Chapter 54
I recalled the moment I first met Namgung Ryu-cheong in the past.
It was at the Baek Ri clan's funeral for my father. I'd fainted and woken up, realizing this was the world of the novel, plunging me into utter chaos. Fortunately, everyone chalked it up to grief clouding my mind.
And then... we crossed paths in front of the shrine where Father's casket had been laid to rest.
The young man, with features as finely sculpted as jade, stared at me in a daze. When he blinked his long, tear-soaked lashes, tears streamed down his pale cheeks.
"Lady Baek Ri-yeon... is that you?"
That was our first meeting.
'A memory only I hold onto now.'
Unlike the late-adolescent Namgung Ryu-cheong back then, the one before me now was far younger and fresher-faced. Yet the cold arrogance etched into his expression made him seem beyond his years. I could tell from his face alone how utterly bored he was with this gathering.
Beside Namgung Ryu-cheong stood Seo Ha-ryeong, gazing at me with eyes brimming with curiosity—the complete opposite.
I exchanged greetings, starting with Namgung Mu-cheol.
The lady of the house stepped forward. "This must be your first time seeing our Lady Baek Ri. This is my son, Namgung Ryu-cheong."
Namgung Ryu-cheong offered a perfunctory bow, eyes downcast, not even meeting my gaze. Namgung Wan shot him a terrifying glare, but he didn't flinch.
"......"
A cloying voice swept away the awkward tension.
"We dimmed the lights as much as possible since Lady Baek Ri mentioned her eyes ache, but I hope the journey here wasn't too dazzling."
Typically, such evening gatherings would be lit up like daylight. In this world without electric lamps, flooding the night with light was a symbol of wealth. Yet from the approach to the pavilion interior, the illumination had felt softly subdued.
"Not uncomfortable at all! Thank you for your consideration."
"I'm glad to hear that."
The lady personally guided me to my seat, continuing, "I've prepared with all my heart, but I worry the food might not suit your tastes."
"Last night's dinner was delicious. I'm looking forward to tonight's too."
I'd anticipated Namgung Ryu-cheong's demeanor, so it didn't faze me much. The lady, who'd been watching me oddly, gently stroked my hair before stepping back.
Namgung Wan addressed me. "Did you rest well last night?"
A perfectly ordinary inquiry. But it confirmed something.
'Uncle Namgung Wan doesn't know Cheonsan Yeomje visited me.'
If he did, he wouldn't ask so casually.
I smiled brightly. "Yes, I slept soundly. Did you, Uncle?"
"Of course—in my own home."
Namgung Mu-cheol cracked a faint smile at my reply. I found it slightly odd but forgot it amid the flowing conversation.
As we chatted idly, maids streamed in with platters of food.
Seo Ha-ryeong, who'd shown keen interest since I sat beside her, finally spoke. "Is your father really the great hero Baek Ri?"
"He is."
"Wow!"
I'd fielded such questions countless times.
'Even from Suhyangmun, so far from the Baek Ri clan. She knows of Father.'
Seo Ha-ryeong was a fountain of curiosity, chattering endlessly about this and that. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she asked, "Oh, right. What was that guy yesterday? He scared me half to death."
"That guy? Oh, Yahul?"
"His name's Yahul?"
She pulled a face. "Why keep a servant like that? So rude. You should train him better."
"Oh, he's not a servant."
"Then a family guard?"
"Not that either."
"Huh? Then why's he with you?"
"Well......"
That's when I glimpsed her slightly exposed wrist—and nearly dropped my chopsticks.
A brutal purple bruise, unmistakably finger marks, ringed Seo Ha-ryeong's right wrist.
'Damn it, Yahul, you lunatic. How hard did you grab her?'
Seo Ha-ryeong pouted, urging me on. "So why's he with you?"
"Uh...... well......"
I glanced at the other Namgung clan members present.
'If she brings up that injury...'
They'd pry into Yahul, and that'd spell trouble.
I bowed my head quickly. "Let me apologize on his behalf. I'm truly sorry."
"Huh? What?"
Now she looked flustered. "No, I wasn't asking you to apologize or anything......"
She fidgeted, mumbling, "I'm sorry too."
"Huh?"
"Truth is, I was peeking. But! I was just curious since you're my age, so I went to say hi, and the window was open...... so...... I couldn't help looking. Sorry."
I was a bit surprised to see her bowing her head.
'Maybe she's a good kid after all.'
She hadn't told anyone about the bruise, either.
Lifting her head, Seo Ha-ryeong wiggled her fingers. "I have one more question."
"What?"
"Are you really a qi cripple?"
"......"
Okay, maybe calling her a good kid was premature...
A gentle voice cut into our exchange. "Lady Seo, don't fluster Lady Baek Ri."
"Ah, sorry!"
"Children will be children. Look how quickly they've warmed up."
At the lady's words, Namgung Wan glanced at Namgung Ryu-cheong and twisted his lips.
After that, Seo Ha-ryeong kept peppering me with chatter. Meanwhile, Namgung Ryu-cheong sat ramrod straight, never once turning my way.
'Just as the rumors said.'
Namgung Ryu-cheong, the unparalleled prodigy, had spent his youth in haughty isolation. He ignored anyone not on his level. To him, a qi cripple like me was less than the dirt beneath his feet.
Undeterred by his icy responses, Seo Ha-ryeong prodded him occasionally. But conversation needs two to tango. His curt replies snuffed every thread.
The meal drew to a close in otherwise cheerful harmony—everyone except Namgung Ryu-cheong, that is. He stood abruptly.
The lady hurried to speak. "Ryu-cheong, won't you eat more?"
"This humble one is satisfied."
Namgung Ryu-cheong clasped his hands in a formal bow. "I must attend to training, so I'll take my leave."
Before the lady could respond, he turned and strode out of the pavilion.
She sighed softly. Namgung Wan muttered under his breath, "That brat......"
Namgung Mu-cheol, unfazed, chuckled heartily while stroking his beard. "Children never quite turn out as we wish."
Then Seo Ha-ryeong rose cautiously. "Um, I'll head out too."
The lady smiled warmly. "Very well."
Everyone's leaving, huh. Guess dinners like this bore kids.
She turned to me. "Let's go together."
"Me too?"
"Yeah!"
"I......"
A bit flustered, I looked to Namgung Wan. "Go on. Everyone's going!"
Misreading my intent or not, he waved me off grandly.
With the lady's laughter fading behind us, I let Seo Ha-ryeong drag me down the pavilion steps by the hand.
She pulled me along, darting familiarly through the Namgung estate.
'Where the heck are we going?'
My breath hitched at my throat; I couldn't run farther—when she finally stopped. Clutching my side, I gasped raggedly. Running right after eating felt like it would split me open.
"Ryu-cheong!"
Her shout snapped me alert. The mystery of our destination and stop solved in one.
She dashed up to Namgung Ryu-cheong, chirping brightly. "Where you headed?"
"I said I was going to train."
"Huh?"
"Is that all?"
Chilly maturity laced his premature tone. His attendant—a boy who looked like a mere ant—piped up timidly, "Young master......"
I watched from ten paces back, like spectators at a play.
Flustered, Seo Ha-ryeong blurted, "No! Don't train—let's play together!"
"Why would I?"
"Uh? Well...... we have a new friend today......"
Namgung Ryu-cheong scoffed, cutting her off. "Who's friends with whom?"
She bit her lip. "But the lady said it'd be good to train together."
"We did that this afternoon."
"That was barely half an hour! Come on, train with me—or spar, just once......"
His irritated sigh shrank her voice smaller.
"......Why do you hate it so much?"
He scowled—a perfect mimic of Namgung Wan's perpetual frown.
"Because there's nothing for me to gain from sparring with a lady like her."
"What does that mean?"
As if annoyed at spelling it out, he said, "It means you're not on my level."
"......"
He turned from her frozen form—and his eyes met mine for a split second.
Tsking, Namgung Ryu-cheong flicked his robes and stalked away. His attendant scurried after.