Prison

As dawn broke, Bangja left the inn, saying he would check on the situation.

With nothing to do, I sat on the inn’s porch, munching on snacks and waiting for him to return.

I watched the innkeeper clean up after the previous guests, and a spring breeze blew in from a quiet place, ruffling my hair.

The scent I had noticed during the night was not a figment of my imagination. The breeze that brushed my face left behind the scent of fresh grass and fragrant flowers as if they were gifts.

The temperature was just right, and the sun was warm. It was a precious experience for me, who had been living in a forest of asphalt and concrete.

I had traveled to many places around the world, but there were only a few places as relaxing as this.

“I wish this kind of leisure could last forever…”

If I went to see Chunhyang, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this leisure anymore.

Stepping into the prison was like walking into a vortex of fate.

Perhaps this moment, sitting on the porch and quietly watching the scenery, was the only time of peace allowed to me in this world.

Damn it.

If the original owner of this body had been timid, I would have suppressed my temper, thinking there was no other way, but unfortunately…

I don’t know how this world will end, but first, I have to work towards a happy ending with Chunhyang. That’s what I have to do in this world.

“Oh, what a fragrance.”

The strong floral scent made me dizzy.

“Hehe, it’s fragrant, isn’t it? You can smell it around this time.”

The innkeeper, who was coming out after boiling broth, spoke to me, noticing my scrunched-up face.

“What kind of flower has such a strong scent?”

“It’s a mixture of scents from various flowers, so it’s hard to pick just one, but the scent of Golden Eye Herb is probably the strongest.”

I heard the name of the flower that had been used to treat Bangja again. Now that I think about it, I remember the woodcutter saying that it had a strong scent.

“Golden Eye Herb, huh.”

“It’s said to have a calming effect, so I put a few Golden Eye Herb leaves in the water I serve to the guests. It’s in the water Young master drank too.”

“So that’s why it felt so refreshing. Well, I thought Golden Eye Herb had a numbing effect.”

The innkeeper waved her hand as if to say it was okay.

“Haha, you’d have to put a lot of Golden Eye Herb leaves in to get a numbing effect. We only use two or three leaves, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Is that so? I see.”

The innkeeper looked me up and down once more and brought me more snacks.

After lunch, as the sun turned crimson, Bangja returned to the inn.

Having waited all day on the inn’s porch, I massaged my body here and there as I greeted him.

“So, if I go with Hyangdan, I can visit her?”

“Yes. Hyangdan is taking care of Chunhyang after she was imprisoned.”

“Will they let us in easily if two strange men suddenly show up?”

“I’ve become acquainted with the guards by going back and forth to the government office, so it’s possible. Besides, if we say that we are distant relatives of Young master, it will work. And if we slip them some money, it’s a sure thing.”

“Okay, then tonight?”

“Yes. We can leave after dinner.”

Bangja nodded with a determined look on his face.

Dinner was served. The side dishes and rice weren’t fancy, but it was an appropriate meal considering the big event ahead. Anyway, I probably wouldn’t have been able to swallow the rice properly because of the tension.

“Waaaaah! Young master!!! What will become of our poor Ah Chunhyang!!! Waaaaah!”

As soon as Hyangdan saw me, she collapsed and burst into tears. Hyangdan, with her freckles, sobbed in Bangja’s arms for a long time.

“I’m sorry. I, I’m being so foolish…”

Hyangdan, still wiping her teary eyes, began to lead the way.

The road to the government office was long. We walked like night visitors along the winding path.

When we arrived, the moon was hidden behind the clouds, and the surroundings were dark.

“Halt.”

A guard, sensing our presence, thrust his spear forward.

“It’s, it’s me. Hyangdan.”

The guard, hearing Hyangdan’s voice, shone a torch on her face to confirm her identity and then gestured towards us.

“Who are these men?”

“They are Ah Chunhyang’s relatives. They rushed here as soon as they heard she was imprisoned.”

The guard clicked his tongue, feeling sorry for her.

“Everyone is suffering.”

“Hehe… You’re suffering too.”

Hyangdan smiled awkwardly and entered the government office, and I gave a brief nod and passed the guard.

In front of the prison, Hyangdan told me to go in alone, saying that Chunhyang would be happy to see me.

Well, Chunhyang probably thinks that I’ve forgotten her and met a new woman, so she’ll be happy if I show my face.

I walked into the prison.

I was worried about what I could say to Chunhyang now.

“Is that Hyangdan?”

Had she heard my footsteps? A parched voice came from the other side.

“You’re late today. So, what happened?”

I slowly moved my feet.

“Hyangdan?”

And then I revealed myself.

“……..”

“……”

The two people looked at each other.

“Young… master?”

The moisture returned to Chunhyang’s parched voice in an instant.