Self-Destruction (2)
After finishing my makeup, I checked the mirror once more to make sure nothing looked strange. A black off-shoulder top that subtly revealed my collarbones, paired with jeans that hugged my hips. The makeup had turned out better than expected too…. I’d been a little worried after staying up late watching that new video, but it seemed like I’d worried for nothing.
“…This should be enough….”
Wearing a satisfied smile, I picked up the bag I’d left on the vanity and slipped out of the room. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The day I would meet Mom together with Jihwan…!
Last night. While I was spending time with Jihwan, Mom sent a message. The content was simple—an invitation for the three of us to have a meal together. She seemed curious about Jihwan and immediately suggested we meet the very next day. Since Jihwan happened to be right beside me, I asked if he was free…. He replied, “I’m fine with it, but are you sure you’re okay?” He was worried about my condition and suggested we postpone.
It was nice that he cared, but the timing was terrible. I pressured Yu Jihwan, telling him to accept if he wasn’t busy, and he reluctantly agreed to Mom’s proposal. The moment the meeting was set, my plan was essentially complete. A perfect plan that would force Jihwan to marry me…!
The name ‘Sword Empress’ carried enormous weight, and the title ‘Daughter of the Sword Empress’ could not be ignored. Who would dare to covet the man the Sword Empress herself had chosen as a son-in-law? The instant this formal introduction was arranged, Yu Jihwan would have nowhere left to run on this entire planet.
Though I had come up with quite the grand scheme, I didn’t actually need to use Mom’s name to tie him down. Jihwan was a fool who only had eyes for me anyway. Sooner or later—probably in the not-too-distant future—he would become my husband. Still, it never hurt to secure things in advance. You never know what might happen.
“…I have everything, right?”
On my way out to meet up with Jihwan, I opened my crossbody bag to double-check. Pouch, wallet, phone, and the special item I’d prepared with a hole in it for emergencies. Everything was perfectly in place.
“…Good….”
With my preparations complete, I took out my phone and slowly slipped on my shoes, carrying the solemn determination that today would be the most important day of my life.
After finishing my makeup by spraying perfume on my arms, neck, and hair, I examined myself in the mirror for any imperfections. A white tie blouse and a wine-colored long skirt that clung gently to my figure. Exactly the style my husband loved. This should be enough not to lose to that young Min Soyeon.
“…Hmph.”
I gathered the things I’d left on the vanity and slowly left the room. Today was an important day. An extremely important day in which I would meet my insolent daughter and the husband I loved.
It wasn’t simply that we were gathering as family for a cozy meal. Today would create a legitimate connection between my husband and me, and it was the perfect opportunity to separate that insolent daughter from him. Officially, my husband and I had no relationship whatsoever. I was merely the mother of his partner, and he was the partner of my daughter.
But once we met officially today, we would move from complete strangers to ‘acquaintances.’ I would gain a legitimate reason to ‘sponsor’ a pitiful child with no family or connections, and my husband would receive considerable honor and a powerful backer as the one chosen by the Sword Empress.
And most importantly… it meant we no longer had to hide. We could date freely and openly. Who would dare point fingers at a woman acting as a mother figure to a child without parents?
The only obstacle between my husband and me—Min Soyeon—would soon remove herself from the picture. From the way she had fallen completely for the video I sent, a little more encouragement and she would throw herself at him on her own. Of course my husband would reject her, and once he realized the seriousness of the situation, he would naturally create distance.
Of course this plan wasn’t perfect. There was the ‘System’ attached to my husband, and I couldn’t predict what kind of sudden actions my daughter—who had inherited my blood so strongly—might take. But even so, everything remained within the palm of my hand. No matter how wildly they struggled, the result would be the same.
“Have a good day, Madam!”
The maids made a fuss over my glamorous appearance as they saw me off. I gave them a small wave in thanks for all their hard work and slowly stepped out the front door, a relaxed smile playing on my lips.
Today was the day I would finally have a meal with my family after so long.
“Mmm-hmm….”
My steps felt so light that a hum escaped me without thinking. How long had it been since we all gathered like this? We had met at the hospital once before, but that encounter had been too awkward to even call a proper reunion.
After reviving inside Yu Jihwan’s body a few years ago, I had thought I would never be able to gather with my family again. Back then, no one had looked at me, and no one had come looking for me…. But now things were different. I had Soyeon by my side, and I had my wife. I no longer had to rely only on myself.
….
The time I had loved most in my previous life was when we all sat together, chatting warmly over dinner. How lonely it had been these past few years, eating alone every night? Starting today, even if it wasn’t every day, we would be able to gather often for meals. If the chance came, taking Soyeon and my wife on a trip somewhere sounded wonderful too.
Lost in those happy thoughts, I was walking lightly toward the meeting place when….
“You know the Royal Hill in front of the Association building, right? We’re having a party there today….”
“…I’m not interested.”
“Aw, come on, just stop by for a bit….”
I spotted two men surrounding a woman, attempting to pick her up. Kids these days are bold…. I was about to pass by without thinking when….
“…Get lost.”
A familiar voice came from between the men.
…Huh?
I stopped in my tracks and looked at the woman confronting the two men. It was Min Soyeon, her face twisted into a deep frown.
“Soyeon-ah!”
Startled, I quickly approached her.
“…Yu Jihwan?”
Min Soyeon looked surprised by my sudden appearance, while the two men frowned slightly. I stepped between her and the men, giving them a quick once-over. Designer clothes draped all over them, flashy made-up faces. They had the look of neighborhood thugs who only knew how to chase after clueless young girls.
“Who are you?”
When one of the men asked me outright, clearly on guard, I gently pulled Soyeon behind me and answered.
“Do you know my daughter?”
They glared at me with even uglier expressions.
“No… I asked who you are.”
“Excuse me. You shouldn’t just randomly harass someone else’s girl, you know?”
Apparently these thugs had some ability after all. They openly released mana to threaten me. These rude bastards…. The thought that these lowlife punks had dared to lay hands on our Soyeon made heat rise in my chest.
I immediately scattered my own mana, erasing theirs completely.
Shwoooosh—
“Huh? W-what?”
“…What the hell….”
The men panicked as their mana vanished. At that moment, Soyeon, who had been behind me, tightly grabbed the back of my shirt. Her hand was trembling faintly, as if she were scared.
….
I reached back with one hand and gently took hers. She immediately clung to it as if she had been waiting for that. Even though she always acted tough, I was reminded once again how fragile she was inside.
Swallowing my quiet anger, I extended my other hand toward the men and instantly cast an ice spell.
Crack— Craaaack—
Their legs began freezing in an instant.
“W-what?! Hey!”
“What the hell is this guy?!”
The two men flailed their arms, trying to use their abilities again, but their upper bodies froze as well, rendering them completely powerless.
“S-save us!! Somebody heeeelp!!”
“Uwaaaaagh!!”
I froze them up to their jaws, then gently released Soyeon’s hand and approached the men, whispering.
“If you don’t want to die, look down.”
They immediately lowered their gazes, making muffled sounds.
“Mmmph…!”
“Mmphph….”
I raised a hand thinly coated in mana and smacked one of the men on the head.
Smack—!
“Mmmph!!”
“Shut up.”
Smack—!
“Ugh….”
“Don’t just hit on anyone you see.”
Smack—!
“Live properly.”
Smack—!
On the fourth strike, his eyes rolled back and he finally passed out. When I turned slightly to the side, the other man who had been watching me began letting out stupid screams.
“Mmmph! Mmmph!! Mmmphhh!!!”
His desperate eyes and shaking gaze seemed to be begging for mercy. I had no intention of killing them. Smack—!
“Mmmphhh!”
But I figured I should correct their mindset of doing bad things and expecting to get away with it. Smack—!
On the second hit, he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head violently, trying to endure the pain. It looked a little pitiful, but his crimes were serious. Smack—!
“Kugh…!”
“You should live properly too. If you really don’t want to die.”
Smack—! Smack—!
On the final fifth strike, both men’s eyes rolled back and they fainted.
Letting out a short sigh, I wiped my hand on the transparent ice, then approached Min Soyeon, who had been quietly watching me.
“…Are you okay?”
When I asked carefully, she nodded slowly with somewhat dazed eyes.
“…Let’s go.”
I took her hand firmly and slowly walked out of the alley, thinking that Soyeon would probably have a hard time dating.