Yeon-woo’s steps back home were lighter than ever before.
When she had left her house after arguing with Mrs. Park, her head had throbbed, and her heart felt as heavy as if it were weighed down. But now, she felt as refreshed as if she were in an open meadow, with excitement fluttering in her heart like a spring breeze.
How could one’s emotions flip so drastically in half a day?
Receiving a beautiful outfit at Ki-hyang’s fabric store and enjoying the stunning scenery and delicious food at Sohwieon certainly contributed to her mood shift.
But perhaps the most crucial factor was having someone to share these pleasant moments. All the good things that happened today were possible because she met Gun.
“Come to think of it, the gentleman from Kwang-ho’s army seems like a good person.”
Initially, Gun’s impression wasn’t particularly pleasant. His rough manner of speaking and behavior, along with his fierce gaze, felt intimidating, akin to an untamed wild horse.
And what about the rumors? People said he buried people alive, tore animals apart with his bare hands – he was the center of all sorts of bizarre rumors.
Of course, some rumors about his willingness to draw his sword or bury people alive were based on some truths.
But having experienced it firsthand, Yeon-woo found that most rumors about Gun were greatly exaggerated.
Although she sometimes felt frightened when he opened his eyes fiercely, he wasn’t the cruel or strange person the rumors made him out to be.
He was just a taciturn man with rough expressions, but certainly not a bad person.
“People should not be judged by appearances alone.”
Reminding herself of the wisdom of elders, Yeon-woo nodded her head. Just then, she heard a noise from behind.
The source of the noise was familiar, accompanied by the sound of metal. The person addressed Yeon-woo.
“I never thought it’d be you.”
“……?”
“Seeing your cheerful face, you seem to have been doing well.”
Turning around with a look of disbelief, Yeon-woo saw an unwelcome figure.
Short in stature with a plump belly, a blunt nose as big as a fist, and wrinkled skin.
No matter when she saw him, he was always unappealing. It was Bae Jin-seo, the man she was arranged to marry.
Bae Young-gam slowly approached her, supporting his small body on his plump legs.
“I was in a difficult situation because of a bride who ran away.”
When Bae Young-gam first spotted Yeon-woo at the market, he thought she was just someone who resembled her and passed her by.
But upon reconsideration, he realized it was her and attempted to follow, only to lose sight of her.
He had sent people to find her and, finally, caught up with her.
Yeon-woo glared at the mocking Bae Young-gam and spoke firmly.
“I clearly stated I would not marry!”
“The cheeky girl. Do you know how much money I’ve spent on you?”
On the day Bae Young-gam came to set the wedding date, the bridal gifts he sent were obviously expensive luxuries.
The total value of these gifts would undoubtedly be enormous.
“I will return the items you sent.”
“No need! I’ve decided to make you my bride, and I won’t take it back!”
Driven by a desire to elevate his status, Bae Young-gam had lived a wealthy life through his business endeavors, rivaling that of the nobility.
However, one unsatisfactory aspect remained – his origin as a commoner always followed him like a tag.
No matter how much he dressed and acted like a nobleman, Bae Young-gam could never become one.
Bae Young-gam wanted to marry a nobleman’s daughter to cover up his defect of being a commoner, but no wealthy noble family would marry their precious daughter to an old commoner like him.
He didn’t like the idea of marrying an older woman.
To satisfy his desire, he needed to marry a young girl from a poor noble family, and Yeon-woo was the perfect match for Bae Young-gam’s bride. It was an opportunity he couldn’t be sure to find again.
Bae Young-gam suddenly switched to a softer tone, trying to persuade Yeon-woo.
“If you return now with my broad-mindedness, I’ll forgive you.”
“I refuse!”
Yeon-woo, so desperate to avoid marrying him that she disguised herself as a man and joined Kwang-ho’s army, would rather bite her tongue and die than marry Bae Young-gam.
But Bae Young-gam, seemingly anticipating her response, maintained a relaxed demeanor.
“Humph. I didn’t expect you to comply easily. Hey, come out!”
At Bae Young-gam’s signal, three men emerged from hiding. They were large and fierce-looking, as if experienced in combat.
Bae Young-gam nodded at them.
“Grab her!”
As he commanded, the men charged at Yeon-woo.
‘I need to stay alert!’
Yeon-woo couldn’t possibly handle three men, stronger and larger than her, by herself.
But as the saying goes, even when caught by a tiger, if you keep your wits, you can survive.
Having trained extensively with Kwang-ho’s army, she was prepared to fight for her escape.
First, as a hairy man rushed at her, Yeon-woo kicked his groin.
“Kergh!”
The hairy man groaned and collapsed.
Then, a weasel-like man charged at her.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.