It took me a moment to process all the words that had just spilled out. Hyangah seemed to catch on a little faster than me, her face hardening at once.
“I’ll see to disciplining the girl who made this mistake. For now, wouldn’t it be best to deal with Lady Sohae’s gown first?”
“No. This cannot be overlooked. It was fortunate the tea was only lukewarm. If it had been hot, it could’ve left a terrible scar on the lady’s skin—she hasn’t even been wed yet.”
I wasn’t even the least bit invested in this, but still found myself oddly impressed by the maid’s silver tongue. How could she rattle it all off so smoothly without a single stumble? Did she have a script stuffed up her sleeve or something?
I waved my hand.
“Hold on, hold on. So Sohae said she wants to scold the girl herself, that it’d make her feel better?”
It was simple curiosity. But Sohae’s maid seemed caught off guard, pausing like she hadn’t expected that question. Huh. Maybe there really was a script and I’d just gone off-book.
“W-well, not exactly…”
“No? Then this is just you venting your own petty grudge?”
For someone who’d been so smooth until now, the maid’s mouth clamped shut pretty damn quick. Hyangah’s face grew even more terrifying.
“Don’t tell me you thought you could take it upon yourself to harass one of my lady’s people…!”
“What’s all this?”
It seemed the commotion had drawn Sohae out of the receiving room. There was no point re-explaining—she’d clearly heard everything on her way over. Sure enough, her skirt was blotched and stained from the spilled tea.
I gave my honest impression.
“Yeah, the placement’s pretty unfortunate. Looks like you pissed yourself.”
Everyone’s eyes immediately darted to me. Hyangah hissed under her breath.
“My lady, really, that’s a bit…”
“Oh. Is she still at the age to be embarrassed by comments like that? My apologies.”
I offered the apology readily enough. Sohae was quiet for a moment, then bowed her head. Seemed like she’d decided to just pretend she hadn’t heard me.
“It’s my fault for not managing my people properly. This girl’s served me since I was little, so she tends to worry… excessively. Please allow me to apologize to you on her behalf, Sohae. Alright?”
Her big eyes were already swimming with tears. I was already exhausted. I just wanted this over with.
“So anyway, it’s not like you said you wanted to rough the girl up yourself, right?”
“R-rough… Oh, n-no, of course not.”
Sohae seemed almost too delicate to even form the word, nodding as if horrified. Then, right after that, she shocked even me by turning a chilling look on her maid and speaking icily.
“You took it upon yourself to act rashly and were rude to my sister. Until I call for you again, you’ll stay here and help with whatever chores they require. No matter how menial or rough.”
“M-my lady…!”
Uh. What the hell was this development?
Hyangah and I just stared blankly, like we’d both taken a punch to the head.
The maid looked like her world had ended, begging pathetically, but Sohae was absolute. I finally had to step in.
“Th…there’s really no need. We have plenty of help. Just take her back and scold her yourself.”
“My sister is always generous beyond measure, I know that well. But this time I simply cannot. She dared show such insolence to you, so she must pay for it here herself.”
She was downright firm with me.
Hey now, this sister says she doesn’t want it. Says it’s unnecessary.
That’s when Sohae, suddenly looking awkward, softened up again—like she hadn’t just been ice-cold—and said in her sweet, pitiful way,
“Sister, by the way, it’s nearly time. We really should be leaving. I’m sorry we delayed so long over this silly matter…”
“It’s not a problem for me. It’s your gown that’s the issue.”
All I had to do was tighten my sash and I was good to go. But to my surprise, Sohae replied lightly,
“I did bring a spare outfit, just in case. I can change while we’re on the move. Shall we go?”
A spare outfit? Why the hell would she bring that? It’s not like we were going to sweat buckets doing embroidery. Had she predicted someone would spill tea?
I was too dumbfounded to object, and with Sohae pushing us along about the time, I got swept up and started walking. Hyangah fussed over my outfit as she followed, grumbling under her breath.
“Ugh, that sly little fox, I ought to just…”
Thankfully, I was the only one who heard.
Meanwhile, Sohae’s maid actually stayed right where she was, apparently prepared to really stick around and do chores. Not budging an inch.
I was practically herded into the carriage. Just before the door closed, Sohae smiled at me.
“By the way, sister. As expected, your taste is impeccable. Dressed like that today, you truly look like a grand, beautiful peacock.”
Before I could come up with any retort, the door shut.
* * *
Word was that Moyong Sohae had rented out an entire tea house just for this event. It was a fancy new place called ‘Hwaan Tea House,’ even built with a large garden. Apparently they’d happily agreed to host it since the event would serve as good publicity.
For them, this was a golden opportunity to introduce their tea house to all the highborn families, and they’d also rake in some tidy profits from hosting the gathering.
From the Moyong Clan estate, it was only about an hour by carriage—not a burdensome trip at all. The only problem was that sitting there doing absolutely nothing made me itch with restlessness.
I thought about trying some meditation breathing exercises, but this ridiculous bundle of cloth I was wearing was so voluminous it wasn’t worth the hassle. Not like I could start swinging a sword around in here, either.
Above all, if I wriggled around too much and wrinkled my outfit, Hyangah would probably strangle me. Or unleash some random lion’s roar technique on the spot.
Even now she was seated across from me, staring holes into my face. At least she’d finally stopped muttering complaints about Moyong Sohae’s maid.
I watched Hyangah’s sour expression for a moment, then cautiously ventured, “I’m bored. Any chance you packed peanuts or sunflower seeds…?”
“Of course not.”
Yeah, figured. Didn’t expect it anyway… just saying it on the off chance, really.
If I’d known this was how it’d be, I’d have stuffed some peanuts or tangerines inside all these damned layers.
That’s when we heard a light tap. Looked like the coachman had something to say. Hyangah slid open the small window toward the driver’s seat—and a tiny pouch tumbled through.
When we opened it, inside were peanuts. Already shelled, roasted in oil, perfectly golden.
Holy shit… a mind-reading coachman? Or did he just hand over his own snack? Either way, a man that perceptive and good-natured deserved an award.
Hyangah tilted her head, then simply said ‘thank you’ and firmly shut the little window.
As soon as I reached my hand out, Hyangah let out a resigned sigh.
“Just don’t eat too much.”
“Of course. What, you don’t trust me?”
Before she could rethink it, I snatched the pouch. Grabbed a big handful and even offered some to Hyangah. Now my mouth wasn’t bored anymore, and I was feeling way better.
The cheerful crunch of peanuts filled the carriage.
“When we arrive, I’ll be waiting close by, so if you need even the slightest help you must call for me immediately, my lady.”
“Yeah, Hyangah. This is the third time you’ve said that.”
“It’s been so long since you’ve met with all these noble young ladies. I can’t help but worry.”
“Why didn’t I go to these things before again?”
“You said it was because your face was swollen, or you didn’t have anything to wear, or your favorite hairpin broke, or the weather was bad, or you had a bad dream the night before… all sorts of reasons, my lady.”
Hmm. That checks out. Damn these peanuts are good. I’d better ask the coachman later where he bought them.
Nibbling and chatting about nonsense, it wasn’t long before the carriage slowed and finally stopped.
Hyangah quickly brushed peanut crumbs and husks from my skirts. We’d only meant to eat a little, but the floor was covered in shells. Actually, there were more around Hyangah’s feet than mine. We tacitly agreed not to discuss who’d eaten how much.
I reached to open the door. But Hyangah stopped me and did it herself. Outside, the coachman was already waiting, kneeling on one knee.
“Step down on his knee, my lady.”
I was… shocked. Why the hell would I step on someone’s knee? A living person’s knee at that!
“I can just get down normally.”
But when the coachman lifted his head slightly, my breath caught in my throat. Almost let out a yelp.
Though his wide-brimmed hat shaded most of his face, I was sure. This bastard—this was Sahyeon. And not even wearing his usual mask, just bare-faced.
Before I could react, Moyong Sohae’s carriage pulled up behind us. No way could I greet Sahyeon like I knew him, especially with Hyangah standing right here.
I had no choice but to step out. The unfamiliar mass of skirts caught on something, and before I even saw it happen, my body pitched forward.
“Ah!”
“My lady!”
Luckily, someone caught me before I could eat dirt. Sahyeon had sprung up and grabbed me, steady as a rock.
I ended up half-falling, half-flinging myself into his chest. The bastard was hard as stone, not even a bit unstable.
When I looked up, Sahyeon wasn’t smiling. Just quietly staring down at me. My heart did an inexplicable little lurch.
What… what the hell?
Snapping out of it, I shoved him away. But then there was a loud rip of tearing fabric. When I looked down—shit. Part of my skirt’s elaborate trim was half torn off under Sahyeon’s boot.
“Oh, damn. My. God.”
Sahyeon let out this awkwardly forced sigh, like some amateur actor. Even I felt bad. The crowning detail of this flashy skirt was all the pleated trim along the hem.
Meanwhile Hyangah looked… like someone who’d just glimpsed the open gates of hell.
“I’ll see if they can salvage it at the tea house! Or maybe it’s best to ask for an entirely new gown!”
Before I could stop her, Hyangah dashed off. Leaving me awkwardly alone with Sahyeon. I quickly hissed,
“Hey, what’s going on. Why are you here? And why the fuck aren’t you wearing your mask?”
But Sahyeon waited until Hyangah was far enough away—then breezily said something completely unrelated.
“Doesn’t look like there’ll be time to stitch that up. May I tidy it a bit for you, my lady?”
“Uh? The… the dress? Well… sure.”
Except my permission clearly meant nothing, since he was already kneeling again. Without even pretending to inspect it, he just ripped the half-dangling pleats completely off.
At least he did it cleanly.
“Hey, hey! If you tear that off—!”
“Oh, I’ll take full responsibility for your outfit looking different.”
“Wait, no, that’s not—!”
Yeah. Clearly my opinion didn’t matter.
The skirt was made of layer upon layer of thin silk (supposedly to keep it from being see-through and to make me look more ‘voluptuous’) covered by heavy plum-colored brocade. A giant peacock was embroidered on top.
Sahyeon pulled out a small knife and just started snipping away the heavy outer layer’s stitches.
Then he said, completely calm, “It was too wrinkled.”
“Hey! Without that, it’s basically undergarments! You trying to humiliate me or something—!”
“Not at all. You look lovely, so please don’t worry, my lady.”
Sahyeon flashed a bright grin. Then casually tossed the ripped-off brocade into the front of the carriage.
I could only stare dumbly down at my now bizarrely altered outfit. Unlike Sohae, I hadn’t brought a change of clothes. Not like staring would make one magically appear.
“Ugh. Whatever. Long as I’m not naked.”
I mean, I was this close to just wearing my Moyong Clan training uniform anyway. Who was I to complain?
Just then I heard the delicate click of a carriage door opening.
Sohae stepped down onto her coachman’s knee as gracefully as a cat. She’d changed from her stained dress into a pale violet skirt embroidered at the chest with silver lotuses. The fabric was so light it made her narrow waist and thin frame stand out even more.
She walked over with a gentle smile.
“I ended up taking a bit long changing, so you had to wait, sister. Was your ride comfortable?”
“Yeah, it was quick. But isn’t it a shame you had to switch to such a plain outfit? Give me your ruined gown later—I’ll have it washed for you.”
When I said it evenly, Sohae’s expression twitched oddly. Her lips seemed to twist just a bit. Maybe I imagined it.
“Ah, I’m sorry. That dress was so thoroughly stained it was beyond saving, so I had it thrown out. It was a gift from you too… what shall I do?”
Well, she did chuck those buns and handkerchiefs before. Might as well act like a rich girl who’s used to this sort of waste.
“Right. I’ll have three more made just like it. Then you can spill tea twice more.”
Behind me, Sahyeon suddenly coughed—hard—like he was choking. Sohae bit down on her lower lip, as if trying to hold something back.
Then she looked at me with this strangely startled expression, eyes scanning me up and down.
“But sister, your outfit… it seems rather different from earlier.”
“Oh? Oh, there was a little accident. I tripped and tore it.”
“Ah… an accident. How very unfortunate. Ha.”
She made this sound that could’ve been a laugh or a sigh. Then she blatantly checked me out, top to bottom, biting her lip again. Jeez, embarrassing much?
“Is it that weird looking?”
Instead of answering, Sohae just stared at me with that unreadable look. Then abruptly turned and walked ahead toward the tea house.
Did she not hear me? Doubt it. Honestly, she almost seemed pissed.
I glanced back. Sahyeon was giving the tired horses water and salt—and when he caught me looking, he secretly waggled his fingers in a wave.
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