Chapter 205

I couldn’t help but feel puzzled by the sudden proposal.

“…You want me to join the Mardan Clan?”

“Yes, if you’re willing.”

“…What’s gotten into you? Joining the Mardan Clan?”

Judging by Ha Yu-ri’s expression, it didn’t seem like she was joking.

“I just told you. I like you.”

“…..”

“If you transfer to our clan… everything, including me, will be yours. Well, technically, you already own everything, but we could make it official.”

“…That feels like a hasty decision.”

She shook her head and replied immediately.

“No. I’ve thought about this a lot, really. I know we started off on the wrong foot.”

“And?”

“…I’ve regretted it so much. Wondering what it would’ve been like if we started off on better terms, if I could’ve left a better impression on you.”

It seemed like Ha Yu-ri was still hung up on what happened during the training facility days.

“…I don’t think you need to regret it. I just don’t have feelings for you, but that doesn’t mean I dislike you.”

“…Thank you. For saying that.”

“Anyway, I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of leaving Eternity. What happened this time… it was just a protest.”

“A protest?”

She looked confused at the word.

“Lately, the clan hasn’t been letting me go outside.”

“…They’re not letting you go outside?”

“Yeah, they’ve completely restricted me from leaving the Clan House. It’s been suffocating.”

“Ah…”

Somehow, I ended up venting to Ha Yu-ri.

“Without considering my opinion, they even assigned escorts and barred me from going out. That’s why I acted out. So, no, I’m not thinking of transferring clans.”

“Hmm… I can see why you’d feel suffocated. But from my perspective, I can understand the clan members too. Think about it—how many times have you almost died?”

“Well…”

“If I were your Clan Master, I’d probably do the same. Honestly, you need to be more careful.”

I couldn’t bring myself to deny her words.

After all, even though this incident was staged, there have been plenty of times when I’ve been in real danger.

“…I’ll try to be more careful from now on.”

Ha Yu-ri sighed and added,

“Anyway, it’s a shame. I wish you’d consider transferring clans.”

Her persistent confession was starting to feel a bit overwhelming.

Ha Yu-ri looked disappointed and continued,

“If you ever change your mind, let me know. Yul would be happy if you joined the clan too.”

“…That’s not going to happen. Anyway, I’ll probably stay for about another week.”

“…Feel free to stay as long as you like. You’re welcome anytime.”

That concluded my conversation with Ha Yu-ri. Thankfully, she didn’t cling to me after being rejected.

If she had, it would’ve given me a headache.

******

A few days later, Wi Ho-yeon from the Mardan Clan came to see me.

“…Lee Yun-seong.”

“…Ho-yeon.”

‘Why does she look so haggard?’

In just a short time, Wi Ho-yeon looked noticeably worn out.

‘Is she even sleeping properly?’

Her face looked utterly exhausted, a stark contrast to her usual confident and professional demeanor.

If Wi Ho-yeon was like this, Seo Yoo-ju must be in a similar state.

“…Lee Yun-seong, won’t you please return to the clan now?”

“I, uh, sent a letter. The talk about transferring clans was just something I said in the heat of the moment. As for going back…”

“…The Clan Master feels deeply sorry. The escorts are already under contract, so there’s nothing we can do about that, but you’ll no longer be restricted from going out.”

That was good news. At least it meant there wouldn’t be another incident like this.

“From now on, we won’t make decisions without your input. If you wish… you can even punish me.”

Wi Ho-yeon was desperate, going to extreme lengths to bring me back.

“If you’re still upset, I’ll take full responsibility. So please, come back with me. Please… I’m begging you.”

“…Ho-yeon.”

“Please… forgive me.”

Wi Ho-yeon didn’t even try to approach me. It seemed like the trauma of me pushing her hand away when I left was still affecting her.

‘…I feel so guilty.’

“Ho-yeon, I’m sorry.”

“Ah…”

I walked over and hugged her.

“I’m sorry for saying such harsh things. You know I didn’t mean it, right?”

As if worried I might leave at any moment, she immediately hugged me tightly.

“Yes… Thank you, thank you. I…”

“…..”

I quietly listened to her vent. She must’ve been through a lot.

“I… was really struggling. My heart was in so much pain. Lee Yun-seong…”

“I’m the one who should apologize. I spoke too harshly in the heat of the moment.”

‘It hurts.’

She was hugging me so tightly it hurt. It was proof of how much she’d suffered.

“…I was so scared of being abandoned. You’re all I have in my life now. I was terrified you’d leave me.”

I wasn’t sure if she was doing it on purpose, but her words were tugging at my heartstrings.

“…Why am I all you have in your life? There’s more…”

“No. It’s just you. Without you, I…”

Her words felt oddly dependent, almost unsettling.

I knew Wi Ho-yeon valued me greatly, but saying I was her entire life was a bit strange.

“…Ho-yeon?”

“Lately, I’ve been having… dreams. Terrible nightmares…”

‘Dreams?’

The mention of dreams caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected her to bring up something so random.

“…Lee Yun-seong.”



“You looked really tired. You were always emotionless, and you didn’t smile as if you were about to die at any moment.”

I kept listening, wondering what this was all about.

“You always… forced a smile. It wasn’t a lively smile like now, but a forced one, just to be considerate of me.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“And then… one day, you didn’t come back. I could never see Lee Yun-seong’s face again.”

‘This…’

Listening to Wi Ho-yeon’s dream story, I couldn’t help but feel strange. It was…

‘Is she talking about the first round?’

I wasn’t sure, but it felt eerily similar to the first round’s situation.

‘Of course, it could just be that Wi Ho-yeon had such a dream because of the anxiety from this situation, but…’

“It was so, so horrifying. With the news of Lee Yun-seong’s death… I withered away in the dream, losing the will to live. So please…”

“…..”

“Please, please don’t leave me behind…”

By now, Wi Ho-yeon was crying. It was the first time I had seen her cry in such a mundane situation.

“…Why would I leave you behind? It’s just a dream, Ho-yeon.”

Even as I tried to reassure her, she didn’t seem to calm down, and she made a rare request.

“…A kiss. Just one kiss, please. I’m asking you now.”

“……”

As she made the request with tears in her eyes, I was momentarily stunned, and she leaned in to kiss me first.

“Mmm…!”

It wasn’t the usual lust-filled kiss, but one filled with longing and affection.

It felt like we kissed for quite a long time.

When Wi Ho-yeon pulled away, she whispered to me while holding me.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive my rudeness. I just couldn’t hold back anymore…”

‘What the…’

I couldn’t understand why, but after Wi Ho-yeon’s kiss, I felt something strange in my body.

‘What’s going on?’

It was a sensation I had never felt before. My heart was pounding wildly, and I couldn’t understand why.

“Lee Yun-seong…?”

“Ah…”

Without realizing it, I placed my hand on my chest. I could feel my heart racing.

“Lee, Lee Yun-seong. Are, are you angry? I’m, I’m sorry. I acted on my own…”

‘No, this isn’t…’

This wasn’t anger. Without thinking, I tightly embraced Wi Ho-yeon.

“Lee, Lee Yun-seong?”

Wi Ho-yeon looked startled as I suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.

“…Ho-yeon.”

“Yes, yes?”

“…My heart is beating fast.”

“…What?”

“I don’t know. Ever since we kissed…”

“Ah…”

I turned my head to the side, not wanting to show my face to her. For some reason, I didn’t want her to see me right now.

As I held her in silence, Wi Ho-yeon moved her arms to wrap around my back.

“Lee Yun-seong. Your heart… is beating so fast.”

“…..”

Wi Ho-yeon’s breathing became rough.

“Lee Yun-seong… maybe…”

“Stop.”

I cut her off. Right now, I just wanted to hold her tightly like this.

After holding her for quite a while, I felt my emotions calm down and let her go.

“Ah…”

Wi Ho-yeon seemed a bit disappointed, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t hold her like that forever.

“…Let’s go back. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

******

After returning to the Clan House, I had a hard time comforting Yoo Ju.

“Yoon Seong…”

“…Sorry. I think I was too harsh with my words.”

After comforting her for a while, Yoo Ju looked relieved. At least she seemed relieved that I had returned.

“I’m glad… I’m glad you’re back.”

‘…My body is still the same.’

While holding Yoo Ju, I checked my body’s condition, but my heart wasn’t racing like it did when Wi Ho-yeon kissed me.

There was a slight flutter, but that was it.

Even though it hadn’t even been two weeks since I left, I thought it was right to come back early.

After all, I had gained the freedom I wanted, and I didn’t want Yoo Ju or Wi Ho-yeon to suffer more.

“Yoon Seong.”

“Yeah?”

“…You don’t like Ha Yu-ri, do you?”

It seemed like she had some strange misunderstanding because of the time I spent at the Mardan Clan.

“No.”

I could say that with certainty. While I found Ha Yu-ri attractive, it was only because of her outstanding appearance.

I didn’t have any romantic feelings for her.

I sometimes felt a flutter with Yoo Ju, but I never felt that way when talking to Ha Yu-ri.

When I answered with confidence, Yoo Ju seemed to accept it.

“By the way… what about the new recruits?”

I remembered what Yoo Ju had said before I left the Clan. She had mentioned introducing me to three new recruits.

“Ah… are you okay now?”

“Yeah. I think it’s better to meet them now.”

Since the contracts were already signed, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to meet them right away.

‘It might feel a bit rushed since we just got back to the Clan House.’

But I wasn’t the type to procrastinate, so I thought it was better to meet them now.