The Jang Family's Tense Dawn
It was early morning, the time for breakfast.
Kang-jun had expected Jang Hye-yeon to come out groaning in pain, her mind rattled by the story he had overheard. Instead, she appeared completely calm, as if nothing had happened.
Her mental fortitude was surprisingly strong.
“Did you sleep well last night, Aunt?”
“Ah, yes. Yeah, I slept well. And you?”
“I slept very well too.”
The words “last night” made Jang Hwa-young’s gaze linger on Kang-jun for just a second before it slipped away. Of course. She had been pinned down by him until the very end. She had only slept about two hours after waking at four in the morning.
“Then shall I show you my swordsmanship today?”
Jang Hye-yeon sat in her chair and asked in that gentle voice. Jang Hwa-young had refused the night before and still bore the aftertaste of being roughly handled late at night, yet she nodded with cheerful consent.
“Very well.”
The niece smiled brightly. There was no trace of acting in Kang-jun’s eyes—he had read nothing. It was a genuine, heartfelt smile.
But the moment his gaze met hers, her expression shifted to one radiating ice-cold hostility, colder than yesterday.
Fucking brat. Still pretending.
Kang-jun detected something resolute in Jang Hye-yeon’s eyes. He didn’t know what it contained yet, but he would figure it out in time.
“Kang-jun is staying one more day.”
“Ah… I see.”
With those words, the meal began.
Clink, clink. The dining hall echoed only the monotonous sound of bowls and chopsticks colliding. They finished shortly after and scattered to their respective rooms.
Kang-jun followed Jang Hye-yeon’s back out of curiosity. Naturally, she knew he was trailing her on purpose.
Jang Hye-yeon whirled around and glared at him with eyes that looked ready to devour an enemy. Kang-jun smiled slyly.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
He had aimed for a weak point. Surprisingly, she took it without flinching.
“Yeah. Because you weren’t there, I slept like a baby.”
“Even someone like you has dark circles under your eyes.”
“My eyes are just fine.”
“Why so sharp? It’s just a normal conversation.”
Whoa. Jang Hye-yeon realized she was responding too aggressively and quickly toned it down.
“…Do you have business? If not, I’ll be going.”
“Actually…”
She turned to leave, then paused at his words, still not looking back.
“Did you come to my room last night?”
The answer came slowly. Jang Hye-yeon turned her head to face him. Kang-jun was curious what her expression would be, but it was strangely serene.
“No. Why would I?”
“Just in case you missed me.”
“There’s zero chance of that.”
“Ah, then I’m glad.”
The word “glad” cracked the surface of her mask. She turned and walked to her room.
She slammed the door shut with unnecessary force and immediately clenched her fists, trembling with anger.
Little monster. Demon spawn! How dare you—how dare you touch Aunt!
She told herself it was just the moment’s mood. Kang-jun had forced it, so she had no choice. He was the kind of person who could do that and still have the nerve.
Aunt was simply grieving the waste of such talent. That had to be it. No one else would do something like that. Absolutely not!
That had been her conclusion after a sleepless night. There was no other reason. Aunt, with her pristine spirit, would never sacrifice her pure body to such an evil beast. She knew her aunt better than anyone.
Love? Haha, ridiculous!
No mere childish emotion could shake Aunt’s lofty goals. She had lived like that her whole life. The man with the face might wave his tail here and there, but Aunt would never overlook him. She never doubted it.
If only I were a little more talented…
It hurt. It hurt so much. If that had been true, Aunt would never have had to dirty her pure body.
Jang Hye-yeon blamed herself. It was her fault Aunt had sacrificed herself.
She decided: because she had resisted him so fiercely, he had shifted his goal to Aunt. If she simply offered her body, he would return to her.
She could never allow him near Aunt. She would not tolerate it for even a second. Aunt was her sacred sanctuary. She would never let him stain it… not even with that monster!
She would think about that later.
The thought of spending intimate time with her aunt lifted her spirits once more. The accident yesterday had been unavoidable. Aunt surely had her own reasons. Like her, Aunt would understand.
She changed into her neatly folded training robe and arrived at Aunt’s private training ground holding her sword. She waited until Aunt came.
“You don’t have to wait outside.”
“No, I can’t just… without permission…”
“Don’t say that. We’re family.”
Family. The word felt warm.
Jang Hwa-young gently stroked her niece’s waist. The niece cherished the touch more than she let on. She wanted to beg for more.
They entered the training ground together. At that moment, Jang Hye-yeon felt as though the world had shrunk to just the two of them. …Actually, that wasn’t so bad.
They sat facing each other and began discussing the basics of martial arts. Jang Hwa-young explained, while Jang Hye-yeon listened. When her niece asked questions, Aunt answered with all her heart.
But today’s topic left her niece bewildered.
“I don’t quite understand what it means to place the One Point.”
“Ah, that.”
Lost in thought, Jang Hwa-young’s eyes softened. …The same eyes she had given Kang-jun. Jang Hye-yeon’s focus shattered instantly.
“It differs for everyone.”
“Ah, I see…”
Not good. Jang Hye-yeon steadied herself.
“I don’t know what to place in that point either. It’s up to you.”
“I’ll remember it.”
They rose, gripped their swords, and began sparring.
She’s truly amazing.
Jang Hye-yeon poured everything into her swings, yet she couldn’t even graze Aunt’s blade tips. Aunt handled her niece’s sword with effortless grace, as light as if it were nothing.
“Today your sword hand is unsteady. Let go of distractions, Hye-yeon.”
Jang Hwa-young called out. Jang Hye-yeon tried to focus on her blade, but suddenly Aunt’s moan echoed in her mind.
No!
Jang Hwa-young flicked the niece’s sword aside and stepped back.
“Are you troubled about something?”
“I’m sorry, Aunt.”
“No. There are days like this. …It seems you need more mental training today.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“If you want to use this place, feel free. You don’t need my permission.”
Normally Aunt would pat her niece’s head once and leave, but today she stood still, still having business. Jang Hye-yeon watched her aunt with curious eyes.
“Do you still have something to say?”
“Ah… yes, Hye-yeon.”
Her voice dropped. The topic had changed.
“It’s about Kang-jun.”
“Yes, please go on.”
“Remember what I asked you before?”
“Ah, yes.”
“You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Jang Hye-yeon froze like stone. Jang Hwa-young, trying to speak gently, didn’t notice her niece’s reaction.
“You said you hated it so much. I’m truly sorry. I didn’t know your feelings. …If you don’t want it, you don’t have to. Don’t worry about it.”
Jang Hwa-young spoke from the heart. She was truly sorry. Forcing it or taking it away—both had been wrong.
Of course, it was like a thunderbolt for Jang Hye-yeon. Her vision darkened completely. …It was heading toward the scenario she had feared most.
“Hye-yeon?”
“Ah, yes, Aunt.”
“I’m sorry. Really. For not knowing your heart.”
“Ah, no! It’s fine, Aunt!”
Jang Hye-yeon quickly snapped her head around. She couldn’t let the story continue.
After all, she had made up her mind overnight. She had gritted her teeth through the entire sleepless night because of that one resolution.
“I… I… actually… I love Kang-jun.”
“…What?”
“I want to marry him, Aunt.”
To Jang Hwa-young, it sounded like another thunderbolt. She was utterly stunned. She had never imagined her niece would say something like that.
The two clearly weren’t in love. If anything, her niece had fallen for Kang-jun first.
“L… love?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Jang Hwa-young’s head went blank. Her niece loved Kang-jun. It was completely unexpected.
This was a real problem.
A truly huge problem.
It was the second major crisis Jang Hwa-young had faced in her life. …Of course, there was still no clear way out.
“Ah… I see.”
What should she do? What could she do?
While Jang Hwa-young was lost in deep worry, Jang Hye-yeon felt a surge of pride. It was a noble sacrifice for Aunt.
Aunt. I’ll protect you. No matter what he does. Absolutely.
Sacrificing her own body was nothing compared to that. After all, her body had already been ruined by that monster! So it was urgent to snatch Aunt away from the demon’s grasp as soon as possible.
“Yeah… I understand.”
Jang Hwa-young didn’t even think about stroking her niece’s head and turned away. The niece felt a twinge of disappointment. Yet she was still proud that she had saved Aunt.
Since she had made her opinion clear, it was Kang-jun’s turn now. She truly hated it, but she had no choice.
Jang Hye-yeon left the training ground and searched for Kang-jun. She stopped passersby disciples and asked around until she finally reached the private pond behind the pavilion where he was.
His back was tall and proud. Even in Jang Hye-yeon’s eyes full of hatred, he looked flawless from the outside. …She hoped that if he ever married and had children, he would at least not copy his personality.
Thump, thump. The sound of stepping on pebbles made Kang-jun slowly turn around. This uninvited visitor was unexpected.
“What’s the occasion? You keep coming to find me?”
Jang Hye-yeon lifted her chin. She had taken a few falls from his cock, but the pride of the Jang family still burned inside her.
“I have business.”
“Business? Tell me.”
Jang Hye-yeon slowly recited what she had rehearsed in the hallway.
“Aunt wants me to reconsider our relationship.”
“Ah, so that’s why.”
“So I told her.”
Jang Hye-yeon spoke as if boasting.
“That I’m going to marry you.”
…Kang-jun burst out laughing. Not fake laughter. Genuine.
His laughter twisted Jang Hye-yeon’s face into something ugly.
“T… this is funny?”
“Not funny at all.”
“You said you were going to marry me!”
“Uh… what should I do about it?”
Jang Hye-yeon’s brows drew together.
Kang-jun’s smile vanished instantly.
“I have no intention of marrying you.”