Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

The Red Flower Falls (9)
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n gmtl. o r g

“Jeokhwa is one of the Five Families with an especially long history. From the old civilization before the Ten Days of Burning and the Fall, the lineage has never once been broken. This mansion is also older than any other building owned by the other families…”

“Oh, yes…”

The dark hallway was lit by gas lamps at regular intervals, casting a soft glow. Combined with the antique decorations, it felt like walking through a dreamlike maze.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy the enchanting scenery. The steward’s incessant chatter kept dragging me back to reality.
Th is wa s c o p i e d fr om kin g m t l . or g

Thanks to him, I was practically forced to cram the long history of Jeokhwa into my head. Despite his own admission of joining only two years ago, his pride was unmistakable.

T his w a s c opi e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
Or maybe there were guidelines for entertaining guests.

Given how he droned on in a constant tone, like a recorded message, that seemed more likely.

“Ah?”
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f rom kin g m t l. o rg

Tired of listening, I let his words go in one ear and out the other while I admired the surroundings.

As he said, the sculptures and artworks lining the hallway all looked at least ten times older than me.

Among the intricate decorations, I came across a series of framed photos.

They all depicted stern-faced individuals in formal attire, likely past members of Jeokhwa.

While glancing at their faces, one photo caught my attention.

I paused to look at it.

It showed a young man and woman, seemingly in their late teens, standing shoulder to shoulder and smiling brightly in a field. The sight alone made me feel warm inside.

But there was another reason the photo caught my eye.

The woman looked remarkably like Yeon Minha.

The young man beside her had such similar features that he could be her twin, if not for his short hair.

However, I had never heard anything about her having a brother close in age.

Moreover, the photo, though placed at the far left, was quite faded and yellowed, suggesting it was taken at least twenty or thirty years ago. It was impossible for Yeon Minha to have maintained the same appearance since then.

Despite wrestling with these thoughts, my curiosity got the better of me. Even if it involved prying into the affairs of a prestigious family, I couldn’t let this one go.

At worst, I’d get a scolding.

“…The 11th ancestor had a unique gift of foreseeing the futures of businessmen and politicians. Though it was before the Fall and the concept of mages, in hindsight, the glory of Jeokhwa started then…”

“Excuse me, steward?”

“Yes, sir. Is there something troubling you?”

He stopped immediately and turned back to me.

I carefully pointed to the photo of the young man and woman.

“Who are the people in this photo?”
T h is w a s c opi e d f rom k i ng m t l . or g

“Oh, that’s a picture of the current head of the family and his younger sister, taken just before their coming-of-age ceremony.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t a breach of etiquette; he answered without hesitation.

The current head would be Yeon Minha’s father. His sister would be Yeon Minha’s aunt.

It seemed her captivating beauty came from her father.

“Is there anything else you wish to know?”

“No, that’s all.”

Having satisfied my curiosity, I shook my head and continued following him to my room.

But the lingering feeling from seeing that photo wouldn’t leave my mind.

I quickly realized why.

I thought of Yeon Minha’s mother, whom I had met earlier.

Despite her age, she was exceptionally beautiful, but Yeon Minha didn’t seem to have inherited any of her mother’s features.

If I had met her mother elsewhere, I wouldn’t have guessed they were related.

Instead, it seemed like Yeon Minha was a spitting image of her aunt, who had passed away.

Maybe the paternal genes were particularly strong…

“We’ve arrived, sir. Please go right in.”

Lost in thought, I found myself at the door of my room.
T hi s w as c op ied f rom k i ng m tl .o r g

I had briefly worried about being mistreated, given how coldly her mother had treated Yeon Minha.

But it seemed my concerns were unfounded.

The room was more luxurious and sophisticated than any place I had ever stayed in.

Before leaving, the steward added a final note.

“If you need anything, please press the call bell beside the bed. And I recommend not venturing outside the mansion.”

“…Why?”

I had no plans to wander around, but Yeon Minha had said I could freely explore anywhere except where her parents stayed.

And the steward had been present when she said that.

Why was he contradicting her now?

“The particle density is high in this area, and many spirits live here. Sometimes, they fight and spill into the material world, causing phenomena like lights or illusions. Those with no magical ability, like us, might not notice, but it can startle mages. Some even report seeing will-o’-the-wisps. Plus, occasionally, low-rank monsters from the hunting grounds escape. It’s best to be cautious.”

“I see… Understood.”

I nodded. His concerns, though slightly excessive, were understandable from his perspective.

But I didn’t pay much heed. Yeon Minha had assured me it was safe, and I felt a night stroll was necessary.
T h i s w a s co p i ed f r o m k i n gm t l. o r g

The imposing atmosphere of this prestigious family and the overly ornate space were stifling.

Moreover, Yeon Minha mentioned that spirits are afraid of me, so there shouldn’t be any danger. Low-rank monsters wouldn’t be an issue either.

“Then, please rest well.”

The steward bowed and retraced his steps down the hallway, his figure fading into the darkness and the flickering gas lamps.

I was about to enter my room when a strange scent wafted from the direction he had gone, making me pause.

It smelled slightly musty and somewhat unpleasant.
T h i s w a s co p i ed f r o m k i ngm tl . o r g

It felt familiar, as if I had encountered it before, but I couldn’t place it.

The breeze carried the scent briefly, and coupled with having been in an enclosed space with Yeon Minha, my sense of smell wasn’t at its best.
T h i s w a s c o pied fro m ki n g m t l .o r g

Her strong, sweet scent still lingered in my nose.

Unable to identify the smell, I finally stepped into the room.

Surely, a steward of a prestigious family wouldn’t neglect personal hygiene…

***

Having changed into comfortable clothes and unpacked, I didn’t go to bed right away. I expected a visitor tonight.

Under the lamp’s light, I was writing a letter to my sisters at the desk beside the bed when I heard a faint knock at the door.

The clock on the wall showed it was nearly midnight.

When I opened the door, a familiar face greeted me.

“W-why didn’t you open the door right away? What if someone saw me…”

Yeon Minha darted into the room, scolding me.

“I opened it as soon as you knocked. If you’re worried about being seen, wouldn’t it have been better if I came to you? Was it necessary to come here?”

“My room is in the inner quarters with heavy security. You saw how strict Mother is. If you got caught entering the inner quarters, you might really be killed. I can just say I was out for a walk if someone sees me…”

Surely, that was an exaggeration.

Hearing her mention her mother reminded me of the photo I saw earlier.

I looked at the young lady standing before me.

Th i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k in g m t l . o rg
Her hair was glossy as if freshly oiled, and her cheeks were flushed, probably from a recent bath.

In the dim light, her well-defined features stood out, making her look like a finely crafted statue.

Her unreal beauty was striking… but she bore no resemblance to her mother.

Rather, she looked like the spitting image of her aunt from the photo.

End of Chapter