Editor: VCubed
Chapter 100
Just as Yerin blinked as if she had made a wish, she looked up at Doyul with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Uh, n-no reason.”
Doyul could only stutter, his lips twitching.
He couldn’t admit that he was staring because he wanted to touch Yerin’s eyelashes.
Interpreting his silence in her own mischievous way, Yerin teased, “Even if you stare like that, I won’t tell you what wish I made.”
“….Am I a child?”
Doyul poutingly responded.
“But you wouldn’t stare at me like that just to ask that, right?”
“Then why were you staring at me like that?”
“W-Well, that’s…”
Doyul decided to change the subject.
“Anyway, is it okay not to leave for Sacheon Fortress right away?”
“Why suddenly?”
“Even though we received a direct invitation from the lord, wouldn’t it be impolite to delay?”
Doyul added with averted eyes, “….I feel sorry for making you wait because of me.”
“Oh.”
It seemed he was belatedly worried that Yerin’s schedule had been delayed because of him.
Yerin replied playfully, “Oh, I see. You’re worried about delaying because of me?”
“It’s not like that.”
Seeing Doyul’s dilemma, Yerin pretended to be disappointed, shrugging her shoulders.
“Shall we just go back then? Since we have to go to Sacheon Fortress anyway, it might be better to rest well the day before…”
“No!”
Doyul unexpectedly raised his voice.
“I-I mean, it’s fine! But…”
Doyul paused, unsure of what else to say.
Because all the people offering incense in front of the temple were now looking at him.
Yerin looked amused.
“Should we leave?”
“….Yes.”
Doyul’s lips tightened as he bowed his head deeply.
‘Phew.’
Yerin lowered her head slightly to apologize to those around them before leading Doyul away from the temple.
***
Behind Seongwangsa Temple, there was a long walking path that stretched across the mountain.
“Wow.”
Yerin, who was standing at the beginning of the path, exclaimed briefly.
“It’s really…everything around here is pink.”
The azaleas at the temple entrance were very colorful, but this walking path was completely dyed pink in all directions.
The vibrant pink flowers swayed gently, emitting a sweet fragrance.
Yerin spoke excitedly, “It feels somewhat extravagant.”
“What do you mean by extravagant?”
“Well, isn’t it? We’re monopolizing such a beautiful sight all to ourselves.”
Indeed, there was not a single person around.
But sadly, Doyul seemed unable to enjoy the sight.
Because…
‘He seems disheartened.’
Yerin sighed inwardly.
“Try not to worry about the lord’s invitation.”
“….”
Doyul looked at Yerin with a pained expression.
‘As expected.’
Yerin chuckled to herself.
“Don’t worry too much. We didn’t firmly accept the invitation anyway.”
Yerin shrugged, as if to say, ‘Wait and see.’
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
Yerin nodded firmly, and Doyul’s expression softened.
“Everything you say makes sense.”
Doyul replied, and then suddenly turned away, his ears turning red, much to Yerin’s amusement.
The two of them continued on the leisurely walk along the path.
The atmosphere was just peaceful.
The occasional chirping of birds echoed in the silence, making it even more serene.
Yerin and Doyul naturally fell silent, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Instead, the quietness calmed their hearts.
After walking for a while…
“By the way, Doyul.”
It was Yerin who broke the silence this time.
“Yes?”
In response to that call, Doyul sneakily glanced at her.
“Why don’t you ask me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why I presented the Snow Lotus Elixir to the Lord of the Murim Alliance.”
By the time one reaches the level of the Lord of the Murim Alliance, they can obtain almost any elixir they need. Yerin’s gesture implied that she didn’t need to provide the elixir. Nevertheless, despite the refusal from the lord, Yerin insisted on giving him the elixir.
“But the Snow Lotus Elixir is the property of the North Sea Ice Palace, and it’s also a symbol of the Ice Palace.”
Therefore, one might feel puzzled about this part.
“That’s, well, of course.”
Doyul just averted his gaze.
“Madam probably had her reasons.”
Yerin had not a single doubt about his nonchalant response.
“Madam might be suspicious of the Lord of the Fortress.”
“….”
“Aren’t you?”
Doyul hit the nail on the head.
Yerin fell silent for a moment.
And then.
Soon, a bitter smile appeared on Yerin’s lips.
“Even though couples are supposed to share everything, there’s nothing I can hide from you, Doyul.”
“The Lord probably considers it prudent to stock up on the elixirs provided by the Lord of the Fortress.”
Doyul reconsidered the efficacy of the Snow Lotus Elixir.
“And the Snow Lotus Elixir has a detoxification effect… more precisely, it has a detoxification effect against poison made from Snow Lotus. ”
“That’s right.”
Yerin nodded heavily.
Doyul reassuring her, he added, “Even if so, the Sacheon Gate is one of the pillars of the Clear Sect, so there won’t be any attacks on the lord.”
It was probably to put Yerin’s mind at ease, considering that the lord’s invitation might concern Yerin’s father.
Yerin made an effort to smile and thank him.
“Yes, anyway, since I handed over the Snow Lotus Elixir, even though it may not completely detoxify the poison like the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Elixir, it can slow down the spread of the poison and help endure it for a long time. It means that even if it’s not a vision of the fortress or a powerful poison comparable to that, to cause meaningful harm with poison to someone like the lord… ”
Moreover, Yerin knew that there was no powerful poison in this area that could match the vision of the gate, or even close to it.
So, when Yerin was trying to comfort him, Doyul suddenly felt relieved.
“Hmm?”
The sound of flowing water was heard.
As Yerin looked up in surprise, a small stream with a quaint stepping stone bridge blocked the path.
Doyul, who was already on the bridge, reached out his hand to Yerin.
“Take my hand.”
“It’s okay, I can go alone.”
Although the people of the Ice Palace tended to worry that Yerin might fly away with the wind or collapse while walking, she was a true martial artist.
Moreover, objectively speaking, the stepping stones on the bridge were narrow enough for even children to easily cross. Even if they were asked to jump over them, they could easily manage it.
But…
“No.”
Unexpectedly, Doyul jokingly shook his head.
“I feel like I won’t be able to cross without holding your hand.”
“Really?”
“Strangely enough, it feels like my legs will cramp and I’ll fall if I don’t hold your hand.”
Doyul gestured as if to grab her hand.
“Are you not going to hold my hand?”
“Really, don’t joke around.”
“Why do you think it’s a joke? I’m serious.”
But Doyul naturally retorted with a playful attitude.
‘Really, I can’t live like this.’
Yerin reluctantly rolled her eyes and took Doyul’s hand.
Doyul held hands with Yerin and smiled broadly as they crossed the bridge together.
Seeing him like that, Yerin, who couldn’t resist teasing him, asked as if questioning.
“Do you really like me that much?”
“Yes.”
“….”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Yerin was the one left speechless.
‘Strangely, I’m starting to feel embarrassed.’
Sometimes, on topics where she was usually shy, she would suddenly find herself caught off guard.
Yerin tried to casually change the subject.
“That, by the way… huh?”
Yerin suddenly looked puzzled.
