Chapter 27: Call me Taerin unnie.

‘…Looks like they’re finally asleep.’

Song Hwa glanced at the now-quiet door, letting out a soft sigh.

It had been nearly three years since she started staying by their side.

Just as Baek Yeon clung to Seoran, Song Hwa had always been with them.

In her heart, Baek Yeon and Seoran had become almost like younger sisters.

Here’s the thing.

Who in their right mind would want to overhear their little sisters making out?

Sure, Song Hwa rooted for Baek Yeon.

After three years of watching Baek Yeon’s fervent affection and Seoran’s oblivious giggles, anyone would start hoping they’d just get together already, if only out of exhaustion.

‘But… I didn’t want to hear it this vividly.’

It wasn’t intentional.

Training in martial arts since childhood had honed her senses beyond the ordinary.

So, yes, she could clearly hear the conversation inside the room.

Honestly, she wanted to plug her ears.

But her duty was to protect Baek Yeon.

If she blocked her ears, she might miss a potential threat.

So, with a heavy heart, Song Hwa had no choice but to eavesdrop.

‘Still… it’s good for the Young Lady.’

She sighed softly, thinking.

It was definitely good for Baek Yeon.

But could the same be said for Seoran?

No one with a conscience could say that.

Now that their feelings were mutual, Baek Yeon would pour endless affection onto Seoran.

Seoran’s feelings, still small, would grow… and so would the pain of their inevitable parting.

The pain belongs to the one left behind.

The emptiness of losing someone you grew up with, someone you poured your heart into, was unimaginable.

But what could she do?

Blood is thicker than water.

No matter how much Song Hwa cared for Seoran, she was a Baek Clan member, and Baek Yeon’s safety came first.

In the end, Song Hwa was just another Baek Clan member.

She might curse the clan’s schemers, but she wasn’t so different herself.

Every time she realized this, she was overwhelmed with self-loathing.

As she sighed repeatedly—

‘…?’

Her wandering thoughts stopped.

She glanced up, checking the time.

It wasn’t time for a shift change yet—half an hour remained—so no one should be coming.

And… whoever was approaching was suppressing their presence, sneaking closer.

But they couldn’t fool Song Hwa.

Shing!

“Who’s there?”

Quickly assessing the situation, she aimed her sword into the darkness.

Thankfully, it didn’t need to be swung.

“It’s me, Song Hwa.”

Her face twitched at the familiar, yet unexpected, voice.

“…Young Master?”

“Yes.”

Baek Taehyuk’s face became faintly visible under the moonlight.

Song Hwa relaxed slightly.

Three years of seeing him regularly had dulled her wariness.

In their brief conversations, she’d learned he wasn’t such a bad person.

If she realized she’d felt relieved, she’d be embarrassed, but for now, she didn’t notice.

“What’s the matter?”

She sheathed her sword, asking brusquely.

Baek Taehyuk scratched his cheek, looking sheepish.

“I came to say goodbye to Yeon and Ran.”

“…Goodbye?”

He nodded.

“As you know, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. I’ll be gone a while, so I wanted to see their faces one last time. Are they both asleep?”

“Yes, they just fell asleep, unfortunately.”

“Haha… I’m a bit late.”

He gave a bittersweet smile, clearly disappointed.

‘…Ugh.’

Feeling oddly guilty, Song Hwa’s eyes darted around.

For some reason, Baek Taehyuk’s mood seemed heavier today.

So, after some hesitation, she spoke.

“If it’s just a quick look, it should be fine—”

Creak.

Before she could finish, the door opened.

Both turned to look.

“Yawn… Song Hwa, I’m getting some water… Huh?”

It was Seoran, voice groggy with sleep.

Her eyes widened upon seeing Baek Taehyuk.

“What are you doing here?”

“…Haha.”

Her genuinely surprised tone made Baek Taehyuk burst into a delighted laugh.

—

On my way to get water, Baek Tae-rin joined me, and we walked down the corridor together.

But her sudden news made my eyes go wide.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I meant to tell you during the banquet, but there wasn’t a good moment.”

“Hm, that’s sudden…”

“Sorry. The Martial Alliance summoned me secretly due to suspicious movements from the unorthodox sects, so we had to keep it quiet.”

…Martial Alliance?

Like the righteous sect coalition from novels?

“You’re with the Martial Alliance?”

“Hehe, you know so little about me, don’t you?”

She playfully ruffled my hair.

Feeling a bit guilty at her teasing, I let her mess with my hair and asked, “What’s so secret that they called you?”

“Well, it’s not just me. They summoned all the young elites of the Divine Guard.”

“…I see.”

I nodded, pretending to understand.

I didn’t fully get it, but I wasn’t clueless.

I’d never heard of the Divine Guard, but with my wuxia knowledge, I could guess it was a group of talented young martial artists.

‘That’s cool…’

It felt like a proper wuxia story for once.

As I thought about it, a question popped up.

“What’s your nickname in the Central Plains?”

She’s supposed to be a peerless genius, right? She must have a cool nickname.

“Hm… that’s sudden.”

Baek Tae-rin’s face flushed slightly, embarrassed.

“My skills are lacking, but they call me the Sword Dragon.”

“…Got it.”

I kept my response short to spare her embarrassment.

I got why she was shy.

Proclaiming your own title like some novel hero is fine in fiction, but in reality, it’s kind of embarrassing.

Anyway.

‘So that’s why she said today was her last chance to let loose…’

Unlike here, where she could briefly enjoy freedom dancing with a sword, she’d have to live as “Sword Dragon Baek Taehyuk” for a while.

Living with everything hidden must be exhausting, even if I’d never experienced it.

It explained why her mood had felt off all day.

Knowing it was rude, I reached out and patted her back.

“Stay safe and come back. I’ll be waiting.”

“…Hehe, consoling me?”

She laughed softly, then made a small sound.

“Then… can I ask one favor?”

Her eyes suddenly sparkled, making me uneasy.

“…What?”

“I told you to call me Tae-rin when we’re alone, right?”

“Y-Yeah?”

She grinned mischievously.

“So, call me Tae-rin unnie.”

“T-Tae-rin unnie?”

That’s… kinda embarrassing.

Hesitating, I saw her eyebrows droop, her lips pouting.

“It’s my last request before I leave… We won’t see each other for at least a year…”

“…Fine, okay.”

She really knows how to tug at heartstrings.

I knew it was an act, but unlike with Baek Yeon, it was hard to refuse her for a different reason.

‘…Ugh.’

Calling someone “unnie” still felt awkward.

As I opened and closed my mouth, my face grew hot.

‘…Screw it.’

It’d take forever otherwise, so I mustered my courage and spoke.

“T-Tae-rin… unnie?”

…

I went through the embarrassment of saying it, and no response?

Annoyed, I glared up at her.

‘…Huh?’

But Baek Tae-rin was in no state to respond.

“Uh, w-well…”

Her face was bright red, completely frozen.

‘…You’re the one who asked me to say it!’

Why is she the embarrassed one?

Feeling awkward myself, I ducked my head.