Sword Empress's POV
Her red eyes, like the Blood Cult's symbol, met my trembling gaze. They'd done something to her.
"Were you resurrected as a jiangshi?"
"I don't know. And I asked first."
"Why is Master with that child?"
Her question pressed again. My racing heart wouldn't settle. What should I say…?
"Ha."
Soyeon's scornful, bitter laugh cut through.
"It's because of me, isn't it? You felt responsible for what I did to Yuseong, so you found and raised him. Given the time, his wounds must have healed."
"…Ah."
She'd misunderstood. She thought I'd found him soon after the incident. In truth, I'd only met him recently.
"Well, that's a relief. If he grew up under your protection, no other women touched him, and you wouldn't have either. Maybe responsibility or maternal affection, but…"
Thud.
A heavy lump dropped in my chest. Cold sweat trickled down. I avoided her red eyes, but she'd sensed something.
"…Is that not the case?"
"…Urgh…"
