Once the private meeting with the Poison King ended, dinner followed with Poisonous Rakshasa and Tang Hye-seo seated together. The dishes, made with the full skill of the cooks from Deep Fragrance Pavilion, filled the wide table. They were varied and plentiful enough to make one feel properly treated.
The mood was not bad either, but all through the meal, my mind was unsettled. Somehow, I kept the conversation from turning awkward, but I could barely taste the food I was chewing. It was because the story I had just heard about Tang Hye-seo’s father was far too shocking.
I tried not to show it, but without realizing it, I kept watching Tang Hye-seo’s expression. Then my eyes met Tang Hye-seo’s. I had done nothing wrong, yet I flinched for no reason and turned my head while picking up some chicken with my chopsticks.
After the meal ended, everyone had many things to prepare, so we exchanged farewells there and withdrew. Tang Hye-seo quietly followed, saying she would see me off. In that short while, the sun had already set and it was dark outside.
The moon was not visible, but in preparation for a surprise attack, stone lanterns had been lit all around the detached house, and Tang Clan members were standing guard without a single gap. As soon as we left the detached house, Tang Hye-seo stuck close to my side and stared straight at me.