After the long conversation with Kyuhyun, Sungmin intends to lie on the mattress to rest for a while when Kyuhyun has some business to take care of. But when he opens his eyes again, the sky is already getting darker. He has slept through a whole day!

Next to him, the young girl and the little boy are preparing dinner on the table, their movements look like a well-oiled mechanism. 

Noticing Sungmin is awake next to her, the girl gives him a soft smile and asks:

- Lee doryeonnim, you are awake. How are you feeling?

Sungmin returns her smile with even a brighter smile.

- I am feeling better, thank you. 

- Are you hungry? - The girl asks again.

Sungmin stops for a moment to think about an answer, but the growling in his stomach has already given her a clear answer. She covers to hide her giggles, and Sungmin feels himself slightly flushing.

- Doryeonnim, we prepared your favourite food as Master instructed. Have a taste first.

Sungmin gets up on the mattress. The smell of the food seduces both his eyes and mouth. He looks at the table, and it is filled with freshly cooked dishes, smoke still coming off the plates. In the middle of the table, there is a big bowl of pumpkin and rib soup. This is his favourite food ever since he was little and his mother made this soup for him on a cold winter night. In the Palace, even though there are often extravagant parties, he hardly ever has an opportunity to have simple but delicious food like this.

Next to the bowl of soup, there is a plate of stir-fried pork belly mixed with kimchi. The pork belly is marinated in all kinds of spices, and the kimchi adds a sour flavour to the whole dish, preventing the spices to cloy one's appetite.

The rest of the dishes on the table are mostly different kinds of fresh vegetables, which Sungmin guesses have been grown and harvested in their own gardens in the commune.

- Doryeonnim, Master said that since you are still recovering from your wounds, it is better to eat lots of vegetables and only have one to two meat dishes, so I have prepared accordingly. Master also said that you should avoid seafood and sugary foods, as they are not good for your recovery.

But her words seem to go into Sungmin's ear and out the other. He picks up the pair of chopsticks on the table and starts picking up food.

- How is it, doryeonnim? - The girl asks softly.

- It's perfect. - Sungmin's response immediately receives another smile from the girl.

As if realising something, Sungmin speaks up again.

- This is embarrassing to ask, Miss - Sungmin turns to the girl - but you have been taking care of me for a month, and I still don't know your name.

- You can call me Sol, doryeonnim. And this is my brother, Do. - The girl answers softly.

- Sol and Do? - Sungmin repeats - Those are unusual names.

The girl smiles gently at him again.

- My mother was a gisaeng¹ and a musician, so she named us after two of her favourites notes in the seven musical notes.

- That's beautiful. - Sungmin could not help his comment.

- Thank you, doryeonnim.

- If your mother was a gisaeng, then how did you two end up here?

The girl has suddenly become silent. Realising his question could be somewhat intrusive, Sungmin immediately apologises, but the girl slightly shakes her head and speaks up again.

- When I was not born yet, my mother was one of the most popular gisaengs in one of the most prestigious institute in Hanyang. Every man, including the highest-ranking officials at the time, desired her company. There was one particular high-ranking official at court with whom my mother was romantically involved. He promised to make her his concubine to keep the affair going. But when she was pregnant with me, he his own words and ended things with my mother, leaving her at the institute, completely heartbroken, and no longer eligible to be a gisaeng. She was banished from her institute, the place where she had lived since she was a young girl. She then found a job teaching young gisaengs at a less prestigious institute, where she met Do's mother. They had shared the same past, the same pain of being betrayed by men of the court, so they became close instantly. Do's mother passed away when she gave birth to Do, and we took Do in as our own. When my mother reached 30 years old, she was no longer allowed to stay at the institute. So we became homeless after that until we took shelter at a temple at the foot of Bukhansan. My mother died there because of an illness, and we continued to stay there. One day, our previous Master was visiting the temple. He got to know about our circumstances, and offered us a place in his commune up on the mountains, where we could get an education, training and be part of a community. So we followed him and have been part of this commune ever since.

Sungmin is so immersed in the girl's story that he does not notice the silence that follows after she had finished her story. The girl flashes him another gentle smile and calls him back to reality.

- Doryeonnim. What are you thinking about?

- Ah, um, nothing - Sungmin stammers - so, you are happy here?

The girl slightly nods her head and gives Sungmin a reassuring smile.

- Yes, this is a good place for people like us, doryeonnim.

- People like you?

- Yes, people who do not fit in, or who are just fed up with the current class system in Joseon. Here, there is no class. We all have different roles in the commune, and we are respected no matter what roles we take.

The more the girl explains, the more Sungmin realises how badly he has suddenly wanted to live here. If only he could disappear from his current life, and stay in this place forever. 

There is another silence between them, when suddenly there is another young girl's voice calling from outside the room asking to enter to clean the room. As Sol looks at Sungmin for approval, he slightly nods at her, and she calls the girl into the room. As she enters, Sungmin realises that she is not alone, and that there is another girl of the same age accompanying her.

Sungmin smiles with the two girls as they enter the room, but sees them immediately looking away from him, as if he was an extremely hideous scene to look at. 

Sungmin does not mind the two girls' strange attitudes towards him, and gets back to his dinner. But just a moment later, he would feel their eyes peeping on him again. As he turns to look at them, they would immediately look away again. This happens a few more times, until Sungmin finally gives up and just focuses on his dinner.

To change the subject from the previously heavy conversation, Sungmin decides to make small talk with Sol.

- By the way, Sol-ssi², where's Kyuhyun?

At this question, the two girls immediately turn to look at Sungmin with the strangest expressions, as if he had said something gravely wrong. He is sure that he only asked an innocent question.

- Master is taking care of some business in the town at the foot of Bukhansan, doryeonnim. There have been reports of robberies in town, and local government officials are mostly corrupt. They don't do anything to help the people.

Sungmin is surprised to hear that the sect is also getting involved in people's affairs outside the mountains. For one second, he curses his injuries that prevent him from assisting in the matter. But again, Sungmin reassures himself that there is nothing that Kyuhyun could not take care of.

After the two strange girls have finished cleaning and left the room, Sungmin turns to Sol and cautiously asks her.

- Sol-ssi, is it just me, or have those two girls been throwing me weird looks the whole time they were here?

Sol only giggles at his question. She covers her giggles with her hand and speaks only when she has calmed herself down.

- Doryeonnim, you have to excuse them. They, along with every young girl in this place, more or less has a crush on Master, so to see Master bring someone back to his room and care for him every day, they could not help but wonder how you look like and what kind of person you are. And even though none of us knows who you are, judging by how Master has taken care of you, we can guess you must be someone very important to Master.

Sungmin feels his cheeks blushing again. Then he notices something in Sol's explanation and is immediately stunned.

- This is Kyuhyun's room? - Sungmin asks in astonishment.

- Yes, doryeonnim. This is Master's bedroom. He brought you here so that he could take care of you more easily.

- He took care of me?

- Yes, doryeonnim. We prepared the medicine, but Master was the one who fed you every spoon. He checked your bandages and temperature every hour. He only left this morning because there was an emergency in town.

Sungmin lets the information sink in him. He could not help feeling a bittersweet happiness inside him. Then, suddenly remembering something from the morning, Sungmin turns to Sol again.

- Sol-ssi, do you know how Kyuhyun got the scars on his forearms?

Sol suddenly lowers her head to look at the floor. Her voice has become almost like a whisper.

- Our previous Master had a rule that once you joined the sect, you could not leave the mountains except for approved matters. Two years ago, when Master was still in the guarding troop, he asked our previous Master to leave the mountains for one week, but would not give him any reason for his leave. Our previous Master would not approve his leave. In the end, Master left without his approval, and when he came back, he was severely punished by our previous Master. In my time here, I have never seen anyone getting such serious punishment. After that, Master had scars everywhere on his back and forearms, as a result of the punishment. To this day, we still don't know where Master went and what he did in that one week.

Sungmin feels a slight burn in his eyes and nose as Sol explains to him. But he tries to calm himself down and turns to Sol.

- Sol-ssi, do you remember which date and month two years ago did Kyuhyun take his leave?

- I remember it was in late spring, early summer. I remember Master came back on May 12th, so he must have left around May 5th, two years ago.

Sungmin's eyes widen at the revelation. May 5th, two years ago. That was the exact date that he, along with the Royal Family, went on their Northern inspection. Sungmin remembers it as clearly as day since it was the first time that he had got the opportunity to go outside the Palace and go on an inspection.

Could it only be a coincidence that Kyuhyun took his leave in that exact week, two years ago? Where did Kyuhyun go? What did he do that he risked enduring a severe punishment to leave the mountains for just that one week?

- Doryeonnim, - Sungmin is still immersed in his thousand questions when he hears Sol call him, as she and Do are clearing his table and getting ready to leave - It is getting late. You should get some more rest.

But Sungmin could not get any more rest, as he lies on his mattress thinking about the million possible places Kyuhyun could have been to and the million things that Kyuhyun could have done in that one week.

Sungmin knows that even if he keeps bringing up his questions now, Kyuhyun would not give him the answer he wants, so he decides that he will find the right time and opportunity to get the truth out of Kyuhyun one day.

Sungmin stays in bed for one more week when he hits his limit of staying indoors.

That morning, Sol and Do bring food and medicine to Sungmin's room as usual. 

- Sol-ssi, is there anything I can do around here? I'm bored to death!

- But, doryeonnim, you still haven't fully recovered yet.

- Yes, I know, I know - Sungmin reassures her - Maybe I can take a walk around. - he flashes an innocent smile at her.

Sol only shakes her head in defeat.

- Doryeonnim, about 1 mile to the east of your room, there is an apple orchard. Perhaps you can take a walk in the orchard. It is really nice and peaceful there.

Sol has barely finished her sentence when she already sees a sparkle in Sungmin's eyes.

- But, doryeonnim, please be careful. Do not do anything heavy, otherwise your wounds cannot heal. - Sol keeps warning him.

- Yes, yes, I know, I know. - Sungmin keeps reassuring her.

So, that morning, when he finishes his meal, takes his medicine and has Doctor Shin check on his wounds, Sungmin walks alone to the orchard. The air is incredibly fresh, and around him, there are sounds of birds chirping and cooing, creating a peaceful sight, as if he had wandered to some magical land.

When Sungmin is only a few yards from the orchard, he can see two rows of trees on the sides of the road forming an arch as if welcoming people to their home.

Sungmin could not help feeling excited as he walks into the orchard. In the fresh morning air, he can slightly smell the sweet scent of riping apples.

When he gets to a corner, he suddenly sees an elderly woman trying to reach an apple, but her height and health seem to be preventing her from doing such a task. So Sungmin quickly approaches her and offers his help.

- Halmeoni³, that tree looks kinda tall for you to reach. If you don't mind, I can do it for you - He flashes her his brightest, most charming smile.

The elderly woman turns to look at him, but since she lives in a small commune, seeing a complete stranger out of nowhere makes her slightly suspicious.

- Don't worry - Sungmin realises the situation and reassures her. - I am an old friend of your Master. I am staying in the house over there. - He points to the direction where his room is located.

The elderly woman immediately looks relieved. She gives Sungmin a soft smile.

- Ah, doryeonnim, if you can help me get the apples from the top, I would be indebted to you.

- Don't talk about debts here - Sungmin smiles brightly as he walks up to the tree. - I am happy to help.

Using his force, Sungmin easily climbs up the tree and sits on one of the highest branches, where the apples have the reddest colours.

- Halmeoni, isn't this job normally for young and strong men? - Sungmin asks curiously - Why are you out here doing it alone?

The elderly woman gives him another smile that Sungmin can clearly feel just through her speech.

- Yes, doryeonnim, this is usually my grandson's job. But he is busy today, and I need to get these apples right away, otherwise they will pass their prime period for harvest.

- Apples have prime periods for harvest? - Sungmin is even more curious.

- Yes, of course, doryeonnim. Everything does.

While the elderly woman goes on to share her harvest experience, Sungmin skillfully grabs the apples and puts them in the bag that the elderly woman had given him.

He had never thought that doing garden work could be so relaxing. Sungmin grabs another apple on a branch, and when he receives approval from the elderly woman to taste it, he takes a bite of the extremely ripe and plump fruit. The sweet juice immediately enters his mouth, and it feels like the most refreshing juice he has ever tasted in his life.

Sungmin is about to reach for another apple at the far end of the branch when his hand slips on the dew-covered fruit, dropping the apple from the branch. But the fruit does not reach the ground, as Sungmin can hear the sound of someone firmly grabbing the fruit.

He looks down to see who it was, and Sungmin almost falls off the branch himself.

On the ground, Kyuhyun looks up at him with eyes like daggers.

- Ah, Kyuhyun!

Sungmin flashes Kyuhyun his most innocent smile, but Kyuhyun does not budge.

Sungmin knows what Kyuhyun is about to say, that his injuries are not completely healed yet, that he should be staying in bed, that he should not be on a tree grabbing apples.

So before Kyuhyun could say anything, Sungmin quickly changes the subject.

- Kyuhyun, look how ripe these apples are! Take a bite of the one in your hand. It's really sweet!

But Kyuhyun only throws him a "Get down here right now" look, to which Sungmin immediately obeys. He slowly climbs down the tree and stands in front of Kyuhyun.

- What did I say, Sungmin? - Kyuhyun speaks with a stern voice as if disciplining a mischievous student.

- Um, to stay in bed and rest? - Sungmin answers softly. He does not want to provoke the dragon in Kyuhyun.

- Right, and what are you doing?

- Before you say anything else, Kyuhyun, I am only helping halmeoni, and if the apples are not harvested today, they will pass their prime period for harvest - Sungmin finds himself a perfect excuse.

Kyuhyun turns to look at the elderly woman, and she quickly answers Sungmin's begging eyes.

- Yes, Master, I asked doryeonnim to help me with the apples, as the trees are too tall for me. If not harvested today, I'm afraid they will not be as good tomorrow.

Sungmin is about to say something else when Kyuhyun tells both him and the elderly woman to sit down under the tree, while with one swift move, he jumps up to the branch and one by one, he grabs the ripe apples and puts them in the bag. This scene is extremely strange to the elderly woman, as in all her years living in the commune, she had never once seen a Master do what Kyuhyun is doing. So she keeps glancing at the young man skillfully harvesting the apples and then to the man sitting next to her under the tree. But Sungmin does not seem all that surprised at Kyuhyun's actions. He sits looking at Kyuhyun for a while, then yells to the man still diligently harvesting the apples.

- Kyuhyun! To your right! - He yells out directions for Kyuhyun.

Kyuhyun moves to his right. There he sees a large bunch of perfectly ripe and plump apples. He grabs those and carefully put them in the bag.

- To your left, Kyuhyun. Oh, that one is not ripe yet! - Sungmin yells out again. - To your right! More! More!

Kyuhyun keeps moving left and right until he realises there is no more apple on both sides. He looks down to see Sungmin burst out laughing. Kyuhyun immediately throws him a glare, but it does not stop Sungmin from laughing.

When Kyuhyun gets down from the tree, Sungmin hands him three apples which have been peeled and carved into three small animals. Sungmin is not passionate about cooking and decorating, but when it comes to playing and messing around, he is an expert. 

Kyuhyun takes one apple animal and takes one bite out of its head, which solicits a playful 'Ow' from Sungmin. When he gets enough rest, Kyuhyun stands up again and heads to the trees next to the one they are sitting under.

- Where are you going? - Sungmin calls out after him.

- Didn't you say we had to harvest all of these today? - Kyuhyun looks at Sungmin sarcastically.

- Oh. - Sungmin then realises what he is doing, then yells out again. - Then I will give you instructions, Kyuhyun!

- No, I do not want to be here all week! 

But that does not stop Sungmin from doing the job that he has made up for himself. He keeps yelling out instructions for Kyuhyun, how many of which are true no one really knows.

That day, the orchard is unusually filled with laughter and sunshine that no one in the Children of the Mountains had ever seen before.

***************

1. Gisaeng: the Korean equivalent of a geisha or courtesan knowledgeable in poetry, dance, music, culture and politics, who entertained noblemen and royalty of the Joseon Dynasty (Wikipedia).

2. Ssi: an honorific used amongst people of approximately equal speech level.

3. Halmeoni: an honorific to address an elderly woman.