Chapter Text
What the hell? This was completely out of the blue, and even I was caught off guard.
There was a stir in the crowd. Without a care for those around us, Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed me and forced me to face him. His powerful grip locked me in place, making me feel like a fox trapped in the clutches of a wolf.
Was he seriously going to hit me?
Honestly, as long as I didn't die, I wasn't too concerned.
"Say it again. Hiding... what do you plan on doing while hiding?"
"I-I'll just stay hidden and watch. Even if I follow you, you wouldn't notice..."
"Do you want to die?"
What the hell? Of course not. Does this idiot even understand what I'm saying? I told him as long as he didn't kill me. Is he dense?
His voice didn't quite sound like a typical threat.
Trying not to risk my life, I shook my head quickly.
"Then why do it?"
"I, I... just want to see you, but I don't want to get in your way..."
Like a devoted fan.
Surely, he wouldn’t think his weak omega would try to assassinate him. There’s a saying that only someone reckless enough would attempt to assassinate a paladin.
As I tried to make my eyes as teary as possible, my mate, who was frowning at me with an unreadable expression, suddenly let out a sound that resembled a grunt and touched his temple. At the same time, Lee Seolhwa, who had been watching us with a somewhat absent-minded look, coughed and said, “Sir Dokja, that’s a very dangerous act.”
“What?”
“I don’t mean Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi would mistake his omega for an assassin. As you know, the North is a dangerous place, so we’re a bit different from those who grew up in the South. It’s not as safe as it used to be, and if you’re near the knights when they’re tracking monsters, they might kill you without realizing what’s happening.
I see. Who knows what they’d do if they were at their peak? Maybe they’d be as hyperactive as people on drugs. Naturally, I didn’t want to pretend to chase unless safety was guaranteed. But, I suppose I do look like a fanboy from their reactions. Thank you for misunderstanding, you delusional idiots.
“Oh, I’m in such trouble. I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m from the South…”
“Don’t say that. No wonder you don’t know. It’s fine, right? Hey, jerk, say something to your mate.”
Yoo Joonghyuk remained unmoved, silent, and just frowned at me with a strange look, chewing on his bottom lip. Meanwhile, Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes, with a smiling Lee Seolhwa observing them.
He seemed to be contemplating how to get annoyed to death.
I stuttered with a glum expression, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
“D-Don’t worry. I’ll never get you in trouble…”
“If the schedule had changed, you should have told me in advance.”
The worried voice belonged to Yoo Sangah.
Yoo Sangah came close and looked at me with a concerned expression.
Is she worried about my safety? How kind of you, Sangah-ssi.
Sniff
“Sangah’s right. You could have stopped by. You don’t even know how to appreciate the beauty at home.”
Lee Cha shifted the mood by lightly tapping Yoo Joonghyuk’s arm with the tip of her fan, breaking his intense focus on me with a playful gesture.
It seemed like a natural move.
In an atmosphere where a comment like “Where’s the beauty?” would typically be heard, Yoo Joonghyuk’s unmoving presence made the barely cheerful atmosphere awkward again. Meanwhile, his tight grip continued to painfully trap my shoulder.
What a narrow-minded jerk. Could he please let go of my shoulder? It hurts like hell.
This response was interesting. I thought he’d just walk away like last time.
“You…”
“Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived!”
Just as he finally opened his mouth, a magnificent horn blared.
It was, indeed, perfect timing.
Queen Namgung Minyoung spoke.
The Queen of the North was a woman I had only heard about. She was the first woman to ever rule, not a man—a truly impressive feat. With a gentle yet commanding presence, she spoke in a measured, business-like tone, “You must have gone through some trouble traveling this far, but I’m happy to have your presence, Sir Kim Dokja.”
“I also appreciate your hospitality, Your Majesty.”
“And you can just call me Kim Dokja. Let’s drop the formalities.”
“Hohoho, if you insist.”
“It’s rare for my nephew to show up on time for a banquet, but it seems that after getting married, little boys really do grow up. Isn’t that right, Lord Yoo Joonghyuk?”
Apparently, Queen Namgung Minyoung had quite a bit of influence, especially through her nephew.
Likewise, Yoo Joonghyuk, who had probably gained enough wealth through his marriage to me, responded to the jab with a polite attitude, “The son will only follow in his father’s footsteps, after all.”
The queen’s expression twisted slightly.
It wasn’t anger, but more of a strange bitterness.
“Is this why you never listen to me, even after I’ve asked you so many times?”
“What can I even say, and who can I blame? I brought this on myself.” His cynical tone was so cold that everyone who heard it felt a chill run down their spine.
Although, I noticed something... She’s taller than Yoo Joonghyuk himself. Is this a Yoo family trait? What the hell do they eat?
Yoo Joonghyuk glared at me, taking one last careful look before leaving like a storm, clicking his tongue in displeasure.
His childish behavior reminded me of Cesare.
Laughter echoed from all around.
Yes, yes, laugh all you want. I’ll be the fool smiling even when my mate throws me away. This isn’t the first time, anyway.
“If only he hadn’t been Jiah’s child…”
“Calm down, Your Majesty. The new bride will be surprised,” the king gently said, calming the queen, who was about to burst into a fit. He smiled kindly at me.
He had hazel-brown hair, soft amber eyes with a mole beneath one of them, and light coffee-colored skin, which was rare for royalty. He stood out. I remembered someone saying he was a slave from the East, and it seemed my memory was correct.
“Now, princess, it’s quite bold of you to look at me like that. Let’s greet each other properly.”
The princess looked around six or nine years old.
With brilliant turquoise eyes, she stared at me and then looked up at the king, who gently nudged her forward. Her short hazel-brown hair—reminiscent of Han Sooyoung’s, though hers was black—swayed as she moved.
“…Welcome to Murim Palace, Sir Ahjussi.”
Aww, so cute. At least she’s not as aggressive as Yoo Mia. I let her call me Ahjussi because she’s adorable.
“Thank you, Princess Shin Yoosung.”
As I greeted her with a big smile, the princess, who had hidden herself behind the king’s back, quickly averted her eyes.
She looked like a kitten hiding.
Now, it was clear why the princess’s role was so insignificant in the original work.
Queen Namgung Minyoung was generous enough to give the crown to a former Pagan slave, and a dancer at that. Yet, she couldn’t grant her daughter, who resembled her father (though perhaps she inherited her skin tone from her mother), and had those familiar Pagan traits, the same prominence as any other princess.
It was inevitable, no matter how hard the queen tried. Furthermore, with cousins like Yoo Joonghyuk, Yoo Sangah, and even Yoo Mia, Shin Yoosung would always remain an outsider in Kaizenix's aristocratic society.
I was never in a position to sympathize with anyone, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit of pity for her.
Damn it, this world and that world aren’t much different after all.
Anyway, after the greeting, the banquet proceeded in earnest.
The music from the bands, the sound of people talking, the laughter, and the clinking of glasses filled the enormous banquet hall.
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“These sleeves are unique. Is this a Southern fad?”
Yeah, keep looking at me like that! I’m a fool who wouldn’t even think about hurting anyone.
“Ah, Sangah-ya”
“Lee Cha? Where have you been?” Lee Cha, whose whereabouts had been a mystery, finally reappeared and joined our table. It was refreshing to see her flushed complexion; it seemed she had been riding a horse just moments before.
Lee Cha sat on the right side of Yoo Sangah and immediately said to me, “I’m sorry, Sir Kim. I was going to bring him back in, but now he’s ignoring my words. Whatever happened to his chivalry?”
“You’ve done something pointless. Did he ever even pretend to listen to us?”
“I know… Haaa. My lord, do you like horseback riding? Sangah-ssi and I host horseback riding meetings every summer.”
Earlier she called me "Sir," but now it’s "My Lord." Could they just call me Kim Dokja instead of these titles? And no, I don’t even know how to ride a horse. Why ask me?
“I don’t ride very well, but I like it.”
“Don’t worry; all you need to do is enjoy it.”
“Horseback riding skills are hard to maintain. Lord Joonghyuk could help you, of course. How about asking your mate for assistance, my lord?”
One of the women sitting across from me smiled widely. Her round gray eyes sparkled provocatively. Her scent was similar to Lee Cha’s from earlier when we were in the carriage, but instead of anger, it carried an air of dominance. Was she trying to humiliate me despite her being a dominant Omega and me having a strong scent?
Before I could say anything, Lee Cha quickly interjected, “That was when I was a kid. Besides, I wasn’t very good at it.”
“Of course. Don’t misunderstand, Lady Lee.”
Lady Conolace apologized with an air of indifference and exchanged glances with those around her. She seemed almost to be reveling in the situation. Why was there always someone like that everywhere?
“Thank you for your concern, but I can’t afford to waste his time on such trivial matters.”
There was a moment of silence as I spoke with a smile.
She stared at my smiling face as if it were absurd, then cleared her throat and responded with an awkward smile, as if she had lost all her earlier enthusiasm. “By the way, summer is coming to an end. This year’s sword fight will be held earlier than last time, right?”
“Will Sir Joonghyuk attend this year’s game?”
“Well, I’m looking forward to it, but if Lord Joonghyuk is present, the winner will be too obvious.”
“I don’t know what will happen this year. I wonder who the ‘Flower of Glory’ will be.”
The conversation quickly shifted, and I felt a wave of sickness when this topic came up.
This was because Cesare would visit during this season.
The sword match, held every three years in the Archipelago, was the largest event with the longest history on the continent, attracting participants and visitors from all over the world.
It wasn’t a fight between people, but against monsters that had been tamed while keeping their ferocity intact.
Though the match itself was a terrifying spectacle, only nobles were allowed to attend. A committee, consisting of priests, was formed to identify any foul play and prevent accidents.
Yes, Cesare was coming to see me, using the event as an excuse.
Ah, damn it.
“Do you not have an appetite?”
Yoo Sangah suddenly asked me, her calm, worrywart expression evident as she sat and listened to the conversation.
Did she notice that I was only sipping from my glass?
“I just love the taste of alcohol,” I replied.
“It’s not good to drink on an empty stomach,” she gently admonished.
So, I put down my half-finished glass and pretended to eat the lemon pie in front of me.
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I left the banquet hall and headed toward the closest balcony, but I ended up bumping my shoulder hard into someone coming from the opposite direction.
My shoulders were really having a rough day.
The other person quickly grabbed my hand to steady me, just as I was about to stumble.
“Are you all right?”
He sounded young. When I raised my head, slightly frowning to endure the pain in my shoulder, I found myself staring into mesmerizing cloudy-grey eyes, reminiscent of someone—either Lee Cha or Lee Seolhwa.
He was tall, but he look young.
His snow-white hair, falling over the back of his neck, and his delicate, pretty features reminded me a lot of someone.
“I’m fine, but…”
“Ah, I’m Lee Hyeol. You were with my twin sister and cousin a little while ago, weren’t you?”
As expected, Lee Cha’s twin brother. The resemblance was uncanny.
“Are you sure you're okay? Do you want me to help you back to the banquet hall?”
“I’m fine. I just came out to get some fresh air. Are you a paladin?”
“Sir Joonghyuk would laugh if he heard that. I’m still too young. But... are you bored of the banquet?”
Young my ass you looked old enough to be a paladin
Banquets were always boring. Still, why did he hate me?
The boy smiling in front of me seemed friendly enough, but the hostility in the air was unmistakable. His facade were betraying the cheerful act he put on. I was always sensitive to these kinds of things, but the disgust in his eyes was so obvious it hurt. Maybe it was his youth, his inexperience, that made him incapable of hiding his true feelings. Why did they all pretend to smile, but let their pheromones reveal their real emotions? Despite being a beta I can't smell his pheromone because beta doesn't have one
Look at him. When did he ever see me to form such a bad impression?
My mate didn't even have such a strong reaction. Yoo Sangah, with her naturally calm yet intimidating demeanor, was at least a little hard to read, but she wasn’t hostile. Lee Cha, though vague, wasn’t hostile either. Yet here was her twin brother, brimming with distaste.
I kept a polite smile on my face and watched him carefully, waiting for his next move. He seemed to study me for a moment before scratching his head in apparent embarrassment.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just can’t believe I’m seeing you in person…”
“It sounds like I’m famous here.”
“Where in the world would there be anyone who doesn’t know the lord’s name? You’re the Pope’s youngest son.”
I'm older than you though?
“Really? I’m not as famous as my brothers, so I’m a bit surprised.”
A short silence followed. Lee Hyeol, scratching his temples as if in thought, smiled and added, “Actually, there’s a famous song that wasn’t too popular until recently.”
“Oh, really?”
“Seems like you’ve never heard of it before. Would you like to listen to it?”
“I’m curious, please go ahead.”
“This is what it’s all about,” he said, clearing his throat dramatically.
“Sistina's larks said he couldn’t find a worthy alpha to suit his taste, but his half-brothers would be fine…”
What the heck...
Whatever reaction Lee Hyeol had anticipated from me remained a mystery due to the sudden, jarring sound.
Wham!
"Argh!"
"Didn't I tell you not to mess around alone, huh?"
"Ah, wait a minute, ahhh!!"
My eyes widened. Han Sooyoung had appeared from the hallway like a basilisk, delivering a merciless cuff to Lee Hyeol's head and then twisting his ear. The black kitty cat, foul-mouthed paladin, whom I'd heard was an omega.
"Apologize immediately before I rip your mouth off!"
"Ha, but..."
"To think you admire that bastard Yoo Joonghyuk... Do you want me to bring you to him? If it's that a hole, he'd tear your bloody mouth apart when he hears the sht you just talked about. Then, you'll apologize to Lord Yoo Dokja with that shtty snout of yours."
I doubted Yoo Joonghyuk would actually rip Lee Hyeol's mouth just because I heard that song. Lee Hyeol muttered something like an apology, head down as Han Sooyoung held him by his ear, perhaps out of fear of Yoo Joonghyuk or because of the pain.
And excuse me, Yoo Dokja? Pfft, there's no way Yoo Joonghyuk would care about me having his last name. He might do something bad to me just for thinking that. The thought gave me shivers.
"Don't mumble! Should I make you bark louder?"
"Well, I'm fine, just let him go."
I didn’t really want to hear an apology since I wasn’t angry in the first place.
Han Sooyoung, after looking at me, grinned and released Lee Hyeol. He immediately bolted away. Tsk tsk. Han Sooyoung shook her hands and muttered a final low-pitched curse while smiling beautifully.
She turned back to me.
“I’m sorry for the mess you had to see.”
“It’s okay.”
“Don’t get me wrong. He’s… he’s just lost his mind in a weird delusion. Such an absurd song is known to none of our knights…”
“Lady Han, it’s really alright. It’s not my first time hearing that rumor.”
There was a moment of silence.
I was trying to hold back my emotions as Han Sooyoung looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Sniffle.
“he..hey why are you crying. Kim Dokja?”
Aha, finally dropping the formalities.
“I’m sorry, I just… I just suddenly thought about it. I wonder if my mate believed in such rumors, so…”
“That’s ridiculous. He’s not interested in the din other people make up in the first place. Even if it needed some attention.”
“Huu. Really?”
“Of course, and it’s not his way to stay with people who bother him. To be honest, he was a bit surprised earlier. He probably didn’t mean that you were a bother…”
Should I say it's an honor?
“H-He doesn’t hate me, right?”
“Not at all! How dare that bast—cough—I mean that man hate his mate? It’s just that he’s been living his own way, and this is the first time he’s experiencing something not going his way. He’s just embarrassed and acting up.”
“So, he doesn’t hate me even if I liked him to my heart’s content, right?”
“Eew, that’s kinda cringe.”
Thanks for the compliment, though.
Han Sooyoung, who had been dramatically gagging, finally showed her true form.
“By the way, let’s drop the formalities. Just call me Han Sooyoung. Being called Lady Han is cringe.”
“Then why did you call me Sir and Lord earlier instead of Kim Dokja? Did you already call me that when I went to your training?”
“It’s because I have to keep my cool in front of Lady Yoo.”
What a simp...
“Anyway, I should take you to the banquet hall first.”
“It’s okay. I came out because I wanted to get some fresh air anyway.”
“But if you’re alone… alright. But if that kid shows up again, just tell me when that idiot annoys you again, got it?”
“Are you worried that kid might come after me again and make me cry?”
“Like hell I would.”
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Her mouth was dirty, but her chivalry was certainly alive. Coming out on the balcony alone in the evening, my eyes fell on the night scenario, which looked as bright as day. The courtyard was beautifully decorated with winding steps leading down.
There was a pond surrounded by artistic sculptures. I went down the stairs to get a closer look.
Next to a pair of swan statues with their heads forming hearts, a figure with hazel-brown short hair moved swiftly.
“Princess Shin Yoosung…”
Shin Yoosung, who had been hiding behind the swan's tail, leaned out.
A bunch of blue delphiniums were held in her hands, gathered tightly in front of her. It seemed like she had been playing here alone. Where did her nanny go?
“a....ah please don’t tell father.”
Ah, so she had sneaked out. Surprisingly, she was quite the tomboy. I nodded and smiled reassuringly.
“I won’t tell anyone. What are you making?”
Instead of answering, the little princess gazed at me with hesitant eyes. It appeared she wasn’t entirely sure if she could trust what I said.
I turned my head and approached the pond, making it clear that I wouldn't disturb her.
A bridge stood out gracefully in the middle of the large pond.
“…you can’t be there alone.”
“What?”
“A pair of fated mates has to be together to make their love come true.”
She stepped out from behind the statue.
[Love will come true.]
I couldn't believe there was a pond like this in the palace.
Such romantic people. Well, the queen, at least, was one.
“Does love come true?”
“I don’t know… this is what the nanny said. The fairy of love lives in the pond.”
I bent over and made eye contact with Shin Yoosung, grinning.
Now, the little princess was staring into my eyes, not looking elsewhere.
Was it because my hair looked similar to the flower she was holding?
“Is that a bouquet of flowers?”
“…Is it pretty?”
“Yes, it’s really pretty. Who did you make it for?”
The princess, blinking her big eyes as if hesitating, nodded and whispered, “I’ll give it to you.”
“What?”
“If you let me touch your hair, I’ll give it to Sir Ahjussi.”
I bent down so she could reach my hair and smiled gently. “My hair isn’t anything special, so you can do whatever you like with it, Princess.”
“Not now, but later,” she replied.
So she wanted to play with my hair like it was a doll's. Even though I was much older, to her, I probably seemed like a large, exotic doll from the South.
Well, if she wants to treat me like a doll, then so be it.
Phew, children have a knack for noticing things.
“Princess—”
I jumped, startled. Why does everyone keep sneaking up on me today? Shin Yoosung, who had been about to give me the bouquet, stood frozen, biting her lip. I also paused briefly as I took the flowers from her.
I hadn't expected to run into him again today.
His black medium-length hair shimmered under the sunlight. As he walked along the path flanked by elegant statues, Yoo Joonghyuk looked strikingly impressive against the serene backdrop.
Damn protagonist... why does he have to be so handsome?
I felt Shin Yoosung trembling slightly as she clung to my suit jacket.
I understand my own reaction, but why is she so frightened?
Yoo Joonghyuk halted about two meters away from us. With a cold, unfeeling tone that made both the princess and me shiver, he said, “Your Highness, I told you last time not to wander off alone. Your father has been looking for you.”
Huh?
In the next moment, the little princess thrust the bouquet into my hands and dashed past him, running toward the palace like a frightened kitten. It seemed like this happened often, and Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t make any move to stop her.
My mate stood there, unmoving, his gaze fixed ahead with an expression of disbelief.
“You were spending time with each other…”
Ah, so that’s what he wanted to discuss. I adjusted the bouquet in my hands, feeling a bit self-conscious about being treated like a child, but I managed to maintain a shy smile.
“Were you searching for the princess?”
“No. I was actually looking for you. I’m not a guard.”
What? Looking for me? You were the one who left me behind. Are you trying to get rid of me now?
I felt a pang of unease, but I kept my composure and widened my eyes in surprise.
"Me? Really?"
"Hmm..."
Just like before, the one who threw me away walked toward me.
God, is he really going to hit me again? Fine, as long as he lets me live afterward...
"What are you doing?"
“What?”
“Open your eyes.”
I slowly opened my eyes, which I had instinctively shut.
His broad chest was right in front of me. When I looked up, I saw his face staring down at me with a cold expression.
Huu... Scary.
“Did the princes of Olympus grow up used to being beaten up?”
What the actual fuck? How did he know that? Could he read minds or see the future? What the hell. Hey, it's normal to be scared when a huge guy like you charges at me. How tall is he? Probably over 2 meters.
“I thought you were going to hide and watch me.”
“I-I’m fine just watching.”
“Really? Then why did you close your eyes? Were you expecting a kiss or something?”
Eugh. As if I’d want to kiss your smelly lips.
The way he tilted his head and muttered felt so strange.
If he just kept frowning at me like he usually did, I could get used to it. But the way he glared at me with his molten onyx-gold eyes wide open made him seem even more dangerous. If I said I was expecting a kiss, he'd instantly know I was lying.
Do you think I’ve been through this just once or twice?
"That's because earlier, you seemed upset with me..."
"So, you thought I'd hit you or something?"
"Not exactly, but if you did..."
"So... you like me even though you know I might hit you?"
"No? You're just the only one who can protect me. I'll try my best to fix my mistakes, so please don’t hate me."
There was a brief silence. While I clutched the bouquet of flowers with both hands and looked down sadly, he stared at me with an unreadable expression. Why was he staring at me again?
Rough footsteps echoed nearby.
It was clear they were coming this way, but neither of us looked away.
"...Master!! My mate, who had been frowning at me, turned his head.
The girl I saw the other day with Han Sooyoung-her twin, but with white hair-was gasping as she approached us. She paused, looking slightly puzzled, before speaking carefully.
"I think you should come for a moment."
Hmm, something must be happening with the Paladins at the palace.
"Stay here."
He ordered while glaring at me, making it clear that if I tried to escape, he'd definitely kill me.
Ho-oh, does he still have time for me? What now? Should I stick the flowers in my hair and wait for him?
I glanced briefly at his giant back as he walked away, then sat on a flat rock nearby.
A fresh wind blew.
I was still shaken. I wondered what kind of delusion Lee Cha's twin brother was having.
He showed such hostility just because of some rumors about me. It was hard to figure out what had triggered him.
That was a lot to process just because a senior he admired had an Omega like me… Maybe it had something to do with Lee Cha?
As I was organizing my thoughts, I suddenly looked down at the bouquet of flowers in my hand.
Now that I see them, they really do match the color of my eyes.
The same flowers symbolize a big heart, cheerfulness, goodwill, and also serve as a protective plant. It’s ironic.
Suddenly, cold water splashed on me from behind.
Just as I tried to get up reflexively, something wet and slippery wrapped around my torso and yanked me into the water in an instant.
There was no time to scream or struggle.
Splash!
The water was ice-cold.
My heart seemed to stop for a moment. I wondered if I was going to die like this and what kind of empty ending it would be. Strangely, though, I didn’t feel any fear. I was caught by some kind of pond monster. I felt numb, but the thing holding me tightly didn’t seem intent on killing me; it was just…
When I struggled a bit, the monster's grip loosened slightly.
It felt absurd, as if it would simply let go if I swam up like this.
What was this? Did it just want to play with me? Or was I so terrified that I was becoming delusional? Maybe it was some kind of psychological attack? As the oxygen in my lungs dwindled, I instinctively tried to shake off the pond monster and swim upward.
I was about to move my hands in the water to grab the arms that were twisted around my waist.
As if a torpedo had exploded, a blindingly intense light flashed, sending a tingling sensation through my body. The arms that were holding me disappeared completely, but this time, something else gripped me from above and pulled me up with strong force.
Poha, my blocked breath burst out all at once.
My head was spinning, my surroundings were chaotic, and the stench of their disgusting pheromones made me want to vomit. It was suffocating...
Cough, cough
“How the hell did this happen here…”
Huff...
What were they talking about? When I finally managed to wake up, my alpha was standing in front of me, looking down at me. But why did he suddenly seem shorter?
Oh, he was holding me up. His eyes, which were indescribably complex, were fixed on me.
I had no idea what was happening, but the pond monster was just a monster, and I hadn't summoned it on purpose.
Just like last time when the torch went out...
“…..Waah!”
I screamed loudly, clinging to Yoo Joonghyuk's neck, bursting into tears as I feared I would be hit.
Regardless, I choked him to death and burst into tears.
"Oh, I was so scared! You protected me again. You're the only one!"
As silence fell over the area, Yoo Joonghyuk's sigh was the only sound that pierced through. It was a sigh filled with tired frustration.
The appearance of the pond monster, amid the romantic legend of Murim Palace, seemed to have caused quite a serious disturbance.
Inside the palace, where absolute safety is paramount, the sudden attack from a pond that had been trouble-free for decades shocked everyone.
Moreover, despite my poor reputation as the Pope's favorite son, it would have been quite embarrassing for Kaizenix if things had gone wrong.
Looking back on my hazy memories, I didn’t recall anything like this from the original.
The heart of the archipelago, where the nobles' Sagas, temples, and palaces were closely situated, was considered a very safe and clean zone. What happened on my first night here was strange in many ways.
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Of course, in the original, Kim Dokja never experienced the first night with the torch being extinguished or left the palace banquet to approach the pond. If this continued, they might misunderstand me as a witch who attracted creatures.
“Whoo…”
The annual event had arrived. I hadn't felt anything until the night I fell into the pond, but from the next day, I began to feel a bit off.
At first, I thought it was just a cold, but it wasn’t.
My body was burning hot, as if someone were poking me with needles all over. This was a symptom that occurred twice a year since I possessed this body. I thought it would return at the end of the year, but it had come early—damn it.
Initially, my family called the physician because I claimed I was sick, or in my heat cycle but he just tilted his head and said he had never seen such symptoms before. Not was i in heat others seemed just as perplexed.
The next time something similar happened, everyone started to think I was faking it to avoid engagement. So, I decided to endure it.
I was used to suppressing my pain. The symptoms would disappear in a few days.i had thought I only need to endure my anorexia and being an omega u guess there's three more. Calling a physician wouldn’t help much, and it would be tough to be labeled a “foolish faker.”
Especially with my mate, who might think I was up to something. What was he trying to tell me at the pond, anyway?
I need to find out what he wanted to tell me.
The conversation was cut short by the appearance of the monster. Whatever the reason he asked me to wait, it was unexpected coming from someone who usually avoided annoying people.
Yoo Sangah had been out since early in the morning, leaving only the cold-faced household servants in the house.
I told the maid who came to wake me that I didn’t need breakfast. I went out with a cheerful expression, and no one came to look for me all morning.
Tch, heartless people.
Still, lying in bed all morning did make me feel a bit better.
But it felt like a waste of time, so I finally got up and headed to the bathroom. I was glad I knew how to wash myself. I quickly rinsed off the overnight sweat with lukewarm water and went to the dressing room. The robes here were never easy to wear alone, but some of the simpler casual clothes could be put on without assistance. I put on a tunic and settled into a simple green outfit with white puffed sleeves.
I needed to practice wearing it alone since I didn’t know what might happen later.
I combed my messy hair until it shone and gently left the room. As I walked down the stairs through the white marble corridor covered with rugs, I saw escorts standing like statues at the entrance, forming a line pointing toward the hall.
“What do you need, my lord?”
One of the knights, who stood there holding his spear and glaring at me, finally spoke up, unable to hold his silence any longer.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Do you know where my mate is right now?”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t know where the Duke is.”
Another knight tapped the one who answered on the shoulder.
Did the two exchange glances for a moment?
“I’m not sure, but Lady Yoo mentioned she’d stop by First Murim Port with Lady Lee around lunchtime today.”
“Ah—”
“……As you know, the Duke is in a very bad mood right now, and only those two can soothe him.”
I see. Those two girls are the only ones who can calm down that moody wreck. That’s more information than I asked for. I’m sure my presence is the cause of his discomfort. Yeah, I get it.
It seemed everyone was eager to see me jealous of Lee Cha. They probably thought she deserved my position and were expecting me to make a scene out of envy.
I could understand why Kim Dokja in the original book was particularly hard on Lee Cha. It’s only natural he’d be pushed to act that way given his already bad reputation. Anyway, Yoo Joonghyuk must be at First Murim Harbor now.
How many places have the name Murim? First Murim, Murim Palace... Just how much does the Queen... you know what, never mind.
“I see. Thank you.”
There was a brief silence. I continued to smile as the guards returned to their rigid stance.
Soon, a dismal voice spoke up, “I’ll arrange a carriage if you need it.”
“Thank you, sir. You’re very kind.”
_________________________________
_________________________________
First Murim Port, where I first set foot, was a peaceful and exotic place with the fresh sea breeze, open dock scenery, lighthouses, and nearby inns and bars.
But now, city guards and armor-clad Paladins were scattered everywhere, making the once-beautiful harbor scene appear grim and eerie.
What were they doing? The atmosphere seemed quite serious—were they preparing for a meeting, or was someone important arriving?
I didn’t recall any foreign VIPs visiting at this point in the story.
As I stopped the carriage a little distance away and walked closer, I saw a group of guards and Paladins lounging on the stairs of a bar just across the low stone wall, drinking beer in the broad daylight.
No, these people… Were they really Paladins? I hid behind a stone wall, leaned out, and took in the busy harbor view.
Ha, this makes me feel like a real stalker. Surviving here is tough.
Indeed, Yoo Joonghyuk was there. My mate was speaking seriously with a ruddy-faced guard with a red beard. It was a relief to find him more easily than I had expected.
Now, how should I approach him?
“That sunfish…”
“Who are you talking about?”
I think my heart just skipped a beat.
I turned my head slowly, stifling a scream that almost escaped.
Someone had approached me silently, crouching in the same position as me.
I saw a girl beside me.
Wait. Wasn't she the trainee who came to find Yoo Joonghyuk by the pond? As I stared for a moment, the trainee blinked slowly. Her clear charcoal eyes and the black hair falling over her bangs reminded me of Dora and Cesare, though Cesare’s hair wasn’t this dark.
“Sorry I surprised you. You seem to be stalking someone. Don’t worry, ugly ahjussi, I won’t tell your dirty secret. Who’s the person you’re stalking?”
No... I’m not a stalker. I mean, I was stalking someone, but still... Could she just leave like she didn’t see me? Gosh, this is embarrassing.
Still, it’s a relief she didn’t exude the weird hostility like that Lee Hyeol kid.
“It’s okay.”
“Are you doing well? At the palace…”
“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
When I answered with a smile, the trainee stared at my face for a moment and then spoke in a low tone, scratching her head awkwardly. “I’m actually a master’s trainee.”
Master… does she mean Yoo Joonghyuk? Well, that’s a surprise.
“I thought so. How long have you been here?”
“It hasn’t been long, actually. I was lucky because the trainee before me got into trouble.”
“Trouble?”
“Yes. Apparently, he sang an obscene song in someone’s presence.”
Hmm… Why do I feel like that’s the song I heard? Lee Hyeol… this kid wasn’t trying to see if I was curious, was she?
“But why is ‘ugly ahjussi’ hiding like this? Aren’t you here to see the master? Do you want me to go get him?”
Could you please stop calling me ‘ugly ahjussi’? Damn it, I bet Yoo Mia spread that name at the banquet.
“No, it’s… I’m not here to meet him. I’m just stopping by to see him.”
“I know, right? He’s the coolest person to watch from afar. I can’t believe he married someone like you, ‘ugly ahjussi’—no offense though.”
Ouch... At least you’re being honest. Thanks for the compliment, too.
Nevertheless, I looked down shyly.
“I didn’t know you saw him that way too.”
“Yeah! He’s not the type to beg anyone to wait for him.”
“Oh, and don’t tell anyone, especially Master, I said this. I might be beaten to death.”
I can't believe he beat young girl's at this point, I wondered if something was off with her since he’d been beaten so much by Yoo Joonghyuk. I decided to move on to another topic.
“But what’s going on here?”
“It’s just the palace pond incident that happened all of a sudden…”
“Why don’t you lie flat next time?”
The frighteningly cold growl overhead made both of us gasp and shriek.
My heart— I think it’s finally left my body!
“Master is really cool, ha… haha.”
“That’s right. You’re the coolest and handsomest as always.”
Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t say anything for a moment. His veins popped out at his temple as he glared down at us while pony tail girl and I smiled brightly and chatted.
Ah, so scary.
“Oh, hey, Kim Dokja, long time no see. We were wondering who this idiot was hiding with and swearing at us.”
“It’s Lee Jihye unnie, not ‘idiot.’”
So, this kid’s name was Lee Jihye.
I got up from my squatted position. I felt a little dizzy, but it was fine.
“Hello, Han Sooyoung.”
“Why are you two being so casual and not using formalities, unnie?”
“Because I said so. He even agreed to it.”
“Lee Jihye, go back…”
“Yes, master!”
Lee Jihye left us behind. I could still feel his deadly glare on me…
“So, how are you feeling, Squid?”
“Squid?”
“Yeah, it’s a nickname since you’re weak.”
Bruh…
“I’m good. Thank you for your concern.”
“Don’t mention it, of course. By the way, are you here to meet this emo bastard?”
The said emo bastard glared at me.
“that's not it I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. But I wanted to thank you for what happened yesterday…”
“That’s something this bastard should be grateful for, Squid. He had the honor of saving his mate. Don’t you think so, son of a bitch? Why don’t you answer if you have a conscience?”
Of course, Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t have a conscience.
Yoo Joonghyuk ignored his sister’s simp taunts and said what he had to say. “It was only natural.”
“No, of course it is. If I die, everyone gets in trouble.”
“What?”
“Why don’t you come instead of spouting nonsense to this motherfucker and have lunch with us? I’m sure he’ll love it, too.”
Elegantly intervening, Han Sooyoung grabbed Yoo Joonghyuk’s shoulders tightly with a tiptoe grip. Oh, she’s got guts.
“Can I really join you? I’m afraid it might distract you from talking to your close friends.”
“What? It’s not like that. We’re not that close. I don’t even want to be friends in the first place.”
“But I think Sangah-ssi and Lady Cha might be uncomfortable... I’d rather just go home and rest.”
I tried to appeal as much as possible, presenting myself as a pure fan with no jealousy, but the responses of the two paladins seemed a bit strange.
“Huh? …Is that… oi kim Dokja?”
“Eh? Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?”
I tilted my head innocently, but the looks on their faces grew more bewildered. Besides Han Sooyoung, why was Yoo Joonghyuk staring at me with such wide eyes? I couldn’t get used to it.
It was then that I felt something running down my nose.
Confusion filled me. No, wait, don’t tell me I was a damn embarrassment with a runny nose in front of my mate’s friend—ah, thank God, it wasn’t a runny nose. The liquid dripping down my chin was dark red.
It wasn’t snot but a nosebleed—why all of a sudden?!
Even if I was in bad shape because of my yearly sickness, I’d never been like this before.
“Oh…”
“Hey… Kim Dokja?”
No, I’m so confused that I don’t know what to do.
Just as I was acting like a huge fan, I got a bloody nose.
I tried to stem the blood flowing from my hands by raising the back of my hand reflexively, but my head felt dizzy.
Someone quickly grabbed my drooping shoulder.
“You…”
Yoo Joonghyuk, who had stretched out his bulky arm over the stone wall, suddenly paused and frowned.
Look, you stubborn sunfish bastard, I'm fine with your rude behavior, but there's no way I can get a nosebleed on purpose.
“Why did you come here when you had a heat and fever?”
Huh? Heat? Me? Fever? That can't be true. I hadn’t had my heat since I started taking suppressants. What did I do to trigger it? And how did he know? Could he really smell my pheromones... but how?
I'm in the middle of my yearly sickness, dealing with a lot of pain, but did my heat have to join in? I could never feel it coming. Although it was a phenomenon I often experienced, the burning sensation that seemed to poke my whole body like needles... I thought that was just part of the sickness. It was worse than before, sure, but I didn't think it's included my heat.
It was the first time I’d ever had a nosebleed during a heat. Maybe my overacting in this situation had pushed me to that point.
“I didn’t mean to look like this on purpose,” I said, my voice shaky with embarrassment.
Yoo Joonghyuk cut me off before I could finish, his intense eyes narrowing at me. There was a familiar seriousness in his gaze.
“Who did you come with?”
“I… I came alone,”
“fuck, you came here looking like this?"
My head spun as Yoo Joonghyuk effortlessly lifted me off the ground, one of his arms securely wrapped under my armpit like I was some kind of sack.
Ah, so this must be how a fox feels in the claws of a wolf.
I wanted to ask him to put me down, but I knew better. He'd probably just toss me to the ground without hesitation.
Han Sooyoung’s charcoal-grey eyes narrowed in concern as she quickly handed me a handkerchief. “Which idiot was supposed to call for a physician?”
No one would’ve gone even if I had asked.
"It’s not worth calling a doctor for. I’m sorry, the sunlight was too strong, and I got dizzy."
"Han Sooyoung, give me your handkerchief."
"Which one?"
"It doesn’t matter—damn it, he’s burning up."
"No shit… Seriously, since when has he been in heat? How has no one noticed this the whole time?'
It made sense. This sickness was an odd one, with no visible symptoms. I wasn’t supposed to go into heat either...
Even the physicians thought it was just a side effect from overexerting myself. But now, my mate was telling me I was burning up.
It was both confusing and intriguing.
My head spun, and as my vision darkened, my body went limp in his arms.
"...Huu...huuu."
"Squid!!"
"Hey, don't close your eyes yet, stay awake!!"
I heard you two...too noisy
Finally my vision went blank