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Chapter 7
As the weather grew warmer, it was finally time for Yeoreul to move there.
“It’s not really the countryside,” she replied to Young with a smile and a nod.
“It’s just on the outskirts of Seoul.”
“So you’re basically going to be trapped there, aren’t you?”
Yeoreul smiled bitterly.
“At least we’ll have separate rooms.”
“That’s something.”
Young snorted.
“‘That’s something’? What’s so fortunate about that? It already sounds cold and lonely.”
“It’s better than things being awkward.”
“I’d at least like to sleep comfortably.”
“What if they make you work like a maid?”
Oddly enough, Young seemed far more worried than Yeoreul herself.
“I don’t think that’ll happen.”
“They said there are a lot of employees.”
“Oh… right.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“But you’re still living with your in-laws.”
“That has to be stressful.”
“That’s true…”
“But apparently they live in a different building.”
“They both come home late, too.”
“I’ve heard we won’t run into each other very often.”
“A different building?”
Young blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“The same house… but a different building?”
Yeoreul laughed awkwardly.
“Honestly…”
“I haven’t even been there yet.”
“I just wanted to leave my father’s house as quickly as possible.”
“You’re right.”
“Let’s talk about something happier.”
“He really is unbelievably handsome.”
“I’ve never seen anyone that good-looking.”
Thinking about the man who would soon become her friend’s husband, Young rested a finger against her chin.
“He doesn’t even look real.”
“He looks like a character from a comic.”
“Is he really that handsome in person?”
“Yes.”
Yeoreul answered without hesitation.
Then she frowned.
“Huh?”
“But… how do you know what he looks like?”
Young shrugged casually.
“He pops up online all the time.”
“Here.”
She held up her phone, showing Ahan’s profile on a portal website.
“Oh…”
“Right.”
Young scrolled through the news photos.
“He seriously looks like royalty.”
Yeoreul remained silent.
So other people think that too.
“At least he’s handsome.”
“They say it’s even more frustrating to fight with your husband if he’s ugly.”
“Who says that?”
“My mom.”
Yeoreul laughed.
“She shouldn’t talk.”
“I look exactly like my dad.”
“Isn’t she being mean?”
As Young continued grumbling…
The face of the man who had never once changed his expression around her appeared in Yeoreul’s mind.
“Young…”
Young looked over.
“I don’t think…”
“…we’ll ever fight.”
She swallowed the rest of her words.
I think we’ll spend our entire lives as strangers.
She pressed her lips together.
“Hm?”
“What?”
“What were you going to say?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Aww…”
“Our little Yeoreul is actually getting married.”
Young wrapped both arms tightly around her.
“I’m not a little kid.”
“You are to me.”
“We’re still going to stay close after you get married, right?”
Yeoreul smiled softly.
Young’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“You’re not going to quit college or anything, are you?”
Her eyes demanded an immediate answer.
“No.”
Yeoreul answered with her usual carefree smile.
That smile only made Young’s heart ache more.
I hope she never has to cry.
Trying to sound cheerful again, Young shrugged.
“Right.”
“Marriage is marriage.”
“School is school.”
“Besides…”
“You’re always so capable when it comes to the things you love.”
“So I’m not worried.”
“I am.”
Yeoreul smiled.
“You’ll still graduate with me, right?”
“Your grades last semester were…”
“Hey!”
“Seriously!”
“Lee Yeoreul!”
“You’re so mean!”
The two burst into laughter.
Like people who didn’t have a single worry in the world.
* * *
The bus kicked up a cloud of dust as it drove away, leaving Yeoreul standing alone.
“I’ve arrived.”
She lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the sunlight.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
It was the middle of June.
Summer was deepening.
Her wedding was scheduled for the end of August, only two months away.
It was a strange marriage.
There was almost nothing for her to prepare.
She simply had to show up at the ceremony as the bride.
The estate where Ahan lived stood in such an isolated place that it almost felt like the countryside.
Spring forest.
Summer forest.
Autumn forest.
Winter forest.
Right now…
The forest was wrapped in the lush green of summer.
Maybe…
I’ll spend the rest of my life here.
Thinking that, Yeoreul gripped the handle of her large suitcase—which reached her waist—and crossed a brick bridge spanning a quiet river.
After walking for a while, she spotted an elderly man fanning himself by the roadside.
She approached him to ask for directions.
“Um…”
“Excuse me…”
“Could you tell me where Mr. Woo Ahan’s house is?”
With sweat beading across her forehead, she asked timidly.
Someone had told her that simply saying “Mr. Woo Ahan’s house” would be enough.
Still…
She’d worried the old man might snap,
“How should I know from something that vague?”
Fortunately…
He pointed immediately down the road.
“As long as you keep going straight.”
“Straight ahead.”
Yeoreul bowed politely.
“Thank you very much.”
The wheels of her suitcase rattled softly along the road.
She entered a forest path beside it.
The quiet trail was pleasant to walk.
Everything around her had been dyed a deep summer green.
Looking around, all she could see were trees and grass.
The estate felt completely separated from the village.
As if it occupied a world of its own.
She continued toward the beautiful residence.
The rich green foliage grew thicker and thicker.
Following a tree-lined road wide enough for only one or two cars…
She finally reached the mansion.
I knew it would be big…
“…But this is…”
Beyond the iron gates stood an enormous estate.
Elegant.
Proud.
Just like its owner.
Even the place he lives is elegant.
Yeoreul quickly shook away the pointless thought.
Then she stretched her neck toward the gate.
“…How am I supposed to get inside?”
Just then…
The heavy black gate slowly opened.
A middle-aged woman stepped out.
“Excuse me.”
“Is this Mr. Woo Ahan’s residence?”
Yeoreul asked cautiously.
“Yes.”
“We’ve been expecting you.”
The woman gave a precise nod.
“My name is Park In-hye.”
“I’m the estate manager.”
“I oversee everything here.”
“Hello.”
Yeoreul bowed politely.
“My name is Lee Yeoreul.”
“I’ll be in your care.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
After exchanging greetings, In-hye began walking.
Yeoreul hurried after her, constantly looking around.
Even the driveway leading to the mansion had been beautifully landscaped.
Since it was wide enough for vehicles, it took quite some time just to reach the main building.
“It’s enormous.”
I’ll really feel trapped here.
The admiration was quickly followed by concern.
She didn’t expect to leave often during summer vacation…
But eventually she’d need to.
At least it’ll count as exercise.
She seriously considered it.
“Do you have a driver’s license?”
As if reading Yeoreul’s practical thoughts, In-hye spoke.
“Yes.”
Yeoreul answered.
“Do you own a car?”
“No.”
“Are you a confident driver?”
Yeoreul bit her lip awkwardly.
“A little…”
“No.”
“I don’t think I’m very good.”
“I’ve only driven friends’ cars.”
“I see.”
“But…”
“I do enjoy driving.”
In-hye held out a foreign car’s folding key.
“Director Woo asked me to give this to you.”
“He said you should use it whenever you need to go out.”
Yeoreul’s eyes widened.
“Oh!”
“No, that’s really not necessary!”
“No.”
“He specifically instructed me to give it to you even if you refused.”
“It was an extra vehicle.”
“It doesn’t currently have an owner.”
“…I…”
Watching Yeoreul hesitate, In-hye suddenly snapped her fingers.
“I know.”
“Would you like me to assign you a driver?”
“I can arrange it immediately.”
Yeoreul quickly accepted the key.
“No!”
“I’ll drive carefully.”
“Thank you very much.”
To be honest…
She wanted to ask if there was a cheaper car available.
But somehow…
She had the feeling they’d simply buy her a brand-new one.
So she decided she’d just drive this one carefully.
“Would you like me to show you around now?”
“Or would you prefer to rest first?”
“I’d appreciate the tour.”
In-hye nodded.
Then continued leading the way.
Soon they reached the front entrance.
Following behind her, Yeoreul climbed the short staircase.
The massive front doors opened.
The instant she stepped inside…
Her entire body stiffened.
She looked up.
And froze.
The grand entrance hall was filled with classic European décor.
A magnificent staircase stretched upward.
Sunlight poured through tall arched windows.
It felt less like a modern home…
And more like an aristocratic mansion from an era when servants loaded luggage onto horse-drawn carriages.
At a slight gesture from In-hye, employees immediately moved into action.
Their orderly footsteps echoed through the hall.
Every servant carried themselves with practiced discipline.
Several approached silently.
“We’ll take your luggage to your room.”
“Thank you.”
Yeoreul handed over her suitcase while politely bowing to each employee.
“The weather is lovely today.”
“I’ll show you the grounds first.”
“This way.”
Walking beside In-hye…
Yeoreul couldn’t stop looking around.
My goodness…
“How can a house like this even exist?”
The mansion looked as though it had been built in the Rococo style.
She couldn’t hide her amazement.
“It was originally built as a hotel many years ago.”
“In-hye smiled.”
“Now it’s used as a private residence.”
“The chairman of J Group passed it down.”
“It now belongs to Director Woo Ahan.”
“Not only the house…”
“…but the forests stretching out on both sides are private property as well.”
No wonder…
Yeoreul had wondered why every road leading here had been so perfectly maintained.
