Chapter 20
“A hardworking person cannot beat someone who enjoys what they do.”
I like that saying.
Of course, working hard is important, but it’s when genuine passion is added that one truly succeeds.
But lately, I feel like I’ve discovered something beyond even the level of those who enjoy what they do.
Someone who has given up on everything.
The kind of person who disregards face, pride, and anything else, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.
I realized that these people are the scariest.
How did I come to this conclusion?
By watching Moyong Hye constantly approach me.
“Young Master, what do you think of me today?”
“Do I have to answer that?”
“Of course you do!”
“……”
Moyong Hye twirled around in her blue robe, the fabric fluttering. Her eyes, staring directly at me, seemed to demand an answer as they sparkled.
It was a familiar scene.
I knew that I’d be pestered until I gave an answer.
“It suits you well, Lady Moyong.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad. I searched everywhere in the city to find this! I wandered around for hours!”
She was practically bouncing with excitement.
“Then, how do I look? Seeing me dressed up like this… did your heart flutter a little?”
“No.”
“You’re too much!”
This had become a common occurrence.
Since the day she declared her intentions, Moyong Hye had been relentlessly trying to win me over. I had no intention of reciprocating, so I always turned her down.
Yet, just like a ball bouncing back with even greater force, she never seemed to want to stop.
“How was breakfast this morning?”
“It was alright.”
“Actually, I made it. Doesn’t that make me a good candidate as a bride?”
It had now reached the level of habit.
No matter where or what she was doing, Moyong Hye urged me to feel some sort of affection towards her—effortlessly, as if it were as natural as breathing.
It was futile, though.
‘Why is she doing this to such an extent?’
Someone like Moyong Hye had nothing to be dissatisfied about. She was beautiful, intelligent, and came from a powerful family. Why was she clinging to me?
‘Was it love at first sight?’
Maybe. Because it was the first time. If I was really the first person she ever felt romantically drawn to, then it might make sense.
First love is usually like that.
It has no reason.
No matter how brilliant a person is, it’s difficult to resist the feelings that swell from the heart.
They often call it “having rose-tinted glasses.”
First love is the extreme of that rose-tinted view.
It projects an illusion born out of one’s own presumptions, completely disregarding who the other person truly is.
That’s why it always ends in disaster, either by not coming to fruition or by failing even if it does.
Imagine falling for an older coworker you did part-time jobs with, only to find out later that she was a regular at nightclubs.
Just to clarify, that’s not my personal experience. Really.
‘It’s like going through the measles.’
It’s a temporary fever that will pass with time. That’s why ignoring it would be enough. Lately, I’d even come to view it as watching a younger sibling acting cute.
‘I just wish the Namgung Family would send their message already.’
There was a slight side effect, though. The way the Moyong Family members looked at me had grown colder.
“Who does he think he is, acting so arrogant just because he’s a guest?”
“All those Namgung Family people are like that.”
Watching me respond curtly every time, they seemed to be voicing their complaints among themselves about my rudeness.
About how I was being disrespectful to the eldest daughter of the family.
But so what?
I didn’t see any need to clear up their misunderstandings.
Once the Namgung Family contacted me, I’d have no reason to come back to this place anyway.
I just had to get through this quietly without causing trouble.
At least, that’s what I thought until Moyong Chun, who was supposed to be confined in the training quarters, showed up.
“What nerve do you have to wander around our estate?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
It was the first time I’d heard Moyong Hye speak so coldly, cutting off Moyong Chun as she blocked his way.
“Moyong Hye! How dare you speak like that to the Young Lord!”
“Don’t overestimate yourself. How did you manage to crawl out of the training quarters?”
“Hmph, do you not know that everyone in the family is on my side?”
Disobeying the family head’s orders to break out of confinement? Even though it had been a while since I last saw him, he was still as impressive as ever.
“Let me guess, you begged Mother again. It’s laughable that someone your age still hides behind her skirt.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t you realize you’re not in a position to boast right now? Do you even understand the situation?”
Moyong Hye was smiling, as if she found it more ridiculous than infuriating.
“To be honest, I’m grateful. The elders who’ve been backing you up will lose their justification now.”
“You’re laughing?”
“It’s laughable that I even tried to keep you in check. If your brain can’t even grasp something this simple, why not go and drown yourself in a bowl of water?”
Her sharp rebuke was unlike her usual self.
I had never noticed this side of her because she was always smiling.
Perhaps the true nature of the Moyong Family’s eldest daughter was this all along.
“There’s no need to listen to this any longer, Young Master. Shall we go have a meal?”
Moyong Hye bowed her head slightly, as if embarrassed by the unsightly scene.
Just as we were about to leave, Moyong Chun yelled after us.
“So now you’re clinging to Moyong Hye?”
“?”
What was he talking about all of a sudden?
“I knew it from the moment you started sniffing around Lady Yeon-hee. You want to cozy up to some prestigious family no matter what!”
“……”
“I can’t allow scum like you to stick around as a member of the Moyong Family!”
I suddenly felt sorry for Moyong Guk.
Just how much trouble must it have been raising someone like this?
“Seems like he hasn’t been beaten enough yet?”
“Wh-what did you say?”
As I raised my fist, Moyong Chun flinched and took a step back. His body still remembered the pain I had inflicted.
“Young Master, just consider it a dog barking. I’ll take care of it.”
Moyong Hye wanted to avoid the situation. Well, it made sense—Moyong Chun could only act like that because he had his own standing within the family. If Moyong Hye confronted him directly, it could cause unnecessary complications.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility.”
I had intended to just let it go, but the moment he mentioned Yeon-hee, I couldn’t hold back anymore.
I should at least earn my keep for all the drinks I received from Moyong Guk.
It’s time to fix his behavior.
***
“I Moyong Chun, formally challenge you to a duel.”
“Hah, looks like you’ve picked up some etiquette somewhere. Fine, I accept. But if you lose, you’ll admit your guilt without complaints!”
“Sure, sure. So, you’re accepting, right?”
“Of course!”
Moyong Chun was confident.
Back then, at Anhui Province, it was only because he was caught off guard.
‘He dared to attack me while I was greeting Lady Yeon-hee!’
Despicable bastard.
He had already erased from his mind that he was the one who struck first.
‘I’ll show you the fruits of my training!’
He had barely managed to endure the week-long seclusion training.
Moyong Chun, who had sweat and toiled for the first time in a long while, was certain of his victory.
Thud!
That is, until Lee Se-woong’s fist slammed into his temple.
‘This can’t be happening…’
Knocked down in a single blow, Moyong Chun felt his body and mind detach from each other, floating apart. Through his hazy consciousness, he saw Lee Se-woong’s fists raining down like hail.
Bam! Bam!
The blows pounded all over his body, as if evenly kneading every part. Moyong Chun gradually lost consciousness.
‘I should’ve stopped him.’
Watching from a distance, Moyong Hye regretted not intervening.
Sure, it felt satisfying to see Moyong Chun getting beaten up for his reckless behaviour.
But after all, this was an internal family matter.
It could get complicated if an outsider got involved.
-Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility.
But when she remembered Lee Se-woong’s words, softly whispered in her ear, she found herself nodding weakly, unable to do anything else.
Slap!
“Don’t ever mention Yeon-hee’s name again.”
“Ugh…”
“Answer me.”
“I… I got it.”
Lee Se-woong slapped the unconscious Moyong Chun awake and grabbed him by the collar, shouting fiercely.
It was the first time she’d seen him so emotional.
When he’d yelled at her for sneaking into his room, that seemed like a mere joke in comparison.
She’d never thought someone as calm as him could show such a side.
And the fact that it was because of someone else made her unhappy.
‘Namgung Yeon-hee…’
She repeated the name in her mind.
Yes, it all started as a trivial jealousy.
She had been curious why someone like Lee Se-woong, who never spared her a glance, would be so enamoured with Namgung Yeon-hee.
But soon she realized it.
It was just an excuse to fool herself because she had already fallen for him.
Lee Se-woong had already taken a place in her heart.
‘It’s not like it’s because of me.’
How wonderful it would be if he got this angry for her sake.
An impossible wish.
‘Is it because he met her first?’
Moyong Hye felt a tightness in her chest. A sticky, suffocating feeling that coloured her heart black.
It was something she never imagined she’d experience in her life—jealousy.
‘Namgung Yeon-hee…’
Who do you think you are?
For the first time, she had asked Shibi to do her makeup. She had also started paying attention to her appearance, which she used to keep formal and neat. With hands that had never been touched by even a drop of water, she had cooked.
All to win his favour.
But it was all in vain.
Because of Namgung Yeon-hee.
‘If I could just keep him here…’
It was definitely possible.
No matter how much Moyong Chun had provoked him, this was the Moyong Family’s territory. It would be easy to pin the blame on Lee Se-woong.
As long as she kept her mouth shut.
‘They say spending time together can create affection, even when there was none.’
She imagined it.
Lee Se-woong being unjustly held at the Moyong Family’s estate.
Only she would stay by his side as he raged against the unfair treatment.
After spending enough time together, wouldn’t he eventually turn his gaze to her?
“Young Master, stop now! If you leave it here, we can still clean this up!”
But how could she do that?
Elder Sister, didn’t you say that the first to fall in love loses?
For the first time, your words weren’t wrong.
“Ah, seriously. Did you forget that this is our family’s estate?”
“I lost my temper.”
“Those grumpy elders will hold you accountable even if it’s not your fault!”
“Seems I’ve put you in a tough spot, Lady Moyong. I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. What’s done is done, so what can we do?”
Lee Se-woong smiled awkwardly.
Seeing his lips naturally curve up, Moyong Hye thought.
‘Will you think of me sometimes?’
A small wish.
If Namgung Yeon-hee already filled his heart, she just hoped to occupy at least a tiny corner of it.
“Let’s confine him to the training quarters for about five years this time. We need to put an end to the family disgrace he’s been causing.”
“Will the Family Head allow that?”
“I’ll make sure he does!”
Moyong Hye replied firmly, trying to sound confident.
‘At least for now, we can still stay together.’
But to her dismay, the Namgung Family’s letter arrived the very next day.
—
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