“Think about it. Why did I bring you here and have you bathe?”

Yeoul could easily think of the reason.

She felt dizzy.

Yeoul pushed away Tae’s arm that was holding her chin.

Then she looked straight at Tae with force in her eyes.

“If you dare touch my body improperly, I will bite my tongue and die.”

Their gazes clashed in midair.

The air surrounding them became tense in the unyielding atmosphere.

Tae stared at Yeoul for a moment, then let out a chuckle.

“Impatient, aren’t we.”

Tae took a large step back.

With his gaze fixed on Yeoul, he snapped his fingers, making a sound.

“Bring them.”

The door opened and Je Hun entered.

Je Hun came in, grunting, with his hands full of precious-looking silk clothes and accessories.

Various clothes and accessories began to pile up in the room.

Je Hun went in and out of the room a couple of times before leaving.

When they were alone again, Yeoul, who had been watching the situation in confusion, asked,

“What are all these for?”

“We need to get you ready.”

What on earth was he preparing with all these clothes?

When Yeoul made a face that showed she couldn’t understand, Tae calmly replied,

“To prepare to become a woman worthy of the Gangsong Grand Prince.”

“……”

It seemed that she was the only one who had naughty thoughts this time as well.

The tips of her ears reddened in embarrassment, but she didn’t want to receive Tae’s sarcasm twice.

Yeoul quickly composed her dumbfounded expression and shifted her gaze to the pile of clothes.

The thought of wearing the mountain of clothes made her feel dizzy.

Yeoul swallowed dryly and asked,

“Do I have to wear all of these?”

“Yes.”

When Yeoul hesitated, Tae approached her brazenly and asked,

“Shall I dress you?”

“…I will decline.”

At Yeoul’s firm refusal, Tae gave a sly smile.

“Good thinking. I’m better at undressing than dressing, you see.”

“……”

Yeoul’s face flushed at his lewd remark.

In such an absurd situation, it was best not to respond.

“…I will go change.”

Yeoul hurriedly received the clothes and went behind the folding screen to change.

Even after escaping Tae’s gaze, the heat on her face didn’t subside, so she fanned herself for a while.

It was clear that during the time he was supposed to learn the rules of the royal family, he only learned how to tease women.

He was truly a man she shouldn’t show any weakness to.

.

.

.

Beads of sweat formed on Yeoul’s forehead.

She couldn’t even remember how many outfits she had changed into over the past few hours.

It seemed like she had worn all the types of clothes she would wear in her lifetime today.

She had no idea that changing clothes could be such a tiring task.

But what was even more of an ordeal was listening to Tae’s comments.

“Old-fashioned.”

“A total mess.”

“Terrible. Are you perhaps from a family of clowns?”

“Even attaching pheasant feathers would look better than this.”

It was as if he had a disease where he would die if he didn’t add unnecessary remarks.

Every time Yeoul changed clothes, Tae would make sure to add a word or two.

It wasn’t that she wanted to hear compliments, but no one would enjoy receiving harsh criticism.

Yeoul sighed at the comments that were close to indiscriminate censure.

“Sigh……”

At that moment, Tae, who had been leaning against the wall watching Yeoul, caught it like a hawk.

“Tired?”

“No.”

“You must want to go home.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then, are the clothes here not to your liking?”

“There’s no way that’s the case.”

There was no point in talking with Tae as it wouldn’t lead to a proper conversation or change anything.

Yeoul didn’t want to waste energy on a pointless argument.

Giving an appropriate answer and ending the conversation was Yeoul’s way of dealing with Tae in the short time she had experienced him.

Tae stared intently at Yeoul’s face, then opened his mouth as if he had realized something.

“Ah, you don’t like me watching, do you?”

“……”

At Yeoul’s silence, which was as good as an affirmation, Tae let out a low laugh.

Yeoul cleared her throat, feeling awkward that her true feelings had been exposed.

“…I don’t mind you watching, but I would appreciate it if you could leave out the unnecessary comments.”

“What to do. I am a person with rich sensibility, and if I say something I don’t mean, thorns will grow on my body.”

The corners of Tae’s sharp eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Consider it the karma of having a sensitive man as your husband.”

“……”

If he was going to act as he pleased, why did he even bother asking?

Yeoul felt like she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if she didn’t make at least a minimal protest.

So she made a futile act of defiance.

“You’re not my husband yet.”

“Let’s pick up the pace. I like spending time efficiently, you see.”

Although Yeoul’s rebellion was futile, she unexpectedly received a sensible answer.

After that, things proceeded very quickly.

Tae sorted through the clothes at a fast pace, examining them seriously.

Yeoul, who had nothing else to do but stand idly by, took the brief moment of free time to observe Tae’s face.

Tae’s eyebrows were as dark as ink, and his downcast eyes exuded a heavy atmosphere, with delicate shadows cast under his long eyelashes.

It was the first time she had looked at his face so closely.

‘I didn’t know a man’s eyelashes could be this long and lush….’

With his blade-like, upright nose bridge and red lips tinged with vitality, he looked like a masterpiece painting by a craftsman.

He was only choosing clothes, but why did he look so melancholic?

She knew his appearance was extraordinary, but observing him closely, it was admirable enough to elicit exclamations.

As Yeoul was quietly observing Tae’s face, he spoke in a low voice while selecting clothes.

“It would be troublesome if you fall for me already.”

Yeoul flinched like a thief caught stealing.

To hide her embarrassment, Yeoul replied as nonchalantly as possible.

“…Who said I fell for you?”

“Aren’t I quite handsome? You can’t help but fall for me.”

“……”

The truly shameless person was someone else.

She acknowledged that if he kept his mouth shut, his appearance could make many women’s hearts flutter, but Yeoul was an exception.

Yeoul had no intention of falling for such a rogue. That would remain the same in the future as well.

She decided to let Tae ramble on as he pleased, and just then, Tae picked out an outfit and held it out.

“Try this on.”

It was a blue-green silk jeogori.

Looking at the gold thread embroidered on the jeogori, it seemed to capture the shimmering sunlight on a clear blue sea.

The skirt made of purple silk had embroidery done with a special technique, making the peonies appear and disappear depending on the angle of view.

The overall harmony was not excessive and had an elegant charm that Yeoul also liked.

Yeoul received the clothes from Tae, went behind the folding screen to change, and came out.

It would be nice to have a full-length mirror.

Yeoul, who couldn’t gauge how she looked, asked in a slightly nervous tone,

“How is it?”

Tae looked Yeoul up and down, then frowned.

It seemed this outfit didn’t please him either.

Yeoul’s shoulders drooped for no reason.

“…I’ll change.”

“Wait.”

As Yeoul was about to go behind the folding screen to change clothes, Tae stopped her.

Then he approached Yeoul.

As the distance closed, the scent of peonies wafted again.

The heavy yet rich fragrance was strangely seductive.

Yeoul unknowingly swallowed.

Where should she look? How should she compose her expression? After pondering, she lowered her gaze to the floor.

A brief silence followed. The hot air filled the space between them.

Even without raising her head, she could tell Tae was looking at her.

Rustle. The sound of fabric brushing against her collar was heard.

Tae’s large hand touched Yeoul’s hair.

At that moment, something thin gently slipped between the strands of Yeoul’s hair.

At the same time, Tae brought a small hand mirror in front of Yeoul’s eyes.

Through the small mirror, the hair ornament adorned with coral and pearls in Yeoul’s hair was visible.

The elegant hair ornament suited Yeoul’s graceful atmosphere very well.

Tae spoke with a satisfied tone.

“The finishing touch.”

The corners of Tae’s mouth drew a seductive curve.

His fierce eyes, just for this moment, traced a soft line.

At the smile more beautiful and magnificent than the coral ornament, Yeoul exhaled a small breath.

.

.

.

Afterward, Tae picked out a few more outfits for Yeoul.

The colorful and beautiful clothes Tae chose seemed to exist just for Yeoul to wear.

It was said that if a woman was extravagant, it brought misfortune to the household, so Yeoul had only worn achromatic clothes until now.

When she actually tried on clothes with lovely colors, Yeoul realized for the first time that bright and colorful clothes suited her.

And also that she liked pretty clothes.

Yeoul stroked the colorful fabric with her palm.

It felt like a drop of color was entering her monochromatic life.

Feeling like she was being dyed in various colors, Yeoul unknowingly lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

“Tomorrow, we will go meet Lord Cham-ui.”

The smile on Yeoul’s lips froze and fell.

Yeoul clenched her hands. Sweat formed on her pale and delicate fists.

“…Will I be going with you?”

“There’s no need for that. So stay here today.”

“Here?”

At Yeoul’s unexpected reaction, Tae replied indifferently.

“Did you plan on returning to that crumbling thatched cottage then?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“It’s best not to draw people’s attention until everything is resolved.”

Seeing Yeoul still looking skeptical, Tae tilted his head.

Then he curled his lips mischievously.

“Or do you already want to consummate our marriage?”

“…There’s no way that’s the case.”

This man definitely had a sly snake living inside him.

Yeoul managed to calm her flushed face from embarrassment and continued,

“Since the temporary palace is where the royal family stays, I was wondering if it’s alright for me to stay here.”

“This temporary palace is a place only I use anyway. Others don’t even set foot here, saying it’s ominous. You can think of it as an abandoned place, which is quite fitting.”

Yeoul looked around the temporary palace in disbelief.

“I can’t believe such a beautiful place has been abandoned.”

“People are sensitive to circulating rumors.”

“Rumors?”

Yeoul’s eyes widened as she looked at Tae.

Could there be a story behind this residence?

Tae’s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning.

Tae stared at Yeoul intently.

Looking at her innocent eyes waiting for an answer, he felt the urge to tease her.

“A maiden ghost appears at night.”

“…!”

Yeoul’s complexion stiffened.

Seeing the reaction he anticipated, Tae pressed on.

“A princess who lived in this temporary palace died before she could get married. So she appears every night at midnight and roams the palace. She takes unmarried maidens as her companions, so you should be careful too.”

“……”

Yeoul’s face grew paler and paler.

The more so, Tae gave a mischievous smile.

“So hurry and become my wife.”

Yeoul’s mind was filled only with the story of the maiden ghost.

Thus, she had no room to pay attention to Tae’s embarrassing remark.

“Will I be staying here alone?”

“Of course. How could I stay in the same space with an unmarried maiden?”

“Then…”

Yeoul started to speak but stopped, staring at one spot.

Seeing Yeoul’s eyes trembling anxiously, Tae tilted his head.

“What? You don’t like it?”

At that moment, Yeoul fainted limply.

Tae, slightly surprised, quickly caught Yeoul.

Looking at Yeoul’s face with her eyes closed, she seemed to have lost consciousness.

“Did she really faint? Why?”

As Tae was perplexed, Je Hun’s voice was heard from behind.

“Fortunately, there are extra blankets!”

Je Hun was just coming out with a white blanket.

“Yeoul almost had to sleep on the bare floor.”

Je Hun’s appearance, half-covered in a white blanket, resembled a ghost.

It seemed Yeoul had mistaken Je Hun for a ghost and fainted.

“Oh? Is the lady feeling unwell somewhere?”

Tae ignored Je Hun’s question and properly lifted Yeoul in his arms.

Originally, he had planned to leave Yeoul and return to his residence, but it seemed he would have to change his plans.

If Yeoul’s fainting was a simple faint, there would be no problem.

However, if by any chance Yeoul had collapsed for another reason, it would be a big deal.

In the worst case, he might have to change his future plans.

Tae thought he should wait until Yeoul woke up and check her condition before leaving.

“Spread a silk blanket in the room.”

“Not even telling me the reason. You’re always so heartless.”

Je Hun grumbled as he went to lay out a silk blanket for Yeoul to lie on.

When they were alone again, Tae stared intently at Yeoul.

No matter how much of a woman she was, Yeoul in his arms felt too light and thin.

If he applied even a little strength to the arm holding her, she seemed so fragile, as if she would break with a snap.

It was a wonder she had survived until now with such a frail body and mind.

Tae bent his upper body towards Yeoul.

As he got close enough for his breath to touch her, a soft magnolia scent wafted.

“Will I be your shelter or your hell?”

Tae brushed aside Yeoul’s gently sleeping hair.

It didn’t matter what kind of existence Tae would be to Yeoul.

What was important was that if he married Yeoul, the dynamics that had been in place until now would be overturned.

Han Yeoul.

She would become the key to fulfilling Tae’s long-cherished desire.