The boat pulled away from the Mid-Lake Pavilion.

Creak. Creak.

Jang Ho rowed hard while Jegal Yeong sat with her arms crossed, lost in thought.

Jang Ho stole a glance to gauge her mood, then ventured,

"Um... Vice Leader?"

Only Jegal Yeong's eyes moved to him.

"What."

At the icy reply, Jang Ho cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Ahem. Um... Mind if I ask you something?"

"What is it."

"How did you know the Dark Alliance Lord was putting on an act? He just looked like an idiot to me..."

Jegal Yeong snorted.

"When he lied, his eyes slid away from mine. Only for a split second, but still."

"Huh? You can tell from that?"

Jegal Yeong stared at Jang Ho.

She waited until her stare started to weigh on him, then spoke.

"You badmouth me behind my back all the time, don't you?"

Jang Ho shook his head, straight-faced.

"Haha. What are you talking about? You know how much I respect you, Vice Leader!"

"See? You just looked away."

"...!!" Jang Ho's face seemed to freeze for an instant, but he quickly laughed it off.

"Haha, did I? That's just because I always have to keep an eye on my surroundings..."

"Even right now?"

"..." Jang Ho said nothing for a moment, then finally ducked his head.

"I'm sorry! It's not that I badmouthed you, Vice Leader, exactly. I just had to, to keep my men happy..."

"Oh, so you'll throw your men under the bus to save your own skin?"

"..." "Let's shape up, okay?"

"I'm loyal to you, I swear!"

Jegal Yeong let out a short laugh and looked away.

She was just about to sink back into her thoughts when

Jang Ho spoke up again.

"Um... Can I ask one more thing, then?"

Jegal Yeong gave him an irritated look.

"If it's another stupid question, you're swimming back."

Jang Ho flinched, but he asked anyway.

"Well... You saw through the Dark Alliance Lord's act. So why are you in such a bad mood?"

Jegal Yeong's lovely face crumpled instantly.

Jang Ho frantically waved his hands and shook…