Hwarin might die.
No matter how much of a Hwarin she is, controlling the poison of the Human-Faced Beast and the Thousand Year Old Poison within her body to create a poisonous substance could be impossible. Her whole body could melt into a handful of poison.
This could be our last conversation, so speak without regret. The head of the guard unit grimly informed me of this brutal fact.
After struggling hard, I finally obtained the poisonous substance from the Human-Faced Beast, and now it could all go to waste. If it were anyone else, they would have fallen into despair, but I had one method left.
‘To save Hwarin, I need to kiss her.’
It’s not because Hwarin is a princess who has fallen into a deep sleep and can’t wake up, nor is it because of a curse that turns her into an animal.
Hwarin’s body might not be able to withstand the two spirits’ poison. So, wouldn’t it be just a matter of finding a way to make it bearable?
After contemplating a solution, I recalled the conversation from the night I parted ways with Sohee.
One Cheon Gi-ja said that during the Seong Family incident, thanks to Yoon Ho’s genuine feelings, the energy of the Reverse Heaven’s Decree transferred to me. He said there wouldn’t be any surge of vitality for a while.
The kiss I tried to use to bring Sohee back to her senses. Yes, I had a solution.
‘I successfully subdued the killing intent of the Heavenly Killing Star within Sohee with a kiss.’
Only I have the power to save the women with tragic fates in this world.
‘It’s worth a try.’
My ability of the Reverse Heaven’s Decree made Hwarin’s body capable of withstanding the poison. If I could temporarily grant her a greater ability through a kiss, wouldn’t that be beneficial?
I, filled with questions, asked the head of the guard unit once more.
“One, is it possible that even if I successfully create the poisonous substance, Hwarin could still die because she can’t withstand the poison?”
“One, creating a poisonous substance means that all the poison in her body would be under her control. If you can create the poisonous substance, then there’s nothing to worry about anymore.”
So, I just need to make sure she can withstand the poison when creating the substance, huh?
That’s a challenge worth attempting. I had already rejected a destiny written by heaven with a kiss. It’d be even easier to reject a destiny crafted by mere humans.
But there was one really big problem.
“Will Hwarin even allow me to kiss her?”
Tang ‘The Iron Wall’ Hwarin.
Does Hwarin have any romantic feelings for me? That’s a tough question. Do I really need to ponder whether she has romantic feelings for me?
Of course, Hwarin doesn’t dislike me. I can say this with certainty. There’s likely even a fondness. But whether that fondness is strong enough for her to lean in for a kiss is a whole other question.
Living with Hwarin, there were indeed positive signals that could lead one to mistakenly think there were budding romantic feelings. But her peculiarities cannot be overlooked.
Hwarin has never had any real friends in her life, let alone a boyfriend. Since I’m her first friend, maybe she hasn’t been able to establish that kind of distance.
‘It should be fine, right?’
I’m not sure, but I feel like I won’t get rejected. No idea. For me, this is harder than standing before martial arts masters and risking my life.
“So how am I even supposed to kiss her?”
Fortunately, I’ve kissed two people in my life. But I’d say I was the one who was forced into it both times.
How on earth am I supposed to ask Hwarin for a kiss?
Time is of the essence, and a kiss must be exchanged. There’s hardly any time to set the mood. Wait, how do I even set the mood?
“Let’s kiss.”
In the end, my decision after all that pondering was as straightforward as a newbie’s approach.
I feel like I’m going to die.
That’s how I felt before meeting Kang Yoon-ho while Hwarin lay unconscious.
When I opened my eyes, it felt like being forcefully dragged up from a swamp. Even after regaining consciousness, my entire body felt like it was smeared with mud, the unpleasant sensation of being unwashed lingering.
Despite the unpleasant feeling, I couldn’t complain.
I lost control of the energy and poison flowing through my body and fainted in despair thinking this was the end. The fact that I could open my eyes again was nothing short of a miracle.
“Just barely, but I woke up at a good time. If I want to survive, I need to transform the poison from the Human-Faced Beast into a poisonous substance today. Everyone will do their best to help.”
Of course, to keep this miracle alive, another miracle was necessary.
If I’m having a hard time with the Thousand Year Old Poison, how can I combat the poison from the Human-Faced Beast? Could my own body really handle that? I couldn’t shake that nagging thought.
Did Hwarin feel my despair? The head of the guard unit finished explaining and relayed some important news.
“Kang Yoon-ho has put everything on the line for you. So you must live.”
The guard unit members chimed in one after another.
“You should have heard the words he spoke in front of the Elders’ Council while risking his life.”
“I felt a weight lift from my heart.”
The head of the guard unit and the members continuously praised Yoon-ho for how much he had worked for Hwarin.
As Hwarin listened to the praise for Yoon-ho with a happy heart, a shocking piece of news sent all the unpleasantness and despair that had invaded her body flying away.
“When Kang Yoon-ho said in front of the head of the guard unit, ‘I want to protect my woman,’ I thought the protagonist of The Rise of the Tang Family was really Kang Yoon-ho.”
Huh?
Huh?
“What did you just say?”
Hwarin asked again, shocked that she might have misheard. The guard unit members explained the situation in detail, all while wearing broad smiles.
“Before everyone, giving up his rights as a successor to save his woman, is that really what love looks like?”
“To say Hwarin is my woman in front of the Tang Family head and Elders’ Council….”
She had indeed not misheard.
My woman. He called her my woman in front of everyone. Yoon-ho did! That dense Kang Yoon-ho! He called her my woman!
Hwarin’s face suddenly turned bright red.
“What an idiot. What on earth did he do?”
Though she cursed him, she couldn’t help but suppress her laughter.
“He’s completely blocking my chance of marriage.”
At this point, there was no other option but to marry him. Hwarin fidgeted with her fingers, feeling flustered.
I feel like I’m going to die.
To have said my woman in front of everyone makes me want to die from embarrassment.
Yoon-ho said I’m his woman. I feel like I’m going to die from happiness.
I could die soon. But I feel so elated it’s worth facing that death.
The guard members secretly smiled at Hwarin’s grumbling demeanor.
—————
Yoon-ho is about to walk in.
Hwarin could hear the voice of Yoon-ho she wanted to meet from behind the door.
“I came because I want to protect my woman.”
What the actual heck? That’s so cool. Hwarin couldn’t stop picturing how the tall Kang Yoon-ho would confidently introduce her as my woman in front of everyone.
‘No, this is really bad for my heart.’
How would Yoon-ho act when he comes in?
Would he just hug me and say, “Hwarin, you’re my woman?” Hwarin couldn’t suppress her enthusiasm thinking of what was about to unfold.
So embarrassing. But I want to keep imagining it. How should I respond if Yoon-ho looks at me with affectionate eyes? Hwarin found herself deep in thought.
‘I’ve suffered so much emotionally until now. I can’t easily agree. Huh, so maybe I should pretend to push him away a little… Nope, then he might run away. No, that would make it seem too easy, right? No, still… ugh.’
My head is too complicated. I can’t control my laughter. I can’t contain my joy. But still, I want to see Yoon-ho’s face.
I have to meet him soon. First, I need to manage my expression.
Hwarin decided to mutter the martial arts incantation the masters of the Tang Family had taught her to stabilize her expression.
Soon Yoon-ho walked in, and Hwarin opened her eyes slightly, trying not to let him notice.
‘It’s been a while since we met. Where’s he looking?’
Hwarin felt a hint of wanting to say something, but then she straightened up. If he wants to look, he can.
The waterfall of majestic fabric came crashing down to the ground.
Kang Yoon-ho tried to suppress a breath of awe, but she couldn’t miss it, not with all the attention fixed on him.
Receiving his admiration and gaze, Hwarin felt her confidence surge.
‘I want to hear Yoon-ho’s confession.’
Soon, she would have to swallow the poisonous substance from the Human-Faced Beast Yoon-ho had prepared for her. She couldn’t predict what was about to happen next. Hwarin steeled herself, thinking of what lay ahead.
Let’s start the conversation with grown-up eyes, talking about that unpleasant dream.
I’m going to listen to Yoon-ho’s confession.
————————
“Let’s kiss.”
That was not the confession Hwarin had expected.
What on earth is Yoon-ho talking about? Hwarin frantically spun her mind trying to understand.
Who?
Kang Yoon-ho.
What’s he saying?
A kiss.
What on earth is this?
Hwarin had not envisioned this scenario at all. Yoon-ho would have said, “You’re my woman,” to which she’d respond, “Who said I’m your woman?” then, after lightly pushing him away, if he showed any hint of retreating, she would latch onto him.
‘Is it not Yoon-ho?’
No, when I just pinched my cheek, it felt like Yoon-ho’s skin. Caught off guard by this unexpected declaration, Hwarin had no choice but to entertain an even more unpredictable thought.
‘Yoon-ho, this is way too sudden.’
They should have shared their feelings, built up affection, dined together, held hands, and whispered sweet nothings in a secluded spot…
‘It’s not like we haven’t done any of that.’
Even living together. In the same room, at that. Hwarin suddenly realized that the only thing left to do now was to kiss.
“Hwarin…”
While Hwarin was lost in thought, Yoon-ho’s face was gradually approaching her.
Is he really going to do it?
“W-wait!”
Hwarin, trembling in voice, pushed Yoon-ho’s face away with both palms.
While she felt she could just pull his face towards her, with every push, her disappointment deepened. Even if it felt like a wasting opportunity, she couldn’t help it.
“I’m sorry.”
Kang Yoon-ho’s complexion began to darken as he felt embarrassed for being rejected.
“Ah, no, it’s not that!”
Hwarin quickly denied Yoon-ho’s thoughts.
“Then?”
‘I want to hear first.’
Hwarin thought while gazing at the confused Yoon-ho.
“Yoon-ho, answer me.”
“Uh?”
Even if we were to do it, I want to hear it first. I must hear it.
“How do you, uh, what do you think of me?”
She wanted to hear Yoon-ho’s confession.
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