Jeoyoon nodded, relief washing over him as he squeezed Chunho's hand in return. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."
Chunho stood up, his gaze soft as he looked down at Jeoyoon. "Rest for now. I'll make sure everything is prepared for our journey. We'll leave as soon as possible."
Jeoyoon closed his eyes, trying to conserve his energy while Chunho left the room to oversee the arrangements. Chunho's mind was already racing as he thought of the topography of the mountains, knowing that Jeoyoon's health depended on reaching his grandmother quickly.
As Chunho stepped outside, he encountered Commander Woojin, who had been waiting nearby. Chunho's expression hardened as he addressed him.
"Commander, we're postponing the inspection of the eastern outposts and the naval base. I need you to ensure the reports are prepared in my absence and that all soldiers are on high alert until I return."
Commander Woojin nodded, though his eyes lingered on Chunho with a mix of respect and lingering disapproval. "Understood, Supreme Commander. I'll see to it that everything is in order. Safe travels."
Chunho didn't miss the subtle tension in Woojin's tone, but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the task at hand. "I'll be in touch if anything urgent arises."
As Woojin bowed and walked away, Chunho turned his attention back to the preparations.
"Ahn well need 5 foot men once they're arranged, you get in the carriage. It would take about three days to get to the foot of the mountain and then we have to find where she lives.."
Ahn nodded as he left to go get the foot men , Chunho strolled back in into the carriage.
He expression unreadable as he cleared the hair away from Jeoyoon's face.
"My grandmother lives just past the foot of the mountain, ask for physician Eunja…the villagers know her well there.."
After that Jeoyoon lost consciousness, Chunho sighed as he stared at the window.
He was beginning to wonder what his actually aim with Jeoyoon was, he wanted to toy with him but now he felt like he was the one being played.
It would be a bad thing if he caught feelings, after all, him saying he wanted Jeoyoon to get get pregnant was just out of curiousity. He didn't want children at all and he didn't want to tied down with marriage.
"Should I just end it?"
Chunho clenched his fists, after all said and done Jeoyoon belonged to him and he wanted him to embed in him that he couldn't live with him.
Ahn quickly gathered the footmen, ensuring they were equipped for the journey ahead. As they assembled, Chunho remained inside the carriage, his thoughts turbulent as he watched over Jeoyoon. The small carriage was silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves outside and the sound of hooves preparing for departure.
When Ahn returned and the footmen were ready, Chunho gave the signal to start the journey. The road to Mount Sook was winding through dense forests and steep inclines. Which made going up harder as they got closer.
Jeoyoon remained unconscious, his breathing shallow and his skin pale. Chunho kept a vigilant watch over him, unable to shake the growing unease in his chest. Every time Jeoyoon stirred or made the slightest sound, Chunho's attention snapped to him, his worry intensifying. He hadn't expected to care this much, to feel this protective, and it unnerved him.
The first day passed with little event, but by the second, the strain of the journey began to show on everyone, especially on Chunho. His usual composure was fraying at the edges, his temper shortening with each passing hour that Jeoyoon remained unconscious. He kept replaying their last conversation in his mind, the way Jeoyoon had clung to him, his quiet resolve, and the fear in his eyes.
By the third day, they finally neared the foot of Mount Sook, the towering peaks looming in the distance. The air grew cooler as they ascended, and the path became narrower and more treacherous. Chunho's patience was wearing thin, his worry now palpable as he stared at Jeoyoon's still form.
When they reached the village at the mountain's base, Chunho immediately ordered the footmen to ask the locals for directions to Physician Eunja's home. Ahn returned swiftly, his expression tense as he wiped his sweat.
"The villagers have given us directions, Supreme Commander. It's not far, but the path is steep. We should be able to reach it within a few hours."
Chunho nodded, his focus laser-sharp. "Then let's not waste any more time. Lead the way."
The carriage couldn't go any further, so the men carried Jeoyoon on a stretcher as they climbed the rugged path toward Eunja's home. Chunho walked beside them, his gaze never leaving Jeoyoon's face. He was haunted by the thought that maybe he should have ended things before they reached this point, but he couldn't deny the pull he felt toward Jeoyoon, the need to see him safe and well.
As they approached the small, secluded manor nestled among the trees, Chunho felt a sliver of hope. If Jeoyoon's grandmother could help him, then perhaps this harrowing journey would not be in vain.
A figure appeared at the door as they neared, an older woman with sharp eyes and a serene expression. She took one look at Jeoyoon and nodded, as if she had been expecting them.
"Bring him inside," she instructed, her voice calm but commanding. "There's much work to be done."
Chunho felt a strange sense of relief wash over him as he followed the woman inside, watching as the footmen carefully placed Jeoyoon on a low bed. The interior of the rooms was simple, filled with the scent of herbs and the soft crackle of a fire.
The woman, who Chunho presumed was Physician Eunja, moved with practiced ease as she began her examination of Jeoyoon. She didn't ask questions, simply focusing on her task, and Chunho found himself respecting her for it. He stood back, his hands clenched at his sides, as he waited for her verdict.