TDLWFJ 11

Chapter  11

Why is this man here?

Hari widened her eyes as she asked.

“What brings you here?”

“Shh, pardon me for a moment.”

Instead of explaining, Woon grabbed Hari by the shoulder. His actions were urgent, but his touch was gentle.

He pushed her into the storage room and, without turning back, reached behind him to close the door.

“My lord, someone’s coming. We need to leave now—”

Woon covered Hari’s mouth with his large hand.

The warmth against her lips, the faint plum blossom scent brushing her nose, and the shadow looming over her left her no time to react before loud voices came from outside.

“I’ve got a mountain of work—why are we checking a storage room that’s been left alone this whole time?”

Before they knew it, servants from Chief Choi’s household had arrived in front of the shed.

Hari’s heart dropped.

If Woon hadn’t appeared, she would’ve been caught trying to leave.

“Let’s stay here for a moment.”

Hari swallowed and nodded.

Woon gave a faint smile and lowered his hand.

Hari shivered slightly. Perhaps because the warmth that had covered her face disappeared, she suddenly felt cold.

Holding her breath, she waited for the noise outside to die down.

But then—

“Didn’t they say to check inside too? Let’s just take a quick look.”

The men, who seemed likely to just glance around the yard and leave, grabbed the shed door and shook it.

At this rate, we’re definitely getting caught…

What would happen if they were caught?

Being mistaken for a thief would be fine.

Given her status, she wouldn’t easily be thrown into jail or subjected to harsh interrogation.

But Hari had a reason she absolutely could not be caught.

If things go wrong, my connection with Madam Kim could be exposed.

It was already widely known that Hari was an external legal advocate involved in a divorce case.

That meant Chief Choi or his wife could easily connect Hari to Na-hee.

Then everything she had worked for would collapse.

And not just that.

Madam Kim would be in danger too.

Hari bit her lower lip.

I must not get caught.

It would come out eventually—but not now.

Hari’s gaze sharpened.

“Then I’ll be the one taking liberties this time.”

Before Woon could respond, Hari grabbed his collar.

“Hmm?”

He let out a low sound of confusion, but instead of answering, Hari pulled him toward her and stepped back a couple of paces.

Her back soon hit the cold wall.

“What are you doing?”

His voice finally showed a hint of panic.

“If we get caught, is that okay for you? It isn’t, right? Then cooperate.”

When she tugged his collar, Woon followed without resistance. Their bodies pressed tightly together without a gap.

Her skirt wrapped around his legs, and his hat cast a shadow over her head.

She could feel the firmness of his chest muscles beneath her hand, but Hari didn’t let go.

Realizing her intention, Woon only let out a low sound and didn’t push her away.

At such close distance, each breath brushed against the other’s skin.

Is this too close?

Just as Hari was about to gently push him away—

The shed door burst open.

Startled, Hari flinched. Woon, as if determined to shield her face even if they were discovered, braced one hand against the wall.

Pressed tightly behind the open door, the two held their breath.

“Ugh, it reeks of dust. It’s been shut for so long—it smells rotten. Must be full of rat droppings and urine.”

“It’s so dark, I can barely see anything.”

The men spoke lazily, clearly uninterested.

Seeing that they’d likely leave soon, Hari felt a wave of relief—

But then—

“Still, since we’re here, should we take a look around?”

Hari and Woon’s eyes met. Their pupils trembled at the same time.

Hari’s uneven breathing brushed against Woon’s chin. He groaned softly and pressed even closer to her.

Meanwhile, the men stepped inside the shed.

They picked up sticks lying on the ground and began poking at the floor and walls.

Hari’s heart pounded wildly, and her palms grew damp with sweat.

“There’s nothing here. Let’s just go.”

“If we go back too quickly, the young master will throw a fit. Let’s stall a bit—then leave.”

The man tossed aside the stick and dusted off his hands as they exited the shed.

Out of one problem came another.

Click.

They locked it? Are we trapped in here?

The hope that they could leave once the men were gone crumbled instantly.

After the presence outside disappeared, Hari finally exhaled the breath she had been holding and made a distressed face.

“What do we do?”

For some reason, she felt like this man would have the answer.

And indeed—

Woon, as if he had expected this from the start, casually pointed to a high window.

It was just large enough for one person to squeeze through, and its latch hung loose. A thin ray of light streamed in through the gap.

“It’s quite high. How are we supposed to get out from there?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it. But you said you were going to see Madam Kim—why are you here?”

Hari suddenly remembered why she had come.

“Ah! Do you feel anything?”

“I’m not sure.”

Tilting his head, Woon fell into thought.

It seemed Hari was looking for something in the shed, but he couldn’t guess what it was.

So he decided to try sensing it himself and closed his eyes.

But he quickly realized that was a mistake.

The moment his vision was cut off, his other senses sharpened.

The stale dust smell vanished, replaced by a faint, sweet scent.

Every rustle of Hari’s clothes sounded excessively loud.

Though she had meant for him to sense something else, all of Woon’s attention was drawn to her.

He opened his eyes and quickly stepped back.

“My apologies.”

A faint blush tinted his ears as he cleared his throat.

Seeing his embarrassment, Hari felt oddly flustered as well.

After rubbing the back of her neck for a while, she asked,

“Do you have some time?”

Woon turned to look at her.

Her eyes gleamed brightly.

There’s a saying: a blessing in disguise.

When the men entered the shed—and when the door was locked—she thought it was over. But now, it was an opportunity.

Since they already checked, they won’t pay attention to this place for the rest of the day. And since they locked the door, they won’t even suspect anyone came in.

That meant even if she found something here, no one could accuse her of obtaining evidence illegally.

A meaningful smile spread across Hari’s lips.

How would they ever know where I got it from?

So she had to find something here—no matter what.

Fortunately, her instincts were telling her there was something.

Seeing her suspicious smile, Woon narrowed his eyes.

“What are you planning to do?”

“I need to search this place. It seems like this is the scene of the incident.”

With that, Hari suddenly handed him her veil.

Caught off guard, Woon took it, while Hari rolled up her sleeves and began rummaging through the shed without hesitation.

Her bold movements were completely different from how nervous she had been moments ago.

Woon watched her carefully as she searched.

He didn’t know what she was looking for, but it was clear she was working as a legal advocate.

The sight of her crouching on the dirt floor, focused and determined, not even noticing her clothes getting dirty, struck him deeply.

His gaze lingered on her dirt-stained hands and clothes.

Then, naturally, a thought followed.

Hari was the daughter of a high official, blessed with beauty and raised without want.

She could have simply stood still and been admired—so why become a legal advocate and invite criticism?

Why use hands meant for embroidery and silk to dig through dirt?

I find myself more and more curious.

Woon stepped closer to her.

Her dirt-covered hands bothered him.

He knelt beside her and pulled out a handkerchief, placing it in her hand.

“Is this for me to wipe my hands?”

Seeing her innocent eyes made him feel oddly frustrated.

Woon lifted the pile of straw she had been searching.

“Tell me what you’re looking for. I’ll find it for you. Those delicate hands shouldn’t be getting dirty.”

Hari blinked her large eyes, then smiled lightly.

“You sound just like my father.”

It seemed men of this era were all kind.

But it was a kindness Hari didn’t need.