Chapter 23
Unyeong narrowed her eyes and simply stared at Jegaldam.
The reason she couldn’t respond right away was because she was startled—she hadn’t expected to see him here.
But even more than the surprise, there was this slow, creeping emotion rising within her. What could she call it?
His fine appearance must have already shown signs from a young age. Though his face still had youthful features, there was no denying his striking looks.
“Yeah, well, he’s always had that smug face. That Namgung guy, too.”
She had sent Jegaldam a letter, expecting that they would meet eventually. She had been curious about what he and Namgung Hwi were like as children.
For Unyeong, who had no place to anchor her heart, they had been people she could call friends. Reliable comrades she could entrust her back to—some of the few good people she’d ever met.
Unyeong released the frown forming on her face and clenched her fist.
She thought she finally recognized the name of this rising emotion.
Displeasure.
And maybe—disappointment.
Was the past always this romanticized? She thought of the last day she’d met Jegaldam, and that made it worse.
Before her stood a smiling Jegaldam, but behind those smiling lips were eyes cold as ice, scrutinizing her.
Behind that image stood the Grand Military Strategist Jegaldam, who used to block Unyeong’s path with reckless concern. She could still see those sad eyes that always looked at her with worry.
The maddening thing was—it had only been a few months ago.
That’s how vividly she remembered it.
“Right… so this is what it feels like to be the only one holding onto the memory…”
It was different from when she met her family and the people of the Seol family again. They were people who had only lived in the far-off corners of her memories.
To erase the overlapping shadows of the past, Unyeong briefly closed her eyes and reopened them.
When she shifted her gaze, she could also see General Superintendent Wi Jeonggon and escort Yang Cheolwoo standing beside Jegaldam.
General Wi seemed particularly anxious. Seeing that made her even more irritated.
“Is that just how he is? Back then I just thought he was annoying, but seeing a kid act like that now—how irritating.”
General Wi, who usually kept a composed face, also looked clearly flustered.
It was understandable.
A noble of the Jegal family had shown up at the Seol household without notice—who wouldn’t be thrown off? On top of that, his attitude was disrespectful.
Unfortunately, today was the birthday of the local magistrate of Hongan County, and there was a big celebration happening at the government office. That meant Lord Seol Wonpyeong, Vice Lord Seol Jadan, and even Seol Dojin, the eldest grandson, were all away from the house.
Seol Jadan had looked reluctant to leave until the end.
— “Though it’s a celebration, it won’t take long. We’ll return by evening. So today, Yeong-a, you will be the one to guard the Seol household. Can you do that for us?”
“Can you protect it…”
“Can you protect it…”
“Can you protect it…”
Is this what they meant by “your heart sinking”?
Seol Jadan probably said it lightly. But to Unyeong, the idea of protecting the Seol household was never something to be spoken of lightly.
To protect the Seol household.
Those few short words carried the weight of all the regret stacked up through the years she had lived.
Unyeong, wearing a resolute expression, answered in a firm voice.
— “Yes, Father. I will protect the Seol household.”
Her determined look seemed to catch Seol Jadan off guard. But he quickly smiled brightly and patted her head.
— “Good. I’m counting on you.”
— “Don’t worry, Father.”
Unyeong had nodded with determination. That had happened barely two hours ago.
Now, General Wi was leading Jegaldam and his escort to the reception hall. That meant he had already informed them that the adults were away. If they had any sense of manners, they would wait in the guest reception room for the hosts to return.
Unyeong’s current attire was clearly not suitable to receive guests. Yet, for them to approach her like this and greet her first—it was quite rude.
Unyeong could easily guess what Jegaldam might have thought upon receiving her letter. Though his presence in Muhan at this particular time was unexpected.
When he couldn’t dig up anything about Unyeong or the Seol household, he probably asked So-gyo. And when the loyal So-gyo gave him nothing, he must’ve immediately requested to come along.
Maybe he even saw the absence of the elders as an opportunity. What better chance could he get to evaluate who Unyeong really was?
He was probably still doubting whether she had even sent the letter herself. That would explain the deliberate rudeness, meant to provoke a reaction.
“This is why, even if you have power, you can’t just hide away. He dares to test me?”
Still, she couldn’t immediately point out his rudeness. The Unyeong standing here now wasn’t the same Hwayong Sword Ghost of the past, who could act as she pleased.
“How is a precious young lady of the Seol household supposed to act? This is suffocating.”
Of course, in the past, Jegaldam would never have tried to test her like this.
“A-ah, Young Miss. Please greet the young lord…”
So-gyo approached and whispered quietly. Unyeong let out a small sigh and stepped forward.
She gave a slight bow.
“I was startled and failed to greet you properly. I trust the benevolent young lord will understand. I am Unyeong of the Seol household.”
Unyeong’s face and voice showed no emotion.
She claimed to be startled, but anyone watching would know she was anything but.
Just as Jegaldam stepped forward to respond, Unyeong’s gaze turned to General Wi.
“General Wi.”
Her voice was icy cold, but full of strength.
Just one word. But in that small utterance was a presence and dignity no one would believe came from a ten-year-old child.
General Wi’s body stiffened instinctively.
It felt just like the day he first stood before Lord Seol Wonpyeong.
Clasping his trembling hands, he answered respectfully.
“Yes, yes, Young Miss.”
“Did you inform the guest of the elders’ absence?”
“Yes, Young Miss. I did.”
Usually, Unyeong would speak politely to General Wi, but now her tone had dropped. Yet it felt completely natural. No one would have sensed anything off.
“And did the guest say he would wait?”
“Yes. So I was escorting them to the reception hall.”
“Well done.”
“No, I was merely doing my duty.”
At his words, Unyeong nodded and turned her gaze back to Jegaldam.
“I’m not currently in proper attire to meet with you. I’ll arrange a more appropriate setting to formally greet you later.”
Again, she didn’t give Jegaldam a chance to speak. She turned her head and called General Wi once more.
“General, ensure that our guest lacks for nothing during his stay.”
“Yes, Young Miss. I will keep that in mind and follow your orders.”
General Wi bowed deeply in a respectful manner. By the time he straightened up, he was no longer the flustered man from earlier.
The young Unyeong had displayed both appropriate courtesy and confident composure in front of a rude guest. From that, the steward of the Seol household understood the demeanor he needed to maintain.
Unyeong gave a slight curl of her lips, showing her satisfaction.
“Then, I’ll excuse myself.”
She offered a small nod toward the slightly surprised Jegaldam, then turned away.
Her steps, as she left, showed no hesitation.
Jegaldam continued to watch her retreating back until she disappeared from view.
“Hahaha… Hahahahahaha!”
Once Unyeong was gone, Jegaldam suddenly burst into loud laughter. Yang Cheolwoo, who had been tense from the silent standoff, turned toward him in shock.
Jegaldam still didn’t stop laughing.
Then, in a whisper that only Yang Cheolwoo could hear, Jegaldam muttered:
“This… this… I’ve been had. Was I careless?”
His voice was chilling.
His lips twisted, then drooped, only to curl again into that usual lazy smile.
He turned to the composed General Wi and asked,
“You said your name is General Wi?”
“Yes, Young Lord.”
“Please lead me to the reception room.”
“Then, please follow me.”
“I shall.”
Watching his master plaster on a flower-like smile, Yang Cheolwoo shook his head.
To be honest, Yang Cheolwoo hadn’t understood Jegaldam’s actions since the day he received that letter.
But then again, it wasn’t a first. How could anyone understand someone who sees what others cannot?
Trying to understand someone born so differently was foolish.
He had long given up trying to understand. But he couldn’t erase the questions that kept surfacing.
“Just what was written in that letter to make him act like this? He hasn’t reacted this sensitively in a while. Is that young lady going to be okay…?”
Actually, what worried him more was what came next.
Because he could see Jegaldam’s back trembling slightly as he walked away.
“Please… let this pass quietly…”
Yang Cheolwoo felt like pounding his chest in frustration.
