Chapter 79
Myoyeon handed a handkerchief to Mu-yeong. Then Mu-yeong gestured toward Yuseol with his eyes.
The handkerchief was passed to Yuseol. She bewilderedly received the handkerchief and began wiping the spilled alcohol from her skirt.
Meisa, who had been watching the situation, said sheepishly.
“Oh my, the floor was so slippery that I unintentionally caused trouble. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
Kim Seon stood up as if he had been waiting and looked at Meisa.
“It seems you’ve become intoxicated, so it would be good to get some fresh air, even briefly.”
Meisa nodded and went down below the platform. Kim Seon leisurely followed behind her, then looked back at Yuseol. A glimpse of regret flashed that he couldn’t remove the cloth covering her eyes. It seemed like today’s plan had been to spill alcohol to remove the cloth.
Yuseol became anxious that they might be planning their next scheme while pretending to appreciate the scenery. Would it be best to wait for time to pass like this? Sorrow appeared in her clear pupils.
“I should also get some fresh air for a moment.”
Since she couldn’t run away, she wanted to at least feel like running away. She put on the silk shoes below the platform and began walking toward the bushes in front of the stone wall.
Mu-yeong silently followed behind her, then stopped and spoke.
“If you’re tired, go back to your room now.”
Yuseol cooled her flushed cheeks with the back of her hand and bowed her head.
She wanted to go back. But she didn’t want to appear to be fleeing because of the precarious incident that had just happened. Moreover, if she were left alone in her room, she might face other dangers.
She answered while fingering the jade ring she had received from him earlier.
“I’m fine. I don’t want to go back alone.”
Mu-yeong quietly examined her face with his water-colored eyes.
“I meant we could go together.”
For the first time, his eyes were gentle. It was a sight she hadn’t expected at all. Suddenly her heart pounded. Even though she knew his true nature was different, she couldn’t stop it.
She stepped back as if rejecting him and avoided his gaze. The officials drinking here and there near the platform suddenly came into view. Even while pretending otherwise, they were tensely paying attention to her and Mu-yeong.
Yuseol, who became dizzy with worry that their act might be discovered, looked at Mu-yeong again. A leisurely smile was floating on his face. It seemed quite enjoyable to appreciate a woman who didn’t know what to do.
She bit her lower lip tightly, then released it and tried to smile slightly. The feeling of the cold air becoming strangely warm was unfamiliar.
“It’s nice to be like this today.”
Because if she went back to her room now, she might be summoned before Kim Seon again tomorrow.
She acted like a leisurely woman while appreciating the bushes. The scent of grass leaves penetrating her body was fresh. Her heart’s pounding seemed to calm down a little.
Then Mu-yeong opened his mouth while looking at Kim Seon and Meisa in front of the distant ancient tree.
“They make a perfect pair.”
His pronunciation was particularly clear, as if ensuring she couldn’t help but hear. Yuseol’s gaze turned toward them. Just as Mu-yeong said, she saw a pair that truly harmoniously matched.
Strength entered Yuseol’s hand that had been touching grass leaves. The grass leaf she had been holding snapped off from the branch with a pop. Even though she couldn’t feel pain instead of the grass leaf, it was strange that her chest ached with a sharp pain. She exhaled long and moved her stiffened lips with difficulty.
“It really seems that way.”
Though she spoke calmly, she couldn’t hide the gloomy light in her pupils. They sparkled as if about to spill tears at any moment.
Mu-yeong’s pupils, watching that sight, darkened and took on a dangerous light. They resembled Museolwon’s weather, which quickly became warm and then cool again.
“Go back to your room now.”
A sunken low voice rang out quietly. This time it wasn’t asking for her opinion but informing her.
At his sharply lowered temperature, Yuseol traced back to find the reason. Had he felt bored? She had only needed time for a moment.
She saw him heading toward Kwon Ujin. Yuseol began pacing unsteadily around the bushes.
At that moment, she felt a sharp pain above her elbow. Startled, she grabbed her arm and stepped back.
It seemed she had been pricked by a bush branch without knowing. She could feel goosebumps rising even up to her forearm for no reason.
At that moment, the surroundings suddenly became noisy. Myoyeon was running toward Meisa with a face gone pale.
Meisa was holding a silver dagger with a satisfied expression. In her other hand, she could be seen holding a small piece of wood.
Myoyeon, who stopped in front of Meisa, opened her eyes wide. Her voice was rough with how angry she was.
“Did you just cut the tree?”
Meisa asked back with an innocent face.
“I just took off a small piece as a memento of coming to Museolwon. Is there a problem?”
Yuseol approached the ancient tree while holding her aching forearm with her hand. Then Yanghui, who had been standing far away, ran toward Yuseol.
“Lady, are you alright?!”
Did she look tired enough for such an urgent question? Yuseol naturally nodded and looked up at the ancient tree.
“Yes, I’m fine. More than that, it seems something happened over there.”
Yanghui examined Yuseol’s forearm without interest in the commotion that had occurred in front of the ancient tree.
“But you’re bleeding. Please show me.”
“Bleeding…? What are you talking about? It must be a mistake because it’s dark.”
Yuseol removed the hand holding her forearm to show her. In Yanghui’s pupils was reflected maroon fabric stained with abundant blood.
It was a night of commotion upon commotion.
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