If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 16

He removed his robe, as if feeling hot. Frowning slightly, he wiped the sweat from his brow with the crumpled fabric. His gat, disproportionate to his small face, tilted slightly, revealing his sharp features. For a moment, he resembled a cold, fierce work of art come to life.

Her heart pounded again. This time, she couldn’t explain why. As if taunting her restless emotions, the mist cleared completely.

Their eyes met. She couldn’t be sure, but it felt that way.

The heat of his gaze pierced the distance, searing her chest with a prickling intensity.

Just hiding behind a tree and watching him was making her feel strange. Unconsciously, she pressed a hand to her burning ear and gripped the tree anxiously.

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over her. As if she had been trapped in a tiny world, staring at him like this for an eternity. A vague sadness began to spread. She didn’t know if she was really losing her mind. Before she spiraled further, she needed to approach him.

As if pushed by the fierce wind sweeping across the river, Yuseol took a step forward, smoothing her wind-tossed hair.

He resumed painting. While the scenery—the sky, clouds, camellias, and cliffs—was radiant, he seemed to be looking at something else. The tendons in his sturdy neck stood out. His gaze, fixed intently, landed exactly where Yuseol stood.

His brushstrokes quickened. His long, narrow eyes narrowed further before slowly closing. A low sigh escaped his slightly parted lips. Creak, creak—the easel began to shake urgently.

The sight and sound of the man before her invaded her senses. Each time she tried to push it away, it returned, marking its territory before plunging deeper, rougher.

She exhaled sharply, feeling as though she were floating in midair. Shivers raced up her spine without pause—a dangerous, terrifying sensation.

At that moment, the brush moving relentlessly snapped. The swaying easel gradually stilled.

He examined the broken brush before taking a few steps and disappearing into the mist. Left alone, Yuseol stood frozen.

They had definitely locked eyes just moments ago. For him to walk away so casually was bewildering. Had she imagined it all?

Yuseol began to follow him. If she missed this chance, she might have to wait days for another.

Then, she paused in front of the canvas he had left behind. She couldn’t resist her curiosity—what had he painted?

The mist that had drifted so eerily before her slowly dissipated. As her vision cleared, she tried to guess what the painting depicted. Perhaps the entire landscape here? Or maybe a sunset sky?

In an instant, her sight sharpened. Something entirely unexpected was clearly rendered on the canvas—a lifeless, enormous camellia tree. Its withered, skeletal branches stretched out grotesquely, as though it were a tree living in hell.

A cold shiver ran down her neck, freezing her in place. Just then, she noticed writing beneath the painting:

‘Look behind you.’

Her heart, which had been racing wildly, plummeted. Feeling her breath catch, she turned around.

A tall man stood leaning casually against the stone wall near the grassy thicket.

So, their eyes had met. She had fallen right into his clever trap.

He looked at Yuseol and smiled calmly.

Struggling for words, Yuseol hid her paling face.

“I had something to say to you, Lord Mu-yeong, so I came looking for you.”

“Something to say?”

Silence fell. It felt like retribution for seeking him out and spying on him. Pressing her burning cheek with the back of her hand, she forced a casual tone.

“By any chance… were you the one who saved me at the entrance of Museolwon?”

“I don’t believe I’m obligated to answer.”

She fidgeted with her hand before sighing shortly.

“I’ve thought about it many times, but I wanted to tell you—I don’t recall ever meeting you before. Even if you once met a woman who resembled me… it wasn’t me.”

“I see.”

“I apologize, but… now, I’d like you to return Geon to me.”

She wanted to finish this quickly and retreat to her room. He felt far too dangerous. Her voice took on an urgent edge.

“I… want Geon back as soon as possible.”

Just imagining the guards swarming in to search for her made her frantic. Without Geon, she might have to leave this place alone. What if she lost him forever?

“Please.”

But her desperate plea was met with a cold reply.

“That dog is under my protection.”

She didn’t believe him. Geon hated confinement and wasn’t the type to obey. How could a wolfhound that rejected human care possibly be under anyone’s protection?

Doubt flickered in Yuseol’s eyes as she looked up at him.

“Protection? Is he… behaving well?”

As if he knew exactly why she asked, he smirked. He seemed well aware of Geon’s fierce, beast-like nature.

“More like protecting others from the dog. You already knew that, didn’t you?”