CF Chapter 50

Chapter 50

 

However, Dongbaek had no choice but to shake her head. At her firm refusal, the tears welling up in Prince Bian’s eyes finally spilled over. The prince forgot his royal dignity and sobbed loudly.

Even though he wanted to plead more, he couldn’t, seeing Dongbaek’s expression of obvious discomfort at his behavior. He must find me annoying. The falling tears and choked sobs filled the room with sorrow.

“Please don’t cry, Your Highness.”

Dongbaek whispered, embracing the small prince’s back. How did this 5-year-old child end up feeling so lonely?

The special circumstances of the imperial palace, along with his particularly harsh mother, an indifferent father, and a grandmother who showed hostility toward him while doting on other grandchildren.

Perhaps his father, Emperor Ling, had grown up the same way. That must be why he so easily fell for the flattering eunuchs who acted as if they would give him their liver and gallbladder.

It made her feel even more sympathetic. However, Dongbaek wasn’t enough of a saint to do everything Prince Bian wanted just because of that.

Though she acted kind in front of Prince Bian, she also made sure not to get too deeply involved with the child. She was well aware of how terribly selfish she was, maintaining distance to avoid getting too deeply entangled with the imperial family that would eventually fall, while only taking advantage when she could.

“Later, when Your Highness is older, let’s go horseback riding and hunting together. When you become Emperor, I’ll perform a sword dance just for you at your enthronement ceremony. So, Your Highness, you must become an excellent adult. You must.”

Would he understand Dongbaek’s feelings, expressed through that repeated emphasis? It was the only advice Dongbaek could give to the prince. She hugged Prince Bian one more time as he nodded in understanding while wiping away his tears.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

As autumn passed, the weather grew increasingly chilly, with frost appearing in the early mornings as temperatures dropped.

However, today’s unusually warm morning sunlight brought smiles to all the soldiers’ faces. They greeted Dongbaek cheerfully as she made her first appearance since the wedding ceremony.

“Good morning, Commander.”

“Ah, good morning.”

Dongbaek returned their greetings warmly. Compared to the harsh atmosphere when she first took office, the friendly mood now was remarkable.

All subordinates acknowledged Dongbaek as a capable superior and obeyed her, while Dongbaek never brought up or criticized their past. The subordinates could hardly bear their shame about their past behavior when faced with young Dongbaek’s generosity.

Moreover, they vividly remembered how Dongbaek had beheaded a soldier who had defied her. No matter how friendly Dongbaek acted, the subordinates never took her lightly.

However, there was always one tactless person in every group. And unfortunately, that tactless person happened to be among the group Dongbaek was greeting now.

‘I admit Commander So is capable, but he’s still just a young boy. He just lost his virginity, so I wonder how differently he sees the world now. Now that he’s had a taste of women, maybe I can slowly convince him to visit the pleasure quarters with me. If we get close that way, he might even promote me to a higher position someday…’

With such thoughts, the soldier’s lips twitched into a smirk. He casually joked with Dongbaek.

“Commander, you must be having fun these days as a newlywed?”

The soldier expected Dongbaek to blush and become embarrassed.

Everyone else in the group felt chills run down their necks, except for that soldier. Did this bastard eat something wrong? Why is he acting up?

The others slowly backed away from the soldier. They were certain Dongbaek would draw her sword and charge him with the crime of mocking a superior officer. They didn’t want to be associated with someone like him.

However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Dongbaek simply laughed it off.

“Fun… Well, marriage is nice indeed.”

Whether it was Dongbaek’s mercy or just relief at not having to witness a death right before their eyes, the soldiers breathed sighs of relief.

But that tactless fellow still hadn’t come to his senses, his eyes gleaming lecherously.

‘We can’t let this fool spout any more nonsense to Commander So!’

As the stupid man opened his mouth to speak, everyone else, pale with fear, rushed toward him with one mind.

“Still, rather than a young woman… Hey, why are you all…? Wait, hey, wai—!”

“Hahaha, Commander, please head to your office. Even though the weather has improved, autumn mornings are still cold. What if you catch a cold? Hahaha, shall I bring you some hot tea?”

As others dragged away that fellow while covering his mouth, another soldier quickly stepped in front of Dongbaek, rubbing his palms together subserviently while trying to change the subject.

Fighting with another soldier in front of a superior officer was also disrespectful in its own way. But they decided to sacrifice the flesh to save the bone.

Of all things, that fool had tried to bring up Dongbaek’s new bride. What man would welcome subordinates discussing his bride like that? Depending on what kind of slip of the tongue that fool might make, all soldiers might face terrible punishment all day under collective responsibility.

Dongbaek’s right eyebrow rose like a seagull’s wing. She often made that expression when she was displeased.

The man blocking Dongbaek’s path continuously recited Buddhist prayers in his mind while struggling to maintain his forced smile.

‘I pray to all the gods that Commander will pretend not to notice… Oh, please! Please!’

It was desperate for them. Whether their prayers were answered or not, Dongbaek simply nodded and turned toward the commander’s office.

“Very well then.”

“A few days ago, Attendant Jin said he got some good tea leaves to offer to Commander So. Though of course, it’s not premium tea like Bilochun or West Lake Dragon Well…”

“How could we drink such expensive tea in the barracks? As long as it’s hot, it’s fine.”

The conversation between Dongbaek and the soldier gradually faded as they walked away.

The remaining group kept watching Dongbaek’s back. Only after confirming that Dongbaek had disappeared into the distance did they pounce on the troublemaker who had scared them half to death since morning.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Dongbaek was quick with paperwork.

Though there was still more than an hour until lunchtime, all that remained on Dongbaek’s desk was a pile of completed documents. She took a final sip of the now-cold tea.

Perhaps due to her habit of drinking coffee while studying in her previous world, she needed something to drink while working in this world too.

At Dongbaek’s gesture, Jin Jin, who had been waiting nearby, quickly rushed over to organize and gather the completed documents. As Jin Jin was about to leave with the documents to submit them to higher-ups, Dongbaek stopped him.

“Ah, let’s go together. I need to stop by the training ground anyway.”

“Y-yes, yes!”

Jin Jin followed behind Dongbaek. Her not-yet-fully-grown back moved straight ahead. Her steps were full of spirit, as if ready to push through any obstacles in her path.

Though Dongbaek was still young, even a simple villager like himself could tell that she would become a hero whose name would shake the world someday.

It wasn’t often one got the chance to witness a hero’s younger days up close. When his children asked about So Dongbaek’s days as a commander when he became old and gray-haired, he would be able to answer with pride.

Jin Jin indulged in such fantasies until they reached the point where they would part ways.

“Well then, see you this afternoon.”

“Yes, goodbye sir!”

Jin Jin bowed deeply to see Dongbaek off. She responded with a bewildered smile and a slight nod.

She still wasn’t used to receiving such deep bows from someone who would have been at least 10 years her senior, even considering her actual age.

But what could she do? There was nothing to gain by expressing her discomfort here, and it was something she would have to get used to eventually.

The training ground Dongbaek arrived at was hot with energy, showcasing the spirit of the training soldiers.

Dongbaek leisurely walked around the training ground once. Even as she passed by, the disciplined soldiers continued their tasks diligently. Of course, their bodies noticeably stiffened and they seemed to put a bit more strength into their movements as she passed, but that level was rather endearing.

‘It took quite some effort to get them to this point.’

At the beginning of her term, whenever Dongbaek appeared at the training ground, all the soldiers would cause a commotion trying to greet her. Training would naturally come to a halt.

After Dongbaek’s stern command in response to the sporadic greetings erupting from everywhere, they all focused on training hard to catch her eye rather than trying to get noticed through greetings.

But there were some who worked hard by nature, without such intentions. Such people naturally caught the eye, and one short soldier assigned to the 7th unit was like that. Dongbaek nodded with a satisfied smile.

“He’s working hard.”

“Ah, Commander So, you’re here.”

The captain of the 7th unit acknowledged Dongbaek. He quickly noticed where her gaze was directed.

“I see you’ve noticed Yue Jin. He’s the best in our unit, both in skill and effort.  And more than that, he’s a solid man—a man of character, grounded and steadfast. Hahaha, I’ve got a lot of affection for him.”

“…Yue Jin?”

Dongbaek felt puzzled by the familiar name. Where had she heard it before…? It didn’t take long for her to recall.

General Yue Jin of Cao Cao’s army. Unwavering pride. A man perfectly suited to lead the vanguard.

A bright smile appeared on Dongbaek’s face. At this rare sight of Dongbaek’s smile, the captain’s heart unconsciously began to race.

‘Well, there’s no denying that face is something else.’

But he couldn’t just stand there speechless, captivated by Commander So’s face. His dear junior Yue Jin’s path to success depended on him. The captain hastily continued.

“He’s just a regular soldier now, but it’s such a waste. Just between us, that fellow could easily handle being a captain. Wahahahaha.”

The captain laughed heartily while casually praising Yue Jin. But Dongbaek barely listened to his words.

Could easily handle being a captain? Dongbaek inwardly scoffed. That man’s capacity was far beyond that.

Promoting Yue Jin would be easy, but Dongbaek’s goal was beyond that. How could she bind him to stay by her side for life…

Living life like an RPG game was a bad habit she’d developed since coming to this world, but the event of recruiting a companion, especially one with guaranteed abilities, was always exciting.

Since he was already assigned to her unit, there was time. Dongbaek muttered while watching Yue Jin with the expression of a spider observing prey caught in its web.

“Yue Jin, I’ll remember that.”

The captain, not noticing the hunter’s instinct that flashed in her pale gray eyes, grinned while inwardly congratulating Yue Jin on his upcoming promotion.

Dongbaek took one last look at Yue Jin before moving on. Though the smile had long disappeared from her face, her mind was filled with excitement and anticipation about how to persuade Yue Jin.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Thank you for reading! ♡