TGHD Ch 49

As amusing as Yeohwi’s reaction was, Ryubeom decided to hold back his teasing. If he continued, Yeohwi might leave. He believed it would be better to save this for the near future when he could use it more effectively.

They then focused on finalizing their plans.

Ryubeom wanted to proceed as quickly as possible, but Yeohwi advised that rushing could be detrimental. Revealing past wrongdoings amid the current turmoil with the Cheonho Foundation might attract more attention but could also be overshadowed.

Prolonged chaos could lead to fatigue and loss of interest, and the fox clan might suspect that they were trying to bury the apology under the ongoing commotion.

Additionally, the tiger clan’s system was already paralyzed due to the current turmoil, and adding more issues could completely derail everything. Ryubeom couldn’t disagree, especially with Cheon Hoyeon’s face flashing in his mind.

The recent clash between the tiger and fox clans was now a known fact, and the clan members understood why the fight between the heads occurred. Yeohwi had informed the fox clan members before Ryubeom addressed the tiger clan members. So, Yeohwi said that just announcing that they were discussing compensation was enough for a first step.

Yeohwi spoke very seriously. He meticulously reviewed the documents Ryubeom had organized over the past few hours, checking their feasibility.

When it came to the word “reconciliation” at the end, Yeohwi hesitated before responding.

“Actually, it’s not appropriate to mention reconciliation right now.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. But just stating that there will be discussions about compensation for the damage will convey the ultimate direction…”

He explained very cautiously, as if worried that Ryubeom might be disappointed that his desired goal couldn’t be achieved immediately.

“But rest assured, we will move in the direction you want.”

Yeohwi’s words, as he looked Ryubeom straight in the eye, sounded almost like a promise. It felt as if he was pledging to forge a path following Ryubeom’s will.

Ryubeom blinked. Though Yeohwi was concerned about his disappointment, Ryubeom wasn’t disappointed at all. On the contrary, he found this conversation fascinating.

“Yeohwi, you really seem like a family head…”

“…Thanks for the compliment.”

Although Guil handled most of the clan’s management, Yeohwi did the final checks. Moreover, having run businesses abroad for a long time, he had a broader perspective than Ryubeom. Ryubeom was genuinely impressed.

“Oh, right. I heard something from Guil during a recent call…”

During the investigation into the Cheonho Foundation’s damage, it was revealed that Hn Entertainment’s business had been hindered. When Ryubeom asked Guil if he knew, Guil replied with an awkward smile, saying it was impossible not to know.

As the first fox Suin idol, the attention was high, and despite domestic interference from the Cheon family, the network Yeohwi had established abroad allowed for active participation, with no significant difficulties. Once they became globally famous, even the Cheon family couldn’t ignore them in the domestic entertainment industry, subtly gaining the upper hand in collaborations.

Reacting to Ryubeom’s admiration, Guil muttered a bit bitterly,

“The family head has traveled to many foreign places and knows a lot. That’s why he’s trying to change the clan’s structure like that…”

It was a small lament, but Ryubeom easily heard it. When he asked what Guil meant, Guil was flustered and said it was nothing, but that only confirmed that it was indeed something.

So Ryubeom directly asked Yeohwi.

“What exactly were you trying to change?”

“Well, I was thinking of changing the clan to a parliamentary-like system. So it could operate without a family head, moving away from the current head-centered structure…”

“Can a Suin society function without a family head? That’s the first time I’m hearing this.”

“Such a structure is not found among the powerful families, but it’s somewhat present in the ordinary ones. The fox family has operated in a unique way, so I thought it was worth trying…”

The more powerful a family was with spiritual power and magic, the more it tended to be centered around a family head. The family head was usually determined by bloodline, with the strongest blood relative taking the position.

But Yeohwi had assumed the role of family head by absorbing the seal to deal with the aftermath of the great fire and had left for abroad as soon as the situation was somewhat settled.

As a result, power in the fox family naturally shifted away from being centered on the family head. The newly rebuilt main house gathered clan members from various villages, dispersing power. Additionally, as peace treaties were established, the fox clan became closer to humans, leading to more mixed heritage.

So, Yeohwi’s idea of doing away with the family head position altogether intrigued Ryubeom. He had heard of other large clans operating similarly. Even if the title of family head existed, it held merely representative significance without exerting the strong authority seen in the tiger family.

“If someone among the clan members wants to be the family head, they can step up, but I also considered the possibility that no one would want the position. Right now, none of the clan members show any desire for power…”

When Yeohwi subtly asked Guil in the past, none of the clan members expressed interest. While they were willing to support the current family head, no one wanted to take over the position. In fact, when Guil started with “If we were to establish a new family head…”, they reacted negatively, wondering if the family head was about to change.

Yeohwi said that the clan members had no interest in power, but Ryubeom thought differently.

“They all like the current family head.”

The fox entertainers Ryubeom had met before had a strong liking for the family head. He had swiftly addressed the aftermath of the great fire, succeeded in business abroad to support the clan, and expanded the fox family’s presence in human society through peace treaties. With the success of Hn Entertainment, it was hard not to like him.

“Why would they like a family head they’ve never seen?”

“They’d like him even more if they knew what he looked like…”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Yeohwi looked exasperated, but Ryubeom nodded as if stating an obvious fact. Yeohwi eventually let out a chuckle.

But Ryubeom had an inkling of why Yeohwi had prepared such a plan. There was a clue in his statement about ensuring operations continued smoothly without a family head. In that battle, Yeohwi had anticipated his own death. It was more than just being prepared; he had expected it.

Perhaps Yeohwi also felt guilty about the great fire and was even more reluctant to step forward before the clan members, not wanting to receive their favor directly.

Ryubeom chose not to point this out.

“When you revealed the truth about the recent battle, you did so through Guil without showing your face, right? So, even though the clan members know you’re back in the country, their curiosity grows daily because they haven’t seen you.”

“Guil really told you everything…”

“Yeah. He apologized as he told me. So, if we reconcile with the tiger family later, why not show your face then? They’ll be thrilled and welcome you warmly.”

“……”

“Oh, the entertainers at Hn Entertainment might be a bit surprised.”

Ryubeom expressed sympathy, jokingly lamenting that those who had insisted on debuting him might be shocked. Yeohwi remained silent, seemingly sensing Ryubeom’s genuine intentions behind the casual conversation.

After a long pause, Yeohwi finally let out a soft laugh.

“I’ll think about it.”

“…Really?”

“You told me to do it, so why are you surprised?”

Ryubeom blinked in surprise at how readily Yeohwi accepted his suggestion. Although he had spoken lightly, he thought it would be difficult to convince Yeohwi, who had stayed hidden for over a hundred years, to come out. Yeohwi’s positive response was unexpected, and Ryubeom felt a sense of accomplishment, thinking his influence had grown strong enough to move him.

Ryubeom then stretched and headed towards the bed. He was exhausted from working on the documents since early morning. It was already late at night.

“Are you going to sleep?”

“Just resting for a bit…”

As Ryubeom lay down, Yeohwi covered him with a blanket. When it seemed Yeohwi was about to leave the room, Ryubeom quickly grabbed his collar. The sudden tug made Yeohwi fall towards him.

“Let’s sleep together.”

“…I’m not sleepy. I’ll come back in the morning…”

Yeohwi tried to answer calmly and pull away, but Ryubeom quickly laid him down and pinned his arms. Then he dove into Yeohwi’s embrace. Although it looked like Ryubeom was the one being held, he was actually pinning Yeohwi down.

“Then put me to sleep.”

“…In this position?”

“Hurry.”

Ryubeom even wriggled to find a comfortable position in Yeohwi’s arms, making Yeohwi sigh deeply. He knew Cheon Ryubeom was always the type to charge ahead, but he never imagined he’d be pinned down like this. Covering his eyes with his hand, Yeohwi muttered in resignation.

“Young master, you’re really trying to make me a piece of trash…”

“It’s okay if you’re trash.”

“You won’t even deny it.”

Earlier, Ryubeom had urged him to become trash quickly, and now he was pushing him not just with words but with actions.

“If you’re trash, no one else will want you, so I can have you all to myself. I like that.”

Ryubeom’s outrageous words made Yeohwi sigh even more deeply. Seeing Yeohwi cover his face with both hands and sigh, Ryubeom burst into laughter.

In truth, Yeohwi could easily escape this position if he wanted to, but the fact that he didn’t try made Ryubeom happy. He was effectively confirming the meaning behind Yeohwi’s words that he could no longer push him away.

* * *

In the end, Yeohwi resigned himself to patting Ryubeom’s back. He concluded it was better to put Ryubeom to sleep quickly. Listening to him any longer was making his head spin.

Ryubeom could sense Yeohwi’s intention and considered staying awake just to be stubborn, but Yeohwi’s touch soon made him sleepy. Perhaps it was his experience with the triplets, or maybe Ryubeom was particularly susceptible to his warmth…

As Ryubeom clung to his fading consciousness, he shifted slightly. Lying on top of Yeohwi was a bit impulsive, but it felt much more secure than he had expected.

He muttered to himself that he might get addicted to sleeping like this, to which Yeohwi replied that it wasn’t allowed. Ryubeom shot him a look, but then laughed softly at Yeohwi’s additional request for mercy.

Feeling Ryubeom’s body relax, Yeohwi patted his back a little more gently. Ryubeom’s eyelids fluttered slowly, closing gradually.

But just as he was about to fall asleep, Cheon Ryubeom asked an unexpected question.

“Yeohwi. What have you been doing lately?”

“…What kind of question is that?”

“You were planning to leave everything behind, weren’t you? The family head position, your life…”

Ryubeom asked slowly. He had recently taken the time to visit the villa where Yeohwi and the triplets had lived together. He found it empty, almost desolate as if no one had lived there. It was what he had expected, but it still chilled him.

Maybe that’s why he was curious about what Yeohwi, who hadn’t planned for the future, was doing these days. He knew Yeohwi was living at the main house but had heard he still wasn’t acting as the family head.

Yeohwi understood the true meaning behind the question and, after a moment of silence, slowly began to speak.

“Well, I’m not doing anything.”

“…What?”

“I knew you’d make that face. You’re such a workaholic, you can’t understand that ‘doing nothing’ can be part of a day’s routine.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“Wow, that’s cold.”

When Ryubeom startled and lifted his head, Yeohwi chuckled. Ryubeom pressed him to give a serious answer, but Yeohwi only spoke the truth. He was staying at the main house with the triplets, but they were being educated by the clan members, so Yeohwi was mostly alone.

Even though he was planning the reconciliation between the fox and tiger clans, it was something the Cheon family had to prepare. If Ryubeom hadn’t called him today, Yeohwi would have just been sitting quietly at the main house.

“What do you do all alone?”

“I just marvel at everything.”

“…What?”

“Every moment. I walk around the main house at night when it’s quiet, and I explore here and there.”

“…Idler.”

“You used to defend idlers, saying there was nothing wrong with being one.”

Yeohwi lamented that Ryubeom, who once took his side, was now criticizing him. His tone was quite theatrical.

Ryubeom stared at him for a moment, then buried his head in Yeohwi’s chest. The movement was so abrupt that it made a sound like a headbutt. Yeohwi flinched.

Holding him down firmly, Ryubeom muttered.

“From now on, think about what you want to do.”

“You’ve already given me plenty to do. Several meetings between the clans, showing my face to the clan members when we reconcile…”

“Not those things, but what you want to do.”

His tone was somewhat firm, but also seemed to tremble slightly, making Yeohwi smile gently. He started to say something but then just patted Ryubeom’s back carefully.

“Let’s get some sleep.”

“…You’ll stay by my side, right? You have to be there when I wake up.”

“I wish you’d realize how you’re holding me right now…”

Yeohwi replied playfully but then amended his answer, promising not to leave in response to Ryubeom’s earnest gaze. When had he started getting swept up in those eyes? As Yeohwi pondered this unanswerable question, he gently stroked Ryubeom’s back.

Soon, the sound of steady breathing filled the room.

* * *

Blink, blink…

Yeohwi slowly focused. His vision was filled with a bluish hue. He could easily tell that the pale light signaling dawn was breaking. As he connected the current situation, he let out a quiet sigh.

He had fallen asleep while trying to put Cheon Ryubeom to sleep.

He had intended to leave the bed once Ryubeom fell asleep and enough time had passed. Simply staying in the room would be enough to keep his promise.

So, he waited until Cheon Ryubeom was deeply asleep, gently patting him all the while, only to end up falling asleep himself. The soft, wheezing breaths near his ear and the warmth radiating from Ryubeom had made him feel drowsy too.

At some point, their positions had shifted slightly. They lay on their sides, facing each other. Yeohwi looked down at Ryubeom, who was nestled against his chest. The blue light streaming through the window above the bed cast a gentle glow over his face.

It was a quiet moment.

Yeohwi knew that even if he moved now, Cheon Ryubeom wouldn’t wake up, but he didn’t move. He simply marveled at how someone from another clan could sleep so vulnerably beside him. No, not just from another clan, but someone he had poisoned.

Reflecting on the situation, it seemed more accurate to say that Cheon Ryubeom had rendered him powerless. After all, here he was, having fallen asleep in this room and now watching him quietly upon waking.

Not knowing what else to do, he simply stared.

“……”

Yeohwi quietly reached up and stroked Ryubeom’s hair. It was a gesture he once deemed meaningless, yet he did it with great care. It felt almost like indulging in a precious luxury. At this moment, he felt grateful that Ryubeom had fallen deeply asleep beside him.

How far would this person go to turn his thinking upside down? Yeohwi’s gaze carefully traced Ryubeom’s face, feeling a tightness in his chest.

After a few minutes, Ryubeom’s eyelids slowly fluttered open. From the moment his eyelashes trembled, Yeohwi stopped all movement and stared blankly at him.

The sight of the blue hue shimmering over Ryubeom’s hazel eyes made Yeohwi think it was like watching the sunrise over a golden field. He couldn’t look away.

Ryubeom asked, his face still relaxed with sleep.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

With that absurd question, he reached out and stroked Yeohwi’s cheek. It’s okay, it’s okay. The comforting gesture made Yeohwi freeze before letting out a small laugh.

“I feel like you’re treating me like a child, but that must be my imagination, right?”

“Oh, did you notice? I was trying to act all grown-up…”

Ryubeom genuinely sounded disappointed. The clear meaning behind his words and actions made Yeohwi laugh again. He was truly an unpredictable person.

Just then, Ryubeom coughed lightly. Though it was a small cough, Yeohwi immediately got up and fetched water from the desk. Ryubeom, surprised by this quick reaction, sat up and took the offered glass. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation.

“Yeohwi, I guess your kindness is genuine too.”

It seemed that Yeohwi’s gentle nature, like his beauty, wasn’t an act. Ryubeom felt happy thinking there might be more truths he hadn’t noticed in the past moments.

Yeohwi remained silent. While Cheon Ryubeom hadn’t made any accusatory remarks, his joy in discovering fragments of truth gave Yeohwi an indescribable feeling.

Even the time he’d tainted with deceit, Cheon Ryubeom cherished. He fumbled through the shattered moments, finding satisfaction in what was genuine.

“Before you fell asleep, you asked me to think about what I want to do in the future.”

“Oh, right. I did, didn’t I?”

“I’ve thought about it carefully…”

Yeohwi trailed off, leaving Ryubeom looking up at him in confusion. Ryubeom’s eyes widened as Yeohwi slowly lowered his gaze.

Yeohwi knelt before him.

Ryubeom was too surprised and bewildered to ask why. He could only move his lips, unable to form words, while Yeohwi calmly began to speak.

“You told me not to apologize last time, but this is… something a little different from an apology.”

A few days ago, when they met at the fox main house, Ryubeom had said that even if they could go back, nothing would change, and it was impossible to go back anyway, so Yeohwi shouldn’t apologize.

What he meant by “nothing would change” was that he understood the tiger family’s sins and Yeohwi’s revenge because of them, and that he still liked Yeohwi, valuing the sincerity Yeohwi had shown in the end.

But that response only made it harder for Yeohwi to move on.

* * *

In truth, Cheon Ryubeom was right. As he said, even if Yeohwi went back to the past, he would prepare the same plan. Without the current memories, he wouldn’t change, and even with the memories, he couldn’t be sure what would change.

The present moment was so intricately intertwined that it was hard to imagine a better outcome even if he went back. No matter what future he envisioned, it wouldn’t be better than the present created by Cheon Ryubeom.

Moreover, Yeohwi couldn’t easily say he regretted his choices back then. The path Yeohwi walked wasn’t made of mistakes but of misguided choices leading to eventual emptiness.

In other words, Yeohwi acted knowing it wasn’t right. He didn’t rationalize or justify his actions as unavoidable for revenge.

The dictionary definition of apology and repentance is to acknowledge one’s sins and mistakes and ask for forgiveness. But Yeohwi felt he had no right to ask for forgiveness while acknowledging his sins.

So, Yeohwi kneeling now was…

“…A plea to let me atone for my sins.”

It wasn’t a request for forgiveness but an acknowledgment of his sins and a desire to pay the price. It was a plea for punishment from the position of a sinner.

Yeohwi never thought his sins would disappear by dying at the end of his path. He was merely wandering through ruins. None of his choices aimed to rebuild those ruins. So, while Yeohwi’s words might seem similar to his previous path, they were entirely different.

This was a plea to address his sins. While Ryubeom had moved on, Yeohwi hadn’t, and this was his first step to cross that path.

Cheon Ryubeom looked down at Yeohwi.

“…How do you plan to atone?”

“In whatever way you desire, young master.”

“I want you to do it in the way you desire.”

Yeohwi lifted his head. He had expected this response from Cheon Ryubeom. This person would ultimately give him the choice, prioritizing his will. If Yeohwi hadn’t asked for atonement first, Ryubeom might have let it pass without holding him accountable.

Because of that, Yeohwi had to ask for atonement himself. He had to address it.

The Yeohwi who wandered through ruins had intended to end everything and remain there forever. But today, Yeohwi wanted to move beyond that place, beyond the darkness.

To reach the person before him.

“…I want to serve you from the lowest position, young master.”

Slowly, Yeohwi bowed his head at Ryubeom’s feet. His breath brushed against Ryubeom’s toes, and as his forehead touched the floor, his actions were careful and deliberate. It was a gesture of swearing to atone in this manner for the rest of his life.

“I want to serve you so that you won’t get hurt, so you won’t be in pain anymore.”

Yeohwi knew his words were quite contradictory. His initial plan had been to hurt and cause pain to Cheon Ryubeom. But he had broken that plan, which he had meticulously crafted for a long time, for reasons entirely opposite to its original purpose.

And the ultimate reason for that contradiction…

Yeohwi looked up at Ryubeom. His eyes, filled with deep emotions, gazed at the person who had not only changed him but overturned everything about him.

“Because I care about you, young master…”

“……”

“…Because I dare to love you.”

Yeohwi’s voice didn’t tremble. He had already experienced how the emotions he had long tried to hide, cover, and ignore had finally broken through the walls and engulfed him. The more he resisted, the more he felt himself drowning.

Cheon Ryubeom always left Yeohwi feeling overwhelmed. Whenever Yeohwi faced Ryubeom, he felt as if he were confronting a massive wall.

But looking back, it wasn’t a wall but a path leading to a new place. It was a current leading to a world he had never dared to imagine.

“I want to live in the world you lead.”

Yeohwi could no longer block the flow of Cheon Ryubeom towards him. He had to plead with him, begging to be allowed to flow together.

The voice of someone immersed in emotion resonated with deep earnestness.

“That sin must be atoned for, for a very long time.”

Ryubeom declared cheerfully. There was a hint of laughter in his voice.

He reached out and pulled Yeohwi up. Yeohwi followed his lead, feeling the sweet and gentle breath on his lips. The first breath he took after rising from the overwhelming current that had nearly drowned him felt incredibly precious. With utmost reverence, Yeohwi cupped Ryubeom’s face with both hands and breathed in.

As the shackles that had bound Yeohwi to the ruins were released, he took a step into a new world. At the same time, new shackles of atonement bound him, but Yeohwi willingly accepted them.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

Could that time truly be called a nightmare? It was closer to a dreadful darkness born of his sins, and Yeohwi had sought to end everything in that dark night. He had naturally headed towards destruction without struggling to escape the darkness.

He had never thought or hoped for anything beyond the pitch-black night. To Yeohwi, the night was synonymous with a void where everything disappeared.

But at some point, a light began to shine in the darkness. He didn’t know when it started, but it gradually grew, constantly trying to illuminate him. It was truly strange. Even though it was buried in darkness, it never lost its light. He had tried to drive it away, thinking it didn’t belong with the night, but it had stubbornly held his hand…

And brought Yeohwi to the dawn.

It led him to a new day.

And now, as Yeohwi, who found this dawn unfamiliar, shared his breath, he felt life in a new and strange way. It was something he experienced every day now. Although Cheon Ryubeom was bewildered and worried, asking if he was doing nothing, to Yeohwi, it was an entirely new time.

He felt awkward being alive, found every day fascinating, and deeply felt the presence that had led him here in every moment.

Yeohwi slowly, very carefully, pulled away.

“We need to keep breathing.”

“It’s because you keep getting closer…”

“A few hours ago, you pinned me down.”

“That was…! That was me. When you do it, it surprises me.”

Ryubeom stammered out an explanation. He had been bold when he pulled Yeohwi up and kissed him, but as they got closer and lay down on the bed, he became increasingly nervous. His heart pounded, and his head felt dizzy. His face had turned bright red.

“I need to serve you well, but I’m still clumsy and inexperienced.”

Yeohwi obediently admitted his fault and quickly pulled Ryubeom up. Their positions changed in an instant. Yeohwi leaned against the wall, and Ryubeom settled on his lap. Yeohwi smiled brightly from below the startled Ryubeom.

“Are you going to punish me again?”

Ryubeom’s mouth fell open. He had always known Yeohwi’s expressions were unique, but he thought he had gotten used to them. This time, however, he was quite shocked.

Seeing that Yeohwi seemed to enjoy his flustered reaction, Ryubeom squinted slightly but eventually laughed softly. He found this moment incredibly enjoyable.

Slowly, Ryubeom stroked Yeohwi’s face and asked,

“Why did you make this the first thing you wanted to do?”

“Because if I don’t do this first, I’ll never be able to move on to the next.”

Ryubeom blinked slowly, as if stating an obvious reason. His chest felt not just ticklish but full to the brim. He could feel the deep roots within him stirring in an unfamiliar way.

Ryubeom didn’t let go of the presence he had waited for so long, the one who had finally crossed the long, dark night. He wasn’t the type to release his prey once it was in his grasp.

Ryubeom lowered his head. As their lips met again, he suddenly bit down on Yeohwi’s lower lip.

“Ah.”

“Does it hurt? I guess it’s not a dream.”

“…So this is how I get punished.”

His sharp fangs stopped just short of drawing blood. Yeohwi swallowed the question of whether he needed to feel pain to know if it was a dream. He had asked for atonement just moments ago.

Our young master is indeed very clever. Yeohwi’s chuckle echoed between their joined lips.

Yeohwi looked up at Ryubeom, who had his eyes tightly shut, focusing on the kiss. The reason he had changed their position was partly to follow Ryubeom’s lead, but more importantly, because the dawn light was streaming in.

The blue dawn light poured over Cheon Ryubeom. Mesmerized, Yeohwi cupped Ryubeom’s cheek and leaned in closer to touch the light of dawn.

My new sky.

He cherished the one who had pulled him from the darkness and brought him to the light of a new day. As they drew closer, their hearts beat loudly, indistinguishable from one another. The pulse that proved their lives beat clearly.

Before them, who had crossed the dark night,

Dawn finally broke.