“Does it make sense that he has a fiancée?”
On the roof of the mansion.
Im Ha-yeon mumbled to herself as she secretly watched Kang Yoon-ho, who was drinking while looking up at the moon after their conversation.
“The owner of Da-seo-gak, Lady Tang of Szechuan Tang Family…”
A woman of beauty comparable to her own. Although distantly related, she was recognized as a martial artist due to her talent in martial arts.
Moreover, the one who truly helped Ho Pil blossom his talent, the real owner of Da-seo-gak.
Unlike herself, who came from a lowly courtesan background, Ha-yeon bit her lip lightly at the thought that his fiancée was a proper lady with no disqualification.
“No wonder he seemed so unmovable even though I was right in front of him.”
Anyone seeing a man for the first time would naturally harbor desires; yet he treated her so ordinarily.
Was he building a wall because of his fiancée? Or was he just accustomed to having one?
Whatever it was, Im Ha-yeon felt a sharp prick in her heart.
“I can’t call it betrayal…”
He was just as confused to find out he had a fiancée, but feeling betrayed would be a funny thing.
To be precise, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He hadn’t seduced her while hiding the truth. Rather, he had only become aware of her feelings late, falling into trouble over his fiancée.
“Should I be the Shadowless Thief or live a normal life?”
A man who always did his best for her.
He had told her she could give up, that it was okay to let go and live happily, yet still held her hand tightly.
Two paths he had created.
She could live normally. She could leave behind her with a fiancée and lead an ordinary life. He had said so.
Im Ha-yeon sat on the roof of the mansion, lost in thought as she gazed at Kang Yoon-ho, who seemed to be thinking of someone beyond the moon.
“A normal life without him…”
The gentle hand that caught her as she seemed to be falling apart.
Even when told to give up and find happiness, that hand held onto her.
That hand, which felt like it would never let go, had fallen for her happiness.
How much had she suffered? How much effort had she put in for him? Where was she planning to go? Even though she could say whatever selfishly.
Now, if she wanted, she could leave his side anytime.
“If you’re going to say it’s okay, then don’t act pitiful…”
Im Ha-yeon, still seated on the rocks, looked at Kang Yoon-ho, who was sipping liquor with a troubled expression.
Was she blaming herself for being shaken despite knowing he had a fiancée? Or was she just anxiously awaiting her decision?
He seemed oddly lonely.
Ten years.
If she were to leave his side, that lonely place would remain empty for a decade.
After staring at his vacant side for a while, Im Ha-yeon sighed softly.
“My everyday life is supposed to be here.”
Ordinary or special, everything was right here. She couldn’t imagine or want another life.
Im Ha-yeon clung on as if she didn’t want to let go, but recalled his reassuring and manly hand that had finally slipped away.
She still didn’t want to let go of that hand.
Even if he had a fiancée.
She needed to prepare to be with him. Im Ha-yeon headed towards the room of another woman who belonged to him.
———
“Al-alliance?”
Miss Zhuge, startled by the sudden presence of Im Ha-yeon who turned on the lights in the room, asked.
“Before anything, I’ll ask again. What do you think of that man, Master Kang Yoon-ho?”
“Whaaat?”
“You said you didn’t want to let him go. I feel the same way. So I want to hear your true feelings before we talk.”
Miss Zhuge recalled the thoughts she had been contemplating all day long.
Even if I’m not good at communicating, he always patiently waited. Even if I struggled to converse, he tried to understand. He cared for my actions, and we communicated well. We had similar hobbies.
He is even the author I respect.
The person I want to talk to and meet again and again is Master Kang Yoon-ho.
Could a woman like me ever find a man like him as a match?
After contemplating endlessly, Miss Zhuge had one conclusion.
“I hope it becomes more than a contractual relationship!”
She could only shyly admit it despite him having a fiancée.
“Hah. Suddenly, I feel like I want to punch that man.”
What a sinful man. The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family after me. Im Ha-yeon said bluntly.
In a world where a man could have multiple wives as long as he had the capability, there would inevitably be issues about the other women accepting the man’s different loves.
“Uugh.”
“Oh, let’s stop this meaningless emotional conflict and form an alliance.”
Im Ha-yeon proposed to Miss Zhuge once more.
“What kind of alliance?”
“To deal with his fiancée, Lady Tang.”
“An alliance to deal with Master Kang Yoon-ho’s fiancée?”
As Miss Zhuge tilted her head, Im Ha-yeon began to reveal why an alliance was necessary.
“He is a man who remained unshaken from the moment he was with me. The reason he had a false match with Miss Zhuge was all because of that woman. But even if we say we are beside him now, can we be together without placing his fiancée aside?”
“I see. I don’t think we can.”
Miss Zhuge lowered her head as if she lacked confidence.
Even if they tried to marry, they would have to get permission from the fiancée, or the fiancée could decide to marry first. Or they could face opposition from the fiancée.
The more Im Ha-yeon explained various possible situations to Miss Zhuge, the more her face drained of confidence.
“The fiancée we have to deal with is beautiful and has a better figure than us. She is recognized for her talent in the Tang Family and has been treated as a direct descendant, plus she is the owner of Da-seo-gak. She is not just his fiancée but his lover during the toughest times.”
Im Ha-yeon chuckled as she spoke.
Isn’t this too perfect, like an imaginary fiancée? If it weren’t for his attitude, she would have told him to stop lying.
“Oh….”
Miss Zhuge seemed to have received a final blow to her confidence, letting out a small scream.
“Spending ten years waiting together? To break into the solid bond of the two will not be something I can achieve alone. So let’s team up to face that woman.”
Miss Zhuge sank into thought at Im Ha-yeon’s proposal. With two, they could open up more cracks in Kang Yoon-ho’s heart and get ahead of Lady Tang.
It was an attractive proposal in her view. However, nothing was without reservations. Miss Zhuge, with her head down and fidgeting fingers, opened her mouth.
“…But, I am still his match, though.”
Miss Zhuge gently declined.
Im Ha-yeon instantly understood why Miss Zhuge was rejecting her. Having the backing of the Zhuge family and the Man Geum Battlefield, she probably thought she didn’t need her help.
However, Im Ha-yeon had no intention of giving up on her proposal.
Having learned many things from staying by one man’s side for ten years, she had honed her skills of persuasion through experience.
Im Ha-yeon decided to take out her hidden weapon prepared for the alliance.
“Actually, Master Kang Yoon-ho is the illegitimate son of the Tang Family Head.”
“Really?”
Miss Zhuge’s eyes widened in shock at the startling revelation.
“He acknowledged it, and the Tang Family members acknowledged it too.”
“Master Kang Yoon-ho is the illegitimate son of the famous swordsman, the Tang Family Head?”
The illegitimate son of the Tang Family Head, known for his swordsmanship! Just that fact would be shocking, but Im Ha-yeon had more astonishing news prepared.
“Yes. Lady Tang. His fiancée is staying in the Tang Family, which means she has been officially recognized as his partner by his father, the Tang Family Head.”
“A fiancée recognized by her parents…”
Miss Zhuge wasn’t one to miss the implications of that statement.
“Think about it. The Zhuge family and the Szechuan Tang Family have historically not been on friendly terms, right? Would the great Tang Baek-ho be pleased if his child were to marry into the Zhuge family? The fiancée would undoubtedly scream out loudly against it, following her father’s sentiments. How would his heart be then?”
The subtle rivalry between the Szechuan Tang Family and the Zhuge Family had been passed down through generations.
Of course, the relationship wasn’t one of deep grudges, as they had even asked for help treating a poisoned child, but it could be said to be a relationship with a history of camaraderie and rivalry akin to that of dogs and cats in the same faction.
“Th-this is impossible…”
Miss Zhuge, realizing the gravity of the situation, could hardly hide her astonishment.
“But if you ally with me, it changes everything.”
“Changes?”
“He said he wanted to take responsibility for me to the end. Unlike Miss Zhuge, who only inquired about matters of family or the status of the match, I can choose to be by his side as long as I decide to.”
“Ugh? How do you know what Master Kang Yoon-ho said in the room?”
“I-I overheard it by chance. Don’t mind that. Anyway, if things go well for me, I can stay by his side. And if one woman opposes while two women support him, naturally, his heart will lean towards us.”
The power of emotional manipulation! It was Im Ha-yeon’s surefire strategy to persuade Miss Zhuge.
Without a family, she could be free. Plus, she knew that Master Kang Yoon-ho’s current affections were more directed toward her than Miss Zhuge, so she spoke confidently.
“I’ll support you…”
“I’ll support him from my place beside him. Even if his fiancée doesn’t, my support will surely sway him.”
“I-I can’t help you much. Isn’t that a disadvantage for you?”
It sounded too good to be true. Miss Zhuge asked with a slightly suspicious expression.
“Well, actually, I don’t dislike Miss Zhuge that much.”
“What?”
“I’ve been irritated only because I was worried about monopolizing him, but I have no reason to dislike Miss Zhuge otherwise. In fact, it’s all benefits if we become allies.”
If they were not enemies but allies, it would feel reassuring. Especially in a scenario with a common foe. That was why Im Ha-yeon extended her hand to Miss Zhuge.
“Ha-yeon unnie…”
Miss Zhuge looked at Im Ha-yeon with an awe-struck expression.
“Going solo against his fiancée would be overwhelming. I need Miss Zhuge’s strength too.”
The fiancée approved by the father. Even Im Ha-yeon needed reinforcements to defeat Lady Tang.
Miss Zhuge looked at Im Ha-yeon’s outstretched hand, falling back into contemplation.
Szechuan Tang Family. The fiancée recognized by her father, Lady Tang.
Could she possibly contend without Ha-yeon unnie’s help? Imagining the imaginary fiancée looking down on her as a mistress made her shudder.
‘Ah! I can’t hold on!’
If Master Kang Yoon-ho gives up, that would be the end. Indeed, help was needed!
“…I’ll strike an alliance. Ha-yeon unnie.”
Miss Zhuge firmly grasped Im Ha-yeon’s hand with both hands.
“Great! Let’s navigate this crisis together.”
———-
Miss Zhuge and Im Ha-yeon’s alliance.
“Hey, Ha-yeon unnie, how are we going to approach Master Kang Yoon-ho?”
“Let’s do it like this tomorrow.”
To confront Master Kang Yoon-ho’s fiancée, Lady Tang, they would each call the other ‘sister’ while supporting one another.
It was indeed an ideal relationship from the outside.
The two also decided to open their hearts to each other and face one another. Yet, in truth, it wasn’t a completely innocent relationship.
It was true that they had agreed to open their hearts and care for each other, but deep down, they both had one calculation hidden beneath it.
‘If it’s not Lady Tang but Miss Zhuge…’
‘If it’s not the fiancée but Ha-yeon unnie…’
‘…I could be the main wife!’
So they both had the same calculation in mind.
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