Chapter 36: Shadows of Motives

Gaeyeohwa refused to admit her foresight, and I couldn’t stay in Namakseong long.

In such circumstances, a guard was struck by an arrow, giving the lord cause to apologize for harming my retinue. This granted me both a reason to extend my stay and more time to recruit Gaeyeohwa.

It was a fortunate turn.

“Is that your fault?” I asked.

Finding a secluded spot, I leaned against the castle’s corner. A black shadow gliding in the sky drew closer.

The wind from its wings ruffled my hair.

The crow, Gonjo, perched on my shoulder without permission.

Spitting out a strand of hair blown into my mouth, I asked, “Who told you to sit there?”

“Where else should I sit?” he replied.

The only thing nearby was the castle wall, hardly a suitable perch.

“Fine, I’ll let it slide,” I said.

Gonjo, still on my shoulder, began preening his feathers. I brushed off the dust and asked again, “It’s your fault, right?”

He ignored me, tilting his head.

This bird’s knack for stirring trouble was impressive.

“So you’re coming clean?” I said.

I reached to grab him, but we weren’t in a confined room. In this open space by the wall, he had the advantage, dodging easily. My fingers only grazed a feather.

His wings stirred the air chaotically as he flew up.

“Hey, you!” I shouted.

I missed him. Hovering above, he flapped his wings and said, “I helped you, and you show no gratitude. How dare you raise your filthy hand? Such an ungrateful wretch!”

I scoffed, incredulous. “You’re blaming me?”

“Don’t act like you didn’t mess up!” he said.

“Ungrateful? That’s you, you birdbrain!” I retorted.

I sighed heavily, grabbing my neck and looking down. The sun’s glare made it hard to see him in the sky.

“Who took the hit for you? Me? It was the guard! If you’re fed, the least you could do is not cause trouble,” I said.

His wingbeats grew closer. Looking up, I saw him descending to the ground, wary of being caught.

“Slippery as ever,” I muttered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he said.

I sighed again. “Ugh.”

He started making excuses.

“Did I want to hurt him?” he said.

“Calling it a mistake?” I asked.

“I had no other choice,” he said.

“What choice?” I demanded.

“You think those following you are so loyal they’d take an arrow for me?” he said, tilting his head mockingly.

“You targeted the guard because he’s the weakest?” I said.

“With that big head, you’re still so short-sighted,” I added.

He pecked at a feather, looking absurd.

“So it’s your fault!” I said.

“My living long benefits you. I handled something you needed,” he said.

A surprising answer. I’d been careful around him, but he was sharper than I thought.

“When did I ask you to do anything?” I said.

“You wanted to impress that female, Gaeyeohwa, didn’t you? That’s why you needed time,” he said.

I gritted my teeth.

He wasn’t wrong. His method was effective, and I couldn’t deny I’d suffered no loss.

“It sounds bad when you say it like that,” I said.

“Was I wrong?” he asked.

“I need a useful advisor, not anyone specific,” I said.

“If you impress her, won’t she help you?” he said.

I scratched the back of my neck, exasperated.

“Close enough,” I admitted.

“What’s your next move?” he asked.

It was a mess.

The key was convincing Gaeyeohwa herself. To do that, I needed leverage.

I’d already noticed her situation differed from Gaerihwa’s. I didn’t know her exact feelings toward Namakseong’s lord, but it wasn’t good.

Her position wasn’t dire enough to make her desperate to escape, but her willingness to engage with me suggested she wanted to leave.

At the same time, knowing I was a notorious wastrel, she still showed intent to join my side.

Her foresight could factor in. If she’d seen a reason to follow me, I could assume that. But without knowing her ability’s strength, it was just a guess.

Still, if she was using me to escape Namakseong, I didn’t mind.

“Hey,” I said.

Even if I helped her escape, she had few options.

If she revealed her ability, many would clamor for her, but unless she was foolish, she wouldn’t advertise it. She’d worry about a noose around her neck first.

So, she’d cling to me as her lifeline. She had no choice.

If a fake engagement worked, I’d find a way. Some trouble was inevitable, but I could handle it.

The price of securing a strategist with foresight was worth it.

Hiding my thoughts, I answered Gonjo calmly, almost playfully.

“Who knows,” I said.

“You reckless fool,” he said.

“No plan? If I shout it out, I’ll look mad,” I said.

“What’s your goal?” he asked.

“No goal? I’d avoid being called mad, wouldn’t I?” I said.

I was already a wastrel. Would one more label matter?

“Well,” I said.

“Really?” he said.

I was annoyed, but he was right. It stung.

Why was I in a position to take every bit of criticism from a bird?

“A sad life,” I said.

“Honestly, I’ve got no choice now,” I admitted.

“You’ve got a plan, don’t you?” he said.

“Your words have no basis,” I said.

I’d already lost my grandfather’s support and had no leverage.

He softened his tone, sensing my mood.

“I’m sorry about the guard’s injury too,” he said.

“Oh? Then come here,” I said.

He sensed trouble and backed away.

“What’s with the call? I can talk from here,” he said.

“Come on, I’m not going to kill you,” I said.

He approached warily.

I grinned. “Ever heard crow soup’s good for recovery?”

He squawked loudly.

“My ears!” I groaned.

Without the guard who helped me daily, I felt lost. After a restless morning, I left the lodging to wander the castle.

Lost in thought, I heard a crow’s cry.

Looking up, I saw a small shadow circling the sky.

It drew closer.

I smiled and asked, “Bored?”

“Bored? Not out here, unlike the palace,” he said.

“You’re too noisy to be bored,” I said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he squawked.

There wasn’t anything notable to call an incident. No loud noises here. There was a training ground near the lord’s residence, but no soldiers were around.

This castle, long unused as a fortress, needed little guarding.

“Noisy? When have I been noisy?” he said.

He flapped his wings, feigning an attack. I swung my arm, engaging in a playful scuffle.

“Pretty bored to pick a fight for no reason,” I said.

“A fight? You started it!” he said.

I rubbed my ears as he shouted.

“And there it is!” I said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“News!” he said, puffing out his chest proudly.

His black feathers gleamed from good care.

“A human group is coming,” he said.

“A group?” I asked.

“Yes!” he said.

“So what?” I said.

“Not many, less than half your group,” he said.

If they were visiting Namakseong, they weren’t from the capital. Likely locals or the lord’s personal guests.

“Not many, so it’s not a big deal,” I said.

“It’s not,” he said. “But you should watch closely.”

“Not a big deal?” I said.

“The lord’s going out to greet them,” he said.

“Going out?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes. If the lord greets them personally, it’s different.”

“To welcome them?” I said.

“You’re not so dull that you’d miss this,” he said.

If Namakseong’s lord was personally welcoming someone, who was it? And why hadn’t I heard?

“Was it worth hiding from me?” I asked.

I stared at Gonjo.

He puffed up proudly, but as I kept staring, he slowly shrank back.

“It’s strange,” he said.

“What’s strange?” I said.

“The lord, what else?” he said.

“By the way,” I said. “I heard crow soup’s quite good.”

“Of course it’s tasty!” he said.

He squawked again.