As True as a Dream

According to the following reports, Ban Yi Ho’s behavior so far is far from rebellious.

 

However, he may be in covert contact with them, just not openly.

 

They’ll have to wait and see.

 

The courtesy

“curse”

and

“flock of crows”

were also quite suspicious.

 “[If you have nothing to add, I’ll stand up first].” 

Saito waved and Yi Ho got up and left the room.

 

Watching his back, Saito took a sip of the tea in front of him.

 

‘If you defy my control, whether you are connected to the rebellion or not, there is only one conclusion.’

 

If you can’t take them, get rid of them.

 

Picking up his teacup again, Saito suddenly frowned.

 

Then he rubbed his fingers together as if to stop himself.

 

It seems that a little nervousness got the better of him.

 

Taking a pill from a small bottle in his sleeve, Saito leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

 

***

 

After finishing his private session with Governor Saito, Yi Ho swallowed a sneer.

 

He hadn’t been surprised by the governor’s casual remarks about curses and thugs.

 

Previous governors had done the same, but due to the sensitivity of Song Yue Pavilion’s position in the province, this nerve-wracking battle had been repeated every time.

 “[Who are you? Why are you in my father’s room?]” 

As Yi Ho left the room and stepped onto the stairs, he looked at the source of the sound.

 

A young woman who looked about 17 or 18 years old, wearing a red Western-style dress with a large ribbon across her chest, stood at the foot of the building, followed by a middle-aged staff.

 “[I don’t recognize you.]” 

The woman, who had walked straight up to him without a hint of coarseness, gave him a quick appraising glance, then looked up curiously.

 

Her round face was grim, and her upturned cat eyes were full of pride.

 

This is probably Saito Mao, Governor Saito’s daughter.

 

Yi Ho guessed the woman’s identity.

 “[I am the president of Song Yue Pavilion, summoned by His Excellency the Governor].” 

Yi Ho replied in a reluctant tone before turning to leave.

 “[Song Yue?]” 

Mao raised her eyebrows in surprise, then tilted her chin and changed her tone.

 “[I have heard of this, the curse of Song Yue. Why are you wearing this mask?]” 

Yi Ho was about to turn around after a brief bow, but Mao stopped him and pointed at the fox mask.

 “[Take it off.]” 

She is not a good woman.

 

It was clear from this brief display of behavior that Governor Saito had only one child, a daughter, and that she had been raised with indiscriminate patronage.

 

When he refused, Mao’s eyes immediately frowned.

 “[I have personal reasons, please understand.]” “[Do you have any unsightly scars? I don’t care, take them off.]” “[I told you I have reasons.]” 

Yi Ho turned around and stomped up the stairs, no longer wanting to deal with this iron-willed woman.

 

But he didn’t expect the young lady to have such a temper.

 

Without warning, Mao reached out and ripped the mask from his face.

 

The mask flew off his face and landed on the garden floor.

 

It was a sudden action that Yi Ho, who had sensed Mao’s movement and turned around, did not expect.

 

Silence fell around them.

 

Looking down at the fallen fox mask, Yi Ho squinted at the woman in front of him.

 

Mao looked up at him somewhat dazedly, seemingly unconcerned by the murderous intent he exuded.

 “[You, you look so pretty, what was your name again?]” 

Instead of answering, Yi Ho walked downstairs, picked up the fallen mask, brushed it off, and put it back on his face.

 

In his mind, he wondered how he could repay her for what he had just done.

 “[I asked you what your name is, why don’t you answer?]” 

Mao, who ran down the stairs after him, stood close beside him.

 “[Why are you wearing a mask? You’re so pretty, why waste it? Take it off.]” 

Mao reached out again and tried to pull the mask off.

 

Yi Ho slapped her hand away.

 

Then Mao grabbed his arm and looked at him angrily, as if her feelings were hurt.

 

It was the reaction of a child who hadn’t grown up.

 

Yi Ho raised an eyebrow slightly.

 

The more he looked at the woman’s behavior, which he thought was just arrogance, the more he found it disturbing.

 

No matter how indiscriminately Governor Saito had showered her with affection, would such an adult woman be so selfish?

 “[Too bad, I only told you to take it off because it looks good, why won’t you listen to me, too bad, I have no choice but to give you punishment to break your habit].” 

Hearing Mao’s strange muttering to herself, Yi Ho’s black eyes narrowed.

 

What remained of his humanity vanished like a crab’s eye.

 

The ferocious killing intent of the Fox Demon from over a hundred years ago, who only knew how to kill and kill and kill, rose within him.

 

He could snap this woman’s neck in the blink of an eye.

 

In the blink of an eye.

 

His knuckles twitched.

 

That was it.

 

The door to Governor Saito’s office opened.

 

***

 “[Mao, what are you doing?]” 

Yi Ho brought his hand back down, slightly raised with murderous intent.

 “[Father!]” 

Mao, who had been looking at Yi Ho with a troubled face, broke into a wide grin when he saw Governor Saito.

 “[You are a grown-up young lady after your eighteenth birthday, why are you acting so naughty, come this way.]” 

Governor Saito said, but Mao laughed and shook her head.

 “[Father, I like this person, I want to have him].” “[What?]” “[He is spoiled, but I can teach him well.]” 

Despite the governor’s expression, Mao looked up at Yi Ho and beamed with excitement, as if she had found a new toy.

 “[For my birthday?]” 

‘For her birthday?’

 

Yi Ho looked down at Mao again and felt a tingling sensation in the back of his head.

 

Then he realized.

 

The reason for her rudeness, her bizarre innocence for her age, her bizarre use of language, and her complete lack of reaction to the wild aura he’d deliberately projected.

 

This woman is broken.

 

Often is.

 

People who are twisted from birth.

 

The corners of Yi Ho’s mouth twitched at the sight of Mao’s glassy eyes, devoid of the slightest hint of emotion.

 

This woman’s head is completely broken.

 “[You said I should get married in the future, why don’t I get married to this person, he is the president of Song Yue, it will be good for my father].” “[Mao! What are you talking about?]” “[Father, I just told you I want him, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life].” 

Seeing this, Yi Ho’s irritation is for nothing.

 

He has lost.

 

What’s the point of being angry?

 

This woman is broken, and he can’t talk to a broken doll.

 

A hundred years ago, she would have been killed.

 

The problem is that she’s the daughter of Saito Jiro, the governor general of the Joseon Dynasty.

 

Moreover, Jiro Saito seemed to be very fond of his daughter.

 

If he were to use his position to pressure his daughter into doing his bidding, he would be in a lot of trouble.

 

‘Would it have been better to kill him earlier?’

 

Of course, it would have been very inconvenient and costly.

 

Alas! So much for this and that.

 

Beneath his mask, Yi Ho rolled his eyes.

 

He really didn’t want to waste his time and energy on such a useless endeavor, nor was he in any condition to do so.

 

Just then, his vision caught sight of Hae-Joo, her eyes wide open, just beyond the circular central gate.

 

From the look on her face, she had heard everything that had been said in this courtyard.

 

Her surprised face showed tension and a hint of worry.

 

‘What are you worried about? Are you afraid that I’ll be ordered around? You really do see me as a sick chicken.’

 

Seeing her worried face, Yi Ho couldn’t help but smile.

 

He turned and looked at Governor Saito who was standing on the stairs.

 

In this position, he had to prioritize his position as the president of Song Yue.

 

Unless he wanted to go on a rampage and be called a demon right now.

 

Then he has to get out of this situation, and there’s only one way he can think of.

 

***

 “[I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your proposal, I’m already engaged].” 

When he finished speaking, not only did Mao’s face freeze, but Governor Saito’s face also frowned.

 “[This is the first time I’ve heard that the President of Song Yue has a fiancée, who is he engaged to?]” “[She came to the party today, she’s over there.]” 

Yi Ho smiled and looked at Hae-Joo who was standing in the garden behind the middle gate.

 

When her eyes fell on him, Hae-Joo, who had been nervous, straightened up and walked through the middle gate with a polite smile.

 “[I’m Yeon Hae-Joo, this is the first time we’ve met.]” 

Not too cowardly, but not too arrogant either, she bowed slightly at the waist and stood close to his side.

 

As if she wanted to hide.

 

Confused, Yi Ho glanced to the side and saw that Mao was looking at her fiercely, as if she wanted to tear her apart.                            

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