**Chapter 109**
—
“They’re suddenly acting friendly just because the Madam’s skills have improved…”
Doyul was genuinely displeased.
They had once disregarded her, treating her as a mere concubine’s daughter, and even tried to sell her off in a political marriage. And now they wanted to suddenly treat her as a daughter?
“Though it’s hard to conclude that their intentions are malicious, it’s still unsettling enough that I can’t feel at ease.”
“You’re right,” Yerin agreed readily.
“But the fact that we’ve visited the Dang Clan is widely known, isn’t it?”
“That’s true…”
“So, they’re unlikely to harm us within the Dang Clan grounds. They would be the first ones to be suspected.”
Yerin reassured Doyul.
“Moreover, as you said, the Dang Clan leader seems strangely favorable towards me.”
“…That does seem to be the case.”
“It seems they’re trying to improve their relationship with me, so they probably won’t do anything drastic until things take a turn for the worse.”
Doyul appeared somewhat convinced by her words, but he couldn’t completely hide his suspicion.
Yerin gave a wry smile.
‘Really, my husband worries so much.’
But if she put herself in his shoes, it wasn’t as if she couldn’t understand Doyul’s feelings.
If she were in his position…
‘…I probably wouldn’t have even let me set foot in the Dang Clan.’
The fact that Doyul had accompanied her here demonstrated how much he trusted her.
She was grateful for that trust, and besides, she wanted to see him smile.
So Yerin added playfully, “Don’t worry. If the Dang Clan tries to harm you, I’ll take care of everything.”
“Huh?”
Doyul looked puzzled by her unexpected words.
Yerin puffed out her chest proudly.
“I won’t let them lay a finger on you. Just trust me.”
“…Really, Madam.”
Doyul frowned seriously.
“You know that’s not what I’m worried about, right?”
Oops.
Yerin was momentarily caught off guard.
After all, Doyul looked like he was about to start lecturing her.
And her prediction was correct.
“I’ve told you countless times that your safety should always come first.”
“Right, you did.”
“I can take care of myself, so please take care of yourself first.”
Doyul began his usual lecture, something he often repeated!
‘Isn’t this a bit unfair?’
Yerin felt a bit aggrieved.
She could take care of herself quite well, after all.
But Doyul always worried about her as if she were a child near the water’s edge!
‘Still, I can’t tell someone who worries about me to stop.’
Moreover, she couldn’t tell him to stop worrying, considering her track record…
As Yerin resigned herself to listening to Doyul’s scolding, Somi leaped onto her lap, looking disapproving.
– ‘Palace Lord, stop nagging so much.’
The Ice Spirit declared confidently.
– ‘With me, the great Ice Spirit, by the contractor’s side, what are you so worried about?’
“…”
– ‘Why are you looking at me with such insolent eyes? Are you doubting me?’
Somi glared back at Doyul’s gaze.
“That’s right. I’ll also try not to cause any worries,” Yerin quickly added.
Only then did Doyul reluctantly back down.
“…You’ve promised.”
“Of course!”
Yerin nodded quickly.
Somi curled up on Yerin’s lap and stretched out its chin.
– ‘My chin itches. Scratch it a bit.’
“Here?”
– ‘Yes, a little harder… that’s perfect.’
Somi wagged its tail in satisfaction.
Doyul, watching with a disgruntled expression, sighed deeply.
‘That damned spirit sticking so close to the Madam still doesn’t sit well with me.’
Still, with the Ice Spirit around, Yerin’s safety was somewhat assured.
That was a relief, but…
‘…Why does it feel so irritating?’
Just as Doyul was furrowing his brow, a voice called out from outside.
“Madam, Palace Lord.”
“The Dang Clan Lord has invited you both for dinner.”
“…”
“…”
Doyul and Yerin exchanged glances.
After a moment, Yerin responded, “Alright.”
“Then I’ll come to escort you when it’s time.”
With that polite response, the servant retreated.
Yerin curled the corners of her lips upward.
“Well, the tiger has come sooner than expected.”
“Indeed,” Doyul responded with a cold smile.
The head of the Dang Clan, Dang So-cheol.
The time to meet him again had finally come.
—
Although they were expecting a meal, Yerin and Doyul were instead guided to a lavish banquet hall. The place was filled with extravagant dishes piled high, and musicians played lively music. Seated at the head of the table, like a monarch, was the Dang Clan Lord, smiling warmly.
“You’ve arrived?”
“…”
The grand banquet hall held only the clan lord.
Yerin frowned and asked, “What is all this?”
“My daughter has returned to the Dang Clan after a long time; shouldn’t she be properly welcomed?”
The clan leader shrugged, offering seats.
“Sit down comfortably. You too, Lord.”
“…”
They weren’t there to fight, so Yerin and Doyul sat down.
As they looked around, Yerin noticed something odd.
“Where is the young clan lord?”
Dang Yejun was absent. Regardless of her dislike for Dang Yejun, he was the only direct descendant and the young lord of the Dang Clan, which her father had cherished and raised. This meant he was the future head of the clan.
‘And yet, he wasn’t invited to what is ostensibly a family gathering for a meal?’
This could be seen as a significant insult to Dang Yejun.
However, the clan leader simply shook his head with a smile.
“He would make you uncomfortable.”
“…What?”
“It’s a meal between a father, his daughter, and his son-in-law.”
The clan leader asked in a voice that almost sounded tender.
“Is there any need to make you uncomfortable?”
“…”
Yerin looked at the clan head in disbelief.
His words implied that he valued Yerin more than Yejun at that moment.
But the clan lord’s strange behavior continued.
“Try this dumpling; it’s quite delicious,” he offered food.
“Is your lodging comfortable? Feel free to speak up,” he inquired about her well-being.
“Would you like a drink?” he even offered to pour her a drink.
To anyone else, he might have looked like a kind father doting on his daughter after a long separation.
Unable to hold back, Yerin set down her chopsticks and asked, “Why are you suddenly trying to play the father?”
“Hmm, if I had to give a reason…” The clan leader leisurely answered after downing his drink.
“I realized I’ve been too harsh on you simply because you are my daughter.”
“…”
Yerin eyed the clan lord with suspicion.
“Well, I understand if you find it off-putting.”
The clan head tilted his head slightly.
“But I’d like to build a more affectionate relationship with my family, even now. That’s my sincere wish.”
…Family affection, indeed.
Yerin reflexively scowled.
The fact that such words were coming out of the clan lord’s mouth was astonishing.
“Hmm.”
The clan lord, watching her intently, raised his hand.
The musicians abruptly stopped playing.
After a moment of awkward silence, the clan lord ordered, “Everyone, leave us.”
“Yes, Clan Lord.”
The musicians bowed and left the banquet hall.
The clan leader suddenly asked, “So, what do you think?”
“Well…”
After choosing her words carefully, Yerin replied, “I thought you were very opposed to Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Well, I won’t deny it.”
Nodding shamelessly, the clan lord added.
“And I am the mistress of Northern Sea Ice Palace before being a daughter of the Dang Clan.”
“I know.”
The clan leader laughed and asked Yerin again.
“But don’t the Dang Clan and Ice Palace have the same stance?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Northern Sea Ice Palace doesn’t see the Dang Clan in a favorable light either.”
The clan leader lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“So, if you think about it, we’re on equal terms.”
His aged eyes, sharp and probing, examined Yerin’s face.
“What do you think? Would you be interested in collaborating on a grand enterprise?”
A grand enterprise.
Doyul tensed up at the term.
For the head of the Dang Clan, one of the Five Great Families, to speak of a “grand enterprise”…
It had to be something of considerable scale.
Meanwhile, Yerin, meeting her father’s gaze, asked, “What is this grand enterprise?”
“For our Dang Clan to become the greatest family in the world, dominating all others.”
The clan leader answered without hesitation.
“To stand in an overwhelming position where no one can rival the Dang Clan.”
