The Scent of Licorice and Old Memories

“Please, rise. I shall escort you to your quarters.”

The man was someone from Jin-mok’s memories. He had belonged to the Great Hall; if his memory served him right, this was Senior Palace Attendant Ahn, a fourth-rank official of the Eunuch Department responsible for relaying imperial commands.

“The Emperor’s command is absolute, so you must move quickly.”

At his words, Jin-mok scrambled to his feet. His legs wobbled and his wet trousers felt uncomfortably damp and heavy against his skin, but with the eunuch waiting, he couldn’t afford any delay.

Technically, So-hwa’s status as a guest was higher than that of a eunuch, but Jin-mok still saw himself through the eyes of the lowly painter he once was. Naturally, he couldn’t help but be sensitive to every flick of the man’s expression.

Eunuch Ahn watched So-hwa with a stern gaze before turning around.

“Follow me.”

Jin-mok already knew the way to Bogyeongdang. After all, it was the very place he had lived in until his death.

When he first heard the name, he had been too overwhelmed by the Emperor’s presence to process it, but only now did the reality of his return truly sink in. Yet, he wondered—why did the Emperor send him to Bogyeongdang of all places?

Between the suspicion regarding the portrait and this choice of residence, a sense of unease gnawed at him. He wondered if the Emperor—a man of sharp intellect and keen intuition—already suspected something, despite how different his new face was.

If he finds out I am Jin-mok, what expression will he wear? He was curious, yet terrified. He was guilty of nothing more than borrowing another’s body after death, but to an outsider, it would surely look like some form of dark sorcery.

The mere thought of being viewed with such suspicion by the Emperor made his shoulders droop.

However, Jin-mok couldn’t dwell on these thoughts for long. His exhausted body struggled to keep up with the brisk pace of the eunuch.

“Wait… please, wait a moment.”

Jin-mok stopped his trembling legs and called out to the man walking far ahead. Eunuch Ahn turned back, momentarily showing a look of displeasure before bowing his head to hide it.

“Did I not say we must hurry? It is already quite late to finish preparations before His Majesty arrives…”

He was about to launch into a lecture, but he went silent upon seeing the cold sweat drenching So-hwa’s face. He actually waited a moment for So-hwa to catch his breath.

“Are you unwell? His Majesty commanded us to attend to you with the utmost care, so if you require medicine, do not hesitate to say so.”

The eunuch spoke at length, but only one phrase stuck in Jin-mok’s mind: His Majesty commanded us to attend to you with care.

“His Majesty… said to take special care of me?”

Even though he knew the eunuch likely wanted to click his tongue at his reaction, Jin-mok felt a surge of pure joy. He was well aware the man didn’t know he was Jin-mok, but he couldn’t help his heart from fluttering. He truly was a hopeless soul.

After his spirits settled from their brief flight, Jin-mok followed the eunuch once more.

Upon arrival, Bogyeongdang was exactly as Jin-mok remembered it. Even the young servant (sohwan) attending to the hall looked the same, only slightly older.

While Eunuch Ahn called over the boy—who had been busy cleaning—to give him instructions, Jin-mok took a long look around the grounds.

To think I would return here. His heart felt heavy. As So-hwa’s eyes welled up with tears, Eunuch Ahn bowed low to take his leave.

“This servant boy will be attending to the Prince for the time being. If you need anything, please speak to him.”

“I shall do so.”

Once Eunuch Ahn departed, the boy bowed deeply to So-hwa.

“My name is Park Yun-gyo. I will do my best to serve you comfortably. Please command me as you see fit.”

Back then, several servants had taken turns attending to Jin-mok, but Yun-gyo had been the brightest and kindest of them all. Seeing him again filled Jin-mok with fresh emotion.

“Let us… get along well.”

“Please go inside and rest while I prepare your bath. It will take a little time.”

Jin-mok shook his head, a slight flush rising to his cheeks.

“I cannot make a mess of the room you have just cleaned. I look a fright right now, so I shall wait out here.”

“But…”

“My clothes are damp, so please, hurry.”

He was dying of embarrassment, but the need for a bath was urgent. The skin soaked in urine was beginning to itch and felt revolting. At Jin-mok’s prodding, Yun-gyo bowed and dashed toward the furnace.

Left alone to look around Bogyeongdang, Jin-mok let out a small sigh. It hadn’t been that long since his death, so it was natural for things to remain the same, yet his mind was in a state of total disarray.

He was shocked to be staying here again, but he was also frightened at the thought of facing the very room where he had met his end. The building had multiple rooms, and since a death had occurred in one, they surely wouldn’t give him that specific room—or so he hoped.

As he shivered, Jin-mok finally realized how cold So-hwa’s body had become.

This body was incredibly frail. Having suffered through vomiting and exhaustion during the long journey, Jin-mok was terrified he might fall ill again.

What if the Emperor thinks I’m faking an illness and orders my head to be cut off? Just as he was trembling with fear, Yun-gyo reappeared to lead him inside.

“I will guide you to the bath. Please follow me.”

Though he knew the way perfectly, Jin-mok followed quietly. He had missed these polished wooden corridors that shone from years of oiling. In Gyeong, the architecture was different; he had even missed the way the wood groaned under his feet here.

When he hesitated to step up because his feet were wet, Yun-gyo tilted his head.

“Are you not coming in?”

“My feet are wet.”

The boy tilted his head the other way as if it didn’t matter at all, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

“Please do not worry and come up, Guest. I can simply clean it while you are bathing.”

Jin-mok gave a bashful nod.

“I feel quite ashamed to show you such a side of myself at our first meeting.”

Wet footprints marked the floor as he followed the boy. When Jin-mok offered another awkward apology, the boy replied without looking back.

“Please do not mind it. I am merely doing my job.”

Yun-gyo’s kind words brought back small memories of his time here—sharing snacks like honey cakes and press-cakes on the days the boy was on duty, or the quiet moments when the boy would grind ink by his side.

To Jin-mok, who had no siblings, the boy had felt like a younger brother. That lingering kindness brought a lump to his throat. Jin-mok cleared his throat, causing the boy to look back in surprise as he opened the door to the bath.

“I worry you might be falling ill from that cough. Please warm your body before a chill sets in. Shall I assist you with your bath?”

“No, that is fine. I will do it alone.”

He wanted to spend more time with the boy, but he knew Yun-gyo had to clean the corridor. The boy bowed deeply before closing the door.

“I will prepare a change of clothes for you shortly. For now, please soak and relax.”

“Thank you.”

The square wooden tub was filled with steaming water. A faint herbal scent suggested it was a medicinal bath. The sweet aroma of licorice filled his nose, mingled with the subtle scents of mugwort and cinnamon. These were the very herbs Jin-mok used to use.

Because of his poor posture while painting, Jin-mok often suffered from muscle aches. He wouldn’t just paint for a moment; he would spend all day hunched over the floor, leaving his shoulders, back, and knees in constant pain.

Noticing this, the Emperor had ordered medicinal herbs to be provided for his baths. It seemed those herbs were still kept here at Bogyeongdang.

As he sank into the hot water, a sigh escaped his lips. Seeing the linen pouch of herbs in its usual corner made the reality of his return feel tangible.

The water felt hotter than usual—likely because So-hwa’s body had been so cold. Regardless, soaking in the medicinal bath quickly made him feel drowsy and relaxed.

He stayed until his cheeks were flushed pink. When he stepped out, Yun-gyo was waiting to help him dress.

“I will handle this myself, so you may go about your business.”

In Gyeong, he had accepted help to avoid suspicion, but there was no need for that here. Jin-mok dismissed the boy and changed into fresh clothes himself.

“I will lead you to the inner chamber where you will be staying. This way, please.”

Yun-gyo led the way. However, Jin-mok had a creeping suspicion he knew exactly where they were going. His heart began to pound, but he maintained a calm facade as he followed the boy down the long corridor.

Rounding the corner, the room at the end of the hall came into view—the very room where Jin-mok used to stay. He couldn’t understand why he was being given that specific room. He stared at the back of the boy’s head and finally spoke.