Chapter 33. The Young Lady in the Wedding Dress
Seo-hyo tied a note to the ankle of the pigeon she used to exchange messages with A-hee and sent it off. It said, somewhat abruptly, that she would be holding a wedding with Cha-eon.
She had only written up to the part about them sharing a deep kiss, so from A-hee’s perspective, it must have felt like the story had suddenly jumped straight to marriage.
But that was simply how it was.
Even Seo-hyo herself couldn’t explain how things had ended up here.
She had thought Cha-eon was attractive, so she kissed him—and then things quickly spiraled out of control. Like a moth flying into fire, she had been ready to throw herself in completely, only for the butler to suddenly erect an impenetrable wall.
She had tried to figure out how to break it down.
And in the midst of all that, they had kissed.
Time spent in sweet affection led to his confession. A proposal, then marriage. By the time she came back to her senses after wandering dazedly through a dreamlike haze, she could only say she had somehow arrived here.
‘But where are they now?’
A-hee’s group had been traveling after thoroughly enjoying a festival in a neighboring country.
She hadn’t heard exactly where they were staying.
‘If they’re far away, they might not make it in time for the wedding.’
But Seo-hyo’s worry turned out to be unnecessary. It was something Cha-eon had already anticipated.
“They will definitely come. Absolutely.”
In some ways, Cha-eon seemed to understand A-hee better than Seo-hyo did.
As expected, A-hee appeared riding a muscular black horse. It wasn’t the kind of horse normally kept in stables—its coat shimmered, and its eyes burned with a longing for speed.
It was said to be a warhorse borrowed from the God of War.
“The God of War? You mean that horse that runs a thousand ri in a day? A divine steed?”
“We just happened to be near the border. After receiving Seo-hyo’s letter, we were terribly moved.”
“How did you even meet such a god?”
The God of War did not reside near the border. When Seo-hyo asked in confusion, A-hee only lifted her brows and smiled.
“Who do you think my husband is?”
“Du-cheok-nim.”
“And what is my husband’s divine role, Seo-hyo?”
“God of Fortune.”
Once she said it, everything made sense.
A-hee had married Du-cheok-nim precisely for moments like this. Sometimes Seo-hyo had that thought.
“We were lucky.”
As soon as A-hee finished speaking, her attendants burst into chatter, offering congratulations all at once. Seo-hyo’s mind nearly went blank from the noise.
“Congratulations, Seo-hyo!”
“Oh my, our Seo-hyo is getting married!”
“I always wondered why such a cute lady had been single for two hundred years!”
Hey—two hundred years is a bit much. I haven’t been single that long. Seo-hyo wanted to correct them, but she simply swallowed her words.
The group had already rushed over to Cha-eon, greeting him noisily.
They really were quick to switch moods.
“Anyway, Seo-hyo.”
A-hee smiled brightly and grabbed her hand.
“So you’re really going through with it. Marrying someone as scary as Cha-eon. Well, he’s handsome, but he is kind of terrifying.”
If you’re going to say something like that, maybe lower your voice.
But A-hee spoke at full volume, and Cha-eon—who had been standing expressionlessly nearby—glanced at her sharply.
“Look at that. He looks like he might throw me into a cauldron any second.”
“Then maybe lower your voice.”
“Well, at least he treats you well. That’s a relief.”
She spoke shamelessly, like an older sister seeing off a younger one who had married first. “Older sister,” indeed—everyone knew A-hee had been born after Seo-hyo.
“It’s a wedding! Leave the wedding feast to me, Seo-hyo!”
A-hee circled around Seo-hyo while laughing brightly.
It was ridiculous—but it also made her laugh.
She didn’t know anymore.
Seo-hyo also threw away all her worries and spun around with A-hee. As they jumped and twirled, even excitement she hadn’t felt before began to bubble up.
So this was why simple-minded A-hee always seemed so happy.
Meanwhile, A-hee even tried to grab Cha-eon’s hand and pull him into the circle—but received a sharp glare in return.
As expected, she muttered that Seo-hyo had married someone truly formidable: the festival goddess.
“Good heavens, look at this. Isn’t this Jinzhou silk that only produces five bolts a year?”
“Oh my, Seo-hyo! This place is like a treasure vault!”
“I’ve never seen so many jewels in my life.”
That was the reaction of the dancers looking at the dowry piled up in Seo-hyo’s room—and even spilling into storage rooms.
People who weren’t even interested in accessories had begun peeking into her room out of curiosity because the excitement was so loud.
Well… our butler did go a bit overboard.
Their reaction was understandable. It was practically enough to open a shop.
It truly was a treasure warehouse.
A-hee also looked impressed as she ran her hand over the fabrics.
“Cha-eon really went all out.”
“Don’t ask where he got the money. I’m told there are things I shouldn’t know.”
“I wasn’t going to ask. I’m not that curious.”
A-hee held up a red silk cloth under Seo-hyo’s face.
“What, did your butler rob the royal palace or something?”
“…Why do you assume Cha-eon can’t do that?”
“Well, I mean…”
A-hee quickly conceded and picked up another fabric.
The dancers clustered around her, offering opinions.
Seo-hyo stood there quietly like a doll.
She was used to this.
“I think deep red suits you better than bright red.”
“As expected of Lady A-hee, your taste is excellent.”
“It’s settled then.”
As they discussed and matched fabrics, they were already mentally designing a dozen dresses.
Even though Seo-hyo repeatedly said she didn’t need that many.
They see it, so they buy it.
They have it, so they make it.
In that regard, Cha-eon and these women weren’t so different.
Resistance was pointless.
It was probably easier to just accept being turned into a doll.
“Lady Seo-hyo, please! Let us make your wedding dress!”
“We cannot entrust such precious fabric to an ordinary seamstress. If you allow us, we will create a dress even the queen would envy!”
“I’ll do your hair!”
“I’ll do your makeup!”
“Lady Seo-hyo!”
They chimed together like chicks waiting to be fed.
Playing dress-up was clearly in their nature.
Seo-hyo hesitated.
A-hee smiled brightly.
“Trust me. Especially this one—she’s even been considered by the Goddess of the Inner Chambers as a successor.”
“…That sounds terrifying in its own way.”
“Cha-eon probably invited us for exactly this. So just give up, Seo-hyo.”
She said it with a cheerful smile.
Seo-hyo closed her eyes.
Either way, she needed the wedding dress.
Fine. She would become their doll.
“Alright. Do whatever you want.”
“Kyahaha! Thank you, Lady Seo-hyo!”
“Let’s start by taking measurements and deciding the design!”
That didn’t sound “light” at all.
And so the entire day passed exactly as expected—except for one thing.
They had planned for twelve outfits.
They were wrong.
It would be fourteen.
Why did Lady A-hee send me to do this errand?
Jungdal trudged toward Cha-eon’s room.
After past experiences, he still couldn’t treat Cha-eon casually like the others.
A-hee, unaware of this, stopped him.
“Bring Cha-eon. Tell him to come to Seo-hyo’s room.”
“Eh? Cha-eon-nim?”
“Yes. And make him come blindfolded. It’s a surprise for the groom—what’s the point if he sees everything beforehand?”
She handed him a long piece of cloth.
“Use this to cover his eyes.”
“Ugh, Lady A-hee…”
“Please, Jungdal.”
Sigh. So cheerful… yet so merciless to her subordinates.
Jungdal knocked carefully.
“U-um, Cha-eon-nim?”
Cha-eon glanced up from his account books. That cold glance made Jungdal step back instinctively.
“You’re not busy… are you? Lady Seo-hyo is asking you to come to her room.”
“If I am busy?”
“W-well… still…”
“I won’t break your neck. Speak comfortably.”
That made it worse.
“Who called me?”
“Lady A-hee.”
“She told me to go to the young lady’s room?”
“Yes, yes.”
“…Hah.”
Cha-eon brushed back his hair.
Then he looked toward the window and murmured calmly.
“So the wedding clothes must be ready.”
“Hiiik.”
Even though A-hee said it was a surprise, Cha-eon—who hadn’t even approached the room—already figured it out.
He smiled faintly at Jungdal’s distress.
“Your master is predictable.”
He stood up.
When Jungdal tried to step forward first, Cha-eon stopped him and picked up a pink cloth.
The smile on his face vanished instantly.
His gaze changed in an instant.
“You’re not planning to put that over my eyes, are you?”
Jungdal couldn’t answer.
Cha-eon continued coldly:
“Good. Knowing when to restrain yourself is a virtue. It would be unfortunate to break your nose twice in a year.”
Jungdal obediently folded the cloth.
Only then did Cha-eon look somewhat satisfied and leave the room.
Before the door even opened, excited voices spilled out from inside.
“She looks perfect!”
“So beautiful!”
Compliments poured through the door.
Cha-eon stood there and listened for a while.
Of course.
They were right.
Even without doing anything, she was already beautiful—so how beautiful would she be in a wedding dress?
He pressed a hand to his chest, which felt strangely tight.
Was he ready?
Ready to see her?
The wedding hadn’t even happened yet. This was just a fitting.
If he was already like this, what would the actual wedding day be like?
A groom chewing calming medicine…
Would he be the first of his kind?
“…Cha-eon-nim?”
Jungdal spoke when Cha-eon didn’t move.
Cha-eon finally stepped forward and entered.
Inside, A-hee’s group turned in surprise.
“You were supposed to come blindfolded!”
“Hmm. That sounds like something A-hee would come up with.”
Cha-eon cut her off casually.
“It’s finished.”
A-hee tried to explain everything, but Cha-eon’s eyes slowly narrowed.
She stopped immediately.
“One more word and I might hit you.”
Still smiling brightly.
Cha-eon exhaled slowly.
“Remove the curtain.”
The dancers pulled back the veil.
And there she was.
Seo-hyo, in a brilliant red wedding dress.
Unlike traditional straight-cut dresses, a wide silk sash emphasized her delicate waist. Floral embroidery bloomed across the fabric like petals in motion.
The deep red silk made her fair skin glow even more.
Her flushed cheeks made her breathtakingly beautiful.
“…Well? Isn’t she beautiful? Right? Isn’t our work amazing?” A-hee asked excitedly.
Cha-eon said nothing.
Silence stretched.
“Cha-eon? Say something!”
But even when urged, he remained still.
Then Seo-hyo spoke softly.
“Is something wrong?”
Her shy voice was sweet like honey.
“I did a little makeup too. Maybe it looks strange…”
“It’s not strange at all!” the dancers insisted.
Cha-eon finally stepped closer.
Up close, she was so beautiful it felt like his chest was tightening.
He lightly touched her braided hair.
“…”
Seo-hyo added softly:
“A-hee said not to change my hair before the wedding day.”
“…I haven’t said anything yet.”
Cha-eon murmured.
“I thought asking you to wear a blindfold was ridiculous…”
His gentle gaze lingered over her.
“But it makes sense now.”
Seo-hyo blinked.
“What do you mean?”
Cha-eon smiled faintly.
“I can see why I was told to wear one.”
“That’s probably because—”
“I think I might go blind from how bright you are.”
His words landed softly, effortlessly.
Everyone froze.
Even A-hee’s jaw dropped.
Jungdal looked completely lost.
“You’re beautiful, my lady.”
Seo-hyo lowered her eyes and smiled gently.
The room grew unbearably sweet.
A-hee swayed.
“Should we… leave?”
“Maybe?”
“Yeah…”
Even the servants who never noticed subtlety began to retreat.
And thus, the room emptied.
Cha-eon looked satisfied—for the second time that day.
