Chapter 113

“Dogolon Khan… the limping Khan.”


The setting of a romance fantasy male lead being a cripple piques interest.


“The male lead is a cripple… unique.”


No, it’s quite good.


Even among barbarians or nomadic tribes, it’s not unheard of for leaders to have physical disabilities.


Gaiseric, who sacked Rome and conquered North Africa to establish the Vandal Kingdom, and Timur, who founded the Timurid Empire, were both cripples.


A suitable flaw can enhance the protagonist’s charm and stimulate readers’ curiosity about how the protagonist will overcome it.


…Well, if the novel’s world is a high-power world.


Incurable diseases or short lifespans—problems naturally solved by becoming stronger—don’t matter. Blindness—seeing everything with a mind’s eye makes it meaningless. In fact, they see better than those with open eyes.


One-armed—wearing a cool custom prosthetic or creating an arm with magical energy.


Crippled—using a cane or crutches early on, acting weak, then suddenly becoming strong and jumping around, beating everyone up.


“Tagu… Tagu… Tatagu…”


(Even though the partner is training hard… Tagu, who can’t beat anyone… a loser…)


“Tagu-chan, be quiet. I’ll break you.”


The voice of Tagu-chan from the inner world is lightly ignored.


Anyway, this kind of skin transformation must be handled carefully…


But since the main genre is romance, not combat, it should be fine.


Moreover, the genre being romance fantasy makes the male lead’s flaw a plus.


Currently known as the strongest in the north, the crippled Khan must have faced numerous hardships to reach that position, showing a painful past filled with insults and oppression.


Outwardly cold but deeply scarred, he initially keeps his distance from the female lead but gradually falls for her as she embraces him…


The process of forming a complementary, dependent relationship is the highlight of romance fantasy, enough to devour three bowls of rice.


This formula can also apply to pure love stories, making for a delicious development.


Anyway, let’s keep reading.


–


Thud… thud…


Geum Ran blankly stared at Dogolon Khan approaching.


A cripple limping with a cane.


…Yet his gait was dignified, powerful, and confident.


His unique aura, combined with his tall stature, created the illusion of a large tiger entering the tent.


As the distance closed, Geum Ran could see Dogolon’s face more clearly.


Her green eyes widened in surprise.


Frankly, Dogolon’s appearance wasn’t the kind that noblewomen would fall for at first sight.


But he was also not the hairy, blood-stained monster rumored in the palace.


Thick eyebrows, sharp jawline, well-defined nose, wolf-like amber eyes.


His sharp features could seem cunning depending on the angle.


Overall, his features were handsome, confident, and attractive.


And he was much younger than expected.


Thud… thud…


The young wolf who conquered the grasslands reached the well-decorated tribute, and as Dogolon spoke.


“What is your name?”


Geum Ran was surprised again. It was fluent Han language.


–


Mantian’s amber eyes focused on the book.


Rustle… rustle…


The sound of pages turning echoed in the quiet study.


A novel born from a girl’s affection, still somewhat clumsy.


But the story unfolds steadily, step by step.


Gradually revealing Dogolon’s past.


“My mother was Han. She was the chief’s concubine.”


“Ridiculous? A barbarian speaking Han language and reciting poetry.”


A concubine’s child born to a Han mother kidnapped and brought here.


Raised by a mother who hated the empire while longing for her childhood homeland, loving Han culture and poetry.


Dogolon’s inner conflict, and Geum Ran’s changing feelings as she watches him.


Dogolon falling for Geum Ran beyond a mere tribute relationship.


The distance between them closing. And then, a crisis!


Rumors of Dogolon falling for a Han woman lead to Geum Ran’s kidnapping by imperial officials to gain leverage.


“Fine, try to take her. I’ll personally lead a hundred thousand iron cavalry to retrieve her.”


Not just cavalry, but a hundred thousand iron cavalry? Is it bravado? But given the Mongolian inspiration, it seems plausible.


Deep thoughts about whether a hundred thousand iron cavalry could really emerge from the northern regions.


Continuing to turn the pages.


–


Geum Ran’s eyes widened as she saw cherry blossoms fluttering in the blue grasslands.


“Cherry blossoms…?”


“I planted seeds bought from a Han merchant.”


Dogolon gently held Geum Ran’s hand and walked towards the cherry blossom tree.


“My mother loved this tree. Though she never saw it.”


Under the cherry blossoms, the two stood side by side. Dogolon spoke first.


“Tell me your name. I want to hear it from your lips.”


A cool breeze brushed Geum Ran’s cheek.


“Ran… it’s Ran.”


Dogolon plucked a beautifully blooming cherry blossom branch and stepped close to Ran.


“Which house does the lady under the cherry blossoms belong to?”


“My gaze is drawn, yet I don’t even know her name.”


“Only now do I hear it’s Ran.”


A large male hand gently adorned Ran’s hair with the cherry blossom branch.


“Pretty eyes, long eyebrows, secretly I’ve grown fond.”


Ran’s delicate body was embraced by Dogolon’s strong arms.


“Ran, if you wish when spring comes… next year, the year after, anytime, I’ll pluck them for you.”


Holding her tightly, he whispered in her ear.


“Stay by my side.”


–


“Huh…?”


I stopped turning the pages. The rest was blank.


‘Isn’t this what I said to Ran?’


Though slightly altered, it was what I said while placing a cherry blossom branch in Poong Ran’s hair.


Something flashed through my mind.


I didn’t think much of it at first, but once the thought occurred…


The male and female lead settings seemed oddly similar to me and Poong Ran.


“Ah… ah… ahhh-!!”


…And then, a panicked, trembling scream came from the study door.


Naturally, the scream’s owner was.


“Wh-why is Young Master here!?”


The pretty-eyed, long-eyebrowed cute girl, Poong Ran.


“Ah… sorry for the noise. It’s just… well…”


Fidgeting and trembling, her gaze fixed on the book in my hand, I became certain.


I wanted to tease her a bit, but there was no need.


The novel currently in my hand.


[The Palace Maid Becomes the Northern Khan’s Queen]—Poong Ran wrote this.


If it were the original Poong Ran, she would have learned to hide her feelings as a merchant’s daughter, but…


Having the person she likes read a novel she wrote with him as a character…


In this incredibly embarrassing situation, she couldn’t maintain her composure.


“Sigh…”


…But I couldn’t just stand there, so I took a deep breath, composed my voice, and smiled at Mantian.


“I think I accidentally dropped a book here. The book you’re reading seems to be that one…”


But before I could ask for it back, Mantian took the lead.


“Sorry if I’m wrong… but did you write ‘Dogolon’ thinking of me?”


“!?!?!?!?”


Poong Ran’s face turned pale.


“N-no! That’s not…!?”


She vehemently denied it, but from my perspective, it was like watching an angry, cute, wide-eyed girl.


A mischievous urge to tease her arose.


I, Sima Mantian, who loves to tease.


Safely placing Poong Ran’s novel on the desk.


I approached her directly.


With my left arm, I blocked her escape route.


Yes, the classic wall slam from romance comics.


Thud-!


“……?!”


Trapped, Poong Ran hastily lowered her head as Mantian approached…


“Look.”


Mantian didn’t allow even that.


Placing his right hand under Poong Ran’s chin, he forced her to look up, confirming her blushing, flustered face.


“Tell me. Who were you thinking of?”


Amber eyes directed at her. A faint smile on Mantian’s lips. A gentle voice like a snake’s whisper.


Finally, her heart, racing non-stop, burst.


Tears welled up in Poong Ran’s pretty green eyes.


“I-I’m sorry… I was thinking of… Young Master…!”


“Huh…?”


…And Mantian, who didn’t intend to make her cry, hurriedly took out a handkerchief.


“Sorry… I didn’t mean to make you cry.”


Wiping her tears, he comforted the sobbing Poong Ran with a gentle voice.


“It’s okay, it’s okay… I don’t hate you. No need to apologize.”