Chapter 59
It wasn’t simply a chill — it was a cold that carried a murderous intent. How many people in this mansion would actually hold murderous intent toward me?
Ah, of course there were still elders who didn’t like me, but they wouldn’t go so far as to want to kill me.
‘Who is it?’
I wasn’t the only one who felt it; Johan and Ludias also turned their heads and scanned the area.
We looked everywhere around us but, apart from us, there was no one in sight. Then—
“Curious why you acted so rude.”
A low voice sounded above our heads. Even without looking up I knew whose voice it was.
When I did look, as I’d expected, I saw Jeyus. He was overlooking us from the skybridge that led to the annex, looking surprisingly relaxed compared to the tone of the voice.
I didn’t know if he’d known I was here and come on purpose, or if he’d just happened to pass by and seen us, but when did that guy start watching me?
“Jeyus.”
At my calling his name, Jeyus immediately wiped the chill he’d been emitting away and grinned.
Then he jumped straight out from the window. The drop was high enough that I flinched automatically, but he landed lightly and effortlessly.
It was needless worry. He wouldn’t get hurt from falling from that height.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why were you staring at us secretly? And giving off all that cold air.”
“Oh, you felt it?”
Oh, you felt it? Who are you kidding. He’d been deliberately emitting it—so why suddenly act like he didn’t know?
Where had the quiet, stern boy I remembered gone? Only childishness remained.
Jeyus swung his long legs and came closer, glancing over my shoulder.
“These are faces I didn’t see yesterday.”
He put the same chill that had hit the back of my head back on, his expression and tone turning icy in an instant.
Wait—so you’d been watching me secretly? How do you know so well?
“Of course they’re faces you didn’t see. They were chosen today.”
“Chosen for what?”
“My bodyguard and new swordsmanship teacher.”
“Teacher?”
Jeyus turned his gaze back to me and raised an eyebrow before letting it fall.
He was protesting to me because he didn’t like it. He’s my guard, so I can decide! That’s what he meant.
“You’re already here, so why?”
“What?”
What is he saying now? I frowned.
Does he think my safety is guaranteed because he’s around? What is he basing that certainty on?
Ah, of course… I understand why he says that. Jeyus has strength and power.
But that’s yours. If you leave this mansion, it’s useless to anyone.
And above all, I didn’t want to be someone who had to be guarded by others anymore. I would protect my own body!
“I’m by your side, aren’t I?”
Jeyus pressed my deeply furrowed brow with his index finger as he spoke.
I caught his wrist and pulled it down. He offered no resistance and was easily drawn nearer.
“Don’t say that if you’re not going to be around forever.”
“If you give permission, it’s not impossible.”
“Hey, you….”
I stopped mid-sentence because a thought popped into my head.
Jeyus’s feelings toward me. Looking back at everything he had done and said to me, it wasn’t all casual—no, I’d been pretending not to notice.
Jeyus must have expected I’d think about this someday and had said it deliberately. Besides, after his growth he’d been showing his feelings rather directly.
I thought those things had happened a long time ago, but the thing Jeyus did to me had been only a day ago.
“…You’re in the way. Go.”
“I don’t want to be hated, so I’ll do as you say.”
Jeyus smiled at me. It was a smile that reached his eyes, not just the small curve he usually wore at the mouth.
It wasn’t as bright as the sun, but seeing him smile like that for the first time made me slightly stunned.
Only for a moment. His face grew cold again and he looked behind me.
“But.”
“…”
“I haven’t heard your answer yet.”
At the end of the place Jeyus was looking toward stood Johan.
Johan was twisting his face slightly, balling his fist, the hostility plain as day.
He’d realized he didn’t stand a chance against Jeyus and kept quiet. Even if he could fight, as the next head of another house he still couldn’t do anything; protocol and family rank would stop him.
‘Sigh, still—this is a bit much.’
I knew why Jeyus was doing this petty, out-of-place thing.
Setting aside the man being at my side, he disliked anyone else touching me. It was less jealousy than obsession… I wasn’t sure.
Anyway, intending to chase Jeyus away, I jabbed his ribs with my elbow.
Jeyus wrapped my elbow with his hand and brought his arm up, stroking my shoulder and the back of my neck.
Then he grabbed the other shoulder and pulled me so I ended up in his arms.
Startled, I tried to push him off, but the hand around my shoulder tightened.
“There’s one thing you don’t know.”
Jeyus leaned down and pressed his face close to my ear.
At that moment, something soft brushed my earlobe. I knew exactly what it was, and my face burned.
“I found out this time too.”
“…”
“I’m actually pretty jealous. I hate petty things, you know.”
After saying that, Jeyus gently released me.
Because of that second soft touch, I quickly covered my left ear.
I didn’t need a mirror to know my face had gone crimson. Yesterday and today—why the sudden forwardness!?
“You…!”
I wagged a finger at Jeyus, but didn’t know what to say, so I repeated the same words.
“I’m really going now. See you later.”
Giving me a grin, Jeyus waved briefly and left.
Seeing him walk away so light-footed, I seethed with irritation inside. Who is making my head so complicated right now!?
I clenched my fist and shouted up at the sky.
“Ugh!”
See you later my foot! Don’t come, not ever!
Time passed and the White Wine Festival (Baeksulje) was now just around the corner.
After tonight and tomorrow, this year’s Baeksulje would start.
Although it’s held every year, there was always something new to see, so the atmosphere in the mansion was as excited as the marketplace.
“Night market?”
“Think of it as a pre-festival night event you can enjoy before the festival.”
“It starts tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Oh?”
Ludias, who’d been rubbing my calf because of muscle soreness, perked up at the info.
Even though the festival itself would have plenty of delicious things, the night market would offer a different taste and entertainment.
Going at night would be more romantic and atmospheric with the glimmers and lights, wouldn’t it?
“I want to go too.”
“I’ll take the escort duty.”
As soon as I said that Johan snapped up the offer. I was about to accept but closed my mouth.
There was one thing that troubled me even though going out wasn’t a problem.
Lately, the cycles of my growth pains had been getting shorter. If before the pains appeared only at night or early morning, now they struck at any time.
That was why Jeyus was always on standby near me. He might not be in my view at all times, but he could reach me the moment I had pain.
‘Jeyus being here is because of me… but he’s like a clingy piece of gum who never lets go!’
Even my father, who disapproved of Jeyus, didn’t stop him. Precisely, he couldn’t—he probably thought it was better than me being in pain.
I knew he did it for me… but still, he should protect my privacy!
He didn’t interfere overtly, but what was he going to do if someone like Johan gave me a cold glare while being at my side?
Strangely, Johan took that glare and yet still held his ground at my side. His persistence was both strange and amusing.
“Maybe Jeyus will come too.”
“That’s fine.”
Even though I shook my head, Johan showed firm determination.
He’d tried to stop it before—what could I do if he insisted on staying by my side even with Jeyus there?
For them, guarding me was their job, so I couldn’t scold them.
If anyone deserved the scolding, it was Jeyus. Don’t bother my people.
“All right. Then let’s go together later!”
“Yes. I’ll prepare what’s needed in advance.”
I couldn’t say I wasn’t worried. But I thought maybe if I mediated things it would work out.
I realized how naive that thought was when we stepped out of the mansion to leave for the night market.
Johan, whom I expected to be by my side, was nowhere to be found—only Ludias remained.
Just before boarding the carriage I quietly asked Ludias,
“Rudi, where’s Johan?”
“The family head called him, so I don’t think he can come.”
“Dad? Why?”
“I’m not sure about that…”
Well, Ludias couldn’t be expected to know the reason.
I didn’t know why my father had called Johan, but it felt off. Something smelled bad—suspicious.
When Jeyus appeared at my side to escort me, Ludias stepped back. I looked at Jeyus with a suspicious glare.
He tilted his head as if nothing had happened and made eye contact with me.
“…Right?”
“What?”
“…”
I suspected he’d intervened somehow, but had no proof. So I didn’t press further and got into the carriage.
Jeyus was the type who tried to get Johan away from my side by any means. He probably had his hand in it again this time.
But why involve my father in it? I hoped it wasn’t the case—but it would be bad if it was…
‘Did he find something to blackmail him with?’
Nah, come on. Would the head of the Baekryong family be blackmailed by the heir of another house? No way.
I shook my head and looked out the window.
Normally, the territory is dark and quiet at night. But tonight it looked completely different.
It wasn’t lit only by moonlight; twinkling lights and decorations made it glow with vitality.
‘They look happy…’
Men and women, old and young, all wore smiles and shared warmth. It made my heart feel warm too.
So I couldn’t forget what I had to do for them.
I had to root out the internal enemy who aimed at my family, specifically at me as the next head. That had to be solved for the happiness and safety of the people.
If someone within the mansion was targeting me, it was the same as threatening the people of the territory.
‘…Roel.’
To do that I needed to meet Roel as soon as possible—he might know my secret. I also had to settle things with the elders.
Once the festival ended and my pheromones stabilized and I safely became an adult, I would meet Roel first by any means.
But where would I find him?
