TM | Chapter 3

The nonexistent affection dropped.

Drip. Drip.

Lee Seol had been so fierce and sharp-tempered in his childhood that people said a bloodbath would ensue if he ever entered the royal court as a concubine. As expected of the Lee family, which had long produced queens and concubines for the royal court, he was placed on the list of potential concubines when he turned sixteen.

But then, refusing to become a concubine even in death, he jumped off a cliff and nearly drowned in the lake. After that, he seemed like a completely different person. Outwardly, he changed into someone with a gentle nature, and now, rumors had spread that he had an exceptionally good temperament. Of course, that was just on the surface. Just on the surface.

Yoon Sung placed a hand over his chest and sighed in relief, grateful that he wasn’t on that person’s bad side. The only reason anyone could have feelings for him was that they had no idea what he was really like.

In their childhood, that person had only shown his true self to his cousin Cheongrok and Yoon Sung. Maybe that was why he remained so openly candid, even as an adult. Given that he was skilled in poisons and hidden weapons, anything he said was something he could actually put into action.

Once he entered the palace, he would become an assassin secretly trained by his family to eliminate rival concubines. The curses of shamans were just an added bonus.

Only a handful of people—no, maybe no one at all—knew about this. Yet, for some reason, he had spilled everything to Yoon Sung, who, in his stupidity, had always kept his mouth shut to avoid showing his ignorance.

The way he confided every trivial detail in Yoon Sung, as if he were some bamboo grove to vent into, had quickly put an end to any romantic feelings Yoon Sung had for him. Along with that, he realized that the moment he uttered a single word, the Lee family would mark him for elimination. That realization scared him so much that he had spent days holed up at home, crying by himself.

Anyway, there was nothing about the Lee Seol in front of him that Yoon Sung liked—except for his face. No. Even his face was annoying now. That dazzling face, the one Kang Taegwon had fallen for, was unbearable. His anger flared, and a wrinkle formed between his brows.

Lee Seol didn’t even bother asking why Yoon Sung was acting that way. He simply waited. And waited. Until Yoon Sung collected himself and spoke.

When he finally lifted his head after staring at the ground for a long time, Lee Seol met his gaze with a soft one of his own. Even the smallest of his gestures were so elegant it made Yoon Sung’s insides churn.

Kang Taegwon had probably only seen this graceful and beautiful side of him. That must be why he had loved him for so long. A hot surge of emotion bubbled up inside.

Yoon Sung couldn’t exactly tell Kang Taegwon the truth—that Lee Seol was a bastard. Nor could he tell Lee Seol that Kang Taegwon had proposed and been rejected. Suppressing the turmoil in his chest, he let out a sigh and finally spoke.

“…I saw a snake while coming down the mountain. It startled me.”

“Oh dear! Are you okay now?”

Knowing full well how much Yoon Sung hated snakes and frogs, Lee Seol placed a hand over his chest and expressed concern. Of course, the reason Yoon Sung hated those creatures in the first place was because of this very person.

He was the one who had thrown a frog—fresh out of hibernation—right at Yoon Sung’s face. And when Yoon Sung avoided him and hung out with other friends out of fear, he had grabbed a baby snake and threatened to shove it into his clothes. All while smiling so brightly…

Resentment simmered inside him, and he mentally cursed with every foul word he knew. He forced his expression into something neutral, pressing his lips together. If he openly showed how much he loathed him, who knew what would happen?

Lee Seol must have interpreted his silence in his own way because his next words carried a serious tone.

“Want me to catch the snake and smash its head in with a rock? If it’s venomous, I can pull out its fangs so you can play with them.”

Goosebumps prickled Yoon Sung’s arms. That was so insane it didn’t even deserve a response. He shook his head.

“…Are you sure you’re okay?”

Lee Seol’s voice was still full of concern. Yoon Sung nodded and took a step forward. As he moved toward the left path leading to his home, Lee Seol walked beside him, cautiously bringing up a topic.

“Sung-ah. The marriage ban will be announced soon.”

“I know. You told me before.”

When Yoon Sung glanced at him, wondering why he was bringing it up again, he saw Lee Seol exhale slowly, looking oddly nervous. That wasn’t like him at all.

He could still picture the way Lee Seol had shuddered in disgust at the idea of becoming nothing more than a tribute for the king. Well, whatever. He should just hurry up and enter the palace and stay out of sight.

“…Are you participating in the Crown Princess Consort selection?”

“No. Only women can be chosen this time.”

“Well, yeah… I guess now that you’re of age, you can only enter as a concubine…”

Yoon Sung mumbled absentmindedly, and Lee Seol shook his head with a faint smile.

Four years ago, when he had fallen into the lake, he had injured himself, leaving scars on his leg and chest. Though they had faded, the rumors still lingered, so he might not even be considered for the concubine selection.

“The Crown Princess Consort will be my niece, Lee Yeon.”

The way he spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world made Yoon Sung once again realize just how stunning the Lee family was.

By now, I was used to his looks, but people who saw him for the first time—or only caught glimpses of him—would gape in awe. Some even fell into lovesickness and wasted away to death.

If the Crown Princess Consort were to be a daughter of the Lee family… it was only natural that she would be chosen. Her every movement would be inherently elegant, and her personality would be concealed behind a perfect mask.

As long as the Crown Prince didn’t take in concubines, at least people wouldn’t be dropping dead left and right. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the future heir to the throne. Maybe it was just needless worry.

As I walked forward, he naturally stepped ahead of me. Wondering why, I lifted my head—only to see him standing against the sunlight, casting a shadow over me. He raised a hand to block the glaring light and smiled faintly. The way he sparkled in that moment was so breathtakingly graceful that I momentarily lost myself.

This man might not even be human. He might be some kind of bewitching spirit.

I was supposed to hate him—he was my rival for Kang Taegwon’s love—but his face alone wasn’t something I could bring myself to despise. That only irritated me more. I bit my lip hard, turning my head away as I felt tears well up again.

After a few steps, Lee Seol, who had been walking a step behind me, spoke up.

“Sung-ah. Walk with me for a bit?”

“My legs hurt.”

“…Huh?”

“…I went up the mountain.”

“Why?”

Hearing that I, of all people—someone with barely any stamina—had climbed a mountain, he stopped in front of me, blocking my path. His gaze bore into me, as if telling me to explain. I avoided his eyes.

“You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

Despite the gentle tone of his voice, I knew his eyes wouldn’t match. As I hesitated, trying to come up with an excuse, I suddenly recalled the little girl who had handed me a piece of dirt-stained cloth.

“There were two kids in the middle of the mountain.”

“…Yeah?”

“They didn’t seem to have any parents… I gave them some medicine.”

Lee Seol nodded quietly.

“How did you find them?”

“I got startled by a snake and started crying… and then the kid came up to me.”

“…Ah.” He paused. “But why were you up in the mountains?”

“To see the spring flowers.”

Only then did he step aside and start walking alongside me again.

We walked in silence toward my house when, suddenly, he stopped. His hesitant movement made me slow down as well.

“Sung-ah…”

He called my name carefully. I responded halfheartedly.

“Yeah.”

“I heard from your father…”

“…”

Lee Seol, uncharacteristically, dragged out his words and let out an awkward laugh.

“They’re looking for a husband for you?”

“…Yeah.”

A sigh slipped from my lips. My oldest brother had said he’d call a matchmaker to find a spouse for me, but apparently, word had already reached the Lee family’s ears.

“…I’m in love with you.”

At the sudden confession, my head snapped toward him.

His pale face was flushed red, his glistening eyes were filled with nervousness, and he was gripping both hands tightly. His well-shaped, rosy lips trembled as he bit down on them, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly. Finally, in a shaky yet desperate voice, he spoke.

“Marry me. I want to dedicate my whole life to you, Sung-ah. Please, be my wife.”

My mind went blank. He looked frozen in place before me.

…Love?

…Marriage?

…Wife?

The words were so absurd that my mouth just opened and closed without sound.

“I know you’re shocked, Sung-ah. It must be overwhelming. But… I don’t have time. I can’t delay the marriage talks any longer.”

“…Marriage talks?”

“Yes… This is already the third one. And this time… I can’t do anything about it. I can’t put off writing it down any longer…”

Lee Seol trailed off and bit his lip. His complicated expression made me unconsciously whisper.

“…Don’t tell me… you cast a spell on them?”

“…Yeah.”

At his firm answer, I pressed a hand to my forehead.

“You… What the hell are you thinking?”

“They won’t die from it. They’ll just get a little sick.”

“How can you say that so casually…?”

Watching him lift the corners of his mouth like it was nothing, I could only sigh.

“And your father? He’s just letting this slide?”

“…He got rid of all the chickens at home. There’s no chicken blood left. And he burned all my talismans and dolls.”

“…I see.”

I nodded blankly. At this point, nothing surprised me when it came to this man. I just felt sorry for whatever poor guy had become the target of his sorcery.

And honestly… just what kind of things had he done to make his father take such extreme measures?

As I let out a quiet sigh, I heard his voice again, filled with tension.

“I’m not asking for an answer right now. But from now on… I want you to start seeing me differently. Once the marriage ban is lifted… Then. You can answer me then.”

My mind was so overwhelmed that his words sounded like echoes in my ears.

“…Ah. Sorry. I must be making you uncomfortable…”

He hesitated. Then, in a voice tinged with raw sincerity, he spoke again.

“Sung-ah… I’ve loved you for a very, very long time.”