Chapter : 9
“I only need to protect Lady Yerin until we leave the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
Given how utterly devoid of warmth the Tang Clan was, there was a high chance they would continue tormenting Yerin whenever Doyul wasn’t watching.
But if all of the maids were dismissed…
“The Tang Clan has its pride. Once the maids are driven out, they won’t dare lay another hand on Lady Yerin themselves.”
If Yerin were abused again even after the maids responsible had been removed…
…then it would no longer be dismissed as “the personal misconduct of a few servants.” It would become undeniable proof that the Tang Clan itself was abusing one of its own daughters.
Tang Socheol clicked his tongue.
“He’s quite clever.”
Still, it wasn’t a bad proposal from the Tang Clan’s perspective.
The maids hadn’t merely stolen from the household—they had abused a young girl who carried the Tang bloodline, even if she was only an illegitimate daughter.
Such a scandal might not shake the might of the Sichuan Tang Clan, but it would certainly stain its reputation.
“If we can pin all the blame on the maids and settle things cleanly, that’s not a bad outcome.”
After all, there was a world of difference between not knowing a blood relative was being abused and knowingly allowing it to happen.
Tang Socheol slowly swept his cold gaze over the maids before speaking.
“When did mere servants gain the right to lay hands on a child bearing the Tang family name?”
…A child bearing the Tang family name.
Yerin clenched her teeth to suppress a bitter laugh.
“Since when did you ever treat me like your daughter? The audacity.”
The maids, however, were in no position to think such thoughts.
“…”
“…”
An icy silence settled over the courtyard.
Terrified, the maids could only glance nervously at one another.
“Every servant involved in this matter shall be severely punished!”
His thunderous declaration made their hearts seize with terror.
After all, there wasn’t a single servant in the Tang Clan who had never taken part in mistreating Yerin.
Tang Socheol stomped his foot and roared,
“Get that rat out of my sight this instant!”
The household guards hurried over and dragged Myungyi away, unconscious and covered in blood.
Watching the scene, Doyul suddenly thought of Yerin.
“Isn’t this too cruel a sight for such a young lady?”
He quietly turned to look at her—
—and felt his heart drop.
Her face had gone completely pale, devoid of all color.
Cold sweat beaded across her forehead.
Startled, Doyul gently grasped her shoulders.
“Lady.”
“…Palace Lord.”
Yerin called to him with trembling lips.
But in reality, what she was thinking was…
“Ugh… this is exhausting.”
The technique Grasping Objects Through Empty Space naturally consumed an enormous amount of internal energy.
Just flicking a maid’s sleeve once had completely drained her.
Sympathy filled Doyul’s eyes.
“You must have been terribly frightened.”
“…Pardon?”
“I should have been more considerate. I’m sorry you had to witness something so cruel.”
…It seemed Doyul had completely misunderstood.
Blinking in surprise, Yerin opened her eyes wide.
But Doyul had already turned to Tang Soccheol.
“Clan Head Tang. Lady Yerin seems greatly shaken. I believe it would be best if she returned inside to rest.”
No, I’m not frightened.
I’ve spent years swinging a sword. You think I’d be shocked by seeing this little blood?
The words nearly escaped her mouth.
Yerin hurriedly shut her lips.
“Well… since it’s come to this…”
I might as well earn a little sympathy.
Lowering her head, Yerin quietly reached out and lightly grasped Doyul’s sleeve.
Then she curled herself up, pretending to tremble with fear.
Seeing this…
“…Would it be alright if Lady Yerin rested at my residence?”
There was unmistakable pity in Doyul’s voice.
Tang Socheol raised an eyebrow.
“…Yerin?”
“Yes. Since we have already become husband and wife, I wish to stay by her side and look after her.”
More than anything, Doyul had no desire to send Yerin back to that crumbling residence.
Just then—
Tang Socheol, who had been silently watching him, slowly curled the corners of his lips.
“Well, if that’s what the Palace Lord prefers, then by all means.”
Then he suddenly asked,
“But before that, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“Please.”
“It seems you’ve gone to great lengths to clear my wife’s name.”
Tilting his head as though he genuinely couldn’t understand, Tang Socheol continued,
“So why do you still address that child as ‘Lady Yerin’?”
Ah.
Caught completely off guard, Doyul bit his lip.
“…It pains me to admit it, but he’s right.”
Yerin and Doyul had been properly married.
Calling her ‘Madam’ was the correct thing to do.
Continuing to call her ‘Lady Yerin’ simply because he wasn’t used to saying otherwise…
“That was my mistake.”
Tang Socheol looked at him for a moment before shrugging dramatically.
“Though I suppose I can understand how you feel, Palace Lord.”
“…Pardon?”
“You know how hopelessly incompetent that child is.”
…What?
Doyul questioned his own ears.
His own daughter was standing right there, yet he spoke so casually of putting her down.
It was something Doyul couldn’t even imagine doing.
But Tang Socheol continued as though nothing were amiss.
“I wouldn’t blame you if she failed to meet your expectations.”
“…Clan Head Tang.”
“Still, she is a daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“…”
“People are watching. I’d appreciate it if you’d pay a little more attention to how you address her.”
What in the…
Doyul stared at him in disbelief.
“No matter what… she is still your daughter.”
“The matter of her title concerns the honor of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
Tang Socheol’s smile deepened.
“Of course…”
“What happens in private—however you treat her—is of no concern to me.”
…She’s your own flesh and blood. How can you humiliate her so thoroughly?
Standing there in stunned silence, Doyul suddenly froze.
“Come to think of it…”
Yerin is standing right here.
He instinctively turned toward her.
The moment he saw her expression, it felt as though he’d swallowed a block of ice whole.
If she looked devastated…
If she looked angry…
He could have understood.
Instead—
Her face was utterly expressionless.
As though being humiliated to that extent was simply normal for her.
“…”
Doyul silently clenched his teeth.
At that moment, Tang Socheol waved a dismissive hand.
“Oh dear. I’ve kept the Palace Lord here long enough. You should return and rest.”
His tone was that of someone casually brushing away an annoyance.
Though his stomach churned with anger, Doyul forced himself to remain composed.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll take our leave now, Father.”
Yerin bowed politely to her father before departing alongside Doyul.
Tang Socheol quietly watched their retreating figures with dark, calculating eyes.
“I thought she was nothing more than a useless girl… but it seems she’s captivated the Ice Palace Lord’s heart far more than I expected.”
Even a worm has its own talents, they say.
Tang Socheol narrowed his eyes into a smile.
It was a cold, sinister smile.
* * *
After returning to his residence…
The very first thing Yerin did was apologize to Doyul.
“I’m truly sorry, Palace Lord.”
“…For what?”
“Well…”
Sneaking a cautious glance at him, Yerin spoke carefully.
“I failed to discipline my servants properly, and because of that I caused you trouble.”
“…”
Hearing those words, Doyul looked as though something inside him had collapsed.
Huh? Why is he making that face?
Yerin blinked in confusion.
Then—
“…Please don’t apologize.”
His voice was low, as though suppressing powerful emotions.
Yerin’s eyes widened.
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“I said… don’t apologize to me.”
Doyul continued firmly.
“It may be the responsibility of those above to control those beneath them, but even that depends on the circumstances.”
“…But…”
“No.”
His voice left no room for argument.
“This wasn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”
A twelve-year-old girl who had been bullied by everyone in her clan under the silent approval of the Clan Head.
To scold someone like her for failing to discipline her servants…
Doyul found that unbearably cruel.
At least, that’s what he believed.
More importantly…
“Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing?”
Tang Socheol’s question still echoed in his ears.
“So why do you still call that child ‘Lady Yerin’?”
How would it feel…
…to hear your own husband, after your wedding, continue addressing you as ‘Lady’ instead of ‘Madam’?
Surely it would feel humiliating.
And yet…
Yerin had never once shown the slightest sign of discomfort.
“…Palace Lord?”
Meanwhile, having misunderstood the meaning behind his silence, Yerin had begun to look anxious.
“To someone this gentle…”
“Just how terribly rude have I been?”
Ashamed of his own pettiness, Doyul couldn’t even bring himself to lift his head.
After chewing on his lip for a long moment, he suddenly spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“…Pardon?”
“Clan Head Tang was right.”
Doyul murmured with a heavy sigh.
