chapter 57
“Have you been well?”
“You’ve been keeping well, I hope?”
They spoke formally to each other. After all, they were only a year apart in age, and eventually, both would ascend to head their respective families.
It seemed easier to speak formally from the start rather than awkwardly switching between casual and formal speech later.
After checking that our luggage was properly loaded, I had a brief chat with the adults who had come to see us off.
“We should come along too…”
“I’ll be an adult in two years anyway.”
Dad seemed worried about sending me far away without him and mom. Even at sixteen, I still apparently looked like a little puppy in his eyes.
“And I’m really strong.”
“I know, my daughter. Both your body and mind are very strong.”
Dad laughed softly and hugged me. I hugged him back tightly.
So tightly that he let out a shallow groan.
“You really are strong, my daughter.”
“I told you so.”
Lately, my strength had been overflowing. My physical growth had stopped, but my usable strength kept increasing—though I had no idea why.
After calming Dad’s worries, I hugged Mom as well.
“Mom, please take care of Dad.”
“You mean I should pay him extra attention, huh? That’s easy enough.”
Mom laughed softly and called Dad over. Even as he tilted his head curiously, she drew him close… ahem.
I pretended not to notice and leaned into Hwilok’s arms.
There were muffled coughs here and there, but my fiancé seemed deeply impressed by the display of affection between my parents.
“Ahem! Ahem-hmm!”
He immediately grabbed my cheeks and kissed my forehead, doubling the muffled coughing sounds.
The enchanted carriage we rode in, powered by magic, was a six-seater. They chose a size roomy enough for three people and all our luggage.
The journey would take three days.
Even for my fiancé, it was impossible to bring this many people and luggage to the capital in a single day, so we planned to take breaks along the way.
At night, we would alternate between staying at the Hyunga and Baek family villas.
“It feels like we’ve become a winged species.”
Sion oppa exclaimed as the carriage took flight. Outside the window, Hyunga was gradually disappearing in the distance.
“I’ve heard there aren’t many new species on Seolgok Island.”
“Same for Homeok Island. Most of the winged species probably live in Cheonsan or the royal palace.”
The former royal family consisted primarily of the Phoenix people, the representative bird species. Thus, most of the old privileged groups were bird species.
Back then, discrimination between birds and non-birds was severe. Bird species capable of flight were considered noble, while others were looked down upon.
After the dynastic revolution, the birds paid dearly for this.
When the emperor changed, the previously oppressed races rose up.
The bird species, now enemies on all sides, fled to Cheonsan, home of the Hong family.
The Hong family had long been known for integrity and producing many scholars and officials. They aligned with the Qing faction during the revolution, and the family head even became a prime minister.
Thus, for survival, the birds had to take shelter under the Hong family’s protection.
Some birds could not make it under Hong’s wing. They either went into exile or survived by proving their usefulness.
One such effort was the Falcon Stamp Postal Service, which truly delivered by falcons.
Over generations, animosity toward the bird species has largely faded.
However, the older generation that experienced the harsh oppression still grits their teeth at the sight of birds.
Especially my grandmother.
While she respected the Hong family prime minister, any other bird flapping its wings would irritate her. She had been severely mistreated in her youth.
It’s hard to believe, but it was such a troublesome group back then.
Now, most of the bird species work under the prime minister without losing feathers.
It seems the world turns kindly in time.
We arrived at the capital after three days.
I had been curious to see the city from the sky, but I fell asleep midway and woke up in front of the main gates. I quickly wiped the drool from my sleeve.
“Is this a seal?”
“Yes. Can you feel it?”
Sion oppa was getting off the carriage to prove our identities to the gatekeeper. I tilted my head at the strong energy I suddenly sensed.
“It’s really powerful.”
“Right?”
It also felt slightly aged. Being a seal created right after the war, the passage of time was inevitable.
After proving our identities, Sion oppa got back on the carriage. Using Hwilok’s power, the carriage lifted slightly and glided along the road.
Flying in the sky felt like a plane, but close to the ground, it felt like a maglev train from my past life.
While I was fascinated by the strange sensation, we arrived at the mansion.
“Let’s get off.”
We were staying at Baeksan’s private residence. Since relatives and guests were at the Hyunga and Baek family residences in the capital, Baeksan had specially offered us this place.
I got off the carriage and marveled at the residence.
“It’s beautiful…”
Baeksan’s residence was smaller and more charming than expected. Perfect for a few people rather than a crowd.
The roof shone with meticulous upkeep, the walls were high yet sunlight filled the rooms. Sitting at the table in the well-tended garden while drinking tea would be delightful.
The interior was lovely.
The walls, nearly white, exuded a warm feeling in the afternoon sun. Bright blue accents were placed tastefully throughout.
I ran my hand over the furniture in my room.
It was soft.
Every corner was rounded and carefully finished for comfort.
A small plant sat by the window.
Its green leaves thrived even in winter, adding life to the space. An outsider might think Baeksan had unexpectedly quiet tastes, but I knew better.
Bright without hurting the eyes.
Blue without being cold.
Fresh green plants ever-present.
After unpacking, I stepped into the small garden again and noticed something I hadn’t seen before.
The sky.
This small residence offered a remarkable view of the sky.
Anywhere Baeksan loved to fly, he could see.
Could we really stay here?
I could only imagine the care and thought Baeksan put into this place.
“This is delicious! The meat is amazing!”
The subtle loneliness I’d felt earlier was just my empty stomach.
The gentle melancholy vanished in front of the feast.
“You eat well, my little sister. Try this too.”
“Thank you, oppa. Hwilok, try this as well. Here.”
Capital cuisine was far more flavorful than Seolgok Island’s.
Perhaps due to better supply lines? The use of spices was incredible.
I ate fried chicken rolled in a sweet-spicy sauce and colorful stir-fried vegetables until full.
After eating, we went out. There was a night market nearby.
The crown prince’s birthday banquet was in two days, but the capital was already in a festive mood.
“I wish Sion oppa could have come too.”
“He has a prior engagement.”
Sion oppa couldn’t come due to guests visiting the Hyunga residence.
When Grandma retired, Sion oppa would naturally take the subhead of Hyunga, so he was destined to work hard.
I wore a light coat and wandered the market with Hwilok. The crowd was dense, but there were plenty of sights to enjoy.
“Ugh.”
Suddenly, a foul smell hit my nose.
I turned and saw a group shoving people on the street. The source of the stench was the brash man at the center.
“Even with the security bureau, what can you do? They can’t catch this guy.”
“They hide the evidence well. How can anyone catch him? There are rumors they even kidnap witnesses.”
“Shh, shh.”
Listening to the merchants, it was clear this was a bad man. Cunning enough that no one could catch him.
Sensing the danger, Hwilok pulled me close.
Ssshh…
Though it felt perverted, I had no choice if I wanted to survive.
I overcame the stench with my beloved fiancé’s scent. Seeing my state, Hwilok decided to return to the residence.
“Hyeon, are you okay?”
“It’s really worrying, but I’ll endure it for now.”
There was nothing I could do immediately. I reassured Hwilok and went to my bedroom, but…
“Whiuuuu…”
I couldn’t sleep. The stench lingered in my mind.
I transformed into a puppy and wandered the bed before finally falling asleep.
One villain already had me this anxious—how would I manage the royal palace?
“Piuuuu…”
But the next day, all my worries vanished.
After a nearly sleepless night, I went for a walk in my scruffy puppy form. Outside the wall, there was commotion.
The steward said that a well-known troublemaker in the capital had been found bound tightly by ropes that morning.
His misdeeds and accounts were displayed alongside him so everyone in the capital could see his crimes.
“Such a strange thing.”
“Yes. Someone had tied him with magic so tightly that it would take until noon to release him. Everyone went to the square to see.”
“Magic?”
Sensing something odd, Hwilok and I went to the square after breakfast.
And there he was.
The same stinking man from yesterday was bound!
I was startled but quickly closed my mouth—the smell was still awful.
Yet inside, I felt refreshingly satisfied.
It was like someone cleaned up a mess left by a drunk person or chugging soda from the bottle in a past life.
“Feeling better now?”
“Completely.”
I joked that I could eat five sweet potatoes in a row without choking, and Hwilok laughed.
“Oh, handsome.”
A passerby repeated my words, making me laugh.
My handsome fiancé’s face turned bright red.
