If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 97

The book had been left neglected in the bookstore for several months. Then a man who knew of the book’s existence appeared and purchased the book.

The bookstore owner, whose hobby was copying books, had copied and collected that one book. But he had lent it to his cousin and completely forgotten about it, and after going through several people, it ended up in Mu-yeong’s hands.

Mu-yeong was a collector of rare items. Once he got his hands on something, he never let it go.

But this time, he was thinking of being generous. Since time had passed and it had now become an interesting novel, he would produce copies for many people to see.

He smiled as if it would be a pleasant task and opened the book. The thick scent of the old book rose. He read the words dyed in sunset light.

Then, as if to interfere, clouds drifted over and covered the tip of the tall ancient tree. They passed by slowly, making the flowing years seem colorless.

Only after a long time did the clouds clear. But on the tree that had only been thick with grass leaves, a man was sitting. It was Jiwoon.

Jiwoon was leisurely looking around the palace with indifferent eyes. Depending on who was watching, he could look either carefree or bored.

After briefly appreciating the scenery like that, Jiwoon jumped down lightly and sat in the seat next to Mu-yeong. He seemed curious about what Mu-yeong was looking at. After examining the book and losing interest, he casually asked.

“Why did you follow that woman to the palace?”

It was about Yuseol. Since Mu-yeong had no reason to answer, he turned his gaze back to the book.

Jiwoon’s eyes, which had been bored until just before, were now full of curiosity.

“You’ve been acting like it was someone else’s business all this time, but now you’re getting a bit greedy?”

Mu-yeong narrowed his brow as if his mood wasn’t good.

“Greedy, you say.”

Jiwoon tilted his head and stroked around his eyes as if playing innocent.

“Then do you still have bad feelings about that woman?”

Mu-yeong didn’t answer again. He hadn’t come here to satisfy Jiwoon’s curiosity.

Unable to wait for Mu-yeong’s answer any longer, Jiwoon spoke as if talking to himself while appreciating the scenery.

“Even if it were hatred, even that wouldn’t be eternal, would it?”

Jiwoon, whose face was laughing to a ridiculous degree, didn’t have a pleasant expression just for now. Bitterness or complexity, and a trace of disappointment were gathered around his eyes. In that state, he touched around his chin for a while, then asked quietly.

“Or did I win this bet?”

Jiwoon stood up as if looking for more interesting things and walked out while looking around.

Mu-yeong’s gaze fell back to the book.

He knew what Jiwoon was talking about. But he didn’t want to say any words. Because he thought the most important thing right now was reading a book under the evening glow.

That was a strange thing.

He had faced almost all problems head-on until now. There was no problem he couldn’t solve, and no opponent he couldn’t defeat.

Living like that, perhaps he had become bored, so he had started something that would only bring loss without any gain. The bet with Jiwoon had also started then.

What had moved him like that?

A green ancient tree appeared in his eyes. It was a white camellia tree that bloomed in winter. It was a nameless existence, just a tree.

The tree made shade in summer and became a place to stay briefly when heavy snow fell. And when war clouds gathered over the country, it warned of danger with red flowers.

It was the way of the world to receive as much as you give, but the tree wanted nothing and received no compensation either. Nevertheless, it seemed happy because it could share what it had.

Mu-yeong opened his deeply closed eyes. Brilliant sunset light was gathered over the cozy and tranquil palace.

However, no matter how beautiful the scenery, it couldn’t make him experience emotional changes. He closed his eyes indifferently. This time, a withered woman shimmered and a sorrowful voice was heard.

“I have a request.”

“…….”

“Kill me.”

He narrowed his brow as if his blood was drying up. Time, which had been flowing slowly, seemed to finally stop.

In his pupils that opened again as if rejecting it, an alley entrance was reflected. A man and woman were walking while keeping an appropriate distance.

The man was wearing gonryongpo, the king’s clothing. His eyes exuded youthful vigor.

Beside him, a woman in red silk clothing was walking alongside. Han Yuseol with her half-tied hair hanging long down to her chest. Beautiful sunset was seeping around her pure white nape.