I Became the Young Wife of the Martial Arts Novel’s Male Lead

Episode 75

 

After that, five years passed in a rush.

 

Doyul had already reached adulthood four years ago, becoming twenty-one, and Yerin, having just turned eighteen this year, was to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony.

 

Thus, Yerin visited Haesim Palace, where the bodies of the previous lords and counterfeit money were enshrined.

 

As a Kamo, it was her way of paying respects to the former lords and solidifying her sense of responsibility.

 

“…I never thought I would have to pay my respects to myself.”

 

Yerin looked at her own counterfeit money with mixed feelings.

 

The great North Ice Palace lineage, the peerless swordsmanship, Baek Seollyeon. Under that name, the birth and death years of Seollyeon were written.

 

“Life is truly unpredictable…”

 

Burning incense in front of her own memorial tablet, Yerin muttered quietly to herself.

 

After all, it meant that Seollyeon’s body was enshrined here in Haesim Palace.

 

“My feelings are really strange.”

 

Meanwhile, there were people who watched Yerin with approving looks.

 

“Our Kamo has grown up so much. She’s even holding the coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

The Finance Ministry Lord spoke, and the Discipline Ministry Lord nodded in agreement.

 

And that wasn’t all.

 

“I remember when we first met her.”

 

The Martial Arts Ministry Lord’s eyes were now moist!

 

“At that time, I couldn’t believe that such an adorable person could exist.”

 

Hearing their whispers, Yerin felt immensely embarrassed.

 

“No, what are the Lords thinking… reacting like I’ve raised a daughter and sent her off to get married?”

 

Yerin inwardly grumbled, turning away from them.

 

Rather than continuing to be concerned about the Lords, she thought it would be better to focus on the ceremony.

 

However, in the midst of it all…

‘Ah.’

 

Yerin paused.

 

Her gaze fell on Seojin’s counterfeit money placed right next to Seol-yeon’s.

 

Yerin skimmed through Seojin’s birth and death years and pursed her lips.

 

‘What? Why did she die so early?’

 

While Seol-yeon lived well past a hundred, Seojin left this world in her eighties.

 

Yerin’s nose felt oddly stuffy.

 

‘Really, she couldn’t even live longer than the master. What’s this?’

 

Yerin raised her hand and picked up the incense.

 

‘You’ve been through a lot because of me, Seojin.’

 

She lit the incense, and the sight of her respectfully clasping her hands was unusually solemn.

 

‘Rest in peace there.’

 

‘Of course.’

 

Oddly enough.

 

Even though Seojin was no longer in this world…

 

Her affectionate response seemed to echo in Yerin’s ears.

 

“…”

 

Yerin suppressed the welling tears.

 

* * *

 

With the completion of the coming-of-age ceremony for the former palace lord Doyul’s father, adulthood had been officially recognized.

 

‘Thank you for raising Adnim so well.’

 

Yerin left her gratitude in her heart and stepped outside Haesim Palace.

 

As she exited the palace filled with fragrance, the cold, crisp air filled her lungs.

 

“Phew.”

 

Yerin let out a long sigh.

 

In truth, her heart was a complete mess.

 

Because.

 

‘Finally, I’ve become an adult too.’

 

The fact hit her bones again.

 

And her becoming an adult meant.

 

‘Soon, Doyul will start revealing his true self in the central region.’

 

In the original story, Doyul’s movements were like this.

 

Doyul received teachings under his excellent father and the Lords, acquiring various experiences and becoming remarkably strong.

 

Then, to gain more experience, he headed to the central region, met numerous connections, and…

 

‘Encountered the female protagonist.’

 

The female protagonist.

 

At the thought of that word, Yerin felt her heart sink.

 

‘Come to think of it…’

 

Her current life was so enjoyable that she had been deliberately ignoring the fact.

 

She was only an outsider, here to help the original story proceed correctly.

 

And that she would eventually have to make room for the female protagonist to take her place.

 

‘The female protagonist’s name was… Jo Yeongju, I think.’

 

She was the distinguished daughter of the Joongyang Country, the representative country of the central region.

 

Having amassed wealth by transporting symbols and having a militant force called the Tosas.

 

In the original story, Joongyang Country became one of the most excellent supporters for Doyul…

 

‘I might be an obstacle to their meeting.’

 

Yerin pursed her lips with a heavy heart.

If Yerin continues to remain as Doyul’s wife, any interaction between Doyul and Yeongju would disappear completely. Given Doyul’s faithful nature as a husband, he wouldn’t even cast a glance at another woman.

 

‘Our family is well off by now, and I’ve done my part. Shouldn’t I leave the future matters to the Lords and Doyul?’

 

…But.

 

Yerin unknowingly clenched her fist.

 

Is it really okay for me to just leave it at that?

 

During the time of the White Orchid, she devoted her entire life to establishing the North Sea Ice Palace.

 

From Doyul, a descendant of the North Sea Ice Palace, to the Lords who cherished and loved her like a granddaughter.

 

‘No matter how hard I try not to get attached…’

 

It was impossible.

 

Six years had passed since she spent time with them.

 

Doyul, the Lords, Seolgumdaejoo, and its members, and even the disputes within the North Sea Ice Palace.

 

Like getting wet in a drizzle, she couldn’t help but grow attached to everyone in the North Sea Ice Palace.

 

“…”

 

Yerin, who had been silent for a moment, sighed deeply and raised her head.

 

While contemplating the female protagonist, her thoughts naturally shifted to Doyul.

 

‘Come to think of it, where is Doyul?’

 

As Yerin looked around for Doyul, her expression became puzzled for a moment.

 

‘Huh?’

 

Doyul was looking at Haesimwon with a deeply contemplative expression.

 

His side profile seemed somewhat sorrowful.

 

“Um, Lady Mugong.”

 

Yerin, who had been tilting her head, asked the nearby Lady Mugong a question.

 

“Lady, why does the palace lord seem so unhappy? Am I the only one who feels that way?”

 

Lady Mugong then looked at Yerin with a puzzled gaze.

 

And then, she lowered her voice and spoke.

 

“Oh, Lady, you probably don’t know. The palace lord must be feeling very complicated right now.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

At Yerin’s question, Lady Mugong hesitated for a moment.

 

Then, after a while.

 

“The former palace lord… lost her life in Haesimwon due to blood ties.”

 

An unexpected and shocking answer came out.

 

Yerin was left in astonishment.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Lady Mugong slightly gestured toward Doyul.

 

“Lady Mugong must be feeling very complicated right now.”

 

“Why?”

 

At that question, Lady Mugong hesitated for a moment.

 

And after a while.

 

“The former palace lord… lost her life in Haesimwon due to blood ties.”

 

An unexpected and shocking answer came out.

 

Yerin was left in astonishment.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Lady Mugong slightly gestured toward Doyul.

 

“Right now, it might be a bit difficult to explain in detail here, where the palace lord is.”

 

“Ah.”

Yerin nodded silently. It seemed that Doyul’s story was a painful one involving the loss of his father and the gruesome past of the former North Sea Ice Palace Lord. It would be difficult to casually talk about it in a place where many people might hear.

 

At that moment, Yerin’s eyes widened. It seemed that Doyul felt her gaze and turned towards her. As soon as he noticed Yerin, Doyul’s expression brightened like a flame.

 

“Lady!”

 

Doyul approached Yerin quickly.

 

“Is the coming-of-age ceremony over now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

 

Doyul smiled brightly.

 

Yerin playfully scratched her cheek.

 

“I just burned incense; it’s nothing.”

 

“But still, with many people watching, it must have been burdensome.”

 

Well, that’s true.

 

Yerin nodded with a complex expression on her face.

 

She didn’t realize how burdensome the bright eyes of the three Lords could be.

 

During this, Yerin suddenly felt a chill.

 

“Ah, it’s a bit chilly.”

 

Yerin shivered lightly as she stepped outside the building. The temperature difference between inside and outside caused it.

 

Then Doyul’s expression turned serious.

 

“Are you cold?”

 

“What?”

 

Perhaps he was going to take off his clothes and cover Yerin’s shoulders.

 

“No, there’s no need for you to take off your clothes and cover me.”

 

“No, I want to take care of you.”

 

Doyul tilted his head, pulled the clothes, and firmly draped them over Yerin’s shoulders.

 

Yerin felt her chest tighten.

 

‘I should leave before the female protagonist appears.’

 

But really, how can I let go of my husband, who is so cute, charming, and lovely!

 

Watching Doyul with such feelings, Yerin raised her eyebrows.

 

“…”

 

Doyul’s face gradually turned redder, and he suddenly turned his head away.

 

Yerin felt a little puzzled.

 

‘Why is he acting like that all of a sudden?’

 

Meanwhile, there was a pair of eyes carefully watching the two.

 

“It seems like things are going well, don’t you think?”

 

“I think so. We might be able to meet the cute little princess soon.”

 

“If she takes after the two of them, she’ll undoubtedly be incredibly cute.”

 

The three Lords smiled mischievously.

 

‘Wait, why do I suddenly feel a shiver down my spine?’

 

Yerin shivered once again.

 

* * *

 

After the coming-of-age ceremony, the three Lords asked Yerin and Doyul for a private conversation.

 

“We requested this meeting to discuss something important with both of you.”

 

Why did they look so serious? What could they be talking about?

 

Yerin and Doyul exchanged glances.

 

“You are both going to be the Lord and Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace. You are aware of that, right?”

 

“We know.”

 

“Yes, we’re aware.”

 

Both nodded in agreement.

 

“In that case, you should also be aware of the responsibilities that come with being the Lord and Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace.”