If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 14

She’d never heard the voice before, but she knew—it was her mother’s. There was no proof, just a feeling.

The moment she opened her eyes with fragile hope, a sack of barley beside her split open, grains spilling over her face.

The shock jolted her back to awareness. Struggling to sit up, the nutty scent of barley filled her nose.

She shoved a handful of raw grains into her mouth, chewing desperately. Thankfully, it rained. She soothed her thirst with water seeping through the wooden walls.

From then on, she felt an odd comfort—as if her mother were with her. The world of darkness and cold wasn’t so bad after all.

Five more days passed before the storeroom door finally opened. Her father, Grand Minister Han, stood there.

He took one look at her—alive, having survived on barley—and called her a stubborn little beast. But strangely, he seemed impressed by her will. Good spirit, weak body, he muttered, then took her on a journey—not for leisure, but for training.

She lost count of how many times she nearly died. Yet, miraculously, each trial was followed by a reward. First, fine silk clothes tailored by her father. Then, his attention. And later, the incident with the wolfhound. Maybe this world rewarded those who clung to life.

After a year, her body had grown strong. Pleased, her father tossed her a wooden sword. Since there are no sons in this house, you’ll learn to protect our family.

She’d wanted to know what it felt like to protect something. The sword gave her that. Of course, noblewomen weren’t allowed to train in swordsmanship, so she practiced in secret.

Luckily, she’d inherited her father’s talent. By thirteen, she was already better than boys her age.

Her style wasn’t bold—it was sharp, agile. She’d never cut anyone, but she was strong enough to defend what she loved.

Lost in thought, she opened her palm. A long scar ran from her lifeline to her artery—a mark from falling while gripping her sword. She’d nearly bled to death that time, too…

Looking back, her life had never been easy. She hoped Jiwoon was right—that if she didn’t give up, the gods would watch over her. If she kept searching, maybe they’d lead her to Geon.

But why had Mu-yeong taken Geon in the first place? And why set such a condition?

“More than that, I’m curious. You said you felt like you’d seen me somewhere, right?”

“Yes. Did I?”

“I’d like you to answer that.”

“……”

“Then I’ll return that dog to you. Alive.”

He’d said he was a busy man, so this couldn’t be for amusement. But she couldn’t guess what he truly wanted.

Just then, Myoyeon appeared. His face, as always, was flawlessly pale as he surveyed the estate.

He handled tasks personally that could’ve been left to servants—proof of how much he cared for this place. His attentiveness to guests suggested a kind heart.

This household must have raised him well.

Yuseol approached him, exchanging light pleasantries—the weather, meals, trivial things.

Then, cautiously, she asked for the location of Mu-yeong’s quarters. She wanted to beg him—just to confirm whether Geon was alive.

Myoyeon, who had always obliged her requests before, now looked troubled.

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose a guest’s whereabouts.”

Yuseol sighed.

“But… he took my dog.”

Myoyeon’s expression tightened—he must have already heard.

“I caught wind of it, but it’s not my place to interfere.”

Even a boy who always said yes couldn’t inconvenience a guest.

Resigned, Yuseol took out the pink norigae she’d found that morning. If it was Mu-yeong’s, maybe Myoyeon would recognize it.

“I found this near my room today. Could you return it to him? And… let him know I’d like to see him?”

Her gaze was earnest. Myoyeon’s brows lifted slightly as he recognized the ornament.

“This is Lord Mu-yeong’s norigae….”

He carefully wrapped it in cloth.

“He must have dropped it while passing by. I’ll deliver it when I see him.”

“Thank you….”

As Myoyeon left, the wind picked up, tousling Yuseol’s loose strands of hair. She absently rubbed her tingling earlobe and stepped out into the courtyard.

But no matter how far she walked, the shadow of the man from last night only grew sharper in her mind.

Something was definitely strange.