Chapter 66: I fell into his arms

Chapter 66 - I fell into his arms After I had fallen asleep, someone came into my room. I don't know who it was but I definitely felt a presence. I was just too tired and lazy to open my eyes. I knew it wasn't the maids because this person had a strong and powerful presence. They came to my bedside, knelt before my bed, or squatted. I don't know exactly what they did but they were at a level where they could gaze at my face closely. Did they perhaps sit on the bed? Well, whatever they did, they stared at me for a while, a gaze softly and affectionate stuck on mine as I slept like a baby. I don't know how long they watched me sleep but at some point, I felt contact. They caressed my face softly and then stroked my hair. "How can you be so defenseless while you sleep?" They asked. "I thought I told you to keep your guard up." I was sure I knew who it was because there was no one with a voice as charming and beautiful as his, so I opened my eyes, hoping to see him, but at that point, he was already gone. I was alone in my room, fluttering my eyelashes as I searched for Jin-Yeok with my eyes. The room was dark. "Master?" I called but there was no one. Was it perhaps a dream? It could be a very vivid dream that was meant to confuse me. But what if he just walked out? My room felt larger than normal for some reason, and I don't know if it's because I slept too much, but I felt rather delirious and frightened like something was weighing sadly on my heart. What was I frightened of? I had no idea, but I wanted to talk to someone. Even if it was one of the masters, it was better than being on my own so I rushed out of my room in hopes he had just walked out of the room. I didn't even bother wearing my slipper and opened my door, but I didn't find him. I ran towards the staircase as fast as I could, and from there, I finally saw him. I saw Jin-Yeok's back as he descended the stairs. I was right. It wasn't a dream. "Master," I called and he stopped walking. He turned around and found me panting at the top of the stairs. "Jo-Pil?" He looked surprised, and I rushed down, only to miss a step halfway towards me, and I found myself falling. I was sure I would land on my face as I fell forward like that, but Jin-Yeok did not hesitate to spread his arms wide to catch me. I fell into his arms but we both fell as a result of that. (I don't know how many times I've corrected 'asleep' instead of 'as a'. I'm seeing so many of it as I edit. Maybe I need a good night's sleep) Luckily, Jin-Yeok was a sturdy man so this fall was not enough to shake him. Plus, he was almost at the foot of the stairs to begin with so the fall wasn't that hard. I took a moment to calm down before raising my head. "Master," I called, my heart racing and I could feel his racing as well. That was one wild horseplay, but... What just happened? I might've been feeling rather insecure and wanted to hurry up and talk to someone but wasn't this too rash of me? Not only did I slip and fall down the stairs, but I fell on top of Jin-Yeok and caused him to fall as well. What if he had been only halfway down the stairs? What would I have done if he sustained a serious injury? "Jo-Pil, are you hurt?" He asked, his arms wrapped around me as he sought to protect me from harm. Even in a situation like this, he was asking me if I was hurt. He was caring about me and it was making me emotional. "I'm sorry, master." I said, my eyes tearing up. "I didn't know I'd slip and... You shouldn't have caught me." "So, should I have let you fall down the stairs? On your face at that?" He asked, removing one arm from around me to touch my face. I couldn't even answer that. What was this feeling of insecurity and loneliness that was suddenly coming over me? I dropped my head on his chest, crying. "I'm sorry, master." I apologized once more. "It's alright, Jo-Pil. It would've been a different story if I was hurt but I'm fine. So, you don't have to keep apologizing." He said. "But why were you in such a hurry? You didn't even put on your slipper." "I heard masters voice but when I woke up, you weren't there." I explained. "I don't know what came over me but I suddenly got scared. It was as if you were leaving me. I know it was presumptuous of me but I found myself looking for you. There was no one with me when I woke up, it was dark and I got scared. I wanted to find someone." "So, you ran out to find me." He said and I pursed my lips. "What if you had missed me?" He asked. "What would you have done then?" "Maybe cope with the loneliness that was creeping into my heart." I think I was getting used to their presence already for me to feel lonely from not seeing a single one for an entire day. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to rejoice at their absence but I was sinking into loneliness at their absence instead. "Jo-Pil," he called and I raised my gaze to look him in the eye. "I understand you're lonely, but do you want us to remain like this while you soothe your loneliness with my presence?" He asked and I jolted. That's right. I was on top of him. I should get up. I probably should. But then again... I rested my head on his chest. "Forgive my rudeness, master." I said, gripping his shirt tight. "But just a little longer." Jin-Yeok was taken aback by my sudden clinginess but he couldn't do anything about it. He had already gone soft for me even when he told himself he'd have to keep his distance from me to clear his thoughts. He put his hand on my head and stroked it. I felt comfortable. I don't know why. The position we were in was very awkward, and it was rude to my master, but even then, he was so considerate of me and made me feel at ease to the point that I lost my worries and fell asleep again. (Yeah, I should probably get some sleep too)