Chapter 402: Be Strong, Nicole
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 402: Be Strong, Nicole
‘No...’
This was the first time I’d ever wished for Lee Wanyong, who always brought good news, to keep his mouth shut. Everyone else wore looks of curiosity, but Lee Wanyong’s expression was incredibly stiff.
“Actually, I came here because I have business with my daughter.”
“Father, so suddenly...”
The expression of Jang Ye Ri, the Queen of the East, was also grim. I had heard about the Queen from Kim Yoora before, which only made my anxiety spike.
‘You mean Jang Ye Ri? She’s terrifying... Probably the most terrifying of all the women who are with Lord Blood Dagger.’
‘Isn’t Baek Ahyeon the scary one!? I get goosebumps whenever I look into her eyes.’
‘To our enemies, Baek Ahyeon might seem the most frightening, but I think the most venomous and truly terrifying one is Jang Ye Ri. When she raises the corners of her lips just so, you can’t tell what she’s really thinking. She’s ambitious and greedy, and maybe it’s because she grew up in a castle... but she seems like she’d be strong in political intrigue, in the fights that happen behind the scenes. I’m sure the others feel uncomfortable around her, too.’
‘Hmm... If that’s really true... then you should be careful too, Yoora...’
‘Th-That’s not what I meant.’
I had never seen that expression on Jang Ye Ri myself, but I imagined the look Kim Yoora had described was very similar to the one she wore now. Her twisted expression held a smile I had never seen before.
To be precise, it felt as if she had known this situation would happen beforehand. Ratga and Wanhee might not have known, but for some reason, Nicole couldn't help but think so.
Everyone here, including myself, had just walked into some kind of enormous trap.
Perhaps even Lee Wanyong had noticed this fact. The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it.
By the time I took a deep breath, Lee Wanyong was already speaking. I instinctively grabbed his sleeve and opened my mouth.
“Wanyong, you don’t have to say it.”
“Lady Nicole, how do you know my father’s name... to speak it so... casually...”
Wanhee’s voice was filled with confusion. I had treated him comfortably, but thinking about it now, Lee Wanyong was a Green Skin like me, and he was much older. As I struggled to clear my muddled thoughts, Lee Wanyong’s voice cut through.
“My daughter has committed a rudeness toward Lady Nicole, and I have come to have her apologize for it.”
“Father, what are you...”
“How interesting. I would like to hear more.”
“Tell her yourself, with your own mouth. Wanhee.”
I slowly opened the eyes I had squeezed shut. The Queen’s expression was unchanged. What had changed slightly were the faces of Wanhee and Ratga. They looked as if they couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
Ratga’s expression, in particular, showed this. It was understandable that he would be dumbfounded to suddenly hear of such rudeness; he must have thought the dinner atmosphere had been perfectly fine.
I shifted my gaze slightly to where Wanhee was sitting. Her expression was no different from Ratga’s. After a brief silence, Wanhee’s small lips parted.
“Rudeness...? Father, I have no memory of acting in a way that could be considered rude. There must be some misunderstanding. I don’t know what you heard from that person, but...”
“Wanhee. Do you know who it is that stands beside your father right now...?”
I had never thought of myself as someone important. But the way things were unfolding seemed to suggest otherwise.
As I hesitated, it was Jang Ye Ri who answered.
“She is the first child of the Blood Dagger Clan. And its greatest tattoo artist. Her father, Najin, was a warrior among warriors who threw himself into the jaws of death, sacrificing his own life and honor to save the Great Chieftain Blood Dagger long ago. To this day, the Blood Dagger Clan—no, all Green Skins—live with her father Najin’s name carved into their hearts. The one who created Blood Dagger’s banner and who tattooed the ashes of the former Chieftain Ragia onto Blood Dagger’s body is that child right there. She is more than worthy of being Ratga’s fiancée. No, if anything, it is Ratga who is lacking. To hear that you were rude to her... I cannot simply overlook this. I find myself wanting to hear the details.”
“That’s not...”
At Jang Ye Ri’s words, I couldn't help but swallow hard. I hadn’t realized it until now, but I had so many titles attached to my name. It made me sound like someone incredible, but I was absolutely not.
After Jang Ye Ri finished speaking, I could feel Wanhee’s face turn deathly pale.
“Wanhee. Is that true?”
Ratga was also looking at Wanhee with a very serious expression. Wanhee hesitated for a long time before answering.
“Well... that is... I didn’t have any ill intent... It was a mistake... a m-mistake... I think I made a mistake.”
“Y-Yes... it was a mistake. That’s right. A mistake... I didn’t think much of it either. I’m fine, Ratga. More importantly, let’s all sit down...”
“I know you are kind and soft-hearted, unlike a typical Green Skin, Nicole. However, this is a matter that can by no means be ignored. To insult you is to insult your father, and that, in turn, is an insult to Blood Dagger—no, to the entire Blood Dagger Clan.”
I had never thought of it that way. If someone had insulted my father, I would have drawn my sword, of course, but I didn’t think a mistake made toward me was a big deal.
“Of course, this is a more human way of thinking, but I do not believe that Ratga’s fiancée, who is accustomed to human life, would be ignorant of this fact. I, too, would like to hear it from your own mouth, Wanhee. What kind of mistake you made.”
Her voice was quite cold. At its sound, I was rendered speechless.
“Y-Young Master. Sob, hic... It really wasn’t on purpose.”
“Wanhee. I trust you, but speaking carelessly to Nicole is a rather serious matter for our family. Especially for me... even more so... If there’s something weighing on your mind, it would be best to say it here and now.”
The situation was getting worse. I felt terrible, as if I had cornered this small child. I averted my gaze, and finally, a tiny voice echoed through the small hall.
“I-I’m sorry. A-Actually... hic...”
It wasn’t a long story, but it was a painfully honest one.
From being jealous of my sudden appearance, to looking down on me for being a small, unintelligent-looking goblin. It was uncomfortable listening to Wanhee’s voice as she began to confess everything, bit by bit: how she had laughed at me for not being used to a fork, what happened in the washroom, and various other things.
‘This is... uncomfortable.’
“Th-This is everything. Sniffle... It really wasn’t intentional. I was just so jealous. It seemed like the Young Master liked Lady Nicole, too... Hic... Please forgive me. I was wrong.”
“It would be more appropriate to apologize to Nicole, not Ratga.”
“I was wrong, Lady Nicole... hic... sob...”
“Ah! I... I’m fine. I don’t mind at all. It’s understandable to think that way. Y-Yeah... I did a lot of strange things when I was young, too. Yes. It’s understandable.”
Of course, I could forgive her. In fact, it could be seen as a simple mistake, so there was no problem. But the atmosphere around us suggested otherwise. The first to rise from his seat in the silent room was Ratga.
“Mother, I’m not feeling well...”
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
Perhaps because Ratga suddenly stormed out of the room, Wanhee’s crying grew even louder.
“Young Master! Young Master! Young Master! Sob...”
“Let’s talk again tomorrow, Wanhee.”
A flicker of sadness passed over Ratga’s face, but that was all. Wanhee continued to sniffle, and as the tense atmosphere refused to settle, I started to break out in a cold sweat.
I certainly wasn’t the guilty one. But I felt as if I had become a criminal. Anyone standing in this spot would probably feel the same way I did.
“Your Majesty. If it is not too much trouble, may I take Wanhee and return to our room? I cannot know what Lord Ratga thinks of Wanhee now, but she is still so young, perhaps an engagement is...”
“I, too, will respect both of your wishes. It seems a pleasant dinner has been ruined. You may go. And Wanhee.”
“Yes... sniffle. Your Majesty.”
“I trust you would have shown the same reaction even if this child did not have such a background.”
“Y-Yes.”
As Lee Wanyong gently took Wanhee’s hand and led her out of the room, her whimpering voice continued to echo.
I felt like our eyes met for a moment.
“I’m sorry, Lady Nicole... I’m truly sorry. Sniffle...”
“Lady Nicole, I apologize as well.”
“I-I’m fine. Th-There’s no problem at all!”
The brief conversation we’d had in the hallway had completely shattered this gathering. A short time later, only Jang Ye Ri and I remained. For some reason, a sudden chill seemed to wash over me.
“Sit down.”
“Yes.”
Unlike my expectation that she would dismiss me, she invited me to sit again, which meant she had something more to say. Honestly, I wanted to escape this place immediately, but I knew the atmosphere wouldn't allow it.
“The meal is not yet over, so I would like for us to eat together. Tsk. To think such a rare dinner would be ruined.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Using a fork and knife is simpler than you think. I am not scolding you for not knowing how, but it would not hurt to learn.”
“Yes.”
She looked incredibly elegant. There wasn't a single flaw in her movements. She appeared so noble that I couldn't help but swallow hard.
In truth, I had lost all interest in the food before me long ago. The only thing filling my mind right now was the fact that Jang Ye Ri had not approved of Wanhee.
‘Vixen.’
Of course, the probability was slim. But when I considered the chances of me suddenly being chosen as a candidate, suddenly running into Lee Wanyong, and then suddenly having all this happen, a suspicion began to form. Could the Queen before me have had a hand in this?
Of course, I didn't have the courage to ask. But unable to contain my surging curiosity, I subtly brought it up.
“Your Majesty.”
“You may call me Mother.”
“Ah... that...”
“For now, call me whatever you are comfortable with.”
“Y-Yes... Mother. By... by any chance, the reason you brought me here today was...”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about...”
Her words were a denial, but one corner of her mouth was unmistakably turned up. My mind instantly went blank. The rumors about her being venomous were true. As I swallowed, her voice came again.
“More importantly, I truly want to hear what you think of our Ratga.”
“Pardon? That... well.”
To be honest, I didn’t have much interest in him yet. But I knew it would be dangerous to say that honestly in this situation. The calm after the storm was deeply unnatural. I couldn’t even swallow my food.
As I continued to stall, it was Jang Ye Ri’s voice that spoke again.
“It may be a little early, but I truly wish for you to become my daughter-in-law. I would like an answer.”
The way she casually sipped her wine was incredibly cool.
But dangerous.
I realized today that this side was extremely dangerous. This position was not one of honor, but one that was frightening, difficult, and exhausting. Swallowing hard, Nicole wished for someone, anyone, to save her.
‘Help me...’
A soundless scream echoed endlessly inside her mouth.