i became the villainess twin sister

Part 8

Kim Rok Soo was just a stupid orphan who gave up under the pressures of growing up. Or at least, that was how he viewed himself.

That was one of the reasons he couldn't help but respect people like Choi Han who fought against every odd and never let go of that spark inside of them that allowed them to be kind.

Kim Rok Soo knew what it was to not have the privilege of being kind. There were dredges of despair so far downward that simply disallowed it by the nature of the suffering a human is enduring. To be able to go through all of that and still hang onto one's humanity really was admirable.

And Roksu Henituse had none of the limitations that Kim Rok Soo had, so if she wanted to spoil an admirable human being, then she was able to do so with gusto.

Choi Han felt a bit awkward as the women bustled around her, dressing and re-dressing her as Roksu watched on with a critical look on her face. Approving everything regardless.

She wasn't really the sort of person who liked or needed a dozen dresses or even more than maybe two sets of clothes. This was beyond excessive but it was strangely difficult to dissuade Roksu from a task she'd put her mind to.

For all of Roksu's above average intellect and critical thinking skills, she still had certain blindspots in her perceptions. Small things like 'of course kids want toys' or 'women like dresses, right?'. It wasn't a terrible pre-conception to have but it could be a bit burdensome in times like these.

Choi Han also didn't really have the heart to reject it. Despite her normal stoic expression, Roksu did seem to enjoy spoiling her.

Still, Choi Han shifted uncomfortably in the latest black dress they'd dressed her up in. The intricate lace around the bodice and trailing skirt made her feel a bit like she was wearing a black wedding dress.

It was certainly too much for her. Especially with the accompanying jewelry that Choi Han would certainly never have a purpose in wearing.

Roksu approached, looking her up and down with an appreciative nod. "It looks good." She said and suddenly Choi Han felt that perhaps this entire tiresome exercise was worth it. Roksu approved of most of the clothes draping on Choi Han but this was the first time she'd taken such an interest.

Choi Han had no use for dresses and she'd never have any place to wear this excessively beautiful and intricate dress hugging her figure but... well, at the very least, she'd treasure this dress and ensure that no damage came to it.

She really liked the appreciative half smile Roksu sent her way.

Even though she'd accepted the state of things and allowed for that and all the other dresses to be packed up as they headed to the next store, she couldn't help the way her eyes lingered on a different store within the district. She couldn't dare even think to ask for more than she'd already been granted. Roksu's excessive kindness was already difficult to repay.

But dress shopping was tiresome and Choi Han had never been all that fond of shopping even when she'd lived in Korea. Her lingering gaze was trapped by the shine of steel and suddenly the procession stopped and she had to stop just as hurriedly to avoid bumping into Roksu.

"Haaa..." Roksu's hand rested on her hip as she looked up at Choi Han. "I'm sorry."

Choi Han blinked, entirely flabbergasted over what Roksu could possibly have to apologize for. "What do you mean?"

"I was thinking too shallowly." Roksu confessed, now leading the procession straight into the store that had attracted Choi Han's attention and sending a smirk over her shoulder. "Come on, Choi Han."

If her heart leapt to her throat as she trailed after Roksu, she couldn't take note of it. She was too busy being drawn in by her gravity.

Everything about Roksu drew her in.

She never wanted to escape this orbit.

Despite her insistence that she really didn't need anything more, Roksu bought her several sets of far more sensible clothes for fighting or training, a sword that Choi Han would probably treasure for the rest of her days, and many other miscellaneous items and supplies.

Choi Han smiled brightly at Roksu as they returned to the villa, despite how burdensome the gifts were she couldn't help but feel grateful towards her benefactor. Not because of the material items.

Because Roksu was Roksu.

Such an undeniable existence who had the strange ability to bring peace to all the rage inside of Choi Han's heart while also making her feel more alive than she ever had before.

"I will do my best to repay all of your goodwill." She promised, firm in her resolution.

Roksu's face twisted in discomfort at the offer. "There's no need. Really. Just continue being yourself and do what you want."

Just like the attempted brush off in the Henituse territory, Choi Han could tell that Roksu meant it, she really did all of this without any intention of being repaid for her kindness.

Roksu was such a strange and sweet person. Choi Han would grow addicted to this if she wasn't careful.

Maybe she already was.

"I want to." She replied firmly, determined to do anything she could to stay by her side.

Roksu sighed deeply, turning to look out the window. There was the tiniest bit of pink dusting her cheeks but it could have been from the sunset.

A kind and beautiful person.

Who could blame Choi Han for being mesmerized?

"So long as you're planning to repay me, can I ask something?"

Choi Han sat up in her seat, attentive and ready to do anything she possibly could for the person who was swiftly consuming her heart. "Yes."

"It's about the crown prince."

Choi Han visibly deflated. This again? Choi Han didn't have any feelings towards Alberu Crossman, positive or negative. The prince had made very little impression on her.

Although she was starting to dislike him just by the nature of this becoming a recurring topic.

"How do you feel about protecting him for a bit?"

"...may I ask why?" It wasn't like Choi Han to ask questions like that, she was the pure definition of 'how high?' when asked to jump. Most specifically when it was a request from Roksu.

But the awkward way that Roksu averted her gaze before replying made her feel strange and unpleasant.

"Ah, I have reason to believe that someone may target him at the upcoming gala." Roksu explained airily. "So I'd like you to attend as my escort to put a stop to it."

Begrudgingly, Choi Han let go of her coiling jealousy and nodded in response to the request. Or maybe the prospect of being Roksu's escort had soothed her feelings significantly.

In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she liked it.

She smiled brightly as she accepted the mission, utterly clueless to how Roksu interpreted the eager smile.

'Hm... perhaps the prince didn't fail completely to make an impression. That's good, I guess.' Roksu ignored the unpleasant pang she felt at the thought.

She was just going to set the protagonists back onto the right track and then back away. No need to stand in the way of fate or true love or whatever else.

She didn't even acknowledge her own thoughts of wanting to monopolize that innocent grin that lit up Choi Han's face.

It was a pointless impulse after all.