Episode 9
“You just have to protect Yerin Soldier until we leave Sachendangmun.”
In the atmosphere of Sachendangmun, where there was no trace of humanity, there was a high probability that Yerin would continue to be tormented, avoiding Doyul’s eyes.
But if all the troublemakers were taken care of.
“Since Sachendangmun also has its dignity, after driving out the troublemakers, they won’t separately harm Yerin Soldier with the handcuffs.”
Even though the troublemakers who abused Yerin disappeared, if the abuse happened again.
“It’s the same as proving ‘the abuse of a girl within the family’ rather than ‘personal misconduct of the troublemakers’.”
Dangsacheol clicked his tongue briefly.
“You’re quite cunning.”
But it wasn’t a bad suggestion from the perspective of the Dangga.
Not only did the troublemakers commit theft, but they also abused the girl who was connected to the blood of the Dangga, no matter how noble she was.
Although the investigation might not shake the reputation of Sachendangmun, it could tarnish its prestige.
“If we can solve the problem by placing all the blame on the troublemakers, it’s not a bad idea.”
Saying “I didn’t know that the blood attendant was being abused” and “I sympathized with abusing the blood attendant” are completely different.
And so, Dangsacheol swung his arms widely and opened his mouth.
“Since when did a mere troublemaker have the right to lay a hand on the child connected to the blood of Sachendangmun?”
…The child connected to the blood of Sachendangmun.
Yerin gritted her teeth to hold back the bursting ridicule.
“Since when did you treat me as a daughter? How shameless.”
But the perspective of the troublemakers whose feet were on fire was completely different.
“…”
“…”
A chilly silence filled the air.
The frightened troublemakers were busy watching each other’s reactions.
“All those involved in this incident will be severely punished!”
At that threat, the troublemakers felt a chilling fear.
Of course, there was no one among the people of the Dangga who was free from abusing Yerin.
Dangsacheol shouted fiercely, his feet thudding.
“Get rid of that rat bastard right in front of me!”
The rushing attendants dragged the unconscious Myeong, covered in blood, and took him away.
Watching that scene, Doyul suddenly thought of Yerin.
“To a young soldier, isn’t this a too cruel sight?”
Glancing at Yerin’s expression, Doyul felt his heart sink.
Of course, Yerin’s face was pale without a trace of blood.
There were even cold sweats on her face.
Surprised, Doyul grabbed Yerin’s shoulders.
“Soldier.”
“…Your Highness.”
Yerin called Doyul with trembling lips.
Her current state of mind…
“Ah, I’m exhausted to death.”
The mental and physical strain was draining.
Just a slight shake of the sleeve in a minor conflict was enough to leave Yerin completely drained.
Doyul’s eyes showed pity.
“You must have been very surprised.”
“What?”
“I should have been more considerate of the soldier. I apologize for showing such cruelty.”
…It seems like Doyul completely misunderstood.
Startled, Yerin blinked her eyes.
But Doyul was already speaking to Dangsacheol.
“Danggaju. Yerin Soldier seems to be very surprised, so it would be best to take her inside now.”
No, I wasn’t surprised.
After all the days I’ve lived swinging a sword, I would be surprised by just that amount of blood?
I was about to blurt out that answer without realizing it, but Yerin quickly closed her lips.
“Well, since it turned out like this.”
Forget about sympathy.
Yerin lowered her head and reached out to grab Doyul’s clothes.
After that, she trembled as if she had been frightened to the core…
“Can I… let the soldier rest in my quarters?”
Doyul’s voice was tinged with hesitation.
Dangsacheol raised an eyebrow.
“…Yerin?”
“Yes. Since we are now connected as a couple, I would like to take care of her by my side.”
Above all, Doyul didn’t want to send Yerin back to that collapsing building.
But then, at that moment.
Dangsacheol, who had been silently observing Doyul, twisted the corner of his lips.
“Well, if the Crown Prince is comfortable with it, then it’s fine.”
And then he suddenly opened his mouth.
“But before that, I have one question.”
“What is it?”
“Even though it seems like the Crown Prince is putting in a lot of effort to alleviate my wife’s grievances, why is she still referred to as ‘Yerin Soldier’?”
Ah.
Doyul felt a pang and bit his lip.
“…It’s frustrating, but you’re right.”
Yerin and Doyul have officially tied the knot.
So it’s right to call Yerin ‘wife’.
The reason for continuously calling her ‘Yerin Soldier’ was because it didn’t feel right…
‘I was wrong.’
Dangsacheol, who was quietly looking at him, shrugged his shoulders as if he understood.
“Well, I can’t blame you for not understanding the Crown Prince’s feelings.”
“What?”
“As you know, that girl is quite useless, isn’t she?”
…What did he just say?
Doyul doubted his ears.
To speak so carelessly about his daughter right in front of her was unthinkable.
It was something he couldn’t even imagine as a father.
But…
“It’s not like it’s completely unnoticeable.”
Dangsacheol continued to speak nonchalantly.
“However, she is still a member of the Sacheon-dangmun.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“Since there are eyes watching around us, I hope you’ll be a little more careful with your titles. Oh, of course.”
Dangsacheol’s smile grew a little deeper.
“In private, you can treat her however you want. It doesn’t matter.”
…Even if she’s your own daughter, how can you insult her to that extent?
Doyul, with a bewildered expression, stiffened his shoulders.
‘Come to think of it, Yerin is here…’
She wasn’t saying anything.
He reflexively turned to look at Yerin.
At the same time, his heart grew cold as if he had swallowed a large block of ice.
If she had been upset or angry, he could have understood.
But her face was just expressionless.
As if such humiliation was natural to her.
“….”
Doyul bit his lower lip.
At the same time, Dangsacheol clapped his hands.
“Oh, it seems like I’ve held the Crown Prince for too long. Go back and rest, Your Highness.”
It was an attitude that seemed like he was just trying to get rid of something annoying.
Although his judgment was twisted, Doyul tried hard to maintain a calm expression.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll step back first, Father.”
Yerin nodded her head respectfully and left with Doyul.
Dangsacheol watched the two figures retreat with a dangerous look in his eyes.
“I thought she was just a useless woman, but it seems like she’s captured the Crown Princess’s heart more than I thought.”
Even a snail has some rolling skills, indeed.
Dangsacheol smirked, a bitter smile.
* * *
After returning to her quarters, Yerin immediately apologized to Doyul.
“I’m really sorry, Your Highness.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That…I’ve caused trouble for you because I couldn’t properly manage the lower ranks.”
Doyul couldn’t help but stare at Yerin with a face that seemed like it would collapse at any moment.
Why is he making that face?
Yerin was a little perplexed.
And then…
“…Don’t apologize.”
As Doyul’s voice was choked back, Yerin’s eyes widened.
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“You told me not to apologize to you.”
Doyul said in a rush.
“Managing the lower ranks is the responsibility of the upper ranks, but it should also be considered according to the situation.”
“But…”
“It’s not ‘but’. It’s not your fault, so don’t blame yourself.”
A twelve-year-old girl who was oppressed by everyone in her family within the confines of the palace.
It’s too cruel to blame her for ‘not properly managing the lower ranks’.
At least that’s what Doyul thought.
Above all…
‘I’m the one who should apologize.’
The question from his father-in-law still rings in his ears.
‘Why is the title she’s called still ‘Yerin Soldier’?’
How would it feel for a husband who just got married to still be called ‘Soldier’?
It would definitely feel like an insult.
Yet Yerin never showed any discomfort.
“…Your Highness?”
Yerin looked a little uneasy, wondering how to interpret Doyul’s silence.
‘What kind of rudeness have I done to such a gentle person?’
Feeling ashamed of his own pettiness, Doyul couldn’t even lift his head.
He muttered an apology out of nowhere.
“I’m sorry.”
“What?”
“Your father-in-law was right.”
Doyul sighed mixed with regret.
