As I entered, the conversation in the room fell silent. Among those looking at me was her.
My gaze naturally gravitated toward her, as if drawn by some invisible force. The moment I saw her, I understood the nature of that force:
The power of absolute beauty.
Not just mere beauty, but an absolute, transcendent beauty.
Clear, deep eyes; perfectly proportioned features; flawless, porcelain-like skin; a petite yet voluptuous figure; a slender waist; and long, straight legs.
If it were merely these attributes, I wouldn't have used the word "absolute."
She possessed both elegance and sensuality, a pure and intellectual aura radiating from her. It was as if multiple, seemingly incompatible forms of beauty flowed seamlessly from a single being.
And ultimately, what reigned supreme over all those beauties was an inviolable dignity.
An involuntary gasp escaped my lips.
Gwangdu had been wrong. She wasn't merely Shandong's Fairest Maiden; she was beautiful enough to be called the Fairest Maiden of the Central Plains.
I can say this with certainty because I've actually seen the women who bear that title.
None of the beauties I'd ever seen possessed such violently captivating beauty. Song Hwarin transformed everything around her into a mere backdrop for her own radiance.
My gaze, which had been riveted to her, shifted to Song Ugyeong, who stood beside her. Considering his daughter's extraordinary beauty, he should have been remarkably handsome, but instead, his expression was fierce and intimidating.
I greeted him respectfully.
"It's been a while. How have you been?"
"I've been well," he replied.
Despite his intimidating appearance, he greeted me with genuine warmth. After the greeting, he turned his gaze back to Song Hwarin.
Regrettably, her beautiful eyes were filled with undisguised disdain for me.
Even if Byeok Ridan was a worthless scoundrel, I could at least understand this particular mistake of his.
With a woman as breathtakingly beautiful as her, he might have been driven mad with longing. He probably wanted to proudly flaunt her before his rivals in line.
This woman is my fiancée! So back off, all of you!
He was, after all, a vigorous twenty-year-old.
"I apologize for what happened that day," I said.
Song Hwarin nodded once at my apology, but a scornful smile still lingered at the corners of her lips.
I understood her attitude too.
After returning from five years of cultivation, she must have heard all the rumors about me.
She must have been deeply disappointed to learn that all the incidents I'd caused were true. To make matters worse, I'd been drunk and acted disgracefully, completely shattering any remaining affection she might have had. Even though we'd been close as children, that was precisely what it was—something from our childhood.
Without offering further excuses, I turned to leave.
Just then, a clear, melodious voice rang out behind me—it was her.
"Wait a moment."
After stopping me, she addressed the entire gathering.
"Since we're all gathered here, there's something I need to say."
"What is it?"
She hesitated briefly, then spoke calmly. Her composed tone belied the explosive nature of her words.
"Please dissolve our prenatal engagement."
A thunderous silence descended upon the hall, like a lightning bolt crashing down.
The silence was broken by her father, Song Ugyeong.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I know this is disrespectful, but I believe I have the right to choose my own husband."
Her words left her father and mother with awkward expressions. They hadn't expected Song Hwarin to demand the annulment of her engagement so directly.
Yet they couldn't reprimand her. Given their son's conduct, Song Hwarin had every right to make such a demand.
Song Ugyeong glared at his daughter, his face darkening with anger. "Apologize to them immediately!"
But her resolve remained firm.
"I sincerely apologize to both of you. I know you've cherished me like your own daughter since I was young. But I have absolutely no desire to marry Young Master Byeok. I'm truly sorry."
She lowered her head again. Her parents could only stand there awkwardly, unsure how to react.
Song Ugyeong's face flushed crimson as he roared, "You insolent wretch! How dare you behave so rudely!"
That's when I stepped forward. "Allow me to say something as well."
All eyes immediately turned to me.
"I also wish to break off the engagement."
My words stunned everyone. While Song Hwarin's request to break off the engagement was somewhat understandable, my request was completely unexpected.
My mother, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "What do you mean by that?" Her voice betrayed her confusion.
I could sense her distress. Though she felt sorry for Song Hwarin and couldn't bring herself to look the girl in the eye, I knew she still hoped to see me marry her.
"I will marry the woman I desire," I declared.
For a moment, Song Hwarin's expression froze, as if she had taken his words to mean that she wasn't the woman he desired.
If Song Hwarin and her father hadn't been present, his mother would have immediately launched into a tirade, starting with "You fool! Have you lost your mind?" and following up with a punch. But now, she could only wear a bewildered and exasperated expression, likely thinking he was clinging to the most pathetic pride in the world.
After a tense pause, his father, who had been observing silently, stepped forward.
"If that is your will, then let it be so."
Song Ugyeong waved his hand dismissively and raised his voice.
"Absolutely not! There will be no breaking off the engagement!"
"Hwarin is right. We can't decide her future for her."
"I said no! I'm leaving now. Come on, let's go!"
Song Ugyeong stormed out, making no attempt to hide his anger from his daughter.
"What are you waiting for? Come along!"
Song Hwarin bowed to her parents before hurrying after her father.
As she brushed past me, she stopped and whispered, "Why did you change your mind?"
Up close, her face was breathtakingly beautiful, and she emanated a unique, enchanting fragrance I'd never encountered before.
"Let's just say your punch was too painful," I replied.
She stared at me for a moment before resuming her walk toward the door.
"Anyway, thank you," she murmured.
Her slender figure disappeared through the doorway.
My mother, watching her leave, murmured to me, "It seems we need to have a serious talk too."
My mother tried her best to persuade me.
"I want you to marry Hwarin. Your father agreed to call off the engagement, but I don't think he truly meant it."
As if to confirm her words, my father nodded.
"She's too good to let go."
"I apologize, but I have no intention of marrying. I have urgent matters to attend to for the time being."
"If you have no intention of marrying, why did you go to Hwarin and make such a scene?"
"I apologize."
I had no retort to that. But I did have something to say now.
"I've heard it said: 'Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and close them after.'"
In truth, these were the words I had given Baek Pyo when he was about to marry, back when I was Alliance Leader.
"I'm keeping my eyes wide open now more than ever."
After confirming the firmness of my resolve, my parents exchanged troubled glances. With a soft sigh, my mother asked, "So, what are you planning to do for the time being?"
"I think I'll focus on martial arts training."
"Were you serious about that?"
"Completely serious."
After staring at me blankly for a moment, my mother strode over and cupped my face in her hands.
"You're not planning anything reckless, are you?"
Her warm palms conveyed her deep concern for me.
"No."
At that moment, my father, who had been listening quietly, said to my mother, "Let's go."
"Go where?"
"Let's have a quiet drink together for the first time in ages."
Realizing I meant I'd had enough, Mother released my face.
"I still can't give my approval. Let's talk about this again later."
"Yes, Mother."
The two of them left the room.
Looking out the window, I saw them walking side by side in the distance.
Deep in my heart, there was a fear that family would weaken a warrior.
Not because they might be taken hostage. That wasn't it at all.
It was the fear that understanding love would soften my heart. That when I needed to be truly ruthless, I wouldn't be able to.
Because every true love I had witnessed had been like that.
Still, the sight of them walking side by side looked so tender and happy, even if their steps were heavy with concern for their child.