Comment by Introvert on Introvert

Yeon is upset and confused about all the marriage discussions. She remembers that her grandfather has been trying to arrange things with Namgoong Ryuchung. She tells her grandfather that she has no intention of getting married yet, but he does not take her words seriously and treats them like a childish complaint. Yeon becomes worried that her grandfather may eventually decide her marriage without listening to her. She also worries about what will happen if she refuses the marriage after everything has already been arranged. She feels that she has very little time left to change the situation. At the end, someone tells Yeon that she has a visitor. When she asks who it is, she is told that the head of the Jaegal clan has come to see her. This suggests that another important person or family may become involved in Yeon’s situation. Yeon tells Jaegal Hwamu that the Namgoong clan has proposed a marriage to her. She feels embarrassed and struggles to say it. Jaegal is surprised because Yeon is only eleven years old. However, he explains that the Namgoong clan is a strong and respected family, so marrying into them could strengthen their family’s position in the Martial Alliance. Yeon asks whether Jaegal really thinks she should get married. He explains that marriages between powerful families can create stronger alliances and prevent conflicts. Although Yeon understands his reasoning, she does not like the idea of marriage and has been trying not to think about it. Yeon then learns that Jaegal’s family had once considered marrying him to Baengri Ri. However, the marriage never happened because Jaegal did not want it. His grandmother and Uncle Euimook eventually gave up on the idea. This makes Yeon realize that Jaegal also understands what it is like to have other people decide who you should marry. Later, Jaegal confesses that he has feelings for Yeon. He says that he wants her to be happy, even if she marries someone else. However, he admits that he wishes she would not get married. Yeon is surprised because she had not realized that Jaegal cared about her romantically. A few days later, Yeon visits the Imperial Physician and talks about Jaegal's confession. The physician, Seok Gayak, already seems to know what happened and teases Yeon about it. Yeon becomes embarrassed that someone else knows about her situation. The next day, Yeon meets Namgoong Ryuchung at the White Sword Squad's training grounds. He asks if she is feeling better because he heard that she had visited the Imperial Physician. While talking to him, Yeon notices how handsome he is and wonders what kind of person he would want to marry. Yeon asks Ryuchung who he would marry if he had a choice. Ryuchung answers that he would follow his parents' wishes when it comes to marriage. This surprises and worries Yeon because she had hoped he might refuse the arranged marriage. Yeon realizes that her plan could fail if Ryuchung is willing to obey his parents. She also remembers that her marriage to Ryuchung had never happened before mainly because he did not want it. Now she is worried that things may be different this time.