The Hated Male Concubine

“Your Highness, are you really going to give a morning greeting?” 

Ahjin asked with a worried expression while putting a modest binyeo on Hwawoon’s head.
Her master, who was sitting in front of the mirror with a pale face, didn’t look strange even if he collapsed right away.
There was no way he was in a good condition when he had such big trouble yesterday and didn’t sleep well all night.

While serving Yeonbin, Ahjin had always been worried about her safety alone, but strangely, she had become more worried about her master’s condition than hers these days.

Without even knowing of Ahjin’s heart, Hwawoon spoke with a soft voice.

“I tell you I’m really fine.
I can do the morning greeting.”

“But Your Highness… If you go to do the morning greeting, you won’t only meet the empress, but also the other concubines…”

That was what Ahjin was worried about.
Greeting the empress was a little tiring, but it wasn’t that difficult.
What was really difficult was encountering the other concubines there.
Hwawoon usually wasn’t on good terms with other concubines, so she was worried if they would argue and if something would happen.

Hwawoon fascinatingly looked at his lips, which turned redder than he originally had, and soon spoke with a small smile.

“I know what you are worrying about.
But since I can’t avoid this forever, it will be better to face it earlier.”

Hwawoon’s words were convincing, but Ahjin still couldn’t erase her dissatisfied look.
As Hwawoon said, it was something he should go through someday, but Ahjin hoped Hwawoon would go through that only after his body improved even a little.

“Your Highness…” 

Suddenly, someone carefully entered the room and called Hwawoon.
When they turned their heads, a young court lady of Jeongan Palace was hesitating as she entered the room before kneeling down.

“What is it?”

As Ahjin asked first with a dubious look, the young court lady shrank her body more and answered.

“Erm… I… judging from yesterday, we think Your Highness likes the flower in the garden…”

Hwawoon responded to her with a small ah sound.
As he thought about it, she was the court lady in charge of the garden, who diligently answered Hwawoon’s question about flowers and trees there.

As Ahjin asked “so?” urging the court lady, who pitifully talked with a trembling voice and couldn’t continue her words, the young court lady put down the vase filled with flowers from her arms, then bowed and said,

“So, so we think it would be better if there are more flowers in Your Highness’ room, so we… try… try to make this…”

Hwawoon’s gaze landed on the vase the court lady presented.
Hwawoon didn’t know their names, but each flower bud stuck inside seemed to ripe healthily and would soon bloom brightly.

Flowers of various colors were mixed appropriately, and stems and leaves were also carefully trimmed.
Even those who knew nothing about flowers could see that it was made diligently at first glance. 

This time, Hwawoon was the one to ask. 

“… Did you prepare it for me?” 

“Yes, Your Highness.
If, if you don’t like it, I’ll quickly throw-”

“No.
It’s not like that.
I like it.
I really like it.”

The court lady, who was trembling just in case she tactlessly disturbed her master’s feelings, was surprised and flustered by the small question of Hwawoon.
However, she, who acted as if she would take the vase with her right away, stopped at Hwawoon’s next words.

In the meantime, Hwawoon came up to reach out and raise the young court lady, and Ahjin, who took the vase, brought the flowers close to Hwawoon.

“It’s beautiful… it’s not even bloomed yet, but it smells nice.
Thank you so much.
Did the girls in charge of managing the garden prepare this together?” 

“Pardon? Ah, yes… Yes! We prepare… we prepared it together, Your Highness…”

At that time, the young court lady was completely out of her mind.
While she doubted if her ears really heard her owner say thank you to herself, he held her arms and raised her up in person, leading her to hardly believe it.

She felt like her arms, which were lightly touched by Yeonbin, were burning.
Except when she was slapped by her master, the young court lady had never been touched by Yeonbin. 

In response to the court lady’s answer, Hwawoon smiled again, putting his nose on the tip of the bud, closing his eyes, and savoring the scent.
Even with a pale complexion, his face was as beautiful as it was drawn, which led the court lady to stare blankly at her master’s face.

When he opened his eyes, Hwawoon looked at Ahjin and said,

“Ahjin, put this by the window where I can see the best, and… I want to reward the kids, is that fine?”

“Of course, Your Highness.
You’re the master, after all.
I’ll take care of it.”

She had been troubled, worrying about how painful her master’s feelings were because of what happened yesterday.
However, as her master’s face brightened up thanks to the unexpected gift, Ahjin, who felt happy too, raised up her voice.