Stigma Chapter 3 part2

“Unnie, can you take a look at this?”

EunSeo had been embroidering a pouch and asked the woman next to her, who had been in the middle of sewing a man's jacket.

The woman was her brother EunLib's wife.

Even though she had come from a noble family, her sewing skills were so good that she made all of EunLib's clothes herself.

Even though their home had many servants and seamstresses, she told everyone that she would be the one to make her husband's clothing. Therefore she was the one who made all of EunLib's clothing by hand, from his socks to his jackets.

Like any other day, she was sewing clothes for her husband. EunSeo was also embroidering a pouch next to her and showed her sister-in-law her work.

“It's quite lovely. But who are you planning on giving this to?”

EunLib's wife gently glanced at her.

EunLib's wife had recently conceived.

This was their first child after 3 years of marriage.

Unable to conceive for 3 years, she had been incredibly nervous. However, now that she had finally conceived, a great burden had lifted off her shoulders.

“It doesn't look like it's a pouch for yourself…”

EunSeo had embroidered a dragon and a tiger on the pouch.

Women's pouches never had dragons or tigers on them.

She was most likely making a pouch for a man, but it didn't seem like she was making one for her brother.

“I wonder whose it is…”

EunLib's wife chuckled softly.

Young EunSeo was embroidering this pouch in order to gift it to a man who had caught her fancy.

Unable to answer, EunSeo's cheeks flushed. EunLib's wife was sure of her suspicions now.

This beautiful maiden had fallen in love.

“The man who often comes by with Brother…”

EunSeo replied in a quiet voice.

“Are you speaking of SeoYoon-nim?”

There was no other man who came by to see EunLib other than his new friend Heo SeoYoon.

Upon having his life saved by SeoYoon, EunLib always called his new friend over whenever he had the opportunity.

Even though EunLib enthusiastically called his friend over often, from what EunLib's wife could remember, the man seemed to be extremely shy and always looked awkward when he came by.

If one didn't mind the awkwardness, the man was quite fit and seemed to be a good man.

“EunSeo.”

EunLib's wife gently gazed at EunSeo.

“Yes?”

“I'll be rooting for you.”

“……”

At her words, EunSeo's face turned bright red.

“Thank you, Unnie.”

Returning to work on her unfinished embroidery, EunSeo smiled gently.

It didn't look like her brother EunLib knew about this yet.

However, it was nice to have someone in her corner cheering for her.

Heo SeoYoon.

It had already been two months since he had begun to visit this house.

After he had saved her brother's life, he came by at least once every three days.

Of course, he never came on his own. He was always being dragged in by her brother.

Her brother had taken a liking to him and loved having a drink with him.

And EunSeo always sat with them, listening to them talk about things she didn't understand. Still, she entertained herself by stealing glimpses of SeoYoon's face whenever she had the chance.

That was enough to keep her happy. She was so happy that her heart began to flutter and throb.

Early in the month of June, two men were sitting inside a pavilion.

EunLib and SeoYoon were sharing a pot of tea.

Having met in March, these two men had become fast friends in three months.

Of course, EunLib was the one who led this friendship, but SeoYoon didn't hate it. Like every other time, SeoYoon had been dragged here to have a cup of tea.

Even though they had only known each other for three months, EunLib treated SeoYoon as if they had been friends for 30 years. SeoYoon liked that side of him.

The man named EunLib had a warm personality that let everyone around him feel at ease. Whenever he was with him, SeoYoon momentarily forgot about the revenge he had been planning.

He forgot about his revenge and returned to being a normal man who felt the commonplace joy of being able to share his life with a close friend. EunLib was able to give him that sliver of joy.

Of course, that didn't mean his thoughts of revenge completely fled his mind. He never forgot that he would finally be able to avenge his family once July came.

He was merely able to temporarily set down his burdens whenever he was with EunLib.

SeoYoon knew what kind of man EunLib was.

As the best warrior of this nation, he instructed soldiers on the training grounds and was one of the personal guards of the king. SeoYoon knew this very well.

The King's personal guard.

In July, he would be cutting off the head of the king.

Of course, he didn't tell this to EunLib.

He didn't want EunLib to be swallowed up in this matter.

SeoYoon had already told this to General Oh.

He asked General Oh to keep Yoo EunLib and his family from harm when they overthrew the current king and beheaded him. General Oh gladly agreed.

Yoo EunLib had been a guard at the royal palace before the current king had taken the throne.

He also served the previous king.

Even though he had only known this man for three months, SeoYoon could tell that he was a simple man who had no interest in politics.

Even though he had enemies in the palace, he never stepped foot into the dirty world of politics. He only had his sword on his mind.

He was that simple-minded.

SeoYoon wanted to protect this man from the rebellion they had been plotting.

And if this man was harmed, EunSeo would also be harmed.

SeoYoon had already experienced this.

He already knew what it felt like to lose one's whole family and be left alone.

Therefore, he planned to block the wind of this rebellion from blowing towards EunLib.

Thankfully, SeoYoon was at the center of this rebellion. If the rebellion succeeded, General Oh had promised SeoYoon that he would be able to have anything he wanted.

He didn't want anything.

So instead of obtaining something, he managed to get General Oh's promise that EunLib would not be harmed.

Even if the king changed and the country changed, EunLib's family would continue to peacefully live their lives as usual. If he wished it, EunLib may even be able to become the new king's personal guard.

Of course, SeoYoon couldn't say any of this to him now.

Yoo EunLib was quite inflexible, so if he found out about the rebellion, he would definitely be against it. He may even try to stop it.

Therefore, SeoYoon kept it a secret and decided to make sure EunLib was away when the rebellion struck the palace.

He would use an excuse to keep EunLib at his house, and once the rebellion was over, he would reveal everything to him.

“My wife's belly has grown quite large now. I'm thinking about sending her to her parent's house before the rainy season comes.”

EunLib poured some cold water into SeoYoon's cup as he spoke happily.

“Then who will take care of you?”

“My house has a few cooks and enough servants. Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself.”

SeoYoon raised his head at EunLib's words.

He didn't understand what he meant.

“Our EunSeo… How much longer are you going to leave her like that?”

EunLib let out a strange laugh.

EunLib wasn't totally unaware of what was going on.

He wasn't a complete fool who hadn't been able to notice the looks between SeoYoon and EunSeo whenever SeoYoon visited their home.

He'd be blind if he didn't notice the feelings growing between those two.

However, they merely exchanged glances. They never acted on those feelings. EunLib felt frustrated just watching them.

They both liked each other, but no one was making the first move. Therefore, EunLib intervened.

EunSeo was EunLib's precious younger sister.

After the death of their parents, she was his only flesh and blood left on this earth.

Therefore, he didn't want to send her away in marriage to just anyone.

The man had to be a trustworthy person. If EunLib didn't like the man, he definitely wasn't going to let her marry him. However, Heo SeoYoon… EunLib felt that he could accept this man.

EunLib thought SeoYoon was an upright and good-hearted man.

Even though he was being secretive about what he did, SeoYoon had told him that he would reveal everything to him later. Still, EunLib trusted that he wasn't a bad person.

And this man was also loved EunSeo.

EunSeo and this man. EunLib believed they would make a beautiful couple.

Unable to take it anymore, EunLib called SeoYoon here to speak with him.

“Don't drag this out any longer and take my sister.”

SeoYoon's eyes widened at EunLib's words.

“Don't leave my sister like that any longer and make her your family.”

After saying those words, EunLib looked over SeoYoon's shoulders and called out.

“Come up here.”

Bewildered, SeoYoon turned around.

He didn't know how long EunSeo had been standing below the pavilion.

EunSeo went up at EunLib's invitation and obediently sat down between the two men.

“I've said everything I wanted to say, so it's time for the two of you to make the decision.”

After saying those words, EunLib stood up. He leisurely began to walk down the pavilion steps and walked away, leaving EunSeo and SeoYoon alone. After watching EunLib leave, SeoYoon turned his head back around to see EunSeo staring at him. Their eyes met.

Such beautiful eyes.

A maiden with a smile on her pink lips.

He thought she was a blindingly beautiful maiden the first time he saw her in the mountains.

That day when he saw her bright, lovely eyes… The moment he saw her underneath the shining moonlight, his heart skipped a beat.

SeoYoon had never heard his heart beat that fast before in his life.

She was incredibly light as he carried her up the mountain. Did she know how empty his head felt at that time?

When they met at the temple and again at this house, did she know how fast his heart was racing inside his chest?

Whenever she spoke, his ears lost its hearing. When she smiled, he lost his sight. Did she know that?

Did Yoo EunSeo know that she was turning him into a fool?

Beautiful maiden.

He liked hearing her call his name in her lovely voice. He liked it when her pretty eyes looked at him. He loved seeing her smile. He was afraid of being too greedy with her. Did she know that?

She was so lovely that he was scared to touch her. Did she know that?

He was satisfied just watching her from afar like this. He never knew he could have these feelings until he met EunSeo.

“SeoYoon-nim.”

EunSeo held something up to SeoYoon.

“It's a gift for you.”

She was holding a pouch in her hand.

EunSeo's cheeks flushed as she held the embroidered pouch up to him.

“If you don't like it, you can just throw it away.”

Behind her words, she was telling him that it was okay for him to disregard her brother's words if he didn't want to take her as his wife.

As she was gifting the pouch to him, she was declaring her desire to be his wife. However, if he threw away the pouch, he would be rejecting her.

“I…”

SeoYoon couldn't speak.

Was it really okay?

Would it be okay to take this beautiful maiden as his wife?

They hadn't started the rebellion just yet. He wasn't sure what his future held for him at this point.

‘But if I reject her…'

What would happen if he rejected her?

Could he forget her and continue to live on?

Now that he had a taste of this beautiful maiden, could he erase her from his heart and live on?

If only he hadn't known about these feelings from the start. If he hadn't known her, he would have been able to do it. However, now that he knew… He wouldn't be able to forget her.

Those beautiful eyes… He wouldn't be able to calm his racing heart whenever he thought about her eyes.

Would he be able to be happy?

His father, his mother, and his sister.

Will you allow this foolish son and brother of yours to be happy?

He didn't forget those who died such torturous deaths. He wouldn't forget this deep hatred that pierced his soul. But even so, could he be happy?

He'd pay back those that wronged him. He'd have his revenge. But could he be happy? Would it be fair to those who passed away? Would they understand?

Since he'd avenge them, he should be able to enjoy a short-lived happiness with this beauty.

His family… They'd understand.

“I… I'm a man who doesn't have much to his name…”

SeoYoon cautiously took the pouch EunSeo held up to him.

“The only thing I have to offer you is just my worthless heart, but if you're okay with that, I will gladly become your husband if the heavens allow it…”

“Just your heart?”

EunSeo's eyes suddenly filled with tears.

“Did you just tell me that you can only offer me your worthless heart?”

EunSeo stretched out her hand and grasped SeoYoon's hand that was holding the embroidered pouch.

“Please don't let me leave that heart. That's all I need. You only need to love me with your heart. I'll be satisfied with that.

“You may end up regretting this because of me.”

“No. Never. I'll never regret it. I'm confident that I'll never regret it.”

Suddenly, SeoYoon embraced EunSeo.

As he tightened his arms around her back, he buried his head into her hair.

Holding her as if she'd shatter that the slightest touch, he began to slowly stroke her back.

“I promise you. In my life, you will be the only flower that blooms.”

He wasn't sure about anything else, but he could guarantee her this.

This beautiful woman would be the only flower that bloomed inside his heart in this lifetime.

The only flower that would bloom. The only flower he would love. It would only be her. He could promise her that.

If he could have a taste of this happiness for only a short time, he pledged to keep this woman happy with everything he had.

He would do it no matter what it took.

TN: I'm having such a hard time getting through this chapter. All this fluff in the flashback is just making me feel even more depressed. It's just so, so sad 😫😫😫.

Chapter end