Chapter: 594
A day passed.
The night had passed, the sun rose, and it was just past noon.
Yuri was heading to the meeting place, leaving behind the accommodation provided by the upper chamber along with her escort.
It wasn’t a very long distance.
The expression on Yuri’s face was far from pleasant.
Her face was cast in a deep shadow.
She looked utterly exhausted, as if she hadn’t slept at all.
Huff…
A sigh escaped her lips.
She had to plan all night without getting any sleep.
How could she change the mind of the red feather?
That was the only thing occupying her mind.
As a result,
‘Three things…’
She could derive three conclusions.
The contract that the Ice Palace Lord made with Maeng to bring Yuri to this land.
Additionally, she revised what the upper chamber originally intended to support and created conditions that made the other party think, ‘Can we really give it like this?’
The guards tried to dissuade Yuri upon hearing this, but they firmly determined that this step was necessary and pressed on.
‘This is the best.’
At a reasonable level, he would not be swayed by mere offers.
This much had to be done.
Even so, there was a high possibility that this wouldn’t work.
But,
‘Somehow…’
She had to turn his heart around.
That was her only thought.
“Your Highness… Are you really okay?”
Woobeom asked.
Yuri didn’t answer, only nodding slightly.
It wasn’t about whether she was okay; it had to be okay no matter what.
‘I can do this.’
She needed to approach it with that mindset.
Yuri bit her dry lips and gathered her thoughts.
Before long, they arrived at the upper chamber.
The personnel who had been waiting for Yuri’s arrival came out and guided them.
It wasn’t the high-rise building they had talked about yesterday.
It was a floor that looked a little more spacious.
Perhaps, it was a space for others in the upper chamber to hold meetings.
Eventually, they reached a giant door.
Before opening it, Yuri took a moment to collect her breath.
‘Don’t be too scared.’
It seemed she was extremely tense because of yesterday’s events.
Even if her impatience came to light, she had plenty of ways prepared to cover it up.
She kept running the same thoughts through her mind.
She would twist everything to her advantage by any means necessary.
Yuri steeled herself for the task ahead.
Squeak-
The door opened.
“…!!”
Upon witnessing the situation inside, Yuri had to immediately erase all her previous thoughts.
At the end of a wide table sat the master of the upper chamber, Baekhwadanju, who was flanked by women, among them, the Red Feather.
‘…What in the world…?’
Yuri had to force herself to hide her trembling body as she eyed him.
It became clear the moment she opened the door.
The air inside this spacious room felt exceptionally dense and stifling.
The Red Feather, resting his chin on his hand, looked their way.
An overwhelming aura radiated from his body.
And what about his gaze?
Just staring silently, yet Yuri felt it would be impossible to maintain eye contact for long.
Scary.
Terrifying and chilling.
A perfect predator.
The current Red Feather resembled a ravenous beast, while Yuri felt no different from weak prey.
“You’ve arrived.”
The Red Feather greeted her.
“…”
His voice was no different from yesterday’s, but for some reason, it carried a sticky undertone.
That sensation gradually wrapped around Yuri’s body, leaving her feeling suffocated.
Something was off.
“Come, sit down.”
Yuri must have sensed it, but when she did…
“I found myself with many questions for you last night.”
It was already quite late.
The conversation didn’t extend for long after that.
To be honest, it was hard to even label it as a conversation.
Whenever Yuri spoke unilaterally, the others simply listened.
“…So, if you establish a contract to treat me, I will provide you with exclusive trading rights with the North Sea…”
“Lady Princess.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I believe we need a clear identification for the person receiving treatment. Who exactly are you referring to?”
“…The Lord of the Ice Palace.”
“Understood.”
While discussing, Mrs. Mi handled most of the dialogue, leaving Yuri with little choice but to observe.
Having broken the mask she once wore, Yuri demonstrated a personality that was entirely different from before.
To put it bluntly, in terms of appearance and demeanor, she now felt much closer to Mo Yong-hee.
However, I would argue that Mo Yong-hee might be just a touch more impressive.
Perhaps that’s just my own bias, assuming the arm bends inward.
“I have a question.”
“Speak freely.”
“First off, I really like all the terms proposed. However…”
I nodded inwardly at Mrs. Mi’s response.
Sure, the terms were enticing.
Exclusive trading rights with the Ice Palace that had previously been obstructed by the relationship between Maeng and Bukhae.
Furthermore, upon completion of the task, a substantial sum of payment and three valuable items would be offered to the Ice Palace.
Moreover, the terms that Yuri provided were so absurdly favorable they felt suspicious.
Yet, the most significant issue remained unaddressed.
“How can you not address the security guarantees or the current situation in the North Sea?”
“…”
Yuri bit her lip at Mrs. Mi’s inquiry.
This was the crux of the matter.
Even if they offered such fantastic terms, no matter how generous they attempted to be…
‘There’s uncertainty about whether they can actually deliver.’
In a situation where trust is lacking, it all boils down to mere words.
If this had arisen yesterday, disregarding any hints about the Ice Palace, I might have felt inclined to accept it outright.
But…
“Isn’t it different now?”
It was now common knowledge that something was amiss within the Ice Palace.
To complicate matters, it was the current ruler, the Ice Palace Lord, who was encountering issues.
With such circumstances, who would entertain a request after hearing empty assurances? That’s absurd.
“…You’re right.”
Yuri readily acknowledged the truth.
But if Mrs. Mi or I hadn’t brought it to attention, they would likely have glossed over it.
I don’t view that negatively.
It was simply an essential aspect of business discussions.
“I recognize your concerns, but… if only the princess’s situation improves…”
“That’s just speculation. It doesn’t guarantee protection if there’s a failure or an error during the process.”
Yuri desired nothing else.
To head to the North Sea, treat the Ice Palace Princess, and return.
Mrs. Mi sharply blocked this intention.
The reasoning was straightforward.
‘It deviated from what was originally discussed.’
Letters received through Maeng indicated that the plan was to send the princess for treatment.
Now, however, the need for direct action in the North Sea arose, presenting an issue.
‘Ultimately, the initial goal might have been the same.’
To confirm whether Yuri could indeed heal her.
Once it was verified that treatment would succeed, they would have tried to take her to the North Sea with certain conditions attached.
At that point, they’d likely omit any mention of the North Sea being in peril.
And,
‘This situation was something Maeng would remain oblivious to.’
That’s a given.
The precarious state of the North Sea could have been construed as fulfilling the conditions for invasion.
Though Maeng might not adopt an aggressive stance,
From the viewpoint of the Ice Palace, this could amount to significant danger.
It’s evident that discussions would have soaked into different topics.
That implies:
The peril of information, where a misstep could turn the very organization of Maeng into enemies.
Additionally, the idea of traveling to a foreign and perilous land while being presented with uncertain conditions.
Both of these dangers were converging.
“There are simply too many issues for me to accept the princess’s request.”
“I’ve prepared a secure route for safe travel. Thus, concerning safety…”
“If you had such a route, how come there was any fighting?”
Kwak.
Yuri clenched her fist upon hearing Mrs. Mi’s statement.
The injuries sustained by the escort became a point of contention here.
Mrs. Mi’s eyes turned frosty as she observed Yuri’s reaction.
It was over.
Mrs. Mi’s verdict was final, and it didn’t bode well.
I quickly glanced to the side.
Mo Yong-hee was seated next to me, and her expression was no different.
She, too, seemed disinterested.
It signified that they viewed this as inconsequential chatter.
Regardless of the potential gains, it was a request that didn’t warrant acceptance when factoring in the circumstances.
This would have been the same even had I originally learned of it.
Hmm.
Sighing as I observed the situation, I recognized that things had shifted.
It appeared I needed to step in now.
“This discussion is—.”
“I have a question.”
I interrupted just as Mrs. Mi was about to conclude.
However, for some inexplicable reason, when I opened my mouth, Yuri flinched.
What was that about?
Gazing at her in confusion.
Swish.
I felt a touch on my fingertips.
It was Dang So-yeol’s hand.
“…Master, your energy is too strong.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I realize the truth of her statement.
I’d been applying pressure without intending to, causing it to leak uncontrollably.
With her words in mind, I exerted control over my energy.
Hoooh—!
A breeze gently swirled within the space. I converged my energy into a pinpoint and allowed it to disperse out the window.
Hoo… hoo…
Yuri then released a breath.
She seemed rather suffocated.
Was that why she had been so attentive to me?
‘I hadn’t meant to deliberately impose.’
It was honestly not intentional.
I was simply that provoked.
Observing Yuri, who seemed weary, I inquired,
“What’s the current situation with the Ice Palace? Please explain that first.”
“…That is…”
“Don’t mix in irrelevant personal details; it’ll derail the conversation.”
Yuri promptly complied with my terse warning.
“There are three major clans in the North Sea.”
Unlike yesterday, she was back to using formalities again.
Presumably to clarify her position.
Three families that oversee their respective territories.
In the North Sea, they refer to these families as noble clans.
“These families consist of warriors who have safeguarded the bloodline and defended the Ice Palace for generations.”
“Hmm.”
The four great families that formed an alliance with Maeng and became part of the righteous faction… No, unlike the three major clans, this faction seemed wholly dedicated to protecting the Ice Palace.
“…One of the families has revolted and raised arms against the Ice Palace.”
Upon hearing this, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
The North Sea is an entirely different realm compared to the West.
While the Maeng continuously replaced warriors in power after the lord’s ascension,
The Ice Palace operated on a lineage-based succession model.
This implied a complete monarchy.
But, displaying hostility towards the palace itself was outright treasonous.
“Is that treason?”
“…Yes.”
It surely must mean they had intentions of seizing the throne.
Here’s the dilemma.
“It’s rather puzzling that there was a rebellion in only one area, not all three. What triggered this?”
If the three clans united, that’d be one thing.
But to think they couldn’t even suppress a rebellion from just one clan was baffling.
Yuri explained,
“…Those who instigated the rebellion are responsible for most of the power.”
I frowned at her words.
“You’re saying that the power lies concentrated within a single family?”
What kind of absurdity was that?
It was an outrageous claim.
Her statement suggested that the current military force and power structure in North Sea were under the control of just one family.
“And even after carrying out such an audacious act, the royal authority has not been challenged until now?”
It’s peculiar that royal authority remained intact despite centralizing power in one house.
It was a scenario where a rebellion could have erupted at any moment, not just now.
Power tends to breed desire for more power at any opportunity.
But, somehow, the Ice Palace maintained its lineage throughout generations.
How was that even possible?
When I posed this question, Yuri replied:
“The Ice Palace must endure for the North Sea to endure.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“…I can’t elaborate on that.”
She gulped down the critical information.
Should I press further? I contemplated, but ultimately decided against it.
If something couldn’t be said at this stage, it was certainly significant.
‘What really matters isn’t that.’
How does the royal authority of the Ice Palace hold up?
I couldn’t care less about it.
Who cares?
None of that was of any importance to me.
What’s crucial now is…
“Next, I’m going to ask about this.”
I pulled out the letter I received yesterday and showed it to Yuri.
“What’s your relationship to the person who sent this to me?”
“…?”
Yuri’s expression shifted at my question.
Her face conveyed, “Why do you care about that?”
So I added,
“Is the owner of this letter currently involved with matters in the North Sea?”
“…!”
Yuri’s eyes widened upon hearing that.
Hope flickered in her gaze.
I think I understand that feeling.
She grasped the underlying implications of my words.
I was the one who sent that letter.
It indicated that I had a substantial concern about Namgungbia.
That was what I aimed to inquire—whether the current crisis enveloping the Ice Palace was linked to that.
Thus, it was likely that Yuri thought.
“If I leverage this, I might be able to manipulate him.”
Perhaps she even considered I might reveal a weakness.
Aware of her intentions, I proceeded to speak.
There was a single reason for that.
Now was not the time to consider such trivialities.
Yuri gauged my reaction and said,
“Let’s discuss that aspect separately…”
“I’ll warn you beforehand.”
It felt like she was inching toward something transactional here.
So, I preemptively stated,
“Don’t even think about using this to toy with me.”
I released my inner strength and began releasing energy.
Energy surged explosively through my veins.
A piercing pain throbbed within me, as my wounds had yet to heal.
I disregarded it.
My spirit unleashed from within.
Whoooooo—!!
The room filled with an overwhelming aura, potent with intent and malice, far surpassing anything I had ever emitted before.
“Ugh…!”
Yuri’s body, affected by my energy, became rigid.
Clank—!
Instantly, the guards beside her shifted into a protective stance to shield Yuri.
Swish.
Seongyul’s blade was poised at Wooseok’s neck.
Dang So-yeol had already come to stand before Woobeom.
“I currently lack a great deal of patience.”
I’m suppressing the urge to bolt out at any second.
I had to keep my strength in check, lest my body acted on its own.
If I didn’t, it felt like I might just seize Yuri by the neck in an instant.
With a forced smile, I prompted,
“Answer me accurately. This is your last chance.”
Otherwise.
The Star of the North Sea would perish at my hands today.
This was no idle threat.
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