Chapter 184
“Do you have any idea how much effort this mother has put into forging an alliance with Paechun?”
“…I know.”
At her mother’s sharp words, Jin Yeseo nodded.
For Baekgwang, who had barely managed to restore its declining fortunes, Paechun, at the height of its power, was the ideal partner.
From the beginning, the directive to approach Baek Seoyeon had come from the head of the family, aiming to further strengthen the alliance between the two houses. Of course, it wasn’t long before Jin Yeseo found herself captivated by Baek Seoyeon as a person, regardless of such instructions.
‘If you think about it, this suffering is all for Seoyeon Unnie…’
Her response only seemed to further fuel the blonde woman’s displeasure.
“And yet, knowing that, you went ahead and did something like this.”
“…”
“I tried to be as considerate as possible. I understood that youthful passion could bring about frustration and resentment. That’s why I even agreed to that ridiculous contract, didn’t I?”
Jin Yeseo was at a loss for words. The contract she had formed with her mother was originally supposed to symbolize her freedom.
After all, among the newly admitted peers, there wasn’t a single person who could surpass Jin Yeseo’s skill level.
“It was none other than you who threw away your own right to freedom. Are you going to deny even that?”
However, the appearance of an enigmatic masked eccentric had been something neither Jin Yeseo nor her mother could have anticipated.
“You lost the bet. And you should have quietly awaited your mother’s decision.”
“…”
“But instead, you concocted a scheme just because you didn’t want to fulfill the family’s duty. And with none other than the person who humiliated you so painfully!”
‘Ugh…’
Every time the blonde woman unleashed her fury, a scorching heat enveloped Jin Yeseo.
“Heukryeon is our rival! What on earth were you thinking? Are you so blinded by resentment toward your mother that you’ve lost all sense of reason? Huh?”
Even as her ears stung from the sharp scolding, she forced herself to maintain composure.
“You’ve not only ruined your mother’s grand plan but also dragged the family’s reputation through the mud! And you still dare to call yourself Baekgwang’s successor?”
“…”
“Tell me. What did you offer him as payment for this farce? The permit rights for the Northwestern Redevelopment Area? Shares in the Desalination Plant? Preferential negotiation rights for the Arms Factory? Don’t tell me you even handed over Headquarters’ Controlling Stake.”
Yet, even as her mother’s harsh words rained down on her, Jin Yeseo found her breathing stabilizing, her mind growing calmer for some reason.
Her mother seemed entirely oblivious to the fact that her relationship with the man was built on a genuine human connection. And, perhaps, that was as it should be.
After all, even she herself hadn’t imagined such a thing just a few weeks ago.
“Answer me now! Depending on your response, you could lose your successor status or face an even harsher punishment.”
“…”
After silently enduring her mother’s tirade, Jin Yeseo finally opened her mouth.
“It’s not a farce. And… I’m well aware. That I lost the bet.”
“What?”
“That’s why I’ve come to face him directly and take responsibility.”
“Ridiculous.”
The blonde woman immediately dismissed Jin Yeseo’s words with a derisive laugh.
“If that man truly thought of you as his lover, he would’ve torn apart my dress earlier. And then, like a vulgar beast, he would’ve tried to have his way with me. Wasn’t that the perfect opportunity for him?”
“Ugh…”
Jin Yeseo frowned, clearly uncomfortable with her mother’s crude choice of words.
“…I’ve already told you. I’m speaking the truth…”
“My memory hasn’t become that unreliable just yet. What was it you said back then? Something like, ‘All I need is a suitable studhorse,’ wasn’t it?”
“…”
“And wasn’t it because of that absurd stubbornness of yours that we ended up forming that contract? A child like that could never have a lover.”
“…”
“When I read that part in your letter, I was so dumbfounded. And to think that your supposed partner was the heir of Heukryeon? When I saw the two of you together, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. A lie should at least have some semblance of believability…”
“No.”
The blonde woman was in the middle of expressing her disgust when a small but resolute voice interrupted her.
“What did you just say?”
“…I said he’s not just some suitable studhorse.”
A voice filled with shyness yet brimming with undeniable conviction.
“Hyun is… the finest studhorse I know!”
With eyes ablaze, Jin Yeseo declared firmly as she faced her mother.
***
“What…?”
The blonde woman unconsciously muttered in disbelief, her eyes narrowing as if trying to process what she had just heard.
“Ugh…”
Realizing what she had just said, Jin Yeseo quickly lowered her head. The bright red hue spreading to her earlobes served as undeniable proof of her earlier proclamation.
“…Ha.”
Even for the head of a renowned family who had weathered countless storms, seeing such an unfamiliar side of her daughter after sixteen years was a fresh shock.
As Jin Yeseo hesitantly raised her head, glancing at her mother who seemed lost in thought, she delivered another blow.
“And… it’s entirely thanks to him that I was able to surpass the singularity.”
“What? Is that true?”
“…”
Jin Yeseo responded with a bashful silence. The sincerity in her gaze made the blonde woman sink into deeper contemplation.
The string of disappointments and humiliations that her daughter had brought upon herself. Even abandoning the family’s cherished Black Flame to switch her specialization to the Circulation System.
‘The rage I felt when I received that notification…’
Yet, the one area where her daughter had achieved success—ascending to Category 1—was an accomplishment so monumental that it overshadowed her previous failures.
Moreover, the manifestation of color and fragrance after surpassing the singularity meant that Baekgwang now had a stronger foundation to solidify its future standing.
But the fact that the one who facilitated this was none other than the heir of their rival, Heukryeon…
“Ha…”
The blonde woman let out a hollow laugh, her thoughts tangled in complexity.
Whether or not he was the heir of Heukryeon hardly mattered.
What was more shocking was that her daughter, who had always avoided young men her age, was now actively defending one.
‘The finest studhorse…’
Her daughter, visibly nervous, kept sneaking glances at her. This reaction was distinctly different from her previous rebellious phase.
Judging by her behavior, it was obvious she harbored profound feelings for him.
Whether those feelings were mutual remained to be seen.
“…Indeed, he is quite an exceptional prospect.”
After what felt like an eternity, the blonde woman finally spoke in a somewhat subdued tone.
“He doesn’t seem to neglect physical training, and he’s adept at concealing the skill of the spring.”
“Ah…!”
Hearing her mother’s positive remark, Jin Yeseo’s face lit up with joy.
“Above all, at such a young age, he’s already accomplished so much. Once he graduates from the cradle, he’s bound to rise as a next-generation power figure…”
“Yes, yes! There’s nothing lacking about him!”
“Even his eloquence wasn’t half bad. And the way he maintained composure in front of an alluring woman…”
“E-Eloquence…?”
Jin Yeseo, who had been nodding enthusiastically, suddenly froze, her eyes wide with surprise.
‘Wait, we didn’t even kiss yet…’
-You look beautiful. It suits you well.
-Like a princess from a fairy tale in the western lands.
The blonde woman, with a faint blush on her cheeks, seemed to be recalling compliments from earlier, but Jin Yeseo had no way of knowing.
“Indeed, he was someone who naturally evoked admiration just by being around…”
“M-Mother…!”
Startled, Jin Yeseo raised her voice, her spine tingling. The blonde woman turned to her with a mischievous expression.
“What’s the matter? Isn’t this the kind of praise you wanted to hear?”
“W-Well, yes, but…”
Seeing her daughter flustered, the blonde woman let out a long sigh. Approaching Jin Yeseo, she suddenly shifted her expression and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“M-Mother…?”
“Can you handle it?”
“Y-Yes…?”
“I asked if you could do it. From what I’ve heard, the Heir of Heukryeon seems to share a rather close relationship with the child of Jeokhwa.”
“Ah…”
Jin Yeseo, who had been wearing a bewildered expression in response to her mother’s sudden shift in attitude, finally recalled the existence of Yeon Minha, someone she had momentarily forgotten.
“Can you wedge yourself into their relationship? Hm?”
“…I can do it.”
With those words, Jin Yeseo nodded resolutely, as if steeling herself.
“No, I will make sure to succeed.”
“…Yes, you absolutely must.”
The blonde woman, repeating Jin Yeseo’s words, gripped her daughter’s shoulders so tightly that it hurt.
“Listen well, my daughter. If we end up clashing with Heukryeon, the Current Republic’s Power Structure will be completely overturned.”
Her gaze, locked directly onto Jin Yeseo, was filled with greed and an unrelenting obsession with power.
“This isn’t merely a game of love for you. Once it’s started, it’s something that must be brought to fruition.”
“Mother…”
“It seems you haven’t managed to fully capture his heart yet, have you?”
“I…”
“There’s no need to deny it. I can tell just by looking at your expression.”
The blonde woman cut her off sharply.
“From now on, you only have one task. Use that well-trained body of yours to ensnare the Heir of Heukryeon within the Skirt’s Embrace. It shouldn’t be too difficult. That boy looked just as naive and inexperienced as you.”