IBMMA 13

That surprise at her older brother’s sudden intrusion lasted only a moment. I turned back to the young master and continued,

“I was short-sighted. You’ll be very busy from now on, so you don’t have to push yourself because of me.”

“…Will you truly be all right?”

“Pardon?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I blinked. But he didn’t seem to mind and asked again,

“Will you truly be all right on your own?”

“On my own? My brother is here, and I have guards protecting me. I’m not alone.”

“……”

He simply looked at me without a word.

What is that gaze? It feels like he’s seeing straight through me.

My shoulders shrank involuntarily. Cold sweat trickled down my back. After a moment, he gave a small nod.

“If that is truly how you feel, Miss, then it can’t be helped.”

“I’m sorry for being so troublesome and changing my mind like this.”

“You seem to apologize quite often.”

“Ah, do I? Sor— …Ah! I apologized again. I’ve been a bit out of sorts.”

I forced a laugh to lighten the mood, but he didn’t smile.

I hadn’t realized before—when he wasn’t smiling, he felt cold.

But why is he making that expression? Anyone would think the situation was grave. Just as my shoulders tensed again, he suddenly smiled. His face, cold as a winter wind, softened in an instant like a breeze in spring.

“Very well. Then starting tomorrow, we’ll go about separately. Shall we head back to the tournament grounds?”

“Sure. We need to check the match brackets.”

After that, we didn’t speak again until we parted.

Once he escorted me home and left, I was about to head straight to my room when my brother grabbed my arm.

“Hey. Come here for a second.”

I looked at him, puzzled.

“What is it, Brother?”

“You’re asking because you really don’t know?”

He placed his hands on my shoulders.

“Why did you do that?”

“…What?”

“You liked being with Young Master Baek Mu-wol.”

“…Was it that obvious?”

He nodded. I answered quietly.

“That’s exactly why.”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“Brother, I’ll go in now. I’m very tired.”

My mouth felt terribly bitter. I barely acknowledged Ye-han as she greeted me and collapsed onto the bed. The image of him smiling at me flickered before my eyes, so I squeezed them shut.

He’s that handsome, and he has a good personality too? Isn’t that unfair?

While I was with him, every other man looked like a log of wood. The more I thought about it, the more certain I was that it was right to suggest we walk separately.

If I kept spending time with him, my standards would only rise.

…No, perhaps they already had?

The thought that it would be nice to marry someone like him kept creeping into my mind.

How did I end up like this?

I used to think anyone was fine as long as they could help my family. But at some point, I began to covet Young Master Baek Mu-wol as a potential husband—the perfect man by anyone’s standards.

But someone like him wouldn’t even notice someone like me.

If he wished, he could marry a daughter from one of the Five Great Clans. Those young ladies were far more beautiful, stronger, and from far more prestigious and wealthy families than mine. If I tried to push myself forward, I’d only look laughable.

That’s why it was the right choice to say we should go separately.

At such an important time, I couldn’t afford to be distracted by something hopeless. And besides, if I kept appearing with someone like Baek Mu-wol, the men who might have come forward might not even dare approach.

No matter what, my family was the most important thing to me.

Starting tomorrow, I would search diligently for a marriage prospect again. As the saying goes, don’t even look at a tree you cannot climb.

I made that vow again and again.

The next day, my parents and I were busy in earnest.

Old friends of my parents and matchmakers came to our house to arrange marriage talks. Letters piled up from those who wished to meet me.

When I went out for fresh air with my guards, tall and handsome martial artists approached me.

“I fell in love with you at first sight, Miss.”

“I need a wife like you.”

“Would you leave with me?”

Some even belonged to one of the Nine Sects.

What I had always dreamed of was becoming reality.

And yet—despite the vow I’d made only yesterday—I couldn’t focus on any of them.

I didn’t welcome this situation. In fact, it made me gloomy. I had my own emotional ups and downs, but those whose attitudes flipped like meat on a grill were a problem too.

What if something bad happens again and the marriage talks fall through?

The thought that I must move carefully this time made me lose sleep night after night. Afraid that rumors of being frail might spread if I walked around looking haggard, I even refrained from going out.

All this while the martial arts tournament had turned the outside world into a daily festival.

Pathetic.

It felt as though my body were slowly sinking into a black swamp. My head was too noisy.

You have to seize opportunities when they come. This kind of fortune may never come again in my life.

Growing anxious, I finally got up from my bed.

No matter what, I would go out today.

If I added a touch of color to my cheeks and lips, I’d look lively as usual.

After carefully arranging my hair and choosing my clothes, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Passing maids greeted me; I returned their greeting with a nod and walked past.

Then—

“Why does your face look like that? Didn’t you sleep?”

Was that about me?

I quickly turned my head, only to see one maid covering her mouth as she yawned.

“Don’t even mention it. I was organizing clothes all night.”

“Look at those dark circles under your eyes.”

“I’m going to bed early tonight.”

Ah. Not about me.

I’d been overly sensitive. Relieved, I went to greet my parents.

They were speaking seriously over tea, but as soon as they saw me, their faces brightened.

“You’re here, Sojin.”

“Your expression looks much better. You’ve regained your energy at last.”

“Yes, I feel refreshed after some rest. What were you discussing?”

I sat across from them, pretending nothing was wrong.

They looked at me quietly.

…So they had been talking about me after all.

My mouth went dry.

“Sojin.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“What do you think about postponing the search for a marriage match for a while?”

“…Pardon?”

My thoughts froze.

Postpone it? When this was practically the golden age of my life?

My voice rose without my realizing it.

“Why?!”

“We’re not ready to send you away yet.”

…Did that mean they didn’t trust me?

Seeing that I didn’t quite believe them, Mother added awkwardly,

“Perhaps an even better match will come later.”

“Or perhaps it won’t.”

“….”

After a moment of silence, she asked,

“Sojin… do you want to marry that badly?”

“Of course!”

It was the only way I could help our family…!

When I answered without hesitation, my parents exchanged troubled looks.

My fists clenched on their own.

I hated that look.

It felt like the look of people wondering how to deal with the family’s burden.

My eyes began to sting.

“Mother, Father.”

My older brother Jin-han entered.

He’d walked in cheerfully, but paused at the cold atmosphere.

“…Were you fighting?”

“No.”

I answered quickly before my parents could.

“We were just talking.”

Jin-han narrowed his eyes.

“It doesn’t look like that.”

“It’s true.”

“…Well, that’s good then.”

He sat beside me. As I poured him tea, I asked,

“What brings you here at this hour? Don’t you need to check on the inn?”

“I have something to tell you. Sojin, you don’t have plans today, right?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

“You two don’t either, right?”

“No. But why do you ask?”

“I invited Young Master Baek Mu-wol to our house. We’re having dinner together.”

“What?!”

My parents were equally startled.

“How could you invite him without discussing it first? You startled them!”

“They were startled by your voice.”

“Still…!”

I’m not even in good condition today…! Should I apply some medicinal paste to my face?

Flustered, I stood up.

“I’ll excuse myself.”

“Sojin?”

“Just leave her be.”

Leaving the three of them behind, I ran to my room. I urged Ye-han to lay out dresses on the bed and sat before the mirror.

It was ridiculous to fuss like this when I had just decided to keep my distance.

But Young Master Baek Mu-wol had helped me several times. I had to greet him properly.

As I diligently adjusted my hair, Ye-han came in.

“My lady, your complexion looks much better than before.”

“Really?”

As if I’d never been depressed at all, my mood brightened. I smiled widely.

Young Master Baek Mu-wol arrived just as the sky turned orange.

My parents welcomed the distinguished guest with open arms.

“Welcome, Young Master. Thank you for gracing our humble home.”

“The pleasure is mine. Thank you for inviting me.”

“We should have invited you sooner. We hear you’ve helped our children greatly. We’ve been rather busy lately…”

Seeing him again after several days, he looked as dignified as ever.

No—perhaps even more handsome than before.

I almost lost myself staring at him again. Just as I lowered my gaze to steady my heart—

“Sojin, you should greet the Young Master as well.”

All right. Now.

I lifted my head and met his eyes.

“It’s truly a pleasure to see you again, Young Master.”

“I am also pleased to see you again, Miss.”

Good. The greeting went smoothly.

I stepped back.

Or tried to.

“Sojin.”

My brother called me softly.

“Before dinner, why don’t you show the Young Master around the house?”