The Grandfather's Ultimatum
I glanced back at Seok Ga-yak, who was trailing obediently behind me with the potted plant in his arms. Our eyes met, and he gave me a gentle, crinkly-eyed smile. I wrinkled my nose and whipped my head away, only for a clear, ringing laugh to echo in response.
Knowing Grandfather had returned, I told Seok Ga-yak there was something I needed to handle and to head back. But he ignored me and kept following. When I repeated myself more firmly, he widened his eyes innocently and shot back, "Why? You told me about it."
"...So you gave me the info just to pull this from the start?"
"Yup. Can't I?"
Seok Ga-yak was brazenly unapologetic. "Besides, you're using my gift, right? That means I get to watch."
"And you know what I'm gonna do?"
"No clue. But whatever it is, I doubt I'll be disappointed."
He flashed a cheeky grin. With no time for back-and-forth, I had no choice but to ignore the presence shadowing me.
The Suhyukdang looked perfectly serene from outside—no sign of trouble. And frustratingly, Seok Ga-yak slipped inside without a hitch.
I figured he'd never make it in!
I'd assumed the guards at the entrance would stop him, and I could shake him off by telling him to wait without making a scene. Who knew he had such a silver tongue? He claimed he was Physician Seok's nephew, tasked with checking on my health, and insisted he had to come along. Smooth as silk, and he was through.
Once inside the Suhyukdang, Seok Ga-yak strolled around as if it were his own living room. We passed the neatly tended garden, and even before reaching the Main Hall, Grandfather's roar already boomed out.
I let out a sigh and said, "...You're not coming into the Main Hall."
"Got it. I wasn't planning to anyway."
As we approached the building, Jang Seok-ryang, who was guarding the entrance to the Main Hall, spotted us and scowled.
"How did you get in here? And bringing Physician Seok's nephew along, no less?"
Jang Seok-ryang looked equal parts astonished and irritated.
"I'm sorry. I was in such a rush that I came in without thinking. And Seok Ga-yak only followed because he was worried about me."
"My apologies," Seok Ga-yak echoed, bowing alongside me.
Jang Seok-ryang replied in a restrained tone. "...No matter that he's Physician Seok's nephew, you can't just bring outsiders into the Suhyukdang willy-nilly. Next time, get proper permission and—"
At that moment, Grandfather's fury-laced voice leaked out from within.
"...I'll give you three choices."
Jang Seok-ryang paused to listen, his eyes flicking away from me. I strained my ears too—and when I heard it all, I was genuinely surprised.
Grandfather drew his sword sooner than I expected.
The three choices Grandfather had given to Aunt Baek Ri-ran. She could pick any one on the surface, but in truth, only one was viable: leaving Baek Ri-pyo behind in the Baek clan and departing for her husband's household as a proper wife.
Aunt Baek Ri-ran would never abandon the Baek clan entirely. The third option—taking all her children and leaving—was a non-starter. That left whether she stayed in the Baek clan or Baek Ri-pyo did...
She'll leave Baek Ri-pyo behind.
Who would accept an aunt who couldn't even keep a single child in the Baek clan? For any future prospects, Baek Ri-pyo had to remain as Baek Ri-paehyeok's grandson. This was all part of Grandfather's scheme too.
He's as ruthless as ever.
And sorry, but... I couldn't let things go exactly his way.
I turned to Jang Seok-ryang. "Doesn't this feel kinda like last time?"
"Last time?"
"Grandfather was furious back then too. Just a different target this time."
Jang Seok-ryang caught on immediately. The day Baek Ri-gang had knelt, demanding the Cheonmyeong Geumhon Pill. It was similar in a way—but the roles were reversed. And that day, Baek Ri-gang had escaped disaster thanks to this child.
Was it all coincidence? Jang Seok-ryang swallowed hard without realizing it.
"Steward Jang, may I go in?"
"...You may."
Permission granted. The servant at the door acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, simply announcing with perfect courtesy, "Patriarch, young miss Baek Ri-yeon has arrived."
A long silence followed before Baek Ri-paehyeok's voice rang out.
"Send her in!"
The servant opened the door for me and drew back the deep indigo curtain. The first thing I saw was the twins, faces streaked with tears, and Aunt Baek Ri-ran collapsed at Father's feet, sobbing. Behind her, my eyes met Baek Ri-myeong's—his gaze screaming, Why are you here?
Grandfather bellowed in rage. "So the Suhyukdang is your personal playground now, is it? Coming and going as you please—and dragging uninvited guests along!"
Seok Ga-yak hadn't made it into the Main Hall proper, but he couldn't escape Grandfather's senses. Under that piercing glare, I took the potted plant from him. And immediately regretted it.
Why is this thing so heavy? I thought it was light since Seok Ga-yak carried it so easily!
As I crossed the threshold, the weight nearly toppled me. In that instant, both Baek Ri-gang and Baek Ri-paehyeok flinched. Seok Ga-yak, watching from behind, held his breath fearing I'd fall.
It wasn't on purpose, but I'd seized everyone's attention in one fell swoop. I barely managed to set the pot down in the center of the hall. The others, who'd been on edge, finally breathed easy.
But one person reacted entirely differently: Baek Ri-ran. Her bloodshot eyes burned with fury and resentment.
Averting her gaze, I slipped behind Baek Ri-myeong for cover. He was kneeling, but at six years old, he was plenty big enough to shield me.
"...?"
Baek Ri-myeong stared at me in bewilderment, like What's with her? I tugged at his clothes pleadingly. Meeting Aunt's sharp glare, he startled and almost shoved me away—but hesitated.
Then Baek Ri-myeong straightened up and positioned himself to block me from her view. It all happened in the blink of an eye, almost instinctively. And it was the right call—Grandfather's gaze toward Baek Ri-myeong softened, just a fraction, as he protected me.
"...You!"
Aunt Baek Ri-ran shrieked in disbelief at the sight of Baek Ri-myeong seemingly guarding me.
"Baek Ri-myeong, what the hell are you doing right now?"
"Aunt, calm down."
Her breath hitched in shock at his words.
I knew it.
Baek Ri-myeong was the ultimate opportunist. His own safety came first—always siding with whatever benefited him most in the moment. Right now, pretending to shield me from Aunt was his play to soften Grandfather's scolding.
I eyed the straight back of his head in front of me.
I can't let it end with just chasing out Aunt.
If Baek Ri-pyo pretended to reform under Grandfather and Aunt played the meek, submissive role, they'd be welcomed back eventually. Grandfather hadn't vowed to banish her forever. Three or four years at most...
And I'd be around ten by then?
She'd come back swinging that grudge-honed blade straight at Father and me.
Can't have that.
For that... the one to drive out Aunt and the twins couldn't be me. It had to be Baek Ri-myeong. Not me—him.
Aunt's patience snapped. "Baek Ri-myeong! Are you insane? Get out of my way! You're taking that bitch's side right in front of me?!"
"Baek Ri-ran!"
Grandfather roared, but it wasn't enough to rein in Aunt, whose eyes had rolled back in rage.
"Baek Ri-yeon, how dare you show your face—!"
Mid-rant, Aunt's eyes flew wide, and she slumped limply.
"Mom!"
"Auntie!"
The twins and Eldest Uncle cried out in alarm.
"It seems Sister was too agitated, so I intervened."
Only then did I piece it together.
...Father just knocked Aunt out?
I hadn't even seen how. And Father's impassive face, as if it were nothing, felt utterly alien.
No... come to think of it, this is who he really is.
Grandfather waved irritably. "Enough. Still hasn't learned her lesson! Tch. Physician Gang—no, Physician Muk. Take Yi-ran back to her quarters."
"...Understood."
Eldest Uncle carefully lifted the unconscious Aunt and exited the Main Hall.
"Mom! Mom!"
The startled twins jumped up to follow, but Grandfather barked, "Who told you to stand?!"
They flinched and dropped back to their knees. Grandfather eyed them pitifully before turning to me.
"So, what brings you here?"