Chapter 61
“You didn’t get to eat because of me, did you?”
“How did you know…?”
No way, was he watching over me instead of leaving back then?
I was so startled that I hesitated, and Jeok I-geon personally placed the confectionery in my hand.
“You did well yesterday. Even better than I expected.”
“Thank you.”
When he was teaching, he was as fierce as a tiger of an instructor, but now that it’s over, he’s giving me compliments?
“Oh! Since you’re here, I might as well tell you directly.”
Having received the confectionery, I proudly pointed to the dumplings wrapped in a cloth.
“These are dumplings my grandmother made. I brought them for you, Second Young Master.”
“Didn’t you say your grandmother runs a noodle shop?”
“She used to, but after people who tried her dumplings kept asking her to sell them, she started making and selling them as well. They’re absolutely amazing!”
I guarantee that once you eat these dumplings, you won’t be able to settle for just any other dumplings.
“My grandmother and I stayed up all night making these. I wanted to express my gratitude for all the guidance you’ve given me.”
“…You made them?”
“Yes. I’ve been making dumplings since I was little, so I’m quite good at it.”
So you can trust that they’re safe to eat.
To reassure Jeok I-geon, I deliberately gave him a bright smile.
Huh?
But his reaction seemed… off.
Why was he glaring at the dumplings all of a sudden?
Did he think I poisoned them?
I already know you have Antidote Pearls. Why would I even bother with such a thing?
There’s a limit to how much you can disregard someone’s sincerity.
“Should I taste them first?”
“Are you asking me to share a meal with you?”
“Huh? No, that’s not what I—”
“Very well. Let’s have breakfast together at Yeong-eun Pavilion.”
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
At Jeok I-geon’s command, So-ok quickly grabbed the dumpling bundle and dashed toward Jamigwan.
I didn’t even have a chance to stop her. I was swept up by Jeok I-geon, and by the time I came to my senses, So-ok was already a tiny dot in the distance.
What exactly is happening here?
“Hmm.”
I thought I wouldn’t have to see Jeok I-geon anymore, yet here I am, sitting across from him at the crack of dawn.
With my grandmother’s steaming dumplings between us.
I never intended to eat these together when I packed them…
“They are delicious.”
As expected, Jeok I-geon was thoroughly enjoying the dumplings, swallowing them down one after another.
Are you even chewing before gulping them down? Can you even taste them like that?
“The slightly spicy aftertaste is quite unique.”
Wait, did he secretly learn mind-reading or something?
His words were so eerily in sync with my thoughts that I flinched.
“They melt in your mouth… These are the best dumplings I’ve ever had.”
“Right? I grew up eating these, so I can’t eat dumplings from anywhere else.”
Even in this ridiculous situation, hearing the praise made me feel good.
I knew it—our Shin Geum’s dumplings could win anyone over.
“But why aren’t you eating?”
“I ate a lot last night, so I’m not hungry. Please, enjoy them, Second Young Master.”
The speed at which the dumplings were disappearing was record-breaking.
If I joined in with my chopsticks, there wouldn’t be enough for Jeok I-geon to fill his stomach.
So-ok must have understood my thoughts, as she quietly withdrew.
She probably went to bring back the share I had set aside for her.
‘I shouldn’t have brought up the dumplings.’
Regret hit me, but it was already too late.
Wow, he really finished them all by himself.
As expected of Jeok I-geon! You’re incredible!
I was silently paying tribute to Jeok I-geon’s stomach when So-ok approached and handed me a letter.
“Lady Shin Seol-ha, Third Young Master has sent you a letter.”
A letter? Out of nowhere?
What could he possibly have to say to me?
I snorted and opened the letter, but suddenly, I felt a chilling gaze from across the table.
“You and Hui-gyeom exchange letters?”
“What?”
“What reason does that bastard have to send you a letter this early in the morning?”
“Exactly. I have no idea either. This is the first time he’s ever written to me.”
Under Jeok I-geon’s sharp glare, I found myself rambling in my defense.
“You swear that’s true?”
“Of course! What kind of fool would dare lie in front of you, Second Young Master?”
“Then open it. I need to know what it says.”
“Yes.”
…Wait, hold on.
This is Yeong-eun Pavilion, and the letter was addressed to me, so why do I have to open it in front of Jeok I-geon?
Isn’t this a blatant invasion of privacy?
I’m not even a servant anymore.
“Hurry up and check.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even as my mind screamed rebellion, my body instinctively obeyed.
I unfolded the letter and began reading.
“…What?”
What the hell is this?
Who’s coming?
The content of the letter was so absurd that I doubted my own eyes.
“What is it?”
“Take a look at this. The heirs of the Six Great Demon Clans are coming to greet me today. Is this for real?”
“So today was the day?”
“Second Young Master, you knew about this too?”
“You heard it back then as well, didn’t you?”
“When was that?”
“It was while we were practicing martial arts. Seo Ryeon informed us. Do you not remember?”
Since I looked about ready to jump in shock, Jeok I-geon, uncharacteristically, explained it to me calmly.
However—
“Not at all. I don’t even have fragments of a memory about it.”
“You did seem too focused on blocking my attacks to pay attention…”
Excuse me.
Then you should have told me again later when I wasn’t fighting for my life!
What kind of sudden disaster is this?
I thought I could finally relax after the martial arts competition, and now I have to entertain guests?
And not just any guests—these are the heirs of the Six Great Demon Clans.
They were practically the purest of the pureblood elites within the Demonic Cult.
They weren’t just any privileged nobles—they were on a whole different level from me.
And six of them were all coming together… just to see me?
Ugh.
‘I really hate this!’
I could already feel a headache forming.
“But what does the visit of the Six Great Demon Clans’ heirs have to do with Hui-gyeom?”
“Oh, he sent word that he plans to attend the gathering as well.”
“On whose authority?”
Of course, Jeok Hui-gyeom just decided that on his own.
From my perspective, whether there were six guests or seven made little difference.
I was just worried about how to handle the conversation as the host of Yeong-eun Pavilion.
First, I needed to ensure that the preparations were flawless.
I immediately called for So-ok, explained the situation, and asked her to pay extra attention since this was the first social gathering being held in my residence.
Luckily, since So-ok had experience working at Jamigwan, she was well-versed in hosting banquets.
“I should be there too.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I can’t leave this to chance.”
“What exactly are you worried about? I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine.”
It wouldn’t be strange for Jeok I-geon to be present, but if I had to focus on handling the heirs of the Six Great Demon Clans, it would be better if he weren’t there.
If he got annoyed and started a fight, things could get out of hand real fast.
‘I really don’t want a bloodbath at my first social gathering.’
With Jeok I-geon, it wasn’t just a question of pros and cons—it was a matter of whether someone might die.
I must have reacted a bit too strongly without realizing it.
“…Hui-gyeom can come, but I can’t?”
Huh?
How did the conversation take such a strange turn?
I never invited Jeok Hui-gyeom either!
I stared at Jeok I-geon in disbelief as he completely ignored my question and instead gave me a serious warning.
“Every word you speak at the gathering will be relayed directly to the Six Great Demon Clans. They will want to gauge your opinions, your future plans, and your level of martial arts. Some might even provoke you on purpose just to see how you react.”
“Basically, they’ll be testing me?”
The official reason was that the heirs were coming to greet the first disciple of the Heavenly Demon.
“They want to determine whether you’re someone they can bring over to their side.”
“Hmm… I doubt I’ll be of much use to them.”
“That’s what you think.”
In the original story, neither Heavenly Demon Jeok Yeo-gwang nor Jeok I-geon had any disciples.
Which meant I had no way of knowing what was about to unfold.
“The gathering will take place over lunch, so I’ll return then. Make sure you’re prepared.”
“Understood.”
The moment Jeok I-geon left, So-ok rushed over.
“Seol-ha! We need to get you changed!”
“Huh?”
“As my mother always says, a woman needs beauty to hold her ground!”
“Who says that?”
“My mom.”
…Was So-ok always like this?
Her eyes were gleaming in a way that made me slightly nervous.
“Your face is already a weapon, but let’s find you the best armor!”
My face is a weapon, and my clothes are armor?
That was a new one.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“The Jamigwan ladies are all fired up too.”
“Why?”
“They don’t want you to seem lesser in front of the Six Great Demon Clans’ heirs. They’re putting all their effort into creating some legendary dishes.”
Pfft!
I had only asked them to prepare a neat and elegant meal.
I didn’t expect such passionate support from people who had once been in my position.
“I should treat them to something big later.”
“First, let’s get to the wardrobe!”
Right. If this had to happen eventually, better to get it over with quickly.
So-ok was practically in her element.
She was darting around so quickly that even with my martial arts training, I struggled to keep up.
“So-ok, calm down a little…”
“I don’t know whether to go with purple, but this one might be better!”
She picked an outfit and dressed me in it, beaming as she clapped her hands in satisfaction.
“Wow, Seol-ha! You look stunning! You don’t even look human—you’re like a doll!”
I didn’t know So-ok had such talents.
After changing into a bright and elegant outfit and applying makeup, even I had to admit I looked quite decent.
I fastened the butterfly-shaped hairpin I had received from the Heavenly Demon in my hair and wore a red jade bracelet on my wrist.
My self-esteem suddenly shot up—clothes really do make the person.
At the very least, I wouldn’t lose out in terms of appearance.
The unease and anxiety that had built up after receiving Jeok Hui-gyeom’s letter gradually transformed into confidence.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment