Chapter 11
“Third Young Master, We Cheonso.”
The only one among the sect leader’s three disciples who had never married.
To be precise, he had held a wedding ceremony but killed his bride.
I recalled the history of We Cheonso that I had received from the Eleventh Young Master.
After it was suddenly revealed that We Cheonso was a disciple of the sect leader, he became the center of attention for all the followers. Three years ago, he rose to the position of Third Young Master.
From that point, his actions became even more extraordinary.
He was granted full authority from the sect leader to deal with heretics. This meant that he enjoyed the leader’s full trust.
Yet, the Third Young Master showed no interest in the position of sect leader itself. Within the sect, it was speculated that whoever gained the support of the First or Second Young Master would become the subordinate sect leader.
I understood.
Even ten years ago, when I had been active, the First and Second Young Masters already commanded their own influence.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that We Cheonso, as the Third Young Master, had no chance of surpassing them to become the sect leader.
At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
“But that man… he won’t be satisfied with just the position of Third Young Master.”
His inscrutable gaze, constantly observing and testing me, bothered me.
From my perspective, he was seeing something others could not.
“The reason We Cheonso is interested in the Yeomhwa family…”
Perhaps discovering that reason could be useful to me.
If I could create a connection with We Cheonso, I might be able to redirect the course of this marriage that was pressuring me.
“Stop a wedding with a wedding.”
Only someone of the Third Young Master’s caliber could intervene in the Yeom family’s marriage.
It was still in the planning stage, but if executed carefully, it could turn out quite well.
So I immediately wrote another letter.
I have thought about what Your Lordship said to me.
Although I am confined, I believe there is a way I can repay your kindness.
As soon as I finished writing, I sealed the letter tightly.
“This is for the Third Young Master.”
“Understood.”
Okhyang placed the letter into her bosom.
I took a brief breath to clear my thoughts. With the resources of the Sangcheondang, they would surely find a way to contact the Third Young Master.
It was a good start.
Not long after, Sawol returned and took her place by my side.
At that moment, the sound of a knock at the door and the voice of a servant came from outside.
“Lord Yeom Horyeong has arrived.”
Yeom Horyeong had come to my quarters after eleven days.
“Miss is resting at the moment.”
Sawol raised her voice skillfully to convey the greeting to Yeom Horyeong.
Probably, the person who sent her here had ordered her to prevent me from meeting him.
I raised my hand to stop Sawol’s action.
“Sawol. Tell Lord Horyeong that I will see him shortly.”
“P-Please, are you sure…?”
“You don’t need to worry too much. He’s going to be family soon, after all.”
Of course, I had no intention of ever considering him family.
Sawol reluctantly nodded.
“My lord, the lady said she will change her clothes and come out.”
The corridor fell silent. It seemed my reply satisfied them.
I changed into my going-out attire. Sawol’s hands busied themselves tidying my hair.
In the mirror, I looked neat and composed.
Yet, a strange chill rose from deep in my stomach.
This was not my own, Cheongrin’s emotion.
It was the instinctive fear etched in Heerin’s memory.
A primal terror spreading from the heart, the urge to flee.
A feeling I could barely bring myself to name: toward Yeom Horyeong.
I suppressed Heerin’s emotions.
Only Cheongrin’s sharp judgment remained—reading people, analyzing intentions, and devising strategies.
Yeom Horyeong was necessary to me for now.
Once I finished dressing, I stepped outside.
Yeom Horyeong, standing by the garden flowerbed, turned his head.
His eyes froze on me, as if seeing me this way for the first time, unable to speak for a moment.
“Lady Jeok… you are truly beautiful today.”
My body trembled slightly at his words, but I ignored the reaction.
Now was the time to face him and assess the situation I was in.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you outside, Lady Jeok. Even the flowers in the garden cannot match your beauty.”
Though polite, his gaze could not conceal his personal interest.
I did not avoid it.
“I don’t like being compared to flowers.”
He frowned slightly at my unexpected reply, but only briefly.
Yeom Horyeong smiled again.
“…Have your memories returned at all?”
“No.”
“….”
Perhaps surprised by my answer, his smile faded.
“Because you lost your memories, Lady Jeok feels unfamiliar to me.”
He lingered close to me.
“Shall we go to the pond near the main hall to see the duck family? Familiar sights might help your memory return.”
“No thanks. I’ve had enough of water.”
“I-I see. Then how about the century-old Hwaryeong tree in the main hall? It’s a sacred tree filled with the energy of Cheonsan…”
“I heard the Yeongseol magnolia has bloomed beautifully instead.”
I cut him off, and his face showed clear surprise.
Before he could respond, I gestured to Sawol.
“Sawol, show us the place where we can see the Yeongseol magnolia.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Sawol quietly guided me, and Yeom Horyeong followed, seemingly resigned.
She stopped near the flowerbed close to Yeom Liri’s quarters.
“There it is.”
Purple flowers bloomed atop black branches and dark wooden trunks.
Yeongseol magnolias are a rare species found only in Cheonsan, blooming briefly in winter and disappearing with the short spring.
“It looks like purple snowballs hanging on the tree.”
Though I had seen many reports about Cheonsan, this was my first time seeing the Yeongseol magnolia in person.
It only bloomed in Cheonsan, specifically in the prestigious Childaema family.
“The bloom is short, so I thought it would be gone, but it is still here. Since the head of the family planted them only near Liri’s quarters, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them this closely.”
Yeom Horyeong explained.
“I was worried because Liri dislikes people near the magnolia, but fortunately, she seems absent today.”
This time, he quietly spoke to Sawol.
“I have something to discuss with Lady Jeok. Please step aside for a moment.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Sawol glanced at me, then stepped back.
Now, only Yeom Horyeong and I remained before the Yeongseol magnolia.
“Have you recalled anything about ‘Yuhwa’?”
The moment he mentioned that name, ripples struck my heart.
He had triggered Heerin’s memories.
I calmed my racing heart and asked casually, as if uninterested,
“Is this someone I’m supposed to remember?”
“Yuhwa is the girl who came down from the snowy mountains with you.”
Yeom Horyeong approached carefully and brushed my wrist with his fingertips.
“She was punished and sent to a dangerous place for stealing my belongings.”
At that moment, fragmented memories of Yuhwa surfaced.
“I-I really didn’t steal it. It was lying near my quarters, and I thought it was yours, so I just took it…”
“I’ll accept any punishment. Please, just let me stay near you.”
A young girl the same age as Heerin.
As Yeom Horyeong said, she was beaten according to the rules and sent to a remote area.
For four years, Heerin could not see Yuhwa.
And now Yeom Horyeong mentioned her.
If I were truly Heerin, I would have asked about Yuhwa’s fate. But instead, I deliberately maintained an indifferent expression, pretending not to care.
“Don’t you want to know about Yuhwa?”
His voice reached my ears, sending a shiver down my spine.
My heart pounded violently, and cold sweat gathered on my hands.
“If you want to meet Yuhwa, tell me. Just like that day…”
Though his words were soft, they were unmistakably a threat.
He intended to use Yuhwa as leverage to gain something from me.
As he reached for my hand, I pushed him away.
“…Lady Jeok?”
Yeom Horyeong frowned in confusion, his anger showing on his flushed face.
“Brother Horyeong?”
A familiar voice stopped him.
I heard the rustle of a dress as a woman approached.
It was Yeom Liri, returning to her quarters after training.
“Liri. It’s been a while.”
Yeom Horyeong’s expression softened upon seeing her.
“I heard you’ve been busy preparing for the wedding recently.”
“Likewise, Lord Horyeong. But what brings you to my quarters?”
Liri’s gaze landed on me, curious why I was with Yeom Horyeong.
I bowed and then moved closer to her. My hand, which had nearly touched Yeom Horyeong, trembled slightly.
“Lady Jeok wanted to see the Yeongseol magnolia. So we came out for a short walk.”
Liri glanced over both of us, then turned to me with a blank expression.
