Survivance Affection

Chapter 9: Letter

Dokja had been sitting on the balcony reading for the past hour or so, but it felt like he couldn’t comprehend any of the words. He’d been stuck on the same page for a while now.

"What's wrong with you today?" asked Han Sooyoung, who was seated at the opposite end of the circular table.

"What do you mean?"

“You’ve been spacing out all day today, don’t pretend like you haven’t," she added , finishing her tea in one swig.

Dokja gave her a brief glance before turning to face the sunset, "I don't know." He shrugged. He didn't even need to face her to know that she was frowning.

"What do you mean, ‘you don't know’?". Dokja continued staring at the sunset and remained silent. She sighed.

"Fine, if you don't want to say then okay, I'm not going to force you," she grumbled out reluctantly.

Dokja narrowed his eyes; she won't pester him about it? Usually, she’s so much more determined to make him spit out the truth… Honestly, the reason he’d been so distracted all day was because he was worried about Biyoo, though he couldn’t exactly tell anyone since he was supposed to be on house arrest.

What if she runs into the knight again? What if hunters try to capture her? What if something awful happens to her?

The more he thought about it the more morbid the scenarios in his head became. He could only hope that she was okay. As horrible as he felt leaving her behind in the wilderness, he couldn’t force her to follow him.

*Knock, Knock*

"Young master, someone has sent you a letter."

Han Sooyoung and Dokja looked at each other before calling for the maid to come in. Upon entering, she walked over to the balcony and she handed over the letter. Afterward, the maid went to stand over at the balcony door, awaiting further orders from her master.

Seeing who the letter was from, Dokja’s eyebrows raised up high. Sooyoung, taking notice of his reaction, asked who the letter was from.

"…Lady Seolhwa," Dokja responded, a bit lost for words. Han Sooyoung’s jaw dropped. Opening the letter, Dokja read it to himself.

Dear, Sir Dokja

How do you do? While I know both of our houses are busy handling our respective affairs, I would still like to request you to put some time aside so we can have tea together at my residence. It’s been quite some time since we’ve been able to meet with each other. But along with that, there’s an important matter I’d like to speak to you about.

-Lee Seolhwa

"What did she say?", Sooyoung asked while trying to look over at the letter.

"She just said she wanted to have tea with me.", though, it was definitely about the same matters that she’d discussed with Yoo Joonghyuk that night in the garden.

He put the letter on the table, smacking Sooyoung’s hand away as she tried to grab it.

"Ouch!" she yelled. Rolling his eyes, he requested some parchment and a pen from the maid, and then started writing his response.

Dear, Lady Seolhwa

Thank you for taking the time to write me the letter. I’ve been well, house affairs have been running smoothly and I hope the same goes for your own. Those matters aside, I gladly accept your offer to having tea together, I'm quite interested in whatever this important topic you want to talk about is.

-Kim Dokja

After signing he letter and putting it in a wax-sealed envelope, Dokja handed it to the maid and instructed her to have it delivered to Lee Seolhwa’s immediately.

Once the maid had departed, Han Sooyoung asked "So are we going to go shopping?". Dokja tilted head slightly, a bit confused.

But after staring at her, he suddenly recalled that 'Kim Dokja' would got out to buy mountains of clothes, jewels, and other extravagant gifts for Lee Seolhwa whenever he’d known they would meet. Looking at her with a blank expression, he responded.

"No, I’ll be fine if I don’t"

"Eh, what do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"Well, I just don't feel like it, okay?" he ended, before getting up to leave.

"Wait!" she yelled. Dokja arched an eyebrow at her.

"Aren’t you still under house arrest?". Dokja froze, his expression souring. How had he forgotten? He was lucky he hadn’t gotten caught the other night, but he had a feeling sneaking out to meet Lee Seolhwa wasn’t the best idea.

"You're right..."

"So, what’s the plan now?"

"......."

Han Sooyoung sighed at Dokja’s dejected expression. She got up and walked over to put her hand on his shoulder.

"All you can do now is beg your parents to give you their permission," she said, before walking away.

------

The dining room was silent for the most part, aside from the sound of the utensils against the plates. Across from him Kim Namwoon was wolfing down his meal while the duke stared on disapprovingly from the head of the table. Feeling someone staring at him, he turned to face the Persephone. She had a worried expression on her face.

"Dear, are you feeling well?

"Yes, I'm fine, mother," he said, before returning to my meal.

"Are you sure you're fine? If there’s anything wrong, don’t feel like you need to keep it to yourself."

"...."

Hades and Kim Namwoon glanced at Dokja worriedly when he didn't respond, but the duchess continued to softly urge him to open up.

"Come on, you can tell us."

Glancing nervously at his family, Dokja set down his utensils and then finally spoke.

"Lady Seolhwa invited me to have tea with her, but as much as I’d like to go, I’m still under house arrest, so...", he glanced at Hades, fearing that the duke would yell at his son for his insolence.

“ You’re free to go”, Hades said simply.

".Huh?"

After wiping his lips with his napkin, Hades repeated himself.

“Your free to go enjoy tea with Lady Seolhwa, son.”

Dokja blinked a few times before stammering out, "H-Huh, are you sure, Father? You’re the one that grounded me, so….", his voice trailed off. He turned to look at the duchess, she smiled warmly at him.

"Oh, your father was just being petty." The duke sulked as Persephone continued, "Besides, even if he didn't agree, I would’ve given you my permission."

Dokja grinned and bowed his head to both of his parents, "Thank you both for allowing me to go!"

"Anything for my son," Persephone stated firmly, the duke nodding his head beside her. Kim Namwoon gave him a smile and a thumbs up, congratulating him for his freedom.

Yeah, I could get used to being a part of this family.