Startled, JHo briskly raced toward Master Cheon-Ho"s living quarter.
JHo could not believe what Du-Ito said.
It was very unlike Master Cheon-Ho to call for Ho-Chi when JHo was staying quiet, showing no interest in Ho-Chi. Instead of forgetting about Ho-Chi, Master Cheon-Ho"s attention on Ho-Chi increased. This was very unlike Master Cheon-Ho indeed, JHo thought as he quickened his pace.
As soon as JHo slid open the door to Master Cheon-Ho"s living quarter, JHo spotted Ho-Chi kneeling and wiping the floor.
Master Cheon-Ho on the other hand looked irritated with his lips pursed. Master Cheon-Ho was kicking decorative folding screen, looking like a child throwing a fit.
"Master Cheon-Ho?"
"What?! Why are YOU here?! Get out!!"
Instead of retreating out the door, JHo stepped in farther and set down beside Master Cheon-Ho.
"Master Cheon-Ho, did something happened?"
After hearing JHo"s concerned question, Master Cheon-Ho"s face turned bright red. Master Cheon-Ho shouted suddenly.
"S,s, something what?!!! Don"t waste my time!! Get out!!"
"Ha?"
"Ark! Not you!! YOU, finish your work! You, JHo, GET OUT!!"
Startled Ho-Chi tried to leave the room with his rag but Master Cheon-Ho shouted Ho-Chi to come back and gestured for him to continue cleaning.
Seeing that Ho-Chi was back in his position, Master Cheon-Ho pushed JHo out the room with his feet.
"Don"t waste my time by coming back!"
With a bang, the door closed shut.
There were only Master Cheon-Ho and Ho-Chi left in the room.
Not believing in Master Cheon-Ho"s capricious tendencies, JHo became worried about what might happen to Ho-Chi. Instead of leaving right away, JHo paced up and down by the closed door until a servant approached him.
"Master JHo, you should not worry too much."
"Do you perhaps know something?"
"Master JHo might not know of Master Cheon-Ho"s unpredictable temper, but this kind of thing happened frequently since long time ago. It will pa.s.s, so you shouldn"t worry too much about Master Cheon-Ho."
As if there is nothing wrong with Master Cheon-Ho"s odd behavior around Ho-Chi, the fox servant smiled as he rea.s.sured JHo.
Hearing the fox servant"s words, JHo took a deep breathed and tried to release the tension from his body. Stepping down from the corridor, JHo prayed silently for Ho-Chi"s safety. JHo could only hope that Master Cheon-Ho would soon snap out of his whim caprice and let Ho-Chi go.
After pushing JHo out of the room, Master Cheon-Ho collapsed onto his padded seat as he stole glimpses of Ho-Chi.
As Master Cheon-Ho had ordered, Ho-Chi was doing his best cleaning out the micro-dusts from varying corners of the room.
Even though he himself gave the order, Master Cheon-Ho did not feel satisfied.
It was all because Master Cheon-Ho could not see Ho-Chi"s face while Ho-Chi lowers his face to look at the floor.
Master Cheon-Ho knew that if he ordered Ho-Chi to clean the decorative folding screen Ho-Chi would finish too soon and escape to his living quarter. Master Cheon-Ho could have order Ho-Chi to clean the ceiling but Master Cheon-Ho worried that Ho-Chi might fall from a ladder and hurt himself. The only option for Master Cheon-Ho to do, then, was to order Ho-Chi to clean the floor of the room which would give plenty of time for Master Cheon-Ho to be together with Ho-Chi. However, what Master Cheon-Ho did not consider was the fact that Ho-Chi needed to lower his head to clean the floor. Now, Master Cheon-Ho could not see Ho-Chi"s face.
If it was any other days, Master Cheon-Ho would already be out spending his time with his concubines, leap around on Mountain Dong-Lang, and playing jokes on varying creatures. However, Master Cheon-Ho choose to stay in his room, even going as far as holding back his urine to do so.
In the beginning, Master Cheon-Ho did his best to be discreet whenever he turned his gaze to look at Ho-Chi"s face, but as time pa.s.sed Master Cheon-Ho turned his body this way and that to have a better view of Ho-Chi"s face.
Sensing Master Cheon-Ho"s visible movement, Ho-Chi couldn"t help but turn his eyes toward Master Cheon-Ho"s direction. Ho-Chi"s eyes met Master Cheon-Ho"s.
Staring into Ho-Chi"s eyes, Master Cheon-Ho could not help but feel ashamed for being caught watching Ho-Chi.
Master Cheon-Ho, to hide his embarra.s.sment, shouted suddenly at Ho-Chi.
"W,w, what are you looking at?!! Get to work!"
"…Yes…"
To Master Cheon-Ho"s thundering roar, Ho-Chi lowered his face once more. Looking at Ho-Chi"s retreating form, Master Cheon-Ho could only bite down on his blameless sleeve.
Master Cheon-Ho could not help himself, he is a fox after all.
Foxes were known to be sly and coy, but Ho-Chi was a fox with no foxy traits.
Even though he was the one who vented his anger on Ho-Chi, Master Cheon-Ho blamed Ho-Chi for not acting like a fox. Looking at Ho-Chi who was diligently cleaning the floor, Master Cheon-Ho groaned inwardly.
"Master Cheon-Ho, the meal is ready~"
"! Y, yes! Prepare the meal in Cheon-ga Dang*!"
"We will set up the meal right away"
*Cheon-ga Dang: pavilion by a pond. *
As soon as a servant notified Master Cheon-Ho about the meal, Master Cheon-Ho"s face brightened. After ordering his servant to set up the meal, Master Cheon-Ho grabbed Ho-Chi by the arm and strode toward Cheon-ga Dang.
"Ah, M, Master Cheon-Ho?"
"We are going to eat a meal together."
"Wha…?"
Not wanting to trip, Ho-Chi moved his legs quickly to match Master Cheon-Ho"s pace.
Ho-Chi was confused as to what was happening. Even though Master Cheon-Ho has a servant who helps with the meal already, Master Cheon-Ho insisted on bringing Ho-Chi along to the meal.
Ho-Chi stole a glimpse at Master Cheon-Ho"s cheerful expression. Ho-Chi noticed that even though Master Cheon-Ho showed irritation in the room, as soon as he heard news about the meal Master Cheon-Ho brightened up instantly. It was strange to discover that Master Cheon-Ho was quite different from how Ho-Chi imagined him to be in the past.
Ho-Chi was happy to just stay by Master Cheon-Ho"s side and work.
However, when Ho-Chi is alone in his own room at night, he makes gifts for Master Cheon-Ho.
The bud doesn"t show any sign of opening, so Ho-Chi wasn"t sure when he would be able to let outside.
Out of anxiety and nervousness, Ho-Chi was sending handmade gifts to Master Cheon-Ho, hoping he will eventually let Ho-Chi out of the palace.
Ho-Chi was hoping that he could get out of the palace before the guy could return home, worn out from waiting.
Thinking all these while running after Master Cheon-Ho, Ho-Chi reached the place where the meal was being prepared very quickly.
Surrounding the Cheon-ga Dang, the tall lotus leaves were showing off their colors, creating a cozy scenery. Looking at the tall leaves that were surrounding the Cheon-ga Dang, creating a sort of barrier from the world, Master Cheon-Ho paled.
"This is too intimate! Why is it so closed in?!"
Thinking things through. Master Cheon-Ho paused in his steps.
Because Ho-Chi was following Master Cheon-Ho with all his might, Ho-Chi b.u.mped into Master Cheon-Ho"s broad back.
Startled, Ho-Chi immediately stepped back.
"S, So sorry."
"…"
Master Cheon-Ho did not say anything.
Master Cheon-Ho could not say anything because he was too busy hiding his smile on his lips from Ho-Chi.
The back where Ho-Chi touched was tingling with sensations.
It was like a feather tickling heartstrings that Master Cheon-Ho didn"t think existed. It brought warmth to Master Cheon-Ho"s heart.
The servants brought out the dishes one after another and finished setting up the table.
Noticing Ho-Chi by Master Cheon-Ho"s side, the servants pushed Ho-Chi to the seat where a poison taster was supposed to seat.
However, when the servants placed small pieces of foods onto the dish right in front of Ho-Chi, Master Cheon-Ho ate them instead.
"Master Cheon-Ho?!"
"Uhm, it"s delicious. Here, try it."
Saying this, Master Cheon-Ho personally placed the foods in front of Ho-Chi.
"Why are your hands idle? Give me the samples of foods."
Master Cheon-Ho ordered to the dazed servants. Some hesitated but they all obeyed Master Cheon-Ho"s order by placing bite size pieces of each dishes in front of Master Cheon-Ho.
Without second thought, Master Cheon-Ho ate everything that was placed in front of him, tasting each dish carefully.
When finished, Master Cheon-Ho pushed every dish to Ho-Chi.
"What? Hurry and eat. They are all very delicious. Hurry."
Moving closer to Ho-Chi, Master Cheon-Ho pointed to the eating utensils, urging Ho-Chi to eat.
When Ho-Chi didn"t move, Master Cheon-Ho brought foods to Ho-Chi"s mouth himself, thinking that shy Ho-Chi looked cute.
Hearing Master Cheon-Ho"s gentle urging, Ho-Chi grabbed the spoon in front of him and started eating the foods laid out on the table.
Hardening his expression, Master Cheon-Ho put down the food that he offered to Ho-Chi on his chopstick.
Realizing the change of emotion written on Master Cheon-Ho"s face, Ho-Chi looked up worriedly.
"You"re not so polite. You don"t think to ask me if I wish to eat with you."
Not remembering that he was the one who urged Ho-Chi to eat, Master Cheon-Ho commented grumpily.
Hearing this, Ho-Chi immediately put down his spoon with his face red with embarra.s.sment.
"My apology", Ho-Chi spoke in a littlest voice and that put Master Cheon-Ho in a bad mood again.
After telling Ho-Chi to eat more, Master Cheon-Ho did not eat, but only played with his food on the plate, using chopstick.
Not wanting to upset Master Cheon-Ho any further, Ho-Chi studied Master Cheon-Ho furtively as he ate in small bites.
Master Cheon-Ho also stole glances in Ho-Chi"s direction. Gathering courage, Master Cheon-Ho picked up some food with his chopstick and held it out to Ho-Chi.
Seeing this, Ho-Chi carefully placed his spoon under Master Cheon-Ho"s chopstick. Master Cheon-Ho let go of the food that he was holding.
Ho-Chi ate the food that Master Cheon-Ho gave him.
Master Cheon-Ho immediately picked up another food and held it out to Ho-Chi. Ho-Chi, repeating the process, ate the food given to him. Content by the outcome, Master Cheon-Ho began feeding Ho-Chi in much quicker pace.
Watching the scene, the servants who were standing on the side began snickering among themselves.
Without warning, Ho-Chi"s complexion became pale and he clenched his stomach in pain.
Noticing Ho-Chi"s struggle to keep his face straight while sweating cold sweat, Master Cheon-Ho became startled and worried.
"uhm…ca..can I go to the bathroom…"
"What?!…We are in the middle of a meal! Okay, just go."
"My apology…"
Master Cheon-Ho who became worried for Ho-Chi lost his appet.i.te after hearing the word; bathroom.
Warmed by Ho-Chi"s eagerness to eat food delivered by his chopstick, Master Cheon-Ho was about to join Ho-Chi and eat his share, but the plan was all ruined.
After Ho-Chi hastily rushed out from the Cheon-ga Dang while clenching his stomach, the servants let out their shrill laughter.
Not knowing the reason for their mirth, Master Cheon-Ho stared at them questioningly.
"You really don"t like Ho-Chi, Master Cheon-Ho. It was so mischievous of you to feed him those foods."
"I understand that Master Cheon-Ho wished to poke fun at Ho-Chi. Now Ho-Chi is going to suffer a great deal for a while."
Hearing the servants" comments, Master Cheon-Ho frowned.
"Who would dream of eating something so rich in the human world. It is perfectly fine for Master Cheon-Ho to consume these foods since Master has been eating them regularly, but for those who are not used to these types of food, they will suffer from indigestion."
"…What?!!"
"You are so mischievous Master Cheon-Ho. No one would have come up with this type of joke."
Finally comprehending what is being said by the servants, Master Cheon-Ho stared vacantly up at the empty s.p.a.ce.
When the servants" snickering laughter did not cease, Master Cheon-Ho reprimanded them to be quiet.
Freedom~