If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 88

Yuseol stroked around her chest with trembling hands. Violent pounding was transmitted to her fingertips. The crisis of death had disappeared, but she felt an even more intensified heartbeat.

She wanted to run away. Before her heart, which had been beating wildly without direction, finally stopped. Yuseol stepped back.

He, who had been staring at that sight, seemed about to unconsciously follow her, then stopped. Soon he asked without interest in her question.

“Even in a life-or-death situation, you were giving up your life.”

“…….”

“Is it because you have nothing to lose?”

Yuseol’s retreating steps stopped. She was about to refute his guess indignantly.

However, since his words were true, she could only hang her head. She felt wretched about her own circumstances where she had nothing but her life to offer in place of gratitude.

Her voice that rang out was mournful.

“It seems so.”

Because she couldn’t abandon Yanghui, who had come to help with good intentions, and flee alone. Yuseol continued speaking quietly as if making excuses.

“Because it’s an incident that happened because of me.”

Then she suddenly narrowed her brow slightly and looked up at Mu-yeong.

“Strictly speaking, it doesn’t seem like an incident that happened because of me.”

He only smiled without intending to deny it.

“It seems that way too.”

How could he be so shameless?

Yuseol, with an aggrieved face, couldn’t find more words to say and looked over the masked men.

“Did those people also come from Museolwon?”

“No, they’re my guard warriors stationed in the capital.”

“Where did the palanquin bearers go?”

“They’re probably resting by the stream.”

She cooled her cheeks that had heated up with anger with her palms.

He, who had been watching that sight, said quietly.

“And you’ve been kidnapped now.”

“…….”

“You’ll be going missing from now on.”

It was an unexpected declaration of war. While she was looking for an answer, he continued speaking.

“I’ll give you one last chance to return to Museolwon.”

At first, she couldn’t understand what was going on. She thought perhaps she had misunderstood him approaching while heading to the capital on personal business. However, after hearing his last words, she became certain of her suspicion that he had planned all of this.

But they were nothing to each other once they parted on their separate ways. It was hard to understand him taking time to orchestrate such a thing and personally coming such a long way.

“A chance to return to Museolwon.”

After coming out from there and coming all the way here….

Yuseol looked around. The two palanquins were abandoned like luggage, and the scabbard she had cherished was lying forlornly on the ground.

He should know that this wasn’t called a chance but a threat. Yuseol pressed her heating eyes with the back of her hand.

“This isn’t a chance! This is… this is—”

As if he didn’t need to hear more, he cut off her words.

“If you go back, you’ll be able to live comfortably.”

“Right now, I don’t want a life that’s only comfortable! And why do you care?”

He, who had answered without hesitation, stopped speaking for a moment.

The evening forest became quiet. The harmony of unknown insects cried sorrowfully.

Though it was dim because of the darkness, he seemed to be looking for an appropriate answer. That was strange. The him she had experienced so far had known all the answers.

The silence stretched endlessly. Yuseol suddenly became curious about his expression. It wasn’t the leisurely atmosphere as it had always been. His breathing sounds indicated that.

Swoosh. When the wind blew, the bamboo leaves swayed and created a strange sound. It sounded like rain. Yuseol unconsciously looked up at the sky.

Then a quiet low voice rang out.

“Shouldn’t the curious party find the answer?”

He seemed unconcerned about whatever that answer might be. Feeling like she was struggling alone somehow, she bit her lower lip.

“I cannot return to Museolwon. My sister is captured in the palace.”

He only stared at Yuseol quietly. Well, when her own life was in danger, trying to save someone else would seem reckless.

But Yuseol had no other choice. If she returned to Museolwon and then heard even rumors that her sister had died….

Yuseol’s complexion turned pale.

“I’m going no matter what happens.”

He asked in a languid voice.

“What if I said I’d bring your sister back?”

Yuseol didn’t readily answer and only watched him closely. Though she didn’t know much about him, she trusted his abilities. The evidence was that Kim Seon, who had been high-spirited even before the court elders, showed a deflated appearance in front of Mu-yeong. There would be a good reason for that.