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chapter 16
“Marriage? Did you just say you want to marry Young Hero Baek Mu-wol?!”
“Yes.”
“What in the world happened…?!”
Mother was about to say more, but she quickly closed her mouth when my older brother shot her a sharp look. He rubbed his forehead and asked,
“Sojin, are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“….”
Among the three of them, my brother was the most rational. His eyes slowly moved from me to Young Hero Baek Mu-wol.
“Did you propose to her first?”
The young hero’s face turned slightly red as he nodded.
“Yes, I did.”
“I thought something was strange when you said you had something to tell my sister… but I didn’t expect a proposal today.”
“I’m sorry. I originally planned to propose after the martial arts competition, but there were too many people following Miss Han around, so I grew impatient.”
My brother sat down again with a complicated expression. Mother carefully spoke.
“Thank you for thinking well of our daughter. But this is so sudden that I don’t know what to say.”
She looked clearly shocked.
Of course she was. It was already surprising that such a famous man—whom we had only heard about in rumors—suddenly appeared before us. Now he was asking to take their only daughter as well.
Even though this was an era when people married and had children with someone they had just met, this situation was still overwhelming.
“It’s natural for you to think that way. To you, I am someone you just met today. And that person suddenly asks for your beautiful daughter, who is like a flower. Of course you would be confused. I would feel the same.”
I glanced at Baek Mu-wol. He looked serious but not stiff—like someone giving the perfect interview answer. I didn’t know there was another person in this era who could make that kind of expression besides me. While I was quietly impressed, he continued speaking.
“I did not propose lightly.”
“You truly mean that you want to marry our daughter?”
“Yes.”
He answered Father’s question without hesitation. Then he turned to me, met my eyes, and smiled softly.
His face really is dangerous to the heart.
My heart, which had been trembling from anxiety, now trembled for a completely different reason. But he didn’t stop there.
“After learning martial arts, I wandered the martial world for quite a long time. But I have never met someone like Miss Han.”
“If it’s not rude, may I ask what you think of our daughter?” Father asked.
Without hesitation, Baek Mu-wol replied,
“Even someone like me, who has known her only a short time, can tell that Miss Han is gentle, warm, and lovable. Like a single bloom of cotton.”
“Young Hero…!”
I called out to him in shock. It was embarrassing enough that he said something so bold so casually, but I had no idea he thought of me that way.
Was I really like soft cotton…?
I had never thought of myself like that. While I was flustered, he continued calmly.
“When I am with her, I feel as if I am standing in a field of cotton—comfortable and warm.”
Wow. He wrapped up the simple meaning of “I feel comfortable with her” in such beautiful words. For a moment, even I almost believed we were in some tragic, once-in-a-century love story.
How is my family reacting?
I quickly looked at them.
Father said nothing.
“Well, my daughter is warm like cotton,” Mother said with a peaceful, almost saint-like smile.
“Excuse me, but are you really talking about my sister? It sounds like you’re describing someone else. She’s more like a pine tree than cotton…,” my brother said seriously, eyeing the young hero with suspicion.
It was slightly annoying, but at least it wasn’t negative. Mother was clearly pleased.
The problem was Father.
I carefully watched his expression. After thinking for a long time, he called my name.
“Sojin.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Now it’s your turn. What do you think of Young Hero Baek?”
“….”
My mouth closed immediately. My mind was filled with only one thought:
How should I answer so Father will be satisfied?
Suddenly I became very nervous. I lowered my head and couldn’t move. Father called me again.
“Why can’t you say anything, Sojin?”
But I still couldn’t lift my head. I was afraid he would see through my thoughts if I looked into his eyes. He had been furious when I told him I wanted to learn martial arts.
As I struggled to find an answer to an impossible question, time kept passing.
“Miss.”
The young hero called me gently.
As if enchanted, I looked up at him.
“No matter what you say, I’m fine with it. Please tell them your thoughts honestly.”
His eyes were so calm. They truly seemed to say that any answer would be fine. Just being near someone that calm made me feel calmer too.
This is amazing. Just standing next to a calm person makes me calm as well.
I moved my lips.
Yes. Let’s say it. He said it’s okay. My family will understand whatever I say. And most importantly—
I can’t let someone as perfect as him slip away.
Passion rose up inside me. I lifted my head and met Father’s gaze.
“As I met Young Hero Baek with my brother, I slowly began to feel some affection for him. And although it’s embarrassing to admit…”
Should I say this? What if he feels uncomfortable? But I wanted to be honest, at least now.
“In fact, not long ago, I thought that if I married someone like him, I would be very happy.”
After speaking, I quickly glanced at him. Fortunately, he didn’t seem upset. The one who looked surprised was Father.
“…So you were capable of thinking that way.”
For some reason, he didn’t look entirely pleased. Did he dislike my answer? What if he refuses?
My heart pounded anxiously. Then Father spoke.
“For now, Young Hero, please move your residence by tomorrow.”
“Does that mean…?”
“Yes.”
Father nodded.
“The Hanrim Inn is operated by our family, but it is not the best inn in this area. We cannot let our future son-in-law stay in such a humble place. Please move to our home.”
My face brightened instantly.
“Father!”
Mother added, “If you need anything at all, just tell us. We will prepare it immediately.”
“That won’t be necessary. I am already deeply grateful for your permission.”
I quickly joined in.
“Don’t refuse. We’re practically family now.”
As soon as I said it, I shut my mouth. Even though I had spoken, my conscience pricked me.
As I said before, even if we married, I wasn’t confident I could love him as much as I loved my own family.
Of course, he probably doesn’t like me as deeply as my brother likes that fragrant lady either…
I glanced at him again—and froze.
For the first time, a crack appeared in his usually calm expression. He looked slightly shaken.
Why is he so surprised? I only stated a simple fact. Earlier he said I was like cotton without even blinking.
I called him again.
“Young Hero, did I say something wrong?”
He shook his head.
“…No. Once we hold the wedding, we truly will become family.”
“That’s right. Why?”
Instead of answering me, he turned to my parents.
“As Miss Han said, we will soon become family. Please treat me comfortably.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
For some reason, I felt that he might also have a complicated family background.
