At twelve years old, Ak Yeonho was a boy with sharp, murderous eyes. Not only was he one of the few children to pass the clan's five-year trial and earn the Ak surname, he was also considered a cut above the rest.
"Yeonho? Your name's a lot like mine. Did Uncle Jinheon give it to you?"
"No, this is my original name."
"If you say you're sorry one more time, I'll actually rename you Ak Chunsam."
"Really? I thought a commoner would have a simple name like Jangsam or Chunsam."
He could picture the mayhem perfectly.
"......"
"I'm just kidding. Sorry if I offended you."
"If you're upset because our names are similar, I'll change mine."
Ak Yeonhwa frowned disapprovingly. "You have such a pretty face. Why are you so blunt?"
"I'm sorry."
Despite many perplexing situations, Ak Yeonho always remained faithful to his duties. During this time, he also learned about makeup and adornment, things he had thought were reserved for women.
"No, I'm sorry for joking about your name. I was just teasing you because you looked so uptight. You don't have to be so reserved."
"I'm sorry."
Three years passed. During that time, Ak Yeonho lived in Ak Yeonhwa's shadow. Although he wasn't officially appointed as her personal bodyguard since he hadn't come of age, he was always by her side.
"If you say you're sorry one more time, I'll actually rename you Ak Chunsam."
"......"
"Hmph! You don't like that, do you?"
At fourteen, Ak Yeonhwa was a carefree, mischievous girl.
Ak Yeonho was unsure how to interact with the clan's young lady. After excelling on the trials, he was the first orphan to be offered a chance to become the Young Lady's personal bodyguard. The clan told him to consider it an honor, but he didn't think much of it. He simply followed orders as usual.
"Anyway, I'll be in your care from now on!"
"In an emergency, you must be able to disguise yourself as the Young Lady and die in her place. Master this skill for that day."
"I will serve you well, Young Lady."
"Call me Noonim. You're a member of the Ak Clan now, aren't you?"
"If you're upset because our names are similar, I'll change mine."
"...Yes, Noonim."
Three years passed. During that time, Ak Yeonho lived in Ak Yeonhwa's shadow. Although he wasn't officially appointed as her personal bodyguard since he hadn't come of age, he was always by her side.
At first, he thought his only job was to protect the Young Lady. He followed her wherever she went, stood by her side as she trained, and remained vigilant even while she ate. He called her Noonim, yet he only saw Ak Yeonhwa as the master he had to serve. All his life, he had been taught that this was only proper.
"...Noonim, if I duel with you, I won't be able to protect you at the same time."
"No, this is my original name."
"But you're the only clansmen my age who can keep up with me, right?"
"Still..."
"I haven't been sitting around doing nothing all this time."
"Enough talk. Show me the technique that I corrected for you last time. Let's see how much you've improved."
Despite many perplexing situations, Ak Yeonho always remained faithful to his duties. During this time, he also learned about makeup and adornment, things he had thought were reserved for women.
That was the last time they laid eyes on each other before now.
"In an emergency, you must be able to disguise yourself as the Young Lady and die in her place. Master this skill for that day."
Late at night, the Patriarch's personal bodyguard trained him thusly.
The clueless Ak Yeonhwa was taken aback when Ak Yeonho suddenly started dressing well. "Yeonho, are you seeing a woman these days?"
"What woman? I barely have time to sleep, what with being your bodyguard every day, Noonim."
Even while cowering in the Hall of Justice, Ak Yeonho had refused to cooperate.
"Right? I knew it!"
"...Why are you so happy about that?"
Ak Yeonhwa was once a girl who laughed a lot. Watching her every day, Ak Yeonho gradually transformed into a boy who also laughed often. His once piercing eyes softened, and his speech grew more relaxed.
"I heard there's a big flea market happening tomorrow. Want to grab some snacks?"
"Let me escort you, Noonim!"
For them, moments like these were their only respite from the clan's oppressive atmosphere. Unfortunately, they were both at an age where they didn't yet understand what their feelings for each other meant.
Soon, Ak Yeonho turned fifteen and Ak Yeonhwa turned seventeen. Like any other day, that day felt fulfilling even without anything special happening... until something did happen.
"Yeonho..." Yeonhwa softly called out to her adoptive brother, her face pale and grim. The extreme fear in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. "...Be careful of the Patriarch."
Later that day, the other bodyguards serving the Young Lady dragged him before the Patriarch, Ak Bi.
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"There's a nasty rumor going around the clan about us."
"A rumor?" Ak Yeonho tilted his head in confusion, but not for long.
Later that day, the other bodyguards serving the Young Lady dragged him before the Patriarch, Ak Bi.
"I heard that a whelp who doesn't know his place has been getting too familiar with the Young Lady. Everyone is whispering that you treat her like your own sister, or maybe something more."
The moment Ak Yeonho met the Patriarch's scornful gaze, he fell to his knees and prostrated himself. "P-Patriarch. I was just being faithful to my duties..."
BAM!
A palm strike sailed through the air and slammed Ak Yeonho's head into the floor.
The Patriarch of the Shandong Ak Clan delivered his verdict without bothering to hear an explanation. "First, I'll make an example of those who spread this filthy rumor."
"You stubborn bastard..." The Head of the Hall of Justice shook his head in disgust. Despite repeated coercion, the boy had declined to confirm the rumor. "The Patriarch has removed you from the list of personal bodyguard candidates. Don't even think about going near the Young Lady again. Go back to your quarters and stay there!"
That night, screams echoed endlessly through the Ak Clan Estate. The low-ranking warriors and servants who had spread the rumors were apprehended, after which their qi centers were destroyed and their meridians cut.
"No, this is my original name."
Ak Yeonho did not escape unscathed. He was dragged to the Hall of Justice, where the clan punished disobedient family members. There, he was harshly interrogated and tortured in the hopes that he would confess his guilt.
Upon hearing the news, Ak Jinheon had rushed over and pleaded with the Patriarch day and night.
"Patriarch! No, Hyung-nim! Please spare my son. Even if he's adopted, isn't he a child who received the Ak surname? If he has sinned, I'll accept the punishment with him."
Ten days later, Ak Yeonho was released from the Hall of Justice, but his face was already gaunt and emaciated.
"I suspect Father is planning something unusual," Ak Yeonhwa whispered anxiously.
"You stubborn bastard..." The Head of the Hall of Justice shook his head in disgust. Despite repeated coercion, the boy had declined to confirm the rumor. "The Patriarch has removed you from the list of personal bodyguard candidates. Don't even think about going near the Young Lady again. Go back to your quarters and stay there!"
"...I will obey."
The next time Ak Yeonho next saw Ak Yeonhwa, it was at her grand twentieth birthday celebration three years later. He was only granted permission to attend when the Patriarch's anger had subsided, and he had completely forgotten about the insignificant boy.
I'm glad you seem to be well.
Finally, he caught a glimpse of the face of the woman he once adored, albeit from a distance.
That was the last time they laid eyes on each other before now.
Ak Yeonhwa's eyes widened. "S-Stop.
"Is something happening within the clan?" Ak Yeonho asked somberly.
Asking me to be careful? What a ridiculous thing to say.
Since entering the Ak Clan Branch Estate, he had maintained constant vigilance.