Chapter 8
“Our husehold receives far more visitors than an ordinary family,” Inhye explained as she guided Yeoreul through the estate. “Many of them are distinguished guests, so everyone who works here is also responsible for attending to them.”
Yeoreul nodded.
“I see.”
“At the moment, Director Woo is staying in the main residence, while Chairman Ma Seook and CEO Woo Myeongseok are using the annex. You probably won’t run into them very often. This is the annex.”
“Are they away right now?”
“Yes. They’re both out at the moment. CEO Woo Myeongseok is overseas, and Chairman Ma Seook has been staying at a hotel because she’s been so busy lately.”
“Oh… I understand.”
As they passed the annex, Yeoreul made a mental note to greet them whenever they returned.
“What kind of guests usually come here?”
“We welcome all kinds of visitors,” Inhye replied, “but Director Woo’s guests are mostly people from the fashion industry.”
She continued as they walked.
“We also have many international visitors. Sometimes there are parties where designers critique each other’s work and discuss fashion. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this mansion exists primarily to entertain guests.”
“That’s incredible.”
“If you ever need a place to study or would like to read, you’re welcome to use the library. We have a rather extensive collection, regardless of genre. And if there’s a book we don’t have, just let me or another staff member know. We’ll order it immediately.”
“A… library?”
“If you’d like, you can also go horseback riding. It’s one of the amenities we provide for guests staying here.”
Yeoreul blinked with widened eyes, looking almost bewildered, and Inhye answered her question as though it were perfectly ordinary.
They walked down the corridor connecting the main house to the kitchen. Before long, the rich aroma of freshly prepared food drifted toward them.
The head chef greeted them warmly. They also exchanged introductions with the employees responsible for serving meals, doing laundry, and cleaning.
“The staff all seem very close.”
The relaxed atmosphere drew a smile from Yeoreul before they continued on.
“Director Woo treats us exceptionally well.”
“In what way?”
“In terms of salary, of course.”
Yeoreul laughed softly at the practical answer.
“And besides that?”
“He has a gentle voice and a kind personality.”
Inhye fell into thought for a moment before continuing carefully.
“At least… on the surface.”
The added remark, clearly inspired by thoughts of Ahan, caused Yeoreul’s expression to stiffen ever so slightly.
“That’s what makes him difficult to approach. Other than his polite smile, he rarely laughs, no matter what joke you make. He doesn’t like appearing disheveled, either.”
Yeoreul listened intently.
“I know it’s not really my place to say this.”
For the first time since the tour had begun, Inhye hesitated.
“But… I’ve known Director Woo since before he was even born.”
Yeoreul waited quietly.
“He’ll probably frustrate you.”
Inhye spoke with surprising certainty.
“He isn’t someone who notices his own emotions very quickly. The same goes for other people’s feelings. It’s easier if you don’t expect him to be considerate.”
It sounded less like criticism and more like a heartfelt wish that this marriage would somehow end happily.
“A beautiful person. A harmless person.”
She stopped walking and looked Yeoreul directly in the eyes. The pale amber eyes of the woman who would soon become the young mistress of this household shimmered gently.
“And yet… someone whose kindness can easily be mistaken for coldness.”
A faint smile touched Inhye’s lips.
“I wasn’t insulting him, by the way.”
Yeoreul blinked twice before the joke finally reached her, and the tension left her face as she laughed.
“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”
“No,” Yeoreul answered sincerely. “Thank you for telling me.”
At last, Inhye led her to the room where she would be living.
Room…
Calling it a room hardly seemed accurate.
The massive double doors opened silently.
Imported materials adorned every wall. Luxury furnishings filled the spacious interior.
For a moment, Yeoreul honestly wondered whether she had stepped into a lavish living room instead of a bedroom.
No one had removed their shoes before entering, so she cautiously stepped inside with hers still on.
“If you need anything, please let me or one of the nearby staff know.”
Inhye gestured toward Yeoreul’s large rolling suitcase.
“Is this all your luggage? You didn’t send anything ahead?”
“No. This is everything.”
“Would you like help unpacking?”
“That’s okay.”
“And your meal?”
“Could I unpack first… and eat afterward?”
“Of course. Just call whenever you’re ready.”
“All right.”
Yeoreul bowed politely once more.
“Thank you for showing me around. I look forward to your guidance.”
“The feeling is mutual. Please get some rest.”
Left alone in the magnificent room that resembled a luxurious suite more than a bedroom, Yeoreul stood there blankly for several moments before finally moving.
She found a pair of slippers, changed into them, and began unpacking.
Since she couldn’t bring everything she owned, she had thrown away anything too old or worn out to keep and packed only what she truly needed.
One suitcase.
That was all.
She had heard this place used to be a hotel.
Standing inside the room, she truly felt like a guest.
A guest who would one day have to leave.
She slowly finished arranging her few belongings. Simply exploring the room she would now call home took far longer than she’d expected.
When hunger finally drove her outside, a nearby employee greeted her with a respectful nod.
“Is there anything you need?”
“Could I have dinner, please?”
“Certainly. Right this way.”
The servant smiled kindly and led the way.
Yeoreul followed behind.
As they passed the staircase, she abruptly stopped.
The atmosphere had changed.
She looked downstairs.
Employees quietly lined up in orderly rows.
Standing among them was the master of the house.
Woo Ahan.
He wore elegant riding attire—long riding boots reaching almost to his knees, fitted leather breeches that hugged his legs without a single wrinkle.
He had just returned from horseback riding, looking every bit the refined owner of a grand estate.
As Inhye finished speaking to him, Ahan slowly turned toward the staircase.
His lips closed in silence as his eyes found Yeoreul.
“Later.”
Only after a long pause did he speak.
He handed his riding helmet to one of the attendants before walking toward her.
By the time he reached the top of the stairs, their eyes had already met.
“Where are you going?”
“…To have dinner.”
Yeoreul answered carefully, only now realizing she had unconsciously held her breath.
“Ah.”
His voice lowered.
“Are you very hungry?”
She truly was.
So she nodded honestly.
Seeing him remain silent, confusion flickered across her face.
“I see.”
He seemed to finish whatever he had been considering.
“Shall we eat together?”
The question felt strangely familiar.
They had spoken like this back at the hotel, hadn’t they?
She desperately wanted to eat alone again.
But if she was going to spend the rest of her life here with him…
She hardly had the luxury of refusing.
“Yes.”
Ahan turned around.
When he instructed the staff to prepare dinner, they quickly arranged an early evening meal.
Yeoreul hurried after him.
The fitted shirt outlined the muscles across his back.
Embarrassed for no particular reason, she lowered her gaze to the polished marble floor instead.
After passing through several rooms, they entered an elegant dining room bathed in warm light.
They sat across from each other.
Several members of the staff couldn’t hide their surprise at seeing Ahan still dressed in his riding clothes.
Soon, fragrant dishes arrived one after another.
The table was impossibly long.
Though they sat opposite each other, the distance between them was so great it barely felt like sharing a meal.
A gentle melody began drifting through the quiet room.
The sentimental music somehow suited Ahan perfectly.
Yet at the same time, it clashed strangely with his emotionless expression.
“Enjoy your meal.”
The sudden words made Yeoreul straighten her posture.
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
Silence settled once more.
Aside from the romantic music filling the room, all Yeoreul could hear was the sound of her own knife slicing meat and her chewing.
The quiet became suffocating.
She searched desperately for something—anything—to say.
Then an idea came to her.
“It looks like you were with your horse.”
Ahan stopped using his fork and looked up.
“Yes.”
He answered simply.
“She likes taking a light shower afterward.”
“Who does?”
“The horse.”
“Oh…”
Yeoreul quietly closed her mouth.
For some reason, his brief answer felt almost like a polite suggestion to stop talking and simply eat.
Across the luxurious table, Ahan watched her.
“Are you planning to live somewhere else?”
His calm voice carried a deep, steady tone.
Yeoreul stared at him blankly.
Without taking his eyes off her, Ahan reached for his long-stemmed glass.
Just as countless guests had rested peacefully in this mansion before departing…
“You didn’t ship any luggage.”
For some reason, Yeoreul found herself unable to breathe.
He hadn’t accused her of anything.
Yet after that long silence, his calm observation sent a chill down her spine.
“No, it’s not that.”
She cautiously raised her eyes.
“I was just going to bring the rest… little by little.”
Ahan, who had been gazing ahead expressionlessly, gave a small nod.
“I see.”
He paused.
“Finish your meal.”
Warm silence returned to the overly extravagant dining table.
When dinner ended, one of the attendants entered carrying a bouquet.
The flowers were a rich bluish purple that looked almost navy beneath the lights.
Blooming irises.
Flowering flags.
The attendant placed the bouquet into Yeoreul’s hands.
The fresh blossoms were small, delicate, and breathtakingly beautiful.
“It was your birthday recently.”
Celebrating a birthday that had already passed somehow made her smile.
“This is the first time anyone has ever given me flowers for my birthday.”
She looked down at the bouquet, smiling brightly.
“And… thank you for the car, too. I’ll take good care of it.”
The corners of Ahan’s eyes softened ever so slightly.
“Do you like your room?”
His voice remained quiet and even.
“If not, I can have you moved to another one.”
“No.”
Yeoreul shook her head.
“Thank you for that as well. I really like it.”
She could tell every piece of furniture and every decoration had been chosen with meticulous care.
It was the answer he had hoped to hear.
Without another word, Ahan gave a small nod.
