Episode 15
Meanwhile, Doyul couldn’t take his eyes off of Yerin’s delicate, drooping shoulders for a long time.
“If I get angrier here, it will only make things more difficult for the lady.”
Everything here at the North Ice Palace would already feel unfamiliar to him.
On top of that, Jiga-eun was the nephew of the treasurer, and his reputation in the area was quite good.
Doyul himself had always thought of him as a very kind person before this incident happened.
“I have no idea why someone like him would harass the lady, but….”
After much deliberation, Doyul let out a sigh and spoke up.
“….Alright. Since the lady has spoken, I’ll let this matter rest for now.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Yerin finally managed to smile softly.
“Jiga-eun soldier, you may leave now.”
“…I will take my leave.”
Bowing deeply, Jiga-eun tried to leave the room.
And at that moment, Jiga-eun saw it.
“What?”
A faint smile on Yerin’s lips as she watched Jiga-eun.
It was a smile that seemed to say, “Was that really necessary?”
Jiga-eun’s face lit up.
“No, that’s really!!”
* * *
After Jiga-eun left like that.
Yerin glanced at Doyul.
“Well, it seems like the purpose of the little game has been achieved, right?”
Even that annoying Jiga-eun got his comeuppance within acceptable limits.
But most importantly…
“Doyul now feels even more sorry and pitiful for me.”
Just a mere nephew of the treasurer, getting bullied by a girl who has no connection whatsoever with the North Ice Palace.
Regardless of how Doyul feels about Yerin, there was nothing that could really get on Doyul’s nerves to this extent.
In a way, this could be seen as the treasurer exercising his authority over the North Ice Palace.
“Actually, that’s true. Even though they are a prestigious family in the North Ice Castle, they are still under the rule of the North Ice Palace….”
From Doyul’s perspective as the lord, Ga-eun’s behavior today felt extremely arrogant and disrespectful.
Yerin took a deep breath and spoke up.
“Um, Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Earlier… I’m really grateful for helping me.”
Yerin shyly smiled.
Well, Doyul did take my side, so that’s a fact.
“You’re welcome.”
Doyul then stared at Yerin as if he had said all the strange things.
“Aren’t you no longer a part of the North Ice Palace, my lady?”
“W-well, that’s true but…”
“It’s only natural for a husband to protect and take care of his wife.”
Doyul replied with a round face.
He seemed quite dissatisfied with letting Ga-eun go without further punishment.
And Yerin found Doyul’s expression very irritating.
“Oh, wrinkles are going to appear on that handsome face.”
Well, Doyul was known as the most handsome man in the original work.
The author put a lot of effort into describing Doyul’s beauty, and even the readers who were annoyed by it were quite a lot.
“Will wrinkles really appear on that smooth forehead?”
That’s definitely not gonna happen.
Well, whatever.
Feeling that sense of duty, Yerin touched Doyul’s forehead with her finger.
“….My lady?”
“If you keep making that face, what are you going to do if wrinkles appear on your forehead?”
Yerin was genuinely worried about Doyul’s looks when she said that.
But it seems like Doyul misunderstood her a bit.
He looked a bit embarrassed, just lightly touching his lips.
“Well, I am a bit blunt, I apologize….”
“No, I wasn’t trying to scold you.”
After confirming that Doyul’s forehead relaxed, Yerin removed her hand.
“Just, since you’re so handsome, Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“So, could you smile a little more often?”
Yerin said seriously.
“It’s a loss for the world for someone with such amazing looks as Your Highness to have a blank expression all the time.”
Suddenly, Doyul’s face lit up.
“Oh, he’s embarrassed.”
Yerin, who was sneakily looking at Doyul, suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out.
What? He’s been acting like an old man this whole time.
Surprisingly, he has a cute side, doesn’t he?
“Oh, um, I mean….”
After hesitating for a while, Doyul changed the subject.
“Um, anyway. I should call for the carriage.”
“Carriage?”
“Yes. You should wash up and change your clothes, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but it seems like Your Highness would have to wait too long….”
It was almost time for dinner.
Yerin, who was rolling her eyes, looked at Doyul as if she had a good idea.
“Oh, then would Your Highness like to have dinner first?”
“No, I will wait.”
But Doyul shook his head decisively.
“Well, how about if you wait a little?”
“Um, but….”
“I’m fine.”
With that, Doyul flashed a bright smile at Yerin.
Huh?
Surprised by the unexpected smile, Yerin’s eyes widened.
Wait, did you smile on purpose because I asked you to smile more often?
“Please, make yourself comfortable.”
With that, he casually scratched his cheek and turned his head away.
“It seems like he’s embarrassed to have smiled at me.”
Really, he’s kind of cute.
Yerin looked at Doyul with a pleased feeling.
* * *
A little while later.
Yerin followed the guide’s instructions and slipped out of the room.
Watching her leave, Doyul reflected on the earlier encounter with Ga-eun.
“Surely his pride must have been hurt a lot.”
Even though she’s a girl who’s received the royal decree, Yerin was the daughter of the prestigious Sacheondangmoon.
It must have been tough for her to come all the way to Bukhae Castle due to an unwanted marriage, and she even endured Ga-eun’s behavior.
“But still… he said it’s okay.”
At least he seems sincere in his efforts to adapt to Bukhae Castle.
Doyul absentmindedly raised his hand and touched the spot on Yerin’s forehead where her finger had touched earlier.
It’s strange.
“…I can still feel the touch of her hand on my forehead.”
Feeling his face flush, Doyul pursed his lips tightly.
It felt like something deep in his heart was itching.
* * *
How much time has passed?
Yerin, with her cheeks blushing from soaking in warm water, returned to the room.
“Your Highness, you must have waited a lot, right?”
“No, it’s okay.”
Doyul looked at Yerin, closing the ledger he was reading.
Yerin’s eyes widened.
“Could it be that you were working all this time?”
…It’s sad that such a young boy has to work for a living already.
It made Yerin feel sorry, and it also made her realize how difficult the situation at Bukhae Castle must be.
Yerin felt a lump in her throat.
“I wonder if I’m just taking up Your Highness’s time for no reason. You must be busy…”
“It’s okay.”
Doyul tilted his head and tucked the ledger under the table out of Yerin’s sight.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you worry for no reason.”
Well, I’m the one who made you worry…
Yerin felt a bit awkward.
At that moment, Doyul offered her a seat.
“Please have a seat.”
As soon as Yerin sat down, various dishes started to fill the table as if they had been waiting for her.
Spicy braised fish, stir-fried beef, pickled vegetables, fragrant rice, and meat soup.
Honestly, it felt a bit modest for a meal served to the head of a noble family…
“…Bukhae Castle must be in quite a difficult situation.”
The prepared dishes seemed carefully arranged, despite the lack of resources.
Probably for Yerin’s sake.
Yet, Doyul still seemed apologetic.
“I’m sorry the meal is so modest.”
“What?”
“Well, I assume you’ve tasted all kinds of delicacies at Sacheondangmoon…”
Looking at Doyul’s uneasiness, Yerin felt a twinge of sympathy.
Ugh, seriously.
Our male lead is so pitifully frugal, what should I do?
This family needs to get back on its feet soon!
“Oh, Your Highness knows that, right?”
With a gentle smile, Yerin nodded her head.
“I… I was a girl who didn’t receive such lavish treatment at Sacheondangmoon.”
“…Madam.”
“I never had such a luxurious meal there. I’m really moved.”
Well, it wasn’t a lie.
During her time at Sacheondangmoon, Yerin had to be cautious even when eating a single meal.
Even though she knew Myeong-i was stealing, it was clear she had no choice.
“But from now on, you don’t have to put so much effort into the meals for me.”
“But…”
“I know very well that Bukhae Castle is in a difficult situation.”
At that, Doyul’s eyes flickered.
Yerin straightened her shoulders and spoke.
“I am a servant of this family, after all.”
