Intimate Time with the Evil Princess - 4
Though I'd come to the Ak Wangjeo to spend some cozy time with Ak I-yeon, the poor girl was dealing with health issues that had her dozing off early or taking naps throughout the day.
"It's the general."
"Ah."
In the end, I spent more time with Ak Wang than with her. It was a bit confusing. Was I here as Ak I-yeon's fiancé, or as Ak Wang's playmate?
"You need to broaden your vision. You hold your own at first, but later you just get dragged around by your opponent."
"How could anyone keep a clear head when caught in Your Highness's ferocious assault?"
"Have you just been wandering the Central Plains honing your tongue?"
It was blatant flattery, but it seemed to land well enough—Ak Wang let out a soft chuckle as he cleared the Go pieces. Not that it was pure flattery, though. A veteran who'd spent decades at this game was charging ahead aggressively; how was a newbie like me supposed to hold out? It wasn't narrow vision getting me crushed—it was knowing what was coming and still not being able to stop it. Saying it out loud just made it more pathetic. Please, at least respect the newbie protection period.
"Yeon-a's been much brighter lately."
Ak Wang, now setting out the Go stones, spoke matter-of-factly.
"She puts on a frequent smile to keep us from worrying, but we're not so old we can't spot a child forcing it."
I flinched as he naturally claimed a black stone amid the setup, but the mood didn't allow for protest, so I held back.
"Since you arrived, she's smiling for real."
"I'm just grateful to be her small source of happiness."
"Nonsense."
Ak Wang shook his head firmly at my words and placed a black stone on the board before continuing.
"To her right now, you're everything."
It was the kind of line that made the listener cringe on their own behalf, and my hand slipped.
"Th-that..."
"Hands off. No take-backs."
"Yes, sir."
Unable to adjust the misplaced stone, I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck. I'd built up a tolerance to all sorts of curses and pleas from those parakho scum, but hearing from a doting grandfather that I was his granddaughter's everything? Yeah, that'd embarrass anyone.
"...Your betrothal was a promise made in my youth with Giwang. Something about pairing our similar-aged grandchildren if they came along."
"I've heard all about it from Grandfather."
"Then you know Ye-ga was reluctant about it too."
"Ah, yes."
I knew that well enough. The promise had started as a drunken bet and somehow stuck.
"It wasn't you she disliked. It was Giwang's bloodline she objected to."
Ak Wang grimaced as if the very thought chilled him, slamming down a black stone roughly. Grandfather had gotten skinned just as effortlessly, naturally.
What the hell did those old guys get up to in their youth?
"But seeing your father, not all of Giwang's line turned out twisted. And your mother was so virtuous, I figured you'd be normal enough, born between them."
"Did Your Highness find me normal?"
"That's why I approved the betrothal."
I let the corner of my mouth quirk up. I knew those gruff words were Ak Wang's way of showing trust.
"Even though Yeon-a pushed you away—"
"Kids do that sometimes. I've never held it against her."
Seeming about to echo what Ak I-yeon herself had said, I cut Ak Wang off. It was rude to interrupt a king, but apologizing for something long past—something I truly didn't care about—would just make things awkward. I really was fine.
Puberty hit her a little hard, that's all.
Of course, I understood their reactions. The genius of the Ak Wang household, expected to be a pillar of the Central Plains one day—that pressure had driven Ak I-yeon to her limits. Overwhelmed by it, she'd hated the sudden fiancé thrust upon her.
"I won't refuse the betrothal out of respect for Grandfather's face, but I have no intention of being with you."
That spicy first meeting with Ak I-yeon still lingered in a corner of my mind. It hadn't hurt my feelings or anything. It was just memorable: a kid—exaggerating a bit, but milk-teeth and all—glaring sharply and speaking so stiffly.
"You're Giwang Highness's eldest grandson, so shouldn't you live up to the name? Why do you keep coming to me?"
"You must have plenty of free time. Wouldn't swinging your sword one more time serve your house and the realm better?"
"...A civil official? Why? You're a descendant of Gi Chungmuwang—why?"
And as time passed, I could see her struggling with sword practice while envying my freedom. It was only natural. She was grinding non-stop under the realm's expectations, palms callused raw, while I—a fellow royal scion—not only shunned the sword but pursued bureaucracy. Hell, Grandfather had told me just to train enough not to get beaten if cornered.
That's probably why she disliked me. From her view, I was the guy from the famed martial Giwang house who neither carried the name nor met expectations. And people always envy what they lack. How much more for a kid like her?
And then qi deviation struck after all that effort.
It was bitter no matter how many times I thought about it. A girl who'd skipped playtime, never whined to adults, just poured herself into training—and her end was qi deviation. Not even breaching Peak realm, she'd plummeted below third-rate.
"You... you're here to mock me too...?"
When I heard and rushed to her, the stiff, steadfast Ak I-yeon was gone. Only a pitiful girl remained, tears streaming, self-esteem in the gutter.
"I... I have nothing left now... I ran toward the sword my whole life, and now I can't even hold it... I'm just someone who can't do anything, knows nothing..."
It broke my heart. She was still young, her body frail but her sharp mind intact. And as a reincarnator from a world without martial arts, I knew you could thrive without them.
So I couldn't just watch her despair.
"You don't... need to keep the betrothal with someone like me anymore. You hated me too, right? Strutting around with my worthless martial arts, ignoring and pushing you away—"
"My fiancée isn't the martial artist Ak I-yeon. She's Ak Wang household's Ak I-yeon."
"...Pardon?"
I hated seeing her throw everything away over lost martial prowess. This twisted world overflowed with parakho who'd learned arts but knew no righteousness. In it, lacking martial skill was no fatal flaw. At least she had righteousness—sacrificing for the realm and expectations.
"Was our betrothal set because you're a genius?"
"No, not—"
"Did it vanish because my cultivation lagged behind yours?"
"No... it didn't..."
"Then how can you say that? If betrothals hinged on martial arts, common folk couldn't marry."
The rest was hazy. I remembered her bursting into even sadder sobs, then chaos as an excited Ak Wang charged in at the noise.
"Thank you... really... thank you..."
Good thing her tears meant something other than sorrow, or I'd have flipped to Han Un Z-mode right there.
Was that when we dropped the formalities?
Anyway, after that, Ak I-yeon called me by name, and I used casual speech with her. You could say that day truly made us fiancés.
"...I'm glad you're Yeon-a's fiancé."
As I reminisced, Ak Wang—thinking of the same—continued in a softer tone.
"But take that for granted and neglect her, and I won't forgive it."
"Of course not. We've even promised daily letters from now—"
"Making fragile Yeon-a write replies every day?"
I was speechless. That timing was foul play. No eternal vacations existed. Shielded by Ak Wang or not, I'd eventually return to duty.
Thanks to that, every day started with anxiety. Who knew what'd come?
"How's our grandson faring?"
I hadn't expected Grandfather to visit Ak Wangjeo, though.
"Get lost."
"What, this old man gets the cold shoulder from a friend?"
"Go home."
"Think sweet words fix everything?"
Ak Wang started hurling Go stones the moment he saw Grandfather, who dodged gracefully while closing in. Bizarre scene. Who'd guess these geezers were Daesong's top founding merits and kings?
"Quit throwing, you senile fool! Think I came for you? I'm here for our precious grandson!"
"He'll come home if you wait—can't you hold out instead of barging in?"
"Like I'd leave with some old coot blocking the door!"
Ak Wang flinched. Seemed he planned to keep me, just as Grandfather said.
Not exactly welcome, but a guest was a guest. While Ak Wang kept Yeon-a's son-in-law away from her, I handled Giwang myself.
"So, what's the business?"
"Deaf or thick-headed? I said it's to see my grandson."
"With your temper, you'd have come day one if you missed him. No excuses—spit it out."
Giwang clicked his tongue and shrugged.
"Ak Wang, you old grouch. Live a little looser, or you'll go before me."
It turned my stomach. Him saying that, when he'd be culprit number one if I went first?
"Get on with it."
"Tch, you were dull enough, now old age made you duller."
Grumbling nonsense, Giwang pulled a letter from his bosom.
"From Shanhaiguan. Says Huo Guo Chep Mo A's forces prowled nearby then withdrew."
I snatched the letter and scanned it quickly.
Huh.
The contents matched what Giwang said. Huo Guo Chep Mo A. That damned bastard's minions were sniffing around.