Family
Immediately after his promotion to my personal guard, Yeongho Bin shed his servant's rags.
Though it was by the Sect Leader's decree, it was also something I had been planning for some time.
"My Lord!"
Clad in a sleek, handsome martial robe, Yeongho Bin bowed to me, looking every bit the proper warrior.
From now on, Yeongho Bin would stick to me like a shadow, acting as my right hand wherever I went.
"I suppose I must address you as Guard Yeongho from now on."
"Aigoo, Young Sect Leader! Please, no. You may simply call me 'you rascal' as you did before."
"We cannot have that when there are eyes watching."
"Your grace is boundless."
It wasn't a bad arrangement for me either.
Yeongho Bin was highly skilled, and his loyalty was beyond question.
It was also a fact that I owed him my life.
Now that I have a reliable guard, I won't have to worry quite so much about my life being constantly threatened.
At least, that was all I thought at the time.
But as it turned out, Yeongho Bin's utility far exceeded my wildest expectations.
"Young Sect Leader. Your meal is served."
It was during mealtime, and I was eating in the private dining hall reserved for the Young Sect Leader.
Though the Demonic Cult's cuisine was lavish and abundant, I had never once enjoyed a meal in peace.
It was hard to relax when four or five maids and chefs stood rigidly right behind the dining table.
As an extreme introvert, unless I was with someone I was absolutely comfortable with, eating alone was infinitely preferable to dining under supervision.
But since the cult's doctrines and regulations dictated that the maids must attend to the Young Sect Leader, I couldn't just force them out. I had simply been trying my best to adapt to these uncomfortable meals.
And then...
"My Lord. Forgive me for interrupting your meal, but may I ask a question?"
Yeongho Bin, who had been watching from a short distance while I ate, stepped forward and asked respectfully.
"What is it?"
"It seems rather uncomfortable for you to dine with the maids hovering about, My Lord. If it pleases you, shall I dismiss them?"
"Why trouble yourself with such trivial matters..."
I pretended to decline at first to maintain my persona as a magnanimous Young Sect Leader, before letting a subtle hint of relief show on my face.
"But if you insist on taking the initiative, I shall not stop you."
"Understood. Forgive my presumption, My Lord."
Having confirmed my wishes, Yeongho Bin waved his hand at the maids.
"The Young Sect Leader wishes to dine in peace. All of you, wait outside the dining hall."
"But according to the regulations of our sect..."
"Silence! Did you not hear the Young Sect Leader's command?"
"U-Understood."
There was a slight protest, as expected, but Yeongho Bin ruthlessly shut them down.
It was really that easy?
This was something I had desperately wanted to do but couldn't.
After all, it would look incredibly petty for someone in the grand position of Young Sect Leader to throw a tantrum at the maids just because he wanted to be left alone.
But with Yeongho Bin stepping up, the problem was solved in an instant!
Does this mean I can eat alone from now on?
To think he would scratch my itch before I even had to ask!
And Yeongho Bin's brilliant performance didn't stop there.
"My Lord. Surely it would be more comfortable if the maids did not stand guard when you use the privy?"
"That would be preferable."
"My Lord. If I may suggest, when you are reading or training in martial arts, perhaps the maids could relay any non-urgent matters to me first, and I shall report them to you later."
"A wise suggestion."
"My Lord. While it is customary for designated maids to assist you with bathing, dressing, and combing your hair, if you find their constant presence uncomfortable, you need only say the word..."
"A splendid idea. Indeed, there is no need for such excess."
"Yes, My Lord. If you provide me with a list of the attendants you wish to dismiss, I shall handle the arrangements."
Yeongho Bin was systematically addressing every single grievance I had harbored since arriving at the Sun and Moon Sect, all without me having to utter a single word.
To some, these might seem like trivial matters.
But to an extreme introvert like me, while they weren't life-threatening, they were constant sources of daily exhaustion.
And yet, due to my status as the Young Sect Leader, they were things I couldn't easily bring up myself.
Yeongho Bin read my micro-expressions perfectly and resolved everything before I even had to lift a finger.
This is heaven.
Not long ago, I was constantly drained of energy, hounded by people twenty-four hours a day.
Now, whether I was eating, reading, or bathing, I could fully enjoy my quiet solitude.
I never imagined that hiring the right guard could elevate my quality of life so drastically.
"Warrior Yeongho."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Ever since the incident with my previous guards, I have been somewhat concerned about the possibility of poison in my food."
"My Lord! I shall personally go to the kitchens and inspect the entire food preparation process at once."
"Rather than that, I believe it would be better if you tasted the dishes first before presenting them to me."
"Ah!"
"What are you waiting for? Eat."
"Yes, My Lord. I shall obey."
I had framed it that way because of the watching eyes, but...
The Young Sect Leader's meals consisted of delicacies so luxurious that an ordinary warrior like Yeongho Bin wouldn't even catch a glimpse of them in a lifetime.
Yeongho Bin was quick-witted enough to realize that this was my way of rewarding him for his stellar service.
"There is no poison, My Lord. You may eat with peace of mind."
"Is that so? Try this one as well."
"As you command!"
Look at him go. He's got a healthy appetite.
"No poison here either, My Lord!"
"How does it taste?"
"It is truly delicious..."
* * *
"Procure some medicine to heal wounds and mend bones."
"Yes, Young Sect Leader."
The new butler complied with my order, though he couldn't entirely hide his curiosity.
He was probably wondering what I needed such medicine for.
Perhaps he even suspected that the Heavenly Killer Star in me had driven me to injure someone.
"You may leave."
After dismissing the butler, I waited until the coast was clear, then quietly slipped out of the Red Moon Palace.
I made my way toward the fence of the back garden.
What if it's already gone? What if a cat took it?
But before long, I spotted a tiny creature squirming on the ground.
Thank goodness.
After scanning the area to make sure no one was around, I approached it.
Oh, you poor thing. It must have hurt so much. There, there, good boy.
Beneath a tree near the fence, a baby bird barely larger than my thumb was struggling.
I had found it earlier while taking a stroll through the garden to clear my head.
It had fallen from its nest high up in the branches, its tiny leg broken and covered in blood.
Watching it squirm and chirp in pain from its broken leg, my heart ached too much to simply walk away.
I gently picked up the baby bird, carefully set its broken bone, applied the medicine I had received from the butler, and wrapped it in a tiny splint and bandage.
I cooed and nodded to soothe it every time it let out a pitiful peep.
Once the treatment was complete, I carefully climbed the tree and placed the baby bird back into its nest.
The mother bird fluttered nearby, circling the branch.
I watched them, a warm, satisfied smile spreading across my face.
"And... hop."
I jumped down from the tree and scanned my surroundings.
Fortunately, the coast was clear.
It wasn't as if I had done anything wrong, but it certainly wasn't a sight I wanted anyone to witness.
"Ahem. Grow up strong, little one."
After all, I was the ruthless Young Sect Leader of the Demonic Cult.
Now, time to get ready.
I hurried back to my quarters to dress and prepare myself.
Once a month, the Sect Leader hosted a family luncheon.
Today was the day I would face the Sect Leader and his entire family all at once.
* * *
A large table was set in the main hall of the Red Moon Palace, where the immediate family of the Sun and Moon Sect's leader resided.
The Sect Leader had not yet arrived, and it seemed I was the first to show up.
As I made my way to my designated seat, someone approached me.
Was there someone like this in the family?
It was a young woman with her hair swept up, wearing a lavishly patterned robe.
She appeared to be in her late teens, possessing a striking beauty with gentle eyes, jade-like skin, and a slender, graceful build.
"Young Sect Leader! I am glad to see you looking so well!"
The young woman clasped her hands in a martial greeting, offering me a bright smile.
It was a smile so breathtaking it made my heart skip a beat.
I instinctively clasped my hands in return and replied.
"My lady."
In an instant, the woman's face stiffened.
She bit her lower lip as if deeply offended, and her face quickly flushed crimson.
Even her voice trembled when she spoke.
"'My lady'? You call me 'my lady'? Young Sect Leader, you truly..."
"Is something amiss? Have I offended you in some way?"
As I asked, two more figures approached from the opposite side.
A middle-aged woman dressed in a magnificent robe, and a young boy who looked even younger than the eleven-year-old Baek Yeon.
It was Jang Su-ryeon, the current wife of the Sect Leader and Baek Yeon's stepmother.
"I greet you, Mother."
And the boy beside her was Baek Hyeon, Baek Yeon's younger brother by three years, born to Jang Su-ryeon.
It was my first time seeing him in person, though I had heard much about him.
"Sit."
Since they were not bound by blood, the relationship between Baek Yeon and Jang Su-ryeon was bound to be strained.
She undoubtedly viewed Baek Yeon as a rival to her own son, Baek Hyeon.
After all, if Baek Yeon were to fall from his position, Baek Hyeon would be next in line to become the Young Sect Leader.
"Brother! Have you been well?"
"Indeed. Have you been well too, Hyeon?"
But Baek Hyeon was far too young to harbor such political schemes, and to my eyes, he was simply adorable.
However...
"So-cheong. Why the long face?"
"It is nothing, Mother."
I froze in shock.
The young woman who had just spoken to me—whom I had momentarily forgotten—had just addressed Jang Su-ryeon as "Mother."
"Sister So-cheong! You look exceptionally beautiful today."
"Thank you, Hyeon. You have grown quite dashing since I last saw you."
"Hehe."
"You should sit as well. Even if you are a concubine's daughter, are you not still the Sect Leader's child?"
"...Yes."
"Mother, what is a concubine's daughter?"
Listening to their exchange, I was utterly speechless.
So this woman, So-cheong, was Baek Mumyeong's illegitimate daughter.
I had no idea Baek Mumyeong even had a daughter named So-cheong.
Of course, having none of the original Baek Yeon's memories, and with no one in the household ever mentioning her, I was completely in the dark.
Wait, that means she's my older sister...
Only then did the reason for her offense dawn on me.
Baek So-cheong must have thought that Baek Yeon was deliberately looking down on her because of her birth.
I should have addressed her as "Sister," but instead, I had called her "My lady" as if she were a complete stranger.
She was already marginalized enough that no one in the family even spoke of her, and now her own younger brother had treated her like an outsider...
"Brother, why is your face turning red?"
"Ah, it is nothing, Hyeon."
My face was flushing even redder than Baek So-cheong's had moments ago.
Stealing a glance at her, I saw that Baek So-cheong's expression had turned ice-cold.
She refused to even look in my direction.
Even if I tried to explain that it was an honest mistake now, there was no way she would believe me.
"The Sect Leader has arrived."
With that announcement, the Sect Leader entered, and the quiet family luncheon began.
The Sect Leader was a man of few words, and certainly not one to warmly ask about anyone's well-being.
Consequently, the conversation at the table was mostly driven by his wife, Jang Su-ryeon.
"Lately, there have been many rumors circulating within the sect regarding the Young Sect Leader. Whispers of the Heavenly Killer Star, a born villain, and the like..."
Though the topic was centered on me, the words barely registered.
My mind was entirely consumed by the agonizing guilt of the blunder I had just committed against my older sister, Baek So-cheong.
"But having watched Yeon grow up since he was a child, I know him well. He may bear the Heavenly Killer Star, but deep down, he is a gentle child."
At those words, however, I had no choice but to pay attention.