Chapter 8 Chapter VII

Mina was in a good mood the next morning.The rain has stopped and the sun is smiling.No one can affect Wen Na's good mood, even Kang Nuo. This good mood has continued.At breakfast the men smiled at her eagerness to eat, but did not comment on her appetite.Afterwards, she went to the creek to wash and dress, and when she came back she put on the Ho's shawl, and Kunlan praised her for the knot.He seemed to think that she knew this skill very well. She thought she had to tell Kunlan that was not the case.My father had Rachel learn how to dress in a shawl in order to marry her to Lord McNair, but my mother thought it would be a good idea for every daughter to learn the craft.

Did your father promise to marry your sister? She nods.Yes.Connor could have married Rachel.She is more beautiful. Kunlan couldn't imagine a woman more beautiful than his mistress.He had already noticed that she was very modest, and what he just said just proved his thinking more. Is there still a long way to go today? No, madam, we are very close to home. It cheered her up, and his smile was contagious, because when Quinlan looked at the others, they were all smiling happily.She saw Connor leading the horse on the other side of the clearing, so she ran to her husband, put her arms around his neck, and gave him a passionate kiss, and then remembered that she shouldn't do this in front of other people Show her enthusiasm.

To her surprise, however, he wasn't angry or frowning, and in fact kissed her back. Of course he blamed her afterwards.It seemed that scolding her had become his habit, so she was going to take it lightly. You are so unruly.He lifted her onto the horse and put her on his lap. Aren't you going to reason with me? The weather is so nice, I don't want to quarrel with you.Of course you are wrong, I have the same rules as you. I didn't see it at all.Stop moving around and lean back against me. The string on my necklace is crooked.She picked up the necklace, straightened the string, and tucked the wooden charm into the shawl.

What the hell is that? Did you just notice this? No, I was just going to ask. This necklace is a gift from my father.I have the unique pattern that says it's mine, and if I'm in trouble, just send it to one of my brothers or sisters to get help.Dad made one for each of his kids. throw it away. Her panting was so loud that the horse under her was disturbed, its head was thrown back, and its nose was snorting angrily.She reached out and patted the horse's head. I won't do that, Connor.I'm going to make one for you too. You will not. This is tradition. This is an insult to me, wife.

We can discuss this when we get home. We can discuss it now. She didn't contradict him, but she was sure the man would listen to her and embrace the tradition, even if it would take her all week to convince him.why are we waiting here He knew she was changing the subject on purpose, but since it could make her stop nagging, let her go.He needs her cooperation today.She would meet Kim Ah Yeol, and that would not be an easy task for her.His brother has the ability to scare everyone who sees him.This was one of the reasons why Connor respected him so much. Owen went to the creek to pick up what was left there.

He is so considerate.She replied, but your people should not throw things away and then have to be cleaned up. He thought she was joking, but when he didn't hear the expected laughter he realized she meant it, but he didn't explain.A minute later Owen returned with the mistress's things, which he stuffed into her little bag, and fastened and hitched to Eden's horse.She didn't notice it at all, and Connor was not surprised at all, because her wife always seemed to be in a daze. He went back to worrying just now, you will see my brother today.He won't hurt you. She thought his words were strange, and I wouldn't worry about such things at all.

You will worry when you see him.You better be as disciplined as you brag about it, Mina.Don't embarrass me by screaming or fainting. She rolls her eyes up and I'll like him because he's your brother and it's my duty to be nice to your family.He won't scare me. He will, he's not as amiable as I am. She laughed out loud.He stopped trying to warn her and started thinking about more important things, like how he could skillfully explain this to the man who ruled the Highlands. After an hour of silence, she spoke again. Conor? What's up? Have you ever seen me scream or faint?

No. So please explain why you insult me ​​like this?I'm curious to hear your reasons. He ignored her. If he wasn't going to explain, he should at least apologize.But she knew she couldn't hear his apology, he was too stubborn to admit that he had made any lapses in judgment about her. If he could be proven wrong, it would be enough to undo the damage he had done to her pride.It was easy to do, she was well trained and knew exactly what she had to do.She would show Connor how fearless she was when she met his brother.She would love him for sure, he was her family now too.And as long as she remembers to speak only when others ask questions, and try to be humble, of course he will like her too.

A few minutes later, a fort came into view, and the imposing fortress took her breath away.A high stone wall surrounds the fort, which looks half a century old.The two soldiers watched them from across the drawbridge, their faces as cold and distant as the walls they were guarding. She found it odd that they hadn't spoken to Conor, and then thought maybe they were waiting for permission to speak. There were more terrifying looking soldiers in the castle below, and they, too, didn't seem to welcome Connor's presence. Is your brother among those staring at us? No. Is it always this quiet in here?

No. Connor was not in the mood to explain in detail.So she decided to follow his example and keep silent.But when they came to the courtyard and saw the flowers around the castle, she could no longer insist on her decision. It's so cute here.She exclaimed in a low voice, who planted these flowers? Jamie. She swore to keep quiet and I hope he is well rewarded for his efforts. It's not him, it's her.Connor corrected.Don't step on those flowers, or she will have no end with you. Do servants here have the right to express their opinions? Jamie is not a servant, she is the hostess here.

If it wasn't for Kang Nuo's grip on her waist, she would definitely have fallen off the horse.hostess? You will like her. She didn't even try to ask God for patience, I wouldn't like her.You have to let her go, Conor.There can only be one mistress in my home. Jamie is the mistress of Ariel's family. So why is she planting flowers for you?Of course she was very thoughtful in doing so, but I don't understand why she took so much trouble. He finally understood that she had misunderstood, this is not my territory, but Ariel's.How do you think this is my territory? She felt like screaming, but she didn't dare to speak out, just whispered, because the audience around them was watching them like hawks.I'll tell you why I think this is your home.I've been told we're almost home and that's why.And since no one bothered to inform me that you were coming to visit your brother, I naturally assumed this was your place. This is not true. now I know.She said, you should have told me thoughtfully, where is our destination. Connor ignored the complaints in her words. The courtyard was soon filled with soldiers, each wearing a dark shawl similar to Connor's.She knew that she would definitely confuse them, unable to tell which were Jin Yalie's soldiers and which were Kang Nuo's. They all stared at Connor and her.She straightened her back until it felt like it was going to break, and she stared straight ahead, trying to stay calm. The welcome they received was depressing.Are these people who live in the Highlands always in such a bad mood? Anyway, these soldiers apparently did.Their attitude is really inexplicable.For God's sake, Connor was Ariel's brother, not his enemy.Don't these savages understand the difference? Her husband dismounted, then turned to assist her.She looked directly into his eyes, hoping they would tell her everything was okay.He didn't say anything, so she had no way of knowing what he was thinking.She wanted to cling to him, but she controlled herself.With her hands hanging by her side, she walked behind her husband, her head held high, staring at his back. Quinlan and Eden stepped forward, sandwiching her one by one, and the others, Donald, Owen, and Gerry, followed behind.When they came to the steps at the entrance, they were stopped by Jin Yalie's soldiers, and only Kang Nuo was allowed to go on. Apparently his brother wanted to talk to Conor before meeting her.She wanted them to talk for as long as possible, she was very afraid of meeting Jin Yalie now.It hadn't occurred to her that the brothers might hurt each other.Suddenly she heard a horrifying roar from the door, and she immediately lost her mind. She guessed that it was Jin Yalie who roared first, because she didn't recognize the voice, but Kang Nuo's roar soon joined in.Then the two started yelling, and she didn't understand a word.She tried to concentrate and listen. If they could speak more slowly, or softly, she could understand the gibberish Gaelic, and she would understand why Kim Arleigh was so furious. They argued furiously for fifteen minutes.The more Mina waited, the more nervous she became.When Kang Nuo entered the door just now, Kun Lan deliberately grabbed her arm and turned to face the crowd.She and Eden turned with him, but she immediately regretted it when she found herself having to stand so close to the scrutinizing gazes of Kim's soldiers. But they didn't stare at her.She tries to take this as a good sign.She was careful to hide her fear of them, wondering if maybe they wanted to see her scared.The effort is exhausting. The wait is finally over.The door opened and she was summoned to enter.What she really wanted to do was shake her head in refusal, grab her skirt and run in the opposite direction. But instead of doing that, she walked into the hall.She was so flustered that she didn't pay attention to her surroundings.The hall is to her left.She stopped before the steps leading down to the hall, waiting to be summoned. Neither Connor nor his brother noticed her.She glanced at her husband first to make sure he was okay.He looked fine, no bleeding.He looked unhappy, though, and he was rarely happy, after all.He didn't seem to be angry, just a little bit angry. She had been procrastinating to see his brother, until at last she found the courage to turn to him.She wasn't ready for it.Jin Yalie is a fierce-looking warrior with a pair of cold gray eyes, and the scowling look on his face can make Satan tremble with fear. It's not over, Connor.I'll talk to that woman before making a decision. His voice was as stern as his expression.Mina clasped her hands behind her back, trying to calm her heartbeat. God help her, she still can't seem to get over the shock of seeing him for the first time.Yes, he scared her, she was scared even when he was no longer scowling at her. She bowed quickly, hoping that he wouldn't see her fear, and took it as a polite gesture from her.But it was impossible to make her smile.It was good that she wasn't screaming. Ariel walked towards her suddenly, swaggering and arrogant.She finally understood who Kang Nuo learned this threatening gesture from.His brother is his teacher. Mina, come here.Connor's voice was slightly annoyed.She raised her head immediately, walked down the stairs, and came quickly to his side.But her gaze never left Jin Yalie for a moment. Apart from their size, the two brothers have nothing in common.Conor's hair was dun, Aleigh's was red.Connor's face seemed more aristocratic to her, but she had to admit that Ariel's outline was also very good-looking. Of course, the physical difference is not only that.When Connor wasn't frowning, he was still handsome, but in her opinion, such times were really rare.As for Ariel, there is nothing attractive about it at all. Still, they have something in common, and they're really the same when it comes to scaring innocent women.Their behavior is odious, but what's worse is that they don't seem to realize the effect they have on other people. Mina wondered if her hair had turned gray.She'd heard that's what some women do when faced with fear.She tried to calm down.He was just a man, and he couldn't be more terrifying than Connor.Unfortunately, that fact doesn't reassure her either. So is his husband.She finally forced herself to stop staring at Satan's nightmare, and looked up at Connor.He doesn't look at her.She told herself it couldn't get any worse.Conor pushed her behind him, which gave her the urge to kick him. Ariel is disappointed with Connor's bride.He couldn't imagine that marrying Connor would keep her alive.If she was a terrified bunny, as he thought, Conor could crush her flat in one fell swoop. I need to talk to her, Connor.Get the fuck out of my way or I'll let you out of the hall.Ariel growled. Her husband didn't hold back, but she did.She was also very angry. She thought it was outrageous to speak so viciously between brothers. Of course you can talk to her, Aleigh, but you mustn't raise your voice to her.I don't want you to scare her. Mina's anger immediately turned on her husband.Did he have to tell his brother that if he raised his voice he would frighten her?Now Aleigh would definitely think she was a coward, which was a good start.She pushed Conor on the back to let him know how upset she was by his words.He drew her close to him and frowned at her, so she smiled at him slightly. A woman appeared at the door, calling out Kim Ah Yeol's name loudly.Kang Nuo didn't look at her, but Min Na couldn't look away from her.The woman was astonishingly beautiful, and Mina blinked, thinking it might be a phantom that came to comfort her in this nightmare.Wen Na blinked again, the woman did not disappear.Not only was she beautiful, but she was so brave that she dared to walk across the hall and talk to Aleigh. Lord Jin Yalie's reaction can be said to be a miracle.His voice became soft as velvet as he allowed the woman to come.He was even smiling as he bent over to listen to her.Thank God, he still has a human side after all. Too bad the miracle didn't last long, Mina kept staring at the vision, but she just bowed to them and left.Mina knows it's rude to stare like that, but she can't seem to stop.Ariel must think that Connor is crazy to marry Wen Na, because he himself chose one of the beautiful highland beauties.Those beauties must be as beautiful as the heather here. Connor, is your woman timid? Perhaps, he admitted, speculating on Ariel's thoughts. I want to ask you a few questions, Miss Mina.I hope you can answer truthfully.You don't have to be afraid of me.Did you propose to my brother? She really wanted to kill Connor.How dare he tell Aleigh her childish follies.True, he had warned her beforehand, but she couldn't believe it, she thought he would be as embarrassed by it as she was. Yes, lord, I beg him to marry me. Is there anything else you want to tell me?he asked, thinking of course she would explain why she did it. Yes. So go ahead. I am not timid. He almost laughed.There was a touch of defiance in her defense.Maybe she wasn't a wimpy little mouse after all. I thought you were. you are wrong. He nods. Did you propose to Connor before your father promised you to McNair? Yes. Aleigh, we've already talked about this.Connor interrupted.As I have explained several times, she proposed to me three times.Let's talk about it now.He gently pushed his wife behind him again. three times?He mentioned all the details, didn't he?She suddenly wanted to see if Aleigh would think her a coward if she strangled her husband. I think I've heard what I want to hear. She is mine now.Connor replied. I can still return her to McNair.Stop pushing me, brother.You won't like the consequences of that. Our wedding was blessed.Mina, stop pushing me. can be canceled.Ariel said. You won't go against our church. Yes, I will not.Ariel reluctantly gave in, and there was another way for me to return her to McNair. She could be pregnant with my baby by now.Damn it, wife, can you stop messing with me? She can still leave you. how? I can kill you. Kang Nuo was about to laugh at his brother's threat when Mina suddenly grabbed his attention.She suddenly stood in front of him. You can't kill him.She yelled at Ariel. Her anger surprised both men. For God's sake, Mina.Connor muttered and pushed her back again, never mind this matter. Let her talk, Connor. Before Ariel finished speaking, she had already stood in front of Connor again. Why can't I kill him? He is your brother. Give me a better reason. She couldn't think of anything.You have to do your best to restrain yourself. Ariel leaned back on the table, folded his arms on his chest and stared at her, trying to restrain what? Resist the urge to kill Conor.I understand why you want to kill him.Everyone who met him thought so.But he's your brother, and you wouldn't want to kill him if you only thought of his good. Tell him what's good about him. I thought you would say that. She knew she was letting her thoughts flow without thinking again.So she hastened to continue before Connor realized that he had many virtues. for example? He is very loyal. anything else? She ran her fingers through her hair impulsively, trying to come up with something else. His men seemed to like him. And you? Enough is enough, Ariel.Mina, if you keep defending me like this, my brother will torture me before he kills me. I'm doing my best to defend you. Ariel abruptly ended the questioning and left the hall.Apparently Connor had learned this manner from his brother. What stimulated you, Mina? It was you who stimulated me.You've turned me into an incoherent fool, she yelled.I want to go home now. We can only leave when Ariel comes back. He's not going to kill you, is he? Yes, he will not kill me.I thought you didn't care. The laugh in his voice drives her crazy, and I don't care. Then why do you want to protect me? If someone should have killed you, it should have been me.I swear to God, if you push me behind you again I'll kill you.So do you have it? have what? virtue. I am very amiable. I was told not to lie. I give you permission to speak your mind. That is not virtue. He finally began to empathize with her, and now it's all over.I told you he wouldn't hurt you. That warning is not enough.She said angrily, and then whispered, that he was coming back. Ariel didn't come back alone.The vision followed her lord into the hall and stood beside him waiting. He ordered Mina to go over. Kang Nuo had to nudge Wen Na to let her pass.She walked towards the lord, bowed her head, and waited for the doom to strike again. Welcome to our family, Miss Mina.