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chapter 12
Since I wanted to become a child my family could be proud of, hearing Young Hero Baek Mu-wol’s stories would surely be of great help to me.
‘It’s a little embarrassing to ask when my brother is right next to me.’
I was honestly relieved that my reason wasn’t something silly. Feeling reassured, I looked at the young hero. He had been talking with my brother but had paused and was now looking at the passersby.
“Is something the matter?” I asked.
He gave an awkward smile.
“I see quite a few familiar faces.”
“Please don’t mind us and greet your acquaintances comfortably,” I said quickly.
“It’s fine.”
He cut me off neatly.
“We’re not that close.”
…Now that I thought about it, those people weren’t even looking at him either. Were they really just acquaintances in name? I only wondered briefly before I found out why.
“It’s the Namgung Clan!”
“Clan Leader Namgung!”
With thunderous cheers, the crowd that had been chaotically mixed parted to both sides, clearing a wide path.
We reflexively stood up as well. As people from Anhui, not welcoming them would be close to madness.
Over the sea of shoulders, I saw the dignified Clan Leader with his beard and imposing build, walking side by side with a man whose face was so expressionless it seemed dry.
‘That’s Young Master Namgung Yu-un.’
I had seen him a few times before, but he was still as elegant and noble as ever. If Baek Mu-wol had the warm, sunlit beauty of a gentle man, then Young Master Yu-un had a beauty so cold it could give you chills.
To think that marriage talks had once briefly taken place between someone like him and me. It felt strange.
But I didn’t feel regret or humiliation. Why? I thought I had been sad at first, but now it was oddly as if I felt nothing at all.
Just then, I noticed Young Master Yu-han behind him, holding his head high like a peacock.
‘Is it because of that young old-fashioned nag?’
No… that didn’t seem quite right either.
While I was lost in thought, my eyes suddenly met Young Master Yu-un’s. Instinctively, I turned my head away.
“There you are.”
The people standing in front of us quickly stepped aside. Clan Leader Namgung, hands clasped behind his back, was approaching with his two sons. We hurriedly bowed in greeting.
“I’ve been looking for you for quite some time.”
Baek Mu-wol cupped his fist in salute.
“I greet Clan Leader Namgung.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
The Clan Leader looked him up and down, then let out a small laugh.
“You still seem to be alone.”
“……”
“Wouldn’t it be better to open your heart a little to those around you? If you remain alone, it may become difficult one day.”
Pfft— I heard Young Master Yu-han’s blatant laugh.
Wow. Was that a roundabout way of mocking Young Hero Baek Mu-wol for having no backing?
Even so, he was the head of a great clan. Was it really appropriate to openly humiliate a young hero like that? Thank goodness I hadn’t become the daughter-in-law of that family.
But Baek Mu-wol did not back down.
“Thank you for always worrying about my shortcomings. I will take you as my mirror and continue to strive forward.”
The Clan Leader’s eyebrow twitched.
Landing a hit was nice, but what if this escalated?
As I stood there nervously, the Clan Leader’s gaze suddenly turned to me. I quickly put on a smile and greeted him.
“It is an honor to meet you, Clan Leader Namgung. My name is Han So-jin of the Hanrim Merchant Group.”
“…Han So-jin?”
His expression turned subtle.
“You are that Han So-jin?”
I nodded with a smile.
He stared at my face silently before muttering,
“…You leave a different impression than I expected.”
“Pardon?”
“Do not misunderstand. I mean your impression is much better.”
Unlike how he treated Baek Mu-wol, he now wore a rather benevolent expression.
My eyes widened on their own. I had never expected the Clan Leader to praise me in public.
At that moment, I noticed Young Master Yu-han’s face. It was stained with shock. Wow— it felt like fireworks were exploding inside my head.
I smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Clan Leader.”
“How old are you this year?”
“Twenty-two.”
Even Young Master Yu-un, who had been silently staring ahead regardless of what was happening, turned his gaze toward me. I shyly turned my head away, and the Clan Leader spoke again.
“I wish I had spoken with you at least once before the marriage talks were broken off. This matter is regrettable.”
“No, it was my own inadequacy.”
This was strange. Why was he offering me kind words?
Clan Leader Namgung was particularly famous for avoiding unnecessary interactions. And Young Master Yu-han had clearly said that his grandfather had been disappointed after hearing about me.
‘I assumed the others would dislike me as well. Does the Clan Leader perhaps not know about my past?’
But earlier he said my impression differed from what he expected…
I glanced once more at Young Master Yu-han. He looked as though he had seen a ghost rather than his father.
Regardless, the Clan Leader left after telling me to enjoy the event.
Even amidst the confusion, I could feel the crowd buzzing.
“I thought the engagement was broken off because the Clan Leader opposed it. Maybe that wasn’t the case?”
“I wonder who the girl was that got chosen as daughter-in-law over someone like her.”
“Judging by how regretful he looked, she must have seemed quite proper even to his eyes.”
Once again, I heard the sound of my value rising.
And once again, it didn’t feel good.
If anything, my stomach churned.
‘Why has my life been like this lately?’
They say life is unpredictable, but this was too much. What if something else happened?
For example, what if that bastard whose pride had been wounded by the Clan Leader’s praise spread rumors that I had pushed him into the river?
Still, not everyone was as old-fashioned as Young Master Yu-han…
My thoughts spiraled endlessly.
‘What do I do? I can’t stop thinking.’
I wanted to stop worrying, but my mind wouldn’t listen. My head was such a mess that I even wished someone would knock me unconscious.
Was it just my imagination? It felt hard to breathe.
I stood frozen.
“Miss, your complexion does not look well.”
Baek Mu-wol spoke softly to me.
I looked up at him. He was gazing at me with concern. As I met his lake-calm eyes, my heart gradually settled.
I raised a hand as if shielding myself from the sun.
“I must have stayed under the sunlight too long. I feel dizzy. Brother, I’d like to rest in the shade.”
My brother, who had also been absent-minded, quickly came to his senses.
“Yes, let’s go over there. Young Hero Baek—”
“I will go as well.”
“Pardon?”
Just then, elders from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families stepped onto the platform to declare the start of the martial arts tournament.
“Shouldn’t you stay here, Young Hero?”
“…Do not worry. I only need to check the match schedule later.”
“But still—”
I lightly tugged on my brother’s sleeve.
“Let’s go. My head really hurts.”
“Ah, sorry. Let’s hurry.”
The three of us moved to a quieter place. Nearby, a vendor was selling snacks and tea in bamboo tubes.
While my brother waited in line to buy something, we stood in the shade. The young hero examined my complexion.
“You seem a little better now.”
“It’s thanks to you. But…”
I should ask him for help. After all, he had witnessed what happened with Young Master Yu-han.
“What do you think the Clan Leader meant by what he said?”
“What meaning could there be? He genuinely liked your impression. The Clan Leader has always had a weakness for people like you.”
“People like me?”
“Yes. Those with gentle and clear impressions. Especially…”
He trailed off before speaking with difficulty.
“Especially those who look as harmless as baby rabbits.”
Perhaps saying “baby rabbit” with such a massive build was difficult even for him. Somehow, it was adorable. A playful impulse rose inside me.
“Do I look like a baby rabbit in your eyes too, Young Hero?”
He looked troubled.
“…Miss, you are quite mischievous. Why would you suddenly ask that?”
“Come on, just tell me.”
“……”
After I pressed him again, he looked at me for a moment and then nodded.
“Of course.”
“Pardon?”
“Among all the people I have met, you are the most rabbit-like.”
“Young Hero…”
Looking at him with moved eyes, I added another question.
“Just a rabbit? Or a baby rabbit?”
“…Miss.”
Even his eyebrows drooped in embarrassment.
I stared at him persistently. After hesitating, he finally answered.
“The latter.”
I felt heat rise to my pale face. I tightly gripped my sleeve.
“Thank you. You’re the first person who has ever praised me like that.”
“That is surprising. I would have thought you heard it often.”
“Young Hero.”
Even without looking in a mirror, I knew I must look ridiculous right now.
Still, I wanted to say this while looking at his face. Even if I regretted it later, I met his eyes and confessed what was in my heart.
“I think I will never forget today for the rest of my life.”
“Pardon?”
“The words you said, the expressions you made— I don’t think I can forget any of them.”
His eyes gradually widened.
Oh no… I said it after all.
But strangely, I felt relieved, as if something blocked inside me had cleared.
So I continued.
“Which is why, Young Hero…”
“Yes, Miss.”
My heart began pounding harder.
I squeezed my eyes shut and said,
“Starting tomorrow, you don’t have to accompany me anymore.”
“Why are you saying that now?!”
Startled, I turned my head.
At some point, my brother had returned and was standing there holding bamboo tubes of tea.
