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Chapter 1: A Sudden Visit

“…”

The worry about Gu Yangcheong.

To be precise, the dilemma of whether to follow Gu Yangcheong, who plans to go to Mount Shan tomorrow.

Under normal circumstances, I would have followed him without a second thought.

But with the current state of our family, as a direct descendant, I couldn’t afford to move recklessly.

So, it didn’t matter.

“Go with him.”

“But….”

Despite Tang Juyeok’s words, Tang Soyeol seemed unable to decide easily.

“It’s actually better to go. Being by Gu Prince’s side might be more beneficial for you than staying here.”

“…”

“Since you’re going anyway, try to charm him a bit. My dear sister, you certainly don’t have an unattractive face.”

“Brother…!”

At Tang Juyeok’s joke, Tang Soyeol let out an exasperated shout.

I don’t know how she compares to the women around Gu Yangcheong, but in truth, she was quite pretty.

Compared to the mature women surrounding Gu Yangcheong, she leaned more towards the cute side.

And.

‘If this somehow makes things go well and the relationship improves, that would be the cherry on top.’

Even if the Tang Clan is in ruins, if her husband and brother-in-law is said to be the future number one under heaven, she wouldn’t have to worry about being at a loss.

In Tang Juyeok’s mind, Gu Yangcheong was already a future peerless being.

Tang Soyeol looked at her brother with a flabbergasted expression.

“You’re joking even in this situation…?”

“It’s not impossible to joke, right?”

“Seriously….”

“Anyway, don’t overthink it.”

Leaving a smile behind, Tang Juyeok got up.

“It seems we have nothing more to discuss, and since it’s late, I think I’ll take my leave.”

“…Thank you, Brother.”

She expressed her gratitude for his visit even late at night.

Tang Soyeol believed Tang Juyeok, who must be feeling the most exhausted right now.

Currently, the Tang Clan belongs to the Poison King.

But ultimately, it would be Tang Juyeok who would manage it, so she couldn’t help but think of how much pressure he must be under watching the Tang Clan shake.

With that feeling mixed in her gratitude, Tang Juyeok chuckled softly.

“Yeah.”

Surely, it seems my sister has matured.

That was the most regrettable thing for him at this moment.

Tap.

With that, the door closed.

As soon as Tang Juyeok’s presence disappeared, Tang Soyeol threw herself onto the bed.

“…Sigh….”

A sigh escaped her.

She felt fear about the events to come, but what weighed heavily on her heart was Tang Juyeok’s lingering doubts.

‘…Prince.’

The mealtime earlier.

At that table, Gu Yangcheong had declared his intention to return to Mount Shan tomorrow.

It was only natural.

After all, Gu Yangcheong was a guest, and given the situation with the Tang Clan, it was clear he couldn’t stay long.

The expressions of the other companions were calm.

That was to be expected; it seemed they intended to follow him no matter where he went.

In that case.

‘What about me?’

What should she do?

Tang Soyeol hadn’t yet found an answer for herself.

Under normal circumstances, she would have said she would follow him without hesitation.

But now, given her family’s situation, she couldn’t do that.

No matter how much Tang Juyeok said it was fine, it wasn’t that simple.

Knowing that clearly, Tang Soyeol’s nights were filled with turmoil.

In the midst of her recurring worries, Gu Yangcheong’s voice brushed against Tang Soyeol’s ears.

– I could die for you.

“…”

A voice just past puberty, still holding traces of childhood.

The calm yet somewhat tender tone made Tang Soyeol’s ears turn red.

“…Ugh….”

What a terrible person.

Not doing anything substantial, yet easily stirring one’s heart like this.

Of course, it’s not something she should complain about, given that she’s been following him around entranced.

‘…If that’s the case, then why not just look somewhere far away?’

If she had one complaint about Gu Yangcheong, it would be that.

Not only her heart, but the hearts of those around him were all shaken.

Yet he himself was not looking that way.

‘Always….’

Always looking somewhere far away.

His eyes, devoid of the present, always gazing at some distant point.

It felt as if he always wanted to escape from here, as if he didn’t belong.

Tang Soyeol had always been afraid of that.

Recently, he seemed to at least glance at this place, but still—

Every so often, when Gu Yangcheong looked far away, it only deepened her anxiety.

His gaze upon the unknown felt chillingly cold.

Because of that, Tang Soyeol didn’t want to leave.

‘While I’m not here.’

Afraid he might disappear.

This feeling was not unique to her; others must feel the same.

The reason for their silence was simple.

They didn’t want Gu Yangcheong to realize they thought that way.

Knowing he strained himself to look at them.

They didn’t want to add more pressure.

“…It’s hard….”

Thinking that way, she hated her own incompetence.

She had to be of help.

If he gazed far away, if he desired to go far away, she needed to grow stronger to go alongside him.

That was how it should be….

‘…What should I do.’

Now, faced with uncertainties regarding the Tang Clan.

What value did she still hold?

She had thought the value of being the Tang Clan’s daughter would remain.

But now, that too was becoming faint.

“…Ugh….”

She wiped her eyes.

Tears had come out without her permission.

She found it ugly and disgusting to feel this way.

‘…Thinking about that in this situation?’

In a time when her father and brother were so troubled, she was thinking about diminished value.

How shameful.

“Ugh….”

At that moment, she wondered if she should have taken his hand.

If only she had grasped the hand that promised to make her strong.

Would it have hurt her so much?

The emotion surfacing in Tang Soyeol’s heart was regret.

Anger toward her useless self also seeped through.

She wanted to bury herself in darkness.

At this moment, that thought was all that occupied her mind.

Thus.

Drip.

Just as her emotions began to twist themselves.

Suddenly—

“…!”

Tang Soyeol, wiping her tears, abruptly sat up.

She threw off the blanket and quickly moved to press her back against the wall.

“…”

Whirr.

Then, she blew out air to spread her Qi awareness.

“…Sss….”

She forcefully stifled her increasing breath.

A chill crawled down her spine.

‘What is this?’

The room was silent.

At this hour, that was to be expected, but—

‘…It’s too…quiet.’

The silence felt unreasonably thick.

The moment she felt that, her instincts were screaming.

It’s dangerous.

Swish.

Before she knew it, a dagger was gripped in Tang Soyeol’s fingertips.

An item always kept close.

Sweat rolled down her face.

She hoped this was just a misunderstanding.

But Tang Soyeol was sure it was anything but.

“…Who are you…?”

Words escaped her lips into the empty air.

The instant she did—

Whoosh!

The lamp on the table was extinguished.

“One moment.”

“…!”

The voice came from to her left, not directly in front of her.

Swish!

She swung the dagger towards the sound.

Thud!

But before she could execute her attack, someone grabbed her wrist.

In an instant.

Thud!

“Urk!”

A hand reached out and clamped over Tang Soyeol’s mouth.

“Gulp… Urk!”

She struggled with all her might, but it didn’t budge at all.

Who was in front of her?

It wasn’t clear.

She could barely discern their shape.

The figure, presumed to be a man, was wearing a half-mask.

Perhaps because of that, his form was impossible to see clearly.

“One moment, that is how long it took for your Qi to register with me.”

“…Urk….”

“Fortunately, it appears your senses are intact. I thought it would take you at least two moments.”

What was he saying?

Tang Soyeol couldn’t understand the man’s words.

Is he an assassin? If so, who sent him?

“Sadly, the shortcoming lies in that what you should have done was not go to a dead end but rather break through the entrance.”

As he spoke, he loosened the grip of his hand just enough for her to barely crack her mouth open.

“…Who are you?”

Tang Soyeol’s voice trembled as it came out.

In a situation filled with the Tang Clan’s guards, he had casually entered her room.

This alone made Tang Soyeol realize the level of her opponent.

She couldn’t win.

This was a hopeless situation.

Watching her, the man continued speaking.

“Even while asking, it seems your eyes haven’t died. That’s also a passing grade.”

Unfathomable words.

Passing grade?

Her eyes darted around, glancing at the surroundings.

What could she do to escape?

In her current state, there were no options available.

Yet she had to find an opening.

Swish.

Was it a coincidence?

The grip on her dagger seemed to loosen just slightly.

Should she pull her hand out to counterattack?

A fleeting thought crossed her mind.

That was the issue.

Whoosh!

“…!”

The arm gripping the dagger moved on its own.

The tip of the dagger that Tang Soyeol held somehow rested against her own neck.

“Always have a plan and execute it until the end. With the indecision in your mind, you will die.”

“Ugh….”

Was that a bluff?

Standing on the brink of death, Tang Soyeol could only exhale shallow breaths.

Was there no other method? Was there no other way?

‘I must survive.’

She couldn’t die like this.

She had to find a method.

The man’s eyes narrowed as he watched her.

“Not bad.”

Saying that, he suddenly released her arm and stepped back.

Thud!

As her restraints fell away, Tang Soyeol collapsed, gasping for air.

“Haah… Haa… ugh….”

As she breathed heavily, she managed to raise her head.

Finally mustering the strength to look up, she saw the man sitting on the table, looking down at her.

She asked him.

“Who… who are you?”

Who on earth was he?

Who was he to suddenly appear and corner her like this?

In such an unexpected situation, her mind struggled to work.

Facing her, the man replied.

“I am darkness.”

At the sound of his words, Tang Soyeol felt a drop of sweat trickle down her face.

“And you must become darkness as well.”

“…What do you….”

His words, shrouded in mystery, made Tang Soyeol’s eyes widen in confusion.

Darkness?

In response to the incomprehensible statement, she opened her mouth to ask again, but—

“…!!”

She had to quickly shut her mouth.

For the first time, the indifferent expression on the man’s face shifted, revealing a smile.

The corners of his mouth were raised as if he found something amusing, contrasting starkly with the coldness in his eyes.

That chilling sight rendered Tang Soyeol speechless.

“Exactly three years.”

Tang Soyeol likely didn’t understand.

“In three years, I will turn you into a monster.”

This encounter would mark the day she would be referred to as the “Dark Empress” in the future.

 

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