ALL NOVEL Chapter 177
A few days before the social gathering.
With the ban on outings from the cradle lifted, Yeon Minha received a call from the Heukryeon main house.
She sat across from the Heukryeon host, separated by a small table.
The host, who didn’t look much older than her, kindly asked in a warm voice.
“So, how have you been lately?”
“Yes. Thanks to your concern…”
Yeon Minha bowed her head slightly to show her respect. Her elegant posture showed no signs of being out of place, and her etiquette was impeccable.
“I’m glad to hear that. I was quite worried. But if something happens, please…”
While the host nodded with a gentle smile and continued to speak, Yeon Minha sat with her knees together, listening attentively, although curiosity was bubbling within her.
As far as she knew, the Heukryeon family was very busy. It was just the routine of a high-ranking family, and now that they had returned to the political world, their tasks were overflowing.
Despite this, she couldn’t figure out the reason for this sudden call from her fiancé, especially since the meeting was held in secret from the men.
“Hmm, the reason I called you here is quite simple.”
Yeon Minha’s questions were only answered after the host presented something.
“Recently, I received this notification from the cradle…”
“What kind of… Puhuh.”
Yeon Minha, who had looked confused, barely managed to suppress a sudden cough. It was the first moment she had appeared disheveled throughout the meeting.
On the table lay a thick envelope with the Cradle Education Committee’s stamp stamped boldly on it.
– Statement request.
Several documents repeatedly mentioned both Yeon Minha and the male student.
– Numerous reports have been received regarding the unhealthy behaviors of the students mentioned above…
– Therefore, we demand an appropriate explanation…
– Please note that there may be corresponding penalties in the future…
“…”
Yeon Minha’s hand holding the documents trembled slightly. Her fair skin had long flushed red from embarrassment.
‘Which nasty girls made reports…?’
Inside her chest, anger rose like lava. The so-called “unhealthy behavior” was merely a few minor misadventures, such as walking with arms crossed in the garden, burying her face into a solid chest, or yearning to lick the sauce off his lips while wiping it off with her finger.
‘I couldn’t even do what I really wanted…’
In an uncharacteristic manner, Yeon Minha nervously glanced at the host, wondering if this call was actually to reprimand her for her improper conduct.
“Um… this is…”
“There’s no need to be too concerned. I didn’t call you here to scold you.”
However, the host still looked at her with a kind expression, and whether it was a misunderstanding or not, that smile almost felt pleased.
Yeon Minha was finally able to calm down a bit.
“You like our second son, don’t you?”
Before her, the host’s sudden question struck like lightning.
“…Yes, heh?”
Yeon Minha was so surprised that she ended up biting her tongue. Her heart sank, and her pupils trembled. In that instant, she wondered if it was a joke, and she slowly raised her gaze to gauge the host’s reaction.
Seeing the host holding the teacup and waiting for her answer, she realized it was a serious question.
After what felt like an eternity, with her earlobes reddened, Yeon Minha barely nodded.
“…Yes.”
On her face, there was no trace of hostility or arrogance. There was only a girl suffering from a fever that could only be healed in one way.
“…I’m glad to hear you’re getting along with my child.”
The host continued to treat her with a calm smile.
“I’m truly relieved. I was quite worried…”
The host had learned about the existence of the boy only a few months ago.
An unexpected Notification of Personal Information arrived bearing the name of the eldest son, whom they had lost contact with long ago.
‘Accept this boy as a member of the family and treat him accordingly, as the seal of the successor has already been handed to him.’
It was an extremely sudden and shocking notification after so many years of silence. Yet the family quietly complied with the eldest son’s demands. Even that didn’t come close to making amends.
‘He’s extremely averse to girls his age; his trauma bordering on fear; the mask is his only psychological defense; do not remove it carelessly, and if it gets damaged or lost, immediate action must be taken.’
The host unmistakably remembered the warnings noted in the information. Hence, the presence of Yeon Minha, who was growing close to that boy, was incredibly reassuring.
At least until now.
“So… what is your plan now?”
“…”
There were three ways to respond to the statement request.
First: vehemently deny all claims as slander.
Second: accept the undeniable punishment for unhealthy romantic conduct.
Third: formally apply for a review to have the bloodline connection recognized, in other words, an engagement.
“Ah, I guess I was asking something unnecessary…”
And Yeon Minha’s silence in response, shying away in embarrassment, was almost an answer.
The afternoon sunlight streamed warmly through the window. The host turned to gaze at the clear sky outside.
“It seems there were rumors going around the Cradle during our time too. The nameless female student by the pond, the moving demon specimen in the cellar, and the mistletoe that grants love… I wonder if those things still exist nowadays.”
“They still… exist.”
“Oh my, really? That’s delightful. Brings back memories…”
Yeon Minha nodded at the host’s words. She didn’t care much for those trivial rumors, but she definitely remembered the mistletoe that grants love.
“Social gatherings, social gatherings… the time really is nice, but…”
After being lost in thought for a while, the host turned back to Yeon Minha, a hint of regret glimmering in her eyes.
“…It must be hard on your heart because of my child.”
Yeon Minha understood the meaning of the host’s words without difficulty.
“When my eldest was in that position… oh, how did that child bring home someone who looks just like him…”
That reckless Sa Jaehyeok, the lecherous Sa Jaehyeok.
Yeon Minha knew his name well. A man believed in the family’s power and indulged in all sorts of debauchery. It was said he changed partners several times each semester.
Although he seemed to be rehabilitated for a moment and eventually became the student council president of the Cradle, he could not overcome his innate nature and ended up committing serious crimes, thus expelled from the wizarding society.
Of course, she now understood he was a benefactor to the male student. She had also realized that many rumors were quite exaggerated.
However, listening to the host, it seemed not everything was false.
The difference was that the Masked Male Student attracted people completely opposite to his will.
This was a part that both made Yeon Minha anxious and piqued her curiosity.
“He’s quite an impressive person. It’s only natural to endure like that.”
But Yeon Minha showed no signs of her thoughts, simply nodding along.
“Indeed… I see…”
The host nodded back, but Yeon Minha found the sadness she felt odd.
“…We hope that you will be chosen this time. This is sincere.”
“…Huh?”
Hoping to be chosen. Yeon Minha blurted out a bewildered question as she failed to fully comprehend the host’s words.
At first, the atmosphere seemed quite good. She even entertained the hope that this could be the moment her relationship with the male student would be recognized.
“Please don’t misunderstand. We like you as well. We hope you get closer to that child.”
The host continued explaining in a calm voice.
“However, if that child chooses someone other than you, we would gladly respect and support that choice, no matter who it may be.”
Yeon Minha’s mind went blank, as if bleach had been poured over it. She could only tremble her fingers.
There were many female students vying for his attention, but the only one she could think of at this moment was a girl who was trying to snatch away everything, her rival beyond words.
Baek Seoyeon from Paecheon.
“W-why…”
“…I’m sorry.”
With a sincere voice, the host apologized to her.
“We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes again.”
Yeon Minha lowered her gaze heavily. Although it seemed there was some reason for that side, she had no reason to care about it right now.
“Choosing is solely your responsibility. Do you understand what I mean?”
The silence didn’t last long. Yeon Minha clenched her fists and raised her head again.
“…Don’t worry.”
Extreme anxiety, determination, and palpable resolve reflected on her face, which resembled someone heading into war.
“I will definitely… be chosen.”
*
In the student council room, the final meeting before the social gathering was underway.
“Thanks to all the young ladies helping us, I feel very assured… Haha…”
The frail-looking male student wearing glasses sitting at the head of the table had an excessively servile smile plastered on his face.
Before him, the nameplate reading ‘Student Council President’ gleamed brightly.
“I have a very good feeling about this…! I’m sure this social gathering will be a great success.”
The president, hailing from a lower-class background, seemed to be feeling immense pressure looking at the noble young ladies seated beside him.
He flipped through the official documents, forcing himself to suppress his nausea.
“Ah… and the Education Committee has made a strong request. Various illegal sub-groups that cause moral corruption must be dealt with strictly… I hope all the members please keep that in mind…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Before the president could finish, a female student with braided hair and glasses seated on the left responded.
“I’ll take care of them one by one.”
The Discipline Committee Chair, Choi Ireh, confidently fiddled with her non-lethal suppression blade at her waist. Seeing this, the president swallowed hard.
“H-Haha… as expected of the Discipline Chair… Just hearing you say that reassures me…”
Hah…
Yeon Minha listened to all this with one ear and let it flow out through the other. Illegal sub-groups were of no real importance to her.
Sitting with her leg crossed, Yeon Minha stared intently at the person across from her.
The scene of Baek Seoyeon, trying to imitate a charming and poised young lady, made her blood boil.
Hah…
She silently sighed to herself. Baek Seoyeon was her biggest problem and source of anxiety.
After her conversation with the Heukryeon host, Yeon Minha immediately attempted to tackle that source of concern.
It was a fairly swift response. However, the issue was that Baek Seoyeon didn’t even pretend to listen to her.
Furthermore, because she was to manage an illegal subgroup during the social gathering, Yeon Minha found herself in a tight spot, filled with scheming thoughts about how to lure Seoyeon in for the duration.
‘At least she’s in the same situation, but…’
Yeon Minha had sensed her subgroup would not fare well this year since the start. Ashamed, she didn’t even dare mention it to the male student.
Though abandoning her position as group leader was absolutely out of the question; it would simply become a source of ridicule for years to come, and she didn’t want to show irresponsibility in front of the male student.
Of course, as a group leader, she would have some freedom to enjoy the social gathering. In that respect, she had an advantage over Baek Seoyeon.
The subgroup of Paecheon was expected to be so successful that they would need to rent a hall to accommodate at least two hundred people.
Naturally, that would make it even more difficult to find time to herself.
Essentially, being anxious was not limited to just her.
‘The mistletoe… the mistletoe…’
Yeon Minha decided to take some solace in that. She desperately recalled her plans.
“Then, that’s the end of the meeting…”
“Wait a moment. There is an additional matter.”
As the student council president was about to wrap up the meeting, a haughty-looking female student sitting beside Baek Seoyeon raised her hand vigorously.
Her face was filled with an emotion that could be either dissatisfaction or anger. The spot where her pinky finger should have been was eerily empty.
Cheon Harin had been glaring daggers at Yeon Minha, sitting across from her.
“Hey, Yeon Minha. You’re so brazen.”
“…?”
The president’s face turned pale at her sharp words. It seemed Yeon Minha realized who she was, tilting her head in confusion.
“Um… Yeon Minha, is there an issue between you two…?”
“That girl has humiliated my brother. She twisted his arm and tossed him to the ground, using my junior to help! Isn’t that grounds for punishment?”
Yeon Minha’s gaze looked upon Cheon Harin with disgust, as though she were a loathsome bug, causing Harin’s fury to erupt.
“Hey. Say something! You think you can just let this slide because no one is watching, huh?”
Hah…
As Harin pressed her with her cold words, Yeon Minha sighed in annoyance. Her face clearly showed her irritation.
“Um… Yeon Minha, is it possible to hear what happened? There might be a misunderstanding…”
“That never happened.”
“Hey! You shameless little…!”
Yeon Minha, disinterested in the situation, cut her off sharply. She didn’t want to waste energy dealing with someone like Harin right now.
However, the next moment.
Yeon Minha suddenly had the bright idea of turning this around.
Looking at it from a different perspective, it was the perfect opportunity for some stress relief.
“I just remembered… there was one rabid dog that attached itself to me. I only managed to shake it off thanks to my junior passing by. How troublesome it was…”
Her tone dripped with feigned exaggeration, and Cheon Harin’s anger exploded.
“Hey! Yeon Minha! What do you mean by that towards my brother…!”
“Siblings sure lack dignity. Should I lay out all the things I’ve endured? Hmm?”
“You…!”
“Harin, before pointing fingers at others, shouldn’t you take care of your older brother first? That’s why he still hasn’t gotten a proper fiancé even as a graduating student…”
“You…! You’ve said enough!!”
This is it.
Yeon Minha felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. Viewing Cheon Harin throwing a fit was enough to lift her spirits.
After all, it was Harin’s side that had broken the rules first, and besides, there were no witnesses to claim otherwise.
Yeon Minha planned to tease Cheon Harin adequately, and then return to the dormitory, embracing the male student to relieve her stress.
“Don’t be too harsh, Minha.”
However, the next moment, she heard someone’s voice. Yeon Minha instantly froze, her eyes stiffening.
The president lacked the authority to suppress this situation. As always, the one who stepped in was Baek Seoyeon, with her cheerful smiling face.
“It’s possible this person is just awkward in expressing their feelings. Why not try getting to know them better at this social gathering?”
Ha…
Yeon Minha let out a hollow laugh, finding it utterly ridiculous.