chapter 41
The Sassi family mansion had a serene atmosphere.
It was rough, yet neat. The heavy-toned roof tiles and visibly aged wooden structure, combined with the tea fields stretching behind it, gave the impression that it would remain there forever.
With a signboard reading “Sassi Family” hanging above, anyone unfamiliar might think it belonged to a historically significant family in the region.
In reality, the mansion had been taken over by the Sassi family after the previous, long-standing owners went bankrupt. I’d heard that even the tea fields behind the mansion now belonged to the Sassi family.
Despite the calm exterior, the inside was bustling. So many people had been invited that the mansion’s yard was packed with a crowd.
“Are you okay?”
“Ughh…”
And I writhed in agony.
Help me, Hae-tae!
With so many people gathered, their scents mingled together, which was already overwhelming. On top of that, a stench danced over everything, making it unbearable.
But I couldn’t just bury my nose in Sobaksan’s chest forever. Steeling myself, I peeked out from between his coat.
“It’s an honor to have you visit.”
As expected! A brave dog ignores stench to track down the villain.
I caught sight of a few men—clearly of the lion lineage—greeting my uncle and father. I held my breath.
The stench came from that direction.
Especially from the man with the flamboyantly curled blonde hair. Whatever he was doing, the smell made my nose ache, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
Instead of whimpering, a growl escaped my throat.
My sharp fangs were almost visible.
“Shhh…”
Sobaksan pulled me deeper into his embrace. The stench vanished as if by magic.
The scent of flowers soaked in water stirred my dizzy mind.
“It’s okay, Hyeon. It’s okay.”
I felt his hand patting me gently through his coat. Once I calmed down a bit, I peeked out again.
“Grrr…”
That was a close call. I almost lost control of my Hae-tae instincts.
Embarrassed, I avoided Sobaksan’s gaze, licking my nose. A smack sound came from my crown.
“You held on well. Good girl, our Hyeon.”
Smack.
“Whose fiancée behaves this well?”
Smack, smack.
My fiancée’s kisses rained down relentlessly on my crown.
Ha. Well.
My tail wagged furiously, and my chin lifted. The comfort from my fiancée’s affection instantly erased my earlier unease.
Thanks to Sobaksan’s quick intervention, everyone was unharmed.
Otherwise, my identity would have been exposed, and the Sassi family would have faced Hae-tae’s wrath.
Phew.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I peeked out from Sobaksan’s coat to survey the surroundings.
Fortunately, the Sassi family members present were only paying attention to my uncle and father. I was small and nestled in Sobaksan’s embrace, so I remained unseen.
Normally, Sobaksan should have joined the greetings out of courtesy.
“Hmm? Why?”
He didn’t seem inclined to follow that protocol at all.
He even relaxed some of the magical aura he had used to control the crowd, causing their gazes to scatter.
“A noble?”
“Just looking at him gives me chills.”
Thanks to that, no one approached, and I could relax in a corner with my fiancée.
Soon, the adults who had finished greeting everyone came toward us.
Only Uncle Radali was missing. He seemed to have gone to inspect the Sassi family’s products.
“You two were here all along.”
My father spoke comfortably to Sobaksan while looking for me.
Previously, they had been formal with each other, but now that they were prospective in-laws, my father spoke casually.
“Hyeon, are you feeling tired?”
“Mmph.”
I couldn’t say, The stench is unbearable! This place is a stink den! so I just said I was a little tired.
Then my father and uncle came close to me.
Surrounded by familiar scents, I felt more at ease and softly asked a question with a small bark.
“Mmm?”
“They say Sarawon went on a pilgrimage to sincerely repent for his sins.”
“Hmm?”
For a moment, I thought I misheard.
What did repenting have to do with a pilgrimage?
Tilting my head, I soon realized the truth.
He fled!
It was clear he had escaped to avoid the harsh stares of others!
When I huffed angrily, Sobaksan patted me again.
Huff. Huff. Control yourself. I must.
“You were here all along.”
Then Uncle Radali returned with several items in hand. Stretching his body, he revealed small plates filled with tea leaves.
The Sassi family’s main product was fermented tea. From inexpensive everyday varieties to very expensive premium ones, the popularity had been growing recently.
“Would you like to smell them?”
While my father and uncle dealt with the guests, Sobaksan and I took refuge as Uncle Radali thoroughly inspected the Sassi family’s offerings.
“Here, Hyeon.”
He handed me a plate. I sniffed and was immediately surprised—the scent of the tea leaves was exquisite.
Slightly fresh, nutty, with a hint of sweetness at the end, it made my mouth water.
This was quality tea.
Even without tasting the infusion, I could tell it would coat the mouth richly and flow smoothly down the throat.
“Try this one too.”
He offered me another plate. I tilted my head curiously, wagging my tail.
Dogs love new and fresh scents. My father and uncle also sniffed the plates in turn.
My uncle, in particular, examined each plate carefully, frowning in concentration.
“How is it?”
“Good tea.”
My father answered Uncle Radali, clearly pleased, smiling.
“There should be a tasting area somewhere. Do you know where it is?”
“Of course.”
But instead of taking us there, Uncle Radali led us to a secluded spot.
Sobaksan muttered quietly. At that moment, his blue eyes flicked around.
Suddenly, a burst of vibrant blue energy, like the sky on a clear day yet sharp as lightning, enveloped us and vanished.
“You may speak freely now.”
It was a spell.
Sobaksan had cast a barrier to block all sound.
My father fanned his lower face. My uncle shielded us with his large frame, and Uncle Radali pulled up his thin scarf to hide his lips—preventing anyone from reading them.
“Excuse me.”
“Mm.”
Sobaksan lifted me and pressed his lips to the back of my head. Anyone watching might have thought he was tenderly kissing my head—but, ahem, in front of adults, that’s… hmm.
“……”
“Hold on.”
My uncle grabbed my father’s arm. Veins stood out on my father’s hand gripping the fan.
Calming himself, he said only one word:
“Eleven years.”
Sobaksan flinched.
But my father was so childish. He knew Sobaksan was sad about having to wait so long until our wedding because I was still young.
When I looked reproachfully, my uncle clicked his tongue.
“How childish do you plan to be with your future son-in-law?”
“My brother has no daughter, so he wouldn’t know. Radali, what do you think?”
“My daughter isn’t the type to sit quietly in someone’s arms anyway.”
Uncle Radali laughed, breaking the tension, and explained why he had brought us to this quiet spot.
“The Sassi family claims this tea is made with their own unique method. Are you aware?”
“Yes. They’ve always explained it that way when selling their products. Is there a problem?”
“The tea itself is fine.”
Uncle Radali swirled the bowl of tea leaves, releasing a faint rustling and a deep aroma.
“The method they use to make this tea is not theirs.”
It was the scent of falsehood.
In Yugu, there had been a family famous for tea: the Pil family.
A lineage of antelope-like nobles, they produced exquisitely flavored tea and exported it not only within Yugu but to several other countries.
Their secret? A magical jar.
Developed over generations, the jar could ferment any tea leaf into the perfect flavor. It was a treasure born from a combination of chance, devotion, and miracle—only one existed.
Naturally, the quantity of tea produced was extremely limited.
Only a few could enjoy it; in Yugu, it was likely only the royal family or heads of the five great houses.
“So that was it.”
Uncle Radali quietly spoke.
“I remember smelling this tea as a child. I thought my nose was mistaken, it was so long ago.”
He said his grandmother would serve the tea only to his grandfather. Its fragrance was so enticing that young Radali would sneak closer to sniff, and his grandfather would secretly let him taste a sip.
“When did that family fall?”
“About twenty years ago.”
“Longer than I thought.”
“Yes. But the story remains famous. Since no more tea is produced, the price of leaves from that time has skyrocketed.”
Uncle Radali said even he wouldn’t have noticed without experiencing it firsthand through a supplier.
“If I may.”
Sobaksan spoke quietly.
“Why did the Pil family collapse?”
At this point, there was no reason not to know.
A family that fell twenty years ago, and now tea that was thought impossible to produce appears.
Uncle Radali’s smile deepened, and he covered his mouth with his scarf before answering:
“They went bankrupt after their magical jar was stolen.”
“……”
Our eyes naturally turned to the tea leaves.
This evidence alone didn’t prove the Sassi family stole the jar. They might have gotten it by chance, or miraculously replicated the Pil family’s magical jar.
All possibilities had to remain open.
“I have a question, though.”
Uncle Radali’s keen merchant eye spotted a new point of curiosity.
“How did the Sassi family manage to buy all this land?”
“I heard they amassed a lot of wealth.”
“No.”
He touched the top of his head. Observing his golden hair, my father’s eyes widened as if he realized something.
“…The Sassi family and Radali were originally from Yugu. They weren’t naturalized.”
“Yes. That’s why I asked.”
In Yugu, foreigners couldn’t easily buy property. Even a small plot required unanimous consent from all residents.
Yet the Sassi family had acquired all the surrounding land—the mansion, the tea fields—everything.
Was that easy? Without even a single objection?
“….”
“….”
“….”
Suddenly, it felt like I’d uncovered the source of this lingering stench.
