I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15

“I think we’ve selected everything we need now.”

When Yeonriri gestured, her maid placed a wooden box on the table.

Inside were 10 gold ingots. The price of a house in the city center.

“When you bring the items to the Yeomhwa Family, I’ll pay the remaining balance. Please make sure to rework the accessories I mentioned earlier, and deliver them within ten days.”

“Yes, I will certainly deliver them within the deadline.”

The shop owner, seemingly as pleased as the weight of the gold ingots, bowed with his waist bent in half.

“Shall we rest and have some tea? Miss Chung’s face has turned quite pale, so it seems you need some rest.”

Yeonriri guided me to a tea house not far from Honggeum-heon.

As we entered the tea house where the gentle sound of a stringed instrument could be heard, a server greeted Yeonriri and me.

The place we headed to was an enclosed space located on the second floor.

It was a space where we could rest comfortably without being conscious of other people’s gazes.

Flower cakes mixed with petals like plum blossoms and peonies, various nuts, and colorful rice cakes were placed before me. They were snacks as beautiful as works of art.

Seeing them reminded me of something.

“Miss Yeon. You’re going out soon, right? How long do you think it will take?”

“I’ll try to return within one hour. I’ll have my maid wait outside, so Miss Chung, please enjoy tea comfortably with Okxiang.”

“Alright. But…”

I looked at Yeonriri and moved my lips hesitantly.

“Is there something you want?”

“When you come back… could you buy some sweets for me?”

Since I had no money, I had no choice but to ask Yeonriri.

“It’s not because I want to eat them, but because I want to give them to Sawol.”

“…Alright.”

Yeonriri chuckled softly and nodded.

She put on a black cloak she had brought in advance and opened the window.

I didn’t take my eyes off her until her shadow crossed over the window.

I had a guess where Yeonriri was heading.

Probably to Mukheolam, the training space of the Heavenly Sect.

Though called a training space, it was actually like a tomb for the living, where the grand lady of the Yeomhwa Family stayed.

Sobaek, Yeonriri’s grandmother, had lost her mind after losing her eldest son and was not mentally sound.

Yeonjo, the family head, had sent her to Mukheolam.

She was said to be keeping her dead son’s belongings and mourning him.

Though it was information from 10 years ago, there probably hadn’t been much change.

The small suspicion Yeonriri had harbored was gradually taking shape. So she would be planning to meet her grandmother and ask about herself.

‘Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t be able to hear the truth.’

Even if the grand lady was lucky enough to regain her sanity, she wouldn’t give testimony that would harm her other son, the current family head.

But if Chung-rin had made a move, the situation would be different.

‘I’m curious how he intervened.’

I had no intention of confirming it with my own eyes. This time alone was important for me too.

“Okxiang, could you guard this place for me? I have something to go check on briefly.”

Okxiang wasn’t very surprised. She must have sensed that I would act this way.

First, I put on a hood to avoid being noticed. Then, when I opened the window to go outside.

A figure in black clothes was sitting on the roof, looking in my direction.

‘An assassin?’

There was no killing intent, so it wasn’t someone after my life.

Judging by the fact that I hadn’t sensed his presence, he seemed to be quite skilled in stealth techniques.

The person displayed excellent lightness skills and landed beside the window. Up close, his face looked familiar.

“Miss Chung, please follow me.”

It was a subordinate of Third Prince Wicheonso, whom I had met at Bukhangnyo.

It seemed the Third Prince had also tracked my location and made his move.

Probably an informant planted in the Yeomhwa Family had leaked information that Yeonriri and I had gone out.

“Where is the Third Prince?”

“He is waiting for you at Chungru.”

He said this while pointing to a building across the way.

“Please hold onto me.”

He then extended his arm to me. It meant he would guide me.

When I grasped his arm, he displayed his marvelous lightness skills once again.

He moved my body as light as a feather onto the eaves platform of Chungru. It felt as if I had walked through the air.

When he opened a door carved with flower patterns, the interior became visible.

The interior decorated in black and red had an eerie feeling as if painted with blood. Thin curtains hanging on the walls and screens containing flowers and birds cast shadows.

Perhaps due to the subtle fragrance reaching my nose, it felt almost surreal.

In the center were a luxurious bed and an elegant tea table.

The bed showed no signs of use, and the expensive teacup on the tea table contained clear-colored tea.

Beyond that, a man as beautiful as if he had jumped out of a master’s painting was looking out the window.

Third Prince Wicheonso.

Even though only his back was visible, my heart raced as if facing Mount Tai.

“Miss Chung. Have you been well?”

Wicheonso turned to look at me with a bright face.

Meeting him again after several days, he had become even more splendid.

“Thanks to you. Have you been well too, Prince?”

I removed my hood and responded to him formally.

“Not particularly well.”

At his unexpected answer, I only blinked slightly, but he was already standing before me.

“Because I couldn’t obtain what I wanted.”

His red eyes seen up close were as cold as ice, and his smiling face felt eerie, like wearing an emotionless mask.

“…That’s regrettable.”

“Still, my mood improved when Miss Chung personally sent me a letter. It felt like receiving an unexpected gift.”

Though his words were polite, he was exploring me, mulling over my words and actions.

“I didn’t know you were this close by.”

“How could that be? I saw you constantly surveying your surroundings earlier.”

Meeting his crescent-shaped eyes made my heart beat ominously.

I affirmed by maintaining silence.

He had probably been watching me from the moment I came to Honggeum-heon.

❖ ❖ ❖

A report about Chung-rin had returned from the eyes planted in the Yeomhwa Family.

[Her memory still seems not to have returned.]

[Her food intake has increased. She has also started taking walks.]

[The wedding ceremony will proceed as scheduled. Still living only at her residence and nearby walking paths. Similar daily routine every day.]

Wicheonso, who was reading the report, tilted his head sideways.

Seeing that even such trivial reports were coming up, it seemed Chung-rin originally didn’t eat much or take many walks.

Though not written in the report, she was clearly being monitored to prevent free movement.

‘In such a situation, she wrote a letter to contact me.’

It meant there was another ally by her side.

[Has not exchanged contact with Seolsan Jeokga for 10 years.]

‘I can’t believe this.’

Perhaps, just as she had sent him a letter, she might be secretly communicating with her main family.

[Presumed to have a poor relationship with her fiancé Yeonhopyeong.]

Those who learned the Yeomhwa Family’s Fire Demon technique were belligerent, so Yeonhopyeong also had a rough temperament.

‘Miss Chung wasn’t the type to fear anyone.’

Though Chung-rin was wary of him as the Third Prince, she maintained courtesy and acted rationally.

The more he reviewed the reports, the more Wicheonso felt that Chung-rin was hiding something.

A day passed and another report arrived.

[Planning to go out with Yeonriri today. First outing in 5 years.]

‘First outing in 5 years.’

Wicheonso had met Chung-rin at Bukhangnyo a week ago. He hadn’t suspected anything since the accompanying maid had come to find her…, but it seemed she had snuck out that time as well.

‘Not only does she hide many things, but she’s also quite bold.’

He chuckled softly while setting the report on fire, then called out to Chungbeom who was waiting outside.

“Prepare clothes and a carriage immediately. I’m going to Geumryeongno.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And investigate thoroughly how Chung-rin has lived in the Yeomhwa Family for the past 10 years. Leave nothing out.”

Chungbeom looked at Wicheonso with slight surprise.

“Why?”

“This is almost the first time my lord has shown interest in a woman, so I was a bit surprised. More than during the wedding ceremony 2 years ago…”

“I take interest in anyone when necessary.”

Wicheonso smiled brilliantly.

Though it was a beautiful smile that would captivate anyone’s gaze, Chungbeom turned pale and bowed his head.

Because Wicheonso’s smile was tinged with killing intent.

It meant his interest was not in a woman, but in prey.

After that, Wicheonso arrived at Geumryeongno and settled in Chungru.

This was because he had received news that Chung-rin, who had gone out with Yeonriri, was heading to Honggeum-heon.

He rented a room at Chungru and personally observed Chung-rin’s situation with his own eyes.

She appeared to be absorbed in selecting accessories, but upon closer inspection, he could tell she was keeping her distance from unfamiliar staff and even paying attention to those outside the shop building.

This meant she had anticipated that he would come looking for her.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Miss Chung seemed to be looking for me the entire time.”

Wicheonso maintained a courteous attitude while fixing his persistent gaze on Chung-rin.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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