Chapter Text
Mu-deok was feeling weaker and weaker. Her own magic was betraying her once again, and that’s why the wedding needed to happen quickly before Naksu took control again.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Time is money. The sooner the ceremony is over, the sooner I’ll be sure you won’t betray me,” Mu-deok said, trying to sound serious and hide her desperation.
“Yes, but the wedding can’t be held until tomorrow. We can wait one more night. I don’t think the witnesses will be available after what happened in Somgrin,” Jang Uk replied.
“Fine,” Mu-deok said and was about to leave the room, but Jang Uk stopped her.
“Wait, you need to stay with me all night, so people will think we fell in love and that you were grateful I protected you from the Sapsali. They’ll think you admired me so much that you fell for me.”
Mu-deok gave him a cold look. “And how did you fall in love with me? Seems like I’ll be playing the role of the naive servant who admires her master too much and falls for him,” she said with heavy sarcasm.
Jang Uk simply smiled. “I’ll just say you’re beautiful and that your eyes captivated me the moment I saw you, and that I wanted you to be my wife. No one will question it. They’ll think I’ve been more concerned about getting a wife than learning magic. People sometimes like to believe romantic stories or whatever suits them.”
Mu-deok raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. She hadn’t expected him to come up with a story so easily. She needed to be careful with him—he was a good liar.
“Fine,” she responded, deciding to say nothing more. Until the wedding, it was better to minimize interactions, so when Naksu returned, she wouldn’t notice anything strange. The real problem was Naksu. She would know something was wrong. Mu-deok didn’t want her to try to get rid of her. That’s why it was necessary for all of Daeho to know about the marriage—it would protect her when Naksu returned, preventing her from undoing everything due to her personal plans for revenge. After all, it was her body too.
“Well, let’s get some rest. I’m not going to tend to the brazier all night. I haven’t rested all day because of your great idea to test me.” Mu-deok lay down on one side of the bed. Sharing a bed didn’t bother her; she used to share one with her grandmother since they only had one, and she was too tired to sleep on the floor.
“Already sharing a bed before we’re married?” Joked Jang Uk as he lay down on his side of the bed.
“Stay on your side, and there will be peace. I don’t want to argue anymore,” Mu-deok said. She was tired of keeping her energy suppressed and couldn’t even feel the energy around her, so she wasn’t sure how Jang Uk felt. But she had already fought this battle enough for one day. Now, she would focus on trying to rest while keeping her energy under control. She fell asleep quickly.