Episode 20
“Go to the market?”
I blinked in surprise. Out of nowhere, my master suggested a trip to the city market.
He pulled his hand away from my head and made a little poking gesture in the air with his finger.
“Think of it as an outing. You’ve been stuck training in the inner hall every day. Don’t you find it exhausting?”
“Well… yeah, you’re right.”
Honestly, he was.
On days when I really didn’t feel like training, forcing myself to keep going was pure torture.
Going out from time to time would definitely help clear my head.
“Are you coming with me, Master?”
“Sometimes I could, but lately I’ve been too busy…”
He glanced away.
Hmm.
Well, if I got some allowance money for the trip, I could buy gifts from the market anyway.
My eyes lit up.
“Then, Master! I’ll just go by myself!”
Suppose I had someone like Sister Yeji or another guard escorting me, even better.
Sure, going with my master would make it special, but even going alone to buy something would be nice.
“But… one thing.”
“One thing?”
“You’ll need a personal bodyguard. In fact, it’s about time you officially picked one.”
“My own bodyguard?”
“Yes. If you have someone permanently assigned to protect you, it’ll be much safer. I know it might feel a little uncomfortable having someone follow you everywhere, but it’s necessary.”
I paused.
As my master’s only disciple, my life was only going to get more dangerous.
A personal guard wasn’t just convenient—it was essential.
But still… me? Having someone follow me around all day? That felt a little too much.
“I mean… I’m fine as I am now.”
“Think it over carefully. A bodyguard isn’t just for safety—it’s also a way to strengthen your position.”
That made my eyes widen.
Right now, the only people who truly recognized me as the Grand Duke’s daughter were Master and the Jin clan.
If something ever happened to Master, I’d have no choice but to rely on the Jin family.
‘But I can’t fully trust them either. In the end, I need to build my own influence.’
Getting a guard could be the first step.
Through him, I could connect with other martial artists.
‘If my bodyguard is from the Black Gate Sect, I could use him to reach other fighters too.’
That changed things.
Having a strong guard at my side suddenly sounded like a really smart move.
“If you want, I can recommend some well-known experts. Or, you could visit the Martial Division yourself and choose someone you like.”
“Then… can I look around the Martial Division first, Master?”
“Of course. If you don’t like anyone there, just tell me.”
I nodded eagerly.
The thought of choosing my own personal guard made my heart beat faster.
But… how should I even pick one?
‘Strength is important, but they should be reliable too….’
A bodyguard’s job is long and tiring—they’d have to stick to me all day, watching closely to make sure nothing bad happens.
‘And their personality has to be good too… I don’t want someone I’ll end up fighting with every day.’
Ugh, too many conditions.
Would someone like that even exist?
Then a genius idea popped into my head.
My eyes widened.
‘Wait… this could work. This way, I’ll definitely pick the best one.’
“Hmm…”
I muttered, frowning as Yeji and the chief steward, Jin, watched nervously beside me.
A tall martial artist from the Black Gate’s Martial Division stood in front of me.
He had broad shoulders, his tied-up black hair gleaming in the sunlight.
He really did look the part of a proper warrior.
‘Focus, focus….’
I concentrated hard.
Immediately, flashes of his future zipped through my mind.
I saw him fighting bravely, becoming a great asset to the Black Gate.
He’d be respected by his comrades, survive countless bloody battles, and earn his place as a true hero.
Honestly, he was perfect for the job. No flaws at all.
But…
“Please show me the next candidate, Chief Jin.”
I smiled brightly, tugging on the steward’s sleeve.
He just laughed awkwardly.
“None of them are good enough for you, my lady?”
“No, no! They’re fine. But I think it’s only fair to meet all of the candidates you picked before I decide.”
“Well… that is more thorough, I suppose…”
He hesitated a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. We’ll continue.”
“Thank you, Chief Jin!”
I grinned, and he smiled back.
But after that, no one knew who came in.
“I apologize, my lady,” Jin said.
“There’s been… some trouble between the candidates. Please wait just a moment.”
“Trouble?”
All the servants in the room flinched.
Trouble? As in, a fight?
I frowned up at Jin.
“Does that kind of thing happen a lot?”
“Well… not usually, my lady…”
He didn’t seem to know the details either.
Then, a calm male voice came from the doorway.
“…I’m late.”
I turned my head.
A man with soft brown hair tied half-up stepped inside, glancing around.
He didn’t look like a swordsman at all.
Honestly, he looked more like a delicate orchid—graceful and beautiful, not someone who swung blades.
But he said he was late? So he was a candidate, too?
I noticed one of his sleeves hung especially long.
‘Hidden weapons, maybe? A sleeve for throwing knives?’
But Jin had told me most of the Martial Division were swordsmen, so maybe not.
“You dare waste the lady’s time? Even if you’re from the Moonlight Unit, such rudeness is unacceptable!”
Chief Jin’s angry voice thundered through the room.
He was terrifying when he scolded people.
But strangely, I wanted to hear what this man had to say.
The candidate bowed low.
“I’ll accept any punishment. I delayed her schedule for my own reasons.”
“Do you even realize what you’re saying!?”
The air grew tense.
I quickly stepped in before it got worse.
“I’m fine, Chief Jin. It’s just a small delay.”
“…hmph.”
“I really appreciate your concern, but you don’t need to be angry with me. Actually, I’d like to speak with him myself.”
“…Understood, my lady.”
Jin backed down, leaving space for us to talk.
Finally, I thought, now he’ll speak—
…
…
Nothing.
He just stood there in silence.
Every other candidate had rushed to boast about their skills, but this one? He just… stood.
I tilted my head, puzzled, then broke the silence.
“Um… could I ask your name?”
“…Wee…”
“Sorry?”
“…Wi Nan. My name is Wi Nanyeong.”
His low, slow voice was pleasant, but his introduction was about as unenthusiastic as it could get.
“And…?”
“…I belong to the Moonlight Unit.”
That was it.
No bragging, no explanations.
Just those two lines, and silence again.
‘Okay… never mind. My fault for being curious about someone like this.’
I shook my head quickly.
Still, he was different enough to spark my curiosity.
‘Fine then. Let’s see his future too…’
So I focused, letting visions rise—
And what I saw was strangely familiar…
(To be continued.)
