Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: My Master
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Eh...?
What did I just hear?
To me, who has nothing... to a child who only resembles my aunt in features and could never be Seol Cheon-seong...
The lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, the most renowned in the North, is asking her to become his daughter?
Why on earth?
"Ah, it's too sudden a proposal, isn't it? Truth be told, after meeting Advisor Seol, my twins have been nagging me endlessly every time they see my face, begging me to take you as their blood sister..."
'I see. So the twins were the ones pleading to make me their little sister?'
I'd thought it was too bewildering a suggestion to come out of nowhere without reason.
"But this isn't just some lighthearted offer based on their whims. I'm not the kind of merciful mother who indulges every childish fancy."
It was a perfectly understandable reason, yet Ryu-on's expression as she looked at me grew deadly serious.
'If it's not the twins' request, then why try to bring me into the North Sea Ice Palace as an adopted daughter?'
I kept my guard up, unsure of Ryu-on's true intentions.
"Advisor Seol, you resemble her. My own blood sister."
To me, Ryu-on spoke of her mother.
"So much that I could believe my little sister from childhood had returned."
A deep longing filled Ryu-on's eyes as she gazed at me.
'It's just like the look in Daddy's eyes when he gazes at Mother's portrait.'
Now I understood.
Elder Ryu-on still loved and missed our mother so deeply that she couldn't hide her sorrow at the mere thought of her.
That's why she couldn't pass me by.
Because I look exactly like Mother.
Elder Ryu-on is different from my aunt in my previous life!
My aunt from my past life loved Mother's fortune, but Elder Ryu-on truly loved Mother herself.
That alone made my heart swell with emotion.
To know there was still someone who remembered Mother, who passed away long ago, and loved her sincerely.
Mother wouldn't feel so lonely now.
"Do I really resemble her that much?"
Grateful for Ryu-on's feelings, I smiled brightly in response—only for her to suddenly pull me into a tight embrace.
"I know it's rude to Advisor Seol, but may I hold you just for a moment?"
'The question comes a bit late after the action...'
But Ryu-on's voice as she asked me sounded somehow choked with tears...
"Yes, I'm fine with it."
I gave my permission.
"If Advisor Seol becomes my adopted daughter, I won't hold back any support. I've heard you're exceptional in martial arts—I could even summon the finest master to hone your skills! So, could you at least consider it positively?"
Ryu-on, who had held me for a while lost in thought, released me reluctantly and pressed her offer once more.
'Becoming an adopted daughter of the North Sea Ice Palace would make me officially Chae-chae and Jang-ryu's little sister...'
Just imagining it made my ears ring noisily.
Of course, it would be that much fun, too.
But right now, I have Daddy.
A daddy who cherishes me more than his own life.
"I..."
As I thought of Daddy and prepared to decline Ryu-on's proposal—
Someone burst through the conference room door at the speed of light, shouting,
"I oppose this proposal!"
Panting heavily and boasting a booming voice, the intruder was none other than Gwang-yu.
'Ah... my embarrassing master...'
Upon recognizing his face, I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I could ignore the entire situation.
"Ryu-on, you can't just cut in line like this!"
"What do you mean, cut in line?"
At Gwang-yu's protest, Ryu-on instinctively stepped in front of me, shielding me like a mother hen.
"You were just trying to take Bean as your adopted daughter! I was the one who wanted her as my daughter first!"
'Master, I already turned that down! Please, just stay quiet.'
Why is Gwang-yu the one throwing a fit while I'm the one dying of embarrassment?
As Gwang-yu reached out naturally to take me, Ryu-on blocked his hand without yielding.
"Bean? What kind of rude nickname is that for such a cute child?"
"What's wrong with Bean? She's nothing but adorable! Look closely. She's exactly bean-sized."
"Truly a snake without a speck of manners toward a lady."
"Ryu-on, you done talking? Bean, say something. That one's insulting your master right now!"
'Honestly, he's right about the lack of respect for ladies. Even if I'm small, Bean? Bean...'
Despite Gwang-yu's desperate call, I pretended not to hear.
"Bean, you're really doing this? Your master is deeply disappointed!"
As I glared wearily at Gwang-yu, who predictably started wailing again today, Ryu-on—looking utterly shocked—turned to me.
"Wait, Advisor Seol. Is what that snake... no, what Gwang-yu is saying true?"
"Yes, he's probably genuinely disappointed. He's so simple-minded his words and actions match perfectly."
'But that's fine. I know exactly how to cheer him up—a visit to his favorite dumpling house for his beloved dumplings.'
"No, not that—the part where Gwang-yu is Advisor Seol's master."
'Ah... so that was what puzzled Elder Ryu-on?'
Of course. Gwang-yu had staunchly upheld his conviction of never taking disciples until he accepted me—that must be shocking.
"Yes, that's right. Despite my lacking skills, Master was kind enough to take me as his disciple."
"Impossible...!!"
Ryu-on shook her head vigorously as if it were an outrage.
'Is it really that shocking that I'm Gwang-yu's disciple?'
Then I recalled a conversation between Gwang-yu and the twins.
'Come to think of it, Gwang-yu had refused the twins' plea to become their master.'
So it made sense he'd be upset that I suddenly took that spot.
I didn't want to admit it, but Gwang-yu was beyond reproach in skill, so I'd steeled myself for this kind of ordeal.
"Advisor Seol, are you really okay with a master like that? If you want, I can introduce you to one with a sound mind."
'Huh? So she wasn't mad about me stealing the disciple spot meant for her kids?'
Contrary to my expectations, Ryu-on was concerned for me.
"You, trying to steal my disciple now because I turned down taking your twins? How petty can the lord of the North Sea Ice Palace be!"
At Gwang-yu's outcry, Ryu-on let out a chuckle and gently grasped my small, chubby wrist.
"Do you think I'm like you? I only considered entrusting the twins to you hoping for harsh training. But Advisor Seol is different. I know full well how brutally you train—how could I stand by if such a delicate child got hurt?"
'His training methods do favor brawn over brains, that's true.'
He made me repeat the first form I learned a hundred times from day one.
And at the end, he slyly added fifty more, claiming it was the finale.
"This is unfair! I'm the one who's injured right now! I nearly got struck by lightning, you know!"
"No sympathy for putting such a cute disciple through harsh training—you deserve the lightning."
Gwang-yu protested with genuine grievance, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears with Ryu-on.
'Poor Master—he really has overcome several brushes with death because of me.'
Yet through all the ordeals, Gwang-yu never once thought of abandoning me.
"Elder Ryu-on, I'm happy with my current master. The training is manageable, so please don't worry. And..."
Ryu-on listened quietly with a gentle expression as I began to speak.
"I'm sorry to turn down the overly generous offer to make me an adopted daughter of the North Sea Ice Palace. I love my birth parents too much to be anyone else's child till the end."
'It's not like being an adopted daughter changes anything—Ryu-on is family on Mother's side anyway.'
"Still... even though I've declined, can we stay close with my brothers from now on?"
I worried I might have offended Ryu-on.
"Advisor Seol's parents must be so happy. To have such a wonderful daughter."
But Ryu-on smiled warmly, looking at me as if I were her own child.
"Actually, I'm the one who wants to ask you to get along well with my children. Please keep being good to my twins from now on."
"Of course!"
'I was worried my refusal might hurt Elder Ryu-on's feelings...'
Thank goodness the conversation went smoothly.
"Advisor Seol, could I borrow your ear for a moment?"
"Yes?"
As I looked up at Ryu-on with wide eyes, she leaned down and whispered softly into my ear.
"If it's hard to accept me as a parent, then think of me as your blood aunt and feel free to ask for help whenever you need it. I know it might feel burdensome, but strangely, I can't help being drawn to you, Advisor Seol. Will you grant my request?"
'I've heard of blood calling to blood before.'
I didn't believe it in my past life, but now I get it.
"Yes, I definitely will."
'It's the first time my heart has swelled like this for someone after Daddy.'
"Thank you. Then I'll look forward to today's meeting."
It was then, as Ryu-on returned to her seat.
A massive shadow loomed over the conference room entrance, accompanied by thick killing intent.
"Is everyone gathered?"