9. Interlude
After finishing dinner, I tossed the still-unconscious Bella onto the bed in my room. Dina pondered whether to share the room with her, but since the inn had spare rooms and it felt a bit cruel to make her bunk with Bella in her drunken mess, I asked Cheong-ah to book a separate one for her.
Back in my room with Cheong-ah, I sat on the bed, lost in thought about Dina.
"Hmm…."
Honestly, it was hard to believe. A three-thousand-year seal, a curse, the Demon King. Could this all be some trick to fool me? I couldn't shake the suspicion.
At first, I'd listened intently to Dina's words and nodded along, but deep down, I was thinking: Does this even make sense?
The problem was, I seemed to be the only one agonizing over it. Before passing out, Bella had accepted Dina as a figure from three thousand years ago and casually teased her about it. Cheong-ah had just listened quietly without a word of doubt.
I was the only one questioning Dina's story in this whole situation. No—how the hell can they just buy it like that?
As I scowled in thought, a finger poked my cheek.
"What're you fretting over so hard, darling?"
"Huh…? Oh, nothing."
"Hmmm… I'd love it if you'd tell me."
Cheong-ah's eyes narrowed slyly at me, a soft nasal hum slipping out. Her subtly pleading tone made me hesitate before spilling it.
"It's about Dina."
"What about her?"
"Well… she says she was sealed for three thousand years. Does that even add up?"
Three thousand years sealed away. Sure, it's just "three thousand years," but that's an absurd stretch of time. I poured out my doubts, and Cheong-ah replied as if it were no big deal.
"Is that what was bothering you? You should've just asked me sooner… I'd have explained right away."
"Huh? You knew something about it?"
"Yes. Turns out, it's surprisingly easy to verify."
"Easy? How?"
"Well… it's something only people with mana can do, but there's this thing called the Mana Oath. Around here, they call it the Oath of Mana. Oh, and Bella said mages refer to it as the Heart's Oath too."
"Mana Oath?"
At my question, Cheong-ah held up her right hand in front of my face and slowly drew up her mana. A blue aura flickered to life, forming a flame in her palm.
"Yes. You manifest your mana like this and swear to speak the truth."
"Whoa… that's a thing?"
I gawked in awe, and Cheong-ah chuckled softly.
"Of course, not everyone with mana can do it. Only those who can shape it outside their body, like me."
"How's it work?"
"Simple. You answer questions in this state. If you tell the truth, the flame holds steady. Lie, and it scatters instantly."
"No kidding?"
"Yes. Want to try asking me something?"
"Uh, sure? Anything goes?"
"Of course. You're my husband."
I pondered for a moment. What to ask? It didn't take long to decide.
"Cheong-ah."
"Yes, darling?"
"Do you like it when I get rough during sex?"
Her eyes went wide, and she jolted in shock.
"Wh-what?! What kind of question is that?!"
"You said anything goes. So? Answer me. Gotta see this oath in action to believe it, right? Come on, Cheong-ah."
"Ah, th-that's… I-I don't like it when you get rough with me during se-sex."
The blue mana flame in her hand flickered wildly before scattering into the air.
"Eh? Wh-what? That's not right. I really do hate it…."
Cheong-ah panicked. I grinned wickedly, eyeing her slyly.
"Cheong-ah, what happens when the flame scatters? Truth, right?"
"U-uu…."
"Hey now. Answer your husband properly."
"…Lie."
"Couldn't hear that. Say it again—what?"
"…A lie."
She mumbled so faintly only the last word carried. Teasing her, I exaggeratedly cupped my ear to her lips.
"Still can't hear you. Speak up, Cheong-ah."
Smack!
"It was a lie! A lie!"
Cheong-ah's face flushed crimson as she bellowed right in my ear, nearly deafening me. But I didn't wince in pain—instead, I kept up the lecherous grin and teased her more.
She always played the seductress, tempting me subtly, but moments like this? Adorably cute.
"So you lied to me? No way. My sweet Cheong-ah wouldn't lie to her husband."
"I-it's not… really…."
"Or is it true? That my Cheong-ah…."
I stepped closer. She backed away one step.
"…actually loves it when I handle her rough in bed?"
"S-stop it, darling."
Her voice trembled. Her head turned slowly. I gently grasped her chin, drawing her gaze to mine.
"Answer."
"I don't know."
"Really? Can you light that flame again?"
"I hate you, darling."
"And I love you."
I kissed her softly, easing her onto the bed. That night, our bodies intertwined, whispering endless truths—the kind no lie could touch.
The next morning, breakfast time as usual. I stretched refreshingly and rose. Cheong-ah greeted me from the side.
"Good morning, darling. Sleep well?"
I returned her greeting, freshened up with a quick wash and shower, glancing at last night's marks etched deep into my skin. Claw scratches on my back. Bite marks on my shoulders. Kiss marks on my newly muscled chest—she'd insisted it wasn't fair if she was the only one marked.
The old marks hadn't even healed before new ones layered over. I smiled in satisfaction.
"Mmm… another fulfilling night."
Humming cheerfully as I finished up, Cheong-ah returned from a quick errand.
"Where'd you go?"
"Just checked on Bella and Dina's rooms briefly."
"…Ah. Got it."
She'd woken them. Cheong-ah was oddly strict about meals, always ensuring the party ate on time. She'd eased up on Bella a bit, but lately, no matter how much booze Bella downed or how wrecked the hangover, Cheong-ah dragged her to breakfast.
Bella vented her complaints at me, but whatever—not my problem. If I had to get up daily thanks to Cheong-ah, Bella could suffer the same routine. Misery loves company, right? Comrades share the hardship.
Though calling a punctual breakfast "hardship" was kinda funny.
The room was a wreck from last night's fierce "truth battle." I told Cheong-ah to wash up while I tidied.
"Go ahead and clean up, Cheong-ah. I'll handle the room."
"No, darling. You head down first. I'll take care of this."
"Why? I'll do it while you shower. Faster that way."
But she shook her head firmly.
"No. How could I, as your wife, let my husband do chores? I felt so guilty last time you cleaned for me."
"Still…."
"No. Go on. Keep this up, and I'll cut your allowance."
"…Fine."
No arguing with that ironclad tone. She'd already seized full control of our finances—no more impulse buys on magic tools. Losing allowance would be disastrous.
I trudged downstairs to the dining area. Bella and Dina were slumped over our usual table, just like yesterday. Déjà vu, or imagination?
"Ugh, fuck. Why does that Ju Cheong-ah bitch wake us up so damn early every morning?"
"Mmm. Sleepy… Mornings are tough…."
Bella groaned, clutching her head. Dina had already drifted back to sleep.
"Jeez, you two. Hey, auntie."
"Yeah? What's up, Ian lad?"
"Uh… could I get some water? As cold as possible."
"Sure, one sec."
The innkeeper soon brought a tray with a pitcher so cold it beaded with condensation, plus four cups.
"Here ya go."
"Thanks."
I set it on their table, poured cups, and handed one to each.
"Knew you'd regret chugging booze early. Sigh. Here, Dina—water."
"Mmm, thanks, Yeonja."
"Grr… Ian, you get it."
"Just drink."
I plopped into a chair, scolding them. Bella gulped hers down, slammed the cup, and asked:
"Where's Ju Cheong-ah? Thought she'd come with."
"Takes a bit."
"Why?"
"Dunno."
"Dunno my ass. You two sound just alike now. Fuckin' hell."
Grumbling, she eyed me, twisting one eyebrow in annoyance.
"Hey, why're you so chipper? Pisses me off."
"I didn't drink, you lunatic."
She scratched her head sheepishly at my snap.
"Shit, right? But why's my memory fuzzy? First time blacking out like this… Ow, my head hurts. Forehead's killing me especially. Did you hit me? What the fuck—there's still a lump."
"Huh? It's still there?"
Bella rubbed her forehead. Dina had only flicked her lightly, like a weak knuckle rap—no real force. Shouldn't a bump like that fade overnight?
Checking her head, the swelling from yesterday was still prominent. Knowing the truth, I stayed quiet.
Bella caught my vibe and scowled.
"What, Ian? You did hit me? Spill."
"No, you psycho. Why would I hit you? I'm not into beating women."
She muttered something too low to catch.
"…Bullshit. She smacks Ju Cheong-ah's ass like a pro…."
"Huh? What?"
"Nothing, idiot. Then why's my forehead like this? You sure you didn't? I don't bruise easy—this ain't normal unless someone clocked me."
As she grilled me, Dina—barely propped up after the water, nodding off—stretched and chimed in.
"Nyaaah. That was this one's doing."
"What? Kid, say that again. Who hit me?"
Bella double-took, either not hearing or dumbfounded. Dina clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
"Can't hold your liquor, so you forget? Tsk tsk. Weakling chugging booze like that. Beast-girl, that lump on your forehead? This one gave it to you."
"…You little shit. Who the hell are you to hit me?"
Bella bristled. Dina looked exasperated.
"You started whining first, provoking this one. Be grateful it ended at that, weakling."
"Weakling? Bitch, you done?"
"Done indeed. Truth hurts, doesn't it? You strutted around, then dropped before this one did."
"Who're you calling—!"
Bam!
Bella slammed the table, standing. A few early breakfast guests glanced over.
"What the?"
"Ignore 'em. Mountain princess. Tangling with her's a headache."
"Ugh, didn't know."
They spotted Bella and averted eyes fast. Our girl's notoriety ran deep.
I stood, restraining Bella before she lunged at seated Dina.
"Hey, cut it out this early."
"She started it! Why hold me back?"
"Well… she's a kid."
"Kid my ass! Three-thousand-year-old fossil brat!"
Dina flared up now.
"Who're you calling fossil brat, insolent wretch?!"
"Insolent? Ha, from the rotten three-thousand-year mummy."
Their spat escalated, voices rising. Watching sober me felt a hangover headache coming on.
Finally, I couldn't take it.
"Enough! Knock it off!"
Just another morning in our daily routine.