Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
After surviving the avalanche, Euyn reveals Sora’s and Daysum’s indentures were never valid, information he withheld. He argues Yusan’s courts would still side with Seok, making the truth effectively useless. Sora’s fury hardens into a curse, and Mikail’s trust in Euyn fractures further, escalating group tensions.
Summary
On the Western Pass after the avalanche, Mikail restrains Sora from attacking Euyn. Reeling, Mikail presses Euyn to confirm what he implied: that Sora’s and Daysum’s indentures were never legally signed by their father. Euyn admits Chul told him this, though he never verified it while imprisoned.
Sora demands why Euyn hid it in Yusan. Euyn replies it would not have helped, since Seok, now the most powerful noble after Dal’s death, would be believed over a commoner, especially with Chul having confessed to killing the magistrate who could testify. Mikail concedes the courts would likely side with Seok and view Chul’s act as admission of guilt.
Euyn claims he withheld the truth to avoid causing Sora pointless pain. Sora, devastated and enraged, says the truth matters to her and curses Euyn that everything done to Daysum be done to him. She walks away, regal and resolute, leaving Euyn shaken.
Left with Euyn, Mikail warns him that there can be no more secrets. Euyn denies having more, then hesitates, deepening Mikail’s suspicion that Euyn still conceals something as they move along the cliff together.
Who Appears
- MikailNarrator; restrains Sora, interrogates Euyn, recognizes Yusan courts favor Seok, and warns Euyn against further secrets.
- SoraFurious upon learning her indenture was invalid yet useless; vows a curse on Euyn and walks away resolute.
- EuynAdmits Chul told him the indentures were invalid; claims courts would side with Seok; withholds and evades, deepening mistrust.