7
Ep 7
A quiet inner chamber.
Cheon Hyerin’s long eyelashes trembled faintly.
She paced the room before sitting down again. She tried to calm herself, but her heart refused to settle.
Memories of yesterday made her heart pound.
His confession lingered in her mind.
Unlike her usual composed mornings,
Her fingertips trembled, and she kept absentmindedly touching her hair.
“How did it come to this…”
She caught her reflection in the pond and shook her head.
A woman completely in love.
A feeling she had never known before stirred within her.
She took a deep breath, but it didn’t help.
Her gaze wavered, her face burned.
She worried her subordinates might notice.
She had spent her life wielding a sword, surrounded by the scent of death.
And now—
These unfamiliar emotions unsettled her.
It was all because of him.
The old Cheon Hyerin would have ignored such feelings.
But now—
It was different.
He truly intended to give everything for her.
Just thinking of yesterday made her chest heat up.
As she rested in this restless state, Ma Noe arrived.
“…Ma Noe.”
“You called, my lord.”
The one subordinate who had seen through her.
“…It seems… there is someone I can’t ignore.”
“That means…”
“You spoke with him yesterday. You know who I mean.”
That conversation.
The man who made her breath unsteady, her neck and ears burn.
Even trying to control her expression—
It no longer worked.
Her ears were faintly red.
“…He is certainly… interesting.”
“…You saw something in him as well?”
“Yes. In all my years, I have rarely seen someone so cunning.”
Her eyes narrowed.
Cunning?
What did he mean?
Ma Noe rarely praised anyone.
And yet—
He continued.
“There is something I’ve learned in life. Have you heard of this before?”
He spoke of Yujin.
Facing countless enemies to protect her.
Standing firm even before Ma Noe himself.
Eyes filled with determination, a will to live.
And—
Ambition.
To claim the Sword Empress.
“That is talent.”
Not mere skill.
But the quality of someone destined for greatness.
“…You mean he has that level of potential?”
“Yes. Those with such qualities will sacrifice anything for power.”
Sacrifice.
For her—
He had done exactly that.
“…Do you think he is truly capable as a martial artist?”
“At least, I do. He even saw through me at a glance.”
“….”
“A mere youth, standing against me without fear. That is not something ordinary.”
Cheon Hyerin fell silent.
She tried to remain calm.
But her trembling hands betrayed her.
“…What you’re saying… must be mistaken…”
“…His feelings for you are genuine.”
“!!!!!!!”
“He risked his life. That is not something done lightly.”
“….”
“I saw it. The way he watched over you. It was obvious.”
“….”
“He noticed your condition immediately. Even gave up a rare opportunity for your sake.”
“….”
“He abandoned a great chance.”
“…For the sake of someone he loves.”
“…!!!!!!!!”
She turned her head away.
“…Do not speak of this so lightly in front of me.”
“…?”
“…I can’t breathe. My heart… it’s too fast. Enough… please.”
Her breath grew uneven again.
She covered her face, unable to control her expression.
Just hearing about him made her burn.
She had already gone beyond simple attraction.
…
///
Ma Noe watched her quietly.
He continued speaking.
“Those with such ambition… never give up.”
“…!!”
He had reached a conclusion.
Yujin would never give up.
Even though he seemed young—
His nature was not that of a novice.
“…He is no ordinary man.”
A cunning one.
Independent.
Not someone who would serve under others.
“…A dangerous type.”
Ma Noe smirked.
“Still… he will be useful.”
“…Useful?”
“Perhaps he may even prove himself as something greater.”
“….”
“He has at least two hidden strengths.”
“….”
“And one of them may be something even the elders do not know.”
With that, the conversation ended.
Ma Noe left the room.
Outside, he murmured—
“…Clever.”
Young—
But bold.
Not reckless.
Ambitious.
“…No sane man would dare harbor such feelings for the absolute ruler.”
And yet—
He did.
“…The Sword Empress’s companion…”
He understood the meaning of that.
Still—
It was not a wise choice.
////
I had no choice but to accept reality.
There was no way back.
First—
I had to survive.
Fortunately—
I had bargaining chips.
Knowledge of martial arts.
Even if I hadn’t mastered them,
I knew them.
Which meant—
I knew their weaknesses.
But joining the orthodox faction was too late.
And now—
I had already caught Cheon Hyerin’s attention.
“…I need to meet expectations.”
Just then—
The door opened.
Cheon Hyerin entered.
“…I came because you kept crossing my mind. Are you feeling better?”
She couldn’t even hide it anymore.
“…Yes. I’m better.”
“…That’s good.”
She avoided my gaze slightly.
Still beautiful.
But—
Her expression faltered when she saw my bandaged body.
“…You’ve been hiding things.”
“…What?”
“I can’t just ignore it anymore.”
“….”
Her ears flushed again.
“You’re hiding something from me.”
“….”
Hiding something?
Well… a lot, technically.
But I stayed silent.
Any one of them could get me killed.
“…In Murim… what am I hiding?”
The lie about loving her?
If that was exposed, I’d already be dead.
Then—
Martial arts?
“…Are you referring to my training?”
I tested the waters.
Their reactions were strange.
Ma Noe nodded.
Cheon Hyerin placed her hand on my shoulder.
“…You were doing something like that… alone?”
“…What?”
“…You don’t have to push yourself.”
“….”
“That’s what you meant… by something necessary.”
“That’s not it.”
“…It’s fine. You don’t need to hide it anymore.”
She looked at me—
Then lowered her gaze.
Ma Noe stepped in.
“You trained in secret, pushed your body, and fought for her sake.”
“…?”
“Here.”
He handed me a pill.
“It will help with your training.”
“…?”
“…So you don’t destroy your core.”
“…??”
Wait.
What?
I’m training?
For who?
And risking my life for it?
…What is going on?