Thanks to Jaeyeong suddenly fainting, the standoff between my sister and Jongmu was interrupted.
The doctor had said that Jaeyeong was fine and that overwhelming emotions were the cause of his exhaustion that led to him fainting.
"He must have felt a rush of strong emotions..."
It was strange for martial artists to faint due to emotional exhaustion, especially for Jaeyeong, who was already quite an experienced martial artist and someone of calm nature.
But hearing that he was fine and just exhausted made us all let out a sigh of relief. Well, for most of us at least. I secretly glanced at Jongmu, who wore a bored expression on his face.
Different from Jaeyeong, Jongmu wasn't someone with facial paralysis, but he was also different from any other powerful martial artist,not to speak of princes who made sure to look dignified, elegant, and tranquil.
Jongmu wore a variety of expressions that were not fit for someone of royal blood. Someone could say he was quite down-to-earth and not as aloof as others of his standing.
I had already noticed it last time... but he really wears makeup.
I couldn't help but fixate on his face. Boldly lined eyes and bright red lips.
Could the crown prince really share such dandy-like hobbies?
To wear makeup was very unusual for men of Silla. Although men should be well-groomed along with a strong body and mind, a man's face shouldn't be adorned with products of beauty, as they hid the true nature of a man.
Even I myself was already seen as frivolous and maiden-like for my insistence on fashion and grandeur.
His Highness is truly an extravagant man.
I quite liked it. I couldn't help but slightly smile.
I, too, was a man who lived quite extravagantly.
"Young Master Baek, is my face so much to your liking that you can't help but stare at it so intensely?" His voice was clearly teasing.
"Ahem..." I cleared my throat, opening my fan and hiding my face in embarrassment. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I was rude."
Jongmu chuckled, his eyes curving in amusement at my reaction.
He chuckles a lot. It's annoying.
I quickly averted my gaze, trying my best not to appear flustered.
"Brother-in-law."
Jubok addressing me interrupted my distracted mind, and I was once again reminded of all the things that had happened in the last 24 hours. That man never brought anything good with him, only chaos and unpleasantness. It was a tragedy that my good sister was lost on such a man.
I furrowed my brows.
"Shut up!"
Seeing not only Hana but also Jongmu and the doctor look at me in surprise at my outburst, I immediately lowered my voice, trying to be calmer.
Jubok, on the other hand, just let out a disdainful sound.
"Covering your face with a fan again, yet you call me effeminate." Jubok rolled his eyes.
His whole existence irked me. That scoundrel never had anything good to say, and if he did, it was followed by ridicule in the next sentence.
I lowered my fan and put on a stern expression. I was tired. Ever since yesterday, nothing seemed to go my way.
I leaned close to his ear.
"My father and I haven't forgotten your impudence yesterday."
Our gazes met.
Jubok's demeanor finally turned more serious. He didn't look at me with a mocking smirk anymore.
"So I will remind you that you shouldn't be too comfortable at our residence. There's no one who will speak up for you even if an arm were to be lost."
"You speak too harshly, Brother-in-law."
"Hmpf." I turned to look at Hana with a slight smile before facing him again.
"Are you confident?" I raised a brow.
"Because I'm sure your family won't blame us."
Jubok clenched his teeth.
"Young Master Baek must be joking."
He finally changed his address.
"Lord Seong. It is you who will enter our household. Don't be too arrogant."
Jubok's face turned dark. His anger was apparent. Just as he had no good face for me, I didn't have one for him either.
"Arrogant? I wouldn't dare." He then subtly looked in the direction where Jongmu was standing.
"But... Young Master Baek, maybe soon it will not be me who is an outsider. Someone else might soon be part of another household as well."
"Bastard!"
I couldn't contain my anger and slapped him across the face.
Fearing that I wouldn't be able to control myself any further in front of everyone, I quickly turned to depart from the medicine chamber.
"I will take my leave." I slightly bowed to Jongmu.
Making eye contact with a passing servant, I quickly motioned for him to approach.
"Make sure to accompany His Highness well," I ordered.
"Enjoy your stay," I said to him before turning to Hana.
"And you... Father is still waiting to deal with you."
What I got back was a bitter glare.
Not caring, I finally stepped outside. Breathing in fresh air didn't help ease my irritation.
Once I arrived at my chambers, I let out a frustrated scream and started throwing a tantrum again.
Even if I didn't like to admit it, I was cursed with a young master's temper at times, thrashing valuable things in my own courtyard.
"I'LL KILL THAT BASTARD!"
"NOTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY!"
"THAT DAMN CHUCKLE! I WANT TO WIPE IT OFF THAT ANNOYING, HANDSOME, ARROGANT FACE!!"
Saha, who had long returned to my quarters, let out a helpless sigh.
She waved her hand, sending all the other servants out.
"Prepare an herbal relaxation bath and an oil massage for the Young Lord," she whispered to one of the maids.
"Young Master, calm down." She approached me calmly. "Who dared to anger you?"
"Dogs! That bastard Jubok." I gritted my teeth.
Saha shook her head. "Young Lord Seong is truly in the wrong this time, and he still dares to act so arrogantly?"
For an noble lord to marry a noble daughter behind their families backs was a huge scandal, something that caused for their families to be subject of gossip in every corner of the kindom. So it was quite shameful, dishonering both.
"Yes, he's as shameless as ever!" I felt a little better knowing someone else was scolding him with me.
Lost in the moment I continued to ramble on, complaining about everything that had just happened.
"Also, that prince has no shame either! Touching me everywhere he pleases. He-"
A loud thump interrupted me.
Saha was now on her knees with a pale face.
She anxiously shook her head.
"I dare not!"
Ah. Right.
For a simple maid, such words are quite difficult.
I guiltily rubbed my nose. "Stop kneeling. I'll be more careful."
I had been to upset and mistakenly spoken such dangerous words. I too shouldn't say something like this.
"The Young Lord is wise." She glanced at me curiously.
"But what do you mean by touching you everywhere...?"
I was always quite lacks, not caring that much about rules in my courtyard, so my servants weren't afraid to speak to me or ask questions. Especially Saha who was by nature someone who liked to listen to gossip.
"Hah."
I sat down on the wooden couch.
I then pointed at my wrist, arms, waist,chin, and hair.
Saha gasped, blushing pink.
"So bold!"
"I know." I clenched my fist.
"That Seong Bastard even dared to mock me about it. Saying that I would soon join another household."
Suddenly Saha's hand grasped mine.
"Young Master! You mustn't! You're so noble and your temper isn't good. Being a mere concubine doesn't suit you!"
"What nonsense are you rambling!" I was speechless.
Saha looked at me with worried eyes. Her eyes somewhat teary.
What's with her pitying look?!
I frowned.
Her hold on my hand didn't loosen, it even tightened.
"Oh my...Young Master." Hey eyes determined. "I will follow you and stay by your side till the bitter end. Let's see who dares to bully you!"
Although Saha seemed like the only servant of mine who was calm and serious, she was actually quite the opposite. She was quite responsible and good at her job but she was still just as silly as everyone else in my courtyard. Always making up melodramatic scenarios of some unknown future. Just like now.
"Who said I would enter his harem." I looked at her horrified.
"Young Master, I fear you don't have a choice."
"Nonsense!" I pulled my hands out of her grip.
"Go! And sweep the courtyard or something."
Just like this my mood that had somewhat calmed down was once again fuelled.