Episode 8
“Shibi claims that he received a gift directly from Sojo, but Sojo denies ever doing such a thing,” Doyul said, glancing at Shibi out of the corner of his eye.
“I think it’s best to personally investigate Shibi’s whereabouts and determine the truth of the matter.”
Shibi’s face drained of color at the suggestion.
“My lord, I…”
“Quiet.”
Dangsocheol cut off Shibi’s attempt at an excuse.
As much as the Northern Ice Palace had weaknesses in the Four Gates, its reputation was not unfounded.
“The Northern Ice Palace Lord discovered that Shibi stole something from my wife.”
This was becoming a hassle.
Why couldn’t that woman just stay quiet and leave for the Ice Palace? Why did she have to cause trouble?
Dangsocheol, who had been looking at my daughter with impure intentions, briefly licked his tongue and turned his gaze to Doyul.
“Okay, let’s investigate.”
“Then, my lord, may Yerin Sojo and I also join the investigation?”
“…The two of you?”
“Yes. Especially since Yerin Sojo is directly involved in this matter.”
As he spoke, Doyul took in Yerin, who looked even smaller and more pitiful among the people.
A face covered in tears; shoulders hunched up.
And he thought to himself.
“…I don’t like it when Sojo makes that kind of expression.”
If that was the case, Yerin’s unfair treatment had to be revealed in front of everyone.
But Dangsocheol was the one who had been willing to turn a blind eye to Yerin’s persecution.
Doyul couldn’t completely trust Dangsocheol and entrust this matter to him.
“So, I believe Yerin Sojo has the right to observe the investigation process.”
For that reason, Doyul lowered his head deeply.
“To ensure that there is no injustice and the truth is clearly revealed.”
“…My lord.”
“I hope you will make a wise decision, Dangsocheol.”
Yerin looked at Doyul with a newfound sense of gratitude.
In truth, the claim that “Shibi stole something” was simply Yerin’s assertion.
Of course, Doyul knew that Yerin had been abused, but that was not enough evidence to believe Yerin’s words unconditionally.
And yet…
“Doyul believes in me.”
Otherwise, there would be no way to publicize this issue and ask Dangsocheol to investigate Shibi’s whereabouts.
Furthermore,
“…The palace lord bowed his head to the Dangsocheol.”
Although the Northern Ice Palace has declined compared to before, the Ice Palace and the Dangsocheol have the same status.
In other words, the fact that the Northern Ice Palace Lord bowed his head to the Dangsocheol was an impossible thing.
As evidence, there was a satisfied smile on Dangsocheol’s lips.
“Good.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Watching this, Yerin clenched her fists in frustration.
“Ugh, I never thought I’d see my favorite person bowing down to the Dangsocheol…”
No, I’m the one who raised the Northern Ice Palace! Why is it falling apart like this!
Above all, what makes her the most uncomfortable is…
“…Because of me, Doyul is enduring this shame.”
Yerin gritted her teeth.
Her eyes glared fiercely.
No, I have to go back to the Northern Ice Palace right away and revive my family!
***
The shibis were crowded together, unable to hide their surprised expressions.
“No, what’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Why did the Dangsocheol suddenly come to our place?”
One of the shibis opened his mouth with a suspicious voice.
“And… the two following behind, aren’t they the Ice Palace Lord and Yerin Agasshi?”
“Right, that’s right!”
The fact that the Dangsocheol was persecuting the noblewoman, Dang Yerin, was already known to everyone in the Dangso.
But the combination of Dang Yerin and the Northern Ice Palace Lord?
The shibis couldn’t hide their confused looks.
And then…
“That girl is… Ming?!”
The shibis’ eyes widened in surprise.
The shibi, who was brought in by the attendants, was a person they all knew.
Ming.
She was a bodyguard who claimed to take care of the noblewoman, Dang Yerin.
Just then, the Dangsocheol pointed to Ming.
“Where is this shibi’s whereabouts?”
“But, if it’s Ming… this way, Dangsocheol.”
One of the terrified shibis quickly led the way.
Dangsocheol, Yerin, the Northern Ice Palace Lord, and the attendants followed behind.
And finally, they arrived at Ming’s room.
A loud shout echoed.
“Search the room thoroughly!”
Crash!
The door opened.
The attendants rushed into the room, vigorously searching every corner.
And what was revealed was…
“…Wow.”
A voice of admiration or sigh escaped from Dangsocheol’s lips, it was hard to tell.
The hidden crevices between the walls, inside the desk, under the loose floorboards.
Creatures of all kinds poured out from everywhere.
At a glance, it seemed like they had gathered a few of the precious items that Yerin had.
“This… is something.”
Dangsocheol wiped his beard and smiled coldly.
“I deeply apologize from the bottom of my heart, Palace Lord.”
“…Dangsocheol.”
“Even though I heard the Palace Lord’s words, I couldn’t believe it would actually be true. But…”
Dangsocheol’s questioning gaze turned towards Ming.
“There was a rat hiding in our household.”
“P-Please spare me!”
Ming, who was deep in thought, prostrated herself on the floor.
“I’m sorry, I was momentarily blinded by greed…!”
“I thought I strictly monitored my subordinates, but it seems I was mistaken.”
Dangsocheol, who opened his mouth, turned to the shibis with a sneer.
And then, he stomped his foot.
“Anyway, now that we’ve found the rat, we should step on it and kill it. Don’t you think so?”
“Ah!!”
A forceful kick struck the shibi’s back.
Blood sprayed from Ming’s mouth.
“Cough, cough! Kuhuhuk…!”
But Dangsocheol’s kicks didn’t stop.
Thump, thud, thump!!
Dangsocheol’s violence continued relentlessly, as if he were trying to take the other person’s life.
“Oh, what do we do!”
“We might actually die like this!”
The shibis gathered around trembled in fear.
However, the strange thing was that Dangsocheol didn’t even spare a glance for Ming, who was receiving the brunt of his kicks.
Dangsocheol’s gaze was solely focused on…
“…”
…Doyul.
As if he wanted to prove in front of Doyul how much violence he was capable of.
To make him feel fear, to make him realize his place, and to make him step back on his own.
“Oh, please, Lord Dangso!”
But then, at that moment.
Ming, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed onto Dangsocheol’s foot and clung to it.
“P-Please, just spare my life…”
“Your life? How dare you beg for your life from me?”
But Dangsocheol’s expression showed annoyance as he narrowed his eyes.
“Do you not even consider how your actions have disrupted the dignity of the Lord?”
“Lord Dangso, please…!”
“And to make matters worse, this disgraceful incident is being exposed in front of the Palace Lord. How do you plan to take responsibility for this shame?”
Once again, the kicks rained down.
Thud!
“Ahh!”
Ming finally fainted, letting out a final scream.
Doyul bit his lip.
‘Right now, Dangsocheol is intentionally being even more brutal to crush my spirit.’
He was repulsive.
But now that his weakness, ‘food,’ had been exposed, Doyul couldn’t openly confront Dangsocheol.
All Doyul could do now…
‘I don’t want to see Yeolin suffer anymore.’
Protect Yeolin.
And so, Doyul spoke up.
“I have one more thing to say. May I?”
“Go ahead and speak.”
“I believe Yeolin has suffered all kinds of torment from these shibis.”
“Torment? What do you mean?”
“While merging with Yeolin, I discovered numerous scars on her body, all caused by the shibis.”
At that moment, Icha’s gaze met Dangsocheol’s.
‘Even the palace lord must know what those scars on Yeolin’s body mean.’
Forcing his daughter to become the mistress of Bukhae Ice Palace, trampling on the pride of the palace.
Although he was young, Doyul was clever enough not to miss that point.
But Doyul didn’t raise any issues about the humiliation suffered by the palace.
Instead, he blamed all the abuse on the shibis.
‘Is he more determined to protect Yeolin than the pride of the palace?’
Dangsocheol stared at Doyul.
But Doyul didn’t flinch under that intense gaze.
He calmly tried to persuade the palace lord.
“Isn’t Sacheondangmun one of the most prestigious families in the martial world?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“In such a family, should you really be keeping shibis who don’t even understand basic principles?”
Doyul concluded firmly.
“To establish the integrity of the family, you should ensure that they never set foot in Sacheondangmun again.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Well, it doesn’t matter to me since I’m the one who will marry into Sacheondangmun. But what if other people witness this spectacle?”
Doyul stared at the palace lord with cold eyes.
“Isn’t it obvious that they will talk about a family that can’t even properly control their subordinates?”
With those words, Doyul clenched his teeth.
