Chapter 87
Well, Doyul’s inner thoughts are quite transparent. There must be a conflict between his demeanor as a lord and his desire to admire the flowers up close. “But Doyul has always lived excessively maturely until now.” In a place where there are fewer eyes watching, wouldn’t it be okay to act a little more freely? With that in mind, Ye-rin once again urged him.
“Go ahead.”
For a moment, Youngju’s eyes sparkled.
“Wait, if the lord goes down to see the lotus flowers… During that time, we could be alone together with just me and my sister?”
A mischievous smile formed on Ye-rin’s lips.
“Um, those lotus flowers that are so beautifully bloomed are rare to see even in Hangju.”
Youngju quickly interjected.
“Take your time and enjoy them for a long while.”
Hmm, does it sound like there’s a hint of tension in the words ‘take your time’ and ‘enjoy them for a long while,’ or is it just my imagination?
Ye-rin looked at Youngju with a puzzled expression.
Doyul also seemed to sense that, as he looked at Youngju with a subtle expression.
“No, I’ll just stay here…”
“Oh, I’m telling you to go quickly!”
Youngju became serious.
Feeling suspicious, Doyul narrowed his eyes.
“Why do you keep trying to send me away?”
“I-I’m not trying to send you away! I’m just saying it for your sake, Your Highness!”
Feeling stung, Youngju raised her voice unnecessarily.
Doyul took her words with a somewhat resigned attitude.
“Either you are or you’re not. Why act like you’re angry? It’s as if you’re offended by something.”
“When did I get angry?”
Youngju shrugged dismissively.
But…
“No, there really seems to be something bothering her.”
The fact that they were both avoiding the issue indicated that there was a sensitive spot being touched. But why continue to argue when they were in such a picturesque place? An irritated Ye-rin intervened in their conversation.
“Both of you, stop it. You’re bothering the people around us.”
Youngju and Doyul fell silent with embarrassment.
Although they had private rooms inside the pavilion, it was essentially an open space with a wide view in all directions. This meant that their voices could be heard outside.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ye-rin took charge.
“Since we’ve come all the way to Hangju, why don’t you, Your Highness, go and see the lotus flowers?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Doyul obediently stood up as if he were a well-behaved child.
“Have a good time.”
Ye-rin waved and smiled at him.
After Doyul went downstairs, Youngju widened her eyes and looked at Ye-rin.
“Come to think of it, are you okay not seeing the lotus flowers up close?”
“I’m fine. I’ve seen plenty at Sacheondangmun.”
“Oh, right.”
Youngju seemed to have realized something from Ye-rin’s response.
“You’re from Sacheondangmun. I keep forgetting.”
“Just think of me as someone from the Northern Ice Palace. It’s easier for me that way.”
“Aren’t you regretful about Sacheondangmun?”
It was Youngju who seemed regretful.
“Not at all.”
Firmly drawing a line, Ye-rin teasingly asked, “Why, would you have preferred it if I were the daughter of Sacheondangmun?”
“No, of course not!” Youngju shook her head emphatically. “Whether you’re from the Northern Ice Palace, Sacheondangmun, or just an ordinary person with no lineage, it doesn’t matter to me. But…”
“But?”
“…even now, you’re so impressive, and you’ve accomplished so much on your own. I can’t help but wonder how much stronger you would be with the support of Sacheondangmun.”
Youngju’s expression was genuinely regretful.
Ye-rin gently patted Youngju’s shoulder, conveying admiration. “Are you saying that for my sake? Thank you.”
“But I’m perfectly content with just being from the Northern Ice Palace.”
Her tone was matter-of-fact.
Then, Youngju, who had been gazing intently at Ye-rin, pursed her lips slightly.
“I bet you’d be happy to be the princess.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
“Because you’re a lady.”
Youngju’s expression was somewhat envious.
“If I had a lady like you, I’d carry you everywhere so you wouldn’t even have to set foot on the ground.”
“Huh?”
“You’re probably someone who saved the country in your past life.”
“Oh, haha…”
What should I even say in response to that?
Ye-rin awkwardly chuckled.
Then, Youngju, as if changing the subject, briefly glanced down at the lake full of lotus flowers.
“This lake, you know, it’s even more beautiful at night.”
“I bet it is.”
Ye-rin nodded her head. If it’s this beautiful during the day, surely the scenery at night would have a different charm.
Youngju spoke up, “That’s why there’s a legend about this lake.”
“A legend?”
“Yes. It’s said that couples who ride a boat together on this lake can live happily ever after.”
With that, Youngju raised her hand and pointed towards the lake.
“They even lend boats over there.”
“Oh, really?”
Ye-rin’s eyes widened in surprise. As she focused her gaze, she spotted a boathouse in the distance where couples were lining up, smiling brightly at each other.
It certainly seemed popular among lovers.
“It’s a romantic legend,” Ye-rin remarked. It made sense for such a legend to exist. With such beautiful scenery, and being close to the metropolitan city of Hangju, it was a good marketing strategy. “Hmm, am I being too cynical?” Ye-rin chuckled to herself.
Meanwhile, Youngju, observing Ye-rin closely, shook her head slightly and sighed.
“Wow, it’s the first time I’ve felt sorry for you, Lady Ye-rin.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well, if someone with a lover hears about such a legend about a secluded place…”
Youngju wagged her index finger back and forth.
“Usually, they’d consider visiting that place with their lover, wouldn’t they?”
“…Is that so?”
“It is.”
Youngju, with a firm tone, turned her head away solemnly. “Honestly, I never thought I’d have to tell you about such things. Lady Ye-rin, what’s attractive about being a noble…”
She trailed off as if she didn’t want to hear any more.
Ye-rin felt a bit dazed. ‘So, is this what it’s about?’ Was she being advised to pursue a relationship with the male lead of the original story?
“So, are you telling me to go with you to see the lord?” Ye-rin asked.
“Well…”
Youngju pursed her lips as if she wasn’t entirely willing to admit it. “Just a little bit, a tiny bit!”
“A little bit of what?”
“…Jealousy.”
‘Cute.’
Looking at Youngju like that, Ye-rin couldn’t help but smile.
Avoiding Ye-rin’s gaze, Youngju glanced briefly at the lotus flowers blooming below the pavilion.
“But still, well, a husband and a sister-in-law are different.”
After that, Youngju stared at Ye-rin with her eyes rolling.
“You’re married to the lord, so I understand you should love him the most in the world.”
Understand what? Ye-rin tilted her head with a smirk.
At the same time, Youngju clenched her fists and asked Ye-rin, “But still, you don’t have a sister-in-law, right?”
“Huh? A sister-in-law?”
“Yes. Well, besides you, I heard there are no direct descendants in the Four Gates except for the current lord.”
Youngju counted on her fingers as she spoke.
“So, there should be no blood-related sisters-in-law in the Four Gates. Since the Four Gates is a small family with little interaction with other families…”
Ye-rin was surprised to hear about the family relationships within the Four Gates. She didn’t know how Youngju knew about it.
“Well, the Four Gates is famous, so if you take an interest and look into it, you can easily find out. But I didn’t know she had so much interest, especially when it’s not even about Du-yul.”
At that moment…
Youngju looked at Ye-rin with a serious expression. “So, am I not your first younger sister?”
“Well, if you want to put it that way…”
Ye-rin hadn’t had much interaction with anyone who would call her their younger sister, so she wasn’t sure how to respond. This seemed to upset Youngju.
“So, among the women, am I your favorite? Is that right?”
“Um, well…”
Not sure how to answer, Ye-rin hesitated. But not for long. ‘Oh, whatever.’
There was no need to form a bad relationship with the female lead of the original story, and Youngju seemed so hesitant, it was quite endearing.
“Of course.”
Ye-rin took Youngju’s hand and smiled warmly. “Among the women, you’re my favorite, Youngju.”
“You’re too kind, sister!”
Youngju’s eyes sparkled like stars, almost overwhelmed with emotion.
But just before Youngju was swept away by emotion…
*Bark.*
The sound of a dog barking interrupted them. It was Mannyeonbingjeong.
– Let go of her hand.
Facing the gaze of the two, Mannyeonbingjeong barked timidly.
– If the lord sees that, he’ll scold us again.
Ye-rin felt a pang of sadness at her own inability to argue, unable to say, “That’s not what’s happening.”
After all, he was the male lead of this world. How did our Du-yul end up being so childish…?
