13

Some Things Unravel Faster Than Others

Kim Ssook would be lying if she said she wasn't worried when Madam Cheon had called her and two other trusted Muwoldan women for an emergency meeting at her quarters. Along with them, Lady Kim had been called to attend for the first time and that's when she was sure – this was something big. The first instructions that were given to them confirmed her fears.

"You need to disappear from the village," Madam Cheon began, her face full of worry. "Leave as soon as it's dark. Make sure to travel in groups of three or four and leave no trace behind. We're shifting our base to Asawon before the King finds out about us."

"Who gave the order?" Kim Ssook asked.

"The Premier wrote to me," Madam Cheon informed them but No Yeon Boon spoke up.

"Are we really sure about following a leader who keeps changing his mind about things? Especially after all the chaos that happened last night…"

"I know you didn't expect me to let Park Danho through," Madam Cheon admitted. "But according to our deal with Yulmu; pardon, I mean Prince Neungyang, he can fulfil what we need if we stick with him to the end. Besides, it can be very dangerous if we don't do what he says…" This time it was An Jung Sook who responded.

"How do we know who to follow? The Premier and his orders? Or Yulmu with his?"

"I'm meeting the Premier tomorrow morning to clarify things," Madam Cheon replied. Kim Ssook then came forward.

"Let me escort you to meet him," she said but Madam Cheon declined.

"I need you here to organize the move," she said. "I'll go… with Lady Kim."

x-X-x

"Are you really going to go?"

Master Hwang's question had Nokdu thinking it over again as they sat together and discussed what he planned to do next.

"I have to see this through to the end," he said quietly. "I need to know…" Hwang sighed.

"We've learnt enough," he insisted. "All this drama between the King and his nephew… we should just stay out of it." Nokdu shook his head.

"I don't want to go into hiding again," he said firmly. "I witnessed Yulmu's treason and I plan to report it to the police bureau, which will also prove that my father didn't do anything wrong." He let out a deep breath. "I just want to live blamelessly with my father and brother… and with…" Nokdu paused before choosing his next words and Master Hwang brought him into a hug.

"Yes. Aengdu and I will be there with you too," he said, patting Nokdu's back.

"Ah… yeah, sure…" Nokdu gave him a tired smile and got to his feet.

"I need to talk to Yulmu," he said in a determined voice. "And I know exactly where to find him."

x-X-x

Danho had finished his chores quickly and headed straight to the Kisaeng House kitchen. He was looking for Lord Yulmu and awaiting further orders but he couldn't deny the tiny part of him that hoped to find Lady Kim there since he knew she liked to check up on her adopted daughter Dongju who was currently working there.

The door was shut, which he found odd since he knew that Lord Yulmu always liked to leave his door open while working. He walked up to the kitchen entrance and just then, to his surprise, the door burst open and two figures ran out. He stepped back to see Dongju and Aengdu coughing while smoke continued to come out of the kitchen. Danho rushed inside to put the fire out and turned to the two faces that were now looking at him.

"What happened here?" He asked, with his usual flat tone. Aengdu began to sniffle.

"Yulmu orabeoni said he would make flower rice cakes and we would go on a picnic," she pouted, "But I can't find him and Miss Dongju here doesn't know how to make them…" Danho noticed Dongju was close to rolling her eyes. "Would you make them instead?" Danho's eyebrows went up.

"What? Me?"

"Yes, you work with Yulmu orabeoni so you must know how to make them, right?"

"I…"

"Please!" Aengdu whined and Dongju was now standing looking impatient with her arms crossed. Danho groaned in annoyance before giving it a thought.

He was waiting for Lord Yulmu anyway and had nothing better to do until then.

"Alright."

"Yes!"

"What?"

A short while later, Danho was placing the last of his wobbly almost-flower shaped rice cakes in a box, feeling proud of himself.

"Take it," he said shortly, gesturing towards the package to Aengdu who was smiling brightly.

"Great! Now let's go," she said, grabbing his arm.

"Go? What –" Danho started to protest and shake her off when he saw Lady Kim enter the kitchen. He saw her glance at a grumpy looking Dongju at the door before her gaze shifted towards him and fell on –

"Aengduya!"

Danho frowned, mentally kicking himself for thinking he would have been the first person she would notice. Lady Kim kneeled down next to them and put an arm over Aengdu. "What's going on here?"

"Ora- err, eonni!" Aengdu fumbled before continuing, "We're going on a picnic!"

"We? Who's we?"

"I think," Dongju's voice popped up making the other three turn to her, "It's a great idea for husband and wife to take little Aengdu on a picnic."

"What?"

"What!"

Danho turned to look at Lady Kim who appeared horrified at the idea.

"I have no time for this."

"I have work to do."

But before either of them could argue, Dongju had already snuck away and Aengdu was now dragging the two of them to their feet. Lady Kim shook her head and reached for the box of rice cakes but Danho beat her to it, carrying it proudly as the three of them stepped out of the kitchen. Danho couldn't believe what was happening but since Lord Yulmu was nowhere to be seen…

He can wait. I deserve a little break.

x-X-x

Premier Yoon walked into the room where he had been keeping Yunjeo with a tray of food and placed it on the table.

"Eat something," he instructed and Yunjeo sighed.

"I can't tell whether I'm being protected or being locked up," he said pointedly and Yoon sat down across the table from him.

"Let's just say, I'm protecting you by keeping you locked up," he explained.

"I just want to find my sons!"

"My men are looking for the man you were with in the mountains. He must be hiding well because we haven't found a body either." Yoon paused. "If I find the King's son…"

"We will run away to Ming and hide," Yunjeo assured him. "Just let us be!"

"You said he grew up smart and rightly so maybe…" Yunjeo frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nevermind," Yoon shook his head, deciding Yunjeo didn't need to be burdened with this proposition just yet. "We'll keep looking for him so you just stay here and don't worry about anyone getting hurt."

He would ask Yunjeo another time.

x-X-x

Nokdu wasn't sure why he was doing this but if there was anyone who could convince to take a picnic in the middle of all the chaos that was happening in his life right now, it would be Aengdu.

He thought he might as well take her to the river so they could go fishing. They were so far away from the village that Nokdu could have changed out of women's clothing and into his own without any fear of anyone spotting him; that is, if Park Danho didn't happen to be there as well.

He wondered how much longer he would have to keep his secret from the man before finishing what he came to do. It's not that Nokdu minded Danho being there with them on the trip; he actually enjoyed his company if he was being honest. This was probably the reason why the longer he was around him, the worse he felt about deceiving someone who he could call a friend.

Aengdu walked happily in between them, holding their hands so they could all walk together. Nokdu stole a glance at Danho who had the same blank expression he always seemed to favor.

From all the time Nokdu had spent with him, he knew it was a mask, one that Danho seemed to have worn for so long it had outgrown its use as a defense mechanism and now become a permanent fixture on his otherwise handsome face.

It was a shame; he really did have the most endearing eye smile he had ever seen.

That was when Danho's gaze suddenly snapped to his, as if he had sensed Nokdu's eyes on him. Nokdu immediately turned away, deciding to fully focus on the path before him.

Soon enough the woods began to clear and the river came into view. There was a boat there for fishing and they boarded, making their way across the water. Danho had reached out to grab the oars but Nokdu was adamant that he does it. Once they were far enough, he put out a fishing line while Aengdu opened her picnic box and began to happily devour the flower rice cakes.

It was only then that he noticed that Danho had been silent the entire time they had been out in the water. His arms were wrapped around himself and he kept his head down. It took Nokdu a moment but then he remembered something from a memory that Danho had shared with him not too long ago.

Danho wasn't the biggest fan of deep water.

Just as he was about to suggest that they head back to the shore, he felt Aengdu tug at his hanbok.

"Or-eonni, I need to poop."

Few minutes later, Nokdu found himself standing guard while Aengdu gleefully relieved herself in the tall grass. To his surprise, he saw that Danho had taken the boat out by himself. Nokdu frowned.

Maybe he got over his fear of water.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he watched as Danho looked to the side of the small boat and to his utter horror, rolled sideways into the water.

"Wha – Danho!" Nokdu yelled, nearly forgetting to put on his Lady Kim voice. Completely ignoring Aengdu's calls to get her a leaf for wiping, he rushed to the shore with his eyes trained on the water on the boat.

Why wasn't he coming up for air? What if he can't swim?

Nokdu ran straight into the water when suddenly Danho's frame popped up with a splash. That brought Nokdu back to his senses and he finally heard Aengdu's voice.

"You know the water is only knee-deep right?" She yelled. Nokdu's drooped his head in embarrassment.

Aish…

He could feel his cheeks burning. He shook his head and looked up to see Danho walk up to him with a fish in his hand.

"I thought this will be an easier way to catch our meal," he said simply and walked past Nokdu, leaving him even more awkward than before.

What is wrong with me?

He and Danho set up a fire to cook the fish and Nokdu found it hard to look at him for a while. They sat in silence, having their meal as both he and Danho dried out after getting in the water.

Completely oblivious to anything strange between him and Danho, Aengdu was the one who seemed to be having the best time. As they walked back, she trotted ahead while he dragged his wet shoes and socks through the mud, followed closely by Danho.

"Kim Nok-soon, wait…"

Nokdu turned to see Danho had stopped and was gesturing at the trunk of a tree.

"What is it?"

"Your socks are wet."

"I know. So?"

"Please sit here," Danho pointed at the tree and when Nokdu didn't react, Danho gently took his arm and pushed him to be seated. He then got to his knees and began to remove Nokdu's shoes.

"Hey, what are you –" Nokdu choked, his eyes widening at Danho's actions. "WHAT ARE YOU –"

"Excuse my contact," Danho said softly, now holding Nokdu's small bare feet in his hand. Nokdu felt a strange impulse from their skin touching but decided to ignore how gentle Danho's hands felt against his ankle. The swordsman then pulled out a pair of dry socks and before Nokdu could react, he had put them on him.

The dry smooth fabric felt amazing on his feet and surprisingly warm. He wasn't sure if that was from the socks or the fact that Danho was now staring at him like he was a delicate flower.

"What?" Nokdu pouted as Danho put his shoes on for him.

"Why did you even get in the water?" He asked with a somber face and Nokdu cleared his throat.

"I just… I don't… why do you even have spare socks?" Nokdu muttered.

"You know things can get pretty dirty in my field of work."

"You mean bloody," Nokdu bit back.

"Just… let's go," Danho stood up, extending his hand. Nokdu completely ignored his offer and marched past him to catch up with Aengdu.

He could have sworn he heard a chuckle from behind him.

x-X-x

Yulmu scoffed at the letter he had been presented with by Madam Cheon.

"What, he thinks he can just tell the Muwoldan to leave the village and be done with it?"

"The King is suspicious, my Lord," Cheon reminded him. "Perhaps it would be safer if you don't come by to the Kisaeng House for a while and –"

"It's more suspicious if I stop visiting suddenly, don't you think?" Yulmu cut in and thought for a moment. "Do what the Premier says for now."

"Yes, I plan to leave at first light and talk to him into agreeing with us."

"Very well, I shall arrange for guards and a horse," Yulmu offered but Madam Cheon shook her head.

"That's alright. I have a Widow to accompany me."

At the same time, Administrator Yeon Geun had been brought before the King for questioning… and Gwanghae planned to learn everything there was to know about Widow Village.

x-X-x

Danho had gone his own way by the time Nokdu returned to the kisaeng house after their little fishing trip. To his annoyance, he ran into Yulmu when walking by and he was looking at him with unfiltered displeasure.

"So 'Lady Kim'…" he said, his lips turning into a sneer, "I heard you got into the Muwoldan."

"One needs to make a living," Nokdu said flatly. "I heard you are planning treason," he added coolly at which Yulmu's face scrunched up in anger and he took a step closer to Nokdu.

"The only reason I haven't killed you yet is on Dongju's request," he growled, his face just inches away from Nokdu's as he stared him down. "And it's getting harder to hold back."

"I'm not worried," Nokdu scoffed. "Just make sure you don't stress Dongju out."

Yulmu didn't answer; he simply narrowed his eyes at Nokdu and walked past him, leaving Nokdu fuming.

At the very moment, unbeknown to either of them, Dongju was at her secret cave, packing up her entire workshop and ready to go on her mission.

Later that evening when Nokdu headed back to Danho's place he was still simmering from his confrontation with Yulmu.

The nerve of that guy, really…

"Or-eonni!"

Nokdu's ears perked up on hearing Aengdu's voice and that's when he saw her and Master Hwang standing outside Danho's door. He spotted Park Danho himself standing at the threshold looking a bit taken off guard.

"What's going on?" Nokdu asked, frowning and walking up to stand next to Master Hwang. "What are you doing here?" Before Master Hwang could speak, Aengdu's voice came through.

"We have a long day in Hanyang tomorrow," said matter-of-factly. "We decided to stay in the city overnight so we could start our search for the best meat dish here early." Nokdu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Master Hwang who shrugged.

"I think that Lord Yulmu put it in her head that there's some delicious dish you can get in the city," he muttered.

"I know we'll find it tomorrow!" Aengdu said excitedly before looking up at Danho who had been silent until now. "But we can have dinner tonight with you."

"Dinner?" Danho's eyes widened and Nokdu came to stand in front of him.

"Aengduya," he started, "I don't think it's safe for you to –"

"We have enough food," Danho's voice came from behind him. Nokdu spun around to look at him.

"Danho," he said under his breath, "You don't have to do this."

"It's alright," he said simply and stepped to the side of the door. "Come in," he added, gesturing for the others to enter. Aengdu hopped in followed by an apologetic Master Hwang. Nokdu shrugged and entered followed by Park Danho.

Soon enough they were sitting around the table, stuffed with food and barring a now sleeping Aengdu, tipsy on the alcohol that Hwang had managed to obtain. The Master was starting to doze off himself.

"Aengduya," he slurred, "Wake up, we need to leave now." Aengdu pushed him away and grabbed hold of Nokdu's hanbok.

"I want to sleep here," she whined in her dozing state, clutching Nokdu for life.

Aish…

Nokdu stood over the bed he had rolled out to cover the whole of the one room they had to share. Danho had stuck himself to a corner turning to face the wall while the other end had Master Hwang passed out. Aengdu had gotten comfy next to her father which left him with one opening.

He had to squeeze in between her and Danho.

It was strange; he had been sleeping in the same small room as Danho since he had moved in but this time…

Something felt different. And it wasn't just the fact that they were lying right next to each other.

Nokdu took a deep breath and lay down, straightening his body to avoid invading neither Aengdu nor Danho's space. He crossed his fingers across his chest and stared up at the ceiling, hoping that sleep would come to him. At least the hanbok didn't bother him anymore; it was actually quite comfortable to sleep in.

He fidgeted in the small space he had in an attempt to get comfortable and finally turned to the side… only to find himself face to face with Danho who was staring at him. He was close enough for Nokdu to count his eyelashes and see the hints of dark brown in his eyes. Danho swallowed, looking at him strangely and that brought Nokdu back to his senses.

"What?" He whispered so as to not wake others. Danho opened his mouth to respond but seemed to be having difficulty getting the words out.

"I…"

"What is it?" Nokdu scolded under his breath impatiently. "Why are being weird? It's not like we have to pretend to sleep as a couple."

"I think…" Danho started, his low voice sounding deeper than ever. "I l-like you."

Nokdu blinked.

"Huh?"

"I like you Kim Nok-soon," Danho repeated, his tone more confident than before.

Nokdu wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep and this was a crazy dream or if this was actually happening, because if this was real…

Park Danho had just confessed to Lady Kim.

Nokdu blinked and Danho looked back at him like he was waiting for a response of some kind. He let out a short laugh.

"Yah, listen," he began with an awkward smile, "The others are asleep. You don't have to put on a show that we're a married couple –"

"I'm not pretending," came Danho's immediate reply.

"What?"

Nokdu's eyes widened and from what he could tell, Danho too appeared to have surprised himself with his confession. He took in a sharp breath and before he could comprehend what was happening, Danho tilted his head closer. His gaze had now shifted to Nokdu's mouth that was agape in surprise. Danho lifted his hand and softly ran his thumb across Nokdu's lower lip as he leaned in. Nokdu was frozen until he promptly brought his palm between them, covering Danho's mouth.

"Hajima," Nokdu gasped, his voice unusually dry. He cleared his throat and paused to gather his thoughts. "I have to be up early tomorrow." Danho blinked and Nokdu immediately turned over to the other side, pulling his blanket closer and squeezing his eyes shut.

He could feel Danho's stare on his back for a few moments before he heard him shifting away to give him space. That's when he revisited what just happened.

Danho was going to kiss me.

Nokdu felt relieved but was also conflicted with something else he was feeling and couldn't pinpoint.

Why didn't I turn away sooner than I did?

That was a little better than the bigger question that was booming in his head.

Did a part of me… want it to happen?

Nokdu squeezed his eyes shut.

This widow disguise is making me lose my mind.

Attributing it to shock, he consoled himself and finally sleep found him.

x-X-x

Danho could tell as soon he opened his eyes that it was still the early hours of morning. He wasn't sure what had stirred him awake until he looked to the side to see an empty space where Lady Kim had been sleeping last night. Memories from just a few hours ago began to resurface as his mind began to wake up.

"I like you Kim Nok-soon."

Danho promptly sat up, glad that the others were still fast asleep. He decided he needed to find Lady Kim and explain or at the very least, confess properly.

He rushed out the door, just in time to see Lady Kim hurrying off with a bag.

"Lady Kim! Wait!" He yelled out and she stilled in her tracks. She slowly turned her head slightly to look at him and that's when Danho noticed she was dressed up; she was going somewhere important.

"I'm busy right now." She continued to walk away and Danho jogged up to her.

"We need to talk," Danho said plainly. "Actually, you don't even have to talk. I just need you to listen…"

"Park Danho, I have a lot of work today."

"I have to tell you something."