Following my father into the dining hall, I noticed that some people were already gathered there. The group wasn’t much different from the previous night’s dinner crowd, but I couldn’t see Iljang-ro or Cheoljiseon.

Cheoljiseon probably bolted, and as for Iljang-ro, who knows where he went. As we entered, everyone’s attention shifted to us.

The screech of chairs echoed as a few people stood up. It was Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

Both of them were glaring at my bruised eye with an intensity that burned hotter than any flame.

“Who...?”

Her question was simple—who did this to me?

Although …