Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Letter Written in Starlight 1
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"Huh? A letter?"
Kang Ibi glanced around once before cautiously reaching out for the paper. Then she started furtively checking her surroundings.
"What are you doing?"
"Eek!"
A voice popped up from beside her, startling her so badly that she raised both fists in front of her chest and trembled.
It was Mina. She usually vanished somewhere, only to suddenly appear out of nowhere like this.
Well, she wasn't human but a yokai, so Ibi decided to overlook a few odd behaviors. From what she'd observed so far, Aerin's claim that Mina was "no different from a person" wasn't entirely empty flattery. Ever since Ibi started working here, Mina had been calling her "sis" without fail. Her speech wasn't exactly polite, though.
"Make some noise when you walk around!"
Ibi snapped at her, but Mina didn't seem to care. Instead, she looked just as interested in the letter on the table as Ibi did.
"What's this?"
"Haewon oppa left it behind. Doesn't look like documents. More like a letter?"
"A letter?"
At that, a wicked smile instantly spread across Mina's face. It was the kind of grin that suited her teenage-girl looks perfectly.
Seeing it, Ibi could guess what she was thinking. She reached out first and snatched Haewon's letter.
"It's privacy. You shouldn't get curious about stuff like this."
"What is it? A love letter?"
"Who writes love letters in this day and age?"
"Then it should be fine to take a peek."
What kind of logic was that? Ibi rolled her eyes, a subtle groan escaping her lips. Ugh...
"Aren't you curious?"
"......"
"Be honest."
"...Well, maybe just the first three lines? It's not a love letter anyway, so what's the harm."
But just then, Haewon came back into the Flower Mugwort Tea House. He glanced around, apparently realizing he'd left something behind.
His gaze fixed on Ibi and Mina standing in front of the seat he'd been at earlier. Ibi, who had just unfolded the letter to peek inside, wore an awkward expression.
"Oh, um, oppa. This is..."
Ibi tried to laugh it off, but Haewon didn't seem in the mood. He strode over and roughly snatched the letter from her hand.
"Ah..."
"Why are you holding my stuff?"
It was the first time Ibi had seen Haewon's usually friendly face turn so cold. She took a step back and licked her lips. She knew she'd done wrong, so she had nothing to say.
"Sorry."
Since they'd only known each other for a week, she wasn't sure how to act in a situation like this. She glanced at Mina, the one who'd egged her on, for reference. But Mina was pretending nothing happened, playing with a dragonfly that had flown into the tea house.
Their eyes met by chance, and she said,
"Watashi wa Nihonjin. Hangul molla yo."
...That bitch?
"...Watashi mo Nihonjin."
"......"
"Sorry."
Haewon looked furious for a moment. Ibi flinched, but fortunately, he calmed down soon enough with a sigh. He still seemed angry, though.
"Sorry for yelling, but you can't just touch other people's things like that."
"...Sorry."
Ibi apologized again. Mina was still playing dumb, but Haewon didn't seem inclined to let her off either.
He stared at her silently until the guilty Mina cleared her throat and slunk back over. She then clasped her hands demurely.
"Sorry."
Haewon sighed and shook his head.
"I was too harsh snapping like that, but don't do it again. See you next time."
With that, he left the shop with the letter in hand. Ibi stared at Mina. Mina shrugged shamelessly, raising both hands.
"What? Honestly, it wasn't just my fault."
Ibi sighed deeply and got back to work. She was guilty of getting swept up in it too, so Mina wasn't entirely wrong—but that thick-skinned attitude? From what I'd seen so far, Mina was like a difficult cat to handle.
"But it wasn't anything special, right?"
"......"
Ibi, who had been wiping the table where the customer had just left, didn't answer. Mina kept talking.
"It was pretty fancy for a love letter, though."
Ibi's hand paused for a moment. But only briefly. She soon resumed wiping vigorously.
"...Dunno. Is it really a love letter?"
"Of course it is."
In truth, Ibi and Mina had already read the letter. There had been a slight time gap between when Haewon returned and when Ibi unfolded it. In that interval, they'd read the whole thing.
"......"
Ibi kept working silently. Then she suddenly asked something else.
"By the way, when's Nati coming? I haven't seen him at all."
"That guy's always on his own schedule."
Mina added,
"He hasn't been around much lately, though."
That was it. Ibi said no more. The letter's contents she'd read moments ago lingered in her mind.
Mina dismissed it as nothing more than a love letter, but to Ibi, it seemed anything but normal. No, anyone would think so. Did Mina not notice because she wasn't human?
Of course, she couldn't be sure her interpretation was right. She couldn't confront Haewon about a letter she'd peeked at without permission. That's why she wanted to ask Nati. If something was wrong.
Strictly speaking, it was his private life, and sharing it with someone else would be a huge breach of etiquette... but having seen it once, she couldn't ignore it.
Whether it's baseless worry or something real, Nati would have answers, right?
Realizing she trusted Nati that much surprised her. He had all sorts of bizarre abilities and had saved her life. He seemed reliable... but...
Who knew. They weren't that close yet. Still, strangely, she felt like if it was him, he could overcome even impossible situations.
As if he'd turn back time to save someone...
Ah, my dearest lord. I hope you've been well.
Forgive me for greeting you only in writing like this. As you know, the vast night sky separates us, too endless to describe.
Our distance is so great that I can't even predict when this letter will arrive. But one thing I can be sure of.
By the time it reaches you, my lord, our union will be near.
You don't know how long I've waited. I'm still waiting even now. Yet the clear fact that this wait will end someday lets me endure. Through countless cock crows and as many dawns.
They'll rise, shine, and fade forever.
Do you remember the day our eyes first met? Just before sunset. A lonely pup was barking pitifully—that's what comes to mind.
It's the same even now. I watch you as the sun sets and as the morning star fades. So don't dream of escaping my gaze.
I donned the Lapis Lazuli Veil and visited the underworld, and I forgive no one more beautiful than I. Thus, I had to claim the lives of the women you showed affection to a bit early. Taken into Ta Baek's embrace.
Ah, don't resent me. How can you not know your own worth, my lord? Those cheap wenches weren't worthy of your noble kindness!
But fear not. I am a generous bride who can embrace her husband's little flaws. So no more wandering eyes to other girls. Though by the time you read this, our union will be at hand, so it's needless worry.
Now I shall don a new body and roam the earth. I will meet you.
Then, on the appointed day and hour, I shall cross the heavens to fetch you.
My lord.
A dark room. Haewon's lips twisted. The room was dim, but he didn't bother turning on the fluorescent light. He just sat in the corner, crumpled letter paper clutched in his hand.
He wanted to tear it up, burn it, scatter it without a trace. But he couldn't. The being who sent it terrified him too much.
It had been a long time since he first learned of her. But contrary to what the letter claimed, Haewon didn't know who she was. He'd never even seen her face. He had no idea what about him had captivated her.
He first heard of her existence from his mother.
The day after his first girlfriend, Saetbyeol, died suddenly in a car accident. He'd witnessed it right before his eyes and couldn't shake the shock. His mother sat him down. Even as her son writhed in agony, she remained utterly composed—he remembered that strongly.
Then his mother told him calmly,
Your spouse is already decided.
It was set long ago, unchangeable now.
She's beyond our understanding, so be grateful for the betrothal.
But since she can't take mortal form, you'll have a soul marriage.