Chapter 185
“Ah, Mother…”
“Furthermore, this matter must remain a secret until you have him completely in your grasp.”
-Crack…
The blonde woman tightened her grip even more.
“If Baek Ilyong finds out that the alliance we painstakingly built is plotting betrayal, he will never let it slide. And what he is planning now… No, forget it.”
She then closed her mouth firmly, shaking her head as if to dismiss her thoughts.
“My dear child, do you know why this mother of yours is turning a blind eye to your little transgressions?”
Jin Yeseo, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened her mouth.
“Because… it’s a gamble worth taking?”
“That’s right. After all, a bond forged by blood ties is far stronger than one built on an alliance. There is much more to gain that way.”
“…”
“Especially if the target is Heukryeon. There’s no need to say more. The more formidable the enemy, the more reliable they become as allies once brought to your side.”
The blonde woman delivered her final ultimatum to Jin Yeseo.
“This will be your last chance. How can a child who has failed to build an alliance and has even abandoned the family’s Unique Magic be called an heir?”
She added with a captivating smile.
“Remember this. If you fail to prove your worth again this time… the only option left for this mother of yours is to produce a new heir.”
“Ah, Mother…”
“And perhaps… that heir’s father may carry the blood of Heukryeon as well?”
“Mother!!”
Jin Yeseo, her face turning pale, shouted as she looked at her.
“He would never agree to it. Hyun isn’t that kind of person!”
“What does it matter whether that brat agrees or not? I am the one making the decisions here.”
Jin Yeseo recalled her mother’s notorious preference for men and her obsession with power and lineage.
In reality, the words her mother had spoken to the man earlier had completely reversed the roles in their relationship.
It was not her mother who suffered but rather the men who ended up entangled in her web.
“If you don’t want that, you’d better hurry up. You do know, don’t you, that this mother of yours isn’t particularly patient?”
The blonde woman whispered softly into Jin Yeseo’s ear.
“Do your best. After all, it’s better than having a younger sibling, isn’t it?”
And then she added one last remark.
“Of course… after you’ve received the punishment for forgetting your place and disrupting the family’s hierarchy.”
***
Time passed as I strolled along the garden path that stretched beside the lakeside.
Occasionally, I turned my head, but the only thing visible was the opaque dome-shaped Eavesdropping Prevention Magic.
Other than a faint echo, I couldn’t discern anything. What on earth were they talking about?
“…Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?”
Finally, hearing someone approach, I turned my body.
A blonde girl, looking somewhat exhausted, was walking toward me. In contrast, her mother wore a confident smile as she accompanied her.
“Haha, the conversation ended up taking longer than expected. There were many things I wanted to ask my daughter.”
“I didn’t mind. You could have taken your time chatting.”
“Oh my, so understanding… No wonder my daughter fell for you.”
“Ah, Mother…”
At the blonde woman’s comment, Jin Yeseo shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting on the spot.
“I’m just joking. Well then, I suppose I should be on my way now.”
The blonde woman briefly checked her watch before turning to Jin Yeseo.
“It seems you still have a bit of time. I’ll be waiting downstairs, so enjoy yourself and come down when you’re ready.”
“…Yes.”
Jin Yeseo nodded. Time…?
The blonde woman left Jin Yeseo and walked over to stand beside me.
“…Do visit our family with my daughter sometime. I’ll send a formal invitation in advance.”
“Th-Thank you…”
A jolt of discomfort spread through me as I felt a hand rest on my side. Then, she leaned in and whispered softly into my ear.
“If ever you have worries you can’t share with my daughter, feel free to come consult me anytime.”
“Huh…?”
The blonde woman’s face was adorned with a mysterious smile. Without waiting for a reply, she walked briskly away, disappearing beyond the garden path.
“Did… Did my mother say something to you?”
Jin Yeseo rushed over, her voice trembling with unease.
“It’s fine. But…”
Her reddened cheeks and the exhaustion evident on her face made Jin Yeseo look all the more worrisome.
“Did something happen inside? Did the conversation not go well, or…”
“What? No. Nothing happened.”
Before I could even finish my sentence, Jin Yeseo shook her head vigorously.
Then, hesitating for a moment, she spoke.
“Well… my mother gave her approval. She said she would acknowledge our relationship.”
“Really? That’s great news.”
“…Yeah. After the social gathering, there will be an announcement from my family about my engagement. Of course, the partner will remain a secret.”
Finally, a faintly satisfied smile appeared on Jin Yeseo’s face.
“I can’t openly say it’s you…”
A wave of exhaustion washed over me.
Jin Yeseo’s mother was truly a difficult person to deal with. Her words and actions were utterly unpredictable…
Honestly, I couldn’t fully believe the words she had spoken to me earlier. It wasn’t like someone who cherished her daughter so much would sell her off into a Forced Engagement.
Perhaps she finally accepted her daughter’s heartfelt plea, or maybe something else entirely was exchanged inside that I wasn’t aware of.
Whatever the case, it was all in the past now. My involvement was over, and Jin Yeseo had finally escaped the shackles of a Forced Engagement that she had longed to avoid.
Though I felt a slight twinge of guilt for saying things I didn’t mean… it was a lie told for a friend, so I could let it slide.
Without a word, we walked side by side along the lakeside.
“How could you mistake me for my mother?”
Jin Yeseo spoke, her voice a mix of playful reproach and exasperation.
“After all the time we’ve spent together…”
“…Sorry. I never expected it.”
“Well, I suppose it couldn’t be helped. My mother has been renowned for her mastery of disguise and intrigue for a long time. And considering how much we resemble each other, almost like twins…”
“Still, I think I can tell the difference now.”
“Really? How?”
“Well…”
I trailed off without finishing my sentence. There was no need to bring up something as trivial as the difference in curves.
“Just. I can tell at a glance.”
“What? Why are you being vague? Say it properly!”
After bickering for a while, Jin Yeseo hesitated before speaking again.
“And… I need to return to my family for a while.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah. I’m sentenced to a week in the separate house. It’s punishment for my recent reckless behavior… or something like that.”
Her voice was filled with resignation. So this was what her earlier comment about having time had meant.
“It’s fine. Honestly, I was prepared for a harsher punishment. This is getting off lightly, really.”
But then she turned to me with a bright smile.
“Thanks to you, I’ve done all sorts of crazy things. Fighting a monster, openly defying my mother… Haha.”
Then, looking wistfully at the lakeside, she sighed.
“It’s a shame. I wanted to dance with you. I practiced so much for it…”
“…We can always have fun together next year.”
Her face lit up at my words as she ran toward me.
“Really?”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Just saying it isn’t enough for me to believe you.”
With that, she extended her hand, her thumb and pinky extended.
“Promise me.”
“What are you, a kid…?”
“Hurry.”
Jin Yeseo urged me again with a grumpy tone. When I reluctantly hooked my finger with hers, she finally showed a satisfied smile.
“Hehe…”
…Still, looking at that face, I do feel a bit more at ease.
We exchanged trivial stories for a while. Though, it was mostly me just listening to her.
“…I think it’s time for me to go. Time really flies…”
“Just think of it as taking a break. A week will pass by in no time.”
“Even so…”
As the chime of the clock tower echoed, signaling midnight, Jin Yeseo spoke, her voice sounding somewhat deflated.
Then, hesitating for a moment, she called out to me.
“Hey.”
“What?”
“Close your eyes for a moment.”
“All of a sudden?”
“Hurry.”
Her abrupt request caught me off guard. Judging by her serious expression, it didn’t seem like she was planning a prank.
Since there was no particular reason not to comply, I followed Jin Yeseo’s words and closed my eyes.
“Don’t open them until I say so, okay?”
“What are you up to?”
“…”
No answer came back. A brief silence followed. Then, I heard a sound like someone taking a deep breath, as if steeling themselves.
In the next moment, I felt something unmistakable—a clear texture of mucus touching my forehead.
“What is this…”
“H-Hey… Why, why did you open your eyes already…!”
Startled, I instinctively opened my eyes. In front of me was Jin Yeseo, her face flushed red, breathing heavily with embarrassment.
Clearly flustered, she mumbled without meeting my gaze.
“I-I couldn’t help it. Mother might be watching… She said a farewell kiss like this is standard between lovers… I-I don’t know anymore…”
Then, as if she couldn’t bear the situation any longer, she bolted away.
“I-I’m leaving now, okay? See you in a week! Goodbye…!”
“Wait…”
Before I could respond, Jin Yeseo had already run off and disappeared from sight. Left alone amidst the quiet night, I stood there blankly.
The faint, warm, and moist texture of mucus still lingered on my forehead, as if it had left an unmistakable mark.