NOVEL NEXT Chapter 128
I had known since the moment we got intimate that the child wasn’t alone. However, I didn’t tell him out of sheer curiosity about what kind of reaction he would have.
What would the father’s reaction be upon realizing that the child was bringing two more with her? This was such a rare spectacle, akin to observing a parallel world through a mirror, that I longed to find out.
And above all, it seemed like it would be quite amusing. I wondered how he would react if I told him exactly one hour before their arrival.
No matter how much of an Emperor he is, he isn’t in direct contact with the gods, so I suspected he still believed the child was diligently studying at the Academy.
Though I hadn’t informed him, my hope was that he would develop a habit of skepticism when faced with such naivety.
“Your Highness, I have delightful news. It appears the child is on her way back!”
“The child? Why is she returning so soon? It’s only been five months since her departure. Goodness… please tell me she didn’t run away from class…”
He was still treating the child like a mere infant, unable to guess what I might say next. After all, she was now a mature adult. How long would he continue to regard her as a mere younger child?
If she’s returning, wouldn’t it make more sense that she was expelled or left due to a lack of things to learn rather than getting bored and running off? Yet, he didn’t even consider that possibility.
“Regardless of the reason, there are more people now than when she left. Given that she’s riding a swift ship, she should arrive at Dalpo Port within the hour. What will you do?”
As I conveyed the facts to him, he remained as still as a statue, showing no signs of movement whatsoever.
He was utterly frozen. That was quite an interesting reaction. But if you looked closely, it became clear he was struggling to process the flood of information he had just received.
“…So, the child isn’t alone… what does that mean? Is there someone with her, or is she pregnant?”
“Both.”
His eyelids twitched, and he took deep breaths to calm his increasingly ragged breaths; it was evident that he felt bewildered and furious. How fascinating.
“…You said she’s arriving at Dalpo Port? My lady. Then we must prepare to welcome the child and… whatever that stray dog she’s brought along!”
He was trying hard to stay calm, but the overwhelming rage was impossible to conceal. His hand gripping the sword was tense, the veins bulging.
I had expected this, but I hadn’t anticipated it would be this dramatic. The intense level of his response brought me a sense of ‘joy’. Regardless, I manipulated the crack generator to open a portal leading to Dalpo Port.
With each step he took, anger and strength were palpable, and how my summoned stranger and the child’s lover would survive was now uncertain.
Should the child wish for my interference, I would gladly grant it, but generally speaking, intervening in any situation bore tremendous risks.
If I were to intervene, it wouldn’t be me that would perish, but this world itself.
Even if I were discovered, it wouldn’t be much of an issue. The main body still believed I hadn’t interfered with civilization.
Since Ho-yeon’s existence was that of a child born from the inhabitants of this world, it wouldn’t pose a direct problem. Furthermore, the veil shielding us meant that small interferences bore a low risk of detection.
Nonetheless, since there was still some risk of being detected, it would be wise to exercise restraint in my interventions.
“Then let us go, Your Highness. It would be best to have the sea breeze and think about what to say in advance. If you continue to act as you’re currently thinking, the child may end up disliking you.”
“…Thank you for your advice, my lady. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Gripping his sword sheath tightly enough to bend it slightly suggested that things wouldn’t go smoothly. I wondered if the words of the stranger would manage to ease his fury.
That too would be a source of ‘joy’.
—
Even if I brought the most oblivious person in the world, the anger on Jeong-ho’s face was evident.
Perhaps because he was Ho-yeon’s father, it was acceptable to think that way, but if a demon were to manifest, it might look just like him. He even resembled the ominous masks from traditional plays.
Byeolbi displayed a completely blank expression, making it impossible to read anything on her face.
In any case, both reactions indicated a very ominous sign. There was no welcoming demeanor. The only relief was that at least he hadn’t brought soldiers with him.
…Or thinking back, being on this ship was effectively akin to having his soldiers with him, so perhaps he didn’t need to bring them. I was genuinely becoming a little frightened about whether this would really work.
As I pondered this, Ho-yeon held my hand tightly. Jeong-ho’s expression grew even more menacing, but honestly, I couldn’t even distinguish further degrees of menace, which oddly brought me some comfort.
Even if I were to fail, I had Ho-yeon backing me up. Moreover, she claimed to have an advantage when it came to Jeong-ho. I needed to take my shot… somehow.
I was certainly feeling nervous. The potent aura emanating from him was so overwhelming that I found it painful even to look directly at him. It was almost as if I were staring into a blazing fire.
“…Dokan, from now on, just follow my lead.”
As the ship docked, guards I hadn’t noticed began to scurry about and quickly created a pathway leading to Jeong-ho and Byeolbi.
Ho-yeon stepped ahead silently, so I hurried to her side.
“…Have you been well, Father, Mother? The girl has returned a bit earlier than expected due to an unfortunate accident.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve been well, daughter. You seem to be looking well too. I’m glad to hear that. But… this unfortunate circumstance, is it because of that man?”
Seeing his previously relaxed demeanor morph into a furious expression made me gasp in disbelief—could a person really flip so drastically? Yet, Ho-yeon calmly answered Jeong-ho’s question.
“No. If anything, it was my fault. I was caught up in my emotions and made a grave mistake, which led to my unfortunate expulsion. I apologize, Father.”
“No, my daughter. Your safety is what matters to me. Surely, those foolish individuals must have made a mistake in expelling you. I’ve been planning to deal with them someday, but my—”
“No, Father. There’s no need for that. They are not worth it. I didn’t leave; I chose to walk away. It was unbearable to endure.”
…Wasn’t there a mention of war just now? Ho-yeon skillfully deflected Jeong-ho’s ambition. Hearing such words from her made Jeong-ho abandon any attempts to press further.
“Hmm, I see. Rather than squander time, you chose to leave? That’s wise. What could one possibly learn in such a remote place? However, speaking of momentary emotions, was your pregnancy and this stray dog incident also due to fleeting feelings?”
She seemed discontented with Jeong-ho’s question, scrunching her nose, but she couldn’t retort directly. Could it finally be my turn to step in…?
If a gaze could ignite a fire, I would have been ablaze by now, for his was a fierce stare. I had promised to not be intimidated, yet I felt overwhelmed.
“Speak, you scoundrel. How dare you touch my daughter and impregnate her without a wedding? How do you intend to meet your demise?”
With that, Jeong-ho roared and drew his sword. Ho-yeon’s expression shifted dramatically, but the blade came to a halt right next to my neck.
“…Your Majesty, I cannot presume to gauge your wrath. The life debt for daring to touch the Princess is one not easily repaid. However, Your Majesty, do you wish for your grandchild to grow up without knowing their father?”
“How dare this blasphemous wretch speak to me like that…!”
“What will you say when the child grows up and asks where their father is? If they consider you their father, how will you handle that? Do you intend to make your daughter a single mother? Your Majesty, despite my humble origins and being unworthy of you, my feelings for her are genuine, as are hers for me. If you were to strike me down, your daughter would resent you for all her days; are you prepared for that?”
It seemed I got through somewhat, for Jeong-ho was now silent, simply listening to me. His expression still held clouds of discontent, but it was never going to be beautiful, to begin with, so I continued.
“Then go ahead and strike. Just do so in front of your daughter.”
The guards, Jeong-ho, even Byeolbi regarded me with a hint of admiration. Had I succeeded…? Yet, nothing happened, so I couldn’t tell.
With my heart racing, threatening to burst, and enveloped in silence, it wasn’t long before Jeong-ho finally opened his mouth.
“…Guards, bring that wretch to his knees before me at once!”
And the outcome was a failure. His previously cold face devoid of anger now bristled with pure malice.
Crap, I really messed up. I had feared it might backfire, and it clearly did.
What to do? Without time to think, the guards forcefully dragged me to his front and forced my knees to the ground.
Even trying to look at Ho-yeon was impossible.
“Fine, I’ll grant your request. I was wondering what cunning trap you had in store, but is this your feeble plan? Pathetic beyond measure. Did you think weak words could achieve anything?”
I was truly going to die. I had failed. I couldn’t fail.
“…I hate you, Dad.”
In the moment of peril, Ho-yeon finally spoke up.
“…Daughter. This is all for you.”
“So what? I don’t need this, Dad! Have I ever wished for it even once?!”
…She spoke rather harshly.
“You’ve always been this way, blocking whatever I wanted, claiming it was for my sake! You only do what I never asked for and force me into it! Did I ever ask for a unified empire or a sophisticated manner of speaking?! I hated how you arbitrarily started a war! I felt lonely every day and was terrified you’d die! Do you even understand?!”
“…H-Ho-yeon. I… that’s…”
Is this successful…?