Chapter 344 – Figure It Out Yourselves

Lee Si-heon was gone.

With the well-matched opponent having disappeared, what remained seemed to be a battle of wills between two fierce tigresses.

As Se-Young and Azalea faced off, Byeol sipped her chocolate latte and nervously observed the people around them.

‘I wanted to enjoy eel with Shiba and Si-heon, too…’

Lacking confidence in her ability to win, Byeol had already lowered her metaphorical tail. The sight of the intimidating sisters, arms crossed and facing each other, caused her golden locks to droop.

Even Byeol’s once lively, star-shaped pupils had adopted a more polite, rounded shape.

– Zzap.

The tension between the two women simmered. For now, everything was still manageable. They were in the midst of seriously discussing parenting information, and Azalea, the child’s mother, wasn’t asserting her stubbornness at this juncture.

No matter what anyone said, she was Lee Si-heon’s lover.

As the matter concerns Lee Si-heon and his daughter, they prioritize him over their personal feelings, maintaining peace.

“The nutritional supplements here are relatively decent. If a child has absorbed a tree elixir, more attention must be paid to the nutrient formulation. It’s likely custom-made would be the best option.”
“Aha…”
“However, with these rapidly growing tree-based supplements, it takes some time for the products to arrive, even when in contact with the company. There are quite a few cases where orders are rejected. Many of the necessary medications are subject to national restrictions, so they aren’t widely distributed.”
“Is there an easy way to obtain them?”

Se-Young sighed at Azalea’s question.

“Tree elixirs are not that common. We considered developing them at our family’s company, and although the idea was raised, it’s still on hold.”
“…….”
“Regardless, nutritional supplements must be used, as it’s a matter of health. It’s acceptable to use the ones I mentioned, but…”
“No, it’s not.”

Se-Young smiled, seemingly pleased with Azalea’s response.

“Contact me later. I’ll introduce you to some places I know. We need to create a suitable potion for the child.”
“…Understood.”
“How about a thank you?”
“Thank you, Professor.”
“Professor, huh…”

But when that matter concluded,

If the subject shifted from ‘Lee Si-heon’s daughter’ to ‘Lee Si-heon,’ the narrative took a different turn. Now it was truly a battle for pride as a woman. The star lowered her posture and averted her gaze.

“But Azalea,”

Lee Se-Young raised her booted foot and crossed her legs. The slightly visible flesh through her stockings was tantalizing. Her eye-smile and the faintly upturned grin made her the epitome of a perfect alpha woman.

Azalea, sensing the change in atmosphere, tidily lifted the straps of her white dress, placed her hands on her knees, and smiled. As the straps were raised, the area beside her collarbone revealed intense kiss marks and palm prints.

“There’s something I want to say.”

“Are you cohabiting? There shouldn’t be any issues with the Academy’s rules, right? It’s a private residence after all.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m talking about Shiba.”
“…”
“Legally speaking, if you’re the mother, then who’s the father?”
“Well, obviously it’s Si-heon–”

Shiba’s father is Lee Si-heon.
Just as she was about to say that, Lee Se-young’s expression contorted.

That was the kind of face one makes when truly irritated. Noticing this, the star’s expression hardened.

“Se, Se-young.”

The star tried to intervene urgently, but Se-young brushed her off.
After being shot a glare with dagger-like eyes, the star quickly withered and clamped her mouth shut.

Lee Se-young sighed.

“Let’s calm down. We didn’t come here to fight, did we?”
“…Yes, I suppose that’s true.”

Taken aback by the two’s acerbic remarks, the star inwardly cried out.

‘You two clearly came here to fight! You damn women!’

Tigers do battle, not cats. Se-young caught a glimpse of the tense star’s expression and clicked her tongue.

“Even though we’re telling Si-heon to go eat eel now. The truth is… If Si-heon sets his mind to it, we’re nothing to him. How many women has he had? Right?”

“…”

From the women’s perspective, that’s how Lee Si-heon is. Even now, watching the way he expands his reach, one might think he’s a Casanova.

This logic made even the quiet star nod her head in agreement.

“We love each other, though.”

“True, we love each other. I love him, and he loves me too. The reason Si-heon yields to us is because we both love him. So, when we’re together, he tries to spare us as much as possible by losing on purpose.”

If you’d call that consideration, it’s more than enough. It’s Lee Si-heon’s unique way of expressing his affection.

There are many families that permit polygamy. Among them, a certain pattern exists in those where peace is maintained. Either a complete hierarchy exists among the women, or they care for each other to such an extent that the hierarchy becomes meaningless.

If neither of these conditions is met, the man must resort to highly coercive and forceful measures. Lee Si-heon did not take this approach, leaving two other options.

The latter is too idealistic, while the former poses the risk of someone harboring ill intentions. Love is a scarce commodity—even loving just one person for a lifetime is not enough. Attempting to divide that love naturally leads to conflict.

One desires to monopolize, to claim another for a lifetime.

“Was I wrong?”
“Could it be like betraying the love Si-heon gives? Is that what you’re saying? But why bring up Shiba…?”
“Why indeed?”

Se-Young took a deep breath, then began to speak slowly.

“…What is Siheon worried about? It’s just you and me. There’s nothing more to consider with her daughter, Shiba. But if you form a relationship like that, have you ever thought about what might happen to Lee Si-heon, the World Tree husband candidate?”

It’s a blind spot.

Azalea trembled with a start.

“That’s—”

“…You know the world is a dark place right now. Our family is on the verge of ruin due to the betrayal of the national tree at our ancestral home in England. You never know when someone might target Siheon. In fact, there are already many.”

But if someone precious to Lee Si-heon is officially registered in the family records,
where will all that malevolence be directed?
And what other challenges will Lee Si-heon face while dealing with it?

“Is it the right choice to make your relationship legally binding through documents now? Aren’t you being too hasty?”

Se-Young carefully expressed her opinion.
The star realized that the angry face he had seen for a moment must have come from this place.

He spoke, successfully suppressing his temper.

To that extent, Lee Se-young fully grasps Lee Si-heon’s present and future circumstances.

“However.”
“I know what you must have been thinking.”

It’s not that Azalea was devoid of thoughts either.
Bestowing upon Shiba the power of the Jin family lineage isn’t inherently terrible.
The benefits Shiba would reap throughout her life are immense as well.

Yet, that only holds true when Lee Si-heon’s adversaries are confined to the nearby Mok-in families. As soon as his enemies become world trees or flowers, the narrative shifts.

“You know you like it. You ought to consider a man’s perspective too.”

An appeal, not rooted in jealousy.

“……”

Azalea’s face turns pale.

“Si-heon probably knows deep down. He must think he can handle it all by himself. Ugh, it’s so frustrating to think about it like that. He still seems like a child. He believes he’s the protagonist in some animated movie. That’s a sickness in itself, truly.”

Despite that, there’s a certain allure to it.
Silently, Star contemplated.

“…What should I do?”

“What can we do? It’s already done. We should change it now. It’ll be fine if we just remove your father’s name and adopt a different format. Document manipulation… Tsk. Let’s do this between the two of us.”

Trying to help in any way possible.
Azalea, who had entered confidently, eventually had no choice but to listen to Lee Se-young’s words seriously.

The conversation was sharp, but productive.
Above all, it was the first time they truly felt that they were both thinking of the same person.

Among Se-young’s words, when she pointed out Lee Si-heon’s characteristics, Azalea found herself in awe at times because they matched her own thoughts. The conversation about the same man was strangely enjoyable.

It was an unfamiliar feeling for Azalea, who had criticized Lee Se-young a long time ago.

“Does he think it would be better to die with another woman by his side?”
“He rejected the confession, but hinted he might accept it later. The meetings continue, leaving room for possibilities.”

– So, you keep encouraging me to meet another woman.
– If you like her that much, just accept her confession and stay together for life. Do you truly like her in the first place?

There was a difference in approach.
But back then, I couldn’t empathize. What should I call the Azalea of that time? She was consumed by a love she had never experienced before.

However, as I continued to observe over time,
I began to understand her thoughts.

“Thank you. Honestly, I came here prepared for a confrontation.”
“Ah, a confrontation? Then let’s have it. I’m confident I’ll never lose to you.”
“……”

Lee Se-young, smiling softly, released her hand and subtly revealed her engagement ring.

“I think I need to seriously consider this. After all, it does seem you truly care for that person.”
“Can we become closer now?”
“…How should I address you?”
“Sister.”
“Se-young sister?”

Can we become closer now?
It reminded me of something I had heard from Lee Si-heon before, which made me laugh involuntarily.

Lee Si-heon, a woman. Continually trying to be considerate, perhaps that is the most fitting way to describe her. The difference is that Lee Si-heon only has eyes for one person. Could it be that she’s the perfect person in this world?

It was at that moment.

“Wait a moment.”

The ever-still star raised her hand, her expression brimming with annoyance. This time, even the beta woman couldn’t help but object.

“I know both of you love each other. But why does it seem like you’re leaving me out of the conversation? Se-Young, you wench?”

“…Uh, sorry.”

“Well, don’t both of us love each other too? I’m here, you know? I love Si-heon, and he loves me as well, right!?”

It’s better this way. Misunderstandings cleared up, and the situation suddenly accelerated.

Complaints poured out of the star’s mouth like a torrent.

“We’ve been talking together for some time now. Si-heon likes both of us, right? There are three of us here, but you keep discussing things just between the two of you, huh? It feels like you don’t care about me, is that it?”

“…Uh, well, that’s…Byeol, Vice President of the Association?”

“Ah, Pink Chaeng, quiet down!”

I shout several times, making remarks bold enough to stir controversy on Treewiki right away.

“Ping…Chaeng?”
“He’s like that sometimes. Just ignore him.”
“Se-Young was strict when teaching you and me, but with this one, everything is so gentle and soothing? I want to monopolize Si-heon too!”

Se-Young pouted her lips sourly.

“Alright, I’m sorry, our Byul~ You were hurt.”
“Ahhhhhhhhhh! You insufferable woman!”
“… Heh.”
“What do you find so amusing?”

Chuckle, chuckle.

“I’m sorry… Byul-unnie.”
“…Unnie?”

Unnie. Unnie. Unnie…

“Hmm.”

Upon hearing the sweet yet teasing title, Byul’s anger quickly subsided.
Who would have thought that such a beautiful and mischievous woman would call her ‘unnie?’

‘I’ve grown quite a bit too.’

Well, considering the hierarchy, she was the second wife, wasn’t she?
Hmm. Or was she not?
Either way, Byul felt a sense of pride.

At least Lee Si-heon had just one person to talk to about games and comics.
It was the sole monopoly in the realm of love.

“Sob, sob. Hee hee.”
“Look at the corner of her mouth, reaching her ear.”
“Silence, you senseless creature. From today on, Jeongsil is Azalea.”
“…Byul, my sister? Hehehe.”

Byul stealthily moved the chair and clung to Azalea’s side.
Azalea, momentarily taken aback by the sudden display of intimacy, eventually embraced and became immersed in the atmosphere.
Lee Se-Young rested her chin, letting out a sigh with her bored eyes.

“You guys figure it out.”