Kim Hyun-Sung looked like there were many things he wanted to say.

I had no idea if Lee Ki-Yeon was truly his first love, but it was an undeniable fact that he had a crush on her. Since he had offered her to go to the Blue Guild together, he was probably imagining a lovey-dovey future between him and her.

‘That won’t happen, man. Lee Ki-Yeon has Lee Ji-Hoo.’

The memories of that precious night made Kim Hyun-Sung have feelings for Lee Ki-Yeon, and his suggestion just now was probably his way of confessing his feelings to her. He was uncomfortable about being straightforward, so I was sure he was uncomfortable as well when he said that.

He was never the type to say something so bold, so he was really being courageous right now.

I felt an electrifying tingle running down my spine. He seemed like he was unsure of his feelings, but I felt an unknown sense of sadness from him. His one-sided crush had ended before it started, and I had to say something to end this once and for all.

“Yes, I love the young master,” I confessed.

Bitch Ki-Yeon was already Lee Ji-Hoo’s servant, so his identity as the Guild Master of the Blue Guild and the Sunset Swordsman didn't matter at all. Skills and appearance weren't the most important things in the world, after all.

“I-I see,” Kim Hyun-Sung stuttered.

“I’m sorry for saying this to you despite being the Guild Master of the Blue Guild,” I said.

“No, I…” Kim Hyun-Sung paused.

'Don’t deny it. I need to really make it clear. You were already rejected even befor your confession. He has to know the harsh reality.'

“I’m not that slow-witted, you know,” I said.

“What?”

“I knew your feelings…” I told him.

'But you had no chance from the start. You understand me, right?'

I really had to make sure that he'd know…

I had to be straightforward with him, or he'd come up with his own conclusion.

I had to make it clear that I was rejecting him.

It was better to take the initiative in a situation like this.

I was caught off guard by the fact that Kim Hyun-Sung had confessed when his feelings toward me weren't really that significant.

However, he had already confessed to me. I just had to make it clear that I was rejecting him so that he would understand the cold reality.

“I’m sorry, but I can't accept your feelings, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I apologized.

‘This was a nice build-up.’

It was so magical. He was probably thinking that he just got dumped after making the confession of a lifetime.

‘I shut him down good.’

However, I needed to give him hope, as that was how one could "manage" people.

“If I had met you a bit sooner…” I mumbled.

It was a typical line, but it was enough to touch anyone's heart.

“W-Would I have been in a healthier and loving relationship?” I stammered.

Kim Hyun-Sung looked sad. Humans were easily influenced by emotions and moods.

A great example of this was the fact that whenever one was talking to someone in a dark, isolated space, one would start feeling emotions that one had never felt before.

Obviously, Lee Ki-Yeon’s acting skill was spearheading this situation.

My pitiful face, teary eyes, seductive lips, slightly red cheeks, and trembling hands and feet could easily activate anyone's instinct to protect. The mood was so good that it made me feel like I was in a melodrama.

‘I’m sure it’ll make even a monk’s heart race or make even a psychopath's heart race.'

Kim Hyun-Sung was falling for it as well without realizing it.

Lee Ki-Yeon shed another beautiful tear.

How come I couldn’t meet Kim Hyun-Sung sooner?

Why was it that I had to experience this kind of love? Why was I so dumb and silly? I could be in a healthier and loving relationship, so why was it that I had to listen to the voice in my heart? Why couldn't I accept the Guild Master of Blue's feelings? I…

‘Please comfort me.’

“Miss Ki-Yeon…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘I need you to comfort me. Hug me tight. Hug me really tight. Please. Please hug me.’

I was like hypnotizing him. Kim Hyun-Sung seemed to be wondering how he could comfort me while looking at me as if I were the most pitiful woman in the world. How could he stand still when the woman was aggressively hinting at him to hug her and comfort her?

Kim Hyun-Sung stretched his hands out and tried to hug the woman in pain, but…

“Please don’t do this, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.

'That won’t work, man.'

“Please… Please don’t do this any longer. Don’t… make my heart waver… any longer,” I begged.

'Bastard.'

“I-I’m sorry. I just…” Kim Hyun-Sung paused.

“...”

You got dumped again without even confessing. Hyun-Sung, you should be careful when you start meeting women in the future. How are you going to survive this harsh world when you're so clumsy?'

'You won’t look charming by behaving like you’re willing to give everything you have like a fool. If you stumble upon a gold digger, I'm afraid you might end up giving her the Blue Guild. I should really get him and Hye-Jin together as quickly as possible.'

“That wasn’t my intention. It just seemed like you were asking to be comforted…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“You’re a good person, Mr. Hyun-Sung…” I said.

“That’s not true. I’m not a good person…” Kim Hyun-Sung denied.

“The woman whom you will love will definitely be happy,” I added. This kind of line was pretty effective when it came to "managing" people. Moreover, instilling useless hope was my forte.

“That’s…”

“Give that warmth to the person who truly needs you,” I said and stood up.

‘If possible, give it to Hye-Jin. I still have some stocks of her.’

Kim Hyun-Sung nodded slowly with a face that told me that he had realized something.

He still looked sad, but his emotions seemed to have become bittersweet.

“I think I understand what you’re saying, Miss Ki-Yeon,” he said.

“...”

“So what will you do now?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“I should return to the young master,” I answered.

“...”

“It was nice seeing you, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.

“Excuse me… M-Miss Ki-Yeon,” Kim Hyun-Sung called out.

Kim Hyun-Sung grabbed my hand, but he quickly let go of it with a surprised look on his face.

I was also taken aback by what he had done.

Of course, I didn't think that he was being stubborn, as he knew that Lee Ki-Yeon wouldn't change her mind. He was probably trying to end this in his own way. I was not sure whether that’d end this relationship or lead to a new relationship, but he looked pretty serious as he stared at me.

“I might be saying something unnecessary here, but…” Kim Hyun-Sung trailed off.

“What?”

“And you might not even want it…” Kim Hyun-Sung trailed off again.

“...”

“But I want to help you somehow,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“What? What do you—”

“It’s not because I want something… I don't have any other intentions, either. I-I just feel like I need to do this…” Kim Hyun-Sung interrupted.

“You’re kind. I… feel like I'm being rude toward you,” I told him.

“That’s not true. Honestly, I still don’t know… what kind of person you are, and I don’t know what kind of feelings I have for you… but I at least want you to be happy. This is the one emotion I’m sure of,” Kim Hyun-Sung explained.

‘Shit. Is this guy being serious?’

'Even though this love cannot and won't come true, you actually still want to make her happy? Are you saying you’re going to cheer on us two from afar? Did you receive some kind of script from Ji-Hye noona? Are you the second lead of this melodrama?'

I started wondering whether Kim Hyun-Sung was a paid actor or not, but there was determination in his eyes. He was never the type of person to care about other people, but he cared a lot about Lee Ki-Yeon, so I was very certain that he had feelings for her.

I became even more confident in my assumption when I remembered how he had abandoned his brother for her. To make matters worse, he looked like he didn't regret that decision at all, and it was proven by how he was staring at me with a solemn look.

I would hit him if I could, but I couldn’t find the right timing, as we were moving too fast.

He was taking his crush back to his love rival.

If Kim Hyun-Sung were a bit weaker, he would look more noble.

He was like a knight protecting his princess from every possible danger.

Knights were sacrificial figures, and despite the sad reality that the princess and the knight couldn't be together, the Sunset Swordsman of the Blue Kingdom was giving everything he had to protect the innocent princess.

Things would be too easy if the monster was too weak to the extent of dying in just one hit.

I was sure that Lee Ji-Hoo was definitely thinking of the same thing as me.

The Sunset Swordsman’s struggle…

Despite knowing that they would eventually part ways, Kim Hyun-Sung still decided to sacrifice himself for the heroine.

‘I’m sure he would be popular no matter where he is.’

First of all, he was handsome.

If the world had a popularity contest, he'd always be at the top.

The battered and bruised knight soon arrived in front of the prince.

‘That’s another novel right there.’

“Noona?” Lee Ji-Hoo said.

“Young Master…” I answered.

“Noona… noona…” Lee Ji-Hoo repeated.

“Yes, it’s me, Young Master. It’s Lee Ki-Yeon,” I said and started crying.

Our reunion earlier wasn’t touching, but this one was different because Lee Ki-Yeon had finally realized that she loved Lee Ji-Hoo.

No matter what kind of hardships she would go through, and even if the young master ended up hating her, Lee Ki-Yeon was resolved to overcome any obstacles. Wouldn’t it be fitting to say that the Sunset Swordsman had taught her to think that way?

Kim Hyun-Sung and I had a short adventure, but it was a journey that took about five months. This time, there were many parts that had to be shortened due to the time constraint.

Anyway, Lee Ki-Yeon was afraid to look at Lee Ji-Hoo, who had just been humiliated by the scummy and horny Jin Cheong. However, Lee Ki-Yeon only took a moment to compose herself before bravely stepping forward.

“Young Master, I—”

“Don’t say anything, noona,” Lee Ji-Hoo interrupted.

‘Lee Ji-Hye, your emotions are really…’

“Don’t say another word,” Lee Ji-Hoo said.

“But…”

“I realized it when I got separated from you,” Lee Ji-Hoo added.

“...”

“I finally realized… just how precious you are to me… And it was such a straightforward feeling. I don’t care what kind of person you are. I love you… Lee Ki-Yeon,” Lee Ji-Hoo confessed.

My hesitant steps were no longer full of hesitation as I moved even faster.

“Y-Young Master…" I mumbled and started running while crying at some point. I ran out of breath, but I ran desperately as if I wanted to be in his arms as soon as possible. I almost fell to the ground, but I recovered my balance and ran with all my might.

Lee Ji-Hoo did the same and was running from the other side toward me. I glanced at him and noticed that his face was covered in tears.

I couldn't see any traces of his playful side, and he looked like a mess.

He wanted to fulfill his one and only desire, which was to embrace a certain woman.

His desperation was telling me how hard he had worked to get this far.

And that was when the two people finally met and hugged each other tightly to seemingly affirm their love for each other...

‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’

It was kind of fun, though.

It would have been more fun if Kim Hyun-Sung hadn't said his next words while staring at Jin Cheong with a slightly sad face.

“I’ll pay for her freedom, Commander of the Republic.”

“...”

“One million…” Kim Hyun-Sung offered.

‘What?’

“No, two million gold. Is that enough?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

‘You bastard…’

“Miss Ki-Yeon… please be happy…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Kim Hyun-Sung, you jerk… You’re someone who'd happily give everything you have to a fox. You can still give some money to your brother who sacrificed himself for you, right? You still have money for me, right?’

'If you don’t, then it’s really over for us. Got it?'

- Hahahaha! Thanks for the gift, Lee Ki-Young!

Jin Cheong's delighted voice made me seethe inside.

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