1120 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

How exactly are these relationships even working? 'Nam Gung Jin is quite taken with that young lady, Mi.' Hyun So Yeon, who is engaged to Nam Gung Jin... '...preferred his half-brother, Goesun?' And Hyun So Yeon, suspected to be Nam Gung Bi Ah's mother, actually has feelings for Nam Gung Hyeong? ‘Wow.’ This is a complete mess, isn’t it? The situation was utterly absurd. Mi Hyo Ran and Nam Gung Jin are certain. But what's the deal with Nam Gung Hyeong and Hyun So Yeon? Of course... 'It doesn't seem like Mi Hyo Ran is interested at all though.' Mi Hyo Ran shows no interest in Nam Gung Jin. That makes sense; otherwise, she wouldn’t have married his father. The problem is... 'What about Nam Gung Hyeong?' What’s Hyun So Yeon thinking? This is just my assumption, but could it be true? If so… ‘…how did this happen?’ In the future, Hyun So Yeon ends up marrying Nam Gung Jin. Nam Gung Bi Ah is born, then. And Nam Gung Hyeong... 'He runs away.' Whenever that happens, he runs away, eventually becoming Goesun. So, it seems they aren’t meant to be together after all. The situation was intriguing. Such things had occurred. ‘Of course, it might be a bit different from how it originally was….’ But looking at it now, is there really a big difference? Wait. ‘...Shouldn’t we have left those two alone then?’ Calling each other sister-in-law and young master seemed indifferent, but isn’t this a bit dangerous? ‘Not that it’s my business to worry about.’ While questioning these things... Snap. ‘...!’ I felt a presence. I instantly knew who it was. “What are you doing here?” It was Hyun So Yeon. “Why did you come down?” I asked since she had been with Nam Gung Hyeong, and she tilted her head in response. “You cooked, so shouldn’t I come down? What would I be doing up there?” “….” It was a sensible reply, leaving me speechless. Indeed, that makes sense. ‘You’re right.’ I wondered if I was just overthinking things. “Why?” Hyun So Yeon asked, and I calmly replied, half-jokingly. “Oh, I thought maybe you had feelings for this Gong Ja. I made a futile assumption—.” “That’s correct.” “…I mean, is that correct?” “Yes. Why?” She simply nodded. “Is something the matter?” “…That's really strange. Does that even make sense?” There is something odd about admitting to liking your fiancé's brother, isn’t it? “Haha.” Hyun So Yeon laughed at my words. “People can like others, they just shouldn’t be greedy. This isn’t the right situation for that.” “Are you serious?” “Yes. Since you figured it out anyway, isn’t that why you’re asking? You’re more perceptive than I thought.” Hyun So Yeon smiled brightly, and it felt strangely subtle. “It's only you and Jin Rang who noticed, by the way.” “...” Her words startled me. Jin Rang must mean Nam Gung Jin. Does he know about it too? Seeing my expression, Hyun So Yeon said, “Do I seem like a bad person?” “A little?” “It’s true. But isn’t it the same since he likes another woman?” She gestured at Nam Gung Jin and Mi Hyo Ran. She was watching them with calm eyes. Was she feeling indignant? “Then let's just say a bad man and a bad woman.” “Excuse me? Hahaha.” Why laugh? I was being serious. “...You're amusing. Baek Gong Ja is an unusual person.” “Where else would you find someone as ordinary as me?” “That's a joke, right?” “...” Her words left me a bit flustered. “You're an intriguing person. Can I ask you something out of curiosity?” “Go ahead.” “Do you like me?” “...Are you out of your mind?” I spoke with disbelief. What kind of nonsense was this? Bringing up such absurdity. Hyun So Yeon appeared puzzled at my flustered reaction. “Really? You don’t?” “No.” “Then is it about that young lady?” “No, it's not that either.” The young lady she referred to would be my mother. I was horrified. “Absolutely not.” “Really?” “Yes, really. I’d stake my life on it.” I'd wager anything to prove it. “Oh... then it must not be. But what is it?” “What on earth is the matter?” “Then, through me, who are you seeing?” “...!” Her words stiffened me up. It felt as if she had seen right through me. With serene eyes, she asked, who are you seeing through me? I was speechless. ‘I've been found out.’ Because she was spot on. How did she know? Was I that obvious? Just as she said, I was indeed seeing someone else through Hyun So Yeon. That someone was, naturally, Nam Gung Bi Ah. I often saw Nam Gung Bi Ah’s likeness in Hyun So Yeon, who looked just like her. Clearly, she had noticed my glances. “Am I wrong? If I'm wrong, that's odd. Otherwise, there’s no way but that you like me.” “...You're not wrong.” I admitted honestly. “I'm sorry if I offended you.” “No, I wasn’t offended. I was just curious.” Hyun So Yeon gently swayed her hair as she asked, “Do I resemble her a lot?” “...” Do you resemble her a lot? “Yes, very much so.” They resembled each other extraordinarily, almost like twins. “Oh… really?” Hyun So Yeon widened her eyes in surprise. “Then I must be very pretty...? Baek Gong Ja must have high standards.” “...” What was with that confidence? Her unexpected boldness surprised me. Besides, she truly was beautiful, so there wasn’t much else to say. “Why? Did I make you uncomfortable?” “A little...?” “It's fine. I hear that often.” Hyun So Yeon didn't seem bothered at all, which made her confidence appear even more attractive. However, ‘...She doesn’t seem much like her mother.’ In seeing this, it appeared Hyun So Yeon wasn’t as similar to Nam Gung Bi Ah as I thought. While their faces matched, their personalities were entirely different. “What kind of relationship is it? Unrequited love?” Hyun So Yeon curiously leaned in to ask. I took a step back and replied, “No, it’s not that.” “Then what?” “...Do I have to say?” “You have to. Otherwise, I don’t have to forgive the strange way you looked at me.” Wow, she even resorted to threats. I was left speechless. "She's my fiancée." "Oh... your fiancée?" "Yes." "Do you two get along well?" "...Not bad, I suppose?" Probably. "If she's your fiancée and you see her in someone else, that's love, isn't it?" "......." I chose not to answer this time. Love? What kind of cringe-worthy statement was that? "Isn't it?" Hyun So Yeon pressed, eager for an answer. I couldn't respond. I didn't want to. "Baek Gong Ja, you're shy, aren't you?" "Can I leave now?" "Haha, yes, go ahead. This was entertaining, so I'll let you off." Hyun So Yeon smirked and stepped further away. Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned and walked away from Hyun So Yeon. As I walked, my mind spun with thoughts. 'Love...' The cheesy word lingered in my ears. Hyun So Yeon had caught me off guard with her comment. 'Is it love?' '...' Is projecting onto someone truly love? It was hard to say. I didn't want to label it as such. Maybe not. 'In the first place...' I probably knew the answer deep down but didn’t want to commit. There were too many responsibilities. Deciding on such a feeling would carry too much weight. For now, all I acknowledged was... 'I see her and think of you.' And perhaps. 'I just miss you.' Seeing the resemblance, I wanted to see her. That was where I intended to leave it. That was the best course of action. * * * Time went by. Today was the day Nam Gung Jin's forces had to deal with the Ma Gyeong. We ascended the mountain to position our forces and inspect the Ma Gyeong. As anticipated, it would react by tomorrow or the day after at the latest, so preparation was crucial. The conversation from yesterday also reached a conclusion regarding whether we would aid the Nam Gung family or not. 'We will help.' Father ultimately declared that we would cooperate with the Nam Gung family to thwart the Ma Gyeong. However. 'Those who wish to return may do so.' There would be no hindrance for those needing to return to Hanam. Father's words were clear, yet... 'No one left.' No one chose to return. Sohi seemed rather relieved by this, and although Doyun wore a troubled expression, he did not leave. I was the same. If there was a concern, it would be... "...You want me to go to the Hanam branch?" That it involved Mi Hyo Ran and Hyun So Yeon. "It is safer for you to stay there." Upon hearing Father, Mi Hyo Ran frowned. It seemed to be due to his altered speech. "Because I'm not of any help?" "Yes. For now, there's nothing you can do as a proxy leader. If you insist on not returning, it's best you stay at the Hanam branch of the Martial Alliance." Since her assistance would not strengthen our forces, staying put was advised. At his words, Mi Hyo Ran furrowed her brows deeply. "So you're basically saying..." She bit her lip slightly before speaking. "Just go and take care of her then?" "...." Father frowned at her meaningful words. "Haa." Mi Hyo Ran sighed, seeing his reaction. "If we keep talking, it will just end up emotional. I'll return. But..." With reddened eyes, Mi Hyo Ran faced Father and said, "This was unfair to me." "......." "Just so you’re aware." Having said her piece, Mi Hyo Ran departed swiftly. That occurred just this morning. Afterward, we moved up the mountain. The sheer number of forces made the journey long. We had to advance and establish positions to confront the Ma Gyeong. Reinforcements from the Martial Alliance branch were expected to arrive, necessitating preparations. Everyone ascended the mountain, nerves on edge. "......What?" Upon reaching the Ma Gyeong Gate, we were all dumbfounded. Moreover. 'What is that?' I, too, widened my eyes. There was no avoiding it. "Why is it white...?" ZGVPdDc2cnQxMFU0bVlrbnZITXlVakc2bHhZdVphb2t5dGJ4aUxrQys0Nk8vSkEzK2tkNWFTYWxlQjdxSG9ZRg The previously red gate had changed to a stark white.