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Chapter 43
A child born outside, was it? She could almost understand why the Namgung family kept her hidden and raised her in secrecy.
‘Was that why Elder Brother Dowi got so angry?’
Danghye thought it was a bit unfair. It was true that the child was an illegitimate one, but it wasn’t as though she had chosen to be born that way. Yet she was treated like that. Elder Brother Dowi at least seemed to look after the child, but the atmosphere of the family itself concealed her existence. The fact that Danghye—who had been interacting with the Namgung family—had only learned of her existence now was proof enough.
‘They never once called her to the dining table.’
She felt sorry for that child. They looked about the same age, but Saryeol’s position was far beneath her own, so to Danghye, Saryeol seemed like nothing more than a young girl. That inferiority was only natural. Danghye was a legitimate direct descendant, while she was an illegitimate child. This was simply the pity that those who possessed could bestow upon those who did not.
‘Should I go see her once?’
Thinking so, she secretly headed toward the old house on the outskirts where the girl lived. There, without even a maidservant, there would probably be a lone girl sitting by herself. With hair white as if she were ill. But when Danghye arrived, someone was already there.
‘Elder Brother Dowi?’
It was Namgung Dowi.
‘So you really do take care of the child all by yourself.’
Afraid she might get scolded again, Danghye hid herself and quietly watched the two of them. And she eavesdropped on their conversation.
“This is a hairpin I brought for you this time. Don’t use strange twigs anymore—use this.”
“B-but something so precious like this……”
“It’s not precious at all.”
Dowi smiled very gently.
“Not compared to you.”
Even Danghye, who had always only seen his gentle side, had never once seen such a tender expression—one that looked as though it might melt away—as he smiled at the girl. His hand, pressing the hairpin into her grasp, trembled faintly, as if he were nervous. Danghye felt her head go blank for a moment.
‘What is this feeling?’
She slowly retreated from the spot, then turned around and fled. It felt like she had seen something she should not have.
Danghye snapped out of the reverie she had briefly fallen into. It might not be so, but Dowi certainly reacted sensitively whenever it came to Saryeol. Even on days when Danghye herself was there, he would unfailingly go to see Saryeol, and whenever he had to spend time with her, he would brush Danghye off as if she were a nuisance and leave. He was, by nature, a gentle person and always wore a smile on his face, but as someone who loved him, Danghye could not help but notice those subtle reactions.
‘A strange girl.’
She glared at Saryeol. Saryeol was standing up from her seat. It seemed she no longer wished to remain here. Well, what was the point of staying long in a place like this when she wasn’t even a direct descendant? If one were to be precise, her position was even worse than that of a collateral relative. Yet there was a voice that stopped her.
“Are you leaving already?”
At that voice, everyone turned their heads. There stood the young head of the Zhuge family.
“It’s a pity you’re leaving so soon.”
“……I need to prepare for the friendly match.”
“A single day of enjoyment wouldn’t have much of an effect, would it?”
“I’m quite lacking.”
“Haha, I see.”
The young head of the Zhuge family was paying attention to Saryeol. Danghye observed the situation with her mouth covered by her fan. She had thought the marriage talks with the Zhuge family had fallen through, but if the current young head desired it, that changed matters. In any case, a marriage between families was an extremely important affair. Especially for Namgung, the greatest family in the land. The only thing that troubled her was that Saryeol was not a direct descendant, but an illegitimate child.
“I’m worried you might get seriously hurt in the friendly match.”
“I know how to protect myself.”
“What if such a precious young lady were to get even a scratch?”
He said it as if mocking her, like someone looking at a cat in the palm of his hand. Danghye frowned. It was true that he seemed interested in her, but it did not appear to be in a good way. And then Saryeol spoke.
“If it’s possible.”
“……Oh?”
“Then I’ll take my leave to rest.”
“……It would be rude to detain a young lady who says she is tired. Please rest well.”
“Very well. Let’s go, Wol.”
At her call, Wol—who had been sitting quietly—rose from his seat. His tall figure suddenly gave them a strange sense of pressure. After sweeping over them once with his cold, blue eyes, he followed her out of the dining hall. People thought to themselves,
‘What kind of escort carries such presence…….’
They had assumed she was a daughter cast aside by the family because she was an illegitimate child, but seeing such an escort attached to her made them wonder if that wasn’t the case after all. Unable to grasp the circumstances of the Namgung family, people fell into confusion.
Thus, as each person sank into their own thoughts, the night deepened, and the next day dawned—the morning of the friendly match.
From early morning, the Zhuge family’s academy was bustling. Workers moved busily from the break of dawn, setting up seats for people to sit and tidying the surroundings. What had continued since before sunrise was completed once morning came. Seats were fully prepared all around, encircling the martial arena.
After breakfast, when everyone had taken their seats, the young head of the Zhuge family stood up and spoke.
“We are truly grateful that our seniors have come with their disciples like this. According to long-standing tradition, which families will compete against each other is announced on the day itself, so I will now announce the order of the matches.”
At that, someone who appeared to be his attendant unfolded a large scroll beside him.
“Oh.”
“So the first match is between the Namgung family and the Sichuan Tang family.”
As they said, written on the scroll were the words announcing the match between the Sichuan Tang family and the Namgung family. As the Namgung family was regarded as the foremost among the great families, the Namgung academy, knowing they could not avoid going first, nodded as if in understanding.
“By rule, the disciples’ match comes first.”
Dowi explained to Saryeol. Wol, standing behind her, glanced once at the martial arena. It was extremely spacious, and no one would have any trouble watching the match. Sitting somewhat languidly in her seat, Saryeol looked at the disciple who would be going out first.
‘Was her name Myungwol?’
She had been focusing on making her sword a bit heavier by following Saryeol’s advice, and it seemed today she would see the results. Myungwol stepped up onto the martial arena with firm strides, her lips pressed tightly together and her sword at her waist. In response, a disciple training in the Tang family’s martial hall came up as her opponent.
“Please take care of me.”
“I ask for your guidance.”
After exchanging a salute, the two stood apart at a measured distance. Myungwol looked at her opponent with a tense expression. The Tang family was famous for concealed weapons. She had to be wary of hidden weapons that could come from anywhere at any time. Fundamentally, their path was different from families that used swords, sabers, or fists.
“Then we will begin the match!”
The Zhuge family member acting as referee loudly announced the start, and everyone’s gaze converged on a single point. Myungwol drew her sword faster than ever before and immediately charged at her opponent. Having finally removed the sandbags after a long time, her body felt as light as if it were flying.
‘Tip the balance before they can use concealed weapons!’
Clang!
The sound of her sword colliding with the Tang disciple’s hidden weapon rang out. She did not stop there, but twisted her blade and pressed forward, pushing her opponent back even further.
“Ghk……!”
It seemed this kind of frontal engagement was new to him, as he let out a groan. Myungwol did not miss the opening and pressed in further, swinging her sword. When she put strength into her wrist and slashed, the dagger he had been holding was knocked away. But he did not stop there—he leaped back in a great bound and immediately hurled another dagger.
Screech!
Tap-tap-tap!
Using lightness skill, she hastily retreated backward to avoid the dagger. Then she leaped forward once more and swung her sword powerfully toward him.
Clang!
The loud crash of blades echoed. She poured more strength into it, pressing him down heavily. Her body felt as light as if it might take flight, and the weight of the sword she wielded was far heavier than before. To the point that it was almost embarrassing she had only trained her speed, thinking it her sole strength—the advice Saryeol had given her was proving immensely helpful.
