Chapter: 394
Mihyoran loved to dream.
Unlike the mess everything had become now, the worlds she visited in her dreams reflected a bright and splendid time.
Sure, the nightmares she occasionally had were excruciating and painful, but still, those dreams mirrored her happiest moments.
On the other hand, she sometimes felt that the dreams were sad.
The dreams, which displayed only those joyful moments she could no longer experience, left her feeling dazed and deeply nostalgic after waking up.
It was the same even now.
Mihyoran knew she was dreaming. There was no way she wouldn’t know.
The fact that a friend she could no longer see stood so clearly in front of her could only pertain to the realm of dreams, after all.
– It’s a flower, it’s a flower!
– Gyaaaah! It’s a bee!
– Hyoran! Biyeon is running away!
– Cheonhee! Put that down!
…
Honestly, it didn’t seem like a scene she truly wanted to witness. Mihyoran suddenly became aware of that.
Even so, she didn’t avert her gaze.
– Hyoran?
In a situation that resembled a battlefield, a white-haired woman approached her with a smile.
It was a smile that was radiant no matter how many times you saw it.
Even Mihyoran, known for her cold and even ruthless demeanor, felt something frozen inside her melt a little upon seeing that child’s smile.
That kid had a charm about her.
Perhaps that was why the man smiled at her too.
– Hyoran! This is a flower!
Who else could smile so joyfully while presenting something that was clearly not an ordinary flower? Given Mihyoran’s personality, it was hard to comprehend.
Mihyoran first accepted the flower she boldly offered her.
Someone watched the exchange with a frown.
– Miss Mi! That’s poisonous! Throw it away right now!
She was a cold-looking beauty dressed in a light blue uniform with black hair.
Despite having an appearance that seemed as cold as frost, her personality was the total opposite—a fiery woman.
Baekbong Mo Yongbiyeon. That was her name.
At Mo Yong-bi Yeon’s warning, the white-haired woman swiftly turned and headed in that direction. Upon seeing this, Mo Yong-bi Yeon screamed and started to flee.
– That girl must be crazy! No! Leave the bee behind!
– It’s a flower!
– I know, so don’t come here!
Watching this, Mihyoran covered her face with a fan and chuckled.
It seemed like a childish act, yet such antics brought a strange comfort to her.
Thinking this way, Mihyoran looked down at her hands.
In her hand rested an unknown white flower. The white-haired woman had given it to her, and Mo Yong-bi Yeon insisted it was poisonous and urged her to throw it away.
Mihyoran knew perfectly well that this flower wasn’t poisonous. She was sure that the child wouldn’t give her something harmful.
Gently, she tucked the flower into her embrace and pondered.
– I’ll have to find out the name of this flower later.
Maybe it was simply because she had taken a particular liking to flowers.
She experienced a fleeting thought that maybe she would try growing it later if the time was right.
After that, Mihyoran silently absorbed the scene before her.
A completely clear sky and an expanse of open forest. The rare sight of butterflies fluttering and the sounds of insects buzzing harmoniously through the woods.
Would people believe it if she told them that this immensely peaceful scene was a ‘Demon Realm’?
Certainly not.
Nothing mattered much, aside from the fact that even Mihyoran herself couldn’t bring herself to believe it.
Could this truly be the Demon Realm that so many feared?
Though she questioned how she ended up in a place like this, she found comfort and did not worry excessively about her situation.
That’s how things had been back then.
Was it because she was young, or perhaps because she didn’t care about anything as long as she was with them?
From Mihyoran’s current perspective, it was likely closer to the latter.
No matter what occurred, she figured everything would be just fine as long as she was with them.
It was a moment when she was caught up in a reckless romanticism that was completely at odds with her personality. Ironically, she longed for those days so much that she kept dreaming of them.
That realization made her feel a tinge of sadness.
Knowing full well that it was a sight she could never see again made it even more sorrowful.
Mihyoran also understood now.
That the moment she was currently experiencing was indeed a dream.
That’s why she struggled to capture every detail with her eyes.
Because she hoped it would provide her with a little joy for the days that lay ahead.
As she reflected this way, the white-haired woman who had been chasing after Mo Yong-bi Yeon approached Mihyoran.
– Hyoran.
She called out to her.
With flowing white hair and eyes like gemstones in shades close to pink, she was captivating.
– Are you happy?
Mihyoran flinched at the woman’s words. Her reflection in the other’s eyes appeared baffled.
– What…
– As long as Hyoran is happy, that’s all that matters. Are you happy, Hyoran?
Is it even possible to hear something like this in a dream?
As a strange sensation washed over her, Mihyoran realized she had no answer to offer.
The question, “Are you happy?”
She could at least say no, but it was much harder to grasp what happiness really was.
What was happiness?
A question she often contemplated recently; maybe that’s why it found its way into her dreams.
And curiously enough, it came from her own friend.
Mihyoran didn’t speak, but after a moment of reflection, she responded.
– I’m trying to be happy.
Then, she asked a question in return.
– Were you happy?
The woman smiled at Mihyoran’s words. However, no answer followed.
Mihyoran was aware.
She wouldn’t provide an answer.
Ultimately, this world existed merely as a memory that Mihyoran had wouldfully brought forth simply to see her.
The white-haired woman spoke to Mihyoran, who was trying to erase her regrets and re-engage with the world.
– It’s not your fault, Hyoran. So, it’s alright to be happy.
– …!
Mihyoran stiffened at her words.
There was something about it that felt oddly out of place for a dream.
Just as Mihyoran was about to reach out her trembling hand to the woman.
[Your Majesty.]
A distant voice wormed its way into Mihyoran’s ears.
At that moment.
Mihyoran had no choice but to awaken from her dream.
When Mihyoran opened her eyes, the first thing to greet her was the dark ceiling.
It seemed the night had yet to end. Mihyoran confirmed this as she slowly sat up.
“…”
Even immediately after waking, Mihyoran’s eyes were clear. This was a facade resulting from her constant desire to appear composed.
Even if turmoil raged within, the outside had to remain sharp.
It was one of the solid rules of the sect that governed those at the top.
Mihyoran rose and shook her head slightly to gather her thoughts.
‘… What kind of dream was that?’
She was sure she’d had some dream, but what it was eluded her. It certainly felt like an important dream…
Regret flooded her unexpectedly, but Mihyoran made an effort to forget it as she turned her gaze to the side.
“What’s going on?”
Next to her, a man dressed in black and wearing a mask was kneeling on one knee before her.
It was Mujin, her escort.
“… A guest has arrived.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes.”
Mihyoran frowned at Mujin’s response.
For a guest to arrive at such a late hour meant they were rude and had come without notice.
Such individuals were among the types Mihyoran despised the most, as they placed little value on planning.
Still, the reason Mihyoran didn’t get upset was that Mujin had woken her despite knowing everything.
If he had known it was rude, he could’ve handled it himself.
If he went out of his way to wake her up just to announce a guest, it meant that the guest was important to Mihyoran.
Knowing this, she chose not to say anything further.
“Where’s the guest?”
“… They’re waiting outside.”
After nodding at Mujin’s words, Mihyoran stepped outside.
She needed to confirm who the guest was after composing herself.
‘Who could it be?’
Someone who would visit her at this hour.
Several names came to mind, but none of them were individuals Mujin would allow through.
Knowing this left Mihyoran with lingering questions.
Who on earth could be seeking her out?
Creak.
Mihyoran stepped out the door.
The first thing she noticed was a lake. A small lake accompanying her lodgings provided by the guesthouse.
The lake mirrored the full moon hanging in the sky.
What a delightful sight, Mihyoran thought.
Just as she observed the scenery, she noticed someone else staring at the lake along with her.
“…Ah?”
Immediately reacting upon confirming it, Mihyoran displayed her surprise.
The figure was somewhat obscured by shadows, but she recognized her.
“Ahaha.”
The person who realized that Mihyoran recognized her burst into laughter.
Her signature bubbly and bright laugh.
“Er… how?”
Once she heard that, Mihyoran felt even more certain.
That person was undoubtedly someone she knew.
Taken aback by Mihyoran’s rarely flustered voice, the other person awkwardly scratched her cheek as she approached.
As the shadow that had covered her figure receded, her identity was revealed.
She was a woman clad in a light blue uniform, her black hair cascading gracefully.
Being born a martial artist, she didn’t show much sign of aging compared to Mihyoran, who was an ordinary girl.
In a way, that feeling evoked both envy and nostalgia in Mihyoran.
“Your Majesty.”
“…”
The title that hadn’t graced her ears in over a decade made Mihyoran’s pupils tremble.
“It’s been a long time.”
At the awkward greeting, Mihyoran’s shoulders stiffened.
The woman, visibly tense, looked at Mihyoran that way.
A member of the Mo Yong clan, a past rival as well as a close friend who had once loved the same man.
It was the White Lotus Sword, Mo Yongbiyeon.
Mo Yong-bi Yeon gazed at Mihyoran, who seemed so frozen.
“Can we talk for a bit?”
Her voice had a somewhat apprehensive tremor.
Mihyoran gazed at her, remaining silent before she nodded slightly.
Thus, the two entered the dwelling.
“Sorry.”
An apology rang out while I was casually eating breakfast.
I grabbed a handful of dumplings and looked at the person presenting me with an apple.
A woman donned in a black martial arts uniform with shoulder-length black hair stood before me.
It was Peng Ah-Hee.
“Oh my…?”
“… Apologies for interrupting your meal. Can you finish up and then talk to me…?”
I hastily chewed and swallowed what was in my mouth before I questioned her again.
“What’s going on? Why the sudden apology?”
I couldn’t help but wonder why she was here, unexpectedly paying me a visit on a morning like this. Peng Ah-Hee avoided my gaze and explained.
“I heard… there was an issue between you and our master.”
“Oh.”
Was she referring to yesterday?
It seems like she was talking about the friction with Lord Pang from the Hanam district last night…
Despite hearing the reasoning, I tilted my head in confusion.
“It wasn’t something that involved me, was it?”
If there was an issue, it had happened with Gu Yeonseo. If something went wrong, it was with the Baekryeongeom.
Still, I had no problems on my end.
Despite my reply, Peng Ah-Hee continued with an uneasy expression.
“I also apologized to the lady… I’m sorry.”
It seemed she’d also gone to see Gu Yeonseo.
Was Peng Ah-Hee the one cleaning up after her father, King Do-wang? Just looking at this.
‘This girl seems fine… but what’s with the old man?’
It was quite astonishing how the King possessed such a temperament while his children appeared to be relatively normal.
In my view, Peng Ah-Hee seemed the closest to sane.
Peng Woo-jin was… at least he wasn’t outright abnormal, but he certainly didn’t have the temperament of someone like King Do-wang.
Reflecting on that, I said to Peng Ah-Hee.
“Once again, you don’t need to apologize to me.”
“… Okay.”
Even with my reassurance, Peng Ah-Hee still didn’t look pleased, but what could I do?
“He’s normally not like this. He has just been in poor condition lately.”
She cast her words as if defending him.
Inwardly, I shared her sentiment.
To my memory, when the story of the engagement fallout came up between the Gu and Pang clans, if the King had reacted with his usual temperament, there would’ve been chaos; yet it seemed to have been resolved amicably.
There seemed to be an issue brewing lately.
‘I’m not particularly curious about that.’
After all, it was none of my business, given it was family affairs.
All I could do was ensure that friction would not happen again.
‘If I find myself involved in this again, I might get a bit annoyed.’
Having had my fair share of encounters with such personalities.
I knew well enough that I couldn’t hold my temper in check for long. If I got involved with King Do-wang for more than a little time, I’d find myself chomping on him without realizing it.
Even so, it was undoubtedly going to be awkward if the heads of the four factions triggered a spat with one another.
If I couldn’t stick to my patience, it would be best to steer clear.
In that light, I could very well deem King Do-wang as a bit of a nuisance.
Because as a rule, you avoid shit since it’s dirty.
“Don’t mind it, just eat.”
“…”
“Looking at you, it’s obvious you’ve skipped a meal.”
“I can skip a meal…”
“Keep that up, and you might just collapse. Sit and eat quickly.”
This came from a place of sincerity. I’ve seen too many people who didn’t fill their stomachs and unexpectedly met their ends.
If you have the chance to eat, it’s plain foolish not to take it.
Seeing her hesitate, my companions Dang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah pulled Peng Ah-Hee down to sit.
By the way, Namgung Bi-ah was still snoozing away in her room.
And at that point, Mo Yong-hee hadn’t shown up yet.
‘I should be checking in on her soon too.’
Now would be the time to stir some life into Mo Yong-hee. She would surely know better, so wouldn’t she eventually come looking for me?
…Unless she doesn’t.
‘Should I go find her?’
Honestly, I really didn’t want to do that. Even if I went, it was likely that Baekcheon Sword Master would be glued to her side.
Thinking of that made a sigh escape me.
‘Why are all these old farts so eager to pester me?’
There seemed to be this collective anxiety among the leaders of the four major clans, all eager to sink their teeth into me.
While Namgung Jin had a different definition of ‘eager,’ Baekcheon Sword Master was genuinely desperate to catch me, and King Do-wang’s gaze was anything but normal.
In that context.
‘At least the Poison King…’
He appeared to be a comparatively decent individual.
When I thought of it that way, it made Dang So-yeol look a little different.
Sure, her taste and eyes were a bit peculiar, but she was otherwise fitting within the bounds of what I’d consider normal, like Peng Ah-Hee.
Just as I was starting to nod my head at that thought, Dang So-yeol seemingly caught onto my train of thought and began to speak.
“Oh, by the way, Your Highness.”
“… Huh?”
I pulled my attention back, startled as if I’d caught myself tripping.
Dang So-yeol was grinning brightly. It was her usual demeanor.
“I have something to discuss regarding the Sacheon travel plan.”
Oh, is this about the Sacheon Plan? That’s a relief.
It was about time to address that. Just as I was about to respond, she continued.
“As a result, my father would like to meet you. Would today work for you?”
“…”
I found myself at a loss for words upon hearing Dang So-yeol’s statement. The father she was referring to was none other than the Poison King.
…The Poison King wants to meet with me?
An unsettling chill gripped me at that thought.
Dang So-yeol continued on.
“They said they would prepare lunch for us! They’ll find a good place to eat!”
“…Ah…”
The Poison King was preparing to provide me with a meal.
While not a single odd word passed, a wave of anxiety washed over me for some inexplicable reason, possibly due to his moniker.
Surely, I must be mistaken.
It ‘had’ to be that way.
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