NOVEL FROG Chapter 185
“This mother has put in so much effort to establish a friendship with Paecheon and the current state of affairs; you surely aren’t unaware of that, right?”
“…I know.”
At her fierce mother’s words, Jin Yeseo nodded her head.
Baekgwang, who had managed to pull their family back onto the right track, is the best partner with Paecheon, who is in the height of its prime.
The very reason Paecheon approached Baek Seoyeon was due to the head of their families’ orders to further enhance the friendship between both clans. Of course, before long, she found herself captivated by Baek Seoyeon herself.
“Looking at it, all this hardship is for Seoyeon unni…”
At her answer, the blonde woman raised her intensity as if even more displeased.
“So you knew yet still acted this way?”
“…”
“I have tried my best to be considerate of you. You might have had frustrations and helplessness in your youthful fervor. That’s why I even allowed that nonsensical contract to be made.”
Jin Yeseo found herself at a loss for words. Originally, the contract made with her mother should have guaranteed her freedom.
After all, among the new entering students, there was no one who surpassed Jin Yeseo in skill.
“You yourself are the one who trampled on your right to be free. Are you denying even that?”
However, the appearance of a masked eccentric was something that neither Jin Yeseo nor her mother had expected at all.
“You lost the bet. And you should have been quietly waiting for your mother’s judgment.”
“…”
“But you just had to stir things up because you didn’t want to fulfill your family duties! With someone who has embarrassed you deeply, no less!!”
Ugh…
Every time the blonde woman erupted in anger, a hot wave enveloped Jin Yeseo.
“Heukryeon is our enemy and Paecheon’s adversary! What in the world are you thinking? Are you unable to discern your mind in your resentment towards your mother? Huh?”
She grimaced at the prickling sensation in her ears but did her best to maintain her posture.
“Not only have you ruined my plans, but you’ve also dragged the family’s reputation through the mud! Can you still call yourself the heir of Baekgwang under those circumstances?”
“…”
“Speak up! What did you offer that guy as payment for this farce? Authorization rights for the redevelopment area in the northwest? Shares in the desalination plant? Priority negotiating rights for the armory? Surely you didn’t give away the controlling interest in the corporate headquarters?”
Yet, while hearing her mother’s outbursts, Jin Yeseo unexpectedly felt her breath steady and her heart calm.
It seemed her mother had completely missed the fact that she and the man were in a personal relationship. And that was perfectly logical.
After all, just a few weeks prior, it was something she herself could not even imagine.
“Are you not able to speak? Keep in mind that depending on your answer, you might not only lose your rights as heir but also face more severe punishment.”
“…”
Finally breaking her silence, Jin Yeseo opened her mouth, having endured her mother’s rage.
“This isn’t a farce. And… I know very well that I lost the bet.”
“What?”
“So, to fulfill that responsibility, I personally came to find the opponent.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
The blonde woman immediately rejected Jin Yeseo’s statement with a contemptuous sneer.
“If that guy truly thought of you as a partner, he would have ripped apart my dress just now and shamelessly tried to take me! That would have been the perfect opportunity, wouldn’t it?”
Ugh…
Jin Yeseo frowned at her mother’s crude expression.
“I told you, I only speak the truth…”
“My memory isn’t that hazy yet. What was it you said? Something about needing just a suitable stallion, right?”
“…”
“You made a contract with your mother over that nonsensical stubbornness, didn’t you? How could such a child ever create a true partner?”
“…”
“When I read that part in your letter, I was shocked. And that the opponent was the heir of Heukryeon? When I saw you together, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Even when lying, there should be a limit…”
“…No.”
Amid her mother’s exasperation, a small but clear voice reached her ears. The blonde woman turned her head.
“What did you say?”
“I said he’s not just a suitable stallion.”
With shyness yet a strong certainty resonating in her words.
“Hyun is… the best stallion I know…!”
Jin Yeseo declared firmly, her eyes ablaze with determination.
*
“What…?”
The blonde woman involuntarily blurted out, furrowing her brow. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Ugh…
Jin Yeseo suddenly realized what she had just said and buried her face down—her crimson ears serving as the most undeniable proof of her words.
“…Huh.”
No matter how seasoned the head of a noble family is, the sight of a daughter she hadn’t seen in 16 years was enough to provide a fresh shock.
As Jin Yeseo shyly lifted her head, she delivered a follow-up blow to her mother, who was staring blankly at the void.
“And… I was able to surpass the singularity entirely, all thanks to his help.”
“What? Is that really true?”
“…”
Jin Yeseo answered with a shy silence. The blonde woman, upon sensing the sincerity in her daughter’s eyes, fell into deep contemplation once again.
The daughter she had once trusted completely had faced decline and humiliation. She had even given up on the family’s long-standing wish for the black flame and changed her major to the circulatory system.
“When I received that news, how infuriated I was…”
Yet that daughter had uniquely succeeded in achieving Category 1, a notable accomplishment that was more than enough to quell even her past rage.
And as the heir of Baekgwang, the manifestation of color and scent upon crossing the singularity would solidify their future standing.
But the one who provided that help happened to be the enemy heir of Heukryeon.
“Hah…”
The blonde woman, lost in thought, let out a hollow laugh.
Whether or not he was the heir of Heukryeon didn’t matter.
What was more astonishing was that her daughter was, in fact, defending the very boy of her age she had always shunned.
‘The best stallion…’
Her daughter was sneaking glances at her with a tense expression. It was a different look from her previous defiance.
Given that reaction, it was clear she held deeper feelings than mere friendship.
Of course, whether that feeling was mutual would be another story.
“…He truly is an excellent talent.”
And after what seemed like an eternity had passed,
The blonde woman, having finished her long contemplation, finally spoke in a slightly calmer voice.
“It looks like he hasn’t neglected his physical training and is skilled at concealing his abilities.”
“Ah…!”
At her mother’s positive reaction, Jin Yeseo’s face blossomed with excitement.
“Above all, at such a young age, he already has unattainable accomplishments. Once he graduates from the cradle, he will surely rise as the next power player…”
“Yes, yes! He’s perfect in every way…!”
“His eloquence wasn’t bad either. And even in front of an enchanting woman, he maintained remarkable self-control…”
“His… his eloquence?”
As Jin Yeseo nodded repeatedly, she suddenly stared at her mother wide-eyed.
I-It’s clear our lips never even touched!
“You’re beautiful. You suit him.”
“You look like a princess from a fairy tale.”
The blonde woman was slightly flushed as she recalled her earlier compliments, but Jin Yeseo had no way of knowing.
“It was truly tempting just to look at him…”
“Um, mother…!”
Feeling chills up her spine, Jin Yeseo instinctively shouted. Only then did the blonde woman turn back to her with a teasing expression.
“What’s the matter? Isn’t this the kind of compliment you wanted?”
“Well, y-yes, but…”
Seeing her daughter in such distress, the blonde woman sighed deeply. She then approached Jin Yeseo and suddenly changed her expression, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“M-Mother…?”
“Are you able to do this?”
“Y-Yes…?”
“I asked if you could do it. From what I hear, the heir of Heukryeon is said to have a rather deep friendship with Jeokhwa’s child.”
“Ah…”
Jin Yeseo finally remembered the existence of Yeon Minha, her face puzzled by her mother’s sudden change in attitude.
“Can you insert yourself into that relationship? Hmm?”
“…I can do it.”
With determination, Jin Yeseo nodded her head.
“No, I will make it happen.”
“…Yes, it must be done.”
With the weight of Jin Yeseo’s words in mind, the blonde woman held her daughter’s shoulders tightly, almost painfully.
“Listen well, my daughter. If we end up in conflict with Heukryeon, the power structure of the current republic will be completely overturned.”
The intense greed and yearning for power were brimming in her gaze as she looked straight at Jin Yeseo.
“This is not just a game of love for you. Since we’ve begun, this must be accomplished.”
“Mother…”
“It looks like you still haven’t properly won his heart. Is that right?”
“I…”
“No need to deny it. I can tell just from your eyes.”
The blonde woman stated decisively.
“From now on, the only thing you must do is wrap that well-built body of his in your skirts. It shouldn’t be too hard; he looks like a bumbling fool as well.”