“Sister!”
From a distance, Hwarin spotted Seolhwa and scampered over, nestling herself in Seolhwa's embrace. A rabbit-shaped hairpiece dangled in her hair. Seolhwa stared blankly at the ornament for a moment before letting out a laugh and stroking Hwarin's head.
A short distance away, Cheongsan and Moyong Yeonhwa watched the two with warm expressions. Seeing Soyak and Yu Kang approach, Cheong-un spoke to Seolhwa.
“I will explain the situation to your uncle.”
“Yes, Father.”
In her haste to follow Ma Jong-ui, she hadn't been able to say anything to Cheongsan and his wife. As Cheong-un went to explain the situation to them, Soyak and Yu Kang came closer.
“Is it over?”
“Perhaps.”
It wasn't completely over, as they had not yet left the fortress.
“I’m glad it ended well.”
Yu Kang gave a soft smile. Looking at that kind smile, Seolhwa said, “Thank you. For protecting Hwarin until the end.”
In truth, Yu Kang could have escaped at any time. What the fortress wanted was a child of Namgung, and if he were alone, he could have easily slipped past the bandits' eyes and escaped this place. Hwarin was safe because he had stayed to protect her until the very end.
And…
“Thank you for protecting us.”
It wasn't just Hwarin that Yu Kang had protected.