When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 57
Chapter 57
A sweet yet refreshing fragrance wafted past the noses of the merchant heads who had stopped in their tracks.
Though it wasn't the scent of the coral tree flowers filling the window, they wondered what this intense fragrance could be.
Their throats weren't dry, yet they kept swallowing reflexively.
It was the pressure they felt from the difference in spiritual power, though the merchant heads didn't realize this.
"What's this? How dare you not greet the young lady from an elder family?"
"Ah, my apologies. The young lady was so beautiful, I was momentarily stunned. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Indeed. To think you would complete your exuviation in such a dazzling form. My sincerest congratulations."
"Congratulations. I truly pray that only happiness brighter than light itself fills your future."
When Youngmu, who stood behind Sehwa, spoke sharply, the merchant heads seemed to regain their senses and hurriedly poured out congratulatory words and blessings.
Their exchanged glances were filled with amazement and questions.
The more spiritual power mystics possessed, the more beautiful their appearance became.
Given the young lady's beauty that left them breathless, they could only speculate that she must possess spiritual power approaching that of a divine beast.
'Though Elder Myoungyoon and Madam were beautiful, they weren't quite like this. This young lady is truly...'
Unable to voice their hasty speculations, the merchant heads maintained bright expressions as they brought out their highest quality fabrics and accessories.
"How is it that plum blossom pink, vibrant pomegranate red, clear jade, and bright yellow all suit you so perfectly?"
The three sisters busily moved about, holding up fabrics close to their young lady's face.
That's when it happened.
"May I be here too?"
Someone appeared at the inner chamber's doorway.
The merchant heads, who had naturally turned to look, were startled once again.
'Heavens. Who might this person be?'
Those who saw the newly appeared man gaped in amazement.
The man's jet-black hair was left untied, without a single ray of light penetrating its darkness.
Though his casual attire with a loosely tied waist and relaxed posture revealed his easy-going nature, that wasn't all there was to him.
His muscular build was clearly visible even through his robe.
The commanding presence emanating from his entire being.
From all these qualities, one could tell he was an extraordinary warrior.
Yet his jade-like face was without a single flaw.
When he gazed at others with those eyes that turned slightly blue like the deep sea when light hit them, blinking his long eyelashes - unusual for a man - both men and women couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
'How... how can there be such a perfect man?'
Though no answer had been given, he slowly entered the room.
Then, as if it were natural, he brought a chair and sat next to Sehwa.
"I haven't said it's okay yet."
"Please allow me."
Seeing a hint of anxiety on Baek Giha's face as he spoke, Sehwa asked quietly.
"Is something wrong?"
"Hm?"
"You don't look well."
"..."
"What is it?"
"Well..."
Before he could answer, a servant appeared and announced something to her.
"Young Lady. The Young Lord has sent congratulatory gifts for your exuviation. Shall we bring them here?"
Enormous boxes and chests began piling up, filling the courtyard.
The high-quality silks, cotton fabrics, and accessories in brilliant colors were clearly of the highest grade at first glance.
The merchant heads who had followed out upon hearing about the Young Lord's gifts continued to express their amazement.
"My word. We'd heard rumors that the Young Lord cherished the young lady, but this exceeds even that."
"You must be so pleased, Young Lady. To think that the Young Lord values you so highly."
"Indeed. Such treatment must be unique to you alone in the entire mystic realm."
"Is that so?"
When Ju Sehwa responded desolately, the merchant heads' eyes widened.
"What's wrong? Are these gifts perhaps not to your liking?"
"..."
As she remained silent, the servant who had brought the gifts held out something.
"The Young Lord sent this letter as well. If you would read it and give us your response to his feelings-"
Sehwa cut off the servant's words and replied.
"Never mind the letter. Go and tell the Young Lord this: I wonder if I was only worth this much to him. When I think of my place in his heart, as proven by these gifts, my chest aches and my stomach churns so much that I doubt I'll be able to sleep properly."
"...Pardon?"
What could this mean?
The servant froze momentarily. The merchant heads were the same.
'Huh? No, he sent such a mountain of highest quality items... Is the young lady not satisfied even with this?'
'These are items that others would find difficult to obtain even a few pieces of. Isn't her greed a bit excessive?'
'Even though the Young Lord is famous for his good nature and kindness, wouldn't such words anger him?'
While they were thinking such thoughts, it happened.
Sehwa turned around and spoke regretfully to the merchant heads and servant.
"All of you, listen well. Everyone must know that the six clans have invited the Young Lord to the Baek clan, naming him as the person responsible for the disappearance incidents in the alliance."
"Y-yes, that's right."
"But how could we let our precious Young Lord go to such a place? How could that be acceptable?"
News about the visit to the Baek clan had spread so widely that there was likely no one in the mystic realm who didn't know about it.
But why was this topic suddenly being brought up?
Though unable to understand the sudden change in topic, the merchant heads awkwardly nodded.
"Yes. The six clans made an unreasonable demand-"
"So I volunteered to go in the Young Lord's place. He has already given his permission."
"What?!"
"Gasp. You're saying you'll go, Young Lady? To that place?"
"Young Lady, the thugs of the six clans might be waiting with malicious intent. How could such a young lady volunteer to go to such a place?"
"That's right. Please reconsider!"
Sehwa responded in a plaintive voice.
"The Young Lord is more important to me than my own life. That's why I told him I would go to the Baek clan."
"Oh my."
Admiration filled the eyes of the mystic servants gathered around, including the merchant heads.
To think such a young lady would have such spirit.
"Young Lady. You are truly remarkable. Truly remarkable."
"You've made such a grand decision."
Sehwa shook her head sadly.
"No. How could I not be afraid of going to the Baek clan? Even though it's for the Young Lord, even though I'm going in his place, fear is still fear."
At her faint voice, the gazes of those watching Sehwa unanimously blurred with sympathy.
"How much I had to steel myself, telling myself not to show fear and to go proudly since it's for the Young Lord and a decision I made for him. But how could that be done at will? I'm still young after all."
"Yes, that's right."
"Since the decision was made about going to the Baek clan in the Young Lord's place, I've found it difficult to swallow even a sip of water, and I haven't properly eaten due to loss of appetite. At most, I've only managed to take a few sips of medicinal broth."
"...Oh my."
"How terrible..."
In this short time, having heard the phrase 'going to the Baek clan in place of the Young Lord' more than ten times, the merchant heads groaned in sympathy, clasping their hands together.
"The journey to the Baek clan in the Young Lord's place has been so difficult for me that I even began exuviation on the road without warning. It was so dangerous that I couldn't wake up for a week even after the exuviation was complete."
At these words, both the merchant heads and servants were momentarily speechless.
Even the riffraff of the mystic realm wouldn't undergo exuviation in such a way.
"...Good heavens."
"How could a young lady from an elder family go through such an ordeal?"
As the merchant heads repeated how fortunate it was, how relieved they were that she had safely awakened, Sehwa added that that wasn't the end of it.
"And then, as fate would have it, the Young Lord happened to be passing by. So my maid earnestly begged him to help with my exuviation."
Those around were now listening with extremely intrigued expressions, wondering where this story was heading.
They hadn't known there were such twists and turns behind the exuviation of this young lady who seemed to want for nothing in the world.
Moreover, the Young Lord happened to pass by during her exuviation.
'Can such dramatic things really happen!'
'Is this where their mutual affection grew even stronger?'
"Little did I know he would simply pass by me in my dangerous state. Me, who had volunteered to go to the Baek clan in his place."
"What?"
"Gasp. The Young Lord just passed by while you were undergoing exuviation?!"
"Yes. But he had no choice at that time. He was handling important matters ordered by the Mystic Ruler."
"Ah."
Groans containing thoughts of 'Still, that's a bit...' escaped from the listeners' lips.
"Anyway, instead of helping me himself, he decided to give a grand reward to whoever helped with my exuviation. He also said he would separately show me his heart in a way that wouldn't leave me feeling disappointed."
"I-I see."
"Fortunately, I barely survived thanks to a passing mystic who helped me. So I want to ask you all - do these gifts from the Young Lord seem excessive to me?"
"..."
"..."
Everyone maintained silence at this question.
Comments
Post a Comment