The clothing itself wasn't difficult to put on.

Though the fabric was broad and billowed, simply wrapping a belt around the waist was enough.

The comfort level was surprisingly good—suitable even for casual wear.

A relatively ornate outer garment only needed to be draped over the shoulders and fastened—simple enough.

With the Observation Power, I could instantly discern the correct way to wear it.

Although it might be cumbersome with one arm, the Sky Feather made it manageable.

“I’ll assist with your makeup.”

[Yes, please… Makeup?]

The issue was the preceding process.

The moment I tried to put on the clothing, I was unexpectedly shoved toward the bath.

Then, I had to soak for a while, practically stewing in hot, steaming water.

When I finally emerged, warmed up to my core, they began slathering on cosmetics and oils—not just on my skin but in my hair as well.

Afterward.

A number of attendants crowded in, seating me at a vanity, where they brushed, dried, and fussed over my hair…

It was only after completing this tedious routine that I could finally put on my attire.

By then, I was already drained.

The preparation was too thorough.

I felt completely exhausted before even stepping foot into the banquet hall.

But it wasn’t as if I could escape now that I was ready.

More importantly, Choi Jiyeon was planning to announce my inclusion in the family register toward the end of the banquet.

After that, we had agreed that I would display the Guhwa Fire before everyone.

It would be awkward if I wasn’t present for my own introduction.

Following Ariel’s lead, I headed toward the banquet venue.

I trudged along, and a grand door opened before me.

‘Uh…’

And then, I was met with an unusual reaction.

The reactions coming in through Observation were anything but normal.

I’d expected some attention.

I’d later learn that the Guhwa family’s regular banquet rarely included guests… outsiders.

So I thought I might draw some attention upon my entrance.

“.......”

“.......”

“.......”

But the level was beyond what I had anticipated.

People who had been chatting animatedly just moments ago suddenly went silent, their faces stiffening.

They all stared at me—gawking as though faced with something unimaginable.

The silence was so profound, one could almost hear an ant crawling. Even the instrumental music had stopped at some point.

No matter how I looked at it, this reaction wasn’t normal.

Was I not supposed to come in just now?

I turned to Ariel, who had followed me inside, and asked.

[Are we in the wrong place?]

“No, Young Master. This is indeed the correct entrance.”

Then why are they all reacting like that, as if they’re seeing something astonishing?

Noticing my puzzled expression, Ariel spoke up with her characteristic stoic face.

“Everyone is simply stunned by your beauty, Young Master.”

“?”

That answer, coming from her deadpan face, was bizarre. I couldn’t help but show a slightly disconcerted expression.

She was so expressionless that it was hard to tell if she was joking or serious.

Maybe it was a joke.

[Beau… thank you, I suppose.]

I gathered my unsettled expression and nodded.

“Ahem.”

Just then.

A cough rang out in the silence of the banquet hall.

The sound came from none other than Choi Jiyeon, who, like the others, had been watching me wide-eyed.

As if that cough was a signal, the others started to move again.

The movements were a bit awkward and stiff, but it seemed like the banquet was resuming.

• ♪~

 

The musicians, who had abruptly frozen, also snapped back to attention, quickly resuming their playing.

The music filled the silence once more.

Mindful of the sounds, I subtly observed the atmosphere around me.

Though their gazes were still trained on me, the banquet seemed to have resumed.

After confirming people were moving, I headed toward where Choi Jiyeon and Hong Yeonhwa were.

Neither Hwa Byeok-un, the Tan Hwaju, nor Hong Jin-hyuk, the Jeong Hwaju, were nearby.

They were within my Observation range.

Hwa Byeok-un was seated at a corner table in the banquet hall, continuously drinking what looked like makgeolli.

Hong Jin-hyuk wasn’t present in the hall at all. He was waiting in the family residence, fully armed.

I wasn’t surprised by this.

Hong Jin-hyuk had remained at the residence, forgoing the exploration team to respond to any possible attacks.

I knew he regretted this, as he had grumbled to me during training.

With measured steps, I approached Choi Jiyeon and Hong Yeonhwa.

“Oh my, it suits you perfectly.”

Choi Jiyeon, her hand covering her mouth as if surprised, remarked.

“More than I imagined. How could it suit you so well?”

[Thank you.]

A genuine compliment, at last.

I bowed my head politely in response to a normal compliment, unlike Ariel’s earlier remark.

Then, I looked over at Hong Yeonhwa.

Hong Yeonhwa was dressed similarly to me.

The attire exuded a graceful charm with a black waist sash and an ornate outer garment draped over her shoulders.

The only difference was that my outfit billowed slightly more, but otherwise, it was almost identical.

"......"

However, Hong Yeonhwa hadn’t spoken a word since earlier.

She just stared at me, mouth slightly agape, swallowing hard and then snapping out of it, shaking her head.

Her face turned red, her pupils unfocused, as if she were entranced.

Concerned, I turned my Observation toward her to check her health, but she appeared fine.

No injuries, nothing unusual.

Her internal Guhwa Fire was stirring slightly sluggishly, but it often behaved that way, so I didn’t pay much attention.

[What do you think? Does it look alright?]

I asked, subtly gauging her expression.

When I raised my hand, the wide sleeve cascaded down like a curtain.

The outfit was dignified and flowing, secured with a black sash.

Over my shoulder, the elegant outer garment draped like a cape, concealing my empty left hand. My right arm, as usual, was covered with a sleeve to hide the burn scars.

The overall color scheme was red, but with my black hair, I felt it clashed somewhat.

In contrast, Hong Yeonhwa, with her vivid red hair and eyes, looked stunning in her attire.

I asked, though I’d already concluded it wasn’t a perfect match.

Yet, despite my personal thoughts, I wanted her opinion.

Behind it all was a rather shameless desire to be complimented, even if I thought I looked odd.

“Oh… um…”

To my half-anxious, half-hopeful question, Hong Yeonhwa stammered as if avoiding my gaze.

“You… you look beautiful…”

“......”

A compliment.

Beautiful.

Pleasing to the eye, lovely or endearing, admirable…

It was a nice compliment.

Yet I felt a strange sensation.

I’d hoped for praise, received it, but still…

Ironically, I wanted a different kind of compliment.

The attire I wore was martial in style.

Not a shamanic robe (巫卜), but a martial robe (武服) suited for training or combat.

[Thank you. Perhaps, any other thoughts…?]

“More…?”

In other words, while it had a refined elegance, it also possessed a certain grandeur.

Wearing it, I hoped for a compliment along the lines of looking strong… or impressive… or even majestic.

I masked my faint expectations and asked again.

After pondering as if to come up with another compliment, Hong Yeonhwa hesitated before replying.

“You’re… cute…”

An even stranger compliment than before.

[You also look very beautiful, Lady Hong Yeonhwa. It really suits you.]

Still, a compliment was a compliment.

As I responded, masking my perplexed expression, Hong Yeonhwa’s red face instantly brightened.

“......”

For some reason, Choi Jiyeon looked at us with an utterly baffled expression.

.

.

.

Though invited to the banquet as a guest, I didn’t have much to do.

The regular banquet itself wasn’t particularly significant.

Distant relatives and those from affiliated factions gathered, catching up, discussing future plans, and exchanging opinions on world affairs.

Meanwhile, the main family would interact with the branch families and subordinates, conducting a sort of ideological inspection.

It was mostly a matter of talking to each person individually to subtly test their allegiance and indirectly warn them against acting out of line.

Thus, Choi Jiyeon and Hong Yeonhwa were kept busy greeting those who came to pay their respects.

The attendees numbered in the hundreds, so assuming they visited one at a time, the conversation count would be in the hundreds as well.

For most of the banquet, they were occupied with receiving guests.

“It’s been a while, Clan Leader of Yeolpung, since the last annual banquet. I hear you’ve recently conquered the satellite dungeon—congratulations.”

“With the support from the main family, thanks to the Lord’s consideration, we completed it excellently.”

“And the gift I sent—was it helpful?”

“Thanks to that gift, we managed to avoid potential casualties near the end. I extend my gratitude here and now.”

The majority of these conversations fell to the Head Overseer.

Choi Jiyeon, with her flawless smile, smoothly guided the exchanges.

It wasn’t unusual. The Head Overseer’s role was precisely to handle such duties.

Even if the family head were here in person, the Head Overseer would lead the conversation.

Thus, Hong Yeonhwa spoke infrequently.

She only responded to questions directed at her or asked a few questions herself.

Meanwhile, I was standing right beside them, listening to these exchanges.

It wasn’t unusual.

During this regular banquet, they were expected to announce the (false) secret of my lineage.

That was why I stood close to Choi Jiyeon and Hong Yeonhwa, showing my face to make myself known.

“.......”

I idly absorbed the conversation.

Except for the occasional question directed at me, I stayed silent.

Soon, the banquet would end.

I’d arrived midway, and the banquet wasn’t a long affair.

Soon, Hong Yeonhwa would draw the Bonghwa Sword and perform the ceremony, and they would announce my addition to the family registry.

‘Whew…’

From that point, I would have a bit more freedom in using the Guhwa Fire as Lee Hayul.

It was exciting, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to use it freely in the place I’d be visiting during this break.

After all, I wouldn’t be going as Lee Hayul.

‘I hope it won’t be a fruitless endeavor this time.’

It was as I was pondering this.

• Swish…

 

"......!"

I flinched as something wrapped around my shoulder.

I didn’t react with caution or rejection. The touch was familiar enough that I didn’t counterattack.

Above all, I knew whose hand it was through Observation.

The hand belonged to Hong Yeonhwa.

After occasionally participating in the conversation, she suddenly reached out and wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

[?]

As if putting her arm around me.

Wondering what was going on, I tilted my head, and her hand gently pulled me closer.

• Fwump

 

The slight distance between us narrowed.

Before I could process it, a soft sensation enveloped me.

Particularly, my head was cradled in an especially plush feeling.

In a bustling place, with many people around, the unexpected touch made my face flush.

 

[Player Correction System: Affection Level] Lee Hayul → Hong Yeonhwa ●●●●●●●●○○(86▷87/100) 「?」「Indebtedness」「Gratitude」「Warmth」「Security」

...

[The conditions to release the “Curse of Silence” have not been met.] [The conditions to release the “Curse of Solitude” have not been met.]