Chapter 9
So Cheonlim, the second son of So Hyeokho, heir of Biwon Pavilion, and Shina’s father, answered his father cautiously.
“Shina’s treatment should come first. It would be right to settle the children’s faults afterward. However, I hope that, for the time being, Mando and Shina are kept apart.”
He knew that if he spoke recklessly and provoked his father’s anger, it would only harm Shina.
Father would be disappointed in Mando. The mere fact that Shina collapsed, and that I had to return multiple times leaving the dispatches to others…
Cheonlim had focused on his daughter’s care, which had diminished his influence at the dispatch bureau, and he had long since lost the trust of So Hyeokho.
After finally giving up his official duties, Cheonlim had no further assignments from the dispatch bureau, and naturally, his standing in both the bureau and the family had decreased. Yet he had accepted it.
Today, however, he deeply regretted it.
He could not openly criticize Baeklim and Mando in front of the head of the bureau.
Even if he tried to judge who was right or wrong, Baeklim and Mando—the tacit successors of the bureau—could not be punished.
If I had acted better…
Baeklim would not have been so arrogant, and Mando would not have behaved like a beast behind a mask.
“So all you want is that?”
“Father! Why do you keep asking? Cheonlim, you speak well. The problem arises because Shina keeps lingering in front of Mando. A girl so physically weak shouldn’t be wandering outside like that. Send her far away to recuperate.”
Though he said it was for her recovery, Baeklim’s true intention was to push her far from the dispatch bureau.
Cheonlim, though he loved his daughter, was not a fool. He immediately noticed Baeklim’s dark intention and bristled.
“Brother! Sending Shina away when she hasn’t even mastered martial arts—is that care? You’re just pushing her into danger!”
Cheonlim’s patience snapped.
“Father, this is clearly Mando’s fault.”
Hyeokho nodded, as if agreeing with Cheonlim, causing Baeklim to tremble.
If left unchecked, Mando would take the full blame.
To confine a child who needed vigorous outdoor activity to the pavilion—it would ruin her future.
Baeklim glared at Cheonlim. Though Hyeokho’s presence made him wary, he could no longer ignore Cheonlim’s words.
Shina was behaving as if she were the sole victim—what nonsense!
“Mando’s fault? Shina must have pushed him to use his fists! All they do is waste food…”
“Brother! That’s enough!”
“Silence!”
Cheonlim’s words were cut short by Hyeokho’s thunderous command.
Baeklim flinched, and Cheonlim stiffened.
A tense silence settled over Wolhwa Hall.
Baeklim carefully considered how he could resolve the matter without Mando suffering consequences.
The answer was simple: As long as father doesn’t intervene.
Cheonlim and Shina could not match Baeklim or Mando’s power.
A person of little consequence had no say, wherever they went.
“Father is right. The matter between Mando and Shina is for us, the parents, to resolve. I will call Shina and Mando separately…”
“No need.”
Hyeokho cut him off.
“The parties are already present.”
His gaze fell upon the door.
“Excuse me?”
Baeklim tilted his head, confused, noticing a small shadow moving beyond the door.
“Come in.”
With Hyeokho’s permission, the door opened, and Shina entered.
Her pale face made each step seem like a struggle, yet she persevered, kneeling beside Cheonlim.
“Shina, don’t push yourself too hard.”
Cheonlim looked at her with deep concern. No matter how optimistically he viewed her, she could not yet be considered fully recovered.
“You came because you’re okay, right, Shina?”
Baeklim asked, feigning worry. It was all pretense—Shina needed to appear well so that Mando’s blame would be lessened.
Shina, sensing the deception, coughed deliberately to show she was not fine.
“Cough, cough.”
“Shina!”
“Jangmu! What are you doing?! Bring water at once!”
Cheonlim wrapped his arm around her shoulders, while Hyeokho quickly summoned Jangmu, who was as close as a personal aide.
Even one usually calm could not remain unmoved as his young granddaughter, pale-faced, coughed before him.
“Father, Grandfather, I’m fine… Really. I’m more sorry for worrying you.”
Shina’s pale face did not hide her sincerity.
“Shina, we can sort out right and wrong later. For now, you must rest.”
Cheonlim held Shina protectively, anxious.
Shina pushed him lightly, sat upright, and said:
“There’s an order to things, Father. Right, Grandfather?”
Hyeokho’s eyes narrowed slightly; her statement was not wrong.
Meanwhile, Jangmu brought warm water and set it before Shina, but she ignored it and continued.
“Grandfather, it’s all my fault.”
Cheonlim’s eyes widened.
“See! I knew it. Now everything is over, Father.”
Baeklim laughed, relieved that Shina’s words cleared the tension he felt.
Shina smiled inwardly at Baeklim—though it was far from over.
“Even if you are my granddaughter, you must face consequences if you’ve done wrong. If what you say is true, Mando is innocent. Are you saying you will bear full responsibility for today’s disaster?”
Shina clenched her fists.
Since Hyeokho had openly discussed punishment and responsibility, she would not back down.
Yet even if it meant taking the blame herself, Shina had someone she needed to protect.
She had come here, exhausted and ill, to do exactly that.
“Yes. It is my fault.”
Hyeokho’s expression shifted to one of curiosity; he had already heard what had happened from Jangmu.
“What fault did you commit?”
“My crime is theft.”
“…!”
Hyeokho’s eyes widened at her unexpected answer.
“Shina… whose property did you steal?”
Cheonlim fidgeted, unsure how to respond.
Shina gripped his sleeve gently, steadying him, and stared at Hyeokho unwaveringly.
“Grandfather.”
Hyeokho narrowed his eyes.
“I haven’t lost anything.”
“Yes. I didn’t steal what you possessed—I stole what should belong to me.”
Hyeokho’s interest was piqued.
‘What she says should belong to her…’
“…It seems you need to explain in detail.”
Hyeokho adjusted his posture, signaling he would listen seriously.
“If possible, I would like to speak with you alone, Grandfather.”
Hyeokho stared at her intently, surprised.
Such a small, frail child meeting his gaze so directly—none of his other grandchildren could do so for even ten seconds.
Baeklim, Mando—who boasted of martial skill—and Cheonlim’s eldest son, Chundo, were all alike.
Yet Shina, admitting her fault, met his eyes confidently.
She has grown braver since waking from her coma.
Hyeokho understood more than just her health—he also saw her courage in dealing with Mando and the situation.
He had known of the children’s conflicts but had not intervened, trusting they would resolve matters themselves.
Now, seeing Shina face him directly, he was both surprised and greatly satisfied.
“Both of you, leave.”
“Father!”
Cheonlim protested, but Hyeokho did not even glance at him.
Baeklim quickly pulled Cheonlim up, and the two left.
Shina looked at her father as they left and smiled reassuringly.
Don’t worry, Father.
Her smile, meant to ease him, unexpectedly shattered Cheonlim’s composure.
Reluctantly, Cheonlim followed, leaving Hyeokho and Shina alone in Wolhwa Hall, surrounded by quiet silence.
