Chapter: 260
Clack.
I can hear the sound of the carriage moving near my ear.
The carriage, which had started moving quickly, continued without a moment’s rest.
Flap.
It hasn’t been long since returning to the Sega, and already I find myself leaving again.
It’s always been like this since my regression.
Now, I was halfway accustomed to it.
‘…I shouldn’t get used to this kind of thing.’
How did my life become so tumultuous?
It seemed clear that in my previous life, going outside the Sega was implicitly forbidden.
Now, stepping outside was as easy as pie.
As expected.
No matter where I say I’m going now, Father would probably allow it.
What if I just ran away?
‘That can’t be true.’
This is a bit too much.
It’s just the wind.
Flap.
Lost in thought, I turned another page of the letter.
What I was looking at inside the carriage was none other than Dang So-yeol’s letter.
Since it was sent this time, I decided to read it while on the move.
—Your Majesty, how are you?
—I’m not doing well!
For a moment, I thought I misread it.
‘…Why does saying I’m not doing well sound so cheerful?’
That’s just ridiculous.
The letter, like always, was filled with similar content.
I heard news that you were planning to return to Guga, but…
The remark hinted that I couldn’t go because the Poison King was holding me back.
It seems they probably won’t let me go until my funeral day.
‘The Poison King…’
He isn’t someone I’m too familiar with.
If I had to think of it, it might be a bad acquaintance.
In my previous life, the Poison King particularly despised me.
Could it have been because he fell from being a member of the righteous faction to being a mine?
Or maybe he just hated me for no reason.
No matter what it was, my relationship with the Poison King wasn’t very pleasant.
‘So, if possible, I’d prefer to avoid running into him in this life as well.’
Dang So-yeol did mention last time that the Poison King wanted to see me.
If I don’t see him, that should be the end of it.
Surely, he wouldn’t actually come to see me.
‘…It’s already overwhelming with just the Demon Sword Master; the Poison King is a different story.’
Especially since the Poison King is a well-known figure in the dark world.
Many don’t recognize him because he’s from a righteous faction.
However, if one searches a little, it can be easily found that the Tang clan originally belonged to the dark world.
From the get-go, the Tang clan mainly practices poison techniques.
In fact, the martial arts that Dang So-yeol uses also entail ambush-type martial arts using daggers or knives.
Thinking of the Poison King, who has mastered such techniques…
‘…If the Poison King had bad intentions right now, I might die without anyone knowing.’
Of course, the Poison King probably wouldn’t act so recklessly.
It probably wouldn’t happen within the realms of the Sega, but one could never be too sure.
By the time I finished reading the letter, I felt some movement below.
Noticing it, I asked.
“Why are you moving like this?”
“…It’s uncomfortable…”
It was Namgung Bi-ah lying down with her knees tucked under her.
Namgung Bi-ah was riding in my carriage as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Seeing her, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“Isn’t that because you laid down right after eating?”
“…Uh-huh…”
She shook her head, as if denying it.
‘…Hmm.’
Namgung Bi-ah, who had left to dine with Madam Mi, returned before it got too late.
However, judging from her expression, it seemed like something had happened.
No matter how much I asked, she wouldn’t answer.
‘I don’t think she heard any bad news though.’
Something happened, but it didn’t seem to be anything terrible.
What could Madam Mi have called Namgung Bi-ah for?
I was curious.
“Hey.”
“…Huh?”
“Are you really not going to tell me?”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes as if frightened by the question.
It seemed like she was pretending to be asleep.
She isn’t the best at acting, so it really showed.
In the end, since I didn’t like it, I pinched her cheek gently.
I pinched her fairly hard.
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t even grunt.
She probably intended to endure it.
“Anyway…”
Seeing that, I finally reached out and gently patted Namgung Bi-ah’s head.
If she’s not telling me, there must be a reason.
I gazed out the window at the head of the household’s carriage ahead.
Inside, there would probably be my father and Madam Mi.
By the way…
Before departing, Gu Hee-bi had thrown a tantrum, saying she wanted to go to Anhui with us, even if just under the pretense of an escort.
There was even a time when Madam Mi had to grab her ears and drag her away.
Judging by the moistness around her eyes when she returned, it seemed she got scolded enough to almost cry.
‘What did she mean by wanting to follow?’
Even I, who was eavesdropping, was bewildered.
Wouldn’t it be a bit strange if all her relatives were gone?
Especially if they went all the way to Mo Yong-hee?
In the end, Gu Hee-bi decided to stay at the Sega on leave and take care of Gu Yeonseo.
I don’t know about her, but Gu Yeonseo was probably quite satisfied.
‘What will she do now?’
I heard that Mo Yong-hee would accompany us, but I didn’t get the details about what she planned to do.
Apparently, they had already sent a letter to the Namgung clan about it.
‘Namgung clan must be flustered too.’
It was a rather abrupt situation, feeling like Mo Yong clan was interfering with the engagement ceremony of the Gu clan.
Things must be getting interesting.
‘…Once this is over…’
By the time this schedule wraps up, it will probably be early fall.
It’s fall…?
Originally, I intended to search for Wi-seol-ah during this period.
‘It has become a bit ambiguous.’
As much as I revealed my wish to find her.
The situation had grown somewhat unclear.
‘Then…’
What should I do?
Practicing is a given.
I need to use my time more productively.
“It’s tough.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s nothing, just sleep more.”
“Okay…”
Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes again.
I let out a small sigh, looking out the window.
‘First of all, this.’
Getting distracted by other thoughts would be too challenging given my current task at hand.
‘…Engagement.’
I never thought I would actually find myself in this situation.
Yet here it is, right before my eyes.
The fact that I’m even getting engaged is incredible.
Let alone the fact that it’s with the Demon Sword Master.
No, is it inappropriate to call her the Demon Sword Master now?
I consider the woman kneeling with steady breaths beside me.
‘How did it get to this point?’
I never imagined any of this.
I reached out to gently brush Namgung Bi-ah’s hair.
Her silky strands flowed softly under my hand.
By the way, did you know?
That you and I could become like this.
I had no idea.
No, I might have had a vague notion.
On a rainy night…
The day the moon set in my arms.
It was probably only then that I began to have an inkling.
That I held the Demon Sword Master in much higher regard than I realized.
That’s why I thought I shouldn’t get any closer.
I hoped you wouldn’t make that choice again.
A soft sound of breathing filled the air.
She must have plunged into a deeper sleep.
How long has it been since she closed her eyes?
I looked at Namgung Bi-ah and let out a small chuckle.
“It must be nice to be in peace.”
The engagement and all.
Her indifference to it is so typical of her.
But still…
I couldn’t help but think this situation wasn’t necessarily bad.
Inside, I found it a bit amusing.
As time passed, fall was making its presence felt.
Though it was still close to being hot.
I could feel the season shifting from the gentle breeze wafting through.
It would take a while for the leaves to actually begin to fall.
Yet, fall would indeed come.
As it always does.
“Lord, are you tired?”
“Hmm? No. Just deep in thought.”
I nodded slightly at the voice that came to me.
I wondered if my mind being distracted by too many thoughts would ever get better with time.
When I shifted my gaze slightly to the side…
I found eyes that resembled the current sky.
The precious golden gem of the Mo Yong clan.
It was Seolbong and Mo Yong-hee.
Mo Yong-hee had left her family’s carriage and moved into mine.
For reference, Namgung Bi-ah was still half-asleep, as usual.
Initially, I thought Mo Yong-hee didn’t like sharing the ride.
But now it seemed she didn’t care much about it anymore.
…More accurately.
‘It must be because of the heat.’
The heat seemed to be a hassle for Namgung Bi-ah too, so she kept a slight distance from me today.
It might be because I was radiating heat.
In contrast, the carriage where Mo Yong-hee was present possessed a coolness.
Unlike the sweltering weather, it maintained a somewhat chilly atmosphere.
Perhaps that was why Namgung Bi-ah appeared to be quiet.
It would make sense that cold would be preferable to the heat.
Mo Yong-hee smiled slightly as she observed that.
“I noticed you didn’t eat much earlier.”
“Did you notice that again?”
“I’m always watching.”
As she spoke, a small necklace chimed around Mo Yong-hee’s neck.
It was something I had purchased during our last trip.
‘She actually wears it.’
If I sold the earrings that Mo Yong-hee is currently wearing or the fan she always carries around…
I could buy hundreds of necklaces like that.
‘Maybe she prefers things that are less expensive than they appear.’
It could be that she finds them pretty, rather than just being cheap.
Even to me, whose aesthetic sense is practically nil, that necklace did not stand out.
It had an incredibly simplistic design.
“Hmm.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
I said as I forced myself to stretch my stiff body.
Because we would soon arrive.
I stretched a bit and asked Mo Yong-hee.
“Didn’t you mention you had things to do in Anhui?”
“Ah… That’s right. There are things to handle there too. And I have business with the Namgung clan as well.”
“Business?”
“Yes.”
What kind of business could that be?
‘Now that you mention it…’
Weren’t Mo Yong-hee and the Dragon Boy engaged?
I was sure of it from my past life.
‘But not yet?’
That could certainly be the case.
When I first learned of the engagement between Mo Yong-hee and that guy, it had happened right when the terms were about to expire.
It probably took some time until the engagement officially occurred…
‘Wait a sec.’
So, what does that mean?
It’s clear that Mo Yong-hee harbors feelings for me.
She herself has said as much.
The actions she displays reflect that as well.
Then…
‘Liking someone is one thing, but being engaged is another matter, right?’
That seems overly complex, and somewhat superficial, doesn’t it?
It was a thought that struck me as quite challenging to grasp.
Is Seolbong really into that sort of thing?
‘…How could I know?’
I’m not entirely sure, but I have a strong feeling it wasn’t the case.
Reflecting on the past, it also feels like it wasn’t…
Ugh.
‘…I overthought and unnecessarily complicated things.’
As random thoughts flooded my mind, I frowned slightly.
Mo Yong-hee, quite perceptively, brought it up.
“Your Majesty? Is there something really on your mind?”
“It’s nothing. My head just hurts a bit…”
As soon as I mentioned my headache, Mo Yong-hee reached her hand out toward my forehead as if she had been waiting for that moment.
Just as her cool hand was about to touch my forehead—
Snap.
Another hand suddenly appeared to grab Mo Yong-hee’s wrist.
It was Namgung Bi-ah, who I thought was asleep.
“…No.”
“Tch.”
Seeing this, Mo Yong-hee clicked her tongue briefly.
“Demon Sword Master… you were awake?”
“Yeah.”
Namgung Bi-ah replied, sitting up.
What the…
Were you really awake the whole time?
Mo Yong-hee scoffed slightly at this.
“I can’t let my guard down.”
“…Me too…”
Namgung Bi-ah responded, extending her hand toward my forehead.
Perhaps she was attempting to do what Mo Yong-hee had intended to do.
“There doesn’t seem to be a fever, so you don’t have to feel my forehead.”
“…I think you might have a slight fever…”
Of course, I had a fever. I just didn’t mean one brought on by illness.
Namgung Bi-ah appeared to have no intention of letting go; instead, she seemed determined to keep her hand on my forehead.
Ultimately, it was only after I turned my face away that she reluctantly withdrew her hand, looking a bit dissatisfied.
I then brushed my forehead and asked Namgung Bi-ah.
“It’s nice to be back home after a while. Are you okay with it?”
“Hmm…?”
Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head at my question.
It seemed she was pondering its meaning.
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem very fond of her own family.
So, even though it was possible for her to go back, she chose not to and instead remained here in the Gu clan.
Of course, I might be part of the reason she stayed.
But I was confident that wasn’t the entirety of it.
Perhaps Namgung Bi-ah noticed my ambiguous query.
Her eyes widened slightly from their original tilt.
Then, she gave me a soft smile as she answered.
It was a smile that never failed to disarm me.
“…I’m okay now…”
That meant, she wasn’t originally okay in the first place.
What kind of life had Namgung Bi-ah lived?
I couldn’t say for certain.
Moreover, I couldn’t ask about it unless she brought it up herself.
Looking into my eyes, Namgung Bi-ah whispered.
“…Now… it doesn’t scare me as much anymore.”
Her words, softly spoken, somehow resonated with me.
Before I could come up with a response, the coachman interrupted.
—Your Highness, we have arrived.
I closed my mouth in response to the driver’s words.
Oh, and for reference—the coachman isn’t Gu Jeol-yeop.
I would have liked to take him with… but I heard he was caught by the Ilgeomdaeju because of the matter with Gu Seon-mun.
‘Why did they take Muyeon in the process?’
They mentioned that not only Gu Jeol-yeop was taken but even Muyeon had been captured.
I had no idea what was going on.
I intended to ask, but the orders came from the head of the household, so I didn’t pursue the issue.
Clip-clop… Clip-clop.
Gradually, the sound of hooves slowed and faded.
If the horses have started to walk slower, we must be nearing our destination.
I leaned out the window and, indeed, the scenery became clearer in the distance.
“You really came…”
We arrived at Anhui, the center of the Four Great Houses, the representative of countless Sega, and home to the Great Namgung Clan.
As I gazed at the entrance, a thought suddenly struck me.
‘…Did I forget something?’
Something felt off.
I certainly felt like I forgot something essential.
But it didn’t come to mind.
My mind felt foggy and heavy.
My chest felt oddly ticklish without me even realizing it.
“…If I stay still, maybe it will come back to me.”
If it was important, I wouldn’t have forgotten it, to begin with.
I figured it wasn’t anything significant.
‘It couldn’t be something important.’
I just chuckled it off.
Yet, I had overlooked the most crucial thing.
The bad premonition lurking in my mind.
That it was usually never wrong.
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