Chapter 247: Unintended Companion (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 247: Unintended Companion (4)
“Oh.”
The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it, a reflexive reaction to seeing Namgung Bi-ah’s face.
She was waiting for me at the camp entrance.
How long has she been here?
Come to think of it, I’d left without telling her.
…Not that I could have.
I hadn’t known Moyong Hi-ah would appear in place of Gu Jeolyub.
Namgung Bi-ah’s face was cold as ice. Her expression was subtly different—her eyes slightly lifted, her lips pressed into a thin line. For someone whose face was usually an unreadable mask, this shift was a glaring warning sign. I was in deep trouble.
“…About that.”
What excuse could I possibly give? Did I even need one? Technically, I was a victim here.
But I can’t tell her everything.
The memory of Moyong Hi-ah from last night made my mouth feel as if it were sealed shut. The world ending because of a marble? Right now, it felt like I was the one about to meet my end.
“…”
I tried to form words, to cobble together some plausible explanation, but nothing came out. All the while, Namgung Bi-ah stared at me in silence, waiting.
What do I even say to her?
Time crawled. It might have only been a few seconds, but it felt a hundred times longer. Her silent waiting was terrifying; I had no idea what would follow the quiet. My brain felt frozen. I had to say something, but it wasn't happening.
Then, a voice cut through the tension.
“You should head in first.”
“What?”
“You are busy, Young Master Gu.”
Moyong Hi-ah had stepped forward. She was telling me to just… leave?
Wouldn't that make things worse? It would look like I was running away under her direction. Whether my concern mattered or not, Moyong Hi-ah continued, her gaze fixed on Namgung Bi-ah.
“Sword Dancer. Wouldn’t it be better if you talked to me instead of the young master? I have a feeling we have something to discuss.”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah remained silent, but a slight frown touched her brow. She was uncomfortable, yet she said nothing.
“Am I wrong?” Moyong Hi-ah pressed.
Finally, Namgung Bi-ah broke eye contact with her and looked at me. Her expression was strange, almost pleading, and I considered staying.
“…Head… inside,” she said, her voice quiet.
“You want me to leave?”
“…Yeah.”
Her expression was calm as she spoke. I hesitated.
“It’s fine… but when you return… Tell me everything.”
Was that an agreement? After saying those words, Namgung Bi-ah turned and walked away, heading toward a sparsely populated part of the forest. Moyong Hi-ah immediately began to follow her.
“Young Master.”
“…Hmm?”
“I enjoyed our last time.”
“Do you have to phrase it so strangely?”
Moyong Hi-ah smiled behind her fan, seeming genuinely pleased by my reaction.
…Huh? Did she do that on purpose?
I suspected she had engineered this encounter with Namgung Bi-ah, but I had no proof. It was only a suspicion.
As Moyong Hi-ah followed Namgung Bi-ah, I was left alone, watching the direction the two women had disappeared.
“…Did I survive?”
Technically, yes, since I was still standing here. But a profound sense of unease settled deep in my gut.
* * *
A few minutes had passed since Moyong Hi-ah began following Namgung Bi-ah.
As expected, they entered a secluded part of the forest. The lack of people put Moyong Hi-ah on edge.
Should I have brought escorts?
Not that she thought the Sword Dancer would harm her. Personal dislike aside, Moyong Hi-ah was rational enough to know Namgung Bi-ah wasn't the type for petty violence.
Namgung Bi-ah, walking ahead, stopped. Moyong Hi-ah halted a few paces behind.
In the dim light of the approaching dawn, Namgung Bi-ah turned and met Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze. Her eyes, a dark blue, looked like polished gems.
A beautiful person. That was the simplest, most accurate description.
Her every movement, even the sound of her breathing, was refined. Namgung Bi-ah was a flower given human form. She was also incredibly strong, dignified, and possessed many qualities Moyong Hi-ah herself lacked.
Moreover, she is a person who has the thing I want most.
That was who Namgung Bi-ah was to Moyong Hi-ah. A person seemingly similar, yet fundamentally different. The embodiment of what she coveted.
Moyong Hi-ah could no longer deny the emotion tightening in her chest.
Jealousy.
Yes, this was definitely jealousy. A toxic, dark, and disgusting feeling. It was undeniable.
“Are you just going to continue staring at me?”
“…”
“Sword Dancer. You called me here because you had something to say.”
Moyong Hi-ah suppressed her emotions. Namgung Bi-ah simply stared back, silent and unreadable, which only fueled Moyong Hi-ah's frustration.
Why won't she speak?
She wanted to hear it. She wanted Namgung Bi-ah to tell her to stay away from that man, to not covet what was hers, to not even look at him because they were engaged. Moyong Hi-ah’s own nervousness had led her here, hoping to see a crack in the other woman's perfect facade.
“Sword Danc- …”
“…Not me…”
Namgung Bi-ah’s soft voice cut her off.
“…But you… are the one who has something you want to tell me.”
“…!”
The words, gentle as a breeze, struck Moyong Hi-ah with critical force.
“Is that not right…?”
“…What are you talking about?” Moyong Hi-ah retorted, but she felt it—the way her composure shattered at such a simple phrase. Me? The almighty Moyong Hi-ah? This is impossible.
“What do you mean, I’m the one who has something to tell you?”
Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze was unwavering, and Moyong Hi-ah felt as if those emotionless eyes could see right through her. She couldn't afford to be shaken. She couldn't break.
“I… don’t have anything to say.”
“…Hm.”
Namgung Bi-ah simply nodded, as if prepared to let the matter drop. For some reason, this infuriated Moyong Hi-ah. How could she be so calm? She must have seen what happened. There's no way she doesn't know my feelings for him. So why?
“Why are you only staring at me like that?”
She hated that look. She had hated it since they first met. Namgung Bi-ah’s detached beauty, the way she seemed to exist in a world of her own, shining even brighter when she wielded her sword, living a life seemingly without complaint. And the fact that this woman was the one constantly on her mind… all of it. Moyong Hi-ah despised it.
“Don’t you hate it?”
“…Hmm?”
“Don’t you hate me, who’s trying to steal what’s yours?”
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. A reaction. Encouraged, Moyong Hi-ah pressed on.
“Don’t you hate me, who’s trying to ruin your peace?”
“I do.”
“…!”
It was the first time. The first time Namgung Bi-ah had spoken to her so directly. In the year they had known each other, they'd never had a proper conversation. Their relationship had soured ever since Moyong Hi-ah began receiving Gu Yangcheon’s favor, and it deteriorated further when feelings became involved.
“I knew it! So you hate me, then-“
“But I don’t care.”
“…Excuse me?”
“If that’s what he wants, I don’t care what it is.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s blue eyes seemed to glow brighter.
“Don’t be mistaken.”
Her voice was firm and cold. Gone was her usual languid tone; she seemed like a completely different person. Moyong Hi-ah bit her lip slightly.
“…What do you mean, ‘don’t be mistaken’? That I won’t be able to steal Young Master Gu away from you?”
Namgung Bi-ah shook her head lightly.
That wasn't it? Then what-
“He’s not mine.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s next words made Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widen.
“I belong to him instead.”
She said it with the gravity of someone correcting a fundamental error.
“He is narrow-minded.”
She then casually insulted Gu Yangcheon. Had he heard it, he would have choked.
Narrow-minded? What is she talking about?
As Moyong Hi-ah struggled to understand, Namgung Bi-ah continued.
“He is so narrow-minded, the bowl of his heart is so small, that me being in there already makes him full.”
“…!”
Narrow-minded. By saying he was completely full with only her, Namgung Bi-ah was expressing absolute confidence. To Moyong Hi-ah, the words were like thorns. It meant Namgung Bi-ah already occupied the only space he had.
Moyong Hi-ah wondered where she got such certainty, but she couldn't refute the statement.
“…Sword Dancer, you-“
“So, either he grows that bowl, increases its capacity… or he kicks me out to make room for another. That is his decision.”
Listening to her, Moyong Hi-ah knew Namgung Bi-ah would not be kicked out without a fight. How could she be like this? Was she not worried at all? Was her confidence rooted solely in their clan's engagement? Moyong Hi-ah couldn't understand, nor did she want to. Yet, she found she had no retort. A thousand arguments raced through her mind, but the turmoil in her heart prevented any from leaving her lips. She knew, on some level, that no clever words could defeat Namgung Bi-ah's simple, unshakable conviction.
“So.”
Snap.
As Namgung Bi-ah took a step forward, Moyong Hi-ah unconsciously retreated. The Sword Dancer held no sword and emitted no killing intent, yet Moyong Hi-ah felt an immense pressure.
“Don’t use your nervousness to take advantage of him.”
Moyong Hi-ah’s body trembled at the cold, sharp words. Not from fear, but from hearing the thing she least wanted acknowledged.
“…This is what I wanted to say to you.”
Having said her piece, Namgung Bi-ah walked past the stunned Moyong Hi-ah and headed back toward the camp.
Left alone, Moyong Hi-ah stood motionless for a long moment. Then, her legs gave way, and she sat down on the forest floor, remaining there for a very long time.
* * *
The frontlines, Gu Clan’s campsite. The Captain’s tent.
After leaving the two women behind, I went to Gu Huibi’s tent to report my findings on the marble in the forest's center.
I was deeply worried about what Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were discussing, but another part of me knew that stepping between them would mean certain death by pressure.
More than anything, I hope Namgung Bi-ah can handle it.
She was slow, naive, and terrible at verbal sparring. I hoped she wouldn't be manipulated by Moyong Hi-ah. I decided to check on her as soon as my report was finished.
“…What did you say?”
But all my thoughts vanished after hearing Gu Huibi.
“W-Who came, you said?”
“…”
Gu Huibi wore a complicated expression. I stared back, my own face undoubtedly mirroring hers.
Breaking the silence, Gu Huibi spoke.
“…Mother.”
The current Lady of the Gu Clan.
“Mother is back in the clan right now.”
She has returned.