I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 55

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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 55

 

“Wife.”

 

Wicheonso’s breath reached my ear.

 

Though it wasn’t a voice filled with any particular emotion, I felt a strange sensation as something tickled somewhere in my stomach.

 

He gently pressed my shoulder and seated me on the bed.

 

His long black hair flowed down and tickled the tip of my nose.

 

Before I knew it, the wedding robes had been scattered and only undergarments remained.

 

Through the gap in Wicheonso’s collar as he looked down at me, his firmly built chest was revealed. His shoulders were also broad and solid, appearing disciplined.

 

I knew his appearance was outwardly splendid, but this was the first time I felt the warrior-like aspect hidden beneath his clothing.

 

He reached out to sweep my hair behind my ear, then placed his hand on my cheek.

 

His long fingers felt hot. His fingertips were trembling finely.

 

“What will you call me now?”

 

His thumb gently traced my lips, causing them to part slightly.

 

“…Husband?”

 

“Well done.”

 

I felt heat in the red eyes that gazed solely at me.

 

I somehow felt embarrassed by this situation of facing him.

 

Strangely, the back of my neck felt hot.

 

It must be because of the incense the maids of Cheonyanggung had burned. The incense burned to perform the ritual of harmony must have stimulated my instincts.

 

No, perhaps the air had heated up because of the burning gaze he was sending me.

 

At this rate, I felt like I would be consumed by him.

 

The situation where only senses would remain after losing reason made me anxious.

 

A desire to resist him surged up.

 

“Were you happy to get revenge on Yeonhopyeong? Or did you hope for the Yeomhwa Family itself to fall? What more should I do for you?”

 

His hand slid smoothly over my body.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Without even having time to answer, my back touched the bed.

 

Wicheonso looked down at me like that.

 

“…Yeonhopyeong was a traitor, so he deserved to die.”

 

Though I answered without emotion, my shoulders trembled slightly. It was true that I had designed Yeonhopyeong’s death.

 

But Yeonhopyeong was merely an obstacle in the path of my revenge; the real thing hadn’t even begun yet.

 

“Are you upset because it seems like I used you?”

 

“Seeing you admit it so readily, you seem to have improved a little.”

 

Wicheonso’s red eyes gazed at me. There was no killing intent in his eyes.

 

Only my tense, breathing figure was reflected there.

 

Was what he was looking at distrust toward me, or desire for the pleasure to come?

 

Either way didn’t matter.

 

Here, I had to give him what he wanted and erase his suspicions.

 

I carefully reached out and touched my fingertips to his body.

 

Through the thin fabric, I could feel his heart beating hotly.

 

My heart also began to beat frantically in response. I felt as if I were stripped bare before him, not wearing even a thread.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Wicheonso grabbed my hand and removed it from his body.

 

As if telling me not to touch him anymore.

 

Then he slowly raised his body.

 

“Rest comfortably tonight.”

 

He turned his back to me and sat at the table again.

 

‘Huh?’

 

I thought I should be faithful to the role of a married couple for the contract, but Wicheonso seemed not to want this.

 

Along with puzzlement, relief remained in my chest.

 

“I have work left to do, so please sleep first.”

 

Wicheonso took his sword that had been leaning against the wall and left the bridal chamber.

 

‘Really because of work? Or is he being careful because he might accidentally cut me?’

 

I had questions, but still felt it was fortunate.

 

Because I was afraid of what actions I might take if I stayed in the same space facing him like before.

 

‘We’re not even a couple bound by emotion, so why was my heart stirring?’

 

I didn’t know since it was my first time, but perhaps marriage itself might be something that shakes a person’s heart.

 

Thinking that the person who made me nervous had left, strength drained from my entire body.

 

I let the drowsiness that came late overtake me.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

Contrary to Chung-rin’s speculation, Wicheonso’s going outside wasn’t because of the aftermath of the Phantom Demon Art.

 

It was because of his agreement with the Leader to hold the wedding but maintain celibacy.

 

From the beginning, he shouldn’t have performed the ritual of harmony with her.

 

But the moment he laid her on the bed, an unfamiliar desire surged up.

 

Though there were constraints of a contract, Chung-rin was a woman who had completely become his.

 

Was it because of the peach blossom fragrance that gently emanated from Chung-rin’s soft skin?

 

He wanted to completely possess the light hair scattered over the bed, the slightly flushed cheeks from excitement.

 

No, from the beginning he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

 

When he saved her from drowning, whether by chance or not, she had spoken the word ‘Baekah.’

 

Perhaps it was because when they met for the second time at Bukhangnyo, she shed tears after waking from sleep.

 

She had naturally occupied a corner of Wicheonso’s mind all along.

 

However, Wicheonso removed his hands from Chung-rin right after facing her frightened eyes.

 

He deliberately reminded himself that Chung-rin didn’t completely belong to him yet.

 

‘Yes, everything must have been coincidence.’

 

‘Baekah’ was the name he had lost 10 years ago, and the master who gave him that name had disappeared.

 

After ascending to the position of Third Prince, he had continuously searched for traces of his master but hadn’t found anything yet.

 

“I heard about the Phantom Demon Art from a guest who visited Seolsan Jeokga just before coming to the Yeomhwa Family 10 years ago.”

 

At the mention of 10 years ago, his master suddenly came to mind.

 

Chung-rin.

 

Since it was similar to the time when she went missing, he wanted to hear at least that person’s name, but she didn’t tell him.

 

Perhaps she might not know the other person’s name.

 

Wicheonso exhaled deeply and calmed his stirring heart.

 

Only the same blue moon as 10 years ago hung over his head.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

When I opened my eyes, it was already morning.

 

Whether it was because I had been tense for too long, or because of the incense burned in Cheonyanggung’s bridal chamber, I had fallen into a deep sleep.

 

As soon as I got up, I changed clothes with the help of the maids, then stood by the window and looked up at the sky. The sun viewed from Cheonyanggung felt colder than yesterday.

 

Continuing thoughts weighed heavily on my mind.

 

‘The real thing starts from now.’

 

The wedding with Wicheonso was outwardly a blessing of the Heavenly Sect, but beneath it lay the Leader’s will, the elders’ calculations, and the gazes of the Seven Great Families.

 

I had to find my place within that without being swayed by any side.

 

“Miss, it’s time to go pay respects to Cheonjon.”

 

“Yes. Let’s go right away.”

 

After properly adjusting my collar, I went outside.

 

Above my head were the hair ornaments that Wicheonso had personally removed last night, now pinned back in place.

 

Last night’s events felt like a dream, but my fingertips trembled minutely with the thought that it was all reality.

 

Following the attendant to Cheonmyeong Hall, the central pavilion of the Heavenly Sect, Wicheonso was waiting for me there, dressed in black robes.

 

“You’ve come?”

 

The smile had disappeared from his lips that always seemed relaxed. A faint smell of blood came from beside him, as if he had seen blood during the night.

 

“Have you finished all your urgent business?”

 

“No, I’ll likely be busy for a while.”

 

Wicheonso’s answer was brief, but somehow I felt a wall between us.

 

Though we had held a wedding ceremony, I wasn’t truly his wife.

 

Since I had used him for my schemes, it was natural that he wouldn’t trust me.

 

This situation could create a rift between us. This wasn’t a problem that could be solved with just a few clauses written in a contract.

 

Wicheonso guided me inside the Gyojeon.

 

“This path leads to Cheonmugung, and you must remember that Cheonmugung cannot be entered without prior permission.”

 

In front of Cheonmugung stood a pavilion, and I could see the Elders lined up in front of it as if waiting for the Leader. The heads of the Seven Great Families were also waiting behind them.

 

Since Yeonjo was nowhere to be seen among them, it seemed the interrogation wasn’t finished yet.

 

Smoke was rising from the Hyangdae on the path leading to Cheonmugung.

 

Cheonmugung was the Leader’s residence, which could be called the heart of the Heavenly Sect, and also housed the shrine of the previous Leaders.

 

Leader Gwon Museong happened to be sitting on the upper seat of the altar.

 

As Wicheonso and I entered together, an ominous voice pressed down on me.

 

Due to the considerable intimidating presence, I unconsciously bowed my head.

 

This was my second meeting with Leader Gwon Museong.

 

“Disciple Wicheonso pays respects to Cheonjon.”

 

“The Third Prince’s wife, Chung-rin, pays respects to Cheonjon.”

 

As Wicheonso and I showed proper courtesy, Gwon Museong’s gaze turned toward us.

 

“Wicheonso, Chung-rin.”

 

His low, sharp voice pressed against my heart.

 

The Leader’s gaze looking at Wicheonso and me was stern, seeming ready to evaluate us at any moment.

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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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