Chapter 82
In a daze, Yerin suddenly found herself almost surrounded by Doyul and Youngju.
“What… What on earth is going on?”
This feels like I’m about to be overwhelmed even before the meal…
Suppressing the sigh that almost burst out, Yerin signaled to the innkeeper.
“Can we get dumplings and noodles for takeout here?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then, please pack one serving for each person. I’ll take it with me after the meal.”
“Understood.”
The innkeeper walked away to the kitchen after a few quick steps.
Youngju stared at Yerin with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you getting the food packed?”
“I’m raising a piglet.”
Yerin shrugged her shoulders with a sigh.
In reality, before entering the restaurant, Manyeon warned Yerin while holding her.
– Contractee, you must absolutely pack dumplings and noodles, one serving each, tightly.
“Will that all fit in your stomach?”
– That’s my concern, not yours, contractee.
Recalling that conversation, Yerin felt a bit disgusted.
“Why is this spirit so gluttonous even though it’s a spirit?”
As Yerin muttered to herself, Manyeon started delivering the dishes one by one.
“It’s hot, be careful!”
Steaming hot beef noodle soup and meat dumplings that seemed to melt on the tongue. The savory aroma filled the air.
“Unnie, try it quickly!”
Youngju urged Yerin, pinching her.
Unable to resist the prompting, Yerin picked up the chopsticks and tasted the dishes one by one.
“No, is this really delicious?”
Yerin, who was savoring each dish, widened her eyes in surprise.
Youngju had a reason to be proud.
The tender dumpling skin, juicy meat, and rich broth that had been simmered for a long time—none other than a perfect combination. Strangely, even the typical pork smell was nowhere to be found.
“How is it? Tasty, right?”
Youngju beamed, shoulders raised in confidence.
Yerin nodded appreciatively.
“Yeah, it’s really good.”
“Have some more dumplings.”
Youngju pushed a plate of dumplings toward Yerin.
“Thanks.”
While expressing gratitude to Youngju verbally, Yerin couldn’t help but be concerned about Doyul. He hadn’t said a single word since entering the restaurant. Silently consuming the beef noodle soup.
“Is the food not to his liking?”
Yerin glanced at Doyul.
In stark contrast to Youngju’s lively chatter, Doyul’s silence became more pronounced.
“Oh, this is driving me crazy.”
Yerin felt her mouth dry up completely.
In reality, she couldn’t be oblivious to why Doyul might be upset. Due to Youngju sticking close to Yerin all the time, Doyul hadn’t been able to engage in any meaningful conversations with Yerin recently. Although unintentional, it must have made him feel excluded.
“Whatever.”
Yerin closed her eyes tightly and pushed the plate of dumplings that was in front of her back toward Doyul.
At that moment, a complex expression crossed the faces of both Youngju and Doyul.
“Madam?”
Doyul looked at Yerin with surprised rabbit-like eyes.
“You’ve been through a lot coming all the way here.”
Yerin gently closed her eyes.
“Please have some.”
“…”
“Quickly.”
Yerin softly coaxed.
“Thank you.”
Doyul, avoiding Youngju’s gaze, quickly picked up the chopsticks.
Then, Yerin subtly licked her lips.
[Now, stop sulking, okay?]
Instantly, Doyul lowered his head. The area behind his ears and his neck had turned redder, as if touching them would reveal the crimson liquid beneath.
Yerin smiled with satisfaction.
“Well, I guess I resolved it well?”
…she thought.
“But why does my cheek feel tingling?”
Yerin glanced discreetly to the side.
Youngju was staring at Yerin with a slightly sulky expression, and then sighed.
“Since you’ve married the lord, you probably like him the most, right?”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Well, I understand those feelings.”
Youngju, having said that, absentmindedly stirred the noodles with her chopsticks, and her displeasure was quite apparent.
“What do you want me to do?”
Yerin felt a sudden darkness before her eyes.
After finishing the meal:
“If you find the accommodations at the Mureumgang uncomfortable, please! Absolutely! Come and find me! Got it?”
After numerous sincere assurances, Youngju returned to Joyangpyoguk, and Yerin, Doyul, and their group headed towards Mureumgang.
“Mureumgang.”
Yerin set foot into Mureumgang with a newfound sense of excitement. The spacious training ground was filled with various pavilions, and diligent martial artists were training, sweating profusely.
“Gee, when I was here, Mureumgang wasn’t this big.”
Yerin reminisced about her time three hundred years ago when she served as the White Lotus.
At that time, Mureumgang was just beginning to take shape as a group of martial artists gathered to establish an organization to maintain order in the rivers and lakes.
“Has Mureumgang earned a lot of money over the three hundred years?”
Yerin cast a slightly skeptical glance at Mureumgang. The combination of old and new pavilions indicated continuous expansion over the years.
“Oh? Our Northern Ice Palace is… No, let’s not go there.”
Nevertheless, Mureumgang seemed quite impressive now, and Yerin decided to view it in a positive light.
As the group observed the various buildings, a welcoming party of disciples approached.
“Where are you from?”
“We’re from the Northern Ice Palace.”
“Ah, you’re from the Northern Ice Palace.”
The disciple’s eyes widened, and he courteously greeted them.
“Welcome! We have prepared rooms for you. Please follow me.”
Thus, Yerin and Doyul were assigned accommodation in Mureumgang. The bedroom, although not extravagant, had a neat atmosphere, and there was an attached bathroom.
However, the bedroom was designed for a couple to share.
“Since you’re a married couple, we have assigned the same room.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“How would you like your meals?”
“We ate outside, so it’s not necessary.”
“Understood. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call.”
The disciple bowed and left the room. An awkward silence settled in.
“…”
“…”
Yerin and Doyul exchanged awkward glances. In truth, sharing a room was a natural occurrence for them. After all, they used to sleep together when they were in the Ice Palace. However…
“Is it because the location changed that it feels strange?”
There was something odd about each other. The change of place made them slightly uncomfortable.
“Maybe it’s just the unfamiliarity.”
For some reason, Yerin found herself glancing at Doyul’s firm chest and sturdy arms.
“Ugh, what am I thinking? I have a rabbit-like husband. Why am I having such thoughts?”
Disgusted with herself, Yerin stood up abruptly.
“I’ll freshen up. What about you, my lord?”
“Oh, I’ll wait until you finish.”
“Alright.”
Yerin playfully smiled and headed to the bathroom.
At the same time, Doyul covered his face with both hands.
“Hoo…”
A long sigh escaped him.
“Why am I like this?”
All day long, he couldn’t help but be conscious of Yerin. Her every move made his nerves tingle.
During this contemplation…
Persistently feeling the scrutinizing gaze, Doyul removed his hand from his face. The perennial frost spirit, with an innocent look, was staring intently at Doyul.
“…”
Their eyes met. Then, the perennial frost spirit uttered a remark.
– Truly childish.
“…”
Though Doyul had a body no larger than a fist-sized puppy, he lost his words as the perennial frost spirit glanced at him. Narrowing his forehead, Doyul glared back at the perennial frost spirit.
“What’s wrong? Where are you going?”
– I’ve been holding back for a while, but now I can’t stand it.
The perennial frost spirit got up, eyeing Doyul mischievously.
– Talking informally to me about things that don’t concern a contract?
Doyul squinted his eyes, facing the perennial frost spirit’s gaze.
“That’s just how I feel.”
– …Just inheriting the bad habits of the contract holder.
The sarcastic remark from the perennial frost spirit made Doyul grab its collar.
– Where are you grabbing at the non-contract holder’s business?
“Because I want to.”
– …The habits of the contract holder.
Mocking, the perennial frost spirit turned away, heading briskly toward the bathroom. However, it couldn’t fulfill its intention.
– What are you doing!
Doyul had caught the perennial frost spirit’s nape.
“Why are you going to the bathroom?”
– I also want to shake off some dust and leisurely soak my body in hot water!
But Doyul was adamant.
“No.”
– Why not?
“Tell the lady to draw your bath? That’s absolutely not happening.”
– Who said I asked the contract holder to bathe me? What do you take this great spirit for!
“But it’s still a no.”
With that resolute response, the perennial frost spirit made an incredulous face.
– Just be honest.
“What?”
– Don’t you dislike being with the contract holder?
“…”
It hit home. Doyul tightly sealed his lips like a stubborn clam.
Yet, he didn’t release the perennial frost spirit.
– Just let me go!
The perennial frost spirit thrashed around desperately, but Doyul’s grip remained firm.
Childish as it might be, it couldn’t be helped.
Even if the wretched spirit took the form of a puppy!
Even if its gender was practically meaningless!
‘I don’t want to see it bathing with the lady!’
Even if dirt got in his eyes, no other being, not Doyul nor anyone else, was allowed to bathe with Ye-rin.
‘I haven’t even tried it myself, does this spirit or dog or whatever bathe with the lady?’
Whether human, spirit, or animal!
Things that shouldn’t be done simply shouldn’t be done!
Ah, that’s right!
Doyul continued to hold onto the perennial frost spirit like that until Ye-rin finished bathing and returned.
————————————————————————————————————-
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is Sid. I hope you liked it<3
Next post will be released on March, 5.
Want to read more?
https://www.patreon.com/srnovels
