, and he stumbled backward, his legs giving out from under him. Chunho quickly caught him, holding him upright as he called out for Ahn to come and help.
"Ahn!" Chunho yelled, his voice echoing through the carriage which quickly came to a halt. "Jeoyoon's fainted! Get the physician, now!"