If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 46

She tossed and turned all night before opening her eyes.

A washbasin had been placed by the door of Yuseol’s room. She finished her usual grooming and lay down as if hiding her body.

The room that had welcomed morning was bright. When she reached her hand into the air, hazy light appeared on her palm.

She felt endlessly peaceful. What if time stopped like this….

Growing old quietly seemed like it would be good too. Days where nothing happened would continue, but she wouldn’t experience anything either.

She tapped the faint light with her fingers, then turned and lay down. This time the sunlight touched her lips.

She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth. An utterly unfamiliar sensation revived. Something hot and soft seemed to be sucking thickly at her lips. Soon the man’s rough breath that had burst inside her mouth became vivid.

“Where is Geon now, ah, mmph!”

Yuseol urgently sat up and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. Then she exhaled her disordered breath and rubbed her chest area. Her body was frighteningly hot. Confused, she buried her face in the pillow while sitting.

A presence stirred in the courtyard. Was it the sound of gentle wind?

No, it seemed like the sound of men’s conversation. Myoyeon’s gentle voice could be heard mixed in occasionally.

Yuseol slightly raised her head. She hadn’t been able to thank Myoyeon, who had waited nearby yesterday and escorted her to her room…

Hesitating, she carefully opened the door while kneeling.

Myoyeon was standing in front of the wooden platform in the center of the courtyard. Sensing the presence, he looked at Yuseol.

Jiwoon, who was sitting on the platform, also found Yuseol in the gap of the door that was open about two hand-spans. He examined her with gentle but sharp eyes, then leisurely crossed his arms and spoke to her.

“Good morning?”

Strength entered Yuseol’s hand gripping the door. The door trembled slightly as if it would close immediately.

Going back into the room like this would put her mind at ease for now. But she wanted to live as if nothing had happened. Because then it would really seem like yesterday’s incident had never occurred.

She grabbed the door frame as support, stood up, and looked up at the sky. Though the view was murky due to fog, it wasn’t bad weather.

“Yes. It’s a good morning.”

Her slow and careful steps headed outside the room. She slightly furrowed her brow from pain with each step, but sat on the wooden floor and neatly placed her feet on her worn shoes.

Myoyeon seemed to want to come to her and hesitated politely while looking at Jiwoon. The desire to conclude the conversation here was clearly evident on his pale face.

“Anyway, since it’s a feast the entire village is preparing for, Lord Jiwoon should also participate.”

Jiwoon nodded in an annoyed manner, then stared intently at Yuseol and smiled meaningfully.

“But I can’t be the only one to experience such joyful things. How about having Lady Yuseol participate too?”

As if that had been his intention anyway, Myoyeon nodded and approached Yuseol. When Yuseol tried to stand and show proper courtesy, he shook his head as if telling her not to.

“You must be uncomfortable, so please remain seated.”

Yuseol, who had relaxed her body again, swayed with her fingers touching the edge of the wooden floor. Though her eyes were wary of Jiwoon, her pursed lips were full of things to say.

Soon she lowered her head and spoke in a small voice that only Myoyeon could hear.

“Yesterday… thank you for escorting me. I was too flustered to speak properly.”

Myoyeon, who had been listening more intently because it was spoken quietly, blushed at the unexpected story.

“Not at all. It wasn’t difficult.”

“I suddenly heard crying sounds from the forest. Thinking it might be Geon, I moved hastily and ended up… causing trouble again.”

She looked up at Myoyeon with an apologetic heart. A poignant beauty like winter orchid flowers seemed to bloom like a flower.

Myoyeon, who had been dazed, averted his gaze to the wooden floor and answered quietly.

“Don’t blame yourself too much. Bad things happen in life. Everyone makes mistakes too.”

Yuseol’s eyes widened slightly.

“Do you make mistakes too, Myoyeon?”

Her black pupils began sparkling with genuine interest. To avoid disappointing her, Myoyeon rolled his eyes around as if searching for nonexistent faults.

Then Jiwoon began approaching. Yuseol, who had been glancing at him, swallowed her regret and changed the subject.

“But is there going to be a feast in the village?”

Myoyeon answered while concentrating on Yuseol, unaware that Jiwoon was coming.

“Yes. I was just about to tell Lady Yuseol about Museolwon’s thanksgiving ritual.”

“Thanksgiving ritual?”