Chapter 90
* * *
Sharing the events that happened with Hwaryeon with Doyul.
“After daring to do such a thing to my wife?”
Doyul exclaimed in agitation after being calmed down.
Youngju turned to Yerin with eyes full of anticipation.
“But, sis!”
“Uh, yes?”
Yerin stiffened her shoulders at Youngju’s composure.
“How did you do that just now?”
“That?”
“That, that! The lotus flower made of ice!”
Youngju explained, gesturing with both hands.
“It was incredibly beautiful, what exactly is it?”
“Oh, that? It’s the ice skill of the Northern Ice Palace.”
In fact, initially, she had considered picking up a fan with air manipulation, but air manipulation generally required tremendous power.
Even though Yerin was in an unusual position, it was generally difficult to accept such a sight.
The trick with the air manipulation at the previous Four Gates was only possible because there were only Myung-i and Doyul present, and Doyul was young and inexperienced, so she didn’t notice the subtle skill she used. But earlier, there were many eyes watching, so she thought it was better to loosely attribute it to using the ice skill.
‘Those who use my power in that way are probably the contractors.’
The millennium ice crystal sitting next to her chirped and grumbled.
‘I didn’t want to use it like that either.’
Yerin narrowed her eyes and glanced at the millennium ice crystal.
If it had been in the past, she could have used ice manipulation without borrowing the power of the millennium ice crystal, but she didn’t have enough accumulated skill yet.
Handling inner skill delicately is one thing, but accumulating a lot of inner skill requires a considerable amount of time.
The Thousand Year Snowflake Pill Yerin had previously given to Doyul had been consumed long ago.
And since the Thousand Year Snowflake Pill itself was a very difficult item to make, even with the improved situation in the Northern Ice Palace, Yerin barely had one left.
Realistically, the Snowflake Pill was the only thing Yerin could take, and with such ordinary medicine, there were limitations.
“Well, at least I’m fortunate to have contracted with the Millennium Ice Crystal.”
It helped somewhat to overcome the deficiency in her inner skill. Of course, she didn’t intend to express this directly to the Millennium Ice Crystal.
“If I did, how much would that little thing boast…”
It might even get a big head about it. Yerin couldn’t help but feel annoyed at the thought.
Meanwhile, Youngju’s cheeks had turned slightly red without her noticing.
“Wow, the ice skill is really cool!”
Then, clenching her fists, she threw out a question.
“Could I also learn the ice skill someday?”
“…”
Yerin paused for a moment. It was a simple question, but for some reason, it felt like a stab in the chest.
In the original work, although Youngju entered the ice skill training late, she steadily grew in skill and became an undeniable figure. This was because she received personal tutoring directly from Doyul, the lord of the Northern Ice Palace.
When Yerin read the original work, the scene where their romance blossomed through personal tutoring was her favorite.
“Um, that’s if you become a disciple at the Northern Ice Palace?” …She hadn’t expected this scene to come back like this.
Yerin forced a smile to hide her bitter feelings.
Then Youngju asked in a cheerful voice, “So, does that mean you could teach me too?”
Huh?
Me?
Yerin’s eyes widened. And at the same time.
“That’s not possible.”
Doyul, with a grim expression, interrupted their conversation, looking disgusted.
“There are rules in the Northern Ice Palace.”
“Rules?”
“Yes. Disciples must enter the Martial Arts Institute and receive systematic teachings.”
“What? That’s absurd!”
“Isn’t it wrong for Youngju Sojo to seek improper teachings from Gamo just because of her friendship with the mistress?”
“Hmph.”
Youngju puffed up her cheeks like a chipmunk, feeling offended.
And Yerin thought,
‘Wait, in the original, you were the one who taught Youngju directly, right?’
Unintentionally, she glanced at Doyul with a puzzled expression.
It’s not allowed for Gamo to provide improper teachings, but is it okay for the lord to do so? After all, in the original work, the two were almost engaged…
Then a voice shattered Yerin’s thoughts. It was Youngju.
“Sis, and Lady.”
“Huh?”
Yerin looked at Youngju first with a perplexed expression, and Doyul gave a fleeting glance instead of answering.
“We also have a boat in our Jo Yang Pyo country.”
As she said this, Youngju’s expression clearly showed her displeasure.
Doyul seemed indifferent, as if asking, ‘So what?’
But Yerin felt differently.
‘Could it be?’ Yerin’s eyes widened.
“We’ll lend you the boat….”
Youngju closed her eyes tightly, as if it couldn’t be helped, and continued,
“So, enjoy a quiet boat ride together today.”
“Why suddenly a boat ride?”
Doyul, when asked like that, didn’t even bother to hide his suspicious gaze.
Then, Youngju opened her eyes wide and met Doyul’s gaze.
“Well, I’m sure Lady would be very grateful to you, Lord?”
Then she turned her head with a dignified air. Doyul narrowed his eyes and turned to Yerin.
“Wife, what’s this about…?”
Doyul, who was about to ask what Youngju’s intention was, stopped short.
It was because Yerin, who was avoiding eye contact for no reason, had turned beet red. Youngju nailed Doyul with her gaze.
“So, Lord, do you not want to go boating with your wife?”
“No, why would I not?”
“Then just do it.”
Youngju’s tone was so firm and she acted as if she were doing something extraordinary. Doyul found himself without a retort and obediently closed his mouth.
And upon reflection, ‘She’s indeed doing something remarkable.’
Since arriving in the Central Plains, it would be the first time Yerin and he would spend time alone together.
Doyul unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.
‘Yerin.’
Yerin sitting beside him kept coming to mind.
For some reason, her face kept flushing, so Doyul casually looked down at the lotus flower blooming beneath the pavilion. In the spring breeze, the lotus flower seemed to tease Doyul as it swayed lightly.
* * *
That evening, Youngju sat in my room, with Yerin sitting in front of her, looking through everything meticulously.
With wardrobes and jewelry boxes turned upside down, the room was a mess with Youngju’s silk clothes and jewelry scattered around.
“It’s fortunate that you and I have similar body shapes, Sister.”
Youngju looked at the completely transformed Yerin with satisfaction under her careful touch.
However, Yerin looked somewhat embarrassed.
“Hmm, aren’t you trying too hard? Someone might think we’re going to a banquet.”
“Well, I don’t think anyone would think that when they see you.”
In response, Yerin absentmindedly looked into the mirror. And inwardly, she marveled a bit.
‘Wow, despite her age.’
Reflected in the mirror, Yerin looked five times more beautiful than usual. She lightly applied powder to her face, drew her eyebrows sharply with charcoal, and painted her lips red.
Youngju looked satisfied with her masterpiece.
“Sister, with your smooth skin and splendid features, light makeup suits you better.”
“…Thank you.”
It had been a long time since she had dressed up so elaborately. When she was active as Gamo in the Northern Ice Palace, she usually wore simple clothes, and since coming to the Central Plains, she had always dressed plainly.
So…
‘She really looks like a noble lady.’
Feeling somewhat unfamiliar, Yerin absentmindedly fiddled with the sleeves of her clothes, causing the well-ironed silk to rustle.
“But I’m going to meet the Lady.”
“That’s right?”
“Is there a need to dress up so much?” Yerin narrowed her eyes slightly.
“If you think it might cause any misunderstandings…”
“Oh, don’t worry about it.”
Youngju waved her index finger as if to dismiss Yerin’s concerns.
“Even couples sometimes need to show unexpected appearances to keep the tension.”
“But you’re not married yet, are you?”
“That’s how it was in the novel.” Youngju replied confidently.
Yerin was at a loss for words.
That’s right, it was like that. Our original female protagonist’s hobby was borrowing and reading romance novels that were popular among the ladies, wasn’t it?
“Well, it seems like the Lady has already fallen head over heels for you, Sister,” Youngju chuckled teasingly.
“But, you know, women always want to look pretty in front of the men they like, don’t they?”
“…”
The man they like. That phrase pierced Yerin’s heart deeply.
‘To hear such words from the female protagonist of all people…’
However, Yerin couldn’t dwell on such thoughts for long. The millennium ice crystal sitting beside her seemed to be listening intently, chirping and grumbling as if urging her to listen.
“…”
