Baekseol, White as Snow
Baekseol. Baekseol. A woman as white and beautiful as her name.
I'd imagined she'd look like a gorilla, taking after Bendan Kru. But she was nothing like that.
"You speak the imperial tongue fluently. I am Morris Dmitry." I extended my hand to her.
Baekseol lowered her gaze and took my hand. It was so small and soft.
Watching us, Bendan Kru nodded in satisfaction.
"Heh, what a fine pair they make."
"Chief, shall we hold the ceremony?" one of his subordinates asked from beside him.
"The ceremony is done."
"Pardon? But she's our only princess, isn't she? For such a lady to meet her husband and leave her home..."
"This isn't a formal marriage."
"Not formal? Then... surely not?"
"It's a gift to the man who defeated me, the chief."
The subordinate's eyes went wide.
"R-Really? That man is that strong? Strong enough for you to admit defeat?"
"Indeed. Even if my guards and I attacked together, victory wouldn't be assured."
"Then..."
"She's being sent to bear the seed of a strong man."
"A difficult decision."
"On the contrary, I'm pleased. If my daughter bears the seed of such a powerhouse, won't it ultimately make the Crui Tribe stronger?"
Bendan Kru let out a hot breath.
"Soon, there will come a day when I see the child again."
I watched Baekseol while focusing on Bendan Kru's voice with my ears. I could hear everything. Dreaming of a prosperous future for the tribe through descendants bearing my seed. No wonder he'd backed down so easily. He'd been harboring this arrogant scheme all along.
The Crui Tribe's desire for strong genes was infamous. My genes, huh? No intention of giving them up, yet here he was, already sipping the kimchi soup.
I had zero plans to let that happen.
How can I turn this to my advantage? I pondered briefly.
"We've fulfilled all promises, so we'll be on our way."
"Of course."
"Father, your daughter will take her leave."
I watched their final father-daughter farewell. There was no warmth between them.
Once confirmed, I pulled Baekseol into my arms.
"Oh my."
"We're flying through the sky, so hold tight around my neck."
I tapped the back of my neck. She immediately wrapped her arms around it, gripping firmly. Satisfied, I soared high into the heavens.
"Kyaaah!"
Baekseol burrowed deeper into my embrace in surprise. A fresh cedar scent assaulted my nose—crisp and natural, unlike perfumed cosmetics.
"Scared?"
"N-No..." Her voice was a timid whisper, unmistakably terrified to anyone listening.
"You can be honest with me."
"It's... f-fine."
Even as I felt her trembling skin against mine, I feigned calm.
"Very well, then."
I carried Baekseol back to the camp. Throughout the flight, she never once tried to pull away.
"Minister, who is that girl?"
Upon arriving at Balton Fortress, Marquis Romero pointed at Baekseol behind me.
"The Crui Tribe chief's daughter."
"Pardon?"
He blinked, still not grasping the situation.
"What I received in exchange for their withdrawal."
"Then...?"
"I dueled the chief and won."
"Ah..." He nodded belatedly.
The marquis knew the northern barbarians' customs and habits well—know your enemy to defend properly. The Crui chief was a foe even the empire's swordmasters struggled against. To defeat him, earn his recognition, and take his daughter... How incredibly skilled must he be? The marquis couldn't even guess.
"Will you return to the palace immediately?"
"Seems there's nothing left for me to do here."
"Indeed."
"I'll report to His Majesty myself."
"You've worked hard."
I returned Marquis Romero's salute and headed to the installed portal.
Standing before it, I asked Baekseol, "Have you ever used a portal?"
She shook her head.
"Understood."
I wrapped a layer of mana around her body—a measure to minimize any portal-induced mana sickness.
"Be careful. You might feel some discomfort since you're not accustomed to mana."
"Thank you."
I stepped through the portal, returning to the Magic Tower. Before addressing the issues in the west and east, I headed to my office to find a temporary place for Baekseol.
"Minister, I've been waiting!"
Mary Jane had prepared tea and snacks for three, as if she'd known I'd return.
"Were you watching?"
"Of course! I saw your fierce battle too. Though 'fierce' was probably just Bendan Kru's personal opinion."
Mary Jane covered her mouth, giggling.
"I didn't expect you'd accept that offer, though. You could've just ignored it and swept them away with magic."
She whispered so Baekseol couldn't hear.
"Too much hassle. And massacring people isn't my style."
"Oh, how kind of you."
"Sometimes I realize I just can't understand your standards."
"Not that you wanted a pretty concubine, right? Lately, it feels like you're walking the Casanova path. Emir, Seria, Veronice, and now Baekseol too?"
"Don't lump Emir in with the others. That's truly over with her."
"So everyone else is fair game?"
She flashed a sly grin. I didn't answer. Talking with Mary Jane always felt like walking into a trap.
"Look after Baekseol quietly. I'll handle some business and return."
As I moved to leave her behind, Mary Jane asked urgently, "Where are you going?"
"Still some work left. Stay with Mary Jane. She's chatty, so you won't be bored. It'll take about a day—don't wait up."
The room had a bedroom and bathroom, so she'd be fine for a day.
"Ah, yes."
I portaled back to the west. Dealing with the independence forces gathered around Bengal was as easy as pulling a coin from my pocket. The moment I beheaded Count Bengal, their leader, the entire army surrendered and dropped their weapons.
The eastern bandits were the same. Despite hearing I'd portaled in, they advanced their forces—only to retreat in panic at the sight of countless fireballs blotting out the sky.
The next day, it ended with their boss descending under a white flag.
"You've worked hard."
I boarded the portal amid the soldiers' reverent gazes. I was used to such looks now. Everyone who'd witnessed my magic on-site wore that expression. After months of headaches, the bandits shattered by a single spell—natural, really.
"Good work."
I gave the soldiers a brief nod and returned to the Magic Tower.
"I annihilated them all. By His Majesty's grace."
"Heh, as expected of the minister. You handle things reliably."
"You're too kind."
"How's the south? I heard reports of a mana storm."
"We can watch for now. If it's natural, it'll dissipate soon."
"If the Magic Department minister assesses it so, I'll trust that."
The emperor nodded.
"Can't just send back a talent who resolved everything in two days."
Smiling in satisfaction, he snapped his fingers. Maids hurried in from outside, bearing dazzling jewels.
"My gift to you. No refusals."
"My thanks."
"Ah, and the maids holding those jewels are included. A minister's mansion can't get by with just one maid."
Blatantly planting spies. But refusal wasn't an option.
"Your Majesty's benevolence rivals the heavens."
"Heh, of course."
After the emperor's dismissal, I finally left the palace.
First thing upon exiting: "Return to the mansion ahead of me."
I sent the maids to the estate first, then headed to the Magic Tower under the pretext of unfinished business.
"Took you long enough. Making a lady wait two whole days."
Entering the office, Mary Jane made a fuss. Beside her sat Baekseol, dressed in an imperial gown. Her white skin paired perfectly with the yellow dress. The gown revealed pert breasts beneath—not huge, but beautifully curved. She evoked a fresh lemon ice cream overall. Her cheeks flushed apple-red.
"Too hot? Imperial weather must feel sweltering to a northerner."
I conjured a cool breeze with magic for her. But her flushed cheeks didn't subside.
"Sigh, so stifling."
Mary Jane thumped her chest, sending me a telepathic message only I could hear.
-It's not the heat, Minister. Baekseol's embarrassed. You know that.
I knew. I was just pretending otherwise. Baekseol was here to claim my seed. No need to get entangled.
"Rest a bit. Have some tea."
"I'll prepare it."
Mary Jane brought jasmine tea. I savored the fragrant steam, enjoying rare leisure. I listened idly to Baekseol and Mary Jane's chatter.
"In our tribe, men traditionally confess with game from the hunt."
"Oh? So women can't propose?"
"They can. With handmade pants or gloves."
The two had warmed up quickly, chatting comfortably. Eyes closed, I eased my fatigue.
"But Minister, isn't all your work done? You could head back to the mansion now."
Even Mary Jane couldn't peer into the palace, warped by mana. She didn't know the emperor had planted spies.
Time to reveal it.
"Mary Jane."
"Yes?"
"Check my mansion."
"Pardon?"
"Project the current events there into my mind."
"I can't see inside due to your magic circle."
"I've disabled it. You should be able to now."
"Something wrong?"
I conveyed my will telepathically.
-The emperor planted spies on me. Need to confirm.
"Ah, got it."
Blue light flickered in Mary Jane's eyes. My vision shifted from the office to the mansion interior.
The emperor's maids, bearing jewels, followed Sebastian's orders, cleaning every corner. But one—red-haired and sharp-looking—glanced around furtively, attaching fingernail-sized crystal orbs everywhere. Recording devices for sound.
"As expected."
She was the emperor's spy. Quite the effort to hide her identity. Sorry, but busted.
Amusing.
Not trusting me and sending spies. Acting like these tricks could fool me. Bendan Kru, the emperor—why were they all so desperate to screw me over?
"That's enough."
My vision returned to the office.
"How could he...?"
"Mary Jane, hold your tongue now. Dangerous for me, even if not for you."
She clamped her mouth shut. Baekseol, sipping jasmine tea, looked at us in confusion.
"What... happened?"
"Nothing. Just checking something."
I reassured the frightened foreign princess and stood.
"Work's done. Time to head back."
"Ah, then I..."
I took Baekseol's hand at her words.
"This was temporary lodging. Follow me—I'll introduce you to my mansion."
Urgent matters handled; time to properly host the guest.
I brought Baekseol back to the mansion. Inside bustled with the new maids.
"Welcome ba... Huh?"
Seria froze, spotting Baekseol behind me.
"Who...?"
"A guest. Treat her well."
"W-Wait, this woman's a barbarian..."
Seria shuddered.
"No impudent thoughts. She's an honored guest."
"S-Sorry."
Soon, Sebastian appeared.
"Master, a new guest?"
"Assign her the proper room."
"No need to worry. Lady, this way."
As Sebastian deftly led her inside,
"I-I'd prefer if Morris showed me the room."
Baekseol, who'd been still, spoke up, looking at me. But I shook my head.
"You're my guest."
In noble houses, the head showing a female guest her room happened only once: for a bride swearing lifelong vows, whether official wife or concubine.
Seria's case was different. No Sebastian then.
Whether Baekseol knew the implication or not,
"Sebastian will guide you."
I had no intention of obliging. At my firm refusal, Baekseol deflated, bowing her head.
"Understood. It was an overreach."
Watching her ascend with Sebastian, I felt an odd gaze.
"Hm?"
Turning toward it, Seria stood with her mouth agape, face flushed crimson.