When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Ju Myoungyoon’s patience snapped the moment the door closed behind them.
“You!”
His eyes instantly flared with a red tinge.
‘What on earth…….’
That his precious child had to be sent to such a dangerous place.
And what kind of daughter was this?
A daughter who was finally born after his wife and he, who had not had any children for a long time, adopted two sons of their deceased friend, all that time later.
“What do you mean by volunteering yourself as a sacrifice! Don’t you know that once you speak to the Clan Head like that, there’s no turning back?”
“Father.”
“What is the meaning of all this? Now that things have turned out this way, no matter who makes a remonstrance, the Clan Head will never reconsider!”
Even though her father was scolding her fiercely, Sehwa was happy about it.
She raised her trembling arms and hugged her father's neck tightly.
She had been wanting to do this since before, and she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“What, you. You doing this won’t-“
“I love you.”
“……”
“I love you, Father.”
Good heavens. It was warm.
Not wanting to wake up from her dream, she squeezed her eyes shut.
But even doing so did not make the images of her parents, their heads severed, that were flickering in front of her, disappear.
The red blood that shot into the air.
The shouts of those surrounding them.
Those images and sounds were haunting her eyes and ears so clearly, as if they would never be erased.
‘I couldn't even close their eyes properly.’
Tears streamed down Sehwa's face.
‘I should have said I love you.’
She should have said those words at the very last moment. But her heart was in too much pain, and she couldn’t do it.
“I love you.”
Yes. Whether this situation was the underworld or a panoramic view, what did it matter?
Even if repeating her tragic past was a punishment that god had given her, it did not matter.
Just being able to hold her father’s neck, which was warm, felt like she had already regained so much.
Strong arms embraced her back.
“I love you too, so much, my dear.”
Her father's voice, as he replied, was also trembling and filled with emotion.
“You don't have to worry. You won't be in any danger at all. So don't say things like a final farewell. Your father will find a way. There will surely be a way.”
He seemed to think that Sehwa had agreed to go to the Baek Clan with a grave resolution, having prepared for death.
Ju Sehwa smiled through her tear-soaked face.
‘Don’t worry. This time will be different. Unlike my previous life, where I only received the love that was given to me, this time, I will make sure to protect you.’
“Young lady, here.”
Something was held out in front of her.
Sehwa followed its path, her tearful gaze turning.
There was a middle-aged man handing her a handkerchief with a concerned expression.
It was Sa Danyoon, the leader of her father's warriors, who had died miserably for her sake.
“Uncle.”
“After I leave, lock the door.”
“I will never return. I will die outside. So no matter whose voice you hear, do not open it. Once the surrounding area becomes quiet, escape through the emergency passage. You must never look back.”
‘They didn’t even give us a chance to confirm their bodies.’
He was the son of Ju Myoungyoon's wet nurse and a member of the Sa Clan, a family of vassals that had served the Ju Clan for generations.
Sa Danyoon had shown such blind loyalty that he had sent all three of his daughters as close attendants for Ju Sehwa.
That devotion had not changed even when he died.
Sa Danyoon had hidden himself in a secret room alone to try and save Ju Sehwa, who was imprisoned in a lightless dungeon with the mark of a traitor.
He had even removed his name from the family register so that he wouldn’t cause any problems for Ju Myoungyoon.
Although he had eventually failed to achieve his goal, and had died cruelly at the hands of the warriors.
He had even bit his tongue and swallowed it to prevent even a small moan from being heard, so that the Ju Sehwa beyond the thin door wouldn’t notice anything.
Ju Sehwa had only learned about that much later.
She had to hear from an escort warrior, while being laughed at, how miserably he had died without even being able to uphold his honor.
Although they were only her attendants, Sa Danyoon’s three daughters, who were like sisters to her, had all died for her. Ju Sehwa owed him a great debt that she could never repay.
‘I heard that his skin was peeled off, and his limbs were cut off and thrown away on the plains like a heinous criminal who had committed an unspeakable crime.’
And that uncle was now standing right in front of her, looking so healthy.
A mix of guilt and gratitude made her cheeks even more wet.
“Ah, young lady.”
Had she known they could meet again in such healthy forms after death, she might have even licked the feet of her enemies to survive a little longer.
If she had bought time, he wouldn't have died so miserably alone.
'If only I could have taken down at least one more of those wretched beasts with me.'
It was the moment she felt the touch of her uncle wiping away her tears.
Tap- Tap.
The sole of a well-maintained leather shoe announced its presence on the marble floor of the hallway.
Someone was walking towards them.
Everyone’s eyes were focused beyond the hallway.
A tall man was standing there.
Jet-black hair swaying at the tips of his ears. Eyes that were always gently curved, as if that were their natural shape.
Upon discovering Sehwa, he smiled even more deeply. And he picked up the pace and quickly approached her.
With the sunlight pouring into the hallway behind him like a halo, a voice as sweet as honey was spoken to her.
“Sehwa.”
He was the only one who had comforted her in her loneliness, the one who had always been by her side.
And so, she had really liked this cousin brother of hers, who had always been so kind to her since she was a child.
She had decided that when she grew up, she would give her life for this cousin of hers, just like her father who spent his entire life working for the clan.
“Sehwa.”
Whenever he called her name in a sweet tone. Whenever the topic of their future together was brought up, that feeling had only grown stronger.
“You’ll help me a lot, won’t you? Because you’re going to be my bride.”
“Don’t worry. No matter who I’m with, you will always be first in my heart.”
‘And so, I wanted to do anything for him.’
“……Young Lord.”
“Guards! Bring the Fatal Fragment poison for this impudent traitor who claims to have dedicated herself to you!”
‘Now, I am confused as to whether that feeling was love or the ingrained loyalty that had seeped into my body.’
The betrothed of her previous life, whom she wanted to argue was not her love.
He was Ju Kyunghyun, the future Clan Head of the Ju Clan.
With snow-capped mountains that did not melt even in midsummer behind it, a garden of a myriad of flowers was laid out so incredibly lavishly, that it was astonishing to behold.
The white marble mansion, shining like permanent snow in the middle of that garden, was the pride of the noble Baek Clan.
The pure white sculptures and stone slabs contrasting with the blue sky. The stairs and railings with beautiful curves shone dazzlingly under the brilliant sunlight.
There were a few pairs of legs quickly walking down the smoothly polished white stairs.
The person who was walking ahead instructed an attendant to prepare the horses.
The one who was following him most closely paused for a moment, unable to believe what he had just heard.
“……Clan Head, what did you just say?”
The one walking at the forefront did not slow down and replied,
“It seems the Chancellor's ears have gone deaf, so go and take those off and wash them, instead of dawdling.”
“Did you just say that you would have to escort the successor of the Ju Clan, who will come as the representative to solve the missing person's case? Furthermore, you're escorting him like a guest, not a prisoner?”
“Are we dragging in a prisoner? This is an honored guest visiting our family to foster amicable relations between the Ju Clan and the Baek Clan. Never speak in such a manner again.”
“…….”
‘Wha, what is going on? Is the Clan Head out of his mind?’
The Chancellor was briefly worried about his master's sanity as he stammered.
“I'm worried about our guest's health and safety because of the long trip. So I shall personally go and look after them.”
“Send an attendant? Ridiculous. I will be the one to attend to that person’s needs.”
It was an unbelievable content that was enough to make anyone doubt their ears.
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