Chapter 89
Sparks flew in Yeong-joo’s eyes.
But…
‘No, I mustn’t get angry.’
Yeong-joo clenched her teeth. Because right now, Yeong-joo wasn’t alone.
‘Ye-rin is here.’
If a conflict arose here with Hwaryeon and Ye-rin was harmed in any way, it would be a big problem. So, Yeong-joo suppressed her anger and spoke up.
“Whatever I do has nothing to do with Seo Hwaryeon.”
“Well, I just feel sorry for Yeong-joo’s company.”
However, Hwaryeon seemed unwilling to back down. Her red lips drew a smooth line.
“As Cho’s firstborn daughter, you should marry into a good family and enhance the family’s honor.”
Hwaryeon shrugged mockingly.
“It would be a waste to spend all this time establishing branches and such, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s not something for Seo Hwaryeon to worry about.”
“Oh my, someone kindly offered advice, and you don’t need to respond so harshly, do you?”
With that, Hwaryeon, who had scratched the Yeong-joo’s heart, glanced briefly at Ye-rin.
Deep wrinkles formed on Hwaryeon’s forehead.
‘Who is that woman?’
Despite being next to the first beauty of Hangju, she was stunningly beautiful, always by Yeong-joo’s side. However, it was peculiar that she was dressed in plain clothes.
‘Has she learned martial arts? Or is she from the martial arts world? It’s bothering me somewhat.’
After sizing up Ye-rin for a moment, Hwaryeon suddenly spoke up.
“It’s my first time meeting you. Who are you?”
“…”
Generally, it is customary to first disclose one’s own identity and then inquire about the other person’s identity. It was clearly a rude act.
However, Hwaryeon had her own thoughts.
‘Well, they’re just Yeong-joo’s entourage anyway.’
The Seo family was one of the most prestigious families in Hangju. As the daughter of such a family, Hwaryeon was familiar with the faces of most influential individuals. Here, influential individuals referred not only to those in Hangju but also to the leaders and factions from other regions involved in the martial arts alliance.
In other words, ‘I may not know who that woman is, but she couldn’t possibly be from an influential family if I don’t know her face.’
Moreover, the Yeong-joo was usually not constrained by her status and often interacted with various people. So, well, it’s probably the same this time.
Meanwhile, Yeong-joo’s face turned red with anger at Hwaryeon’s rudeness towards Ye-rin.
“Hey, Seo Hwaryeon. What kind of rudeness is this?”
“Rudeness?”
“Yes! It’s bad enough to be rude to me, but to people around me…!”
But then, “Oh my!” Hwaryeon exaggeratedly stepped back and dropped the fan from her hand.
“Oops, my mistake.”
“…”
What’s the intention behind this now? Yeong-joo looked at Hwaryeon suspiciously.
Although she said it was a mistake, it was evident that she intentionally dropped the fan.
“The reason I made a mistake is because Yeong-joo suddenly raised her voice and startled me.”
Hwaryeon, looking down at the fallen fan, smiled broadly at Yeong-joo.
“Could you pick up that fan for me?”
Despite her bright and cheerful appearance, Hwaryeon’s gaze was chilly. The meaning was clear.
‘Bend down and pick up the fan in front of me.’
Watching this, Ye-rin reached out with an expressionless face. At the same time, Manyeonbingjeong, who was observing the situation with keen interest, stiffened her shoulders in surprise.
She turned her head to look at Ye-rin.
– The contractor.
Just when it seemed like a faint light was emanating from Ye-rin’s wrist, suddenly, ice surged up from the ground.
“Gasp!”
“What, what’s happening?!”
“Ahh!”
Not only Yeong-joo and Hwaryeon but also the girls who were watching the situation screamed in surprise.
A lotus flower made of ice emerged from the previously empty ground.
The lotus flower that bloomed in front of Hwaryeon reflected the sunlight, shining brilliantly.
And then,
“Oh my goodness…”
A sigh-like voice escaped from Yeong-joo’s lips.
Above the fully bloomed flower, Hwaryeon’s dropped fan was neatly placed.
Without any fuss, Ye-rin casually said to Hwaryeon, “Take it.”
“W-What is this…?!”
“You asked for the fan to be picked up, didn’t you?”
With an air of being mesmerized at the sight, Hwaryeon cautiously reached out her hand toward the lotus flower.
Her white fingers grasped the fan.
At that moment,
*Crack!*
The lotus flower shattered into pieces and disappeared.
The ice fragments shimmered like jewels between the rays of sunlight.
Hwaryeon stared blankly at Ye-rin.
“W-What’s this about?”
“Seo Hwaryeon, mind your manners.”
As if she had personally conjured the ice lotus, Yeong-joo replied, exerting authority in her tone.
“She’s from the Palace of Northern Ice.”
At that, the relaxed expression on Hwaryeon’s face turned into confusion.
“What? The Palace of Northern Ice?”
She thought it would be a decent marriage proposal from a reputable family with some friendship with the Cho Yangpyo-guk.
‘The Palace of Northern Ice?’
It was because she was more of a giant than she had anticipated.
Where was the Palace of Northern Ice?
Was it not the absolute ruler of the New Outer Martial Realm, governing the vast Northern Sea and the Northern Sea Castle?
‘Come to think of it, there were rumors that an envoy sent from the Palace of Northern Ice had arrived at the Martial Alliance.’
It was a mistake not to consider the possibility that there was a connection between the Palace of Northern Ice’s emissary and Yeong-joo.
Hwaryeon bit her lip in confusion.
But right at that moment.
“What on earth is going on here?”
A voice as cold as ice rang out.
It was Doyul.
Turning reflexively to look, Hwaryeon was momentarily stunned.
She had never seen such a breathtakingly beautiful man before.
She had never imagined that such a man could exist in the world.
But that was only for a moment.
“Huh!”
Hwaryeon’s face turned pale in an instant.
Under Doyul’s intimidating demeanor, her breath seemed to catch in her throat.
The sharp gaze of hostility pierced through Hwaryeon.
“Who exactly is this stranger?”
“I, I…”
“Why is this stranger in the position where my wife should be?”
Doyul tilted his head slightly, his tone sharp.
“The atmosphere doesn’t seem quite right here, and there’s no way my wife would be disrespectful to a stranger.”
Doyul, who had naturally assumed that Ye-rin had done nothing wrong, glared fiercely with both eyes.
“What exactly are you doing here, stranger?”
“I, uh, well…”
Unable to withstand Doyul’s pressure, Hwaryeon began to tremble like prey in front of a predator.
Seeing Hwaryeon falter under Doyul’s intimidation, Ye-rin intervened gently.
“My lord.”
“……”
“My lord, there are many eyes watching.”
“I… understand.”
After urging Doyul once again, his stern expression softened slightly.
The force emanating from Doyul also subsided.
Hwaryeon gasped for breath.
“Haak, haak, ha….”
Finally, she could breathe properly.
“My wife has spoken, and there is also the consideration of inviting the Palace of Northern Ice from the Martial Alliance.”
Doyul spoke with an icy tone.
“If you quietly withdraw at this point, we will not make any further issue of it.”
“But…!”
Hwaryeon tried to protest.
Then Doyul’s gaze turned cold.
“Although I do not know which family you belong to, would you be willing to personally receive a protest letter from the Palace of Northern Ice?”
Hwaryeon widened her eyes.
“While the Palace of Northern Ice may not have a presence in Hangju, it may not be the same for your family.”
Voices murmuring nearby were heard.
“Are they really sending a protest letter from the Palace of Northern Ice to the Prime Minister’s estate?”
“The Prime Minister’s daughter must be mad….”
“I see.”
Doyul raised his eyebrow and smiled faintly.
It was an elegant smile, but to Hwaryeon, it was nothing but intimidating.
“So, you’re the Prime Minister’s daughter.”
Hwaryeon bit her lip until it bled.
If she retreated so easily now, rumors would spread that she had fled with her tail between her legs after losing to the detestable lady of Cho!
But if I were to receive a protest letter from the Palace of Northern Ice at the Prime Minister’s estate…
‘That’s the one thing I can’t allow.’
Hwaryeon felt her throat go dry.
The prospect of her pride being trampled upon and the current issue escalating between the Prime Minister and the Palace of Northern Ice.
There was only one choice for Hwaryeon to make.
“……”
Turning red with embarrassment, Hwaryeon abruptly turned around and disappeared.
Only then did Doyul glance briefly at Ye-rin.
“So, what exactly happened here?”
“Um, well…”
Yeong-joo, feeling greatly embarrassed, spoke up.
“I’m sorry. It’s because of me.”
Then Ye-rin, with a blunt expression, spoke up.
“Why is it because of you?”
“Sister?”
“In a way, it’s because Hwaryeon dared to insult my younger sibling in front of me.”
Ye-rin stared at Yeong-joo with a haughty expression.
“Stand up straight.”
“What?”
“I won’t stand by and watch my sister being disrespected.”
Moved by her response, Yeong-joo was swept away by a wave of emotion.
“Sister…!”
Yeong-joo grasped Ye-rin’s hand and her eyes sparkled like stars.
Meanwhile, watching them, Doyul found himself inexplicably sinking into deep contemplation.
‘Why is my wife so popular with everyone?’
Was this the fate of a husband with an exceptionally outstanding wife?
Doyul couldn’t help but feel dejected.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! It’s Sid here. I hope you liked it<3
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