Kim Seon-a sat by the bed for a long time.
The charcoal fire was burning brightly, and the room was hot and stuffy, but she felt a chill on her back.
She stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open a crack.
The night breeze blew in, carrying the smell of the sea, and felt cool on my face.
She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the tightness in her chest.
It's no use.
That stifling feeling seemed to have taken root, stuck in my heart, and I couldn't get rid of it no matter what I did.
She closed her eyes, and the scene at the banquet reappeared in her mind.
At the main table, Gu Moran served food to Shen Ling'er, Shen Ling'er smiled broadly.
Lin Qingdai ate her fish quietly, occasionally glancing at him with a tender look that could melt hearts.
Murong Xue and Zhen Meili bickered and argued fiercely, but after the argument, they laughed and joked together again.
Yun Shuyue held the stew pot and drank the soup like a cat that had just stolen some fish.
Meng Jiuning buried her head in her food, a satisfied look on her face.
They surrounded him, chattering and laughing, yet their presence was full of warmth and humanity.
She sat in the corner, alone at a table, quiet like an outsider.
Kim Seon-a opened her eyes and stared at the pitch-black night outside the window.
She was the same way when she was in Goryeo.
Always an outsider.
At the banquet, she sat at a table by herself.
When practicing martial arts, she would perform a single routine.
At night, she was alone in her room.
It's been twelve years.
She's used to it.
But tonight, she suddenly didn't want to get used to it anymore.
She turned around, walked back to the bedside, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
His fingers dug at the edge of the bed, one scratch after another, his fingernails pressing against the edge of the wood, leaving a faint white mark.
She remembered what Gu Moran had said.
"It can be cured."
If it could really be cured...
She bit her lower lip, her teeth leaving a shallow mark on her lip.
There was another noise coming from next door.
It was very light and delicate, like someone was speaking.
She didn't activate her Spirit Listening Technique, but the sound still faintly reached her ears.
It was Gu Moran's voice.
"Are you all tired?"
"Um."
I don't know who answered; the voice was soft and slightly sleepy.
"Then I'll take a break."
Then came a rustling sound, like a blanket being pulled back on and then pulled away.
Then it became quiet.
Kim Seon-a stared at the wall for a long time.
She suddenly stood up, walked to the door, and placed her hand on the latch.
She wanted to go out.
I want to knock on his door.
I want to ask him if it's possible to get treatment now.
I put my hand on the door latch, but I couldn't push it open no matter what I did.
She lowered her hands, retreated to the bedside, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Forget it, now is not the time.
She closed her eyes and lay down in the blankets.
The blankets were warm, and the charcoal fire was burning brightly, but she still felt cold.
That kind of coldness wasn't physical, it was mental.
It feels like there's a block of ice stuck in my heart, unable to melt or warm up.
She turned over and pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
She couldn't sleep tonight.
On the other side.
Gu Moran lay in bed, not asleep.
Shen Ling'er, Lin Qingdai, Murong Xue, and Meng Jiuning were huddled together on the bed, sleeping in all sorts of crooked positions.
Shen Ling'er leaned against his left side, her head resting on his shoulder, her breathing long and even.
Lin Qingdai slept on the right side, her body curled up like a cat.
Murong Xue took over most of the quilt, using both her hands and feet to treat him like a pillow.
Meng Jiuning huddled in the corner of the bed, sleeping restlessly with her brows furrowed.
Gu Moran stared at the bed canopy, lost in thought.
The system panel floated before my eyes, with lines of data jumping on a semi-transparent light screen.
[ Kim Seon-a's favorability rating: 69]
[Current Status: Psychological defenses are weakening, emotional needs are awakening]
[Suggested action: Continue to apply pressure until they actively seek help.]
Gu Moran looked at the line of text and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
This woman was easier to manipulate than he had thought.
For twelve years, no one touched it; for twelve years, no one came near it. The longing in my heart had long since piled up into a mountain.
With just a little push, she'll take the bait.
He reached out and tucked the blanket around Shen Ling'er.
Shen Ling'er nuzzled against his shoulder in her sleep, a faint smile on her lips.
Gu Moran looked down at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.
These women are all a handful.
He closed his eyes, preparing to sleep.
But as soon as I closed my eyes, I heard a noise.
It's very light and thin.
Someone is walking around next door.
He opened his eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened.
Kim Seon-a is having trouble sleeping.
He didn't use his inner energy to listen, but the aura still wafted over faintly.
Anxiety, unease, longing.
He could sense it.
Gu Moran turned over and pulled Shen Ling'er closer to him.
No rush.
Let's wait a little longer.
Wait for her to come to you.
That will be the time to close the net.
He closed his eyes, and this time he truly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Kim Seon-a was still tossing and turning in bed.
Finally, I couldn't hold on any longer.
She got up and walked out of the hall.
The night breeze carried the distinctive fishy smell of the sea.
She stood in the courtyard for a while, her hands resting on her sleeves, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the silk.
My mind is filled with the scene of the banquet.
Shen Ling'er served food to Gu Moran, Lin Qingdai served him food, and Murong Xue, with her mouth full of oil, could still banter with him.
Zhen Meili leaned on his arm as she spoke, and he reached out and slapped the back of her head.
The slap was delivered casually, like a habitual action.
Zhen Meili wasn't annoyed. She rubbed her face with the back of her hand and leaned closer to talk.
The distance between them was so close it was as if...
What does it look like?
Kim Seon-a couldn't think of a suitable word.
She hasn't been close to anyone since she was seven years old.
The Three-Chi Barrier was both her cage and her talisman.
When the ministers in the Goryeo court knelt before her, their eyes were filled with awe.
When the Empress Dowager spoke in front of her, she would subconsciously take half a step back.
Even when the palace maids helped her change her clothes, they used long poles to carry the clothes over, never daring to touch her with their fingers.
It's been twelve years.
She's used to it.
But today, she saw those women surrounding Gu Moran, laughing and joking, their physical contact so natural.
She suddenly didn't want to get used to it anymore.
I must get an answer from Gu Moran tomorrow.
Kim Seon-a turned around and walked back to her guesthouse.
Sit on the edge of the bed, place your hands on your knees, and keep your fingers together.
The sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps came from outside the window, their footsteps rhythmic as they pounded on the gravel road.
She closed her eyes, wanting to sleep.
But as soon as I close my eyes, the scene from just now starts replaying in my mind.
Gu Moran leaned back in his chair, his fingers holding the teacup long and slender with distinct knuckles.
He spoke with a slight smile on his lips, a smile that was neither mocking nor contemptuous, but rather casual.
It's like chatting with a friend.
She remembered what he had said.
"It can be cured."
Two words, light and airy, as if to say that it might rain tomorrow.
But those two words are like a thorn, stuck in there and impossible to pull out.
Kim Seon-a closed her eyes, recalling the past.
The Empress Dowager tried to take her hand, but the moment the qi was deflected, the Empress Dowager was thrown back three zhang (approximately 10 meters), and two bones in her right palm were broken.
The Empress Dowager didn't blame her. She simply had the imperial physician bandage her wounds and then said with a smile, " Ya'er is a goddess. A goddess doesn't need the touch of mortals."
From that time on, no one ever tried to touch her again.
She never tried to touch anyone again.
It's been twelve years.
Throughout Goryeo, everyone said she was born with the Tiger Spirit Physique, possessed by a guardian beast, and that the Three-Chi Forbidden Domain was a divinely bestowed power.
But she knew that wasn't Kamui.
That's a cage.
They locked her up inside for twelve years.