Chapter 91
Yerin narrowed her eyes sharply as she glanced at the Millennium Ice Crystal.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh of you?”
She lowered her voice in an attempt to criticize without being heard by Youngju, but it was pointless.
– Why so critical when it’s a compliment?
The Millennium Ice Crystal shamelessly faced Yerin in response.
‘Can’t believe that arrogant thing is considered one of the most divine beings in the original story; divine beings must have frozen to death.’
Yerin grumbled inwardly.
Just then, Youngju urged Yerin.
“Anyway, I’ll take my leave now. Lady will be waiting.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Yerin quickly got up from her seat.
The Millennium Ice Crystal naturally tried to follow its contracted owner, but…
“No, you stay here, Somi.”
And it ended up being restrained by Youngju.
– What’s this, human?
The Millennium Ice Crystal glared at Youngju with triangular eyes.
But Youngju only heard the crystal’s protest as barking.
Youngju hugged the Millennium Ice Crystal tightly to her chest.
“I’ll take Somi with me, so feel free to enjoy yourself.”
– Who said you could decide!
The Millennium Ice Crystal flailed its limbs and grumbled.
Meanwhile, Yerin blushed.
“Is it really okay?”
“Of course.”
Youngju nodded confidently.
Yerin hesitantly asked,
“Our child tends to make a lot of noise, won’t it be too loud?”
“I have ways to handle that.”
Youngju was very confident in herself.
‘Well, if Youngju says so…’
The bickering between Doyul and the Millennium Ice Crystal was just a normal occurrence.
Mediating between a human and a dog(?) was already exhausting, but…
‘Still, even a few hours away from mediation would be nice!’
Yerin left the room with a relieved expression.
“Have a good time!”
“Take care!”
The Millennium Ice Crystal glared at Yerin’s retreating figure with a face full of betrayal.
– No, that damn contract holder…!
Only after Yerin completely left Jo Yangpyo Kingdom did Youngju release the Millennium Ice Crystal from her embrace.
Then, she gently shook her head towards the Millennium Ice Crystal.
“Somi, you shouldn’t interfere between Unni and Lady.”
“Ck! Ckck! Ckckck!”
The Millennium Ice Crystal vigorously protested against this unfair treatment.
But once again, Youngju only heard the crystal’s complaints as barking.
Moreover, Youngju had a secret weapon to calm the Millennium Ice Crystal.
“Come to think of it, you didn’t seem to be picky about food.”
Youngju smirked.
“Do you want some meat?”
The Millennium Ice Crystal perked up at the mention of meat.
—
A while later.
The Millennium Ice Crystal looked at the bowl in front of it with a face full of joy.
– Meat!
Chicken, beef, pork, and even lamb.
Different types of meat piled up inside the bowl.
The Millennium Ice Crystal thus became the happiest spirit in the world.
—
Meanwhile, Doyul stood perplexed on the pier by the lake.
‘What’s going on?’
Earlier, Youngju had taken Yerin away, saying they had something to do together.
‘Lady, please go to the pier first.’
“Yes? But…”
“You won’t regret it.”
Doyul realized for the first time how assertive Youngju could be.
Just then, the pier attendant approached Doyul.
“Oh, are you the Lady of North Sea Ice Palace?”
“Yes.”
The attendant smiled brightly.
“Welcome. I was informed in advance by Lady.”
“Informed?”
“Yes. You’ve come for a boat ride, right?”
The attendant led Doyul towards the lake.
“I’ve prepared everything so Lady won’t have to worry.”
And every word the attendant said was true.
Not only was the boat well-maintained, but there were also light snacks and drinks prepared.
‘This is quite elaborate, isn’t it?’
Doyul felt a little flustered.
Of course, he didn’t mind going on a boat ride with Yerin.
To be more precise…
‘Happy.’
How could one not be happy?
However, despite the pure joy, Youngju’s last words to Yerin as she left lingered in her ears.
“You should remember this. I’ve done you a favor, so make sure to repay it in the future.”
At that moment, Youngju was so self-assured.
“I don’t like this.”
When Doyul was frowning like that.
The attendant approached with a bright smile.
“Oh, do you happen to not know the legend of this lake?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re going for a ride with Lady, so I thought you already knew.”
A moment later.
Doyul’s face turned red upon hearing the legend of the lake.
“Darn it.”
He didn’t want to admit it, but he had no choice.
“Yeah, I received a favor from Lady Youngju.”
But then…
The sound of footsteps crunching through the underbrush echoed.
It was Yerin.
“Lady.”
“Oh, Madam. You’ve…”
Without thinking, Doyul lifted his head, only to freeze in place without finishing his sentence.
It was understandable.
“Has Madam ever dressed like that before?”
Yerin, who had carefully adorned herself, was breathtakingly beautiful.
While in North Sea Palace, they mostly wore thick clothes due to the cold weather.
But here, Yerin was different.
Layering thin, smooth fabrics like butterfly wings, her fair skin subtly peeked through.
Unable to take his eyes off her, Doyul continued to gaze at Yerin.
His persistent gaze made Yerin feel embarrassed enough to ask a question.
“Um… did I dress too much?”
“Huh?”
“We’re just going on a boat ride. Do you think it’s too much?”
At that moment, Doyul unwittingly raised his voice.
“No, not at all!”
“What?”
Startled, Yerin blinked her eyes rapidly.
‘What should I do?’
Am I just looking foolish?
Doyul, unsure of what to do, nervously opened his lips.
“No, no…”
Swallowing dryly, Doyul’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
He desperately needed to salvage the situation, but he couldn’t find the right words to say.
“I just, um, thought that Madam was too…”
Too what?
Yerin stared at Doyul, making him feel embarrassed under her gaze.
He couldn’t help but feel shy when meeting her eyes.
Doyul blurted out a foolish response.
“She’s just too beautiful.”
“Oh.”
Yerin was taken aback by his blatant compliment, leaving her speechless.
“Um… thank you?”
Silence fell between them.
And a moment later…
“Uh, um…!”
Yerin awkwardly tried to break the tense atmosphere.
“Come to think of it, it’s our first time riding a boat together, isn’t it?”
“Y-Yes!”
“Let’s hurry and get on the boat! I can’t wait to ride it!”
“Sure!”
Doyul and Yerin hurriedly boarded the boat.
The attendant bid them farewell with a cheerful smile.
“Enjoy your time!”
…
…
…Was that, like, a smile you’d give to a newlywed couple?
‘I’m so embarrassed.’
Yerin, about to board the boat, tightly closed her eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, Doyul reached out his hand.
“Please take my hand.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I can board the boat by myself…”
“Your skirt is long. It might be inconvenient for you to move around.”
True, Yerin was more accustomed to wearing simple clothes.
She wasn’t incapable of moving around, but it was a bit uncomfortable.
“And…”
For a moment, Doyul, whose words were trailing off, cleared his throat and spoke briefly.
“I wanted to help.”
…
Yerin strangely felt a flutter in her chest at his words.
“W-Well then.”
Yerin pretended to be unaffected and extended her hand.
Their hands overlapped.
“Over here.”
“Oh, okay.”
And so, the two of them clumsily took their seats on the boat.
The boat was in the form of a rowboat, with no boatman accompanying them.
Doyul held the oar while Yerin sat at the bow.
And Yerin…
…
Almost unknowingly, Yerin looked down at the hands clasped with Doyul.
But only for a moment.
‘Why am I so conscious of Doyul?’
It was just holding hands!
Feeling embarrassed by her own actions, Yerin clenched her fist.
At that moment, Doyul turned around.
“Let’s start.”
“Yes!”
Doyul began rowing the boat.
The boat gently glided through the water, slowly making its way towards the center of the lake.
After the distance between the boat and the dock had grown slightly…
The attendant who had been watching the couple closely smiled contentedly.
“This is nice.”
However, the problem was that both Yerin and Doyul were highly skilled martial artists.
In other words, they had much sharper senses than ordinary people.
‘Excuse me, sir. We can hear everything…’
Unable to overcome her embarrassment, Yerin forcibly fixed her gaze on a tree beyond the lake.
