Chapter 19: Since when have you known?

The cross-dressing young master was dressed as a woman.

…Huh?

‘Is this even cross-dressing?’

She’s already a woman, isn’t she?

No, but since she publicly presents as a man, you could technically call it cross-dressing…

‘…Let’s stop.’

My head was starting to hurt.

Lingering any longer might tip her off that I’ve recognized her.

I quickly plastered on a bright smile.

The kind of business-like grin I’d mastered by now.

“Well, I’m glad you’re not hurt. I’ll be going then…”

It’s been almost three years since I joined the Baek Clan.

More than enough time to grasp the clan’s power dynamics.

At first, I couldn’t understand why Song Hwa despised the cross-dressing young master so much… but after learning more, it made sense.

The cross-dressing young master—or rather, her parents, the younger siblings of the Young Master who are constantly scheming for his position—are no ordinary people.

To put it bluntly, they’re human garbage.

It’s routine for Baekryu Hall maids to come back injured, and in worse cases, some disappear overnight.

At banquets, they subtly undermine the Young Master and constantly belittle Baek Yeon under the guise of family.

And as is typical with bad people, they’re frustratingly clever.

If you get mad, they’d say, “Why are you upset over something so trivial? How petty.” The kind of people who make your blood boil the more you see them.

If they act like that in public, imagine what they do behind closed doors.

The problem is, she’s completely under their thumb.

She’s bound by her so-called parents.

In that situation… if I let slip that I know her true gender?

If that reaches their ears… I’m dead.

No joke, actually dead.

‘I don’t know why she’s out here dressed like this.’

But for now, escaping this situation is the best move…

“Tae-rin! Are you okay?!”

Just then, several burly men pushed through the crowd.

I recognized them.

‘…The innkeeper.’

What was the inn’s name? Something flashy…

It was a pricey but tasty place I’d visited with Baek Yeon a few times. A massive inn.

This was its owner.

He didn’t even notice me, brushing past to reach the cross-dressing young master.

“I heard what happened. Where’d those bastards go? I’ll make them regret—”

“…”

“They ran that way—oh.”

I answered reflexively and immediately regretted it.

‘Damn it, you idiot.’

I should’ve slipped away when attention was elsewhere! Why did I open my mouth?

My big mouth is always the problem.

As I butted in, all eyes turned to me.

“You’re… from the Baek Clan.”

The innkeeper recognized me and acknowledged me.

Then, seeming to piece things together, he continued.

“You must’ve helped Tae-rin. That wasn’t easy. Thank you.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

I averted my gaze, mumbling.

I was just regretting my actions, and his praise made me feel oddly guilty.

By the way, Tae-rin?

Is that… her real name?

No way.

Who’d use their real name as an alias when hiding their gender?

…Though, isn’t this whole situation crazy enough?

Dressed like a woman, wandering Namchang’s streets?

As I mulled over these pointless thoughts—

“And… I’m sorry, Tae-rin.”

The innkeeper turned back to her.

“It’s your last day, and it’s been tainted by bad memories. I heard you’re heading far away. I’ll arrange an escort. The martial world isn’t kind to a woman traveling alone.”

…Last day?

What’s that about?

I struggled to make sense of their conversation.

Finally, the cross-dressing young master, who’d been silent, spoke.

“…No, it’s fine.”

Her voice was clear and distinctly feminine.

“It’s my last day, so I want to wander as much as I can.”

Then—

Tap.

“!”

Her hand landed on my shoulder.

“And this kid said she’d keep me company.”

…Me?

“Really?”

The innkeeper nodded, as if understanding.

“I thanked you earlier, but… let me say it again. Thank you for everything. Without you, Cheonryonggak wouldn’t have grown this much. Live well, wherever you go.”

“Thank you. Take care, sir.”

It was a warm farewell…

‘…’

I was the only one out of place.

Her hand on my shoulder had me frozen.

And it wasn’t just resting there.

It gripped me tightly, as if she’d never let go.

‘…Damn it.’

I was screwed.

As the innkeeper led his men back to the inn and the onlookers dispersed, the market returned to normal.

“…”

“…”

But we stood there, lips sealed, for a long time.

How much time passed?

She glanced at me and spoke.

“Since when?”

Her voice sounded… oddly amused.

“What?”

I mumbled, shrugging off her hand.

“Sorry, I’m a bit short on time, so I’ll—”

“You know, Ran?”

She cut me off smoothly.

“You might not realize, but you’re terrible at lying. It’s obvious.”

She lifted the veil slightly, revealing a face more feminine than the one I knew from the Baek Clan, perhaps due to makeup.

“Didn’t expect to meet like this, huh?”

She gave a faint smile.

“…Hic.”

The problem was, her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

—

“You knew from the moment we met? That’s wild.”

“…”

Clink.

“I’ve always thought this, but you’ve got sharp eyes, Ran. How’d you even recognize me just now…? Oh, but wouldn’t this suit Yeon better?”

Ugh, come on.

Ignoring her as best I could, I finally set down the accessory I was holding.

“…We’re done talking, right? Why are you doing this?”

Ten minutes ago, under her menacing glare, I spilled everything.

I admitted I knew she was a woman from the start but never told anyone in the past three years and had no intention of doing so. I begged her to let it slide.

She seemed to accept it, more or less.

It’s true I hadn’t told a soul.

So why was she tagging along, meddling while I shopped for Baek Yeon’s gift?

…Isn’t this her fault?

If she hadn’t been wandering Namchang dressed like that, we wouldn’t have crossed paths. She’s the one who chose this ridiculous disguise, and now she’s giving me a hard time?

She said she’d let it go, but here she was, clinging to me. It’s infuriating.

“I’ll swear again.”

I whispered so only she could hear.

“I didn’t tell anyone, and I won’t. Can’t we just move on?”

“Yeah, that.”

“…What?”

What’s she talking about?

As I furrowed my brow, she smiled faintly and pointed at me.

“That’s what I’m curious about, Ran. Sure, we’re somewhat close now, but… back when we first met, we weren’t, right?”

“…”

“So why didn’t you tell Great Uncle I’m a woman? We didn’t have that kind of loyalty back then.”

“Ugh…”

Her question made me groan.

Should I be honest or make up something plausible? I hesitated.

But I made up my mind.

Being honest and shaking her off was the better option.

Baek Taehyuk… didn’t like lies.

“…Honestly, I felt sorry for you.”

“Hm…”

She made an intrigued hum, tilting her head as if to say, Go on.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

“You’re caught up in family drama, forced to hide your gender. You’re already pitiful—why would I make it worse by exposing you?”

“…”

“Satisfied?”

That’s all I had to say.

“…Heh, pitiful, huh.”

She mulled over my words, letting out a cryptic chuckle.

But then—

“Hey, Ran.”

Ugh, what now?

I pretended not to hear, focusing on the accessories.

I was running out of time and needed to pick something quickly.

“This isn’t a joke—I’m serious.”

She kept talking, undeterred.

“After Yeon dies, why don’t you become mine?”

“…!”

I couldn’t ignore that.

I whipped around, glaring at Baek Taehyuk.

And with all my sincerity, I growled.

“…If you’re planning to hurt Baek Yeon, I won’t let it slide.”

Who does she think she’s targeting?