40 Stick of Pain Pt.2 (1/2)

Namjoon's train of thought was interrupted as he noticed a few of the maids passing by. He was currently ambling across the courtyard to return to his quarters when, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly observed movement. He glanced up briefly and spotted the maids looking at him before masking a giggle which unavoidably escaped their lips. As they neared him, he acknowledged their presence by giving them a quick but friendly smile which, without fail, made the maids giggle even louder.

Namjoon couldn't help feeling a little bored by the maids' reactions. He was getting tired of the attention he was receiving, not because he disliked the source but, because it made him feel like all women were the same.

And whenever he started thinking like that, he ended up comparing every woman to her.

Namjoon shook his head to disrupt his current stream of consciousness. Here I go again, he thought, why am I always thinking about her? He couldn't understand why he was still so shaken up by the painting and why his mind couldn't let her go. It had been five years already. He had succeeded in forgetting her temporarily but something stopped him from burying his memories of her again.

”Gyuri!”

Namjoon abruptly stopped. He glanced towards the direction of the maids' quarters where he could hear voices overlapping. Oh, yes. I wonder how Gyuri is faring... Namjoon thought as he changed his course and started heading for the maids' quarters. He had almost forgotten about how she had saved Taehyung's life and how she was somehow well versed in revival techniques which were still a new concept in Saim.

Curiously, Namjoon pondered about Gyuri. Who was she exactly? When he met Gyuri, he believed she was just a normal serf, one that desired a better situation than the one she was currently in. Namjoon was impressed by her bravery and so decided to reward her but little did he anticipate how fond Taehyung would grow of her as time went by. But that wasn't the only thing he didn't anticipate. Namjoon didn't realise how he too, would be affected by her presence.

”Gyuri, where have you been all day?” Madam Zhou asked sharply. ”I have been searching for you everywhere.”

Namjoon watched from the entrance as Gyuri replied, ”I was with the Young Master.”

”The Young Master?” she repeated dubiously. Madam Zhou inspected her appearance with one brow raised. ”But why are your clothes wet?”

”Erm...” Gyuri struggled to reply.

From behind the wall, Namjoon watched her worriedly. Before they had parted, he had made Gyuri swear that she will not say anything about what happened earlier that day. After all, what good would it do for the rest of the household to know that Taehyung had almost drowned?

”I accidentally fell into the lake” Gyuri responded rather convincingly.

Namjoon breathed a sigh of relief.

”The lake?” Madam Zhou stated, still not believing her. ”Why were you near the lake in the first place?” Madam Zhou continued to interrogate Gyuri who, somehow, managed to evade every one of her questions.

From afar, Namjoon couldn't help being impressed by Gyuri's skilful acting ability which, he consequently reminded himself to be wary of. It appears Gyuri was quite artful in deception.

”I do not want you to go near the lake again” Madam Zhou finally instructed her. ”Especially if you are with the Young Master. He is not an accomplished swimmer so it is very dangerous.”

Again, Gyuri managed to feign ignorance. ”Of course, Madam Zhou.”

Madam Zhou straightened the creases on her robes before continuing. ”Good, well, now that is out of the way, I would like to address why I have called everyone here.” She gestured to all the other maids who were gathered around the common room.

Namjoon backed away silently. Gyuri seems fine, he thought. There is no more reason for me to be here.

”It has come to my attention,” Madam Zhou began, ”that a large quantity of food from the pantry has gone missing.”

Namjoon froze.

”And,” Madam Zhou continued, ”that is unacceptable. Our great kingdom is going through hardship due to famine but that does not excuse anyone from stealing.” Namjoon spotted Madam Zhou leer at the maids, ”especially not from the Kims.”

”Madam Zhou” one of the maids called out, ”how much food is missing?”

”At least three baskets full” she replied.

A gasp escaped the mouths of all the maids present as they erupted into whispers.

”And if I do not address this now, more might go missing.”

Gyuri exchanged looks with Mayu, who was nearby. ”What will happen if the person gets caught?” she whispered worriedly.