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So, what’s the situation here?

“Nangong Jin likes the young Lady Mi.”

And Hyun So-yeon, Nangong Jin’s fiancée…

“…likes his half-brother, Gwaeseon?”

So, Hyun So-yeon, who is presumed to be Nangong Bi-ah’s mother, actually has feelings for Nangong Hyeong?

“Wow.”

This is a real mess, huh?

It’s an absolutely ridiculous situation.

Mi Hyo-ran and Nangong Jin are confirmed, but what about Nangong Hyeong and Hyun So-yeon?

Of course.

“Lady Mi doesn’t seem interested, though.”

Mi Hyo-ran doesn’t seem to have the slightest interest in Nangong Jin. Well, that makes sense. That’s why she married his father.

The problem is…

“What about Nangong Hyeong?”

What about Hyun So-yeon? It’s just my guess, but could it be true? If it is…

“…what’s going on?”

In the future, Hyun So-yeon will marry Nangong Jin. So, Nangong Bi-ah will be born.

As for Nangong Hyeong…

“He runs away from home.”

At some point, he runs away and joins Wudang, becoming Gwaeseon.

So, it’s not a connection that will last anyway.

The situation is quite fascinating. So, this is what happened.

“Of course, it might be a bit different from the original world…”

But from what I can see now, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference, right?

Wait, hold on.

“…Then, shouldn’t those two have been left behind?”

I didn’t mind calling her sister-in-law and him Young Master, but isn’t this a bit dangerous now?

“It’s not really my place to worry about it, though.”

Just as I was starting to wonder…

*Crunch.*

“…!”

I felt a presence. I immediately knew who it was.

“What are you doing?”

It was Hyun So-yeon.

“Why did you come down?”

Since Hyun So-yeon, who had been with Nangong Hyeong, came down right away, I asked, but she tilted her head instead.

“I made food, so I had to come down. What else would I be doing up there?”

“…”

She was right, so I shut my mouth. Yeah, that makes sense.

“She’s right.”

I wondered if I was just overthinking things.

“Why?”

Hyun So-yeon asked. Hearing that, I answered calmly.

It was half a joke.

“Ah, I thought maybe you had feelings for this prince. I must have misunderstood-.”

“You’re right.”

“…Not ‘it seems,’ but ‘you’re right’?”

“Yes. Why?”

Why, you ask? This person…

“Is something strange?”

“…It’s very strange. How can you say that?”

She likes her fiancé’s younger brother, isn’t that strange?

“Ahaha.”

Hyun So-yeon laughed at that.

“You can like someone. But I just don’t act on it. It’s not the right situation anyway.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. You already noticed, so why are you asking? You’re more perceptive than I thought.”

Hyun So-yeon smiled, and her expression felt quite subtle.

“You and Jinrang are the only ones who noticed this.”

“…”

I was shocked. Jinrang must mean Nangong Jin.

Does that guy know too? Seeing my expression, Hyun So-yeon spoke.

“Do I seem like a bad woman?”

“A little?”

“I guess so. But he likes another woman too, so it’s the same.”

She pointed at Nangong Jin and Mi Hyo-ran. She was looking at them with calm eyes.

Is she feeling wronged?

“Then let’s call him a bad guy and you a bad woman.”

“Huh? Ahahaha.”

Why is she laughing? I was being serious.

“…You’re interesting. Prince Baek, you seem like a unique person.”

“Where else would you find someone as ordinary as me?”

“Are you joking?”

“…”

She keeps making me feel wronged.

“You’re a fascinating person. I’m curious, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you like me?”

“…Are you crazy?”

I said in disgust. What kind of nonsense is this?

I was shocked, and Hyun So-yeon looked puzzled.

“No?”

“No.”

“Then is it that young lady?”

“Even less so.”

The young lady she’s referring to must be my mother.

I was horrified.

“Absolutely not.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really. I can swear on it.”

I could swear on anything.

“Ah… then I guess not? Then what is it?”

“What exactly is the problem here?”

“Then, who are you seeing through me?”

“…!”

My body stiffened at Hyun So-yeon’s words. It felt like I had been completely seen through.

She looked at me with calm, sparkling eyes.

Who are you seeing through me? I couldn’t say anything to that.

“I’ve been caught.”

It hit the mark.

How did she know? Was I that obvious?

As she said, I was seeing someone through Hyun So-yeon.

That someone was, of course, Nangong Bi-ah.

I often looked for Nangong Bi-ah in Hyun So-yeon, who looks exactly like her. It seems she noticed that gaze.

“Am I wrong? If I’m wrong, that’s strange. Then there’s no other explanation except that you like me.”

“…You’re not wrong.”

I answered honestly.

“If you’re upset, I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not upset. I was just curious.”

Hyun So-yeon asked, brushing her hair.

“Do we look a lot alike?”

“…”

A lot alike?

“Yes. Very much.”

Very much. Almost like twins.

“Oh… really?”

At those words, Hyun So-yeon widened her eyes in surprise.

“Then she must be very pretty…? Prince Baek, you have high standards, huh?”

“…”

What is this confidence? It’s much more than I expected.

I was surprised by how confident she was.

And honestly, she’s so pretty that I didn’t even know what to say.

“Why? Was I too unlucky?”

“A little…?”

“It’s okay. I hear that a lot.”

Hyeon So-yeon didn’t seem to care at all. Maybe that’s why? Her confidence actually made her more attractive.

But.

‘…She doesn’t really look like her mom.’

Seeing her like this, it didn’t seem like Nangong Bi-ah resembled Hyeon So-yeon that much. I couldn’t tell about the face, but their personalities seemed completely different.

“What’s your relationship? A one-sided crush?”

Hyeon So-yeon leaned in, showing interest, and asked.

I took a slight step back and said.

“That’s not it.”

“Then?”

“…Do I have to say?”

“You should. If you don’t, I won’t forgive you for thinking I’m weird.”

Wow, this person is even threatening me.

I was speechless.

“She’s my fiancée.”

“Oh… your fiancée?”

“Yes.”

“Do you get along?”

“…Not bad, I guess?”

Probably.

“If you’re projecting onto her because she resembles someone, that’s love, isn’t it?”

“……”

This time, I didn’t answer.

Love? What kind of cringy word is that?

“No?”

Hyeon So-yeon kept pressing for an answer.

I couldn’t answer. I didn’t want to.

“Prince Baek. Feeling shy?”

“That’s enough. Can I go now?”

“Ahaha. Sure. It was fun, so I’ll let you go.”

Hyeon So-yeon chuckled and stepped back further.

Her attitude, as if she was finally letting me go, made me sigh.

I turned and walked away from Hyeon So-yeon.

At the same time, I thought to myself.

‘Love…’

The awkward word lingered in my ears.

It must be because Hyeon So-yeon suddenly brought it up.

‘Is it love?’

‘……’

I wasn’t sure if projecting onto someone meant love.

I didn’t want to define that feeling. Or maybe not.

‘From the beginning.’

I already knew the answer, but I just didn’t want to admit it.

There was too much to do. The moment I confirmed this feeling, too many things would get in the way.

All I could do now was.

‘Remembering you while looking at her.’

And.

‘Maybe I just wanted to see you.’

Seeing someone who resembled her made me want to see her.

For now, that was enough.

That was the best I could do.

* * *

The day passed. Today was the day the Nangong Clan had to deal with the Demonic Gate.

We climbed the mountain, deployed our forces, and observed the Demonic Gate. As expected, the Demonic Gate would likely retaliate by tomorrow or the day after. So, we had to prepare before then.

During this process, the discussion we had yesterday.

About whether we would help the Nangong Clan or not had also come to an end.

‘We’ll help.’

Father ultimately declared that we would cooperate with the Nangong Clan to stop the Demonic Gate.

However.

‘Those who want to return can go back.’

Depending on the situation, we wouldn’t stop those who wanted to return to Hanam.

That’s what Father said, but.

‘No one left.’

No one went back.

So-i was even happy about it, and Do-yun, though visibly uncomfortable, didn’t leave.

I was the same. The only problem was.

“…You want us to stay at the Hanam branch?”

It was Mi Hyo-ran and Hyeon So-yeon.

“It’s dangerous, so it’s better for you to stay there.”

At Father’s words, Mi Hyo-ran frowned.

It seemed to be because of his changed tone.

“Am I not helpful?”

“That’s right. For now, there’s nothing you can do as the acting Clan Leader. Even so, if you don’t want to leave, it’s better for you to stay at the Martial Alliance’s Hanam branch.”

You can’t help as a force. So, just stay there.

At those words, Mi Hyo-ran’s expression twisted.

“Your words ultimately mean.”

She bit her lip slightly and said.

“Go take care of her. Is that what you’re saying?”

“……”

At her meaningful words, Father’s eyebrow twitched this time.

“Ha.”

Seeing that, Mi Hyo-ran sighed.

“Arguing here would just turn into an emotional fight. I’ll go back. But.”

Mi Hyo-ran, with slightly reddened eyes, said to Father.

“This was something you couldn’t do to me.”

“……”

“Just so you know.”

After spitting out those words, Mi Hyo-ran left.

That was just this morning.

After that, we climbed the mountain. It took a while to move since there were many forces.

We had to go up early to establish a front line for defense.

The Martial Alliance branch would also send forces, so we had to prepare for that as well.

Everyone climbed the mountain with tension.

“…Huh?”

When we reached the top, we were all stunned by the sight of the Demonic Gate.

Moreover.

‘What is that?’

I also had to widen my eyes.

I had no choice.

“Why is it white…?”

The originally red Demonic Gate had turned completely white.

 

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