Chapter 28: I’m sure you’ll b happy.

Thankfully, Baek Tae-rin quickly regained her composure, letting out an odd “Hah!” sound while shaking her head vigorously.

“S-Sorry. I got carried away. That hit harder than I expected…”

…What’s that supposed to mean?

I furrowed my brow at her incomprehensible words, and she averted her eyes, lowering her voice abruptly.

“Ahem, ahem. Anyway, I didn’t come to see you two just to say goodbye.”

“Trying to act all serious now doesn’t really…”

My blunt comment made her face flush even redder.

She covered her face with both hands, mumbling in distress.

“D-Don’t make it more embarrassing! Just pretend you didn’t notice…”

Her reaction made me giggle.

‘So she’s weak to this kind of thing?’

I felt like I’d uncovered a piece of info about Baek Tae-rin.

Realizing I was teasing her, she hurriedly changed the subject.

“Seriously… anyway! I came to warn you.”

“A warning?”

“Yeah, about what happened today… First, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

Her sudden apology caught me off guard.

As I blinked in confusion, Baek Tae-rin’s mood visibly sank as she explained.

‘…Oh?’

Only then did I learn that everything that happened to me today was orchestrated by the Young Master’s brother.

I was stunned again.

To think he’d hold such a grudge and try to crush me after just a few encounters.

“Wow… what a petty jerk.”

I muttered without thinking but immediately regretted it.

Not exactly something to say in front of the petty jerk’s daughter.

But Baek Tae-rin just blushed harder, unable to retort.

‘Well, yeah…’

As a normal person, she must know her father’s actions aren’t normal.

If my parents did something like that, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.

Oh, wait—my parents in this life sold me, didn’t they?

‘What a showdown.’

Who’s the worse parent, I wonder…

As I entertained these pointless thoughts, Baek Tae-rin’s gloomy words continued.

“I’m really sorry. I… I couldn’t defy my father’s orders…”

“Hm.”

Seeing her like that made me feel a pang of sympathy.

How long must she have been gaslit to end up like this?

Clicking my tongue, I shrugged.

“It’s fine. I don’t really care.”

The fault lies with her father, and besides, his plans were completely shattered, weren’t they?

Plus, I got a “reward” from Baek Yeon…

“…Ahem.”

Not the time to think about that.

Anyway, I genuinely wasn’t upset.

Grinning, I nudged the dejected Baek Tae-rin.

“And… if you really thought I was in danger, you would’ve stepped in, right?”

I don’t know her that well, but I know enough.

She acts cold, but she’s not truly heartless.

If her father’s scheme had put me in real danger, Baek Tae-rin would’ve found a way to help me.

Her eyes widened slightly at my words.

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Realizing something, she nodded faintly, murmuring.

“You’re right. I would’ve… You know my heart better than I do.”

“Your thoughts are kinda obvious, you know.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Her mood lifted, and she smiled softly, patting my head.

“Anyway, after you left, there was a lot of talk among the elders and clan seniors.”

“Hm.”

“A lot of people have their eyes on you. Especially…”

She lowered her voice further.

“The Clan Leader was asking my uncle about you constantly.”

“…The Clan Leader?”

Ugh, that’s not great.

I grimaced, and she gave an awkward smile.

“That’s why I came to tell you to be careful. You know your skills aren’t just those of a slightly talented kid.”

“…”

“The Clan Leader… he’s a good person, but he never reveals his true thoughts.”

I nodded vaguely, pretending to agree.

‘From what she’s saying, she doesn’t know the Clan Leader knows she’s a woman.’

If she did, she wouldn’t call him a “good person.”

I debated telling her but decided to keep quiet.

If she found out, she’d realize she has no allies in her family.

‘That’d be too sad.’

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

“So, staying in your current position is safer for you.”

“…”

“Of course, with Yeon around, I doubt you’ll end up under the Clan Leader’s thumb.”

“…Ahem.”

“She really likes you, you know.”

I cleared my throat at the mention of Baek Yeon.

Uh, well…

I know it’s not the time to ask, but…

“Um…”

“Yeah?”

“Does… does Yeon’s affection for me… stand out that much?”

After today, I couldn’t help but be curious.

I’m only human, after all.

Baek Tae-rin froze for a moment.

“Hehehe, that’s what you’re curious about?”

She ruffled my hair like I was too cute to handle.

“She really likes you. Anyone who’s seen you two together would know.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. And you…”

…Me?

I blinked, confused, and she chuckled again.

“You really like her too.”

…So that’s how it looks to others.

Kinda… embarrassing.

I coughed awkwardly.

“…Sometimes, I’m jealous of Yeon.”

“Huh? What was that?”

Her words got lost in my cough, so I asked again, but she waved it off like it was nothing.

I pressed her, feeling uneasy, but she refused to elaborate.

‘…What was that about?’

Sometimes, she does things I just can’t understand.

—

After checking on the sleeping Baek Yeon, Baek Tae-rin left, promising to meet again someday.

I slipped into bed beside Baek Yeon, but sleep didn’t come easily, so I mulled over our conversation.

‘She mentioned suspicious movements from the unorthodox sects…’

Martial Alliance, unorthodox sects—such wuxia-like terms, heard after so long.

Even though joining the Baek Clan had pulled me into the martial world, I’d been so isolated here that I knew nothing of the outside.

Reincarnated into a wuxia world… but living a life different from what I imagined.

It felt a bit disappointing…

“Hng…”

At that moment, Baek Yeon stirred, murmuring in her sleep.

“…Haha.”

She’s so cute when she’s asleep.

Seeing her mumble, lips twitching as if dreaming, I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

What’s the point of chasing some grand martial world life?

Ch peck.

I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Goodnight, Yeon.”

The disappointment had long vanished.

These quiet moments together were happiness enough.

—

Poke.

“…Ugh?”

Something poked my cheek, stirring me awake.

Right in front of me—literally—Baek Yeon was smiling, eyes crinkling.

“Hehe, you look silly. Tired? It’s rare for you to sleep this long.”

She giggled, poking my cheek again.

I rubbed my eyes groggily.

“Yeah…”

It’s rare for me to wake up later than her.

I hadn’t noticed, but yesterday’s events must’ve worn me out.

Groaning, I sat up, and she laughed again.

“You’re so cute, Seoran.”

Her condition seemed especially good today.

“You feeling okay?”

“Yeah. I’m weirdly full of energy today.”

Hm, really? Well, that’s good.

I nodded, accepting it, when she suddenly grinned mischievously.

“Maybe…”

“Hm?”

“Because of yesterday. Wanna try again?”

“!”

She pushed me back onto the bed, climbing on top.

…Wait, is this the mood for that?

Caught off guard, I wrapped my arms around myself protectively.

“F-From the morning?”

But she swiftly grabbed both my wrists, pinning them above my head.

“What’s wrong with that? We’re lovers now.”

“Lovers…”

So embarrassing…

Subdued in an instant, I averted my eyes, mumbling.

But she wouldn’t even allow that, gently cupping my cheek and lifting my face.

“So… it’s okay, right?”

She leaned down slowly, closing the distance.

Just as our lips were about to meet—

Knock, knock.

“…”

“…Ugh, seriously. Annoying.”

Someone knocked at the door.

“Young Lady, may I come in if you’re awake?”

It was Song Hwa’s voice.

Irritated at the interruption, Baek Yeon clicked her tongue and sat up.

‘…’

Feeling an odd sense of disappointment, I fixed my clothes and got up.

“What is it?”

Baek Yeon opened the door, asking curtly.

Having served her for years, Song Hwa surely noticed her foul mood.

But—

“Young Lady…”

Song Hwa’s face was tense, too preoccupied to care.

“The Clan Leader has summoned Ran.”