If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 65

Yuseol’s ears gradually heated up. She had never had murderous intent to harm anyone in her life, but she had the courage to fight against someone. If the opponent was a shameless scoundrel who committed contempt and assault, there was no reason to back down.

The blade that had been in front of Yuseol’s nose turned toward Mu-yeong’s cheek.

In an instant, in the silence where even breathing sounds disappeared, Mu-yeong’s gaze slowly swept over the blade. Yuseol was reflected in his eyes that seemed to be admiring the sharp blue edge. Seeing her own furious face in there, Yuseol subtly trembled the tip of the sword.

“Why are you looking like that?”

The water-colored eyes reflected in the blade were persistent and attractive enough to make a person tense. Even knowing that this was how this man looked at people, Yuseol felt a tingling sensation somewhere in her chest.

It was a moment when her nerves were stretched taut.

“Are you choosing books? Chief Secretary just visited and left a message. His Majesty will tour the inner house as an evening stroll.”

His eyes, which had been generous when Yuseol pointed the sword at him, became fierce in an instant.

“Leave now.”

He hurriedly moved his steps, then suddenly stopped and briefly sneered at Yuseol.

“Then have fun playing.”

It was as if he was pulling at her nerves that had been directed toward Kim Seon all along.

An hour passed.

Yuseol gripped the sword Mu-yeong had left and tried to get used to it in her hands. It was heavier than it looked, so it wasn’t uncomfortable to swing. It seemed like a masterpiece made by a craftsman, not for decoration.

“Haa, haa….”

Moving enough to sweat after a long time, pleasant trembling spread throughout her body. Just as she was enjoying the feeling of her blocked chest opening up, she began to sense the presence of many people outside.

“His Majesty is proceeding.”

Yuseol stopped while swinging the sword. The tip of the sword trembled confusedly. She wanted to wait calmly, but she felt crushed by the pressure that Kim Seon’s presence gave.

She sheathed the sword and took a deep breath, then approached the window. The edge of the yard was barely visible through the window gap. It seemed like more ministers had come than expected. The conversation between the chief secretary and Myoyeon echoed.

“We have also prepared a banquet with the joy of welcoming His Majesty. We have offered medicinal liquor brewed long with ginseng that is rare even in Museolwon, so please enjoy it comfortably.”

“His Majesty said he would tour the inner house as a stroll, yet you prepared a drinking table?”

“It is our sincere desire to offer His Majesty the finest medicinal liquor. The scenery of the inner house is always beautiful like today, so please enjoy it comfortably.”

It seemed like the plan was to turn Kim Seon’s attention to the banquet. It would be difficult to remove a table that had been prepared in advance.

After more conversation, people entered the inner house. From somewhere below, voices began to be heard along with music.

The banquet seemed to have started. As time passed, the tension disappeared and laughter often spread.

Yuseol felt relieved. Night deepened like that.

It felt like a warm and intense season had rushed into the lower floor. From that center came a woman’s coquettish laughter. It was Meisa’s.

The moment Yuseol had seen in the palace lingered before her eyes. Even then, when Meisa’s laughter was heard and she looked there, she could sometimes see Kim Seon….

The court ladies comforted her saying he was working hard for diplomacy, but Yuseol was anxious about his softly shining eyes. She had a premonition that his gaze would not return to her.

So it ended up like this after all.

Yuseol dangerously lowered her head. Even the world she had hidden in seemed to be shaking.

Then the music gradually diminished.

The banquet couldn’t end this quickly. Had they started intimate conversations?

Yuseol, who had been sitting leaning against the display case, stood up from restlessness for some reason. At that moment, she felt a strange vibration from the floor.

It wasn’t her imagination. The hanging lamp on the ceiling swayed with the vibration. Someone was definitely coming up. She had never felt footsteps while hiding until now. Even from Mu-yeong, the owner of this place….

The image of a beast searching for prey was drawn before Yuseol’s eyes. Her exhaled breath shook unsteadily.

Thud, click!

The sound of a door at the far end opening roughly rang out. The door next to it opened and closed in succession.

Then people came rushing up the stairs. Myoyeon’s voice rang out loudly.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! I humbly apologize for speaking, but this is a place where only servants come and go.”

Kim Seon’s answer echoed very close by.

“I am enjoying the scenery of the inner house, so I’m curious about the reason for blocking me.”

“There is an elder recovering from illness here, so I ask for your understanding.”

“Since I’ve come this far, wouldn’t it be fine for me to personally pay my respects?”

Once again, the door to the next room opened roughly. Following that, a shadow appeared at the study door where Yuseol was hiding.

She, who had covered both hands over her face, stepped backward. A sharp ringing sound echoed in her ears. Kim Seon’s shadow wavered in her vision that had become pitch black as if the world had ended.