When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 12
Chapter 12
The six clans publicly announced the declaration of truce and the peace treaty in the middle of the Ju Clan’s territory.
It was to make them clearly recognize how much the Ju Clan's status had fallen.
For that reason, the amount of spiritual power to be paid as reparations and the story about the hostage who would be going to the Baek Clan in the name of the person responsible for the missing person's case spread throughout the Ju Clan’s territory for a while and caused an uproar.
How great would it be if that blood, the blood that was the closest to the Mystic Ruler, that flowed inside that cousin sister’s body, was mine. If I was born with that blood.
Sa Yeonju had been obsessed with the authenticity of her bloodline more than Sehwa had thought, to the point that she hadn't had a single day where she didn't think that.
That was why she had been the first to realize that Sehwa also matched the conditions for that hostage.
That if she was the daughter of a core elder of the Ju Clan who had branched out from the previous Mystic Ruler, perhaps she could replace the Young Lord.
And so, the excited Sa Yeonju had purposely mentioned her cousin as if in passing at the meeting.
“The only young member of the bloodline who has the thickest blood after the Young Lord is our sister, so what would happen if she goes instead?”
With a very worried tone.
“If perhaps, Sister was to get engaged to the Young Lord, she would become an even more suitable figure of legitimacy, which matches the Baek Clan’s demands. I'm so worried that she might really have to go to the Baek Clan.”
“Ah, of course, sacrificing oneself instead of the Young Lord is a duty that anyone from the Ju Clan’s bloodline must fulfill, but Sister is too weak and gentle. It’s a shame that I cannot take her place since I don’t meet the qualifications.”
‘Of course, I did say that. But after that, everyone has been talking about that issue, so it can’t be that someone pinpointed the source precisely. That’s impossible. I clearly did a good job of not speaking too directly.’
Sa Yeonju hurriedly denied it, her face drenched with tears.
“Was there such a misunderstanding about me? But that’s really a misunderstanding!”
“That’s right. Now that I’ve calmed down, I think it might have been a misunderstanding. I was so afraid and shocked about having to go to the Baek Clan that I think I went crazy for a moment. Did it hurt a lot? I’m really sorry.”
‘What? Did it hurt a lot? Is that seriously what she said……’
“Sister, this isn’t something that can be settled with such words-“
“But I was in a difficult situation, so whatever I did today, you will understand, right?”
Seeing Ju Sehwa, who had given in first, Sa Yeonju, who had been trying to take the upper hand, was momentarily at a loss for words.
“……What?”
“If this fact is made known, my reputation will be ruined, since this was just a small misunderstanding.”
Sehwa added, gently stroking Sa Yeonju's face that had started to swell.
“What should I do about this? The marks on your face are so big that I can’t hide them. Since it can't be helped, when someone asks, just say that you stumbled because you were clumsy. Or that you were attacked by a thug while you were out without an escort.”
‘Wh, what kind of crazy things is she saying……’
Sa Yeonju could only open her mouth, so dumbfounded by the ridiculous words that she was saying with a kind smile.
Just say that I stumbled because I was clumsy?
That I was attacked by a thug while I was out without an escort?
You can ruin my reputation to protect yours?
And a misunderstanding? She was laughing after having made me like this, saying that it was a misunderstanding?
“What are you saying, Sister? What on earth are you doing to me right now.”
“Why? I've also forgiven you all this time even when you stole my accessories and sold my name. So you should definitely forgive me even if I inadvertently hurt you a little bit. Just like I’ve always done. Because we’re that close.”
“……What?”
“Therefore, my gentle sister will be fine with what happened today. Because you and I are the type of people who can forgive each other for everything, right?”
Sehwa gently stroked Sa Yeonju’s swollen cheek again.
“……S, Sister.”
Sa Yeonju, who had stopped crying and was startled, didn't even think to cover her tingling cheeks, and hurriedly opened her mouth.
“I…… I, I stole your accessories? And that I sold your name? What kind of misunderstanding is that about?”
“You want to say it's not true?”
“No. That’s absolutely not true!”
Sa Yeonju denied it as if she was screaming.
“That’s definitely not me. If something is missing, then it must be that attendant who told you about it.”
“What foolish things is my intelligent and praised cousin saying? You know how many attendants I have dedicated to me, right? Would I leave my valuables with just one person? Are you trying to claim that all twenty-three of my jewelry managers, including my close attendants, were all in cahoots without fear?”
“S, Sister.”
“Don't worry about stealing, or going to dirty places, or pretending to be me. I made sure it wouldn’t reach Father’s ears. I wanted to make sure that you wouldn’t be chased out like a beggar.”
In her previous life, Ju Sehwa had known about Sa Yeonju’s actions, but she had generously overlooked them and had not even mentioned it to her.
Her family had supported the war effort by donating funds for the military for the past ten years, and they had been the first to put forward the reparations that they had to pay.
Therefore, despite the status she held in the Ju Clan, she had no choice but to live very frugally.
But, for banquets or gatherings, one needed dozens of banquet dresses and unique accessories.
She had thought that it would have been difficult for Sa Yeonju, who was a dependent, to ask for a new banquet dress and new accessories every time.
‘I also thought that, about all the other things, that the dissolute children of the Ju Clan must have tricked my innocent cousin. I was the one who was incredibly foolish.’
“Anyway, since I’ve been so kind to you all this time, I believe that you will be extremely dedicated in showing your kindness to me for whatever I do. You will do that, right? Because you’re on my side.”
“……”
“Why are you not answering? Could it be that you don’t want to?”
Seeing Sa Yeonju, who had not been able to reply, her face pale, Sehwa tilted her head, saying, “It wouldn’t be good if you didn’t.”
“Think about it again. Or else, I might want to receive compensation for all of my kindness until now.”
“……Co, compensation?”
“Yes.”
“Wh, what are you planning to do……”
“Well, what method should I use? Should I perhaps start with theft, among the many dirty things you’ve done? You dared to put your hands on the Ju Clan elders’ things, so you’ll be heading straight to the secret underground dungeon.”
Stroking her cousin’s face, which had started to swell grotesquely, Sehwa whispered while looking her directly in the eye.
‘To that underground dungeon that I was in.’
In her heart, she wanted to put her cousin in that place as soon as possible, but the charges she had right now were too weak.
She had to reveal all of the bottom of her filthy actions, which could never be forgiven, and die, completely abandoned by everyone.
“But it’s a relief that it wasn’t you who asked for me to be sent as the hostage. If it was you, I would have been so angry that I would have torn apart your pretty face and body and thrown you as dog food.”
“……”
“You’re the only one on my side. It’s such a pity that I couldn’t believe you. But you have to make sure to act properly from now on, so that I don't misunderstand you again.”
Wiping away the cold droplets that were still drenching her cheeks, Sehwa smiled and slowly stood up.
“Because I won’t end it here next time.”
Her dark eyes that looked down on Sa Yeonju through her black hair seemed to hold heat, as if they were burning.
No, that heat wasn't just coming from her eyes.
The heat that was encompassing all of Ju Sehwa’s body made Sa Yeonju’s body instinctively tremble.
Her smile was kind, and her tone was soft, but the expression that combined those two made Sa Yeonju shudder with goosebumps.
‘Wh, what is this. What is this.……Who is she? I don’t know this person. I don’t know her.’
“……S, Sister. ……W, weren’t you crying because you were sorry that you hit me?”
“Crying because I was sorry? Me? Ah. I was wondering what you were talking about. What kind of ridiculous misunderstanding is that.”
Ju Sehwa laughed out loud.
“It's because I’m so happy. ”
All of her enemies were still alive.
That time had been reversed.
That she could live again, not just relive the same events in the underworld, and that she could drop them into hell with her own hands.
She was so delighted by that fact that, as soon as she entered the room, she had unintentionally embraced Sa Yeonju.
She was so overjoyed that she could send this cousin to hell.
“I was unable to control my emotions, which is why I misunderstood you. I’m sorry.”
Sehwa, wiping her wet face, kindly explained.
But still, tears trickled down and wet the spots she had just wiped.
Even so, her face was filled with joy.
Sa Yeonju was watching her with a pale face, captivated by the sight of her gazing at herself, intoxicated with joy.
“Is it okay to just send your cousin away like this?”
Sehwa stood by the door and watched Sa Yeonju, who was hurriedly leaving through the main gate.
Youngsun stood behind Sehwa and watched Sa Yeonju’s figure as well.
“It seems like she might hold a grudge against the Young Lady. I think she might cause trouble.”
“Yeah. She has to.”
A few of the clan members who had received orders from Ju Sehwa were secretly following Sa Yeonju.
It was necessary to check each and every one of her actions.
Sehwa clenched her fist as she thought about Sa Yeonju's eyes as she had been looking up at her.
‘In my heart, I want to kill her right now, too.’
When she thought about the things that she had been through, Sehwa herself wanted nothing more than to not let Sa Yeonju leave like this.
‘But I have to endure now. If it's true that time has been reversed. That this is not the underworld. Then I have to act even more thoroughly. I must not forget that one mistake of mine could put my family in danger again.’
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