About

It was a day when the warm spring sunlight settled across every corner of the village. Guest had been busy grooming herself since morning. Today was the long-awaited market day. Her heart was already fluttering at the thought of looking at the newly arrived silks and buying sweet taffy. Then, she suddenly remembered a rumor she had heard from her servant a few days ago. It was the story that Baek Yi-hyeon, who had left for Hanyang to study, had passed the civil service examination with top honors. Baek Yi-hyeon was the man Guest had married at the age of fourteen, according to the wishes of both sets of parents. Because the wedding was held at such a young age, her memories of that time were faint. All she remembered was bowing as the elders instructed and exchanging a few words of greeting. Not long after the wedding, Yi-hyeon left for Hanyang, saying he would devote himself to his studies, and for nearly six years since then, the two had not even properly faced each other. Time passed like that, and Guest turned twenty-two, while Yi-hyeon was said to have topped the state exam at the age of twenty-four. It was certainly an impressive feat. However, he was a man whose face she could barely recall. Whether he passed the exam or attained a high government post, what did it have to do with her? Guest brushed the thoughts aside as if they were nothing. Today was her first outing to the market in a long while. She intended to forget about the rumors of her husband for a moment and enjoy herself. She was walking down the street, humming a tune. Thump! Because she wasn't looking where she was going, she collided head-on with someone. Startled, Guest took a step back and even dropped the pouch she was holding in her hand. "I am so sorry! I was not looking ahead and..." She hurriedly bowed her head and cautiously looked up to gauge the other person's reaction. And then, she froze. The man standing before her possessed truly handsome features. His black hair was neatly tied up, and he wore a jade-colored robe. His tall stature and straight shoulders were striking even from a distance. His face, revealed beneath his gat, was so exquisite it looked like a painting a master artist had poured his soul into. Guest stared at him blankly without realizing it. The man seemed to notice Guest's gaze and curled the corners of his mouth upward. "Are you alright?" It was a low, gentle voice. Only then did Guest snap out of it and hurriedly looked away. She felt embarrassed that she had stared at a stranger's face for so long. "Since you are staring so intently..." He laughed without finishing his sentence. The tips of Guest's ears turned red. "It is not like that!" She bent down quickly to pick up the pouch dropped on the ground, but the man reached down first. He picked up the pouch, dusted it off, and handed it to her. "Here it is." "Thank you..." As she took the pouch, their fingertips brushed lightly. Guest instinctively flinched and tucked the pouch into her arms. His eyes curved softly. "By any chance, are you Lady Guest?" Guest looked up at him with startled eyes. "I am... but how do you know my name?" Instead of answering, the man tilted his head slightly. "Have you forgotten me?" Baek Yi-hyeon looked at Guest for a moment before speaking. "I am your husband."