“What is there to permit or not? If you wish to do it.”
“Is that really all it takes?”
“What more would be needed?”
Helena was momentarily stunned by the peculiar answer. It was easier than expected. Suspiciously easy.
Perhaps it was because living in a guild would make it easier to conceal one’s identity from pursuers.
But still, it was him. He was the one who would block her approach if he detected even the slightest dangerous element in people, objects, or situations.
Therefore, feeling a bit dazed, Helena asked again.
“No… Haven’t you always opposed my requests?”
“They were always difficult requests.”
“Are you saying that asking you to stop worrying about me is a more difficult request than hunting in a forest teeming with magical beasts?”
“Well, everyone has different priorities.”
He smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth.
Helena truly missed the man with red ears from earlier. This calm and brazen man was too much for her to handle as a companion in many ways.
‘…And too good for me, too.’
While exchanging trivial conversation as they walked, the first signpost appeared, just as the old man had said.
Helena took out the map from her bag and handed it to Ian. While he alternately checked the signpost and the map, she muttered complainingly.
“I hope I wasn’t that high on your priority list.”
Ian, having finished checking, entered the path between the hills and returned the map to her.
“Do you want to know?”
Along with a smile that somehow looked mischievous despite his handsome face.
Helena firmly refused, lest he say more.
“No.”
“You’d be surprised if you knew.”
“I said I’m not curious.”
“Later, even if you say you’re curious, I won’t tell you.”
“I hope you keep it to yourself for the rest of your life.”
Ian chuckled and extended his hand to Helena.
Since they had forcibly made a path avoiding the forest as much as possible, the terrain was somewhat rough.
The steep slope seemed like it might cause a fall at any moment. Helena had no choice but to take his hand and descend slowly.
Although they descended the same slope, his legs were as solid as stakes. Even when her body, having lost balance midway, leaned entirely on him, he held her steady without wavering.
‘Are people in trade groups usually this strong?’
Turning this question over in her mind, they walked for a while until the second signpost appeared.
Helena narrowed her eyes and looked in the direction the wind was blowing. She could see several wisps of smoke rising in the distance.
It seemed they could reach the village before sunset if they moved diligently.
This time too, Ian carefully checked their route before choosing one of the forking paths.
Not long after, a shallow stream crossing a hillock blocked their way. Saying it must have swollen due to the recent continuous rain, he took Helena’s bag and slung it over his shoulder.
“To be honest, I’m not sure if this is the right decision.”
And with that, he naturally began to reveal the thoughts he must have been holding back throughout the journey.
“A guild is no different from a group of mercenaries. They’re just settled in one place. Because of that, their roughness will be clearly different from ordinary people, and since everyone has to do their part to maintain the guild, the assigned missions won’t be easy either.”
“…I wanted to belong to a place where I wouldn’t feel out of place holding a sword.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve been pretending it’s fine, but inside I’m extremely worried.”
Despite the gurgling sound of flowing water, his voice was clearly audible. It shouldn’t have been that loud, but it was.
Helena looked down at him as he started to roll up his trouser legs and expressed her doubt.
“Then why didn’t you stop me earlier?”
“Because in the end, there was only one choice I could make.”
Having finished adjusting his trouser legs, he straightened up. His eye level suddenly rose again.
To her, who still couldn’t hide her puzzled expression, Ian declared as if making a proclamation.
“I will definitely enter the guild with you.”
Then he suddenly grabbed Helena’s waist from behind and hoisted her onto his shoulders.
Helena instinctively let out a short exclamation. When she came to her senses, she found herself sitting on his shoulders as if on a chair.
It was a better treatment than the previous potato sack incident, but the considerable height made her scared.
Thanks to having experienced this several times before, she knew that the thick arms wrapped around her legs were sufficiently strong, but she still felt uneasy. In the end, Helena sought more certain stability by wrapping her arms around his neck.
As Ian stepped into the stream, he said with apparent satisfaction.
“You’re not resisting now. I was prepared to be kicked.”
“Well, I only have one choice I can make, right?”
He laughed again at her answer. He kept laughing even though it wasn’t meant to be funny.
Helena became even more displeased because she found herself thinking that his laughter sounded nice.
Whether aware of her feelings or not, he continued to make conversation.
“You know what?”
Even with the heavy bag and a person on top, there wasn’t a hint of labored breathing in Ian’s voice.
Helena, annoyed but reassured, loosened her grip on his neck slightly. The splashing sound of water was gradually subsiding.
“What?”
As it was originally a small stream, the opposite bank quickly came into view. As he set her down on a dry rock, Ian exhaled lightly.
“This is the first time you’ve suggested doing something together with me.”
“…”
He knew something that even Helena herself didn’t know. He knew too well what she didn’t need to know.
So Helena was at a loss for words. Until he hung the bag he had taken back over her head.
‘No?’
She found a handkerchief in the properly adjusted bag and handed it to him. Then she answered grumpily.
“I don’t know.”
Because now she knew, and she didn’t want to straightforwardly acknowledge his words.
Ian, unbothered, accepted the handkerchief Helena offered. He lightly wiped his wet legs with it, lowered his trouser legs, and promised to wash and return it when they reached the village. Helena shook her head.
“It’s nothing, just keep it.”
“I have to return it so I can borrow it again next time. That’s how you create opportunities for conversation.”
“…You’re cunning.”
“Most people say I’m skillful. I’m glad you seem to be learning one thing at a time about me.”
Why doesn’t that irritating smile look unpleasant?
As they passed the last signpost leading to the village, Helena finally admitted.
That face was originally handsome no matter what expression it wore.
[This is the timeline separator]Dailon wasn’t as big a city as Futua. But entering the central district, the scenery was similar. Shops lined up on bustling streets and noisy crowds.
Helena sat still in a cafe, watching the passersby.
Ian was at the village information center next to the cafe to find lodging for tonight.
She could see him through the glass window. He was chatting with the shop owner about various things. Helena unconsciously bit her lip.
‘I feel like I should do something.’
She knew he wasn’t the type to make her feel rushed. But she couldn’t always just leave everything to him and wait.
Helena looked around and entered a nearby tavern. To gather information, the more foot traffic a place had, the better the chances, and for that, there was no place better than a pub.
As it was just when dusk was starting to fall, the interior was quite busy. Helena quietly approached the bar table.
After ordering a cocktail with a tip, a young bartender soon brought the drink. Helena started with a natural topic and then asked about the guild.
He kindly explained, but didn’t hide his curiosity.
“Asking about the Patren Guild, you seem to be an outsider… Do you have some business there?”
“I want to join the guild.”
The hand that had been wiping cups during the conversation suddenly stopped.
“Why, why? Unless you’re homeless and living as a wanderer…”
“…”
Helena affirmed with silence. He cleared his throat once to break the pause and quickly added.
“Ahem, hem. Still, why don’t you look for other options? The guild is too dangerous. Especially the Patren Guild, since they mainly take on magical beast hunting requests, it’s even more advisable to avoid it.”
“…This is where I ended up after constantly running away. And that’s the reason why I want to join the Patren Guild.”
It was just then that Helena answered quietly.
“Puhaha! Everyone, look here! This woman says she’s going to hunt magical beasts too!”
A large man who had been listening silently beside her burst into laughter, pounding on the table.
The men in the tavern who turned to look at her due to the sudden loud laughter also snickered.
“What nonsense is that, like an arrow to the ear. Stop talking rubbish and go gossip at the teahouse over there.”
“Hey miss, men don’t like rough and willful women. If you were born with such a pretty face, live smartly.”
“Hahaha, leave her be. She seems too drunk to think straight. Maybe she’s trying to forget the pain of heartbreak.”
Mocking words poured in from all directions, but Helena just stood her ground silently.
There was only one person who could hurt her with words and looks. So this kind of insult was nothing.
Moreover, it was true that her appearance didn’t inspire enough confidence to accept hunting assignments.
But she wanted to give something, even with this insignificant appearance.
The assurance that she wouldn’t be a burden of a woman, at the very least.
Helena picked up the knife the man had left on his half-eaten plate. The knife that had spun elegantly settled between her fingers.
The man was still laughing as if he might choke. Helena swung her hand towards him.
Thwack!
The blade that grazed the man’s face immediately stuck into the back wall.
“Wh-what…”
The man, frozen like a statue, tremblingly raised his hand to feel his chin. Cut beard hairs fell like dry hay.
Before he could comprehend what had happened, Helena murmured softly.
“Women don’t like unkempt men very much. If you have such an uncouth face, at least try to live cleanly.”
__________
My Clingy Little Husband (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.