Chapter 398: Daily Drama
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 398: Daily Drama
“J-Just a moment, I need to use the restroom.”
In the end, unable to bear the silence, Choi Eunju began to rise from her seat. I nodded wordlessly, and she hastily escaped the battlefield.
‘Wise.’
Extremely wise. Knowing she couldn’t endure it, Choi Eunju chose the path of escape. Naturally, I couldn’t help but watch her with envy. The conversation had reached a temporary lull, and I glanced over at the table laden with food.
There was a vegetable unique to this world that looked something like a head of cabbage. That thing was dangerous. I didn’t think Jang Ye Ri would actually throw it at Lee Wanhee’s face, but as someone raised in Korea, that object struck me as incredibly hazardous for some reason.
‘The water, too…’
There was also the possibility of a water slap. The water in the wine glass also felt strangely dangerous. Even after Choi Eunju left, the atmosphere remained tense. As I swallowed hard, Ratga slowly began to speak.
“There is nothing wrong with my body, Mother.”
“…”
What Ratga said was true; there was nothing physically wrong with him.
“Even if these feelings are the result of Wanhee’s influence on me, they are still my own. I do not wish to deny them, Mother.”
“Young Master…”
The tears Lee Wanhee was shedding now could not be called a lie.
[Target - Lee Wanhee]
[Status - Gratitude, Touched, Remorse, Anxiety, Joy.]
They were emotions I could confirm with my own eyes.
“Above all, your inadequate son is not so weak.”
“…”
Ratga gently lifted Lee Wanhee’s hand, which was clasped with his own. Of course, the look on Jang Ye Ri’s face as she watched was anything but pleased. More than anything…
‘She’s angry.’
Having spent so much time with her, I could tell. Jang Ye Ri was definitely angry right now. Though her expression was blank, I could see the corners of her mouth and eyes trembling faintly, and a trickle of magic was seeping from her body.
Ratga probably knew his mother was angry, too. It was impossible for him not to know what I knew. Since Jang Ye Ri had been a rather strict mother, this wouldn't be the first time she had been angry with him, so it was only natural.
“Yes, I understand your feelings perfectly well, Ratga. However, I am very curious if Wanhee, here beside me, feels the same.”
“Of course, Wanhee also…”
“I do not believe that this cunning child is following you simply because she likes you. She must have something else in mind. Just as this mother was raised among humans and thinks like them, so too is that child who was raised in their midst.”
I had a feeling a classic line was about to make an appearance.
“I don’t know how you seduced my innocent boy, but you cannot fool my eyes.”
The first of the lines I’d anticipated had made its entrance.
“My lady, that’s not it…”
“I have already told you that I am not your mother.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“I think I know what you want. Power, honor, money, safety… tell me what it is you desire. I will grant you something far greater than you can imagine. The condition is simple. If you leave Ratga’s side, all of this will be yours. I will help you build your own kingdom, and you will live your entire life in safety, surrounded by immense wealth.”
“Mother!”
The second of my anticipated lines had arrived.
Naturally, Ratga’s face turned pale. No envelope of money appeared, but it was no different from handing one over. The quintessential scene that no drama would be complete without was unfolding right here. What was amazing was that these people had never even encountered Earth’s culture.
All the over-the-top dramas I had ever seen… any doubt I had about their authenticity vanished completely in that moment.
The answer was up to Lee Wanhee. It was an offer that would be tempting even for me. If Lee Wanhee truly had been following Ratga for such purposes, it wouldn’t be a bad choice to just close her eyes and nod here. If it had been Lee Wanyong, he might have nodded.
However…
Lee Wanhee’s reaction was quite unexpected. Tears began to well up and stream from her large eyes.
“Sob… th-… uuughhh…”
In that instant, in this dining room, the roles of hero and villain were already set.
“Th-That’s not… hic. It’s not like that, Your Majesty. I… I truly…”
It was incredibly realistic. You couldn’t call that acting. Her face was clearly filled with sorrow. And yet, the one amplifying her own emotions was none other than Lee Wanhee herself.
I could tell from the feelings flowing into me. The sadness was real. But Lee Wanhee was using that emotion as a weapon. She was continuously nurturing her own sorrow.
‘Like father, like daughter.’
That expression fit her perfectly. And her strategy was working beautifully.
“Mother!”
“Ratga.”
“Mother! You have gone too far! If you do not like Wanhee, you should have just said so honestly… To insult my betrothed in this way… I cannot tolerate it! You are truly cruel!”
“R-Ratga…”
“Were you not the one who told me not to discriminate against people, Mother?! How can you treat Wanhee so harshly? You said there is no person above another! This son is truly disappointed in you today!”
“Young Master, I… sob… I’m alright.”
The sight of Lee Wanhee gently tugging on Ratga’s sleeve to stop him made her look like the victim to anyone watching. In truth, she was the victim, so there was nothing to say, but Jang Ye Ri was so dumbfounded by the situation that she couldn’t even open her mouth.
“I never expected to be blessed, but for this to happen is truly devastating. I don’t think I can speak with you any longer today, Mother!”
“Young Master!”
Ratga suddenly bolted out of the room. Jang Ye Ri was reeling, stunned by the blow her son had dealt her. In this chaotic situation, I couldn’t even begin to figure out what my role should be.
Lee Wanhee, also looking flustered, immediately ran after Ratga, and just like that, only Jang Ye Ri and I were left in the dining room.
“He was such a good boy…”
Watching Jang Ye Ri mutter to herself, my heart ached a little, but you reap what you sow. No parent can win against their child. It truly felt like I was witnessing that saying in action, but Jang Ye Ri was a little tougher than I expected.
*
“Have you two ever spent your first night together?”
“We haven’t even gotten married yet, there’s no way we’d do… do something like that, right?”
“R-Right.”
“Hmph. How foolish. By Green Skin age, you two will soon be adults, are you not? Phhht. And you still haven’t had boyfriends? How pitiful. You’ve wasted your lives.”
“…”
“…”
She never imagined he would drop a line like that out of the blue after visiting the settlement for the first time in a while. Of course, for some reason, she had no retort for Isaac’s words. Nicole glanced at Kim Yoora and shook her head. Her friend, Kim Yoora, hadn’t dated anyone yet because she was interested in the Great Tribe Leader, Blood Dagger, but that wasn’t the case for her.
In fact, Kim Yoora had received many proposals over the years. But nothing like that had ever happened to her. Though she was always stuck to Kim Yoora’s side, all the attention was poured onto Kim Yoora.
‘Krrk. Get Kim Yoora…’
‘Kkireuk! Could you give this to Kim Yoora?’
‘To Yoora…’
‘If you would call Yoora…’
She had no idea how many times she’d heard things like that.
“My advice is…”
For some reason, Isaac’s words started to pique her interest. Kim Yoora was only half-listening, but for Nicole, this was a serious problem. The coming-of-age ceremony was less than a year away. Everyone else was finding partners, and she had to find one too.
The fact that there wasn't anyone she liked was a big part of the problem. She was starting to worry that she might end up living alone for a long time, like the Goblin Three Sisters. It wasn’t urgent, but it was unsettling. This was what was currently on Nicole’s mind.
“So…”
“Ah! Sir Isaac, we have to go now. Let’s go, Nicole.”
“Ah! Uh… right. Look how late it’s gotten.”
“Ah… uh… r-right. I-I see. I… I have Wilson, anyway. R-Right, Wilson?”
She might end up like that weird staff.
‘But… it’s not urgent.’
After parting with Kim Yoora, Nicole nodded and opened the flap of her tent. A familiar, warm air greeted her. Naturally, she saw her mother, who always welcomed her without fail. A sweet smell pricked her nose, as if she had been making dinner. Feeling like she was home, Nicole spoke cheerfully.
“Mom! I’m home!”
“Nicole! Were you playing with Yoora again today?”
“Well, same as always. We trained, played… and we have to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony, so I’m a little busy.”
“Still no boyfriend?”
“It seems like I need a partner, but everyone seems to be staying single these days, so I guess it doesn’t matter. No Green Skins have confessed to me… and there are no Green Skins I like… so, yeah. More importantly, you look happy, Mom.”
It was true. Her mother was always energetic, but today she seemed especially joyful. It was the kind of expression she only made when she was truly happy, and Nicole, having lived with her for so long, could tell right away.
“There’s a reason for that, Nicole. I’ve received a marriage proposal for you! Nicole! The other party said it was urgent, so I told them I’d accept for now!”
At her mother’s words, Nicole swallowed hard. Occasionally, for Green Skins who couldn’t find a partner, their parents would act as matchmakers. Finding a partner was ultimately up to the free will of an adult Green Skin. Most of the time, parents didn’t get involved, and the only time they did was when they were genuinely worried.
In other words, her mother was feeling a great sense of crisis.
‘Was… was that the image I had?’
It was only natural that she felt a little depressed. But as she mulled over her mother’s words again, she couldn’t help but be shocked.
“You… you accepted?!”
“Didn’t I tell you? I accepted for now.”
“How! How could you accept that! I… I’m still comfortable being alone! I have no intention of finding a partner, and it’s too early for me!”
“They said it was very urgent… and they said you could meet him first and cancel if you want to. So it should be fine.”
“B-But… it’s so sudden.”
Perhaps because she didn’t have a father, her mother had always been devoted to her. She was grateful that her mother had helped and protected her all this time, but her tendency to interfere too much in her life was a drawback. Nicole sighed again. She could just cancel after they met, but she felt bad for the other person.
More than that, a budding curiosity about her potential partner began to rise. Nicole tossed out a question, feigning indifference. It wasn’t that she was seriously considering it. It was just pure, innocent curiosity.
“Is… is he handsome?”
“Of course. I didn’t agree for no reason. I’m sure he has a face you’ll like, Nicole.”
“Is he old?”
“He’s very young, so you don’t have to worry, Nicole.”
“Ra-Race?”
“He’s a demon!”
A demon… She would have preferred a goblin, but a demon wasn’t bad. She had once admired Blood Dagger’s horns, so she thought she might like a demon with magnificent horns.
Her mother’s expression was one of confidence. It was a silver lining, so it wasn’t bad. Her mother had a good eye for men. Thinking of her own father, she couldn’t help but think so. Naturally, she felt a flutter of excitement. Nicole swallowed lightly and spoke again.
“The… the partner is…”
“He’s a Green Skin you already know, Nicole. Your partner is none other than Blood Dagger’s third heir, Ratga!” she said. “Heehee! It’s a great honor, Nicole!”
“…?”
“Are you so happy you’re speechless, Nicole?”
“Mom, what did you just…”
“I said your partner is Blood Dagger’s third heir, Ratga!”
“Don’t tell me… the Ratga who used to call me Sister Nicole…”
“That’s right, Nicole!”
A moment of silence. Nicole held her breath for a second, then let out a huge shriek.
“Hut! Hat! Heng! Kkireuk!”
For the first time in a long while, an unexpected goblin cry burst out of her.