To be frank, Hwan’s performance had caught Yi Hyun off guard. He had not expected such an elegant construction from a recent slave scarcely acquainted with letters. The brief mourning had seemed too provocative even to him, yet he was not in a position to contradict his father.

  Hwan appeared for dinner in the same white robes, and Yi Hyun wondered whether this was stubbornness worthy of a mule or simple failure to grasp the hints. Father had agreed to reduce the taxes, an unheard-of concession. In return, Hwan ought to have concluded his “ten-day” mourning. So after the servants set the covered tables before them, Yi Hyun decided to put a question plain enough to be understood.

  “Oh.” Hwan had enough sense to blush and avert his eyes. “I understand what my elder brother means. It’s just… I did not think it would turn out this way, and I did not bring other clothing.”

  Yi Hyun raised both eyebrows.

  “Great Prince Bongrim did not bring other clothing?” he repeated incredulously. He was accustomed to servants laying out his garments each morning. On journeys, servants packed them as well. He did not personally instruct them which robes were to be placed in the chests. “Summon your eunuch here. I shall reprimand him!”

  If his younger brother, owing to his upbringing, did not know or chose to ignore such simple matters, Yi Hyun was prepared to demonstrate how things were done.

  “Elder brother, it is not necessary…” Hwan said, as though embarrassed.

  “Elder brother has ordered you to summon the eunuch,” Yi Hyun repeated, narrowing his eyes. “Show respect and obey.”

  “O-of course.” Hwan nodded. At that moment he looked timid and disarmingly charming, like an adolescent, though in truth he was only a year younger than Yi Hyun. Had Yi Yun seen him in the same way before?

  Yi Hyun exhaled, dismissing pointless thoughts, and turned toward the entering eunuch with an unkind smile.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  “How dare you neglect a great prince?” he began his rebuke. “Because of your laziness and incompetence, my younger brother risks provoking the court’s mockery and the king’s displeasure! Whose orders are you following, wretch?”

  The eunuch trembled and fell to his knees, mumbling incoherent excuses.

  “Who ordered you to forget the chest with the clothing?” Yi Hyun added unfamiliar severity to his voice. “Must I summon an interrogator from Uigeumbu and hand you over to the executioners?”

  Behind the prostrate eunuch, Hwan’s eyes widened in horror. Yi Hyun caught his gaze and shook his head. He did not intend to blow a soap bubble into a formal investigation. He merely wished to frighten the negligent servant and remind him of his place.

  “Well?” the prince made as if to rise.

  “The mentor! It was the mentor of Great Prince Bongrim!” the eunuch cried out, and the brothers exchanged astonished glances. The confession had been unexpected to them both.

  “Did he say why?” Hwan asked cautiously.

  “I do not know, Your Highness,” the eunuch trembled. “I only carried out the order. Please, have mercy!”

  “If I learn that you have attempted to harm my brother again…” Yi Hyun heard his voice grow hoarse but did not restrain himself. Was it truly his fate to bring retribution upon others’ eunuchs? “I hope you remember how Eunuch Mo ended. The one who served the Crown Prince.”

  Judging by Hwan’s questioning look, he had not heard that story. All the better. Among servants, however, rumors spread quickly.

  “Your Highness! Your Highness, spare me, I beg you!” The eunuch crawled closer and clutched at Yi Hyun’s hem with trembling fingers. “I was wrong. It was my mistake! I shall correct it. I shall atone. Please, Your Highness, show mercy!”

  “Elder brother,” Hwan now frowned, assuming a concerned expression. “It is only clothing. He understands his mistake and will not repeat it, will you?”

  “Please, please, Great Prince Dojun, I understand everything, I am guilty, I deserve no forgiveness!” the eunuch continued choking out pleas at his feet.

  “Since my younger brother vouches for you, I shall release you this time,” Yi Hyun agreed after a pause. “But if I learn that you stumble again, you know what will happen to you. Leave us.”

  “Oh, great princes! Thank you, thank you! Your mercy is beyond words! Great Prince Dojun, Great Prince Bongrim, I swear to be a loyal servant!”

  “Leave us,” Hwan repeated evenly, and the eunuch finally withdrew from the chamber.

  Hwan turned back to Yi Hyun and puffed out his lips in an almost comical pout.

  “But why my teacher?”

  “It seems we shall have to ask him as well,” Yi Hyun shrugged.