23
Ep 23
Cheon Hye-rin pulled her hand back at first, but once she gave permission, she offered it without resistance.
“Can I hold your hand?”
Nod, nod, nod.
Without saying a word, she shook her head vigorously in agreement.
Her face still carried the look of someone deep in thought, as if she didn’t even understand why she had agreed.
The distance between them slowly closed.
Their fingers intertwined.
At first, her hand was stiff with surprise, but gradually it relaxed.
“…!!”
“Is something wrong?”
“…N-no. It’s nothing.”
Cheon Hye-rin stammered as she fixed her slightly messy hair.
Still, there was something to do.
As he moved her hand, she flinched in surprise.
“I asked because I need you to leave something here.”
“…W-what are you talking about?”
“Something like this.”
He gently placed her hand near his neck.
“…You really…”
Her lips moved, unsure what to say.
Her face had turned bright red, visible even in the dim light.
“…Alright. I understand. So… stop now. This is too embarrassing…”
She cautiously rose slightly on her toes, her reaction awkward but earnest.
For a moment, his hand nearly went somewhere unintended, but she didn’t react.
…Wait.
What was that just now?
She took his hand again.
Then looked at him quietly.
Her eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
Her trembling eyelids lowered and slowly rose again, as if she was trying to steady herself.
But the slight tremble in her fingertips betrayed her.
“…Mm.”
She seemed deeply conflicted.
Slowly, she guided his hand downward.
Toward her collarbone—
Where a faint flower-shaped mark could be seen.
“That… is this enough?”
She stepped closer, linking arms with him.
“…That’s not what I meant.”
He gestured slightly toward the mark.
Her face flushed even deeper.
“…You really… honestly…”
“…Just this once.”
With a resigned nod, she guided his hand again.
“…?”
Her expression was tense, as if enduring something embarrassing.
“…Is this enough now?”
Her ears turned red.
And then—
Near his collarbone, something dark began to form.
A mark.
It was working.
///
Cheon Hye-rin had no idea how to deal with this unfamiliar situation.
“….”
Letting someone touch her—
Physical contact between a man and a woman.
Closeness.
Affection.
“….”
Only then did her senses return.
In the quiet chamber, only their uneven breathing could be heard.
And they were standing close together.
Her eyes widened even more.
Just the two of them?
Affection… directed at her?
Why?
That man—who had always made her restless and unsettled—
“…W-wait. This is too close—”
“I came to receive my reward. Don’t misunderstand.”
“…!!”
Only then did she understand.
He had worked hard and returned—
And wanted something in return.
She had heard he defeated the invading martial artists alone.
And yet the reward he wanted was simply—
To come here.
To stand close like this.
“….”
Her composure crumbled.
Heat rushed up to her ears.
Her face turned completely red.
He had resolved everything brilliantly—
And the first person he came to see was her.
Her heart pounded even harder than usual.
Of course, even before this, she could hardly focus on anyone else but him…
…What if he doesn’t like it?
What if he thinks badly of her?
What if—
No.
What am I even thinking?
She needed to draw a line here.
“…Maybe this is a bit much. Let’s just stop here.”
“…?”
She instinctively tried to step back—
But he gently pulled her closer.
She could have resisted.
But she didn’t.
“…Eugene… wait—”
“Just a little more.”
“…Alright… I understand… just…”
Her gaze fell on the faint injuries on his hand.
He had taken those wounds for her—
Without ever showing it.
She had heard that the moment he learned of the intrusion, he rushed out without hesitation.
Normally, he was quiet.
But not this time.
Right after she had been in danger.
Cheon Hye-rin felt something strange.
Because of his actions, she hadn’t needed to fight at all.
She avoided his gaze as she thought.
…He must have planned it.
“….”
For this.
Her face burned even hotter at the realization.
///
Eugene left her chamber, almost as if being pushed out.
He still didn’t understand why she was so embarrassed.
He returned and told Hong-yeon that the mark had formed.
But the moment he explained what happened—
Her voice rose sharply.
“What kind of misunderstanding is that? The mark I mentioned isn’t something like that!”
“….”
When he explained without mentioning Cheon Hye-rin’s name, Hong-yeon smacked him on the head.
…Unfair.
“You crazy fool… just who did you do that with? As far as I know, there aren’t any women who have awakened a mark…”
“Still, it worked out, didn’t it?”
“Useless disciple. Do you even know what it means to show someone your mark?”
“…What does it mean?”
She sighed.
“It’s something you only show to someone precious. At the very least, you should treat that person well.”
“I saw yours too—”
“Silence! You saw it without permission! Don’t twist logic like that!”
“…So who showed it to me?”
“Enough!”
“Are you angry? Maybe it’s because your flower mark is so pretty.”
At his teasing tone, Hong-yeon jabbed his side.
“…If you keep talking like that, I’ll tear your clothes apart in front of her.”
“…Wouldn’t that just make things worse?”
“What is wrong with you? You have a decent face, yet no sense of shame.”
Even hearing it again, it made no sense.
Tearing his clothes in front of her?
…What would even happen then?
“…Come to think of it, that’s unfair.”
“What is?”
“You saw something precious of mine. Shouldn’t you show yours too?”
“…What nonsense is that—”
He tried to step back—
But she grabbed his arm.
“Come here. Stay still unless you want trouble.”
She lifted his clothes slightly, examining him.
Then made a faintly disappointed expression.
“…You’re in better shape than I expected.”
“…What?”
“I’m saying you’ll become more troublesome as you get more popular.”
“I’m devoted to one person.”
“…That’s exactly the problem. You say things like that so casually.”
She paused, momentarily speechless, then looked away with a small cough.
What exactly was the problem?
“….”
Something pressed lightly against his chest.