Family Conflicts
The children of powerful families are often thought to live lives where they can have anything they want. But that isn't true.
For the legitimate heirs of prestigious clans like the Namgung Clan, those restrictions are even stricter.
Namgung Yuhyeon's arranged marriage was simply one of the duties imposed upon him.
However.
'His attitude toward that maid named Juyeon seems excessive.'
Namgung Hwan habitually glanced at the Sword King's expression. Seeing the old man frowning just like himself, he felt relieved.
'As expected, Father feels the same way.'
It had been wrong to misunderstand the maid Juyeon all this time, but it was simply unacceptable for the legitimate heir of the Namgung Clan to become involved with a servant.
After enduring such hardship for so long, a brief moment of deviation might be forgivable, but...
'I heard he refused to meet his fiancée. That's concerning.'
Namgung Hwan called out to Namgung Yuhyeon, who was still holding Juyeon in his arms.
"Ahem, Yuhyeon. Let's talk for a moment."
"Yes, Father. Please speak."
Namgung Yuhyeon stepped in front of her as if to protect Juyeon.
The resolve in his stance made it clear that if anyone tried to separate them, he would not hesitate to oppose even his own family.
"...Yurin. Escort the Divine Doctor to his quarters for now."
Yuseong rose from his seat without protest. The atmosphere had grown tense with sensitive matters about to be discussed, and since the family head had spoken first, it was only proper to excuse himself.
"Then I'll go rest for a while."
"Thank you for understanding. I'll send word when the meal is ready. Yurin, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Father."
Yuseong left with Namgung Yurin.
The mood had been warm and harmonious until Namgung Yuhyeon's final actions turned everything awkward.
"Yurin, did you know about those two?"
"No, this is the first I've heard of it. I only learned today that Sister Juyeon was attending to my brother."
Unable to read the hearts of Namgung Yuhyeon and Juyeon, it was difficult for them to piece together exactly how the pair had grown so close.
But one thing was clear.
In front of everyone, Namgung Yuhyeon had openly shown affection for Juyeon, and both the family head and the Sword King clearly disapproved.
'Should I say something...?'
Yuseong fell into thought.
Namgung Yurin, for her part, was secretly rooting for her brother.
'She was watching Father and Grandfather's reactions, but she didn't seem to dislike Sister Juyeon either.'
If the woman her brother had been forced to break his engagement with because of her became her sister-in-law?
'Then there would be nothing more to wish for... They really seem to care for each other deeply.'
Namgung Yurin wanted to help them.
Hadn't she just vowed to do her best for Juyeon?
But.
The situation didn't look easy.
While she had been at the Murim Academy, she'd heard that Namgung Yuhyeon had gained a fiancée.
Though the gap in status was significant, the Gong Clan was the second most powerful family in Anhui Province after the Namgung Clan.
On the other hand, Juyeon was merely a maid with no background whatsoever.
The fact that Juyeon was six years older than Namgung Yuhyeon also weighed on her mind.
'That's because of me... I made her miss her prime marriageable years. There's no helping that...'
Her father and grandfather were the ones who led the clan. They always thought of the family's future first.
While she supported Juyeon, they would pursue practical benefits without mercy.
That was likely why they didn't seem pleased with her brother for showing such excessive affection toward Juyeon.
'Not to mention how awkward this must be for the Gong Clan, since they're already engaged...'
It was right as those thoughts crossed her mind.
"Oh my, we meet again?"
When Yuseong and Namgung Yurin turned around, they saw the woman who had spoken rudely to them at the inn entrance two days ago, now accompanied by several escort warriors.
Unlike their first meeting, she wore a gentle, amiable smile.
"You are... How did you...?"
To Namgung Yurin's bewildered question, the woman replied.
"So it was the Namgung young lady. I'm sorry for mistaking you for a foreigner that day. I'll apologize properly now. By the way, my name is Gong Mihyang."
"...The Gong Clan?"
"That's right. I'm Namgung Gongja's fiancée. Since we'll soon be family with the Namgung young lady, I wanted to clear up any hard feelings."
Though she was apologizing, her tone carried an underlying attitude that she was only doing so because it was Namgung Yurin.
Had it been someone unrelated to the Namgung Clan, she probably wouldn't have apologized at all.
Moreover, Yuseong recalled how Gong Mihyang had hurried her group along back at the inn.
'She said they needed to arrive even a little sooner. So this was their destination. This opportunist...'
Realizing that fact, the thoughts he'd had moments ago shifted.
'I don't know about the Gong Clan, but this woman doesn't suit my brother at all.'
Namgung Yurin made up her mind once more to support Juyeon in any way she could.
Of course, she politely accepted Gong Mihyang's apology on the surface.
"You don't seem to like that woman very much."
Namgung Yurin, who had unconsciously been making a pouty face, glanced up at Yuseong sheepishly.
"...You noticed?"
"Yeah, a little. Was it because of what happened at the inn?"
"That's part of it, but... I want Sister Juyeon to end up with my brother."
Namgung Yurin confessed that even though she had healed Juyeon's face, she didn't want the woman to suffer further misfortune because of the broken engagement caused by her.
"Do you think the Sword King and the family head don't want the maid because of that woman from the Gong Clan?"
"...I'm not sure, but they probably won't approve of Sister Juyeon. They place great importance on a spouse's background and status."
As they talked, Namgung Yurin noticed Yuseong had fallen into quiet thought and closed her mouth.
'He can't be disappointed in our family, can he...?'
Yuseong's original family hadn't been exceptional, and he had even left that family behind.
She quickly added.
"O-of course, they also value ability highly!"
"Hm? I see."
While carefully watching Yuseong's reaction, Namgung Yurin steeled her resolve. If her father or grandfather ever looked down on him, she would stand against them without hesitation.
It wasn't long before Yuseong was invited to the dining table.
Besides the direct family members of the Namgung Clan, Gong Mihyang was also present.
The direct family all expressed their gratitude to Yuseong. Though Namgung Yuhyeon's expression was somewhat dark, he still smiled and showed goodwill toward him.
However.
"I was disappointed I couldn't greet you earlier because you weren't feeling well. I'm glad to meet you now. The Divine Doctor's skills must truly be remarkable. How have you been these past days?"
"..."
When Gong Mihyang asked with a smile, Namgung Yuhyeon didn't even glance at her, let alone answer.
Feeling awkward, she tried speaking to him a few more times.
"Gongja-nim?"
"..."
Continued silence.
Gong Mihyang's face flushed red with humiliation.
Unable to watch any longer, Namgung Hwan called out to his son in a scolding tone.
"Yuhyeon!"
He had thought the earlier conversation wouldn't end easily, so he'd planned to get through this meal for Yuseong's sake and talk again later.
When his son's fiancée, Gong Mihyang, had come seeking them and asked to join the meal, he had allowed it. He never expected his son to treat her so coldly.
"I made my position clear."
This wasn't an appropriate place to discuss breaking the engagement with the Gong Clan to marry a maid.
His son, who had even received training as the successor, should know that.
"Now, now. You know this isn't the time for such talk, don't you? How uncomfortable this must be for Lady Gong?"
"That's why I've been holding back this much."
"...Holding back?"
At Namgung Yuhyeon's words, Gong Mihyang, who had been ignored multiple times, showed her discomfort.
But.
"..."
She was met with yet another thorough disregard, not even a single glance.
Gong Mihyang, who had quite the temper, found it hard to contain her rising anger.
She knew her opponent was the renowned Namgung Clan, but she couldn't accept being treated so poorly when she was his fiancée.
"Why are you acting like this toward me? What exactly have I done so wrong to you?"
Namgung Yuhyeon didn't even look at her. Instead, he turned to Yuseong and gave a light bow.
"I'm sorry for making the meal uncomfortable."
"I'm fine."
After hearing Yuseong's reply, he turned to the family head.
"I cannot marry someone who abandoned me when I was at my lowest."
Gong Mihyang flared up.
"Who abandoned whom? I only postponed the marriage for a while. It's not like we broke the engagement, so why are you speaking like that?"
"That—"
Just as Namgung Hwan was about to speak, a heavy voice cut in.
"Everyone, be silent."
It was the Sword King.
"..."
Gong Mihyang had no choice but to clamp her mouth shut under the overwhelming pressure that crushed the air itself.
"Yuhyeon. If that is truly your will, then we shall dissolve the marriage with the Gong Clan. However, that maid will not do. Are you not the one who will inherit the clan in the future?"
The Sword King's intention was firm.
Unlike the rumors that had circulated about the successor position between Namgung Yurin and Namgung Yuhyeon, he intended to make Yuhyeon the heir.
He had practically neglected him while focusing on Yurin, but now that his eyes had fully recovered, it was only natural for his grandson to carry on the clan.
Gong Mihyang clenched her fists tightly.
'To think he would speak of dissolving the marriage right in front of me, the person involved. The Sword King truly is an arrogant man.'
Of course, she couldn't voice those thoughts aloud.
The Sword King was someone even her father couldn't treat lightly.
But what made it even harder for her to endure was something else.
'A maid?'
Suddenly, the face of the maid she had encountered when visiting Namgung Yuhyeon came to mind.
The woman with the hideous appearance who was the only one attending to him.
Since Namgung Yuhyeon had practically stayed shut in his room, it didn't seem like he could be referring to anyone else.
'Don't tell me I lost to a woman like that?'
It was absurd.
What she had only suspected became reality with Namgung Yuhyeon's next words.
"What does it matter if Juyeon is a maid? She is the one who stayed by my side when I was suffering the most. I will marry her."
Having confirmed Namgung Yuhyeon's unwavering will, Gong Mihyang no longer saw any reason to remain.
Even if she forced a marriage with him, it was obvious she would end up as an unwanted wife.
"...I've clearly understood the Namgung Clan's position. I'll be taking my leave now."
"I'll contact the family head myself."
After bowing to the family head and the Sword King, Gong Mihyang shot Namgung Yuhyeon a sharp glare.
'To think I would suffer such humiliation!'
Gong Mihyang snapped at her escort warriors and left the Namgung Clan right then and there.
With this, the engagement with the Gong Clan had completely ended. However, the conflict that had surfaced because of her presence at the meal was far from resolved.
Yuseong also began to feel the pressure that he should excuse himself from the table.
Normally, he would have stepped aside. But his internal dilemma had just been resolved.
"There is one thing I would like to say."
When Yuseong stood up from his seat, everyone's eyes turned toward him.