WDCDF 14

Chapter 14

Ryeohwan felt his decision had been the right one and stepped back, raising both hands in a show of not intending harm.

“I apologize. I acted rashly out of impatience.”

“I’ll let it go this time. And as I told you before, the curse can only be discussed once the Azure Dragon’s wrath is appeased.”

“It’d be nice if you’d also tell me how to appease that so-called wrath.”

Grumbling like his enthusiasm had fizzled, Ryeohwan then returned, as if nothing had happened, to his usual immature demeanor. Seohwa had never believed that his refined, scholar-like air was genuine, but still, his attitude shifted so quickly it made her let out a faint, incredulous laugh between her teeth. Ryeohwan, knowing that her look meant Are you serious?, just shrugged.

He was about to say something when the path from the training yard toward the inner quarters became noisy. The inner wall where Seohwa and Ryeohwan stood was low, allowing a clear view in and out. If they stayed, it was certain people would see Ryeohwan had jumped over the wall. She didn’t particularly care if he embarrassed himself, but explaining this to Ok-im would be tricky.

Having reached that thought in a flash, Seohwa urgently grabbed Ryeohwan’s arm—without asking permission or showing any gentleness. Startled, his eyes went wide; no one, not even his father or brother, had ever manhandled him like that. But Seohwa didn’t care. Without even looking at him, she yanked him down under the wall.

Pressed close to her in surprise, Ryeohwan dangled the arm she was holding and whispered,

“Weren’t you the one telling me not to use my strength earlier?”

“This is an unavoidable situation. And how long are you going to keep calling me lady?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll call you Hwa-ya.”

Seohwa shot him a look, as if to ask if he was serious. Realizing he’d gone too far with the joke, Ryeohwan shrugged and changed the subject.

“Anyway, are we really going to stay like this? It’ll look even more suspicious if we’re caught now.”

“Then we just won’t get caught. And if you keep standing there, you’ll definitely get caught.”

“So what if I do?”

“What do you mean so what!”

“The people lodging at the Choi household may be nobles, but they’re from families who will never rise to high official ranks.”

“And?”

“They don’t know my face, nor will they ever have reason to. Even if they saw me, it wouldn’t matter.”

Lodging at the Choi household was basically an admission that one had no house in the capital or couldn’t afford one. Such families, while technically noble, usually had only the title, or lacked worthwhile connections. They might climb to mid-level posts through merit, but high office was all about family influence and networks—positions reserved for those predetermined to have them.

“So at most, they might make it to a middling rank. And those ranks can’t even lift their heads to meet my eyes without permission. Even if they did see me, they wouldn’t dare ask if I was who they thought I was.”

“Shh!”

Seohwa clamped a hand over his mouth, wanting to smack him for being so unconcerned about his own reputation. Even if everything he said was true, she had only arrived here yesterday—getting caught in the inner quarters with a man within half a day was hardly a good start.

Caught off guard by her hand over his mouth, Ryeohwan didn’t even think to remove it.

I wasn’t expecting this.

His curse was fire. Once he left the palace blessed by the Azure Dragon’s protection, scarlet flames would eagerly devour him from his toes upward.

After a year or so, he’d learned how to hide the pain from others, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less. Unlike his father or brother, Ryeohwan had tried to grow accustomed to the agony by taking walks through the capital whenever he could.

The flames would climb from his feet to his knees, his thighs, his waist, and finally gnaw their way into his heart. There was medicine that could dull the pain, but by building up his tolerance like this, he’d been able to leave the palace at all. That’s why the sensation of Seohwa grabbing his wrist now felt so strange.

The flames licked at him—then paused, raising their heads. For the first time in his life, the fire that only ever brought pain… hesitated.

The murmuring nearby grew louder, breaking his thoughts.

“Hahaha! Big brother, look at Hoye—he can’t take his eyes off the wall.”

“When did I do that? You’re slandering me, brother!”

“No, no. I saw you nearly trip over a rock because you couldn’t stop staring at the wall.”

“Brother!”

“Not that I can’t understand it. Honestly, when Master said he was bringing home an adopted daughter, I wondered why he’d choose a girl instead of adopting a boy. But with that kind of lady, I get why he went all the way to Gyeongsan himself.”

“Yeah… she’s the kind of beauty you’d worry about even with guards. The world is full of scoundrels, after all.”

“…Who’s got a crush on who now? Really…”

“Listen to this brat! Big brother, we’ll have to fix Hoye’s manners.”

“Sure. First thing when we get back—sparring match, Hoye.”

“Ah, brother!”

The banter between the men was full of laughter, and soon their voices faded as they walked off.

It was clear the hottest topic among the disciples today was Choi Myeonghak’s adopted daughter, Seohwa. She could easily guess that, in a household teeming with men, her presence would be gossip fodder for some time—whether or not their interest was genuine.

Well, the Empress of Seora was famous for her beauty, after all.

With his mouth still covered, Ryeohwan watched the back of Seohwa’s head as she peered out to check the situation. He recalled their first meeting—it was hard to believe she’d been on the run for ten years looking like that. She must have always taken the most deserted paths or lived deep in the mountains; otherwise, rumors would have spread through every gossip’s lips.

He would never admit it aloud, but from the first moment he saw her, he’d known she was beautiful. Even in threadbare clothes, with her hair messily tied, no powder, and no interest in adornment, she had been beautiful. Dressed now like a noble lady, there was no need to even say it.

Feeling the weight of his gaze, Seohwa furrowed her brow slightly. Even if his head was turned, she could feel his stare on the back of her head.

“…? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Deciding the disciples had all gone, Seohwa removed her hand from his mouth and stood. Ryeohwan rested his chin on his knees and muttered discontentedly,

“That’s why you were married before you even came of age.”

The random remark made her eyebrows shoot up. It wasn’t enough that he’d barged in that morning and insulted her reputation—now he was talking about marriage. She had no intention of telling him the truth—that she had never married—so she shot back,

“Not something someone who came here to apologize should say. Or was that just an excuse to check if I’d run away?”

“If it were so easy to slip past the Choi family’s eyes and get through the city gates, I wouldn’t have left you in such an open place.”

“How very thoughtful of you.”

Arms crossed, Seohwa clearly didn’t realize she was speaking to someone above a king in rank. Ryeohwan briefly considered pointing it out, wondering if she’d startle and bow—then decided she wouldn’t.

In truth, their hierarchy was ambiguous. He was a king, yes, but only over humans without divine protection. Seohwa, while the princess of a fallen nation, would have been Emperor of Seora if things had gone differently—

And she’s got the Azure Dragon’s blessing on top of that.

Ryeohwan’s narrowed eyes seemed to shimmer faintly with blue divine power. He’d never even been introduced to the Azure Dragon who guarded her, yet it was clear the beast disliked him. If it were only the dragon, he might manage—but with its master like this, there was no way to make progress.

What a mess.

Her gaze said plainly, And this man is the king of a nation? No wonder Ryeo’s fortunes are fading. Feeling an odd urge to justify himself, Ryeohwan stood, brushing off his knees, and moved toward the courtyard.

“Anyway, besides the Azure Dragon, there’s something else we need to discuss.”

Seohwa, following him, froze mid-step. She reflexively glanced over her shoulder, then met his gaze in mid-air.

“…We?”

He smiled, the curve of his black eyes glittering with amusement. Only then did Seohwa realize he wasn’t even wearing a gat—only a topknot with a crown-ornament that wasn’t the kind a king would wear, just something for appearances. She scolded herself for not noticing sooner, but Ryeohwan had no idea.

“You said there are conditions for breaking the curse. Since we can’t lift the Azure Dragon’s wrath immediately, why not start by discussing those conditions? Oh, and getting a formal notarization would be even better.”

“…”

“Let’s be honest—we’re not exactly at the point where we can trust each other without something in writing.”

I don’t trust you. So make it official.

Leaning half against a large magnolia tree, Ryeohwan looked more like a back-alley rogue than a king. Seohwa smiled brightly at him.

Even while bluffing that he wouldn’t lift the curse unless she left immediately.