쨍그랑.
I turned around at the ear-piercing sound. I caught a glimpse of shattered debris on the floor.
Beyond that, a pair of fine shoes came into view.
Tracing them upward, I slowly looked up at the owner of those legs.
Before long, our eyes met.
“…Madam Mi.”
The owner was Madam Mi.
Why was Madam Mi here? And of all times, right now?
Had she heard what I just said? Fuck, she must have. That reaction was because she heard it.
Which meant… in short.
‘I’m fucked.’
Meaning things were completely fucked.
‘What do I do?’
Cold sweat poured from all over my body.
I had sold out my father to survive, but if Madam Mi had heard this, the story changed considerably.
How so?
‘I don’t really want to imagine it.’
Whatever it was, I didn’t want to think about it.
Ttolttori looked to be ten years old at most.
If I simply did the math, and if he were my father’s child….
‘No, even before calculating. I’m already screwed because he’s a child Madam Mi doesn’t know about.’
No matter what calculations I made or excuses I thought up, I was definitely dead.
“Uh… Madam Mi. That’s not it….”
A family storm rushing in like a sudden gale.
That was how it felt to stand at the edge of a cliff.
What should I do, what should I do? How do I sort out this mess?
Gulp.
Swallowing nothing but dry saliva, I gradually sank into a swamp of thoughts.
‘Fuck.’
No matter how much I thought, there was no way out.
It seemed too late to confess now. If things continued like this, I wouldn’t just be selling out my father; I’d have to drag him down to hell.
Would I survive?
Or would I turn my father into shameless trash?
It was an incredibly difficult dilemma.
Yeah, after all, there was a proper duty as a child, so this was a bit….
“Madam Mi… I wasn’t trying to keep it from you…. Father has his circumstances too, so this is really quite….”
I decided to sell out my father. It was the conclusion of my brief deliberation.
He was still vigorous; he could endure this much.
I felt like I’d get beaten to death if found out later. I’d deal with that then. For now, my survival came first.
“For now, please hear me out….”
The moment I was racking my brain for an excuse.
Thud.
Madam Mi began to walk with widened eyes.
As she approached, I instinctively shrank my shoulders.
However.
Swish-!
Madam Mi didn’t come toward me but passed by, continuing forward.
The direction was toward Namgung Bia, who was holding Ttolttori.
“...”
Madam Mi walked up and finally approached Namgung Bia.
“…Ah.”
She uttered a short word and reached out her hand. Seeing that, I stiffened slightly.
…Huh, could it be she’s going to slap him?
She might.
She had just come face to face with an unknown child who wasn’t even hers, with her husband.
From the legitimate wife’s standpoint, it couldn’t be anything but an infuriating situation.
Besides, he looked like such a foul-tempered brat, so there was a good chance she’d up and hit him….
‘…Wait.’
If you think about it, isn’t that pretty much the same situation as mine?
‘Son of a concubine. A foul-tempered little shit.’
Right now, he and I didn’t look very different.
It felt like spitting on my own face, leaving a bitter taste.
Fortunately, I had never been hit by Madam Mi, but….
‘…Anyway.’
Shouldn’t I stop her from hitting him?
Or should I just leave it be, given the situation? As these thoughts flashed by.
Ssk.
Finally, Madam Mi’s fingertips reached Ttolttori.
But the location wasn’t his cheek.
“…Huh?”
Ttolttori raised his head at the touch.
With a hesitant hand, Madam Mi was stroking the child’s hair.
“...”
I could only see her back, so I didn’t know what expression she wore.
Madam Mi was simply busy caressing the child’s head.
From where I stood, stunned by what was happening.
“Hey….”
“Whoa! You startled me-!”
A voice suddenly sounded by my ear.
Because I had dulled my heightened senses since they were uncomfortable, I hadn’t detected Madam Mi’s approach, let alone anyone else’s.
Startled, I covered my ear and looked; the approaching figure was Baekryeongeom.
“…Wh-what is it?”
“No, it’s just.”
Baekryeongeom approached with a rather hesitant expression and tone, carefully asking,
“…Then whose kid is he?”
“…Excuse me?”
What…?
“Just looking at him… he doesn’t seem to be Miss Mi’s… and by his looks, I thought he might be your mother’s. But that’s not it, right?”
“...”
So that’s what this was about.
“…That’s, well.”
“Then could he be the Geomhu’s?”
“Excuse me?”
I frowned at Baekryeongeom’s words.
The Geomhu… did she mean the Maehwa Geomhu I knew?
“Senior. Why are you suddenly bringing up the Geomhu…?”
“Hm? Ah. So our nephew-in-law doesn’t know.”
“Nephew-in-law, what kind of… No. What are you talking about in the first place?”
“Don’t worry about it if you don’t know. Anyway, it’s not the Geomhu, right? Then… is it the Myeong family’s girl? Yeah, if it were her, she’d be more than capable of climbing onto the stove… No, wait. If she had tried, Miss Mi would have already taken care of her…. Then who on earth is it? Could it be the Yuhyeolgung girl…? That’s strange. I heard she was already engaged.”
“...”
An endless stream of names. Powerful names I felt I’d heard somewhere. The problem was why those names were popping up in this situation.
Could it be.
‘…Is she trying to figure out who the mother is?’
Which meant… were those all women associated with my father?
If so, it was absurd.
‘Father. You were more promiscuous than I thought…?’
Not just one or two, but how many were there?
A man should have principles. It was rather disappointing.
Meanwhile, Baekryeongeom’s expression as she mentioned them was endlessly serious.
Seeing that woman’s expression, I spoke with a sigh.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I don’t know very well either.”
“If that’s the case, that means there’s a chance, right? Those wretched women are climbing onto roofs left and right. So there’s no reason I can’t do the same, is there?”
“Senior? What do you mean by that…?”
“Oh, yes, my son. Do you have something to say? Speak comfortably.”
“…Why am I suddenly becoming your son, Senior?”
“Things like that can happen in life, you know. Don’t worry too much. You’ll lose your hair.”
“What kind of life do you have to lead for that to happen?”
It was always like this, but talking to Baekryeongeom made me feel like I was losing my mind.
I was already overwhelmed; I had no time to exchange banter with this lady.
Rustle.
Meanwhile, Madam Mi continued to stroke Ttolttori’s head.
Those around us couldn’t even breathe as they watched Madam Mi.
That the child was not my child, but our father’s hidden child.
The moment those words left my mouth, my father’s wife, Madam Mi, had appeared.
It was a situation that would make one’s knees buckle just to hear of it; who would dare breathe?
Dang Soyeol and Wi Seol-a were no exception….
‘Where did that old man Goe Seon go?’
Looking now, Goe Seon had already fled. Meaning he had quickly run away.
Even the cool-headed Moyong Huia was covering her mouth, her face pale.
As tension dominated the room, wondering what kind of hellscape would unfold.
“…Would you… like to hold him…?”
“…!”
“…Hup.”
“…!!”
It was Namgung Bia, who was holding Ttolttori, who had spoken.
At those words, those around us gasped.
It was as if they were asking what kind of crazy talk that was.
The problem was.
“...”
That upon hearing those words, Madam Mi stopped her caressing hand.
Was she angry at the absurdity?
Honestly, this was a situation where she had every right to be furious.
“...”
As if proving that, Madam Mi gave no answer.
She simply stared quietly at Namgung Bia and Ttolttori.
‘Hm?’
For some reason, I felt as though Madam Mi were hesitating.
…Could it be.
‘Is she really thinking of holding him?’
She seemed to be contemplating Namgung Bia’s offer.
‘No way. That can’t be.’
It had to be my imagination. There was no way Madam Mi would.
As if to prove it, after a long silence, Madam Mi gave the answer I expected.
“No. I’m fine.”
As expected, she refused. There was no way she would accept.
What woman would want to hold her husband’s hidden child?
The only fortunate thing was that Madam Mi hadn’t exploded in anger.
‘To think a person could be that rational.’
It was astonishing.
If it were me, I would have turned the surroundings into a wasteland and then some.
Though surprised, she looked remarkably calm.
As I watched Madam Mi with wonder.
“First Young Master.”
“…!”
My body jolted at her voice.
“Y-yes….”
Barely managing to answer, Madam Mi turned her head to look at me.
Her face was as flawless as always.
You could say it was hard to grasp what she was thinking?
My back was already drenched in cold sweat.
I was only doing my best not to show it.
I was barely calming my breathing when.
Madam Mi spoke to me.
“It seems we have something to talk about.”
“...”
“Follow me for a moment.”
“…Y-yes.”
With that, Madam Mi began to walk.
Seeing this, I moved my legs to follow.
It was the most nerve-wracking feeling I’d had all year.
******************
It took some time to get from the Divine Physician’s residence to where Madam Mi was staying.
Especially since Madam Mi was an ordinary person, her pace wasn’t fast.
Having to match her pace, what would have been a quick run took half a shichen to walk.
Do you know what was truly difficult?
‘Not a single word was exchanged during that walk.’
Madam Mi walked ahead in silence. Following behind, I couldn’t even swallow in that uncomfortable silence.
And so we arrived at none other than Madam Mi’s quarters.
It was my first time here.
Usually, to see Madam Mi, I would go to the union leader’s office at the guild or she would summon me.
I had no memory of coming to where Madam Mi resided.
‘It was this big?’
I had to be quite surprised after seeing it.
Because the size of the residence was extremely large.
I had thought my own quarters were quite large, but this was even bigger.
Though perhaps not double, it was definitely an enormous difference in size.
There were well-kept gardens, and the paths winding through them were beautifully arranged.
The residence I followed her into was clearly neat and tidy.
“Sit.”
“…Yes.”
I sat down immediately as told.
A teacup was already resting on the table.
It didn’t seem to have been prepared by Madam Mi herself. Most likely a servant who had been informed prepared it in advance.
My throat felt parched, so I wanted to start with the tea, but….
“You said that child is the Patriarch’s son.”
“…Ahem.”
At those words, I couldn’t even drink.
Startled, I set down the teacup and looked at Madam Mi.
She was looking at me with clear eyes, her hands clasped together.
Was that a look expecting an explanation?
What was I supposed to do about this?
‘What to do. I have to make excuses first.’
It was too late to take it back.
I had to say something, anything.
“Well… the thing is. It’s….”
The walk here hadn’t been short, so I had already thought of what to say.
Just as I was about to use it to explain to Madam Mi.
“I know he is not.”
“…!”
At the penetrating words, my mouth clamped shut again.
She knew he wasn’t?
Did that mean she knew my words were a lie?
As I wore a blank expression at the unexpected words, Madam Mi added.
“What do you…?”
“Are you saying it is?”
“...”
Her gaze was resolute.
Should I just say yes here and give the excuse I had thought of? The thought flickered that it might be better, but….
“…No, it isn’t.”
In the end, I confessed.
Madam Mi’s tone was already certain. Strangely, looking into her eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to lie.
“I’m sorry.”
“...”
When I apologized, Madam Mi took a sip of tea instead of answering.
The sound of her drinking was inaudible.
A soft clink.
Only the brief sound of the teacup setting down could be heard.
“…Madam Mi.”
“Speak.”
“It may be inappropriate to ask right now… but how did you know?”
How on earth did she know? I couldn’t contain my curiosity.
Asking such a thing at a time like this. For a moment, Madam Mi made an incredulous expression.
I thought I wouldn’t get an answer because of it, but….
“At first, I thought it might be possible.”
Contrary to her expression, Madam Mi began to explain.
“He resembled him greatly, so I couldn’t dismiss it.”
“...”
“More precisely… he resembled you more than the Patriarch, but he couldn’t be your child. So perhaps, perhaps he really was the Patriarch’s child. I saw it that way for a moment.”
“…But why did you think otherwise?”
“That is an easy question to answer.”
Was it my imagination? I thought I saw Madam Mi smile slightly.
Then her answer came.
“Because your father is not the type to do such a thing.”
“…!”
It was an unexpected answer.
So much so that I couldn’t react at all.
“Your father is a man of many secrets. He speaks little, and prefers to keep things to himself whenever possible.”
“...”
That much was obvious.
I wondered if my father even spoke a hundred words a year.
“However. He might hide other things, but he would never hide something like this.”
“…That is.”
“Moreover, even if he had hidden it, I could not have failed to know. Because I am the leader of the Baekhwa Sangdan.”
“...”
Gulp.
Honestly, I couldn’t agree with the previous words at all. But the last sentence was the easiest to understand.
‘I am the leader of the Baekhwa Sangdan.’
The pride and confidence radiating from those words were incredibly clear.
“Thus I wished to ask. What is that child?”
“…If I said he was my child, would you believe me?”
“I shall believe you.”
“Excuse me?”
She would believe me so easily? It was an answer that flustered me instead.
“Believing is not so difficult. Rather, if you can bear the burden, do so.”
“...”
I knew Madam Mi did not believe me.
She knew he wasn’t my father’s child. Yet if I told her to believe it, she would simply believe.
And yet, her asking if I could bear it instead meant….
‘Whether I could take full responsibility for that belief.’
It was far more frightening and heavy than saying she wouldn’t believe.
Then, what was I to do with this?
As countless thoughts flashed by.
“Or, I may choose not to ask at all.”
I opened my eyes slightly at Madam Mi’s following words.
“What do you mean by that…?”
She might not ask?
“The literal meaning. I will not ask who that child is. It also means I may not scold you for making your father out to be a liar.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Well, if I must attach meaning to it….”
Click. Click. A strange sound came from the teacup Madam Mi touched.
“Because you need it. That is reason enough.”
“...”
“If you need it, do so. If you need an excuse, I can provide one as well.”
“…Why would you go this far….”
“However.”
Just as I was about to speak, unable to understand, Madam Mi raised her index finger with a resolute voice.
“There is one condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes, one condition.”
She would feign ignorance without even asking why.
She would overlook the fact that I had sold out the Patriarch out of necessity, but there was a condition.
Hearing this, I bit my lip on the inside.
‘As expected.’
Naturally, it wasn’t free.
Of course, where would there be a free lunch in a matter like this?
To suppress her curiosity and overlook me making my father out to be an immoral wretch—surely an enormous condition would be attached.
I couldn’t even guess what she wanted.
“…What is the condition?”
Still, I couldn’t refuse.
I had to hear it out first.
I waited for Madam Mi’s words, brimming with tension.
A few seconds passed like that.
“I will take that child.”
“…Excuse me?”
“That is my condition.”
“…?”
My ears had heard it, yet my head refused to understand it.