Kyungsoo kept chanting mantras of the thunder god. He was so sure that one of the god’s underling spirits was the one playing with Lady Junhee’s consciousness tonight. It must have been the lady’s strong water element which attracts thunder spirits so many times. The chanting went slower as her breath went steadier. This time too, a job well done.

 

He excused himself from the lady’s room after making sure Junhee drank a cup of holy water and fell asleep. Kyungsoo told the servants they wouldn’t need to worry for another attack tonight as he had intensified the charms which barricade the room from evil spirits.  

 

“My daughter owes her life to you, Master Kyungsoo,” The Left Minister gave him his word of gratitude. “If only you would receive our humble gifts and offerings in return..”

 

Kyungsoo gave a small smile and nodded his head slowly. He had more than enough rice at home and the locals always made sure he wouldn’t live in poverty. Of course he couldn’t tell the other reason for his polite rejection. After all, to admit the guilty pleasure he felt from glimpses of the lady’s sleeping face and her pale neck between her night silk kimono robes, would be admitting that he had committed unforgivable sins.   

 

 

“Your servant has more than enough to live. The fact that Left Minister has trusted me to watch over Lady Junhee is already a gift of honor.”

 

 

The Left Minister closed his fan and sighed. “I only have one daughter. I’m sure you are aware how precious she is for me and my family. ”

 

 

Kyungsoo gave a small nod. The Left Minister has had the royal family in his palm since his sons were married with the emperor’s daughters and therefore, got themselves into very important positions in the government. It wasn’t hard to predict what his next step would be, considering the crown prince had gone into adulthood in a few months.

 

 

“That poor child has been vulnerable of spirits’ attack since she was born. I have called many exorcists before, but the only one who managed to chase them away is you. As expected from the Great Exorcist Ryeowook’s disciple.”

 

 

“Left Minister thinks too highly of your servant,” Kyungsoo replied with a smile. “Lady Junhee was born with water elements and that’s why thunder spirits are attracted to her. Coincidentally, your servant had some past with the thunder god. That’s all.”

 

 

“Oh. What kind of past is that if I may know?” The Left Minister asked with curiosity.

 

 

“Back when I was still in training, I happened to annoy him a little.” Kyungsoo snickered. The Minister’s eyes glinted with amusement. He liked the young man’s guts. Kyungsoo reminded him of his young days, when he was still a low-ranked officer who tried climbing to the top, using some tricks hidden in the sleeves.

 

 

“I wonder if you could do something to make sure that my daughter could be protected from those spirits for good. You see, I’m going to send her to the court before summer ends.”

 

 

“That means..”

 

 

“I can’t give away a sick bride to the crown prince, can I?” The Left Minister muttered with his heavy voice. “How I wish you could do something about it.”

 

 

☯

 

 

Kyungsoo was offered a palanquin but he refused and chose to walk home. As he was going to step out from the outer gate, the young exorcist heard a voice calling his name. He turned around and saw a guard running after him. The man was short and his sword hanging on his belt seemed too big. Kyungsoo recognized the guard as Baekhyun, one of Lady Junhee’s quarter’s man.

 

 

“The Lady has woke up and wished to deliver her sincere gratitude. She told me to give you this letter..”

 

 

Kyungsoo took the white envelope and brought it to his nose. It was the scent of hydrangea, which was blooming beautifully in the lady’s garden. Kyungsoo couldn’t hold his smile in.

 

 

“Thank you for delivering it. I’ll treasure the letter.”

 

 

Baekhyun frowned at him. “No other words for Lady Junhee? She’s going to be upset.”

 

 

“Then tell her, I’m going to write back as soon as I can.”

 

     

“Of course you would,” mumbled Baekhyun. “Or else, she’s going to cry to her sleep.”

 

☯

 

 

Kyungsoo sipped his tea while he was reading Junhee’s letter. It was poetic yet the writing was inconsistent. The inks were too thick here and too thin there, like the letters were written in hurry. She even forgot some strikes and that made Kyungsoo chuckled.

 

 

Dearest Master Kyungsoo

 

I haven’t heard from you neither saw you since our last meeting in the summer festival. Therefore, I couldn’t express how upset I was when I woke up and found out how you left already without saying goodbye. Yet, I wish you have been spending this summer healthily and careful of the heat. I would like to thank you personally for your help, so by this letter I also invite you to join me for tea tomorrow afternoon. Please reply to me soon.

 

 

Junhee

 

 

Kyungsoo couldn’t help but thinking of how the letter sounded compelling. He supposed he could spare a visit to Lady Junhee before going to the west mountain tomorrow. He took his writing set and papers.

 

 

Lady Junhee

 

Your useless servant is truly sorry for not greeting my lady before leaving. I expected that my lady would be resting until the next day and wished not to disturb your sleep. I’m truly grateful for the invitation and with joyful heart accepted it. I apologize for not sending any letters before as your servant is not good with words. I also wish that my lady is spending the summer in good condition, healthy and bright like the hydrangeas which blooms beautifully in your garden.

 

Kyungsoo

 

 

“Chanyeol-ah! Come here!”

 

 

There was no reply for a moment. Kyungsoo frowned and tried calling out again. He sighed when there was no response from the so called Chanyeol. The young exorcist muttered some mantras and the next second, a tall young man with red hair showed up, rolling on the floor in shouting and screaming. Kyungsoo stopped his chanting and the other man jumped at him and grabbed his robe’s collar in frustration.

 

 

“Did you really have to do that?!!”

 

 

Kyungsoo calmly looked at the man eyes with his big ones. “When I call you, you should show up.”

 

 

“I was sleeping dammit! Why did I sign the contract with you again??”

 

 

“Because I saved your when you almost got eaten by that cannibal tarantula spirit. You owe me your soul and I expect more grateful attitude.”

 

 

Chanyeol gritted his teeth and let Kyungsoo go. “Yeah, yeah. So what do you need me to do this time? Burn some demons? I don’t mind if it’s human.”

 

 

Kyungsoo shoved his letter to Chanyeol’s face. “Deliver this to Left Minister’s dwellings.”

 

“Another love letter??? Why don’t you use birds or Jongin??”

 

 

“You are a fire spirit, your presence could harm Junhee the least.”

 

 

The spirit rolled his eyes hard. He took the letter and went disappearing after mumbling something like I better get some good drinks after this. Kyungsoo shook his head and stood up. He needed to get ready for tomorrow’s journey.

 

 

 

☯

 

 

He arrived at the quarter a bit late as there was exorcising request from a merchant who by mistake purchased a cursed antique jar. Baekhyun, who escorted him, gave him judging look and scolded him all the way. Kyungsoo swore he would ask Sehun to give the fussy guard a good ‘flight’ one day.

 

“Master Kyungsoo…” The lady jutted her lower lip out, clearly upset. Kyungsoo found the lady’s childlike attitude very cute and had to hide his chuckles beneath his sleeves. At the age of fifteen, Lady Junhee was supposed to act as how a ready-to-marry lady should. Yet Kyungsoo believed her future suitors would find her cheerful attitude refreshing. It was another attractive trait of Junhee besides her snow-like alabaster skin, soft charcoal-like hair, and rosy lips many would die for.

 

What kind of luck should a man have to kiss those lips of yours?

 

 

“I have to apologize my Lady, but I need to help some people on my way here.” Kyungsoo nodded his head as servants served them tea and beautiful sweets.

 

 

“You don’t have to apologize to me. I always admire how you help people in need.” The lady blinked and Kyungsoo stared carefully at how the eyelashes flattered. “Like how you help me.”

 

 

Kyungsoo looked at the sweets. One of them was shaped like camellia. The other one was round, transparent with little lotus shaped cake in it.

 

 

“These sweets are beautiful. My lady’s taste is indeed amazing.”

 

 

Junhee blushed and nodded shyly. Kyungsoo wondered what the Left Minister would say if he knew the young exorcist had the guts to flirt with his precious daughter. Even the high-ranked officers could only take a glimpse of Lady Junhee’s twelve-layer robe behind the blinds. Kyungsoo thought he must have saved so many lives in past life, or he made the right career decision.  

 

 

“Mother told me that I shouldn’t have chosen two different ‘flowers’. It lacks of diversities.” Junhee explained with sad smile. “I’m never going to be a good lady of the house.”

 

 

“We all made mistakes.”

 

 

“Even you, Master?”

 

 

Kyungsoo nodded and smile. He cut one of the sweets and ate one piece. The sweet taste of sugar spread in his mouth and he sipped his bitter green tea.

 

 

“I couldn’t help but choose them because they remind me of you. Really pretty and-“

 

“If I may, I would like my lady to never call me as pretty again. The word ‘pretty’ suits you better than a man like me.”

 

 

Lady Junhee smiled so bright the whole room lit up in Kyungsoo’s eyes. “But you’re pretty, Master Kyungsoo. If you were a woman, the emperor would’ve taken you into his quarter.”

 

 

Kyungsoo frowned and the lady seemed even more amused. “Any sane man would choose you over me. And it seems we have sane ruler after all.”

 

 

Junhee’s eyes widened and soon Kyungsoo regretted his words. “So my father told you the news.”

 

 

“Yes. I should congratulate my lady, but maybe it’s too soon..”

 

 

“There was no one to congratulate but my father. I will never be able to see you again once I entered the royal dwellings..”

 

 

Kyungsoo finished his tea. “I’ll do my best so you will always be protected from those spirits. Then, you will no longer require me by your side.”

 

 

☯

  

 

Kyungsoo’s face expression had made Jongin restless while transporting the exorcist to the west mountain. Nevertheless, the poor spirit didn’t dare to ask what’s wrong as Kyungsoo kicked every pebbles and rocks he saw as soon as they arrived.

“Jongin! The damn sake!” Kyungsoo shouted as he asked for huge jar he stole from Chanyeol’s in the morning. Jongin gave it to him and quickly disappeared into the air. Kyungsoo open the jar and pour the whole content into the soil.

 

 

“Come out s!! Or I’ll burn your mountain to ashes!!!”

 

 

The sky was suddenly covered by black clouds and the sounds of thunders filled Kyungsoo’s ears. Yellow flashes rained the mountain but Kyungsoo didn’t move an inch. Suddenly, he was blinded by bright light and he was thrown to the ground.

 

 

“Well, well. Isn’t this the great master Soo-soo?”

 

 

Kyungsoo cursed out loud and opened his eyes. “I told you never call me that.”

 

 

A man dressed in dark green sleeveless robe showed him feline smile. He offered Kyungsoo his hand but the latter ignored it and stood up.

 

 

“What are you doing here? I thought you never want to see me again since the south lake incident.”

 

 

“Your underlings have been bugging the Left Minister’s daughter and I need them to stop for good.”

 

 

The thunder god raised his brows. “So you were the one bullying my babies these past months! How could you???”

 

 

“Shut up, Jongdae! They shouldn’t have played with the lady’s since the beginning.”

 

 

Jongdae pinched Kyungsoo’s cheek and the latter cried in protest. “They just gave her nightmares while you.. You beat the hell out of my poor babies!! No, I’m not going to help you!”

 

 

Kyungsoo took out his sealing charms and shoved them on Jongdae’s face in threatening pose. The thunder god took a few steps back. “And if I stop them, won’t you be able to see her again?”

 

 

Kyungsoo’s eyes widened. He watched the thunder god shrugging his shoulders in teasing manner. “Well, the news traveled around in blowing wind.”

 

 

Kyungsoo decided he would make Sehun suffer for this. “It doesn’t matter. The country has been peaceful since Left Minister took control.”

 

 

“I don’t care about human. They can do as they please as long as they don’t bother me,” answered Jongdae. “On the other hand, I do care about my friend’s love life.”

 

 

Kyungsoo scowled. “It doesn’t matter, it’s not like she feels the same about me.”

 

 

“Waiit.. So Sehun lied when he told me you have done it with her??”

 

 

Yeah, Kyungsoo was going to torture the wind spirit until he begs for his soul.

 

 

“Come on Soo-soo! She’s clearly fond of you too.. I could show you her dreams, it’s not that innoce-“

 

 

Kyungsoo’s eyes widened. “You have her dream fragments?”

 

 

☯

 

It was night and Lady Junhee was sleeping soundly in her quarter. There was a thud and two large shadows showed up from the air in her garden. Kyungsoo took a deep breath. He knew what he was going to do was really wrong, and the lady might hate him forever. Jongin gave him encouragement nods.

 

 

“It’s okay, it’s definitely love!” whispered the spirit.

 

 

Kyungsoo took careful steps in and he sighed at the sight of Junhee laid beneath her blanket. The lady looked like a pure, innocent baby in her sleeps. Kyungsoo sat and braved himself to brush the lady’s fringe. The gentle gesture made the Junhee squirmed and next thing, she opened her eyes slowly.

 

 

“Master.. Kyungsoo?”

 

 

Kyungsoo’s face turned red and he was grateful for the darkness. “I’m sorry to bother your sleep my lady. There is something urgent I need to ask you.”

 

 

Junhee smiled sleepily. “It must be another good dream. You’re here with me.”

 

 

Kyungsoo thought he must have been possessed because he leaned his lips and met Junhee’s. The lady gasped and it was the cutest sound Kyungsoo ever heard. His chest was bursting with happiness and he didn’t want to stop, especially when Junhee put her hand on his shoulder and pulled him closer.

 

☯

   

The Left Minister had called Kyungsoo the next day. He was thankful the young exorcist had agreed to meet him as soon as the minister called. Kyungsoo noticed the minister was in disheveled condition.

 

 

“I had a nightmare. You might not believe it but the thunder god came to me last night,” explained the minister in trembled voice. “He told me that he wants my daughter to be his bride.”

 

 

“That was cruel of him,” said Kyungsoo sympathetically. “What did Left Minister tell him after that?”

 

 

“I couldn’t speak a word as he told me how he cursed Junhee so the crown prince would die in terrible death if they marry. Please, Master! You have to help my daughter!”

 

 

“I’m afraid I can’t,” Kyungsoo muttered sadly. “The thunder god’s curse is really powerful, not even my teacher, the greatest exorcist in this country can cast it away.”

 

 

The Left Minister went agape. “So- so- what should I do??”

 

 

“Don’t Left Minister have a niece whom in the same age as Lady Junhee?”

 

 

“Are you saying..”

 

 

☯

 

“Why is my lady’s face not as bright as usual?” asked Kyungsoo as he watched Junhee arranging flowers in a vase.

 

 

“I’m just worried that my father’s lie will be discovered. My cousin and I do look alike, but...”

 

 

“But you are more beautiful than her..”

 

 

Junhee blushed at Kyungsoo’s words. She tried to divert the conversation. “Master Kyungsoo, do you want a flower arrangement in your room too?”

 

 

“I would love too..” Kyungsoo nodded and smiled.

 

 

“It was so kind of you to let me stay here so I could be protected from thunder god…” Junhee said cheekily. “This is the least I can do to repay you.”

 

 

Kyungsoo laughed and he dared himself to caress Junhee’s cheek.

 

 

“My Lady, where shall I put this box of robes??” asked Baekhyun who looked exhausted as hell.

 

 

“Kyungsoo! This idiot turned our sake store into wardrobe!!” shouted Chanyeol.

 

 

“Ooh, shut up you two.” Kyungsoo took Junhee’s hand and kissed it slowly. It was going to be a spirited summer this year.