**Chapter 108**
“Indeed, he said he invited Lady Yerin courteously.”
“That can’t be!”
Dang Yejun’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He looked as if he might have a fit, foaming at the mouth. But Yerin was more focused on another aspect rather than Dang Yejun’s reaction.
‘…We’ve only just arrived in Sichuan, and they already know our location.’
This meant that Dang Ga-ju was keeping a very close eye on Yerin and Doyul’s movements.
‘And besides…’
There was something distasteful about the idea of following the escort without question.
Yerin, who had been silently staring at the escort, crossed her arms and shook her head.
“I’m not going.”
“Pardon?”
The escort, who had assumed Yerin would follow him, looked at her with wide eyes.
But Yerin, with a defiant posture, met his gaze with equal firmness.
“He sent someone who doesn’t even know the proper status of their guest and expect me to follow without question?”
Her voice was icy cold.
“Do you think the Grandmaster of the Northern Sea Ice Palace holds such a low position?”
Ah.
The escort gritted his teeth.
Now that he thought about it, Yerin had great pride in her position as the Grandmaster.
‘No matter how powerful the Northern Sea Ice Palace has become lately, is it greater than the Dang Clan, one of the Five Great Sects?’
However, Dang Ga-ju had been adamant that he must bring Yerin back.
In the end, the escort bowed his head to Yerin.
“…I apologize, Grandmaster.”
“At least now you’re using the proper title.”
Yerin remained seated, not budging an inch.
The escort pleaded earnestly with Yerin once more.
“Th-the Lord of the Dang Clan is waiting for you and the Palace Lord.”
Yerin glanced at Doyul.
When their eyes met, Doyul gave a slight nod.
‘We were planning to go anyway, so let’s go.’
Only then did Yerin turn her gaze to Hyuk Min-woo.
“Since things have turned out this way, Doyul and I will visit the Dang Clan.”
“…Understood.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t dine together.”
“It’s fine. I’ll make sure to treat you to a meal next time.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Just as Yerin was about to conclude the conversation, she suddenly looked at the chopstick-stuck wall with an “Oops” expression.
“Oh right, don’t forget to compensate for the hole I made in the wall.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you.”
Yerin smiled lightly and stood up with Doyul.
But that smile disappeared without a trace when she turned to the escort.
“Let’s go.”
Yerin led the way with a nod, and the escort hurriedly followed behind.
Dang Yejun stared blankly at their retreating figures.
“…”
After a long silence,
Grit.
The sound of teeth grinding was clear as Dang Yejun clenched his jaw.
‘Completely… ignored.’
It was the first time.
As the young lord of the Dang Clan in Sichuan, he had always lived in the spotlight.
He had always believed that only a bright future awaited him.
‘But why?’
A mere daughter with half the blood of a commoner.
She never stood out while in the Dang Clan.
But now, she had somehow widened the gap, making him feel this sense of defeat every time…
“Aaagh!!”
Unable to contain his anger, Dang Yejun screamed.
Crash! Bang!
Dang Yejun kicked tables and chairs and threw things around, turning the inn into a mess.
But no one dared to protest.
They just watched in silence, holding their breath.
“Hah, hah… You vermin, what are you looking at! Get out, now!”
After gasping for breath for a while, Dang Yejun shouted like a madman.
“Do you want me to gouge out your eyes? Huh?!”
“N-no!”
“We’ll leave!”
The customers, as well as the innkeeper and the servers, fled in fear.
Dang Yejun, left alone, kicked a rolling bottle on the floor.
Crash!
As the bottle shattered into pieces at the end of his kick, Dang Yejun stood alone amidst the wreckage, seething with rage.
—
They had been riding in the carriage for some time when the escort spoke.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Right.”
At the escort’s words, Yerin and her companions disembarked from the carriage. The first thing that caught their eyes was the massive gate towering above them, looking down on visitors with an imposing air.
“Sniff.”
– ‘This feels strange’.
The Ice Spirit, cradled in Yerin’s arms, let out a sigh, looking weary.
– ‘It doesn’t seem much bigger than the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but why do I feel so intimidated?’
“Because it was designed that way from the beginning.”
– ‘What?’
“It’s a building designed with that purpose in mind.”
The Dang Clan of Sichuan.
A dominant power in the expansive region of Sichuan, a pillar of the orthodox sects, and one of the Five Great Families.
The Dang Clan was never shy about displaying its pride or arrogance.
Built to be as grand as possible.
With buildings constructed to look down on people.
Doyul glanced at Yerin’s profile out of the corner of his eye.
‘Back then, the Madam seemed so burdened here…’
When they first met, Yerin was a small twelve-year-old girl, looking as if merely existing in this place was overwhelming.
The expression she wore, as if she might crumble at any moment, was still vividly etched in his memory.
But now…
‘She looks calm.’
Yerin now simply gazed at the numerous buildings with a serene expression. There was not a hint of shrinking or fear.
Feeling unexpectedly happy about this, Doyul couldn’t help but smile faintly.
—
Yerin and Doyul were soon led to their quarters. The peculiar thing was that their quarters were not in the guest reception hall but in the inner quarters.
The furnishings were luxurious, the bedding was soft, and the large building was meticulously clean, without a speck of dust.
It was a stark contrast to the old quarters Yerin had lived in when she was twelve.
“This is quite the treatment for a precious daughter,” Doyul commented with a dry laugh.
Yerin shrugged playfully in response.
“When else would I get treated like such a valuable daughter?”
“…”
For a moment, Doyul pressed his lips together and looked at Yerin seriously.
‘Huh?’
Yerin blinked in surprise. She had intended her words as a joke, but Doyul’s expression had unexpectedly turned very serious.
“Doyul?”
“Even so.”
Doyul spoke with a resolve, as if he had made up his mind.
“The Madam is a precious Grandmaster of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“…What?”
“It doesn’t matter at all whether the Dang Clan acknowledges you.”
Suppressing his rising emotions, Doyul clenched his fists.
“You are the mother of the people of the Northern Sea, my wife, and the one and only mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Uh…”
“There is no one more important than you in the Northern Sea. Please remember that.”
Doyul spoke with conviction.
Yerin, who had been momentarily stunned, smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
Just as a warm atmosphere was about to settle in, the Ice Spirit clicked its tongue and chided Doyul.
– ‘Palace Lord, you’re making me sick with all this sweetness.’
“What’s with you all of a sudden?”
– ‘Isn’t it obvious?’
Somi continued with a haughty tone.
– ‘Even if you hadn’t said all that, my contractor is already well-loved in the Northern Sea Ice Palace.’
“…”
Doyul narrowed his eyes at the Ice Spirit.
That damned spirit had a real knack for ruining the moment.
But Somi wasn’t finished.
– ‘Rather than worrying about my contractor, shouldn’t you be more concerned about yourself?’
“What?”
– ‘It seems the people of the Ice Palace care more for my contractor than for you.’
…Why did it suddenly have to hit where it hurts?
Doyul couldn’t hide his incredulous expression.
Meanwhile, Somi looked nonchalantly at Yerin.
– ‘But contractor, are you alright?’
“Huh? Me?”
– ‘Yes, you. From what I hear, your relationship with this family isn’t very good.’
Somi glanced at Yerin’s expression.
– ‘Just being here must be emotionally challenging for you…’
Yerin couldn’t believe her ears.
This great and lofty spirit, who always acted so superior, was actually concerned for her well-being!
“…Are you worried about me?”
– ‘Wh-why would I be concerned about you!’
The Ice Spirit jumped up in surprise.
– ‘Why would I worry about my contractor!’
“Really?”
– ‘Yes! This is all for my own comfortable and easy life!’
Somi raised its voice in a huff.
– ‘If you’re not around, who will take care of me? That’s why!’
“Okay, okay.”
But Yerin was already looking at Somi with a pleased expression.
– ‘Hmph!’
The Ice Spirit huffed and turned away sharply.
Yerin couldn’t hold back her laughter.
“Hahaha!”
– ‘What’s so funny!’
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just surprising to see you worried about me.”
After a bit more playful banter, Doyul spoke up, looking dissatisfied.
“…But Somi does have a point.”
– ‘Oh? It’s rare for the Palace Lord to agree with me.’
‘I didn’t want to either,’ Doyul thought, feeling frustrated, but he managed to keep his expression neutral and continued speaking.
However, his composure didn’t last long…
“We still don’t know the real reason why the Dang Clan is suddenly being so accommodating to the Madam.”
Doyul’s face was now filled with barely concealed displeasure.
