Not a fucking chance.
I whipped my head to the side. The teacup didn’t even graze me—it went flying and smashed into Jaeyu’s shoulder instead before shattering on the floor.
Clatter.
Shards of expensive-looking porcelain scattered at our feet with a sharp, slicing sound. What a damn waste. Jaeyu shrank into herself, trying not to show the pain.
I smiled sweetly and said to Sohae,
“Oh dear, did your hand slip?”
“I was just so flustered by your question, Sister, I dropped it without meaning to.”
Sohae replied with a frosty little smile. Funny. Even if she had aimed properly, with that kind of force she’d barely have left a scratch.
“And for the introductions, I really didn’t expect you to think of me that way, Sister.”
“Well, I’ve got a softer heart than I look. When I see a stray cat drooling over a fish it can’t eat, I feel the urge to toss it a scrap.”
“That kind of kind heart… I really must learn from my sister.”
We traded grins. If someone walked in now, they’d think we were the picture of familial love.
I was starting to get it now—why fights like this always ended up so fucking roundabout.
“If I’d known you planned this whole meeting, I’d have made more of an effort, Sister. You really could’ve given me a hint.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. Judging by your face, though, I guess it wasn’t quite the surprise I hoped for.”
“I’m still grateful. Really! I’ll definitely repay the favor, Sister.”
In this life, I was learning just how sharp a blade the human tongue could be. I stared directly at Sohae, who smiled so sweetly as she spat her threat.
“Sohae. Since you’re just so grateful, I feel generous enough to offer you some advice.”
Just as I got that far, Jaeyu, who’d been holding her breath the whole time, tried to quietly slip out. But one glare from Sohae froze her like a mouse caught by a tiger.
Sohae turned back to me with an exaggerated smile.
“Please, go ahead, Sister.”
“Gladly. Since my dearest little sister is so eager to listen, I’ll speak plainly.”
I stood up slowly and walked toward her.
“Ever been hunting?”
“…Proper ladies don’t go hunting. I’ve only ever watched from afar.”
“The most memorable hunt I ever saw? A hunter was aiming for a deer, but a tiger got there first. So, the hunter went after the tiger instead—and ended up killing it. He walked away with both the deer and the tiger. Not bad, right? Two birds, one stone.”
“That’s rather sudden…”
“But here’s the thing. That hunter died two days later. Got mauled in the fight. Know what the lesson is?”
I leaned down toward Sohae, who sat rigid in place, and whispered in her ear.
“The moment he realized the tiger was after the deer, he should’ve backed off. There were plenty of deer in that forest. But no—he just had to chase after the same prey as the tiger. That’s how he died.”
“……”
“Sohae. If you want something that belongs to someone else, you better be prepared to die for it. Whatever it is.”
Granted, “belongs” might be a stretch. Nothing I’ve gained through this family is truly mine.
Still, as long as I’m living as Moyong Yeonhwa, it’s my job to protect what’s hers. I’m not the type to just sit there and take shit.
Sohae looked genuinely rattled. Her eyes shook wide with fear. I patted her shoulder twice. Her slight frame flinched with a barely-there tremor.
“You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you understood me perfectly. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have training to do.”
My legs were stiff from sitting so long. But inside? I felt great. I’d said everything I needed to, in exactly the way they’d understand. No regrets. I turned to leave.
I’d have to tell this heroic tale to my glorious teacher in the art of verbal warfare—Young Lady Choye.
But just as I was about to leave, Sohae spoke up.
“Sister. But I took something different from that story.”
…Different?
I turned. She was standing ramrod straight, face cold. Still scared, sure—but now there was venom in her eyes.
“Sister, that hunter still got the deer. And he earned the glory of killing a tiger.”
“…Yeah, and then he died in agony.”
“Exactly. That’s what makes it perfect. Everyone who remembers him will think he was amazing—forever.”
…Okay, she might be even more batshit than I thought. I had no response.
Her eyes glinted unnervingly.
“So in the end, the hunter won. That’s what I think your story really means.”
* * *
The windows to Dang Iheon’s quarters were firmly shut today. A signal, really—Dang Ri was inside. Private conversations required privacy.
But today’s atmosphere was a little different than usual.
Each with a medicinal tea in front of them, the two were quietly discussing the last couple of days. Dang Iheon looked both surprised and impressed.
“So you’re saying… this entire plan was Yeonhwa’s idea?”
“Yes. She came to me personally. Asked me to keep Young Lady Sohae occupied.”
“Didn’t expect you to cooperate quite so enthusiastically, just because she asked.”
Iheon had summoned Ri the moment he caught wind of the rumors. Ri, for his part, seemed completely unbothered. Probably because, in the public eye, he was now just some poor sucker wrapped around Moyong Sohae’s finger.
Of course, Iheon knew better. Even if everyone saw Ri as a helpless flirt, the man himself wouldn’t bat an eye.
“As you know, I’ve never had any intention of marrying. So none of this really matters to me.”
“But you knew this would put Sohae in a bad spot. Yet you still chose to help Yeonhwa. Which tells me you had your own reasons. I’d like to hear them.”
“In my opinion, Elder Moyong Pae and his descendants are dead weight to you. The Clan Head may feel differently, of course…”
The mention of his father made Iheon’s face stiffen. Ri, clearly expecting that, changed the subject with practiced ease.
“Anyway, since you’re engaged to Young Lady Yeonhwa and have no plans to break it off, I simply did as asked.”
“…I see. If it doesn’t bother you, then I won’t press it. Just be careful not to provoke Sohae too much. Don’t bring up Yeonhwa around her.”
“I’ve thought that far ahead.”
Ri chuckled under his breath, half amused. Iheon chuckled too, softly. The way he kept treating Ri like a kid—it must be because he remembered his childhood too clearly.
His sister probably felt that way even more.
“Once Young Master Moyong’s birthday banquet is over, my sister will return to Sichuan. Until then, I’d appreciate it if you kept an eye on her.”
“Of course. Lady Choye is like a real sister to me. Don’t worry.”
“We’ll both feel the void when she’s gone. I think she’ll miss Yeonhwa even more, though.”
Iheon tasted bitterness in his mouth. He knew exactly how isolated his sister was back in Sichuan. He’d often wished they’d been born in each other’s place—her the son, and him the daughter. His heart always ached for her.
Ri spoke again after a beat.
“Lady Choye really likes Lady Yeonhwa, but… I admit, I’m a little concerned.”
“Concerned? About what?”
Iheon asked calmly, and Ri chose his words with care.
“She’s changed. A lot. Just looking at how she handled things now.”
“She is different…”
That much, even Iheon couldn’t deny. It had struck him too—hard.
“Yes. Maybe she was hiding her true self until now. Either way, she’s not ordinary.”
Iheon found himself thinking of the night they’d sparred, just the two of them. He could still see her sweat-slicked hair sticking to her neck.
He’d gone looking for her to confront her about the late-night trysts rumors. But after that duel, he no longer cared. Being around Moyong Yeonhwa was exhilarating. Not just as a friend—there was tension now, heat, excitement. He didn’t want to lose that.
He could still feel her body against his as she collapsed into his arms.
Iheon sat silently, then reached for his tea. The bitter, sharp scent stung his nose.
“If she’s not ordinary, all the better. A woman of the Sichuan Dang Clan can’t afford to be ordinary.”
* * *
“Should I open the window again? It’s getting warm.”
I asked Hyangah casually. Not even two incense sticks ago, I’d claimed it was chilly and had her shut it. I felt a little bad—but I kept that to myself.
Thankfully, Hyangah reopened the window without a word. Only the quiet chirring of bugs floated in from outside.
She didn’t complain about my whims, probably because she was too excited. She gestured wildly, full of energy.
“Anyway, it was amazing! I never thought I wanted to learn martial arts, but when you picked me up and jumped—whish! whish!—everything was flashing and my heart almost exploded!”
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard this story. I’d switched carriages mid-trip just to fuck with Sohae, and grabbed Hyangah mid-air during a light-foot technique hop. Apparently, it was life-changing for her.
“Right. That’s when you started seriously considering learning martial arts. I’ve heard this, like, twenty times.”
“I’m telling you it was that amazing! You looked so cool, My Lady. Honestly, I thought you just lazed around all day, but you really do train hard—I’m touched!”
Pretty sure that was a backhanded compliment. Probably.
I sighed and glanced out the window. The streets were empty—no movement at all.
“Still sick, huh…”
“Pardon?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
I changed the subject fast—Hyangah was seconds away from spiraling into another frenzy. I faked a yawn. She got the hint and started prepping for bed, helping me change into my nightclothes.
Once she left, I killed the lights. But I didn’t lie down right away. Something told me he’d come tonight. The moon was unusually bright. I stood by the window, waiting.
But no one came. Guess I was wrong.
I remembered the bastard, sick and barely upright. He was skilled—he should’ve bounced back fast with a little medicine. Maybe he really was that sick.
Should I steal him more meds? …Why the hell would I do that?
I paced back and forth, glancing at the window and door like an idiot. Then I sighed and collapsed in front of the tea table. The one person I can talk to is also the one I least the trust. Hilarious.
“Screw it. Whatever. Die or don’t.”
I gave up, jumped into bed—
—and immediately sensed a faint movement mixed into my own footsteps. I snapped my gaze to the window.
There he was. Sahyeon, standing under the moonlight.
He was thinner, but looked better than last time.
“My Lady. Were you waiting for me?”
His lips were pale, but curled into a smile. I looked him in the face and answered honestly.
“Yeah. I was waiting.”
Sahyeon’s playful expression slowly melted into something blank. He looked at me, almost dazed, like he didn’t even know what kind of face he was making.
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