Chapter 6
“I’m Dang Liseo from Sichuan.”
A flinch.
The girl from the Namgung family recoiled as if she had been threatened.
“Si… Sichuan Dang family… huh…?”
“That’s right. I guess you’re from the Namgung family, huh?”
The Namgung girl reluctantly nodded, as though displeased with something, then pouted and rolled her eyes.
“Um… I’m Jegal Lin,” the girl in the dark-blue attire quickly introduced herself, sensing the awkward shift in the atmosphere.
“Nice to meet you, Lin.”
“And I’m Moyong Hye,” she added. “You probably guessed, but I’m from the Moyong family.”
Wink! The Moyong girl boldly winked, even though it was their first meeting.
“Looking forward to it, Hye.”
“I’m Peng Guyeon from Hebei!”
“Let’s get along, Guyeon.”
As everyone went around introducing themselves, the circle of introductions completed quickly.
Unable to remain isolated in the cheerful atmosphere, the Namgung girl reluctantly joined in, as though forced.
“…Namgung Yeonhwa.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Namgung.”
Namgung Yeonhwa suddenly widened her eyes and trembled slightly at her lips.
‘Why… why am I the only one called Miss Namgung?’
In truth, Namgung Yeonhwa had planned to embarrass Liseo by pointing out the rudeness of addressing her informally as “Yeonhwa,” just as Liseo had done with the others.
Yet now, being the only one addressed in a formal, distant manner, she felt a strangely stinging sense of disappointment.
‘What is this? Am I coming down with something?’
To Liseo, unaware of the inner thoughts, Namgung Yeonhwa’s sudden shiver merely looked like she was feeling unwell.
“You know… sure, the Leader is important, but I’m more excited about the Princes. They’ll probably come to the banquet tonight, right?”
Moyong Hye poked her cheek with a finger and pouted her lips in a deliberately cute, exaggerated gesture.
It was an unusual motion, yet she executed it with such natural charm it was almost disarming.
‘This girl… she’s exceptional.’
Liseo admired inwardly. Such behavior wasn’t merely a result of being pretty—it required true confidence, a fearlessness only top-ranking martial family daughters possessed, the kind of courage that could remain unshaken even in social crises.
‘As expected of martial arts family daughters. Bold and fearless.’
Namgung Yeonhwa, asserting her family’s name despite limited information, was impressive, but Moyong Hye, demonstrating charm so boldly among peers she’d never met, was equally remarkable.
Liseo worried whether she could fit in among such formidable companions.
“Hye… Princes?” Jegal Lin glanced around nervously, as if worried someone might overhear.
“You shouldn’t say that. We are, after all, the Leader’s concubines.”
“Honestly, who would even care?” Moyong Hye shrugged and chuckled.
“Really, among us, how many will truly receive the Leader’s favor? The Heavenly Demon has 13 sons and 6 daughters, with ten officially appointed wives already. Whether we remain chaste or not, the Leader wouldn’t care at all.”
“True. That makes sense.”
Liseo nodded, agreeing with Moyong Hye. Over the past few months, she had quietly gathered information about the Cult, and nothing Moyong Hye said contradicted her findings.
“Anyway, no matter what, I’m most looking forward to Prince Cheon Muhyeon. I hear he’s as handsome as Songok or Ban’an! After all, a man’s face matters the most, don’t you think?”
Peng Guyeon scoffed.
“Nonsense. A face is fine as long as it’s ordinary. A man should have strength, like Prince Cheon Mugang. Broad shoulders, thick arms—only then can he protect his woman in difficult situations.”
“Ah, so you prefer the second prince,” Liseo noted, observing the direction of the conversation.
‘I’ve definitely had a similar conversation before…’
Her memory was hazy—it had been so long.
“Who’s your favorite ♬♪?”
“Ah!”
A flash of realization struck Liseo.
‘Idols! To them, the Princes are idols!’
Indeed. This wasn’t just about evaluating the Cult Leader’s sons. Liseo’s response now could determine her social relations for the next thousand days!
‘If I act completely indifferent, they’ll think I’m ignoring them. I need to show some interest. But I mustn’t pick someone’s favorite… and I can’t pick someone in competition with them either.’
In this situation, it was safest not to single out any individual. The most secure choice would be a relatively neutral, popular leader-type…
“Hmph. I’m devoted only to the Leader,” Namgung Yeonhwa declared firmly.
‘Taken!’
“Why care about looks or physique? If I’m going to get a husband, he should be the best in the world. Only a man with supreme power is worthy to be my match.”
“Even if he’s over forty?”
“Closer to fifty, honestly.”
“Iik! Shut up! There are countless old men who’ve achieved nothing at that age. Youth isn’t everything!”
Namgung Yeonhwa punched the air in frustration.
‘Some girls just chase older men like that sometimes.’
Liseo smiled warmly, respecting Namgung Yeonhwa’s preference. In a way, it was a perfectly acceptable mindset for a concubine.
“And you, Liseo?”
The moment had finally arrived. Liseo felt a cold sweat trickle down her back.
Moyong Hye’s excited expression and the subtle attention from the others made her uneasy.
‘Stay calm. The most important thing—don’t pick a favorite that overlaps.’
The first prince, Cheon Muhyeon, was already claimed by Moyong Hye, and the second, Cheon Mugang, by Peng Guyeon. With the Leader herself blocked by Namgung Yeonhwa, the only option left was among the remaining princes.
‘Princes below the fifth are too young. They’re not suitable for this topic. That naturally leaves the third and fourth princes as candidates.’
The problem was Jegal Lin. She hadn’t revealed her favorite yet. Liseo had to deduce it.
‘The third prince, Cheon Mujin, is known for martial prowess but is a free-spirited type. The fourth, Cheon Museong, is calm and sociable, with many female friends.’
Liseo glanced at Jegal Lin. Small, slender, in a subtle dark-blue outfit, hesitant expression, timid posture.
It was hard to read her preference at a glance, but she seemed quiet and introverted.
‘She’s more likely to prefer the calm fourth prince than the free-spirited third.’
Decision made, Liseo boldly spoke:
“…I choose Prince Cheon Mujin.”
A ripple of shock spread among the girls.
“The third prince?!”
“Your taste is really unusual.”
Moyong Hye and Peng Guyeon covered their mouths in surprise.
Was it really that shocking?
“Of course! Prince Cheon Mujin… he’s famous as a wild one, isn’t he?”
