721

 [Chapter 184]

[As the Heart Moves (3)]

"You could have at least told me..."

As they moved away from Lee Yujung.

Jeong Hayang held Eunha's hand while walking and spoke as if feeling hurt.

She was puffing up her cheeks.

"That's right. If you had just told us, we would have appropriately adjusted the situation. But it's already spilled milk, what can we do."

Then Han Seohyun added.

However, her tone was closer to soothing Jeong Hayang who was feeling hurt rather than blaming him.

"I'm sorry. Actually, I was debating whether to give it or not until we came here."

"Well, it can't be helped."

"No, it's okay. Friends can give gifts to each other. I'm fine now."

Eunha apologized belatedly.

There was no doubt that he had lacked consideration for the two.

To this, Han Seohyun let it go cleanly, and Jeong Hayang tried to smile bitterly and let it go.

"Eunha, I'm going to meet the Alice Group people."

"Don't you want to go together?"

"Hmm... I'm going to play with the kids. I also want to be alone for a bit..."

"Okay. See you later."

Soon Jeong Hayang let go of his hand.

Eunha quietly saw off Jeong Hayang as she left for where the Alice Group associates were gathered.

At that moment, Han Seohyun took his hand.

"Eunha."

"What?"

"If you're going to do it, do it properly. Don't do it half-heartedly, neither this nor that."

"..."

"Don't waver between emotion and reason, make a clear decision. That's why you're acting childishly. And because you're hesitating, even I can't decide what stance to take."

Emotion and reason.

Han Seohyun didn't speak directly.

She just admonished him sharply.

Eunha just slowly nodded his head while listening to her words.

"Sigh..."

And as if she saw Eunha's emotions.

Han Seohyun sighed softly.

Then she also let go of his hand like Jeong Hayang had done.

She turned her body.

"Hayang's mood must be upset. I'll go take care of Hayang, so you just walk around alone."

"...Please do."

It was Han Seohyun's consideration.

She gave him time to be alone.

Eunha expressed his gratitude to her.

On the other hand─.

"─Seohyun."

"Why are you calling me?"

"..."

Eunha called Han Seohyun.

She turned her head.

Immediately after, Eunha closed his mouth.

"..."

Whether it was okay for him.

He couldn't readily say such words to his wife.

Nevertheless, he couldn't make her read his mind and speak first.

Eunha opened his mouth with difficulty.

"Is it really okay?"

"..."

"Seohyun, you... are you really okay?"

"You feel sorry too, right? Then treat me and Hayang well."

An implicit question.

Unfortunately, that was the best he could do.

But those words were clearly conveyed to her accurately.

She giggled.

Then she continued speaking.

"─Do as your heart moves."

"..."

That too was an implicit reply.

It wasn't the answer Eunha hoped for.

It wasn't her answer either.

Han Seohyun just left those words and headed towards Jeong Hayang.

"What do you think you would do?"

"Papa? Papa!"

"I was wrong to ask..."

Looking at Jeong Hayang and Han Seohyun.

Eunha asked Buldak too.

Buldak wearing a bow tie didn't listen to his owner's question at all, they say.

☆

Time continued to pass.

Han Seohyun and Jeong Hayang played among themselves and didn't try to approach Eunha.

Eunha looked bitterly at the two who seemed to be protesting that they could have fun without him.

Then Eunha also played with Yoo Dojun or played with clan members.

Occasionally there were people who came to build friendships with Eunha.

Even so─.

─Yujung looks happy too.

Eunha always looked for Lee Yujung.

Each time, Lee Yujung was chatting with people together with Choi Yejang.

The smile never left her face.

"..."

Eunha could only watch.

And as time passed─.

[─I would like to announce very joyful news about our daughter to all of you on this occasion.]

""""..."

It was when the atmosphere had ripened.

After the performance of a famous band ended.

Lee Jungin took the stage and drew people's attention.

People who were having conversations all turned their heads towards the stage.

They all seemed to have guessed what Lee Jungin would say.

He's going to announce Yujung's engagement.

Eunha was the same.

Sure enough.

His prediction wasn't wrong.

[Yujung, Yejang. Both of you come up here. You should show yourselves to people.]

Lee Yujung and Choi Yejang who soon came up on stage, being considerate of Lee Yujung's steps.

Choi Yejang had a shy face and.

The people below the stage all jeered with good intentions.

Then he became even more shy and tightly held Lee Yujung's hand.

"..."

Eunha watched that scene.

He kept his eyes on Lee Yujung who lowered her head as if shy.

And Lee Jungin finally announced the engagement of the two.

[─So I would be grateful if all of you gathered here today would please heartily congratulate my daughter's engagement.]

Clap clap clap─.

Lee Jungin received people's congratulations, making it so no one could find fault with her later.

At the same time, he imprinted the fact that YH was now backing her too.

"─It's annoying."

"What is?"

"That another couple is being born in front of my eyes again. If this wasn't a networking event hosted by Luminous, I would have just gone up on stage with a spear..."

An atmosphere was created where people had no choice but to applaud.

Eunha had no choice but to applaud too.

Meanwhile, Bae Subin standing next to Eunha suddenly said such words.

She was following along due to the atmosphere, but her face and voice were very displeased.

"But will this be good for Yujung? Does she really think she'll be happy getting engaged to that person?"

"...Why do you think that?"

And one more word after that.

Subin who had briefly gotten along with Lee Yujung at the clan headquarters after the Seoul invasion blurted out questioningly.

Eunha hesitated for a moment.

To this, she answered─.

"─Because she only seems to answer when that person speaks to her, and I haven't seen her speak first."

"What?"

"The Yujung I talked to at the clan headquarters wasn't like that. She was a bit more active, and even spoke to us first. But what is this appearance now?"

"..."

"Just answering questions asked... Isn't that just an automatic response doll or what? People like you seem to think this is natural, but to me attending this kind of occasion, she just looks like someone forcibly dragged out to a political marriage."

"...!"

"And she's just been lowering her head since earlier. When talking to me, she at least showed an appearance of trying to match eye level. Also─."

Gulping down the remaining champagne.

Bae Subin spoke scathingly.

And Eunha felt like he had been hit on the head listening to her words.

He had been looking at Lee Yujung closely, but hadn't noticed that.

Furthermore─.

"─It's just my subjective opinion, but Yujung seems better playing comfortably with you than laughing haha hoho like an aristocrat like that."

"..."

"She looked quite happy then."

Unlike Bae Subin, Eunha hadn't been looking at Lee Yujung objectively.

As a result of seeing her up close all this time, he hadn't been able to distinguish how she treated other people besides himself.

As a result of only thinking about her future, he hadn't seen her present.

[─Then Yejang. Will you put the engagement ring on Yujung?]

If she gets engaged like this.

Will Lee Yujung really be happy?

Eunha couldn't be certain.

Even if it was a man he acknowledged, he wouldn't be certain.

Then could a man he didn't even acknowledge, who didn't measure up in his eyes, make Lee Yujung happy?

Beyond simply material stability.

Could he give her mental stability and satisfaction?

Above all, could he be satisfied and happy with that?

─No. No one could, so I can't entrust such a thing to any guy.

I absolutely can't watch that.

Eunha could assert.

Watching Lee Yujung take off the ring Eunha had just put on her.

Seeing Choi Yejang try to put a ring on her empty ring finger─.

'─Do as your heart moves.'

Crack

Eunha could make a decision.

He wanted to get rid of Choi Yejang.

Anger boiled inside him.

To make matters worse, Han Seohyun's words encouraged his heart.

Possessiveness, an emotion too insufficient to express, boiled up.

"─Subin."

"What, why?"

Eunha called Bae Subin.

Bae Subin who was quietly watching the two's engagement asked back as if wondering why.

"─Don't you want to tear those two apart?"

"What?"

"As you said, watching a couple being born forcibly is making me feel quite bad."

"...So you had the same thoughts as me. No, are you even worse? Are you the type to kick away the ladder so others besides you can't be couples?"

"So what? Want to tear those two apart with me?"

Suppressing his emotions as much as possible.

Eunha raised the corners of his mouth.

Then he encouraged Bae Subin.

"─Now this is our Clan Lord. That sounds really good."

To this, Bae Subin showed interest.

She raised the corners of her mouth like Eunha, indicating her intention to participate.

Fortunately, there were clan members sparsely around.

Eunha gathered them too.

"Oh my, honey. I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but it seems like you're going to do something thrilling. So cool."

Bong Gurae's eyes shone.

"What? Is that fun? Okay."

Jin Parang had no brain.

He readily agreed.

"Huh? Eunha, that's a bit dangerous..."

"Just do it if I say so."

"Hey guys? Sigh..."

Kang Sihyung expressed opposition.

Then Bae Subin forced him and.

Kang Sihyung realized from experience that he couldn't escape now.

He expressed his non-coerced will to participate with a deep sigh.

And so Eunha─.

"─Now's the time. Bae Subin, turn off the lights."

"Roger."

At the moment Choi Yejang put the ring on Lee Yujung's left ring finger.

Eunha gave the signal.

Bae Subin activated magic excitedly while hiding from people.

──!!!

""""Kyaaaah!!""""

"Why is there suddenly a blackout!?"

Bae Subin caused a blackout.

Furthermore, she could see through the darkness with the mountain spirit's eyes.

She who quickly disappeared into the darkness shattered the windows with magic.

Timed with that─.

─Grrrrrr!!

Jin Parang activated his gift.

He suddenly transformed into a Blade Wolf and roared enough to shake the hall.

""""Kyaaaah!!""""

""""Monster! It's a monster! Aaargh!!""""

People flustered by the sudden blackout.

They judged based on fragmentary information and fell into great panic.

Screams erupted everywhere.

"Everyone! Please calm down! We're sorry! It seems my brother is causing a disturbance because he's drunk! So please don't panic and stay calmly in your seats!"

As if giving up.

Kang Sihyung who had resigned changed his attitude and helped the clueless clan members.

He shouted at the top of his lungs trying to control the chaos as much as possible.

Grrrr!!!

""""Kyaaaah!!""""

Meanwhile Jin Parang and Bae Subin caused an uproar as if completely unleashed.

Jin Parang scared people, and Bae Subin went around in the darkness breaking tableware with magic.

Players tried to respond, but they couldn't respond properly after suddenly facing darkness.

"Papa!"

"Be quiet. Stay still."

Right at that moment, Eunha quickly ran to the stage.

And finally─.

"─Kyaah!?"

"Yu-Yujung! What on earth is going on!! Yujung! Yujung, where are you!?"

Lee Yujung screamed and.

Lee Jungin was startled and flustered and.

Regardless of whether Choi Yejang fell or not.

Eunha immediately kidnapped Lee Yujung.

And he escaped outside the banquet hall taking advantage of the night, they say.

☆

YH Group's direct line Choi Yejang.

Until meeting Lee Yujung, Choi Yejang's life was hopelessly bleak.

Me, a eunuch? Me, a eunuch...

When rumors spread that he had a disqualification as a man in political and business circles after breaking off his engagement with Han Seohyun, it was okay.

He thought people's interest would soon cool and turn away if he just endured.

But from the day it became reality.

The rumors grew fiercer, and Choi Yejang's confidence hit rock bottom.

'Find a way no matter what! I'll give you as much money as you need, so fix it for sure!'

'Oppa, take a rest. You'll feel a bit better if you rest. And it's probably because someone you like hasn't appeared. So cheer up.'

YH Group's chairman Choi Yunhye.

Grandmother struggled desperately to somehow save Choi Yejang whom she cherished.

His younger sister Choi Yejin comforted him while covetously eyeing the successor position.

Also, it was hard to endure the consistently disappointed looks from his strong-willed grandmother, and his younger sister's sympathy only made Choi Yejang more miserable.

To think even elixir can't cure it...

What on earth should I do!

Choi Yejang even tried to obtain elixir to solve his problem.

But experts said the elixir wouldn't work because the reason he couldn't function as a man now was psychological.

Meanwhile time kept passing, and Choi Yejin's position within YH Group rose day by day.

In the end, Choi Yunhye who wanted to make Choi Yejang chairman had to take special measures.

'─Marry Luminous Group's daughter and stabilize your support base.'

'Grandmother, but I...'

'What's the big deal about that. It will be resolved with time. Compared to that, Luminous Group's daughter has an unfixable flaw.'

'..."

'You have nothing to lose. So when you meet that child, become confident. Don't think about such things. Honestly, we're losing out on this deal.'

Engagement with Lee Yujung.

As a result of Luminous Group's chairman Lee Jungin and grandmother's interests aligning, Choi Yejang became engaged to Lee Yujung.

Choi Yejang had no choice.

He couldn't go against grandmother's wishes, and he also needed to gain the protection of another group to no longer fall behind his younger sister.

So in fact, Choi Yejang didn't have any particular expectations for Lee Yujung.

 She can't see, so she probably isn't that pretty. Well, what does that matter now? I, I, ugh...

Until meeting Lee Yujung for the first time.

Choi Yejang didn't have any expectations.

But he was greatly impressed when he first saw Lee Yujung.

'─Hello. I'm Lee Yujung. Please take care of me.'

'Wow...'

'...Oppa? What's wrong?'

'Ah, it's nothing.'

Although she couldn't see.

Lee Yujung had a sacred dignity that made one hesitant to approach.

Moreover, she was very elegant, and unlike his expectations, extremely pretty.

A person with a different texture than Han Seohyun, his former fiancée who was now married.

He who hadn't shown interest in women since his self-esteem hit rock bottom fell in love at first sight.

Maybe if I live with Yujung, I might be able to fix my problem too.

The more he met Lee Yujung.

Choi Yejang fell for her and.

Such a thought suddenly occurred to him.

So he eagerly awaited the day of their formal engagement.

'─Since you're becoming Yujung's man, as a friend I should check if you have the strength to protect Yujung.'

But when that day finally came.

Noh Eunha ruined it.

Not content with taking away his former fiancée and humiliating him.

Noh Eunha tried to test his masculinity without any justifiable qualifications.

Are you afraid I'll be embarrassed in front of Yujung?

Fine, I'll open it for you.

It was a childish provocation.

But Choi Yejang had been regaining confidence while meeting Lee Yujung and.

His pride couldn't accept it.

Choi Yejang responded to the provocation.

Like that, he ended up making a disgraceful scene contrary to his wishes.

'─Don't disappoint me.'

Noh Eunha put the ring on him and.

Choi Yejang flinched at the warning he uttered then.

It felt like facing a huge beast.

His body trembled.

At that time, he shrank back in fear of Noh Eunha.

However─.

"─Yujung, can I have your hand?"

"Yes..."

As if overlaying the memory of being humiliated.

Finally as Choi Yejang and Lee Yujung's engagement was officially announced.

Choi Yejang got to put the engagement ring on Lee Yujung.

Choi Yejang took off Lee Yujung's ring, parting with the embarrassment he had just experienced.

Then as if saying he would create a rosy future with new memories from now on, he put on the ring he had chosen for her.

"Yujung, I'll treat you well from now on."

"Yes... Please take care of me from now on. But oppa."

"Yes. What is it?"

"Can you give me the ring Eunha gave? I want to keep it at home since a friend gave it."

"Ah, this? Okay, then."

Although he felt disappointed that Lee Yujung showed more interest in the ring Eunha gave than the one he put on.

Choi Yejang acted magnanimously and placed the ring in her hand.

She would never have occasion to wear that ring anyway.

She was his now.

There was now proof on her hand that she had become his woman.

Noh Eunha's ring would never enter Lee Yujung's life.

That's what Choi Yejang thought.

Right at that moment─.

"─W-What's going on!?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Suddenly there was a blackout.

Choi Yejang was startled and tightly hugged Lee Yujung.

She who suddenly entered his arms seemed flustered.

Since she couldn't see, she didn't know a sudden blackout had occurred.

"No, there's suddenly a blackout... Aaargh! W-What's that sound!?"

It's just a simple blackout.

When Choi Yejang tried to brush it off like that.

Suddenly a sound like a wolf howling echoed through the banquet hall.

Choi Yejang and others couldn't help but be startled.

"Everyone! Please calm down! We're sorry! It seems my brother is causing a disturbance because he's drunk! So please don't panic and stay calmly in your seats!"

Of course, a player explained the situation right after.

The voice that clearly stuck in his ears even in this chaos calmed him.

But he couldn't let his guard down.

Wasn't it saying a drunk player had transformed into a wolf and was turning the banquet hall into a mess?

It was a situation where they could be harmed if not careful.

"This is why Ain bastards are no good. Just because they became heroes, they think they can cause trouble..."

"Oppa?"

"It's okay, Yujung. Just trust me."

When else would there be a chance if not now?

Choi Yejang used rough speech to show a brave appearance.

Then he tightly hugged Lee Yujung and said he would protect her.

Surely she must have fallen for him too.

That's what Choi Yejang thought, but─.

"─Kyaah!?"

"W-What!?"

From the darkness suddenly.

Something abruptly pulled Choi Yejang.

He had no time to react.

Even though he was tensing his body.

When someone pulled his shoulder, he fell flat on his back.

And in the process of falling backwards, he ended up letting go of the hand holding Lee Yujung.

He heard Lee Yujung's scream and.

Choi Yejang hurriedly got up and grabbed Lee Yujung's arm.

Then─.

"─Let go of this."

"...!!"

Someone grabbed his wrist.

The grip strength was no joke.

But what made him tremble in fear wasn't the crushing grip that felt like it would pulverize his wrist.

It was the low growling voice from the darkness that made his spine freeze just from hearing it.

"N-Noh Eunha...?"

He was gradually getting used to the darkness.

Choi Yejang could make out the silhouette of the being hugging Lee Yujung.

At the same time, magic used by a player to momentarily illuminate the darkness passed by, allowing him to identify the man's identity.

It was Noh Eunha.

For an instant, their eyes met.

"─I can't give her to you."

"..."

A fiercely flashing gaze.

Choi Yejang was simply overwhelmed.

He knew in his head what he should do.

He had to get Lee Yujung back.

But the moment he met Noh Eunha's eyes, his mouth wouldn't open readily.

"..."

He was afraid of Noh Eunha.

It felt like his feet were glued to the floor.

So he stood there as if frozen.

Noh Eunha seemed to notice that.

He sneered.

"I really can't find a single redeeming quality. To think I was going to hand Yujung over to a guy like this... I was truly stupid."

"...!"

Leaving those words.

Noh Eunha carried Lee Yujung on his shoulder and left the banquet hall plunged in darkness.

Choi Yejang was greatly shocked hearing those words.

Soon the fighting spirit sleeping in his heart raised its head.

"Wait! Yujung!"

Perhaps it stemmed from not wanting to return to his previous life like this.

Choi Yejang broke the spell binding his own feet.

Choi Yejang immediately chased after Noh Eunha.

The will to reclaim his woman gave him strength.

"─Got you! You bastard!"

"Oops?"

And finally.

Choi Yejang achieved his goal.

He chased after Noh Eunha in the darkness and caught him.

That's what he thought.

But when the lights came on─.

"─Honey, what's this hand? What does this mean? Are you misunderstanding me?"

"...Huh? Uhh..."

"No. You can't escape. Hmph, where are you trying to escape to? You have to play with me now."

"...!!"

"But honey, your hand is quite soft?"

The players resolved the situation and.

The banquet hall brightened.

With this, Choi Yejang could see who he was holding.

"Ah... Aah..."

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you hurting somewhere? Should we go to the infirmary?"

Bong Gurae.

Facing a man wearing makeup.

The last bit of confidence remaining in Choi Yejang's heart was shattered.

☆

She was suddenly kidnapped by Eunha.

The surprise was momentary.

Because Eunha's embrace was familiar.

Lee Yujung gave up on being flustered by the sudden event.

She just did this─.

─Thump thump thump

Listened to the heartbeat.

She just quietly listened to the sound while being held in Eunha's arms.

Then she asked.

"Where are we going?"

The answer that came was short.

"─I don't know either."

Lee Yujung didn't mind.

"I see."

Any answer was fine.

Just being with Eunha like this was all that mattered.

She giggled softly.

"For now, we'll get out of here."

"Okay."

"Are you not angry?"

"Should I be angry?"

"...No. Let's go get some fresh air."

"Okay, sounds good."

I don't know where we should go.

But that's okay.

As long as you're by my side.

The hearts of the two were in agreement.