Chapter 747
Chapter 747
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 747
Chapter Title: Prodigal's Return (5)
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-Clink.
Si-woo picked up the keyring resting on the chair.
His master was a martial arts prodigy even before she became a witch.
Her senses throughout her body were honed to an extreme degree—she could detect even half a bean hidden under a mattress, sensing something off from her usual routine. She was the owner of truly fantastical abilities.
For such a master to accidentally leave her keys behind?
Especially after watching Rinne so sharply just moments ago?
It was impossible.
Therefore, he could infer several meanings from the keys she had left behind.
"Tsundere."
Before he could dwell on it, Rinne cut in.
"In our culture, that kind of behavior is called 'tsundere'—a neologism."
"I see."
Come to think of it, Rinne was from Japan.
Even if she holed up in this old mansion, she was backed by a modern yakuza organization, so it wasn't strange for her to know things like that.
Still, as someone from a neighboring country, Si-woo had no reason not to know a word that had been trending for over twenty years. He had a Japanese friend named Takasho, and to Si-woo, who was still living a human lifespan, it hardly felt like a neologism at all.
"It's for someone whose exterior doesn't match their interior. They act cold on the outside but are actually warm-hearted and get embarrassed easily."
In truth, his master was far from tsundere, while Rinne herself fit the definition perfectly. But Rinne seemed oblivious to that as she eagerly continued her explanation.
She went on about how it was a trendy portmanteau of "tsun tsun" and "dere dere." Seeing her puffed up with pride at teaching him something he didn't know, Si-woo simply nodded along.
"Where did you learn a word like that?"
"From the organization's kumicho."
"Kumicho?"
"It's like the chairman."
"..."
Imagining a yakuza oyabun teaching Rinne the definition of tsundere was enough for a full skit in itself, but he didn't have the leisure to indulge in such fantasies right now.
"Master isn't the tsundere type."
"I know. It was a joke."
"What kind of joke is delivered with such a serious face?"
"You looked overly worried, so I tried it out."
Si-woo gave a wry smile, while Rinne remained as expressionless as ever.
In any case, the meaning behind the keys she left was straightforward.
Eloa could never tolerate Rinne.
She was the mastermind behind Si-woo's kidnapping, and her existence directly contradicted the lifelong convictions Eloa had upheld.
Thus, there was no falsehood in the hostility Eloa had shown toward Rinne.
However, on the flip side, Eloa owed Rinne a debt.
No matter how it had unfolded, Rinne had staked her life multiple times for Si-woo's sake and ultimately rescued him safely.
In that regard, she must have felt a twinge of obligation.
She couldn't acknowledge Rinne as Si-woo's lover, but neither did she want her handed over for trial and execution.
Eloa also knew Si-woo wouldn't want that outcome.
So, she had pretended it was a mistake and left the keys—to ensure Rinne didn't fall into the worst possible situation.
It was an unspoken promise: if Si-woo secretly helped her escape, Eloa would shoulder the political backlash. For a stickler for principles like her, this was the utmost consideration she could offer.
-Clank!
The iron bars blocking the space between them vanished.
With chains binding her wrists and ankles, Rinne couldn't go far, so Si-woo stepped inside.
"Whew, the room conditions here are really something. Did you spend the whole day meditating in here?"
Dorothy's place had been downright luxurious by comparison.
This was the bottommost prison level—no bed, and a chill seeped up from the stone floor.
He understood why they had to lock her away here right after her fierce battle, but it still left a bitter taste.
"It's tolerable. But..."
-Clink clink.
Rinne tugged hard at her chains and threw herself into Si-woo's arms.
She buried her face completely, pressing her ear to his heartbeat.
"I missed you, my lord."
It had only been a day apart, yet she clung as if months had passed.
After holding her like that for a good while, Si-woo held out the keys.
"Must be uncomfortable. Let me unlock them."
He meant the shackles on her wrists and ankles.
But Rinne didn't readily offer her arms.
Instead, she hid them behind her back, out of his reach.
"No."
"Pardon?"
"What happens if we escape now?"
"You'll see from the situation—Master has given her permission. Staying longer might complicate things unnecessarily, so she's probably letting you wrap it up yourself."
Given how cooperative she had been, she must have pulled strings at immigration control as well. Eloa had longstanding ties with the authorities there.
But Rinne's idea of "next" seemed different from what Si-woo imagined.
"Can I stay by your side as your lover again?"
"Master would... probably pretend not to notice."
Despite her harsh words earlier, the fact that she left the keys made it certain.
Even if Rinne returned to the modern world and Si-woo visited her occasionally, Eloa would likely turn a blind eye.
She wouldn't treat her equally like the other lovers, probably regarding her as a 'non-person' instead.
As Si-woo pondered this and grew depressed, he realized his own optimism.
Somehow, he had ended up with many lovers.
Fortune had favored him so far, with no major troubles—they got along remarkably well.
They traveled together, hung out like friends, and in one case, even formed a triplet bond boasting incredible chemistry.
They had accepted each other's presence and harmonized.
Maybe his luck up to now had been more than he deserved.
"Then I'll stay here."
Rinne declared.
"Harmony among co-wives is a virtue every wife should show."
"Is this another joke?"
He understood she was trying to lighten the mood with her own brand of wit, but the situation was serious.
Wondering if she truly grasped it, Si-woo asked.
"Family harmony makes everything possible. If we can gather for meals and get along that well, no problem is unsolvable. A peaceful family is the top priority."
Anyone unfamiliar with her would have chuckled at Rinne's logic.
But knowing her life story, Si-woo couldn't just laugh it off.
Instead, he shared his honest thoughts.
"If that's the reason, wouldn't it be better to prioritize your safety first and think about the future later?"
"Probably."
Rinne shook her head.
"But I've never once beaten Tiferet Duke."
He had heard as much.
It was why she had taken Si-woo as her disciple in the first place.
But what did that have to do with this conversation?
"You heard our exchange earlier. Tiferet spoke as if it were natural, calling herself the wife and me the concubine."
A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Rinne's previously impassive eyes.
"I can't swallow my pride and beg mercy from such an opponent just to become your mistress under her tolerance."
"Oh dear..."
Rinne was quiet and reticent, but Si-woo knew how intense her inner competitive spirit was.
Considering their bad blood, she couldn't just yield meekly.
"It's shameless of me, but... could I ask something of you, my lord? Arrange a fair duel."
"What if I insist you leave?"
"..."
Rinne, who would normally say she had to obey, abruptly turned her head away, dodging the answer.
"Lady Rinne?"
"..."
"Lady Rinne?"
"..."
Her reaction was so cute that Si-woo followed her turning head, calling out repeatedly. She shook her head side to side, avoiding his gaze and words.
Her lips began to pout, as if she was getting flustered.
"Stop it."
"Yes, yes, no more teasing."
In any case, happiness comes at a price.
Until now, he might have been too irresponsible, spreading himself too thin like an octopus.
To be the protagonist of a polygamous setup, didn't it require effort?
"Alright... I'll do my best somehow."
Somehow convince his master.
Exile was unavoidable, but help Rinne take her place as an official lover.
"My lord."
"Yes."
"Once this is over, could we travel together?"
"I can't promise for sure, but I'll try."
"Understood."
After a light kiss with Rinne, Si-woo headed back to the bedroom.
Before meeting his master right away, he wanted to discuss this with his other lovers.
2.
The twins, apprentice witches, were fast asleep.
Lurye was out cold, deep enough that no one would notice if carried away, so the conversation naturally turned to Amelia.
The two sat closely on the sofa after leaving the bedroom.
"Si-woo, I'm fine with it."
Amelia graciously accepted as Si-woo first explained Rinne's situation and sought her understanding.
"Like I said earlier, I'm someone who benefited from your kindness too."
"Still..."
"What, you think I'll lose out with two more added?"
She clenched her fist, showing an uncharacteristic spark of fight.
"By the way, where's Sharon? She still hasn't come back?"
He thought she had just stepped out briefly, but her absence was blatantly suspicious.
Besides, Sharon's help was essential for mapping out the future.
She had the closest relationship with his master, and with her sweet personality and affability, she had always served as the mediator among the lovers.
Her advice alone would be a huge boost.
But the determination on Amelia's face shifted to faint worry the moment Sharon's name came up.
"Sharon's help would definitely make it much easier, but..."
"Did something happen?"
After a brief hesitation, Amelia nodded in admission.
"We fought."
"What?"
"While you were asleep, we had a huge blowout. She's probably holed up in her workshop now."
Sharon fighting with someone?
It was hard to believe even hearing it.
From the atmosphere, it wasn't some minor spat.
And for her to shut herself away without even seeing Si-woo's face after his long-awaited return...
Was the price of his overflowing happiness finally arriving?
"It's all my fault. Could you talk to her when you see her?"
"Yeah... sure."
Sensing things growing ever more tangled, Si-woo headed straight for Sharon's workshop.