When the west dawns - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Should I remind you that harassing a lady deserves fifteen lashes?”

A firm arm reached out beside Seo Hyo, gripping the man’s wrist with ease.

At that familiar voice, Seo Hyo turned her head in surprise.

“Cha Eon?”

Her voice cracked at the end, rising high enough to sound almost comical. That’s how shocked she was.

Cha Eon’s sudden appearance—how did he even know she was here?

His expression was calm and gentle, like hair swaying softly in the breeze, yet Seo Hyo could tell from the trembling man’s arm that Cha Eon was exerting an incredible amount of strength.

The burly man’s face twisted in pain.

Even as he tried to act unbothered in front of the lady he had just harassed, he couldn’t hide the truth. The smug grin faded from his face, replaced by a deep red flush and a groan that escaped through clenched teeth.

“You bastard!”

The man swung his fist toward Cha Eon’s face with full force. But the butler simply tilted his body lightly, avoiding the blow with effortless grace, and released the man’s arm.

In the end, it was the man himself who stumbled and nearly fell face-first to the floor.

Cha Eon’s voice was calm, as if nothing had just happened.
“You conduct yourself quite poorly for a so-called gentleman.”

“I won’t demand an apology. It’s not like you’d mean it, and I’ve no use for a false one anyway. Just return my lady’s property.”

He brushed his sleeve as if even the brief contact with the man was something worth shaking off.

“That will be enough.”

“What the hell’s your problem?!”

The man shouted, his rough words echoing in the shop. Clearly, when faced with an unexpected turn, his true vulgar nature came out.

Then, remembering that Cha Eon had called Seo Hyo “my lady,” he narrowed his eyes.

So, this woman’s servant—lowly, insignificant. No need to be intimidated just because he’s a bit strong.

“You’ve got guts, don’t you know who I am?”

“Not particularly interested. Just hand over the item.”

“I’m Bang Taeju!”

The man bellowed, his voice shaking the air.
“I command twenty men under me!”

Cha Eon sighed inwardly. Men who bragged about how many followers they had usually said so only because they didn’t want to die alone. Was he asking to have his men killed with him?

One problem solved, and another appeared.

First, the strange hairpin.
Then, that “Ga” nobleman.
And now, Seo Hyo’s unusual determination.

There was no way all of this was coincidence. Something was clearly happening behind his back—something Cha Eon didn’t yet know.

He was so on edge that he’d done something ridiculous earlier—like hiding Seo Hyo’s shoes.

Yes, he’d tossed aside his pride just to keep her from stepping outside the mansion gates. If that didn’t work, he was even considering hiding her clothes next time.

That was the extent of his possessiveness.

And just as he was about to step out to investigate, this man had reached for Seo Hyo.

Cha Eon hadn’t thought—his body simply moved on its own.

The man might have trained his body, but no ordinary human could ever match Cha Eon’s strength.

If he wanted to, Cha Eon could have easily broken the man’s arm—or worse—with just a flick of his fingers.

But the fool didn’t even realize he’d been spared.

“And you dare not recognize Bang Taeju, you filthy peasants?!”

Peasants?

Cha Eon’s brow twitched.

Did he just call Seo Hyo that?

Before he could react, a sudden rush of sound filled the air outside—then came the heavy patter of rain.

Raindrops struck the earth like stones, quickly flooding the dry ground. Passersby screamed and scattered for shelter beneath eaves.

Women and children shrieked as thunder rolled in the distance.

“I don’t care about your so-called nobleman—just return my painting,” Seo Hyo said firmly, emboldened by Cha Eon’s presence.

But the man swatted her hand away and crumpled the paper in his grip.

Cha Eon’s fist clenched.

“Oh dear!” cried the startled shopkeeper, looking out the window just as a bright flash lit the entire sky.

Lightning in a downpour—thunder would surely follow.

The shopkeeper hurried to close the half-open windows as the storm raged on.

Cha Eon silently counted to five.

“Will you return the painting?” he asked evenly.

He didn’t truly care about the strange sketch of the hairpin—it could burn for all he cared—but if Seo Hyo wanted it, then he had no choice.

You’re too soft, he thought bitterly.

Whatever she wanted, he’d get it for her, no matter what. Even if it hurt him. Even if it meant crossing lines he shouldn’t.

But that was fine.
As long as he could see her smile.

A distant rumble shook the air.

“So this is what’s so important?” sneered Bang Taeju. He looked Seo Hyo up and down, then, smirking, tore the painting in half.

“Ah!” Seo Hyo cried out.

He tore it again, crumpled the pieces, and threw them at her. The crushed paper hit her cheek and fell to the floor.

“You pretty little thing, think you’re better than me?” the man spat. “I was being nice!”

He turned toward the shopkeeper.
“Go to Jinhyangru right now and call my men—”

KRAA-BOOM!

A deafening explosion shook the shop.

“ARGH!”

Lightning struck the wall behind the man. Bricks and shelves came crashing down, opening a hole where the wall used to be. Rain poured through the gap in sheets.

The man who had been shouting seconds ago now lay half-buried under rubble, groaning weakly.

“Ugh… aah…”

He was alive—but trembling uncontrollably, pale as chalk.

The shocked shopkeeper and clerk hurried to pull him free from the debris. Outside, passersby gathered in awe and fear, whispering among themselves.

Someone shouted for a doctor.

Cha Eon stepped toward Seo Hyo, who was frozen stiff in shock. He gently pulled her hand.

“There’s nothing more to gain here. Let’s go.”

“But… the painting—it’s ruined. Maybe if I pick it up—”

“I remember its shape perfectly. Let’s leave before the crowd grows.”

He led her out, her dazed eyes darting between the collapsed wall and the fallen man.

Cha Eon, however, didn’t spare a single glance back. His expression was cold.

That’s what happens when you cross the line.

From now on, every time that man tried to harass a woman, he would remember the thunder splitting the sky behind him.

Cha Eon hoped that memory would last a lifetime.

Even as they stepped out of the shop, Seo Hyo couldn’t believe what she had seen.

She’d heard stories of trees struck by lightning before—old tales about good luck charms made from the wood of a lightning-struck jujube tree.

But an actual person being struck?

It was terrifying. It almost felt as though the heavens themselves had been watching and decided to punish him.

Seo Hyo shuddered.

Forget it. At least he didn’t die. His legs had still been moving—thank goodness. Let’s just think of it as divine discipline, nothing more.

She shook her head, trying to distract herself.

At least Cha Eon remembered the pattern of the hairpin perfectly. She could have him redraw it once they got home.

As she was lost in thought, something suddenly shaded her head.

An umbrella.

“Why did you stop walking?”

Cha Eon handed her the umbrella, then opened one for himself.

Seo Hyo blinked. There wasn’t a single umbrella seller in sight. Usually, as soon as it rained, those vendors would appear out of nowhere.

But not today.

“How strange…” she murmured.

She glanced between their umbrellas. “This umbrella—is it ours?”

Cha Eon gave her a sidelong look.
“I’m not in the habit of stealing.”

“So you brought it yourself then. Meaning… you knew it would rain today?”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t?”

What? The morning sky had been bright and clear!

“Everyone except you, apparently,” he said calmly.

Seo Hyo slowed her steps, glancing around. So many people were running through the rain, drenched. None carried umbrellas.

“Let’s hurry. It’ll stop soon,” Cha Eon said.

Stop soon? The downpour didn’t look like it had any intention of stopping.

And yet—just as they passed through the city gate—the rain stopped. Instantly.

Seo Hyo stared up at the clear sky in disbelief.

Unbelievable.

“Look, look! He’s sneaking off again—to Seo Hyo’s room! Meow!”

“That sly Cha Eon! He’s worse than a shopkeeper who steals leftovers! Woof!”

“In the daytime, he glares and scolds!”

“But at night, he tiptoes to her room, chirp chirp!”

It was well past midnight.

The spirits trapped inside the herb chest were chattering noisily, still giddy after Seo Hyo’s earlier visit. They had completely forgotten what fear was.

“Eek!” squeaked a striped cat spirit, puffing its tail.

“He’s glaring!”

“He’s gonna snap our necks again! Chirp!”

“He wouldn’t dare—Seo Hyo would cry!”

“He’s coming closer!”

“Don’t come! Don’t come!”

Dozens of spirits clung desperately to the drawer handles, trembling.

Cha Eon hadn’t even moved a finger yet, but their panic filled the air.

He glared toward the chest—one cold, piercing look.

The spirits froze.

“Why does someone as cute as Seo Hyo have such a scary butler?”

“I told the old parrot who crossed the rainbow bridge last week! When you see the Heavenly Emperor, tell him to replace that mean man!”

“Eek! He heard us!”

“He’s raising his hand!”

The spirits’ eyes went round with terror.

Seo Hyo didn’t know what Cha Eon really was—but the spirits did. On their first day inside the herb chest, he had threatened them into silence.

He’d warned that if they ever revealed his true nature to Seo Hyo, he could destroy their souls entirely.

He’d proven his words once—with the rabbit brothers’ spirits, who had dared to mock him and nearly vanished from existence.

Now, every spirit remembered that incident all too well.

“Quiet,” Cha Eon’s voice rumbled, low and dangerous.

“There was already one fool today who angered me—and I struck him with lightning.”

“…See? He is a monster.”

“I can still hear you.”

“Eep!”

A spirit dove into a pile of old cloth, shaking.

Outside, the night was calm—but the spirits whispered about how the storm earlier had seemed to erupt out of nowhere.

“I don’t care what you whisper,” Cha Eon said coldly. “But if you wake Seo Hyo…”

His eyes swept over the chest.

“Then you’ll regret it.”

“W-we won’t! Meow!”

“Y-yes, sir! Chirp chirp!”

The trembling spirits fell silent.

Cha Eon moved on, holding a small pouch of incense in his hand—something he’d made himself to help her sleep.

He could destroy mountains, call thunder, and shatter cities if he wished… but when Seo Hyo fell ill, he was helpless.

When she caught a cold, he brewed medicine and fed her himself. When her fever wouldn’t break, he stayed by her side all night.

No divine power could heal her as quickly as he wanted.

That was the only time the mighty Cha Eon felt powerless.

“All I can do… is this.”

He walked silently across the courtyard. Despite his large frame, his steps made no sound.

He opened Seo Hyo’s door and stepped inside.

The scent of quince drifted softly from the basket on her table—sweet, natural, and perfectly her.

She slept deeply, as always.

Sometimes he would test how long she could sleep without stirring—out of childish mischief.

“If you don’t open your eyes now,” he’d whisper, “I might do something bad.”

It was a threat he never meant—but one he always whispered anyway.

“Seo Hyo,” he called gently, sitting by her bedside.

“Seo Hyo, my lady?”

Only her steady breathing answered.

Perhaps that was for the best. When she was awake—when she smiled, spoke his name, and looked at him—his composure always wavered.

“How can someone be this beautiful…” he murmured.

If the spirits heard him now, they’d scream in horror—but he didn’t care.

Her long lashes, delicate features, her soft, unpainted skin—everything about her was perfect.

He brushed her cheek lightly, the same one he’d teasingly pinched earlier that day.

Even that slight touch made his chest tighten painfully.

My lady, he thought.

The moon is bright, the night birds are singing, and it’s just the two of us here. I swore I wouldn’t act recklessly again, but lately… I want to lock the gates, shut the world out, and keep you all to myself.

So no one can see you. So you can’t ever leave.

Then maybe this precious moment would last just a little longer.

“I wonder if there’s a place for me in your dreams,” he whispered, then smiled faintly.

Forget that, Seo Hyo. Just sleep peacefully and dream sweetly.

“…The incense is working well tonight.”

Leaning against the bedpost, Cha Eon closed his eyes. Beneath his resting hand, Seo Hyo’s slender fingers shifted slightly.

A faint smile curved his lips.

If only time could stop right here.

It was a tender, bittersweet moment—filled with quiet love that could never be spoken aloud.

TO BE CONTINUED…..