Chapter 395: A Daily Drama
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 395: A Daily Drama
‘My son... the day you were born, all the Green Skins and humans in the East whispered your name.’
I muttered the line for no good reason, but it didn't change a thing.
Calling this situation merely ‘absurd’ didn't even begin to cover it. In human years, Ratga and Wanhee were about the age of elementary schoolers. The sudden talk of engagement was baffling enough, but their expressions were even more so.
No matter how you looked at it, they had the faces of a tragic heroine and the male lead comforting her. They were so lost in their roles you could have filmed a drama on the spot. They were already completely swept up in their own emotions.
“I understand you’re surprised, Father. But I am serious.”
“F-Father…”
For some reason, I felt like I should be shouting, “Who are you calling Father!” But I wasn’t thick-skinned enough to actually yell a line like that. It was partly embarrassing, and the situation was just too awkward. I never imagined something straight out of a soap opera would happen to me.
“Hah…”
If asked whether I liked this situation, I’d lean toward ‘no.’ Not that it really mattered, but I felt it was far too soon for them.
Looking around again, the expressions of the others came into view. The quick-witted Baek Ahyeon had dismissed the other followers, but everyone was just as surprised. Lee Wanyong’s expression, in particular, was priceless. It was the happiest I had ever seen him look. He was probably marveling at his daughter’s achievement. I was marveling, too.
I didn’t know if Wanhee had seduced Ratga or if Ratga had seduced Wanhee, but seeing Choi Seulgi’s peculiar expression, it seemed she thought Ratga’s way with women was my fault. Of course, I might be this way now, but I used to be the loyal type. Seeing Choi Seulgi look at me like that, I felt a little hurt for some reason.
“Like father, like son. And like father, like daughter… The son especially is the spitting image of his father. You’re not planning on adding one a year since he was a kid, are you?”
“Ahem…”
Her comment was a jab at both Lee Wanyong and me. I’d never imagined becoming in-laws with that man. Even if we did, he wouldn’t dare try to act as my equal, but the thought was still uncomfortable. Since I couldn’t think of anything to say, I looked at Ratga and spoke.
“I don’t think you’re old enough to be discussing such things yet.”
It was a gentle refusal. But the boy’s gaze didn’t waver.
“You are right, Father. I am still young. But… I am certain of this feeling in my heart. You always told me that if I set my mind to something, I must achieve it. I don’t believe I have ever been stubborn with you before. Please, accept your unworthy son’s persistence just this once.”
“…”
Looking at Wanhee, who was anxiously gripping Ratga’s hand, it surely wasn’t my imagination that she reminded me of a figure like Daji from ancient China [a famously beautiful and malevolent consort]. It got to the point where I doubted if she was truly interested in Ratga. To see it as the pure love of a child was difficult, especially since the little girl was Lee Wanyong’s daughter. Of course, I knew it was a ridiculous thought, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
The image of an adult Wanhee manipulating Ratga at will wasn’t entirely unimaginable. If her feelings weren’t genuine, I couldn’t bear the thought of Ratga getting hurt. I turned to Wanhee and spoke softly.
“Do you truly like Ratga?”
“Yes… Father. I believe he is the one I will spend my life with. If you refuse, I wish to quietly serve the Young Master by his side.”
[Target - Wanhee]
[Status - Anxious, Grateful, Joyful, Certain.]
What dwelled in her eyes was certainty. The problem was, I didn’t know what she was certain of. Feeling like a wicked father-in-law, I swallowed hard.
“It was a short time, but Wanhee and I have talked a lot. Father, do you believe in fate?”
“…”
“I understand I must seem like I’ve lost my mind. You may dismiss it as a childish notion, but my feelings are completely genuine. Father. She is my lifelong partner!”
“What on earth happened…”
“If Wanhee were not my fated partner, how could she have transformed into a Green Skin at that moment?”
It’s highly likely that Wanhee just desperately wanted it to happen.
As I stood there in confusion, Choi Seulgi’s voice came from behind me again.
“A romantic… what a romantic…”
“…”
His glistening eyes were truly befitting of a romantic. My heart ached a little. I knew I’d have to let my sons and daughters go someday, but I was starting to feel incredibly sad. The thought of Laveua and Lapura bringing a man home someday made me angry for some reason. A future scene popped into my head.
Laveua, who used to say, ‘I like Daddy the best,’ would one day say… ‘Dad, this is my boyfriend!’
And if I imagined some thief-like bastard suddenly snatching away Lapura, who had said, ‘Father… I’m never going to get married,’ I was ready to make him experience the full force of the Great Tribe Leader’s exam.
It wasn’t that I was discriminating between my son and daughters, but the thought that my children could already be growing distant made me anxious. If I had to put it into words, it was a small, selfish wish that they wouldn’t grow distant just yet. Of course, I understood Ratga’s actions, but it was incredibly difficult to make a decision.
“Father…”
Ratga and Wanhee waited for my answer, hands clasped tightly. In truth, whether I approved or not wasn’t the issue. Green Skins rarely ask their fathers for permission to marry or take a mate. Unless there was a major problem, it was left to their free will. Even if I were to forbid it here and now, if the two of them were set on it, they could probably become mates after they came of age.
What Ratga likely wanted was to officially make her his fiancée. And… he was undoubtedly worried about his mother, Jang Ye Ri.
After getting my consent, he intended to show his mother, Jang Ye Ri, that their relationship had been properly acknowledged. If he had my support, at least he wouldn’t be rejected so harshly.
Ratga was raised as a Green Skin, but he was also raised as the prince of a great city. Naturally, the matter of his partner was a sensitive issue. The position of Chieftain of the Blood Dagger Clan wasn’t confirmed yet, but he was already the designated heir to the eastern metropolis of Garia. To me, he was just my adorable son, but in the East, his status was that of a prince.
In other words, Jang Ye Ri would feel like a much bigger obstacle than me. If he got my consent, persuading his mother, the Queen, would also become much easier. That must have been what he was thinking.
“F-Father…”
As the silence dragged on, he watched me with a worried gaze. I sighed briefly before speaking. It was cowardly of me, but it was best to let Jang Ye Ri play the bad cop. Besides, the decision wasn't mine to make. I spoke vaguely.
“I still think it’s too soon for you, but if you insist, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”
“D-Does that mean…”
“Yes. Let’s try talking it over with your mother.”
“Ah… I, I… I see.”
Ratga’s expression fell a little. Knowing Jang Ye Ri’s personality, it was an expected reaction. Even if I gave my permission here, it would all be for nothing if Jang Ye Ri refused. The most I could do was offer him some encouragement… Since I entrusted so much of the child-rearing to her, it was right for Jang Ye Ri to make this decision, not me.
But seeing the disappointed look on my son’s face, I couldn’t help but sigh.
“I’ll try to be of some help. I can’t just blindly support you, but…”
“F-Father!”
Leaving Ratga’s moved expression behind me, I discreetly sent a communication to Jang Ye Ri.
[Jang Ye Ri.]
When I opened the connection, a very cheerful voice came through.
[It’s been a while, my mate. So, are you getting along with Ratga?]
[I have something to tell you about Ratga… a small problem has come up.]
[A small problem? Go ahead.]
[He’s asking to be engaged.]
A heavy silence fell on the other end. It was clearly a displeased reaction. More than that, I could feel a faint sense of anger.
[…]
[I forbid it.]
I knew she’d say that, but she was even more firm than I’d expected.
[He’s quite desperate. I was hoping you could at least talk to him…]
[Later… No, it would be better to go now. I have something to discuss as well…]
[……………………..]
Something felt ominous. The Ring of Covenant not only allowed for long-distance conversation but also conveyed a certain degree of emotion. What came through Jang Ye Ri’s voice was an incredibly cold emotion. No, it was beyond cold—it was frozen solid. It was so cold it would make the northern blizzards feel warm…
As my expression soured, the perceptive Ratga spoke up.
“D-Did you tell Mother?”
When I nodded, a gloomy expression appeared on his face. Of course, hidden behind that expression was fear. She was quite strict with her son, so he was surely imagining the scolding he was about to get. As Ratga’s face fell, Wanhee’s expression naturally began to turn gloomy as well.
“D-Don’t worry too much. Mother isn’t that bad of a person…”
“B-But, Young Master… if it’s your mother…”
“I’m here.”
Ratga gripped Wanhee’s trembling hand tightly. An atmosphere formed, as if they were about to cry out their love from the center of the continent. Choi Eunju was already gone, having left to bring Jang Ye Ri. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes for her to arrive. Since this was a rather embarrassing topic to discuss standing here, I looked at Ratga and Wanhee and spoke.
“Let’s talk about it over a meal with your mother.”
“Yes, Father…”
For now, I could breathe a sigh of relief. But this was the calm before the storm. And the storm was approaching in real-time. After I spoke, everyone began to slowly disperse. Lee Wanyong was needlessly glancing my way while talking with his daughter.
The place I was headed was, of course, the drawing room. Choi Eunju had probably already arrived there with Jang Ye Ri. No, she was already here. I was sure of it, as I could feel a rather chilly magical energy from one side of the building.
“It won’t get too serious, will it?”
“Probably…?”
“I’ll be rooting for you… Ahem… I have some business to attend to in the North, so I should get going…”
“You’re not running away, are you?”
“Of course not… Actually, the signal has been going off since I was in the basement. I was just trying to ignore it.”
“Ahem…”
“Well, anyway, good luck…”
I muttered back and forth with Choi Seulgi, but I had no confidence that things wouldn’t get serious. Although it was a family matter, it was also a matter between Jang Ye Ri and me, so Baek Ahyeon and Choi Seulgi discreetly excused themselves. I quickly made my way to the drawing room.
When I opened the door with a clatter, I saw Choi Eunju and Jang Ye Ri. It seemed they had been talking. She was probably explaining the background of this incident.
“Of all the things I’ve heard recently, this is the most absurd. I feel like a lot of absurd things have been happening lately.”
“Ahem… ahem…”
Before I could even announce my presence, Jang Ye Ri slowly turned her gaze toward me.
“Where is Ratga?”
“He’s probably with Wanhee.”
“And Wanhee is?”
“Lee Wanyong’s daughter.”
“Wasn’t she human?”
“She’s a demon now.”
I didn’t offer much of an explanation, but I figured she could guess the situation. She seemed expressionless, but anyone could see she was a little annoyed and trying to burn away that feeling internally.
I probably won’t be able to help him. I nodded to myself.
‘I’m sorry, my son.’