Chapter 183
Jin Yeseo’s mother, the current head of Baekgwang among the Five Families.
Various stories about her, heard in the past, flash through the main character’s mind in an instant.
During her time as a Cradle student, she personally executed her treasonous parents and saved Baekgwang from annihilation.
A cold and ruthless personality, valuing the family’s honor above all else.
Even the infamous new student Jin Yeseo is merely a pawn in her game.
If you think about it, the current situation—Jin Yeseo asking the main character to act as her fake lover—can also be traced back to her.
But if the Jin Yeseo who arrived later is the real Jin Yeseo, then the woman currently in the main character’s arms is…?
“Pfft.”
A short laugh breaks the silence.
The person who had been in the main character’s arms quietly releases their grip and steps back. Then they retreat a few steps, silently staring with an alluring smile on their lips.
She raises her hand to the back of her head and begins to remove the Monkey Half-Mask she had been wearing.
“…Interesting.”
The lips, which had been whispering in Jin Yeseo’s voice, now emit a completely unfamiliar voice. It’s clear and beautiful, but also carries an air of dignity and authority.
The sound of the mask falling to the floor echoes soon after.
Revealed beneath the mask is the figure of a woman who looks strikingly identical to Jin Yeseo, like a twin.
***
Her green eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, radiate a gentle glow. They feel as sharp as those of a predator eyeing its prey.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
The Jin Yeseo who arrived later clings to the main character protectively. Strangely, she seems even more cautious and wary in the presence of her mother.
The Blonde Woman, observing the pair, smiles silently.
“Ho…”
Upon closer inspection, while she bears a striking resemblance to Jin Yeseo, there are noticeable differences. Sharper, more upturned eyes, twisted lips that reveal a cruel personality, and physical features that emphasize her maturity.
Even so, the fact that she looks almost identical to Jin Yeseo is astonishing. Just like during the incident with the headmaster, it’s still hard to get used to.
“Are you… the head of Baekgwang?”
“You’re quite slow, aren’t you? How could you only realize that now?”
The amusement on her lips deepens.
“How can you go around claiming to be my daughter’s lover with such dull instincts? Hmm?”
“…”
Jin Yeseo, standing in front of the main character, also shoots a resentful glance as if to echo the Blonde Woman’s words.
The main character finds this unfair. How could they have possibly known? The two look so identical, and she was even wearing a mask. The voice was an exact match too…
“My name is Jin Garyeong. I am, albeit humbly, the head of Baekgwang.”
The Blonde Woman nods as she speaks.
“What is the meaning of this stunt you’ve pulled?”
“And why shouldn’t I? This is a matter concerning the marriage of the Five Families.”
The Blonde Woman responds as though the question itself is strange.
“The heir has found a lover. Isn’t it only natural for a mother to confirm it herself?”
“Your methods of confirmation seem excessively rough and vulgar, though.”
“Hey, hey…!”
Jin Yeseo hurriedly tries to stop the main character, glancing nervously between the two, but the irritation is evident in their voice. No matter how much she cares for her daughter, this has surely crossed a line.
And based on what Jin Yeseo has said, it doesn’t even seem like her mother cares that much.
What on earth was she thinking when she concocted this scheme?
“If I really had kissed her…”
“That wouldn’t have happened. I would’ve snapped your neck before that.”
…After she was the one who leaned in first?
“What’s the matter? Did you really think you could claim the head of one of the Five Families so easily? Such audacity.”
“…”
“Well, if you earnestly wish for it, granting your request might not be entirely out of the question…”
The main character realizes that hearing something too absurd can leave one speechless.
Between Yeon Jeongmun, Baek Ilyong, and now this, it seems like all the heads of the Five Families are missing a screw. The kindness shown by Heukryeon’s couple now feels almost abnormal in comparison.
“Enough. In any case, didn’t you put an end to it?”
The Blonde Woman waves her hand dismissively, as if signaling the end of her teasing.
Then, fixing her gaze directly on the main character, she speaks.
“To think you resisted even my temptations. That steadfast self-control of yours is worthy of praise, Child of Heukryeon.”
…What?
The main character freezes at the words that so naturally reveal their identity. Jin Yeseo also stiffens in shock.
There could only be one meaning behind her words.
The entire act up to now… had been completely meaningless and futile.
“…You knew?”
“I never forget something I’ve seen once. Others may be fooled, but not these eyes of mine.”
“You’ve seen me before? When… Ah.”
If there was ever an opportunity to encounter this woman, it could only have been once.
“It’s been weeks since the Jeokhwa Hearing, hasn’t it? You seem to have grown taller. Is it because you’re still in your growth phase? Haha…”
For the head of Baekgwang among the Five Families, holding a seat in the Supreme Council wouldn’t be the least bit out of place.
Was she one of those ridiculous figures wearing Large-Nose Masks back then…?
“Hmm. But this is rather amusing… What a ridiculous pair.”
The Blonde Woman shifts her gaze to Jin Yeseo, who is standing protectively in front of the main character.
“My dear daughter, you seem to be taking this farce quite seriously.”
At those dismissive words, Jin Yeseo firmly denies it.
“It’s real.”
“Such an obvious lie. What do you take me for? If you think I’ll be deceived by this flimsy charade…”
“Even if you don’t believe me, it’s the truth. What can I do about that?”
Jin Yeseo, though slightly intimidated, persists in her rebuttal.
Before the main character could intervene, she suddenly buries herself into their arms. Then, turning her head, she declares to her mother in a defiant voice.
“I already belong to this person. I’ve given everything—body and heart.”
Jin Yeseo acts as though she can’t hear the main character’s murmurs.
“Do you understand? I’m already a discarded piece. I’m no longer useful for your plans! So please, just leave me alone!”
‘Wait…’
“…”
Jin Yeseo’s words pour out as if a dam had burst. The main character’s attempt to calm her down is blocked by her desperate, pleading eyes.
It’s as if she’s silently begging them to go along with her act.
The main character turns to face Jin Garyeong. While she seems intrigued, it’s clear that she’s far from convinced.
“…”
Fine, since their identity has already been exposed, there’s no point in holding back. If they can get through this, Jin Yeseo might finally achieve the freedom she’s been longing for. For a friend’s freedom, enduring a little embarrassment is a small price to pay.
“Yeseo’s words are true.”
“Hiik…”
The main character embraces Jin Yeseo protectively as they speak. A soft gasp escapes from below, startled by the sudden movement.
“We are deeply in love.”
Black Flames flicker faintly in the air near Jin Yeseo, whose head is lowered. The Blonde Woman observes them without a word.
“I hope… you can acknowledge our relationship.”
“Haa…”
This is truly mortifying. Judging by Jin Yeseo’s face, red like a Sunlit Apple, she feels the same way.
Well, if this awkward performance can mask their discomfort, so be it.
“…”
Contrary to their expectations, Jin Garyeong remains silent. Her expression is unreadable, leaving them uncertain of her thoughts.
The main character and Jin Yeseo grow increasingly anxious. They’ve done everything they could. What more could possibly convince her?
‘Hey, think of something!’
‘H-Hik…’
Despite whispering urgently to Jin Yeseo, all that comes back is a sound that resembles a rabbit’s cry. It’s hopeless. It seems she’s too flustered to think clearly either.
“Pfft…”
Contemplating whether to actually pretend to bring their lips together.
The awaited laughter pierces through the brief silence and reaches their ears.
“That should suffice. I understand enough.”
“What…?”
Turning their head to look forward, they see a blonde woman with an amused smile, nodding as she watches them.
“What did you just say…?”
“You’re troublesome, you know. Didn’t I just say I understood?”
By “understood”… does she mean she’s giving her approval to their relationship? But why such a sudden change in attitude?
The unexpectedly straightforward answer leaves them feeling even more bewildered.
“Well, what can I do? When the feelings are mutual.”
The blonde woman reaffirms her statement with a heavy sigh.
“Besides, if she’s already given her body away… Tsk.”
At the blonde woman’s remark, Jin Yeseo flinches slightly. With a sigh, she speaks in a tone tinged with resignation.
“Still, there’s one thing I must ask. From now on, you must answer my questions honestly.”
“…What is it?”
An instinctive feeling arises. This question would be the final hurdle.
But what kind of challenge is she preparing to throw at them, taking so much time to build up?
“Do you have the confidence to make my daughter… happy?”
“…?”
The question that comes out is entirely unexpected. The tension drains from their body.
“In my youth, I suffered greatly because of men. So I absolutely don’t want my daughter to endure the same hardships.”
The blonde woman speaks with a sorrowful expression. Her wistful eyes seem to recall memories of past struggles.
That aside… what exactly is her intention?
It’s impossible to guess her true motives.
“Now, let me ask again. My daughter. Can you make her happy? If you can’t, it would be better to confess honestly now.”
Her expression hardens in an instant, and she glares at them with icy eyes.
“If, in the future, you ever go back on your words… even if it means waging war against Heukryeon, I will repay this humiliation.”
…Somehow, this feels like a much bigger ordeal than initially imagined.
They lower their gaze to Jin Yeseo. At some point, her eyes have become bright and expectant, waiting solely for their answer.
“…”
Countless thoughts race through their mind as they close and reopen their eyes tightly.
In the end, there’s only one way to get through this ordeal.
Whatever the blonde woman’s intentions may be.
“Kyaaah!”
Embracing Jin Yeseo’s shoulders, they speak firmly to her mother.
“…I will make her happy, no matter what.”
***
Jin Yeseo faced her mother with tension in her stance. Claiming they needed to have a private conversation, her mother had dismissed the man for a moment, leaving just the two of them.
-Fwoosh…
Her lips pressed into a tight, expressionless line. Embers flickered faintly underfoot. Unlike Jin Yeseo’s, the flames were not entirely black but tinged halfway, a fundamental reason she bore the burden of being the restoration of black flames.
The nervousness she had felt earlier when the man disappeared, and her regret over losing her first dance, were trivial concerns compared to the current situation.
“Haah…”
A deep, heavy sigh filled the air.
The reason her mother had treated the man the way she did was clear. Given the current circumstances, showing a friendly attitude toward him was more advantageous.
The story of the warlike girl who had once saved their Family by beheading her own parents was now an old tale. Her mother’s cruelty had not disappeared but had instead evolved into a more covert form intertwined with her thirst for power.
“Already given everything… both body and heart… Ha.”
The low, murmuring voice carried a distinct edge. Jin Yeseo knew for certain—her mother was seething with anger.
“My beloved daughter, my very reflection. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
Jin Yeseo swallowed hard.
A final trial awaited her in her pursuit of love.