SCANDAL - yoon seungho

CHAPTER 10

—Phew, I'm exhausted. — Complained a servant.  —The ground is still wet from the rain. I don't understand why he insists on hunting. — He continued.

—Hush! — Another servant said, putting his finger to his lips. — And watch your step so you don't step in the mud! You don't want to risk getting wet in this cold. —

[Y/N] huffed, as she wasn't used to the continuous exercise she was doing. Even walking for a certain amount of time tired her out and had her huffing and sweating slightly, so what about climbing a mountain?

—You're far too young to be struggling so much. — A man said to her.

—I, um, all I've ever done is paint so... Ahh! — She was about to fall but a pair of strong arms catched her. She felt her back collide against a strong chest.

—You should be careful.— Lord Seungho smiled.

—Thank... Thank you. — [Y/N] managed to stutter out.

Sir In-Hun, who was just ahead of them, looked behind him with an unreadable expression on his face, as he looked at the interaction between the Lord and the Paintress. He directed his view ahead, as he didn't want to be caught looking at the low-born woman.

...

—I had no idea you enjoyed hunting for sport, Sir Jung. — Seungho said, his characteristic smile on his face. —Are your scholarly endeavors going well?—

—Yes. Thanks to you, my Lord. Your library is full of books I'd been unable to acquire, and they have been of great help. — Sir In-Hun said, smiling back at the Lord. — In fact, your collection is so extensive, your library resembles a bookstore. Have you read all those books, my Lord? Or just... —

Sir In-Hun was interrupted by Lord Seungho speaking. — Why would I keep books in my library that I have not even read? — He retaliated.

Sir In-Hun didn't utter a word, instead, he got an arrow out of the quiver and shot it, hitting a deer right on its flank, killing it successfully.

—I was wondering why you were standing there... you excel even at the physical arts, sir Jung. — The smile wouldn't leave Seungho's face.

—Do you say so in earnest, my Lord? —

Seungho kept silent for a few moments, then he replied —It seems you believe me to be lying. —

—I know you did not seek me out because of my poetry, I know you promised [Y/N] that if she painted for you, you would find me a post in the government. — Sir In-Hun accused, no, he declared with his full chest.

—So I have been found out. — Seungho said, seeming slightly defeated, or maybe he was just faking it. —Then again, of course I would not have sought you out after reading such derivative drivel.  —

Sir In-Hun smiled, was it genuine or not, I do not possess said knowledge.

—She may be ignorant, certainly... but you are quite shameless to have given her such an atrocious poem as a gift. —

Sir In-Hun gripped the bow tightly, his knuckles turning white.

—Does it matter what I write for a whore who is not even literate? — He continued. — But at least now you have lightened my mind of one concern, young Master Yoon. I had been feeling uneasy, after hearing that the son of such a renowned family praise my, ah, well, derivative drivel so highly. I could not help but wonder about the truth behind the rumors in the streets... —

—I have heard those rumors as well. — Seungho stabbed the deer in the neck with his sword. — That greatness is bound to fall, and that the Yoons are now no different from a wealthy but uncultured family of merchants. — He gripped Sir In-Hun's shoulder, and to say it was a tight grip would be an understatement.  — These are the rumors of which you speak, are they not? —