Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 83

Chapter 83

T h is w a s c o p i e d f r o m k in g m t l . o r g
The Red Flower Falls (10)

T h i s w as c op i ed f r om k i n g mt l. o r g
The only difference was the eyes. Yeon Minha, being a powerful mage, had irises colored red by unique particles, while the woman in the photo had normal-colored eyes.

“Wh-why are you staring at my face like that…”

Yeon Minha fidgeted with her coat and glanced at me sideways.

Beneath, I could see glimpses of the thin camisole with white, fluttering lace I had seen her wear in the south.

T h i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k in g m tl .o r g
“I appreciate your boldness, but being this blatant is a bit much…”

“Sorry. I was reminded of your aunt’s photo I saw in the hallway. You really look a lot like her…”

“…”

Yeon Minha sighed deeply, giving me a look of mixed emotions.

What could be bothering her so much? Women’s emotions are just as unpredictable as ever…

“I’ve heard that a lot. They say I look just like my aunt. But since we’re both women, I guess it’s natural. In a way, I also resemble my father because my aunt was his twin sister.”

“Did your aunt live in this mansion too?”
T his w a s c o pi e d f ro m k i n gm t l . o r g

“No. She passed away in an accident the year I was born.”

Yeon Minha shook her head.

“My father was very close to her. He was devastated when she died. It was so painful that he burned all but one photo of her…”

“I see…”

“Yes. My father’s mental contamination, which was manageable, worsened after that. He couldn’t respond properly to Paechun’s attacks, weakening our family…”

“…”

“Maybe that’s why my father avoids me… I remind him of his beloved deceased sister… But I need to try harder now that my health has improved, thanks to you…”

Yeon Minha smiled weakly at me.

She trusted me enough to share this, but it felt heavy to learn more than I needed to out of mere curiosity.

I briefly worried if Yeon Minha might ask me to use my powers for other members of Jeokhwa, but she never brought it up.

She probably knew it wasn’t easy. Controlling one person like Yeon Minha was vastly different from aiding an entire family.

I didn’t mind helping, but my promise to the commander to keep my powers secret was more important.

For now, it was an unrealistic concern.

“Let’s stop talking about this. How long are you going to keep me standing here…? I need to rest my legs…”

“Oh, sorry.”

I stepped aside, and Yeon Minha moved to the chair by the bed without hesitation.

I noticed her long hair was tangled and sticking up at the back.

Such a mistake was unlike the usual Yeon Minha. Maybe she didn’t check properly in her haste to sneak out.

It might be embarrassing for her, but it was better I tell her than let the strict matron or a servant see it.

After some thought, I decided to tell her.

“Um, senior.”

“Yes…?”

“Your hair is a bit messy at the back. You might want to fix it.”

“W-what…? Ugh…”

Yeon Minha hurriedly checked her hair with her hands, her face turning red as a kettle about to boil.

Judging by her reaction, it was good I told her.

“Here, a comb…”

As I turned to hand her the comb from the drawer, I instinctively closed my eyes.

Sitting on the chair had caused her short camisole to ride up her thighs.

Her white, thin thighs were more than half exposed, and as she raised her arms to fix her hair, the camisole kept getting shorter.

I hoped she wasn’t doing this on purpose.

Fearing a potential disaster, I quickly fetched a coat and draped it over her lap.

“W-what…”

Realizing the situation, Yeon Minha’s face grew even redder. She clasped her hands tightly between her knees and glared at me with tearful eyes.

“Y-you pervert… lecher…”

“…”

Her unjust accusation left me speechless. I felt a bit wronged.

Th is was c o pi e d f r o m k i n g m t l. or g
At least I knew that her reaction didn’t mean she actually thought poorly of me.

After a moment of silence, Yeon Minha mumbled something quietly.

“…Would you?”

“Sorry, what?”

“I asked if you could maybe comb it for me… I can’t reach the back, and it’s dark in here…”

“…Alright.”

Well, I did bring it up, so I should take responsibility…

I took the comb and moved behind her.

Yeon Minha flinched briefly before straightening her back.

I gently combed through her tangled hair, alternating between applying light pressure and easing off.

T hi s w a s c o p i ed f r om k i ngm tl . or g
Soon, the only sound in the quiet room was the soft swishing of the comb.

Th is w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
As I worked near her crown, her usual sweet scent became overwhelmingly strong.

So far, I’ve only encountered three such scents in my life: the forget-me-not scent from my childhood, the fresh grass scent from the principal, and the luxurious, sweet scent from Yeon Minha.

At the Cradle, I learned these were known as “particle scents,” a phenomenon only exhibited by highly talented female mages.

“You seem quite used to handling women. You’re more delicate and considerate than I expected… Is that your weapon…? A strategy of both charm and gentleness…”

Maybe the silence felt awkward, but Yeon Minha suddenly blurted out something incomprehensible.
Th i s w a s cop i e d f ro m k i n g mt l .o r g

“I don’t understand what you mean. But the scent you always have, is it particle scent?”
T h i s w a s co p i e d f r om ki n g m t l . o rg

“Oh? Yes, it is. Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. I just really like the scent. It feels sweet and sophisticated… What kind of scent is it?”

“Sweet… sophisticated…”

Yeon Minha bowed her head abruptly, causing the comb to slice through the air.

“Do you always say such things so casually…”

After a moment, she cleared her throat and spoke again.

“There’s nothing wrong with asking about a scent. So, what is it?”

“I didn’t know before, but the servants told me it was similar to narcissus…”

“Narcissus. That makes sense.”

My mother had planted narcissus flowers in our garden when I was a child. Their appearance and impression indeed matched Yeon Minha.

“I like this scent too. You can’t choose your particle scent. I read in a book once about a mage with a strong fishy smell who had to use perfume to go outside… Horrible, right…”

Yeon Minha nodded slightly, then suddenly turned her head to look at me.

“And my scent got stronger because of you.”

“Sorry?”

“It used to be faint and subtle… but after you stopped my mental contamination, it became much stronger. So, just accept it.”

“I don’t mind. And shouldn’t you be thanking me? My ability restored your health and enhanced your magical abilities.”

“Well, yes… I’m grateful for that…”

“Good. I’m done. Would you like to check it?”

Yeon Minha touched her freshly combed hair, her eyes widening in surprise.

“You did a great job… Just like last time…”

I knew exactly which time she was referring to, but I pretended not to.

In truth, I was skilled at this.

Combing someone’s hair was a routine task for me as a child.

I did it every day without fail for years.
Th is w a s co pi ed f r om k i n gmt l . o r g

‘Hyun, you comb the best… Better than Yeo-jin…!’

‘Really? Promise to let me comb it every day?’

An echo from the past tried to seep into my ears, but it was drowned out by the voice of the person beside me.

“So, can I ask you something as well…?”

Yeon Minha twirled her freshly combed hair around her fingers, looking curious.

What could she be so hesitant to ask? She had already dug up so much on the way here.

“What is it?”

“Do you… know who Yeon might be…?”

But when she uttered the name, I closed my eyes tightly.

End of Chapter