Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 81

Chapter 81

T h i s wa s c o p ie d f ro m ki n g m tl . o r g
The Red Flower Falls (8)

“Don’t worry. I have enough sense to handle that.”

The contract was only a means to keep Yeon Minha, who was unpredictable, under control. I never intended to use it to threaten her or gain unfair advantages.

T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l. o rg
Considering how Yeon Minha has been treating me lately, the original meaning of the contract seems rather obsolete.

“That’s a relief. Although we are intimately connected now, if someone who doesn’t know the details finds out, they might greatly misunderstand you.”

“Senior, can you please stop fiddling with my tie? How many times has it been? I tied it well. Besides, with this mask on my face, what’s the point…?”

“J-just stay still…! Of course, there’s a point…! You need to look neat so my parents will think better of you…”

Unable to hold back, I asked, but Yeon Minha retorted defensively.

It feels like our conversation is going off track.

Finally, after tying and untying the knot a few more times, she let me go, even though she still seemed somewhat unsatisfied.

And her questions continued until the very end.

“So, about your in-laws… uh, I mean your parents…?”
T h i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i ng m t l .o rg

“What did you say? I couldn’t catch that.”

“Oh, it’s nothing!! Just, what kind of people are your parents…?”

She reacted like she had been teased, but I had just asked out of curiosity.

“Why do you ask…?”

“No particular reason… It’s just good to be prepared in advance…”

“…”

The cheerful feelings I had began to turn slightly somber, like rain dampening a sunny day.

I didn’t know what kind of preparation she was talking about, but there was no chance of her meeting my parents.

Of course, this sadness is entirely my own. There’s no reason or need to burden Yeon Minha with it.

Her question came from pure curiosity, not malice.

But even so, I thought I should let her know the truth. There’s no guarantee that she won’t bring it up again if I deflect now.

I spoke as nonchalantly as possible.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Why, why…? Do they not like me…?”

“It’s not that. Both passed away a long time ago.”

“What…?”

“My father died when I was too young to remember him, and my mother was killed during a demon invasion two years ago.”

Her eyes widened, filled with crimson particles. Yeon Minha murmured, as if recalling something.

“So, owing your life to Sa Jaehyuk…”

T his was c op i e d fr o m k i ng m t l . or g
“That’s right. I nearly lost my life in that incident. It was the commander and the squad who took me in.”

“I-I see… I’m… sorry…”

Yeon Minha suddenly became very timid, unable to speak properly. She seemed regretful, trembling like someone who had committed a grave mistake.

“It’s fine.”

“I didn’t mean to…”

It’s kind of her to feel sorry, but more than that, I just wanted her to acknowledge the facts without making it a big deal.

Disliking the somber mood, I changed the subject.

“Really, it’s fine. But what about your parents, senior?”

“My father is stern but warm-hearted and very scholarly. My mother is strict but graceful.”

Yeon Minha paused before answering, her expression briefly shadowed.

I’ve heard from the principal that the Yeon family’s lineage is notorious for their fractured personalities, a result of innate arrogance mixed with mental contamination.

Yeon Minha was particularly unique among them. Although I worried her parents might have similar traits, it sounds like they might not be as bad as I feared…

“Sounds like they’re nice people.”

“Yes. So there’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure they’ll appreciate what you’ve done for me. Ah, we seem to be arriving…”

I turned my head to look out the window.

As we veered off the city streets and navigated a winding mountain path, a vast estate came into view. In the distance, a large mansion emerged.

The main building was a blend of traditional and modern architecture. Smaller buildings, likely storage and various facilities, surrounded the main gate.

When the vehicle stopped at the massive iron gate and the driver opened the door, a line of servants greeted us, bowing deeply to welcome the young lady.

“…”

I couldn’t close my mouth at the scene before me. If I weren’t wearing a mask, everyone here would’ve seen my dumbfounded expression.

I knew there were people living in a different world from mine, but witnessing it firsthand was shockingly different.

The commander’s and the squad’s simplicity was almost indistinguishable from that of ordinary people. The Cradle, with its unified dress and meritocracy, naturally diluted the students’ backgrounds.

I suddenly recalled a storybook from my childhood. The scene before me felt like the life of a foreign prince or princess living in a palace, no different from the fairy tales.

T hi s w a s c o p i e d fr o m k i n g m tl. or g
To think I’ve become connected to someone like this. Maybe that’s why the commander was so insistent on sending me to the Cradle…

Unlike me, Yeon Minha moved naturally within this setting, walking confidently between the bowing servants.

But her expression remained subtly uneasy.

Yeon Minha scanned her surroundings with a curious look, her head tilted slightly. Her suspicion deepened as she saw a servant leading the welcome.

“Welcome, young lady. It’s been a while since you returned home.”

“I don’t recognize your face. Was there a personnel change while I was away?”

“Yes, the previous steward retired due to old age. I’ve been the steward for the past two years. On the master’s orders, many new faces have replaced the old staff. I’ll do my best to serve Jeokhwa.”

“What are the buildings around here? I don’t remember this layout. Some new ones seem to have been added too.”

“We renovated the old facilities and made some changes to the layout. I’ll explain everything later, but for now, please come inside with your guest.”

“I see. Let’s go.”

Still looking doubtful, Yeon Minha nodded. I followed her into the large mansion.

“Senior, it seems you haven’t been home in quite some time.”

“This area is dense with particles due to the terrain, so many wild spirits live here. But that also accelerates mental contamination… So, since entering the Cradle, I’ve stayed in the mansion in the city center…”

“I see. Did it help?”

“…Not at all. Without you, I wouldn’t have thought of coming back. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’d even be alive…”

Yeon Minha whispered, shaking her head.

“I didn’t expect such changes… Large-scale renovations and personnel changes all of a sudden…”

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but seeing Yeon Minha’s reaction, I felt something was off too.

The sidelong glances could be people trying to figure her out or people hiding something.

Of course, it could be the unique solemn and exclusive atmosphere of a prestigious family that I’m not used to… But if that were the case, why would they look at Yeon Minha like that?

She’s a member of the same family and someone they will eventually serve.

Lost in thought, I found myself at the top of the high stairs leading to the entrance. From above, a cold voice that didn’t match a warm welcome greeted us.
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g

“It’s been a while.”

“I’m back, Mother. Has everything been well?”

Yeon Minha bowed gracefully toward the top of the stairs.

There stood a woman in elegant indoor clothes.

She looked quite aged, but her well-maintained appearance held considerable beauty.

But for a mother welcoming her daughter home after a long time, her attitude seemed excessively sharp and indifferent—was it just my imagination?

I didn’t feel the stability one would expect from the matriarch of a prestigious family.

Her gaze was irritable, and her face showed signs of unexplained fatigue and tension.

“How could there be anything special? You look well.”

“Um… What about Father…?”

“He’s in the lab, as always. You should know by now not to ask.”

“I-I see…”

Yeon Minha murmured, unable to hide her disappointment as her mother’s sharp voice rang in her ears.

“I heard we have a guest… This is unexpected.”

But the woman didn’t stop there. She directed her irritation towards me.

“I told you to be cautious outside, didn’t I? And now you’ve recklessly brought an outsider into the house. And that mask… Where is your sense of propriety…”

“Mother. I mentioned in my letter that he is my junior. He’s wearing the mask for a reason. And he’s a Heukryeon recommended student.”

Yeon Minha stepped in front of me and retorted to the woman. She finally looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

“Heukryeon’s? Then the one from the rumors…”

“Yes. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have received the Geumseong Martial Honor…”

The woman, who had been standing at the top, finally descended the stairs and met my gaze.

Her prickly look softened a bit, but she still spoke curtly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Jakyung, the mistress of Jeokhwa.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Yu Jinhyun.”

“Since you’re a Heukryeon recommended student, have you heard of Geukwang Bio? It’s a small pharmaceutical company run by my family.”

I’ve heard of Geukwang Bio. Contrary to her words, it’s not a small company but a leading conglomerate.

T hi s wa s c o p i e d f r om k i ng m t l . o r g
The Erythin and Rexa I used in the south were products from there.

“How could I not know? I’ve received much help from it.”

She seemed a bit more pleased and nodded slightly.

“Geukwang Bio maintains good relations with Heukryeon’s S&C. Welcome. Enjoy your time here.”

After saying what she wanted, she quickly walked away.

She didn’t even glance at her daughter.

Yeon Minha, left standing there, met my eyes and smiled weakly.

“…Sorry. Did that surprise you…?”

“It’s fine. But senior…”

“She’s not usually like this. She must not be feeling well today.”

Though she said that, her face was still filled with disappointment.

I didn’t expect a grand welcome, but this cold atmosphere was unexpected.

Th i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n g m tl . o rg
It seemed Yeon Minha had painted a rosier picture of her parents than reality.

Her child faced death and even brought great honor to the family, but they showed no concern.

Whatever research her father was doing, it’s unbelievable he didn’t even show his face when his daughter returned home after two years.

My mom would praise me even if I caught a frog.

Despite Yeon Minha’s improved condition, her mother didn’t even mention it.

Is this how parent-child relationships are supposed to be…?
T h is w a s c op i e d f ro m k i n g m t l .or g

“…Still, they’re good people. My mother even used her connections to get me mental contamination treatment.”

“I see…”

“Yes. Maybe tomorrow she’ll be more welcoming. Let’s go. You must be hungry…”

By the time we arrived, the sun was setting, so we followed the steward to the banquet hall for dinner.

But only the two of us attended the meal. Her family didn’t show up at all.

The long table felt unusually empty.

The elaborate feast laid out was incomparable to military rations or Cradle meals, but the atmosphere made it hard to appreciate the taste.

Even the protein bars we shared on the battlefield tasted better.

Yeon Minha tried to hide her unease, but I could see the tremor of emotions in her eyes.

“…How’s the food?”

“It’s really delicious. I’ve never had anything like this.”

Trying to ease her discomfort, Yeon Minha brightened and kept pushing plates towards me.

“R-really? That’s good. Try this too. And this… If it’s hard to eat, I can debone it for you…”

“I can manage myself. You should eat too, senior.”

“I-I don’t have much appetite today… You eat a lot…”

It was awkward for me too.

But seeing her smile so brightly at my feigned enjoyment, I couldn’t bring myself to stop her.

I forced down as much as she offered, despite my poor appetite.

“Father should be out of the lab by tomorrow evening. You’ll likely see him then. He should be leaving the day after tomorrow morning.”

After our seemingly endless meal, we sat down for a chat.

“I see. So what about my mentoring experience report…?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll put together the necessary documents. You just need to stay with me until then…”

Her imploring tone left me no room to refuse.

As darkness fell outside the window, a servant approached Yeon Minha and spoke softly.

“Miss, it’s time for your bath and bed.”

“Already…? Alright.”

Yeon Minha stood up reluctantly.
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The steward approached me as well.

“Sir, I’ll show you to your room. Please follow me.”

“Alright.”

As I got up, a thought crossed my mind.

What about Yeon Minha’s sleep?

Turning my head, I saw her looking at me, seemingly having the same thought.

She mouthed the words to me, barely conveying their meaning.

‘I’ll come before midnight.’

‘Don’t lock the door.’

Then she lowered her head and quickly followed the servant down the corridor.

End of Chapter