Chapter 87
The Red Flower Falls (14)
I spent the entire day closely with Yeon Minha. As evening approached, we prepared to head to yesterday’s banquet hall again.
We had been informed earlier by a servant that the head of the Jeokhwa family, who had come out of his research lab, would be joining us for dinner tonight.
In a dark guest room with all windows covered by curtains and not a single mirror, only the sound of something being fussed over could be heard.
“Hair… neat… clothes fit well… the scent suits you too…”
After personally inspecting my appearance for a while, Yeon Minha finally stepped back after briefly bringing her nose close to my chest.
She nodded with satisfaction and spoke. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as if she had applied makeup.
“What’s the point of all this when I’m wearing this on my face anyway?”
I said, feeling the mask in my hands. Yeon Minha shook her head vigorously.
“Still, we should do what we can, shouldn’t we? You saw my mother yesterday, right? Our parents are really strict people. It’s better to look a bit eccentric than shabby. Magicians are very strict with the incompetent, but they tend to be quite lenient towards eccentrics…”
Then she didn’t hide her somewhat regretful expression.
“It’s a shame… it’s really perfect…”
T his w a s c op i e d f ro m k ingm t l . o r g
“I’m sorry about that.”
I still had no particular solution for the near-seizure-like rejection that occurred even when my reflection was briefly seen in a window or puddle.
“Mmm, no. More importantly, let’s go now. I think the preparations should be about done.”
Yeon Minha shook her head and grabbed my sleeve.
I made a final check of my appearance and followed her.
Guided by a waiting servant, we passed through yesterday’s long corridor and headed towards the banquet hall in the main building again.
As we passed through familiar sections, I glanced sideways. The photo of the man and woman who closely resembled Yeon Minha was still there.
Looking forward again, the woman who seemed to have jumped out of the picture was walking in step with me. She was swallowing slightly, seeming a bit nervous.
This feels quite strange.
The banquet hall we arrived at was, unlike yesterday, filled with a rather splendid and bustling atmosphere. The resonance stone lamps emitted bright light in all directions, and servants busy preparing hot meals hurried back and forth.
After a short while, a middle-aged man approached, accompanied by several attendants.
T h i s w as cop i e d fro m k i n g m tl . o rg
Yeon Minha quickly approached him and bowed deeply in greeting.
“It’s been a long time, Father. Have you been well?”
The man made a gesture for her to raise her head and spoke in a dry voice.
“Yes. You look good too. It’s been three years, hasn’t it… my goodness.”
As Yeon Minha raised her head, the man’s eyes were suddenly filled with surprise.
Th is wa s c op ie d f r om ki n g mtl . o rg
He stopped mid-sentence and stood dazed for a moment.
“Well, I thought you’d become a lady, but this is beyond imagination. How can you look so much like your mother?”
“I’m still far from matching Mother. I will strive to improve further.”
Yeon Minha maintained her composed demeanor, but there was a hint of satisfaction on her face.
My gaze naturally turned to the man’s back. There stood the mistress of Jeokhwa who had greeted us yesterday.
Under the bright lights, she tried to maintain a solemn appearance, but her face still revealed undisguised signs of nervousness and anxiety.
Isn’t she also from one of the Magi 27 Families and now the madam of a prestigious household?
I couldn’t even begin to guess what was making her so anxious.
What I found even more incomprehensible was her reaction when the man said Yeon Minha looked just like her mother.
Though it was just for a moment, I could clearly see her face contort as if she had heard the most terrible insult in the world.
I don’t think Yeon Minha’s appearance particularly resembles her mother either… but is it normal for a parent to show such an expression when told their child looks like them?
The man who had greeted Yeon Minha approached me and offered a handshake.
“Welcome. I am the head of Jeokhwa. My name is Yeon Jeongmun.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Yu Jinhyun.”
T hi s w as co p i e d fr o m k in g m t l. o rg
As I shook his outstretched hand, I faced the man.
He looked like an older version of Yeon Minha if she were male, if that makes sense.
Traces of his younger self from the photograph were still clearly visible, but time was slowly robbing him of his youth.
His hair and skin were dull and lifeless, and his eyes seemed dim, covered by thick glasses.
His pupils appeared to have lost their luster and darkened, but behind them, an occasional glint of either intelligence or madness flickered.
T hi s w a s c o p ie d f ro m ki ngm tl .org
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r o m k in g m tl . o rg
Suddenly, I recalled the image of the headmistress who still retained her youthful beauty. Even when this man attended the Cradle, she must have still looked young. They say that magicians with exceptional talent can suppress aging and maintain their youth until death. Does this mean he didn’t reach that level?
A disciple who looks older than his master…
As I examined the man, he too scrutinized me. His gaze felt as if it might pierce through my mask. Beside me, Yeon Minha was watching this exchange with a somewhat tense sidelong glance.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l. org
However, his sharp gaze swept over me in an instant and then disappeared.
“I had an important research project, so my greeting was delayed. I’ve been rude to a guest who has visited after a long time. Please be understanding.”
“Ah, no. Thanks to my senior… senior taking care of me, I’ve been staying without any discomfort. Rather, I’ve received more hospitality than I deserve.”
It seemed necessary to adjust my form of address in front of her parents.
But I’m a bit surprised by the unexpected kindness towards me. Wasn’t Jeokhwa famously known for generations for their fierce temperament due to mental contamination?
T hi s w a s c o p ie d f r o m ki ng m tl . o rg
Even if it’s just feigned courtesy, Yeon Minha wasn’t even capable of that when we first met. Perhaps she takes after her mother’s personality rather than her appearance? Then was that not a compliment earlier? It’s all quite puzzling and hard to grasp.
“I’m glad you feel that way. Come, let’s not stand here, let’s sit down first.”
He gestured towards the chairs at the table.
As he turned, I suddenly heard a faint metallic sound and looked for its source.
Around the neck of the Jeokhwa family head was an ornament that looked like a religious symbol, worn like a necklace.
Unlike the usual crosses one might see, this one had a strangely elongated upper part. The difference made it appear as if the cross was hanging upside down at a glance.
The necklace that had momentarily been revealed soon disappeared back into his collar, and being completely unfamiliar with religion myself, I paid it no further attention.
But I still remembered being told that his face had noticeably brightened after receiving counseling from the nun who visited monthly. Is religious counseling really that effective? To the extent of alleviating mental contamination and perhaps even smoothing out one’s personality?
If it’s that good, I might seriously consider converting too.
T hi s w as c o p i e d fr om k i n g mt l.o r g
At the man’s gesture, we all took our seats one by one, and servants began bringing in food accompanied by soft music.
“Well. I had already heard that you received the Geumseong Martial Honor Medal. And that you took first place at the Cradle, surpassing Paechun.”
“Yes, Father.”
The man nodded slowly, seeming satisfied with Yeon Minha’s confirmation.
“As befits the heir of Jeokhwa. How could I show my face if you fell behind those rat-like Paechun fellows? You did well, even if it was a bit late. Continue to build on that achievement from now on.”
“Thank you, Father. I will strive to do even better.”
Though his voice was dry, Yeon Minha sitting next to me was overjoyed. Similar conversations continued afterward. But I tilted my head, feeling an increasing sense of discomfort.
He repeatedly praised only the honor gained from the Geumseong Martial Honor Medal and the achievement of surpassing Paechun, like a parrot. He showed no interest at all in her mental contamination or the near-death crisis in the South.
Just like her mother, who kept silently downing glasses of alcohol.
Yeon Minha seemed to take even this as praise for herself, only showing a happy expression, but…
T h i s w a s co p ie d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
“…This is also thanks to my junior here, who helped me in every way. Without this child, I would have been struggling quite a bit by now.”
“…I see. The recommended student from Heukryeon.”
At Yeon Minha’s gesture, the man turned his gaze to me again.
“I’ve been so absorbed in my research that I’m completely out of touch with outside affairs, but I think I vaguely heard about that. Heukryeon designated a recommended student for the first time in 17 years. Was it the young master’s recommendation? Those people have long since cut off all interest in external activities.”
“That’s correct.”
I nodded at his words.
“You seem to have some unique aspects, but your skills are certainly apparent. Our Jeokhwa has maintained a close relationship with Heukryeon for generations. We also share a common enemy in those vermin Paechun.”
His gaze was directed at my mask again this time.
“Though you’re not a direct descendant, I’m very satisfied to see that relationship continuing. Please serve my daughter well. While Heukryeon is certainly a renowned family, it falls short compared to the long-standing history of our Jeokhwa. Moreover, those arrogant Paechun will soon be ground into the dirt…”
“…”
Serve? I wonder if it’s just my imagination that certain words seem oddly grating.
As I turned my head slightly to the side, I saw Yeon Minha looking back and forth between me and her father with a restless expression.
It seems I didn’t mishear after all.
End of Chapter