When people are too surprised, they say words get stuck.

Sharti rubbed her head.

‘Husband? Newlyweds?’

Sharti, who had never properly dated or considered others as romantic interests until she turned twenty, was now feeling dizzy due to the sudden misunderstanding.

“I hope you’ll be more careful with your words next time.”

While Sharti was still startled, Ren quickly finished his ambiguous affirmation. Then, he subtly approached Sharti and stood behind her, making them appear more like a harmonious couple.

“I seem to have interrupted your good time by coming here so suddenly. I’ll leave quickly.”

As Ren was undressing as if coming out of a shower, Manmulsang’s misunderstanding deepened.

Manmulsang, who packed his belongings hesitantly, stood up from his seat.

“It seems you two are a young newlywed couple living in the mountains.”

The misunderstanding was unintentionally becoming more profound.

‘No! Not a husband!’

Sharti quickly waved her hands, but it seemed to Manmulsang that Sharti was embarrassed.

Alone in her frustration, Sharti squirmed uncomfortably.

“No.”

Finally, Ren denied it.

While Sharti tried to calm down with Ren’s composed voice, he turned his head to look at her. His gaze, hidden by a towel, was clearly conveyed.

As Sharti flinched, Ren opened his mouth again.

“I chose it because I’m passionate about my job.”

“……?”

“Having an environment to explore knowledge and focus on research is essential.”

“Oh, I see!”

“……?”

What does he mean?

Sharti blinked her eyes, unable to follow the conversation between the two.

“With the understanding and support from your husband, it seems the reason behind your proficiency is well-founded, ma’am.”

“I’m making more effort to be helpful.”

Manmulsang sent a warm gaze to the seemingly affectionate newlywed couple.

‘No…’

Sharti, who was watching Ren and Manmulsang’s conversation, made a wistful expression.

Even though it wasn’t intentional, Ren’s words were oddly interpreted and conveyed.

In the midst of it, Manmulsang twinkled his eyes and looked at Ren.

“I’m Manmulsang, as you may know, but your wife’s medicine is really popular.”

“She’s a skilled doctor. She’s good at both treatment and making effective medicine.”

“Yes, yes. So, I tried to request a somewhat special medicine, but I gave up.”

“Why is that?”

Doubt was filled in Ren’s voice.

Manmulsang chuckled.

“It seems a bit too much for your wife.”

“There’s no medicine she can’t make.”

Ren took pride in Sharti’s skills.

With confident trust, Sharti looked up at Ren reflexively.

“Probably alone… The process of making medicine must be extremely challenging.”

Manmulsang subtly explained the process of making medicine with a hint of nuance. Ren nodded in agreement with the mention of side effects, effects, and the need for endurance experiments.

And internally, he marveled.

Sharti had been doing everything alone until now.
“Of course, it would be possible if your husband helps.”

“……!”

Sharti finally caught onto Manmulsang’s intentions when he mentioned the request that Ren had rejected earlier. Ren was naively entangled in Manmulsang’s crafty words, like a spider weaving a web.

As Sharti, with a furrowed brow, was about to take out a note to refuse, Ren spoke while grabbing the sleeve of Sharti’s robe.

“I’ll help.”

Ren said resolutely, making Sharti quickly raise her head.

‘What does he know about helping?’

In her desperation, Sharti grabbed Ren’s hand. However, Ren, who sensed Sharti’s refusal, held onto her hand, leaned over, and whispered into her ear.

“I will devote myself to helping, my lady.”

“……!”

“Without any inadequacy.”

With a teasing sensation in her ear, Sharti immediately recoiled from him.

Suddenly, Sharti, in her moment of confusion, stumbled and almost fell. Ren promptly caught her.

“Are you okay?”

There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Beyond confusion, embarrassment washed over Sharti like a wave.

As Sharti struggled to break free, Ren’s lips lifted slightly.

“If that’s the case, I’ll take your acceptance of the request and leave, madam.”

Thinking that the newlyweds’ awkward love story was about to begin in earnest, Manmulsang, who misunderstood, left the log house faster than the wind.

Sharti, who had been watching Manmulsang’s disappearing figure, finally weakly covered her face.

‘I… I don’t know anymore…’

Sharti finally lost all her enthusiasm.

After a while, Sharti regained her composure and checked her appearance.

Ren still had her waist in his grip, refusing to let go.

‘He left already. Let go now.’

Tock, tock. Sharti lightly tapped Ren’s forearm and gestured to release her.

“…….”

However, Ren just removed the towel from his head, not letting go of her hand.

“Sharti. I was wrong.”

“…….?”

Following Sharti’s weak voice, she raised her gaze.

His turquoise eyes were shining melancholically.

“My selfish good intentions made you scared, and my foolish actions hurt you.”

Each word he uttered slowly was heavy.

The eyes focused only on Sharti were infinitely deep.