The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 223

Chapter 223
“Young Master.”
Butler Hwang welcomed Jae-Hyeok when he finally returned to the mansion.
After eight years of looking after the boy, Butler Hwang’s face had noticeably aged. However, now it was more haggard than usual; he had been awake, anxiously awaiting Jae-Hyeok’s return for most of the night, so he appeared as if he had aged more than ten years since the morning.
“...I told you to get some sleep.”
Jae-Hyeok clicked his tongue when he saw that the garden, turned into a mess by the assassins of the Baus family, was now neatly arranged. He realized that Butler Hwang must’ve been busying himself outside the mansion until he came home.
“I already messaged you. You should know everything well, and that I’m okay... Butler Hwang, at your age, you really should take it easy...”
Jae-Hyeok went to support Butler Hwang, who appeared visibly exhausted, when a voice interrupted.
“
Tsk,
the butler is the face of the family. You can’t look so messy.”
“Kang Dae-Seong,” Jae-Hyeok said, a warning evident in his tone.
Kang Dae-Seong smiled gently at his brother before returning his attention to Butler Hwang and saying, “Instead of showing how tired you are and making your master worry about the family’s dignity, why don’t you just retire?
“I’m sorry. I suppose the relief of seeing the young master return safely caused me to let down my guard.”
“Explain it how you will. Isn’t it just incompetence? After being pushed out of politics, it seems you’ve grown bored in this dusty old house, not even trying to do your job.”
“I’m sorry...”
Butler Hwang was about to bow when Jae-Hyeok grabbed his wrist and glared openly at Kang Dae-Seong.
“And you?” Jae-Hyeok questioned. “Did you grow tired of this ‘dusty old house’? Is that why you abandoned your brother?”
“Jae-Hyeok, my situation was different. To rebuild the family, I needed to gather strength outside...”
Jae-Hyeok sharply nodded. “Yes, I understand. You wanted strength, so you
abandoned
me.”
“Hey, come on. The word
abandoned
is a little harsh, don’t you think? You were already eight years old and unlikely to be in any danger. That’s why I felt safe leaving you. Also, I only left because I believed in your talent. I knew you could raise yourself well, and look. Wasn’t I right?”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
Anger and sadness flickered in Jae-Hyeok’s dark eyes.
“If Butler Hwang hadn’t taken care of me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
“That—”
“The person who cared for our father when he couldn’t even open his eyes was Butler Hwang. Yet you dared to treat him as some useless person.”
There was much Jae-Hyeok wanted to say—Butler Hwang was the one who comforted him whenever he felt sad and took care of him when he was sick. He encouraged Jae-Hyeok every time he worked hard and taught him how to study. He’d cooked homemade meals every day. And he’d tuck him in every night...
Jae-Hyeok’s feelings for Butler Hwang were rich and deep, and they could be described in one word:
“Don’t ever talk that way about my
family a
gain.”
“......”
“......”
Family...
At that heavy word, both Kang Dae-Seong and Butler Hwang were at a loss for how to respond. Butler Hwang wore a troubled expression, while Kang Dae-Seong maintained an awkward silence.
“Wow! We’re finally homeeeeeee!”
Just then, Do-Jin burst through the main gate, carrying a light bag over his shoulder.
“Butler Hwang, should I unpack in the room you showed me earlier?”
“Is that all of your luggage?”
“Yup.” Do-Jin counted on his fingers: “I’ve got my toiletries, school uniform, pajamas, and gym clothes.” After a pause, he then added, “My textbooks are all at the school dormitory. I lived in an orphanage before enrolling at Lion’s Castle, so this is everything I have.”
Glimpsing Do-Jin's harsh past and seeing his current bright smile, Butler Hwang’s expression immediately softened, dispelling the stiff atmosphere.
“Haha, give it to me. I’ll show you to your room.”
Butler Hwang bowed politely to the young masters before leading Do-Jin into the mansion.
Kang Dae-Seong voiced his concern while watching them go. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to bring some random person off the street...”
“Didn’t I just warn you? Don’t speak carelessly about my family.”
“Ah, I see, I see. It seems that kid is going to be your first retainer, huh... Anyway, look what your big brother brought back.”
Kang Dae-Seong took a step back, smiled kindly, and clapped.
His subordinates arrived a moment later, pushing a large cart through the main gate, on which was a large, three-meter by three-meter block of ice.
The vague silhouette of a woman could be seen within.
“This woman is quite lucky. If not by your will, those Baus clowns would probably have been turning her into a doll by now.”
Kang Dae-Seong sneered as he scanned Korea’s national treasure, White Night Seol Su-Ah, as if she were a somewhat interesting insect. Then he shrugged cynically.
“Judging by the lack of major injuries, it won’t be long before she wakes up. Don’t worry, and go get some rest—you need it after a day like today.” Kang Dae-Seong clapped and said to his subordinates, “Okay, let’s head out.”
“Eh? Captain, why leave your home and go somewhere else?”
Dae-Seong’s subordinates were exhausted from hauling the massive ice block, so they couldn’t help grumbling. They’d been hoping to finally get some rest. Just where was their captain wanting to go?
“Don’t talk back and follow me.”
From silk to steel, Kang Dae-Seong’s tone was completely different from when he talked to Jae-Hyeok.
He was still coldly urging his subordinates when he abruptly sensed an overwhelming rush of mana welling from the ice block.
“Jae-Hyeok!”
Kang Dae-Seong threw himself at his brother.
***
After the Yaksha fell from the heights of power and had his past glory besmirched, Seol Su-Ah wanted to do everything she could to protect his honor. But that was just it; there was nothing she
could
do.
One by one, all those who could’ve aided her left.
The Kang family's loyal swordsmen were the first to go. Blinded by rage, they left to seek revenge—but not before leaving behind all their Kang family livery and emblems. Perhaps they feared that the consequences of their actions would fall on the heads of the Yaksha’s children, but after their silent departure, the Yaksha’s children only grew even more eccentric and distrustful; the advice of outsiders became like wind in their ears; they each went their own way; and soon enough, chaos spread across Korea. That was especially thanks to the Yaksha’s two eldest children. Of them, Kang Dae-Seong had attacked the president of the Association, and Kang Hyeon-Ah had plotted to overthrow the country. In the end, rather than helping, they only provided the Kang family’s enemies with the justification they needed.
From the time bounties were placed on their heads, any act of sheltering or protecting the Kang family could be spun into claims of sheltering national traitors.
If that weren’t bad enough, the youngest of the Yaksha’s children, the eight-year-old boy Kang Jae-Hyeok, was also a critical weakness. Were Seol Su-Ah to use Jae-Hyeok as the figurehead for the Kang family’s revival, he likely wouldn’t live to the end of the week.
In the end, all Seol Su-Ah could do was stand on the sidelines.
Years passed.
She became stronger in order to help the Yaksha, rising all the way to the rank of National Treasure—but by then, the Association and the Korean military complex had sunk their fangs too deep.
A cold rush of helplessness and frustration washed through Seol Su-Ah’s heart.
This is a nightmare. This must be a nightmare. No, this is the... past—
Seol Su-Ah awoke from her dreams. A coldness surrounded her body, but to her, it felt as comforting as her mother’s womb. Her heart slowed, and her scattered memories slowly gathered.
Right. I was on my way to the Plaer’s Stadium.
Jae-Hyeok had clearly inherited his father’s talent, but he was still far from becoming a National Treasure. Worried about what schemes he might face, she had been in a rush to get to the Player’s Stadium for Jae-Hyeok’s candidate exam. The Player’s Stadium had been bustling with ordinary people and players alike. With so many people and with such a festive atmosphere, she had let her guard down and walked into the trap barrier set by those transcendent mages wearing green-skull brooches. Under their combined attacks, she’d been forced to lock herself in ice, granting her body a chance to recover.
Seol Su-Ah turned her senses inward.
As expected, since I’ve awoken, it means I’ve fully recovered.
She cracked open her eyes and spotted a dim figure through the ice.
Isn’t that... Kang Jae-Hyeok? Why is he here?
A chill ran down Seol Su-Ah’s spine. Given the situation before sealing herself, Seol Su-Ah knew there was a high probability that she was currently within the Baus family’s domain. In other words—
No!
Jae-Hyeok had likely already been turned into an undead. After all, why else would the Baus family allow him to stand watch in front of her?
I couldn’t protect him!
Cracks spread across the thick ice, which until then had been immune to all damage. Once Seol Su-Ah’s half-opened eyes fully opened, the ice imprisoning her exploded into a rain of ice shards. It was as if a bomb had gone off; the mana-infused shards pierced through pavement and trees like mud.
“......!”
The people outside hurriedly took a defensive posture, but it was too late. White Night’s ultimate Skill, Ice Fortress, blocked external impacts and healed its user’s wounds, but it also carried a deadly force upon its release.
This!
It was a development that no one had expected.
Jae-Hyeok urgently grabbed the hilt of his sword, but his reaction was a moment too slow. There were more ice shards than he could cut, leaving him on the verge of turning into a hedgehog.
“Jae-Hyeok!”
At that moment, Kang Dae-Seong jumped in front of Jae-Hyeok with his sword in hand.
“Dammit, how dare you assassinate the heir of the Kang family?”
Despite his rough curses, Kang Dae-Seong’s sword moved with fluid grace and blinding speed.
Jae-Hyeok’s swordsmanship wasn’t at the level of mastery just yet. Meanwhile, Kang Dae-Seong’s sword drawing technique was reminiscent of the Yaksha when he was in his prime. Every strike, from extension to retraction, formed a seamless sword path. All the ice fragments in its path broke into two and shattered.
However, even then, it wasn’t enough. Several ice shards slipped by and grazed Jae-Hyeok.
“You dare! You dare!”
Kang Dae-Seong’s eyes turned bloodshot, and his sword, which was already a blur, started to hiss as he pushed for greater speed.
His desperation and determination were clear.
“Kang Dae-Seong...”
Jae-Hyeok stared blankly at his brother, who had become bloody in an instant. Then he shot forward.
They were family after all. And regardless of the ugly past, Jae-Hyeok could see his brother’s determination to protect in that moment.
Above all, I don’t want to owe any more debts.
Jae-Hyeok and Kang Dae-Seong stood side by side. The paths of their swords intertwined like dancing dragons, forming an impenetrable barrier, past which ice shards were split and deflected.
“W-Wasn’t the White Night supposed to be a low-ranked National Treasure? You said she was useless!”
Meanwhile, Kang Dae-Seong’s subordinates were busy running away.
Wasn’t Korea a backwater country? How could White Night be so strong?
Just as they thought they might lose their lives and turned pale, the thousands of ice shards froze in unison. Now that they could see clearly, the ice shards were actually uniform—they looked like magnified snowflakes, except razor-thin and made of ice.
The sight was breathtaking, and everyone fell into a trance.
“Jae-Hyeok...?”
A voice, so clear that it felt cold, broke the silence.
Seol Su-Ah looked around and confirmed the familiar scenery of the Kang estate with glistening eyes.
“You are really Jae-Hyeok... I’m glad you’re safe.”
When she had locked herself in ice, her greatest worry at the time had been about what fate would befall Jae-Hyeok. After all, the Baus family dared to go after her for retribution, so they certainly wouldn’t spare Jae-Hyeok. She had known there was a possibility that when she next awoke, Jae-Hyeok might’ve already disappeared from the world.
Thankfully, he was safe, looking as dignified and elegant as ever.
Seol Su-Ah took a step, and the hovering snow crystals scattered into fine, sparkling dust. Lit by the moonlight, the surroundings shimmered in an otherworldly manner.
It was literally a white night.
Jae-Hyeok’s heart relaxed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Excellency, I’m glad you’re safe as well—”
The remainder of Jae-Hyeok’s polite words stuck in his throat, as before he could finish, White Night had strode forward and wrapped him in her tight embrace.
“Kid, for a moment, I thought the hell that I live had reached new depths. But it turns out I worried for nothing. Not only can you save yourself, but you've also saved me. You’ve really grown.”
“Your Excellency...”
Jae-Hyeok hesitated. Months ago, when he’d entered Lion’s Castle and met White Night for the first time, she had seemed like a towering force of nature, like a god in human skin.
But now?
Now, she felt small.
Curled against him, Seol Su-Ah’s slim arms and narrow shoulders seemed so fragile compared to his own.
“I was worried.”
In the end, Jae-Hyeok stroked Seol Su-Ah’s back.
Adult or not, National Treasure or not—everyone had moments of weakness. Right now, Seol Su-Ah was just a woman. Jae-Hyeok felt her sobs through her bobbing shoulders, and he knew he couldn’t turn away from her.
In the end, he stroked her back.
“I was also worried.”
“......”
Jae-Hyeok’s touch caused Seol Su-Ah’s eyes to widen. She hesitated for a moment, before burying deeper into Jae-Hyeok’s arms.
It had been a long, long time since she had felt so assured and so comfortable. Her yearning for the Yaksha, the void left after his fall, faded just a tiny bit.