Chapter 92
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After entering the lake for a while, Yerin’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Wow.”
Observing her surroundings, she exclaimed, “Now I understand why Lady Youngju was so confident.”
“Well, um…”
Doyul replied reluctantly, clearly unwilling to admit it.
“It’s beautiful.”
Darkness settled gently over the wide lake. The crimson lanterns on the boat cast a golden light through the hazy mist on the water.
As the boat moved smoothly, it came to a stop where pink lotus flowers were clustered together.
Yerin looked up.
“Look at the moon over there.”
Far away, the round moon sparkled like a silver mirror.
“The moonlight is so bright. It feels like it would overflow in a wine glass.”
Playfully, Doyul suggested, “In that case, would you like a drink?”
“Sure.”
Yerin smiled brightly.
Doyul picked up a bottle of liquor near the table.
Pop!
With a cheerful sound, the cork popped out.
The scent of the liquor dispersed in the air, indicating it was quite good quality.
After filling Yerin’s glass first, Doyul handed her the drink.
“Drinking by the lake, huh…”
Yerin gazed at the clear liquor in her glass, reflecting on how ordinary moments could become special depending on who you were with.
Taking a sip, Yerin’s face lit up with satisfaction.
“It’s charming. The liquor is delicious.”
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes, it seems to be good quality.”
It had a clean taste with a hint of sweetness from the grains.
The two of them continued to converse over the drinks.
As the snacks dwindled and the liquor was almost finished, Yerin, caught up in her emotions, murmured, “Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a drink like this, just the two of us.”
Then, she chuckled to herself.
Perplexed by her sudden smile, Doyul asked, “Why are you laughing like that?”
“Oh, that’s why.”
Yerin couldn’t help but laugh at what seemed so amusing to her, unable to contain her laughter.
“It’s because it reminds me of the day you and I got married.”
Completely unaware of how much alcohol her young body could handle.
It was a time when she recalled the days of her innocence, sipping on alcohol.
Then, there was a mischievous tone in Doyul’s voice.
“Oh, speaking of that time…”
“What… about that time?”
“You were completely drunk, weren’t you?”
“…….”
Yerin glanced at Doyul with a sly expression.
“You don’t remember that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The one where your lordship bravely called me Yerin Sojourner.”
“…”
The tables turned in an instant.
As if suddenly realizing, Doyul subtly observed Yerin’s reaction with a slightly apologetic expression.
“Well, that… was…”
“I’m telling you this now, but do you know how upset I was back then? Was it really so difficult for you to call me ‘Wife’?”
Then Doyul hesitated again.
“Yes, I know.”
Huh?
Surprised by the unexpected answer, Yerin’s eyes widened.
At the same time, a sincere apology was heard.
“I’m sorry. I was too young back then.”
“No, it’s just…”
Hmm, she hadn’t expected to receive such a sincere apology.
Flustered, Yerin threw up her hands.
“At that time, you had no choice.”
“Madam.”
“I was a girl from the Four Divine Gates who persecuted the Northern Ice Palace.”
Yerin spoke sincerely.
“And my Lord didn’t even want to marry me at the time, so it’s understandable.”
…By now, he must have understood what I meant, right?
Yerin subtly watched Doyul’s reaction.
And then…
“Oh my.”
She unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.
It was because Doyul’s stern expression was frighteningly solid.
‘Why is he doing this again?!’
A moment of silence passed.
Doyul, who had been silently pressing his lips together, suddenly spoke up.
“Just a moment ago, you said you were upset.”
“Yes?”
“But now…”
His words trailed off for a moment.
Doyul spoke as if he had made up his mind.
“Are you saying it’s natural for me to be rude to you?”
Huh?
Yerin was puzzled.
Why is he suddenly so serious?
But what concerned her the most was…
‘…Why does he look so upset?’
With a stiff expression, Doyul lowered his eyes.
Then, a subdued voice rang out.
“Please, express your anger.”
“Anger?”
“Yes. That’s right. Please express your anger about my rude behavior and demand an apology.”
“My Lord.”
Yerin called out to Doyul in a soothing tone.
But Doyul remained unmoved.
“I don’t like it when you consider my rude behavior towards you as something natural.”
Under the shadow of his long eyelashes, his pitch-black pupils trembled slightly.
“It doesn’t matter who that person is. It’s the same for me.”
“But…”
“But it’s not okay.”
Doyul firmly shook his head.
“You need to understand how valuable you are to yourself.”
“Valuable?”
“Yes.”
His voice affirming her worth was unwavering.
“You are, to me, and to the Northern Ice Palace, more precious than anyone else.”
Yerin found herself frozen in place, unknowingly.
‘A precious person.’
The words struck deep into her heart in a strange way.
Of course, she had always thought of herself as useful in a sense, as an irreplaceable “tool” of sorts. But she had never thought of herself as inherently valuable.
Even though she thought so deep down, Yerin found herself listening intently to Doyul’s words, almost mesmerized.
“Above all, I, no, not just me, but the Northern Ice Palace as well…”
The voice that seemed on the verge of breaking, yet continued without faltering.
“You have already done me great favors”
Doyul’s cautious attitude, even in extending a hand to her.
The unspoken affection towards her that he couldn’t hide.
“But there has never been a time when those favors were properly repaid.”
This just kept…
Making her feel more affectionate towards him.
‘No.’
Yerin tried to push away the unnecessary thoughts.
‘I can’t be swayed.’
Doyul is the main character of this world.
Destined to be happy eventually, paired with Youngju, as his fated lover.
‘No matter how much I find him endearing…’
It’s futile.
Yerin clenched her fists tightly.
She wanted to stop wasting emotions on something impossible.
Because… Youngju alone is enough for him.
“But, my Lord, I didn’t do all those things to be repaid.”
And so, Yerin deliberately lifted her head with more detachment.
“I am the Madam of the Ice Palace, so I did what I had to do.”
“….I knew you would say that, but I feel even more remorseful.”
“That’s…”
“I reassure you, and I truly believe you’re fine. The problem is me.”
Doyul stared silently at Yerin.
“I wonder when I’ll be able to… not rely on the help of others and make you laugh with my own strength.”
The straightforward gaze that looked only at her.
“We are a married couple, aren’t we?”
Whenever their eyes met, Yerin sometimes felt at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.
“I sometimes feel like you’re too good for me,” Doyul said with a wry smile. “But still, I don’t want to let you go.”
His hand, cautiously extended, gently brushed against Yerin’s cheek.
As if handling something very precious and valuable, he did so with great care.
“And what can I do? I’ve reached a point where I can’t live without you.”
A solemn confession flowed out.
Yerin froze in place.
A sudden realization sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Ah, I see.’
Doyul wishes for Yerin’s happiness.
Moreover, he desires her presence by his side.
‘So that’s why I’ve been angry with myself.’
The reason behind Yerin’s “it’s okay”.
Because he believed that Yerin didn’t need him.
Then why does Doyul…
Desire for her to need him?
Looking at it from a slightly different perspective, the answer was immediately clear.
‘Doyul loves me.’
From his gaze, his voice, to his tender demeanor, it was all there.
All the things that couldn’t exist unless someone loved another.
‘Then what about me?’
Yerin asked herself a question.
The answer came disappointingly easily.
“….”
Yerin hesitated, unsure of how to express the emotions that filled her heart with pride.
Doyul didn’t urge her for an answer, simply gazing at her with trembling eyes.
“….I…”
Yerin finally parted her lips.
Editor : VCubed
