⁝ cheon residence.

@❁ cheon suryeon (I think it was relayed well)

There it was. It had been quiet, but the words Suryeon had whispered before spinning around to face her in shock had confirmed what Jaehoon had already said. There was more to the story. It was not as simple as him having turned into an abuser or being awful. He had been as innocent as her. Meaning the man she had threatened that very same night had been as much a victim as her sister, and yet Sunmi had spent years carrying a grudge for him for an action he had not committed.

But that left the question of the truth. What had really happened? Why had the two split apart when she had been so certain he would have made her sister his bride? They would have been a couple that could set up the future of the whole city if given the time, so for them to call it quits had always been a shock to her system.

Much like her words had been a shock to Suryeon. It was clearly visible in those familiar features on her face. The way her body tensed. Sunmi could see it in the way her older sister’s eyes darted about, as if the man would just magically materialize before her gaze. A feet Sunmi was sure he could have done, if he was still watching.

“Tonight,” Sunmi offered in response, deciding that truth would be the right path to pave. Lies beget lies, and they would not see any revelation come from the spinning of the same old tale she had heard before. The well crafter lie that had given her the drive to despise the man. “I was headed home when I heard a man yelling of thieves. I chased after in hopes of helping. It seemed the Lord was doing the same.” It had been Sunmi’s first moment to ponder what had truly happened. A man so selfless would never have left like that.

“We got the thief, though he also got to me.” She made a vague gesture with her head to the neatly bandaged arm. “And before he offered to walk me home to guard my travel, I had aimed an arrow at his heart and asked the many questions I had wanted to ask of him a long time.” Her knuckles were white from how tightly balled her fists were, feeling that same confused rage bubbling up. “He told me there was more to the story, though it would not be his place to tell.”

Suryeon’s attempt at deflection only earned her a stare of confusion. Even if she said she was not strong it was evident from her actions that perhaps she had been stronger than any of them could have ever known. To carry burdens alone was always heavier than sharing the load.

It was first when Suryeon turned to look at Byul, the first rays of the sun lending just enough light to reveal the tears building in her eyes, that Sunmi’s stubborn expression eased into worry. Had she overstepped? Pushed for more than she should have? She prepared herself for the worst and yet…
She could never have guessed the words that would follow.

“Oh… Oh sister…”
Sunmi’s legs had already pushed her to close the distance between her, her arms folding around her taller sibling to squeeze her as she repeated those horrid words. That painful truth that she had been carrying alone for far too long. “I should not have pushed,” she whispered as she held the embrace tightly. “Though I wish I had known already. To go through such pain alone… Oh Suryeon… I am so sorry I was not there for you.”

@❁ cheon sunmi (tw: though i don't think it's been relayed well--grief)

“Is it though…?” The older had taken a few steps towards their humble residence when Sunmi questioned the answers she was given.

Yes, inseparable they were. Their opposite personalities only served as an attraction point that pulled them closer. If anything, she used to think her own actions would be the reason of why they split up—Jaehoon having enough of her wild antics. And yet, things spiralled down differently.

Young and foolish, they thought if they had each other nothing else would matter. However, as distance kept them apart, Suryeon's eyes were forced open. The more they fought against what was defined by the ton, she realised the more sacrifices they had to make. The last of their sacrifice, only known by herself, was the small soul that was the fruit of their love.

"Don't blame him," the older whispered absentmindedly (for truly, it was never his fault, wasn't it?), though what Sunmi relayed next caused her to whip around to face her sister.

"He said. . .?" she echoed in astonishment, her body stood frozen as a whirlwind of questions took over. Sunmi. . .has met him? When? How? The falconer took a sharp intake, calming the rush of her mind. "When did you meet him?" She inquired as she glanced over the path leading to their house. Had it been Jaehoon who Sunmi had to check for? Suryeon faced her sister again, eyes reflecting the storm of emotions brewing within.

"You are mistaken for thinking you have not been a strength for me despite not knowing the truth." Suryeon remarked hastily, her chest squeezing at how her siblings, her family had been her entire lifeline. She did not want to taint their hearts with more sorrows when dangerous thoughts visited. Without them. . .she truly would not be here by now. "I am not," Suryeon paused as a lump formed at the base of . "I am not as strong as you think I am."

Is this how the truth will be laid out? She had, countless of times, wanted to confide to Suho. Yet the moment the words arrived at the tip of her tongue, she swallowed it back in as a small voice told her that she was not ready. But will she ever be ready? Ten years and counting, she has spent trapped in the chasm of regrets and self-hatred; she will never be ready.

"You want the truth," she began, willing her voice not to tremble as a wave of emotions shook her figure. "The truth." Suryeon felt stark as her walls began to crumble when her voice squeaked. A whole minute passed as she gathered herself, returning to take a seat beside her sister. "Our romance...remained strong even after the engagement fell apart. For three years, we persevered. I loved him; that was all that mattered. Until--"

Until the world spun out of control. Until her heart was broken by her most trusted confidant. Until. . .

Suryeon bit the innerside of her lips as her eyes blurred, her gaze landing on Byul. The next words were spoken in a pained whisper, her heart bearing the weight of unwanted reality it crushed her whole being, "Until I lost my little eyass." A trembling hand covered her lips, as if she never wanted to repeat the words /ever/. Yet, the harsh truth tumbled once more as if Suryeon did not believe her own words. "Sunmi, I lost my child."

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@✿ jang ilwoo From the little cry Byul let out in return to Ilwoo’s greeting, to the way she was testing out her wingspan, Sunmi could tell her bird was more than ready to show off. It had been far too long since she had allowed her to join an actual hunt and she knew deep down that she was rearing to go already. This was what she was bred for. It was in every fibre of her being, as natural as it was to take to the sky. Sunmi flashed an apologetic smile at her bird, gently running her thumb over her head. “Soon you’ll be up there hunting again,” Sunmi cooed lovingly, knowing it had been her fault that Byul had been holed up so long.

“Something small is probably good, yes. This old bird has not been able to stretch her wings before a proper dive in over a year.” Myeongbyul let out a small cry in agreement from atop her shoulder, bristling her feathers and spreading her wings out wide. She was sure the bird could have easily hunted small pray by herself if Sunmi would have let her, but such was not the challenge. This was supposed to be fun for them all.

Her eyes must have been off Ilwoo for less than a minute when she spotted him sauntering back, a second all too familiar bow hanging on his arm along with a quiver. Her bow. Her quiver. Even without hunting as much, she had meticulously taken care of the pieces, knowing that perhaps one day she would have the chance to use it again. Perhaps that was today. “O-oh, thank you.”

In reality she had mostly agreed to give Byul the needed exercise. That and the chance to spend a bit longer in the presence of a friend that felt so familiar still even after all these years. It was perhaps selfish to want to build up what had been lost in the years apart, but that was for later. They had a goal in mind for the day, and Sunmi was happy enough to just be given some of his precious time.

With the quiver attached around her waist and bow in hand, Sunmi followed after Ilwoo into the forest lining the edge of their little plot of land. Her fingers gently played over the familiar grip of her bow. The leather wrapping that had been worn to the point of having small grooves her fingers so neatly fit into. She could practically hear it beneath the white-knuckle grip she held on it.

Her feet moved quietly, though she sometimes stumbled a bit in her chima. It was odd to be out here without one of her brother’s old uniforms, but it would have to do to keep up appearances. She was not sure Ilwoo would understand. Not many did.

Her mind was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to scout about, thought she could hear Byul signalling from up above. The cry reached her ears just as Ilwoo pulled her a bit to the side, lowering himself a bit in the brush. Sunmi followed suit, squatting down beside him and following where he pointed to see a rabbit quietly cleaning itself in a clearing.

“M-me?”
There was a nervousness in her tone as she looked at him. “I’m no master with the bow like you. I only shoot static targets,” she continued on in a hushed voice, lying as best she could to avoid taking a shot. She had not drawn a bow in over a year. She was not sure how it would affect her if she did, no matter how tempting it felt.

@❁ cheon sunmi Ilwoo couldn't help but grin at Sunmi's playful response. "I'll do my best to keep my fingers intact," he teased in return, his tone lighthearted. Watching Sunmi interact with Myeongbyeol brought a smile to his face, a warmth spreading through him at the sight of their bond. It was a testament to the deep connection they shared, one that transcended mere words.

As Sunmi disappeared off towards the aviary to retrieve her falcon, Ilwoo took a moment to admire the surroundings. The aviary was a sanctuary of nature, a place where falcons and humans alike could thrive in harmony. It was a fitting setting for their reunion, a reminder of the bond they shared with their feathered companions.

Before long, Sunmi returned with Myeongbyeol perched proudly on her shoulder, the falcon's wings twitching with anticipation. Ilwoo couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of their upcoming hunt. "Ah, Myeongbyeol, good to see you," he greeted the falcon warmly, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Ready to show Aeun how it's done?" Myeongbyeol let out a sharp cry in response, her eyes gleaming with determination. It was clear that she was eager to prove herself, to show Aeun that she was a force to be reckoned with.

Turning to Sunmi, Ilwoo flashed her a grin. "We'll start easy today, how about just smaller animals first?" he suggested, his tone eager. It was important to ease back into the rhythm of hunting, especially after a long hiatus. But with their trusty falcons by their side, Ilwoo was confident that they could handle whatever came their way.

As Sunmi balanced Myeongbyeol on her shoulder, Ilwoo took the opportunity to assist her, gathering her hunting equipment with practiced ease. With a nod of thanks from Sunmi, they set off into the forest, Ilwoo taking larger strides as he scanned their surroundings for potential prey.

The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds creating a symphony of sound. As they walked, Ilwoo's eyes keenly searched the underbrush, his senses alert for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, a flash of fur caught his eye as a rabbit darted across some bushes ahead. With a soft exclamation, Ilwoo gently pulled Sunmi aside, his excitement palpable. "I spotted one," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Lowering his stance, Ilwoo pointed out the rabbit, which had not yet noticed their presence. "Ladies first," he said with a playful grin, gesturing for Sunmi to take the lead.

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@✿ jang ilwoo “I shall hold you to that promise, Ilwoo,” she chuckled brightly, already feeling more energetic with her friend at her side. He seemed to have that effect on her, a telling sign of why he was a good leader. Any man able to inspire such feelings from others was sure to keep even a beaten battalion with high spirits.

Sunmi’s gaze followed the motion of his head to look closer at the gear he had brought. It took her a moment to get why, but as soon as she spotted the fletching on the arrows in his quiver her eyes crinkled up into half-moons, pressed up by the bright smile upon her lips. He had used the fletchings she had sent him! Their familiar shade of mahogany brown instantly reminded of her darling Byul who was waiting just a few feet away.

To see him so playfully interact with his raptor was also a nice feeling. They had been quite combative when they had first met, and it was clear that part of the attitude was still there, but unlike their first meeting they seemed like annoying friends pushing each other. It was an unorthodox relationship, but a friendship nonetheless. Sunmi smiled observing the two, not realizing Ilwoo was looking at her again before their gaze met. A small laugh escaped her as she noticed, hurriedly dodging his eyes as she gestured away towards the aviary. “I’ll have her ready in a moment. Don’t let Aeun eat your fingers before then, mh?”

Her steps were hurried as she disappeared off towards the aviary. Though it had been a slight while since she had last seen him at the teahouse, it still somehow felt like it was just yesterday that she had asked to accompany him for a hunt. And here the day was already and she could feel her heart rushing with the thought of being able to go out tracking again. Even if she would not fire a single arrow, she would at least get to be out again with her bird hunting prey like the good old days of yesteryear.

“Byuuuul~”
Sunmi’s usually quiet voice was a chipper singsong as she opened the door to the aviary, giving a little whistle to signal the bird to come. And she did, eagerly flapping her wings as she gripped onto the sleeve of Sunmi’s jeogori. “Are you ready to get out there again? Spread your wings?” Even if she knew the bird understood nothing of what she said, she was too excited to let it bother her. And as Byul let out an enthusiastic cry of agreement, she knew there was something to it beyond just words. The two had always shared a bond, knowing how the other felt just from looking at them.

Gently nudging the falcon to transfer onto her shoulder for a little more comfort, an act Byul did with practiced ease despite the wobbly step, she hurried back to Aeun and Ilwoo, doing her best not to hop up and down with excitement. “So, what are we hunting today?”

@❁ cheon sunmi Ilwoo couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him as Sunmi greeted him with understanding and warmth. Her reassurance that his tardiness was forgiven eased the knot of tension that had formed in his stomach, and he found himself smiling in return.

"Ah, Sunmi, you're too kind," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. "I promise to make it up to you with an unforgettable hunt."

As Sunmi gestured towards his hunting gear, Ilwoo nodded, a sense of excitement coursing through him at the prospect of their upcoming hunt. "You bet I'm prepared," he confirmed, a spark of eagerness lighting up his eyes. With a playful glint in his eyes, Ilwoo tilted his head slightly to motion to Sunmi that he had used her fletchings. The subtle gesture was enough to convey his appreciation for her thoughtful gift without needing to take out the arrow. It was a silent acknowledgment of their shared passion for falconry and the enduring bond between them.

"And Aeun? Oh, she's raring to go. I can see it in her eyes." Ilwoo couldn't resist giving Aeun a friendly pat on the head, but as he did, he was met with a fierce stare from his falcon, who remained as feisty as ever. Despite her stern demeanor, there was a twinkle of mischief in Aeun's eyes that Ilwoo couldn't help but find endearing.

Suppressing a chuckle, Ilwoo withdrew his hand and met Aeun's gaze with a knowing smile. "Alright, Aeun, no need for the attitude," he teased, his tone playful. "You and I both know you're excited for this as much as I am."

As Aeun ruffled her feathers in response, Ilwoo couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for his spirited companion. With a shake of his head, he turned back to Sunmi, his smile widening. "Seems Aeun is eager to get started as well," he remarked, his tone light-hearted. "Go get Myeongbyeol."

With Sunmi's departure to fetch her falcon, Ilwoo took a moment to soak in the surroundings. The Cheon residence had always held a special place in his heart, a sanctuary of warmth and familiarity amidst the bustling world outside. The scent of pine trees and the gentle rustle of leaves filled the air, invoking a sense of tranquility that he cherished.

As he waited, Ilwoo's thoughts drifted back to his previous encounters with Sunmi. They had shared many adventures together, from childhood escapades to more recent reunions. Each memory was a cherished treasure, a testament to the enduring bond between them.

@❁ cheon suryeon It hadn’t been much, yet the halt in Suryeon’s movements had not gone unnoticed to Sunmi. What it meant on the other hand was harder to decipher. Even with a glance towards her sister she was left with more questions than answers as she seemed mostly fine as she began packing up what she had used to patch up her cut. Sunmi stared at her, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Something wasn’t right.

Sure, the explanation was sound. The very picture of what the Ton would say with what had happened. And yet she had memories that seemed to go against it. For even after their family’s fall from grace she remembered seeing Jaehoon by Suryeon’s side. They had seemed so in love, she could not for a moment think they would so easily agree.

As Suryeon got up, Sunmi glanced back towards the path she had returned from. In the distance she could spot the first rays of the sun, lighting the horizon with a warmth that would soon chase away night. She wondered if Jaehoon had stayed just out of sight or left, his advice still hanging in mind of asking her sister for answers. It was fair for it to come from family and not a third party, no matter how involved he had been in it all.

“Is it though…?”
Her voice was pensive and quizzical as she voiced her concern. “You seemed inseparable. I figured nothing short of him showing cruelty towards you would split you up.” Sunmi sighed, willing to give a little of her own truth as an offering, hoping to open a door to learning more about her sister. For she loved her, and yet she felt like a stranger to her when she knew she had lied. “I always blamed him. Said I would one day put an arrow in his heart for how he hurt you. How he allowed you two to be torn apart and yet-“ She tightened her grip on the bench, muscles flexing in resistance as she turned her head towards Suryeon, her bottom lip jutting out in an innocent pout not fit for the words she were about to say. “Yet he said there was more to the story and apologized as I aimed at him. So please… sister… Tell me the truth. Let me know so I can be a good sister too.”

The tension in her body let go of her as she hunched forwards, letting a deep breath pass her lips. “I just want to be strong like you…. For you. For the family. You all deserve me to be there for you, but if I don’t know the truth, then how could I be?”

@❁ cheon sunmi A smile managed to escape her serious front as Sunmi pointed out Byul as her alleged companion. She couldn't fault her for it, she too would count Dal as her companion. The falconer glanced at the old falcon on the bird perch, soundly sleeping. Should she simply let her suspicions go? All that matters is Sunmi isn't too wounded. She can't scold her for long given the minimal size of her cut.

Before she could let Sunmi know of her intentions, however, the younger's question caused her to freeze. What had provoked this question? No one has asked about what had transpired between her and Jaehoon for years. Suryeon swallowed, gathering the cloth, ointment and the small knife back to the medicine box. "What do you mean, Sunmi?" she asked back, feigning non-chalance. "We all know what happened. The fall of our family led to them to decide to break the engagement, it was for the better that we did not go through with it."

Suryeon closed the medicine box, her fingers holding tight until its tips turned white. Of all things. . .the memories of the ordeal she went through flashed in her head. The older attempted to hold the waves of emotion in, not let herself crumble. She breathed deeply, before saying,"that's all there is to it." Standing up, she clutched the box in her arms. "So, off you go now. Get some rest."

@✿ jang ilwoo The pain must have distracted her, for she could see Ilwoo’s approach from up the road the second she had registered the sound of hooves. It was an exceptionally rare sound to hear around their home, as the slightly remote location was rarely frequented by anyone but the family themselves and they most often used their legs. Despite the thumb still gently pressed against her teeth Sunmi did her best to clear away her stitch-work, a process that more closely resembled someone folding a dough than someone packing. The fabrics, needles and all were pushed into a messy heap next to her seating on the bench outside the home; a mess that now belonged to a future Sunmi less driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline.

She shot to her feet as he got closer, her eyes wide in awe at the display of the mounted man. He looked like someone right out of a beautiful painting. The sun’s bright light made bathed him in a glow Sunmi couldn’t explain. It was as if the thread of his clothing was spun of pure gold, though how much of that was truly the thread or the sun itself she could not say. What she was certain of however was that he was a sight for sore eyes.

“An ex-“
Sunmi’s cheeks flushed as she hurriedly pulled her hand from , leaving onto the faint hint of a red streak on her bottom lip where her thumb had just rested before she continued speaking. “An expected man is never too late.” A nervous laugh followed the statement before she bowed, slightly deeper than she probably had needed, even if he was a lord. For he was a friend first, was he not? This was a reunion of kinship after all, not transactions and business.

“I did make the invitation stand open for a reason. You are a busy man and I, not a busy woman. It seemed only fair I allow your schedule to dictate the time of our meeting,” she continued on as if she had not just embarrassed herself a moment ago. Hopefully he could laugh at it much like how he had laughed at the memory of his own foolishness the first time he had tried to rein in Aeun.

A bright smile found its way to her lips as he apologized again. It seemed he lived up to the monicker of a gentleman despite everything else about him not always adding to that image. “Truly, it is no need for you to worry so much. As I stated in my letter, I have a myriad of things to fill my time with.” Even if every second waiting with the thought of spending time reuniting with a friend made everything feel all the more slow. Had it not been the idea of their planned hunt Sunmi was sure there would have been something else that would have distracted her. There always was.

She made a small gesture to his gear. “I take it you are all prepared for the hunt?” Her attention moved to his arm and the bird sitting there quietly. “Aeun too, I see. Shall I fetch Myeongbyeol as well? We can be off as soon as you see fit.” Sunmi’s eyes stared at him expectedly, her chest rising a little with each elated breath at seeing him again.

@❁ cheon sunmi Ilwoo urged his horse forward with a sense of urgency, his excitement tempered by a nagging worry at the back of his mind. He had received Sunmi's invitation to meet at the aviary near the Cheon residence, and he had come prepared, bringing along his hunting gear and, most importantly, his faithful falcon, Aeun.

As he rode, Ilwoo couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that coursed through him. The prospect of reuniting with Sunmi after so long filled him with a sense of excitement, and he couldn't wait to compare skills with his longtime friend. After all, it was the Cheon family who had given Aeun to him, and he was eager to show Sunmi how much he had grown as a falconer.

However, as the sun began hitting the high noon, Ilwoo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at his tardiness. He knew that being late wouldn't make a good impression, especially after Sunmi had taken the time to reach out to him. With a determined set to his jaw, he urged his horse to pick up the pace, determined to make it to their meeting point as quickly as possible.

As he approached the aviary, Ilwoo's heart raced with anticipation, hoping that Sunmi wouldn't hold his lateness against him. He dismounted from his horse, securing Aeun to his arm as he made his way towards the once familiar surroundings of the Cheon residence. He hoped that his eagerness to see Sunmi again would outweigh any disappointment she might feel at his delayed arrival.

"Sorry, I'm late," he apologized as he approached Sunmi, his tone contrite. He hoped that his apology would be enough to convey his regret for keeping her waiting. Despite his eagerness to see her again, he knew that being punctual was important, especially when it came to honoring their plans.

With a sheepish smile, Ilwoo glanced around at the familiar surroundings of the estate, taking in the sight of the aviary and the lush greenery that surrounded them. Despite the passage of time, the place still held a sense of comfort and familiarity, like coming home after a long journey.

"I hope you haven't been waiting too long," he added, his expression sincere as he met Sunmi's gaze.

@✿ jang ilwoo With the aviary right outside and close proximity to the forest, Sunmi had eventually settled for their meeting point at her family’s residence. It was a humble sight compared to the estate they had once owned, but it was home nonetheless. Even before a Lord like Ilwoo she would be proud of what she had. Her family and her home were her everything, the safe harbour that would always catch her no matter what happened. They had all proved it over and over, each Cheon caring for each other when in need. It was hopefully something he would see as a strength.

She had instructed that he need not announce his arrival. As of late she had found less and less reasons to leave the home beyond work, and with the hope of seeing him again she had another reason to stay at home. There was certainly enough to do around the home either way, with the garden needing tending, the birds needing care, rooms needing cleaning and so on. And even if she ran out of things to do, she would just fill her time with idle reading, studying of etiquette- or other subjects of somewhat aligned topics, or even practicing needlework. One way or another she knew she could find things to keep her occupied for weeks… No, months even if she needed to.

Hopefully he would not drag his feet that long to show. He had seemed so excited when they spoke of letting their birds hunt, yet in the quiet of the evening Sunmi found herself second guessing things. In the stillness of the air there was an empty hollow only able to be filled by her thoughts, worries marred by past experiences that made her wonder if perhaps she was letting herself get too easily dragged along again. It had been half a year at this point, and still the questions of it all haunted her.

A prick to her finger snapped her back to reality. She let out a little huff as she plucked the needle from the tip of her finger. A small droplet of red quickly began growing in place of where the needle had been just a moment ago. Sunmi sighed and placed her work she held in her right hand down, the left hurriedly moving towards her lips. The metallic taste tingled against her tongue as she tried to stem the bleeding just a little. Why was she so foolish…

@❁ cheon suryeon "Perhaps so," Sunmi agreed with a small sigh. It had yet to fail her as it was. And the likelihood was slim. The threat of an arrow tended to be all that was needed to get anyone unscrupulous away from her. Not that many ever paid her any attention. In the worn hunters garb she was just another faceless and nameless hunter. "But I've yet to be hurt. And if anything were to happen, Byul would get them."

Suryeon was stubborn, but it was a trait most of the female Cheons seemed to share. Though it was evident that her mind worked differently from Sunmi's. Why would she assume she had met someone? She had already told the truth about the hunting trip. There was no way she would tell about Jaehoon as well. "Would you count Byul?" she tried sheepishly, glancing out towards the path as Suryeon began bandaging the cut.

And if anything, perhaps she could turn the attention back around on Suryeon instead. "Speaking of company-" She waited until Suryeon had finished fastening the bandage. "Something has been bothering me. What happened with you and that Lord?" Think Sunmi, make it not seem so out of the blue. Think. "You have always been the more eligible wife amongst us, so... what really happened?"

@❁ cheon sunmi Suryeon did not flinch nor pause when Sunmi hissed as the coarse ointment was lathered to the cut. The faster she could wrap the injury up, the faster the sting will pass. As she continued the treatment, Suryeon listened to the truth that Sunmi began to unfold of her excursions. Her lips thinned at her words, yet she couldn't fully scold Sunmi knowing she, too, had ventured during the dark of night in her youth. The reason then perhaps would bring shame to her as compared to Sunmi's reason.

"That is fair, however," she began, pausing the switch the ointment with a small roll of cloth to cover the wound,"while I would trust my bow and arrow, a mishap could happen anytime, sister." Suryeon cut an estimated length of the cloth, cutting it with a knife and began to close the injury with the cloth while continuing her 'interrogation'. "Were you with a company?"

Suryeon did not miss the glance Sunmi had fleetingly thrown over her shoulder earlier. It was as if checking something. . .someone. Perhaps, just maybe, the younger, too, had been meeting someone she held feelings for. A guise of a man would not pull eyes to them, after all. However, it could have fairly simply been a hunting partner for the night. The older tied the ends of the cloth, "it is done."

@❁ cheon sumin "N-no no, that's fine I'll b-bring Byul," Sunmi had quickly stammered as her sister had suggested going along. There was already risk to what she was doing on her own. Bringing her sister in on that seemed a horrid thing, especially with her already having a child to deal with. That way at least Sumin could be a little relieved.

Or at least she hoped she would be. One could never really know. Perhaps she had been worried after Sunmi got attacked all the past year. Or perphaps even her own assault not too long ago that lead to the little boy's premature birth. Either way, Sunmi could sympathize with the worries and if there was something she could do to ease her mind she would try, even if it would make things a big harder for herself.

"Oh, the food is amazing," she answered with a smile, happy to have something to divert the attention to beyond her own nightly activities.
Sunmi smiled as she watched the two interacting. It woke a want within her to have something similar one day. Perhaps if it was not too long her own child could be a close friend to Saejin. "You two are so cute. You're getting all the help you need from Suryeon, right?"

@❁ cheon sunmi "even if you're not hunting, sister, she can be the one do the bodyguard in case anyone would ambush you anytime," the recalled on how sumin got ambushed on the day when saejin was borned which she would want to ever remember the bad moment but thankful instead that he was perfectly fine on his own now. "if you doesn't want, then bring me along once in a while for safety," to ensure that sunmi doesnt get anything like that time, the nightmare when she was alone.

sumin carefully pick up saejin off from sunmi and told him that his aunty gonna eat in the baby words, "aunty gonna nyam nyam, i got you some nyam too," the excitement when he noticed the food of his own bowl got her chuckles, watching both of sumin's favourite eating so well got her satisfied more than anything. "hows the food, sister?" she asked in the curiosity but also more of something that her sister brought home too.

it was fortunate that sunmi have her own room and now that sumin occasionally sleep over at suho's room to keep saebom company with saejin, otherwise the shared room with the eldest, she cant easily entered without the little timid side of sumin that she doesnt know. "im sure myeongbyul understand, dont you remember how stress she is when she couldnt see you at least a months or two back then?" the cries myeongbyul had when sunmi got confined, was felt among all the falcons and seeing that it was more than just a bird who hunt, but the protector who able to see from the other angle that we can't see.

@❁ cheon sumin "I always went out later in the evenings. At least it isn't under the moon as much no more," Sunmi excused, as if Sumin didn't have a point. "And Byul I brought whenever I hunted..." Her expression shifted as she sighed. "Which I don't any more. Worry not, sister. I am fine." That part was the only one not fully a lie. She wanted to bring Byul out more, but knew she couldn't give the girl the excitement of a hunt. And though she no longer did hunt, her body still remained awake at nights, using the time instead to study for what to do once marriage became a possibility.

With Saejin in her arms, Sunmi stood back up. The little child was so tiny but cute as a button. His little laugh as she tickled his round stomach was the kind of thing that made her wonder how she would have felt as a mother. If she could have the strength to care for someone so innocent and defenseless. Could she be able bring life into this world like her sister had?

"She deserves better than I can give her," Sunmi sighed, following her younger sister back to the table. Her arms still held Saejin, rocking him a little as she sank into her seat. "I want to give her the freedom of a hunt. To spy targets like before but... I can't do that anymore. Those days are behind me."

With careful movements to not disturb little Saejin, Sunmi began eating. Spoonful by spoonful she began filling her empty stomach, ensuring she had least got the sustenance needed for another night of careful study. The notebook she had been sent was already lying ready in her room, just waiting for her brush to write down questions.

@❁ cheon sunmi "not bringing myeongbyul, going out late night more than daylight and even, shuttering. youre like an open book to compare all of us," sumin squinted her eyes to see how easily sunmi can be read compare the poker face suryeon and the serious face suho, unsure of her own. the sneaking that sunmi have been doing for past night and the amount of time she doesnt want to actually surprised sunmi that she knew, coincidentally tonight was the night she get to ask, especially using saejin as an excuse.

once that her sister confirmed shes hungry, she quickly head to the kitchen while letting saejin to start crawling to the older, sumin make sure she does not make a lot of noises while she make some simple side dishes with a light soup along with the rice that doesnt feel heavy to eat up. once she's done with the food and set up on the dining table, she came back to both of them and smile.

"im sure myeongbyul knows, especially shes been training herself these days surprisingly," she replied in order to see if she can ever bribe the falcon to keep closer look of the older. "supper is on the table, i make some again for the hungry boy too," she said when her sister carried saejin up carefully that remind her how saebom was when she was smaller too but this time was saejin and her own.

sumin noticed, everyone have been hiding secret these days. sunmi with her suspicious late night out, suho have not been sending mails but the others in order not to have us worried, suryeon with the sudden brightness on her face and occasionally different mood, which doesnt make a different that sumin hiding the real dad of saejin.

@❁ cheon sumin "H-how so?"
Sunmi had tried to mask the concern in her voice with a laugh, but even she could hear it was stilted and not convincing. Of course she was being suspicious. She was acting more headstrong than before, all because of a letter. She had begun sneaking in books at home, because of one man's willingness to help. All of it was the very definition of suspicious.

She stood in the doorway of her room, her small frame doing very little to hide the room behind and the very obviously hidden books. "Hungry?" The idea had completely passed her by. "Y-yeah, we should probably make a little meal, should we not. Some rice and vegetables, perhaps," she suggested, happy that the topic shifted somewhat. Her sister could never know about the books.

"And yes, I promise. I will try to bring Myeongbyul. But you know how the girl gets with buildings," Sunmi answered defensively. "I just hope she won't scare anyone." And thus draw attention to herself. It was bad enough being a woman out on her own without chaperoning, if not to be the manic with a falcon sitting perched on her shoulder.

The older squatted down when Sumin lowered her child to the floor. She opened her arms, smiling more genuinely as he stumbled awkwardly on his tiny legs towards her. As soon as he reached her arms, she scooped him up, swaddling the boy in her embrace. "Heeey there little one~ You've grown so biiig."

@✿ park yeonghan the voice she havent heard for a year, more or less, maybe? she couldnt remember when the last she actually went for the training along to see him for things. she mustn't forgot to send mail to him when things get too hectic especially the pregnancy months she went through along with the work piling up.

even despite of the darkness, sumin could see his face and the frown on it got her chuckles softly as she responded with her head shake, "that's okay, I've forgotten to send you a mail that i will be taking a time break for a while—" the amount of question he asked as she could tell, no wonder that yeonghan and suho were best friend for each other and saebom's godfather along with.

"one question at time, duke- i wish I can be dead right now but i have something important to keep myself alive. a lot of things happened, i dont know how to start and trouble?" the awkward laughter with the scratch on the back of her head. "i dont really think its a trouble? just a little bit?" she tried to act a little cute with the fingers to show how little she think it might be, in case if yeonghan would ever send letters or anything to suho, knowing how the training was supposed to be a secret but nothing else was.

@❁ cheon sunmi "sister, you do know youre being suspicious right now-" sumin walked with saejin along with sunmi into the house along her eyes that staring on the high suspicious but also that her sister was much more lively than anything else after sumin managed to cure bit by bit along with the scars on her arms.

as much as her concerned towards her older sister grow more uneasiness, she too want to make sure that sunmi get to change slowly to her old self before the incident and something, or someone must be doing it right for her than just family. sumin carefully placed the wide awake child down with the hold of his little hands that he attempted to walk towards sunmi's room without noticing of her hiding quickly.

"are you hungry? i can do some food if you are while you play with saejin," she said with a smile before it goes down with a frown, "if i caught you going out without byul, im gonna follow you the next day," as if their role ended up being reversed instead, somehow that between the three sisters, sunmi was the most fragile that people might mistook her as the youngest one instead.

yet the little cooing and giggles from saejin when sunmi offered her arms open for the young child got him excited, sumin could not ask anything but the support of her siblings but somehow too, worried alot things at the same time. maybe the mother instinct grew in her along with the concern of the rest of the siblings.

@❁ cheon suryeon How was she supposed to explain any of this to Suryeon? Getting caught sneaking out in mens wear would already be hard to explain. And yet of all days Suryeon could have picked to discover her secret she picked the one day where Sunmi had stumbled into her ex-fiancee. There really wasn’t any worse of a day for her to find out than the one day Sunmi harboured feelings of confusion and anger at her for having held back the truth.

Then again, she was doing just the same. Hiding the truth of who she was and what she liked spending her time doing. Perhaps she had no right to judge, but unlike herself Suryeon had always been a beacon of truth. A rolemodel Sunmi looked up to and felt overshadowed by all at once. To think she too hid secrets felt… wrong.

Noticing her getting back from the corner of her eye, Sunmi carefully set Byul down on the ground, leaving the bird with what giblets she had left of her rabbit. “There, there, Byul,” she cooed before turning her attention back to her sister. “It wouldn’t be my first night doing this, no.” Perhaps it was time for a little bit of truth. At least to fill the air with anything but her own hisses of pain from the treatment to her cut.

“I could not very well gone out there in my chima, now could I? I’d get tangled in every bush and bramble and ruined Sumin’s beautiful work,” she continued before another hiss of pain. “And no one thinks to ask questions of a male hunter out at night. And if something worse was to happen-“ Sunmi nodded to the bow in her lap. “An arrow will deter any threat.”

@❁ cheon sumin He shouldn't have come. What was he doing? Thinking that sneaking around at night into the Cheon residence would be, in any way, appropriate? I should turn right back around and leave this instant. He repeated to himself over and over in his head—and yet, his light-as-a-feather footsteps trekked further and further to the back of the house to investigate the noises he'd overheard. As he neared, from the behind the protection of a spindly tree, Yeonghan, with bated breath, could see through the heavy veil of tenebrous night, the silhouette of a woman---one that looked awfully familiar to his pupil . . .

"Sumin-ah—" he exhaled, straightening his crouching posture as relief flooded his grim-strickened expression. Upon ease, the Duke could feel nothing but utter comfort with the knowledge that Sumin was alive and breathing after all. Although slightly thinner and obscured through the dark, she appeared well and free of any true harm that the worse of his imagination could only think up of.

"My sincerest apologies for entering unwarranted—but I had not heard from you in a year!" His voice came out as quiet as he could manage but nonetheless, abrupt and accusatory. Yeonghan walked closer to lessen the distance between them, his brows raised in question. "You did not write nor send a messenger to inform me that you are alive and well and here. I thought you were as good as dead! What happened? Did you get into trouble?"

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@❁ cheon sunmi Suryeon had not missed the fleeting look her sister had thrown over her shoulder. Has Sunmi been sneaking around with a company? Truly, she did not mean to insist on pressing the matter of a small wound—one that any of the Cheons would be able to tend by themselves. But in the way her sister was flustered and eager to cover up her little night excursion, she had a gut feeling that there was more than meets the eye. The instinct gripped her within its talons, compelling her to dig more into it immediately.

Her steps were light as she entered her room, careful not to wake Sumin, and retrieved her medicine box. As she made her way out, the falconer paused at the doorway, watching Sunmi feed Byul. Truth be told, there was rarely a moment where she took her time observing her siblings. And when those moments came, the growth she had noted on them never failed to remind her time was slipping out her fingers.

Sunmi, though inheriting the petite form of their family, is a sister she could now fully lean on as her health deteriorate. Despite the naivety that laced her personality, Suryeon knows she could entrust the Seodang to Sunmi should she ever cannot continue teaching. Hence, she can't deny the slight squeeze on her heart as Sunmi lied to her.

The older exhaled before approaching the bench. She set the box of herbs down, settling beside Sunmi and began to examine the younger's arm once more. "Have you been out on a nightly excursions for awhile, now?" she interrogated, as she tended to the small wound. "Disguising as a man, no less. What if something worse happened to you?"

@❁ cheon sumin “S-suspicious? N-not at all,” Sunmi stammered in turn as her sister stepped closer. It wasn’t like she was carrying a bundle full of books of material that would get any lady shunned from society behind her back. A bundle she would very much like her sister not to have a closer look at. So as she got closer, Sunmi carefully placed herself between the bundle and Sunmin, a bright smile on her lips.

“I’d gladly hold him for a bit,” she cooed as she looked over at the boy again. He was so tiny and cute. Looking like a little version of his mother, though with features Sunmi could not place. She had yet to meet the father, which in truth was probably for the best judging off of her interactions with Jaehoon in the past.

Sunmi carefully picked up the bundle, keeping it hidden behind her back as the three took the walk back towards the home, mostly followed by Saejin’s small coos. “I will certainly… make an attempt,” Sunmi sighed, even if she knew it would cause more hassle. She had not brought Byul out much after the incident, and wasn’t sure exactly how the bird would react if she went out of sight. She was protective.

Getting to her room, Sunmi hurried to put away the bundle of food in a spot as inconspicuous as she could manage. Hopefully no one would go through her room but her, but one could never be too sure. Putting a few blankets over the bundle to be sure, she hurried back and smiled awkwardly. “Now, let auntie hold the little cutie.”

@✿ park yeonghan its took a while for her to actually put saejin back to sleep for the night at least, the mess she made in the kitchen to make something for her to eat but also to feed him. boy growing up so well but also his fussing getting more when he knows what he want and what he doesnt.

once that she already settled down saejin to his bed before she heard to the kitchen to clean up the mess sumin unintentionally made, but her ears started to perk by the sudden noises outside. as quick as she can to clean up and grab the broom out, she carefully head to the front to see if theres anything but nope nothing. so she went to the back of the house with the broom she held as if its a sword but also to protect the house.

the sudden appearance showed himself in front of sumin which got her dropped the broom with an awkward smile. "duke yeonghan, its been a while—" the awkward laugh that got her actually approached forward to him. the whole year she realised that she have not been attending training but instead, handling the pregnancy she has on her own with her family help and stuffs which lead her to be rusty on her sword fighting skills.

then she remembered, no one knows about the baby. no one knows it was belong to cha jiwoong, whom happened to be yeonghan's friend too and no one, except the cheon and few selective people.

@❁ cheon sunmi sumin studied the body language of her sister, the nervousness that shown well on her face and the way she tried to hide things, at least sumin knows that sunmi got better these days and no distraction from it especially the quiet night where she dropped by once in a while to see the sleeping beauty of her sister. saejin heard sunmi voice before his head turned to face and recognized his aunty.

she carefully get up with the child as she approached the older, squinting her eyes before smiling with a small nods. "suspicious sister but keep the book first, saejin seems to want to be held by you tonight," saejin was making the grabby hands with his eyes sparkles despite of the darkness, reminded her of her man when they have a night date before she shake her head to remove the thought.

"but you still need to bring byeol out too next time," sumin warned her while following sunmi back to the house and her room despite of standing outside than stepping in to see her keeping the secret books shes hiding away. sumin want to question more but for now, maybe she want to see the reaction of her sister first.

@❁ cheon sumin ｡･:*:･ﾟ･ { sᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴅ } ･ﾟ･:*:･｡
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It's been many months—a whole year, to be precise—since the last time Yeonghan has seen Sumin. Although her occasional disappearance did not surprise him, rarely, was she ever silent for this long. Since the start of their trainings---an agreement that only began because Sumin pleaded for him to take her in as a student---on a weekly basis, his pupil would fail to show up to their scheduled practices but would often turn up later. Despite his frustration, he forgave her time and time again, scolding her equally to show up on time to the next one. And this occurrence went on for some time, until a month passed by... then two... then three. And before Yeonghan realized, an entire year flew by while a fair amount of his time became preoccupied with his role as a military general, the recent war, and with Nabi re-entering his life.

Things had since settled to a workable pace, and the thought that Sumin hadn't yet turned up felt uncomfortably strange. He thought to ask Suho about her whereabouts but then remembered that their arrangement was to be kept a secret from the other Cheon siblings.

So here the Duke was, at his last and only resort with a rather grim look on his sharp visage. He did not know what to expect nor if he would finally get some answers about Sumin's abrupt desertion.

The front of the Cheon family's residence appeared quiet and empty—until he heard a sound coming from the back of the house. Yeonghan took a step towards the narrow field that seemed to lead to the back but then halted. He knew better than to snoop. And if someone—an absolute stranger were to see him now, about to enter the Cheon's home in the dead of the night—what would they think? Or say?

Quickly, stealthily---the Duke took a quick glance around. Spotting no one in plain sight, he continued on through that open space to the back of the house, being as quiet as he could possibly manage to be.