Chapter 198
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Bing Su-hye's Arrival
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There was no other reason for Bing Su-hye to suddenly come to North Heaven Fortress.
That meant she must have heard about the recent incident and come looking for answers.
Dong Ho-won tilted his head.
‘It's only been a month since I sent the letter. How did she find out so quickly...?’
The reason was simple, in fact.
The Bing Family Head, no longer trusting Dong Ho-won, had recruited a warrior from the Defense Corps.
By the time Dong Ho-won realized the severity of the situation and wrote his letter, the affair with Yeo Nan had already been going on for over a month.
In contrast, the Defense Corps warrior had swiftly informed the Bing Family Head the moment rumors of Seol Hwa-un's betrothal began circulating, and in his anxiety, the family head had gone straight to Bing Su-hye.
Originally, Bing Su-hye had no intention of moving, citing that she wasn't ready yet.
But the Bing Family Head persuaded her that if preparation was needed, she could do it right by Seol Hwa-un's side, and with Palace Lord Seol Wi-myeong's permission, she had set off quickly for the Central Plains and arrived now.
She had come with Ice Martial Vice Leader Bing Cho-hyeon as escort, along with twenty Ice Martial Brigade members.
Bing Cho-pung looked at Bing Cho-hyeon and said,
“Long time no see, little brother.”
“Yeah. I've heard you're doing well.”
“Eh, just barely earning my keep.”
“Hahaha, then does that make this big brother a freeloader?”
The brothers, meeting after a long time, chatted with smiles.
Then Bing Cho-pung suddenly realized Bing Su-hye was standing nearby.
“Whoops. We've left our niece hanging. She must be eager to see her husband.”
Bing Su-hye gave a faint smile.
“It's fine. Please don't mind me and keep talking.”
“We can't do that. You're the one who'll be Lady of the House.”
With that, Bing Cho-pung had a warrior escort Bing Su-hye to Seol Hwa-un's office.
But the office she arrived at with eager anticipation was empty.
“Ah, sorry. Come to think of it, it's still time for the fortress lord to be training. I'll notify him right away.”
Bing Su-hye shook her head.
“No, don't disturb him. He'll come here after training, right?”
“Yes, but... it'll be quite late.”
“That's fine. May I wait here in the meantime?”
“Of course.”
Once the warrior left, Bing Su-hye, alone now, slowly looked around the office.
‘This is where Yun-rang works...’
There was a reception table, a work desk with its chair, and a small bookshelf. That was it.
Not even a decorative cabinet in sight.
‘It's so stark. It could use some decorations to liven it up.’
On the other hand, the neatly organized desk seemed to reflect Seol Hwa-un's personality.
‘I want to see him soon, but...’
Bing Su-hye held back.
‘I don't want to be even a little burden to Yun-rang.’
She quietly sat in a chair and waited for Seol Hwa-un.
* * *
“Huuu.”
Faint steam rose from Seol Hwa-un's sculpted upper body. Considering it was summer, it was absurd.
‘I can definitely feel my body getting stronger.’
It was clearly different from when he fought the Fist Demon.
‘All that focus on physical conditioning is paying off.’
Wiping sweat with a towel, Seol Hwa-un suddenly looked up at the sky.
“Hm, already evening?”
It was time to eat.
He wanted to train more, but eating at precise times and getting ample rest was just as important as training.
“Today, more meat...”
As he dressed, Seol Hwa-un turned toward one side. He sensed someone approaching.
“First Steward?”
Yu Gong-seon smirked.
“Still here, as expected.”
“What's that supposed to mean? You know I've been staying at the training ground until this hour lately.”
“Today is a different day. Someone came from the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“Hm?”
“Ice Martial Vice Leader and Lady Bing Su-hye.”
Seol Hwa-un's eyes widened slightly.
“When?”
“A little after noon. Lady Bing is still waiting in your office.”
It had already been about six hours since they arrived.
“What? Why wasn't I told sooner...”
“I assumed you'd already met. When I sensed something off and checked, she said not to tell you.”
“Oh no...”
Seol Hwa-un hurried to the office.
Watching his back, Yu Gong-seon muttered,
“Since I owe Lady Bing a debt, I should pay extra attention.”
Meanwhile, when Seol Hwa-un arrived at the office, Bing Su-hye stood to greet him.
“I see you, Young Palace Lord.”
He said to her as she bowed her head,
“Sister Hye, we're alone. Be at ease.”
A faint smile appeared on Bing Su-hye's lips.
“Sister Hye... It sounds even better hearing it directly from you.”
“Why didn't you seek me out right away?”
“I couldn't burden my Yun-rang just because I'm his fiancée.”
“Heh. Wasn't it boring waiting?”
“Not at all. Just imagining you working here was enjoyable.”
Seol Hwa-un chuckled.
“Can't be helped. It's dinnertime anyway, so let's eat together.”
“Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un suddenly realized his hygiene was a mess.
“Ah, let me wash up. Can you wait a bit longer?”
“As long as you need.”
Moments later, the two entered North Heaven Fortress's dining hall.
In North Heaven Fortress, everyone, regardless of rank, ate the same meals served at the time in the same dining hall.
Even Fortress Lord Seol Hwa-un was no exception.
The hall was quiet, being late.
The few remaining warriors were stunned to see the pair enter.
“Gasp! The palace lord with a woman...”
“Quiet! That's Lady Bing Su-hye, his fiancée.”
Those seeing Bing Su-hye for the first time were wide-eyed.
“Wow! His fiancée is that beautiful?”
“Now it makes sense. With a woman like that, no wonder the guest hall ladies don't catch his eye.”
They whispered what they thought was quietly, but Seol Hwa-un's ears missed nothing.
Bing Su-hye heard it too. Seol Hwa-un said with an awkward expression,
“Don't mind them too much.”
“It's fine. Actually, it makes me feel good.”
“Then I'm relieved.”
Seol Hwa-un casually asked the head cook in the kitchen,
“What's tonight's dinner?”
“Yes, Fortress Lord. Chicken noodle soup today.”
“Sounds good.”
North Heaven Fortress's cooks were all top-class.
A considerable budget went to food, based on the principle that meals must never lack.
Soon, the two received generous bowls of chicken noodle soup.
Worried about misunderstanding, the cook added,
“This isn't special treatment. We're closing soon, and ingredients were plentiful.”
“I see. Got it.”
New cooks to North Heaven Fortress had once prepared separate meals for the leadership without thinking.
But Seol Hwa-un refused. He stressed that everyone would eat the same, and no special treatment would be tolerated.
The cooks were skeptical. Their experience across places told them it was impossible.
People always subtly expected better for themselves, despite their words.
But Seol Hwa-un proved it with actions. If a meal differed even slightly from the regulars', he left without eating.
Thanks to that, no cook ever served leaders differently now.
The two sat facing each other and ate the chicken noodle soup.
“......”
No particular conversation, but no awkwardness either.
The watching warriors whispered,
“Ah, what a perfect match.”
“How is Lady Bing even elegant while eating?”
“Enough. They'll choke if you keep going.”
“......”
But Bing Su-hye was inwardly delighted by their talk.
After finishing, they moved to the office for tea.
“Was the dining hall uncomfortable?”
“It was fine. Most warriors brimmed with righteous energy. Impressive.”
“Good to hear.”
After a moment's hesitation, Bing Su-hye spoke.
“Um... Yun-rang?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know why I came to North Heaven Fortress?”
“......To see me?”
“That's part of it. More precisely, to become a member of North Heaven Fortress.”
“......!”
“I already have the palace lord's permission.”
“Hm.”
Seol Hwa-un said with a serious expression,
“Don't take this the wrong way.”
“Yes.”
“I can't let Lady Bing stay here just because she's my fiancée. Understand?”
She might feel slighted, but Bing Su-hye replied nonchalantly,
“Of course. I wouldn't want that either.”
“......”
“I'll prove I'm useful to North Heaven Fortress myself.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“Let me stay one month. If you decide I'm not needed after, I'll return to the North Sea immediately.”
“......Understood. I'll judge coldly, so don't feel bad.”
“Of course.”
Seol Hwa-un admired her bold response.
‘Looking forward to what she'll show.’
But Bing Su-hye cautiously spoke again.
“Um...”
“Hm?”
“As your fiancée, I have one request.”
“Go ahead.”
Her face flushed slightly.
“Like today... can we have dinner together every day?”
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
“Of course.”
The next day.
Bing Su-hye asked Bing Cho-pung to let her tour North Heaven Fortress, diligently checking things everywhere.
She didn't bother anyone, but her outstanding beauty drew eyes.
Naturally, the guest hall women learned of her.
They observed her from afar.
“That woman is...”
“Bing Su-hye, the fortress lord's fiancée?”
Even they were shocked by her beauty.
“Wow, she's really pretty.”
“Isn't she prettier than the so-called Central Plains' Greatest Beauty, Woo Yeon-hwa?”
“Oh, come on. Have you seen Woo Yeon-hwa?”
“No, but... could anyone be prettier than Lady Bing?”
“Don't jump to conclusions. ......But she is really pretty.”
Two standout women among them hooked arms and said,
“Hmph! So what if her face is pretty? Girls like that are airheads.”
“Right, right. Obvious.”
They were Hwang Ga-hee of the Hwang Family and Yeon Mi-ho of the Radiant Vast Sect.
They had the most prominent backgrounds among the remaining women, excelling in looks and martial arts too.
Thus, they subtly competed while confidently claiming they'd be first or second wife.
Yeon Mi-ho said,
“Sister Hwang, you're just going to let that girl be?”
“Of course not.”
Hwang Ga-hee's eyes gleamed.
“We need to teach her a proper lesson. So she never thinks of setting foot in the Central Plains again.”
“Hohoho, that's my sister. So, what's the plan?”
“That is...”
The two women whispered secretly.