The servants applied Dang Soran's makeup more meticulously than usual.
Her lips were a deeper red, her cheeks bore a subtle flush, and her hair was carefully combed and tied, gleaming with luster.
Today, she would spend the entire day meeting the candidates for marriage.
However, Dang Soran's expression remained stiff, rendering all that adornment meaningless.
The words of Cheongwol that refused to leave her mind.
'The Leather Room owner said it's worth celebrating.'
Why did those words stir her heart so painfully?
It should be something worth celebrating from the start.
What else had she wanted to hear?
She was no longer a child from a fairy tale, waiting for a savior's hand.
Could she have secretly wished for Han Seojin to suddenly appear and nullify the entire engagement?
Had she hoped to see him cause a scene, overturning everything right before her eyes?
But perhaps she had.
She might have wished for that absurd fantasy to come true.
Given how these dark, sticky emotions churned at the thought of Han Seojin congratulating her on the engagement, she might have truly dreamed that foolish delusion.
That he shared her feelings and opposed the marriage.
That he would look straight into her eyes and tell her not to go through with it.
But as reality pressed in, she realized the truth.
They had never been that close to begin with.
It was just Dang Soran alone who felt a certain intimacy toward him and harbored those wishes from an odd distance.
Moreover, what could the poor Leather Room owner possibly do?
He didn't have as much money as Wi Cheonsang.
He wasn't as clever as Jegal Yong, and though she hadn't met him yet... he probably wasn't that handsome either.
His family wasn't as powerful as Namgung Yeon's, nor was he strong in any real sense.
No matter how much Dang Soran wished for it, Han Seojin was in no position to do anything.
How could such a Han Seojin oppose the marriage?
And even if he did oppose it, what could he possibly accomplish?
From the beginning, why had Dang Soran wanted Han Seojin to oppose it?
This was reality.
In reality, the Tang Clan's Poison Phoenix, Dang Soran of Sichuan, had to shoulder her duties for the clan, and she was far past the age of acting like a child.
Even if not for the clan, anyone would need to find a spouse... and living alone was that much more foolish and lonely.
"Truly beautiful."
Dang Jeokcheon appeared before her and said.
Dang Soran forced a smile.
But seeing the sorrow beneath it, Dang Jeokcheon spoke softly.
"...It'll change once you meet them, Soran."
"..."
"Try opening your heart a little. You can't live alone forever."
Dang Soran suppressed her reluctance once more and replied to Dang Jeokcheon.
"...I know, Father."
"...!"
Ask about her thoughts on Han Seojin.
He didn't say congratulations? Then be happy.
He did congratulate you, so accept it.
"I know well, so don't worry."
****
Wi Cheonsang led his merchant caravan into the city like a king of the capital.
The streets were filled with various music. The people grew excited at his arrival.
A man riding a magnificent steed that screamed wealth, waving to the crowd.
His body draped in luxurious silk garments. Necklaces adorning his neck, rings covering his fingers.
A refined appearance. A moderately toned physique.
"It's Wi Cheonsang!!"
"No, he's younger than I thought!"
"Wow...! Impressive, truly impressive!"
Word had it he was 25 years old now. One year older than Dang Soran.
"...Wow."
I couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
Setting aside that Wi Cheonsang was a trashy guy, he did look impressive.
No wonder even Mount Hua Sect's Baekdam had fallen for him hook, line, and sinker.
Success like that at 25.
What the hell had I been doing all this time?
...Well, what else? Hiding away.
Wi Cheonsang dies later anyway.
As Wi Cheonsang paraded through the city, he eventually leaped down from his horse.
He clasped his hands in greeting to the throng watching him and spoke.
"Wi Cheonsang of the Shangping Merchant House, at your service."
Even amid the erupting cheers, he declared gravely.
"I have come to take Dang Soran of the Tang Clan of Sichuan as my wife. Please bestow your blessings."
Then, as if refusing to receive those blessings for free, he began distributing various goods at bargain prices.
The people of the capital began cheering his name.
The Shangping Merchant House remained in the streets, while Wi Cheonsang headed to the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
The first candidate passed like that.
Next to appear was Jegal Yong.
He lacked Wi Cheonsang's overwhelming entrance, but it was still enough to capture everyone's attention.
A man on horseback, waving the fan distinctive to the Jegal Family.
"Handsome~ guy."
Gwak Du Uncle exclaimed at Jegal Yong's arrival.
I had to nod in agreement. He was damn handsome.
If men had raised their voices in envy of Wi Cheonsang's wealth, this time the women went wild.
Long, slender eyes. A sharp nose. A relaxed expression.
Worlds apart from a potato-faced guy like me.
He was fairly tall, but slender, and even that seemed charming given his overwhelming looks.
But more than his looks, his brains were the real deal. Though he had zero brawn.
He lightly greeted the people of the capital before heading to the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
The last was Namgung Yeon.
"...Hm."
"Hmm."
"...Hmmm."
Everyone smacked their lips at his entrance.
The most lackluster of the three.
He appeared with just the bare essentials.
Not too shabby, but not overly flashy either.
Appropriately courteous.
I watched Namgung Yeon from afar.
"..."
He definitely had that protagonist vibe.
This was probably the first time I'd seen him properly like this.
If you saw him as a man, he was handsome.
If as a woman, pretty.
...So why the hell did he come?
Just to make up an appearance?
Maybe that's why he didn't bother with a flashy entrance.
'The dull one falls short even here.'
'Yeah. He'll lose to the other two.'
'The Namgung Family's sole heir lacks any tact.'
I watched Namgung Yeon enter the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
"...Sigh."
I still wasn't sure if it was my place to step in.
Thinking grandly that the future of the Central Plains hung on my hands made me overly cautious.
Thinking what could a nobody like me do to change the future made everything feel like a hassle.
The notion that only I could do it was arrogant beyond measure.
Who knows, maybe the Central Plains would roll on fine without me.
...Still, let's try to make it work.
I came here because I thought it was right.
So, time to act.
"Uncles."
I called out to the three uncles.
"...Could you help me out just a little today?"
****
Dang Soran's busy day began.
The day to meet the marriage candidates.
Wi Cheonsang was the first to arrive.
Wi Cheonsang arrived in a carriage and began unloading boxes in the Tang Clan's courtyard.
Box after box after box.
Workers would come and open them as they were set down.
Inside were heaps of gold and jewels, various books, weapons, and elixirs.
Even the Tang Clan servants' mouths fell open.
Even Dang Soran, the Tang Clan's eldest daughter, had never seen such wealth.
Dang Jeokcheon laughed in astonishment.
Only Wi Cheonsang remained composed, clasping his hands.
"This is a token of respect for the Clan Leader. Please accept it without burden."
"Young Master Wi, nothing's decided yet, so this seems premature..."
"As I said, it's merely a gesture of sincerity. I seek no reward. Even if Lady Dang rejects me, it matters not. I truly hope you'll accept it in good faith."
"...If you put it that way."
At Dang Jeokcheon's wave, the servants began organizing the gifts.
Then Dang Jeokcheon and Wi Cheonsang clasped hands and exchanged greetings.
"You must be tired from the long journey."
"I'm grateful to have been summoned."
As the two shared smiles and conversed, Dang Soran stood quietly behind.
It was surprising. So wealthy, yet so young.
She'd heard he was a self-made man without anyone's help.
But why was this?
Dang Soran felt no great excitement. She had long forgotten the pleasures of material wealth.
...Truth be told.
...Truth be told, that stolen hairpin from Han Seojin meant more than all those gifts...
"Lady Soran."
At that moment, Wi Cheonsang's voice snapped her from her reverie.
"Pleased to meet you. As the rumors say... you are a stunning beauty."
"...Ah, yes."
"Would you grace me with your company for a moment? I'd be honored if you showed me around."
Dang Soran took a deep breath.
Like exterminating bandits, this was just work.
Work.
She tried to smile.
"...Yes."
But whether it showed on her face was anyone's guess.
Afterward, she walked the Tang Clan grounds with Wi Cheonsang.
Conversations flowed back and forth.
And somehow, Han Seojin came to mind.
The silly talks they'd shared over those 50 days together.
Teasing him until he suffered, laughing at his reactions...
Perhaps because those were moments of true freedom above all.
Not anymore.
Dang Soran wore the Tang Clan's mask.
She conversed to suit her counterpart, observed etiquette.
It was obvious this man would bring great strength to the Tang Clan once wed.
So she donned her mask thickly.
This was the right thing.
Han Seojin had blessed it too.
...Yet for some reason, Dang Soran felt like crying.
.
.
.
Even trivial talk with Wi Cheonsang had drained her, but there was no rest.
"Lady Soran."
Next was Jegal Yong.
Even the servants fawned over his appearance.
Dang Soran looked up at Jegal Yong steadily.
...Was this what handsome looked like?
The question arose.
She wouldn't deny he was neat... but was he truly handsome?
He seemed a bit effeminate, and a touch too feminine.
Was this what they called a gigolo?
"..."
...Han Seojin was far more hand—
"—Lady?"
"Ah, uh... yes."
"..."
Interpreting her brief silence somehow, Jegal Yong gave a strange smile.
As if he'd seen many women freeze upon seeing his face.
Jegal Yong changed the subject.
"Truth be told, you may not know me... but I have known of you, Lady. Even before you rose as the Poison Phoenix."
"...Is that so?"
"Before I even reached the age of study at fifteen, I saw you from afar. And, embarrassingly... I've harbored feelings for you since then."
"...Pardon?"
"Believe me or not, I won't let this chance slip. I've dreamed only of you all my life, and this is my opportunity to make it real."
Jegal Yong reached out tensely.
Attempting to take Dang Soran's hand.
Unthinkingly, Dang Soran pulled her hand away slightly.
"Ah..."
"Oh."
She was startled, but honestly offended.
How dare he touch her body after just meeting.
Yet it fell to Dang Soran to make excuses.
"Um... I think we should take it slow, step by step."
Jegal Yong cleared his throat.
"S-Sorry. I got ahead of myself. To one as pure as you, Lady Soran, I..."
Afterward, Dang Soran guided him around the Tang Clan as usual.
Whether Jegal Yong was truly handsome, whispers followed them as they walked.
Jegal Yong himself fidgeted, trying to please her.
...But hating him made even that sight repulsive.
Better if he were bolder, rougher—that would be cool.
Like Han Seoj—
"..."
Dang Soran squeezed her eyes shut, chewing over Cheongwol's words.
'The Leather Room owner said it's worth celebrating.'
Don't forget.
Don't forget.