episode_0063

It took about two hours in Uncle’s car to finally arrive at the ancestral home. The sight of the spacious garden and mansion might make one’s jaw drop, but compared to Uncle’s ancestral home, it falls short in size and atmosphere, failing to evoke much awe.

“Who is it?”

“I’m Kang Sunwoo, whom you agreed to meet today. Is Madam inside?”

As Uncle parked the car and pressed the intercom to inquire, the large gate blocking the entrance to the garden began to open. But something seems off. I was the one who made the effort to come here, so when did Uncle schedule this meeting?

Well, the servants here all seemed to dislike Jueun, so if I had pressed the intercom, they probably wouldn’t have opened the gate. Maybe it’s a good thing they ignored me?

“We’ve been waiting for you, Lord Sunwoo.”

The servants who came out to greet Uncle bowed their heads and began to guide him. Specifically, only Uncle.

Even though I was standing right there, being completely ignored… I can’t help but think these people are cold-hearted, but since I’m treated as if I don’t exist by them, it’s probably just natural for them to ignore me.

“Yes… Yes, indeed.”

Uncle gives a lukewarm response to the servants welcoming him, while glancing at me awkwardly. I had prepared myself for this until I arrived here, but I never expected Uncle to be this uncomfortable.

If I had known it would be like this, should I have forcefully refused to come…?

“Welcome, Eunhye, and it’s been a while, Sunwoo. You both must have had a long journey.”

As we reached the mansion, Mom, who had been standing in front of the door, welcomed us with a kind face.

This is the first time I’ve been welcomed by family, so I’m not sure how to react in this situation. Well, since I’ve already relaxed once and Mom seems to be showing me kindness, there’s probably no need to overthink it.

“Hey, Mom, it was a tough journey for this person, not me.”

“Huh?”

After a light bow, I grab Uncle’s left arm and stand close to him, greeting Mom. Mom and the servants around us looked surprised, shaking their heads.

The servants who know how Jueun lived here might react like that, but Mom has seen me before, so why is she so surprised?

“You’re such a… hehe.”

Feeling a bit complicated, I look at Uncle, who gently strokes my head, making me feel relieved. Feeling better, I smile brightly at him and press myself even closer to his chest.

“Anyway, let’s go inside for now…”

“Sure thing.”

While the stiff servants remain frozen, Mom, who regained her composure relatively quickly, grabs the door handle, and with a creak, the door opens.

I tightly hold Uncle’s arm and lead the way inside, following Mom and the servants into the mansion.

For Jueun, it might have been a long time, but for me, it’s my first time stepping into the ancestral home. However, there are no memories of this place in Jueun’s mind.

“I wonder if I’ll remember something if I go there…”

Lost in thought as I gaze at the old annex outside the window, I find myself in a room that looks like a reception room.

“Welcome, sis?”

As we enter the room, Minjeong, who was waiting, stands up abruptly, alternating her gaze between me and Uncle before freezing in place.

“Both of you seem to get along well.”

Minjeong, whose hands are trembling and eyes have sharpened, directs her gaze towards Uncle’s arm around my chest.

“Yeah, we’re back! Minjeong.”

“Huh?”

Waving my empty hand to greet her, Minjeong’s expression softened as she waved back towards me. However, the atmosphere turned hostile again as soon as she looked at the man and abruptly turned her head away.

Was there something going on between them?

“That man, like a playboy… How could he seduce our sister in less than six months…”

It seems like my sister is misunderstanding something. Calling our man a playboy…

…Is that true?

“Well, shall we all sit down and continue the conversation? I have something to say to Mr. Sunwoo as well.”

With that, the man sat facing them, taking a seat on an empty chair. I sat next to him, leaning in closely.

“Madam, Miss Minjeong. I have brought tea. Is it for the guests as well?”

Just as the conversation was about to start, a servant appeared at the door we had entered through.

Oh, so the mother is the madam, Minjeong is the miss, and I’m a guest.

Yeah, since we haven’t had a proper wedding yet, the man must be a guest in this house.

But wait, guests?

Then what about me? What about Jueunhye? Does that mean Jueunhye is not considered part of this household by you?

I don’t mind being ignored. But Jueunhye. It’s hard to forgive when that guy is being ignored, you know?

“…To you all, I am not the miss of this house, but just a simple guest. Is that right?”

“Uh…”

Suddenly, all voices except mine overlapped, and everyone’s gaze focused on me. In a different situation, I might have felt embarrassed, but right now, all I felt was discomfort.

“Mother. It seems like we are about to have an important conversation. Can you please ask these people to leave? I can’t speak freely in front of them, right?”

“…”

Leaning on the desk, I glanced at each servant one by one, some showing shocked expressions, others with extreme anger.

Hey, are you making those faces because I ignored you once? You’ve been ignoring and mistreating Jueunhye for years, and yet you have the nerve to act like this?

“…All of you, leave right now.”

As the mother alternated her gaze between me and the servants, her face began to contort, as if she was suppressing something, trembling.

“Uh, but madam!”

“Your words don’t make sense, mother? Everyone, leave.”

One servant, not catching the atmosphere, felt a cold chill rising from under the mother’s feet. Fortunately, just before the explosion, Minjeong forcibly dragged the servants out, calming the atmosphere.

“I’m sorry for not noticing. I apologize for showing an embarrassing side in front of Mr. Sunwoo.”

“No… I’m fine.”

“Oh, don’t worry, mother. Even if you didn’t notice, you know that you’re on my side.”

“Sister. What about me?”

“Yes, Minjeong, you too. Thank you both.”

Although they didn’t openly help, the fact that the two of them were quietly working for Jueunhye was something I and Jueunhye were aware of.

If it weren’t for them, not only would cohabitation with the man have been impossible, but even meeting him would have been out of the question.

In a way, I trust these two more than that guy.

“Now that the atmosphere has calmed down, shall we start the conversation?”

Feeling lighter, I stretched briefly, and the three of them gave a relieved expression.

“First of all, I wanted to express my gratitude to Mr. Sunwoo. It must have been difficult for you to suddenly take care of our Eunhye, but you did a great job…”

“It’s not a problem. It’s not awkward at all. At first, it might have been awkward, but the time spent with Eunhye was truly precious moments. And… Eunhye is an incredibly generous and caring wife to me more than anyone else.”

“Eek? Um, why are you speaking like that?”

Hey, it’s embarrassing to act like this here. Sir! Please stop looking at me with such intense eyes! Mom, Minjeong is watching!

W-why are you holding my hand again! P-please stop! If you keep doing this, my heart will start racing again… Really, it’s not appropriate to act like this even here…

“Mom, this is a bit…”

“Oh my… I didn’t expect their relationship to develop to this extent…”

Mom, why are you smiling while watching! Don’t look! Don’t look! Sir, please calm down a bit! It’s not okay to keep acting like this here!

“F-fool! Let go!”

To release the firmly held hand, I jumped around, causing the man to reluctantly let go with a displeased expression. This person is something else! Does he really want to act like this in front of others!

“Oh, but Seonwoo. Your face looks extremely pale. Is there something bothering you these days?”

“Huh?”

“Eunhye’s face not only looks good in color but also radiates a glow that is visible to the naked eye, so why do you look so gloomy, Seonwoo…”

“Ah… Haha, it’s just because I haven’t been sleeping well these days. It’s nothing serious.”

“Y-yeah. It’s just that he’s been exercising too much lately, so he’s very tired.”

The man and I smile at each other, saying “That’s right~.”

“Exercising is good, but don’t overdo it, especially for Eunhye’s sake, Seonwoo.”

Seeing my mom genuinely worried about the man, believing his excuse like a rock, I feel a sense of guilt creeping in.

But even so, I can’t tell my mom that the reason the man looks so pale is because of the things he does with me… I mean, because of the things he does in general.

“Exercise my foot. It’s obvious they did something.”

…Minjeong, I’m sorry, but I really can’t stand kids like you who are so perceptive.