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Chapter 8
“Compared to an ordinary household, we receive many visitors,” In-hye explained. “Important guests come here often, so the staff also serve and attend to them.”
Yeoreul nodded.
“I see.”
“At the moment, Director Woo Ahan lives in the main residence, while Chairwoman Ma Seook and CEO Woo Myungseok stay in the annex. You probably won’t run into them very often. This is the annex.”
“Are they not home right now?”
“No. They’re both away. CEO Woo Myungseok is overseas, and Chairwoman Ma Seook has been staying at one of the company’s hotels because of work.”
“Oh… I understand.”
As they walked past the annex, Yeoreul made a mental note to greet them another time.
“What kind of guests usually come here?”
“We welcome all kinds of visitors,” In-hye replied, “but Director Woo’s guests are mostly people from the fashion industry.”
She continued,
“Many are from overseas. We also host parties from time to time, where designers critique one another’s work and discuss fashion. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this estate exists largely to entertain guests.”
“That’s incredible.”
“If you ever need a place to study or want books, you’re free to use the library. We keep a wide selection, 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 prepared for our guests.”
Yeoreul blinked in surprise while In-hye answered her matter-of-factly.
The two crossed a corridor connecting the main house to the kitchen. Soon, the rich aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the air.
The kitchen staff greeted them politely. They also exchanged greetings with the employees responsible for meals, laundry, and cleaning.
“Everyone seems very close.”
Yeoreul smiled as they left the bustling kitchen.
“The director treats everyone very well,” In-hye said.
“Financially, of course.”
Yeoreul laughed softly.
“And in other ways?”
After a brief pause, In-hye answered carefully.
“He speaks gently and is very polite.”
Thinking of Ahan, she added,
“On the surface.”
Yeoreul’s expression stiffened ever so slightly.
“That’s what makes him difficult to approach. Other than those courteous smiles, he rarely laughs—even when someone jokes with him. He dislikes appearing disheveled or losing composure.”
Yeoreul listened attentively.
“I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m overstepping.”
For the first time, In-hye hesitated.
“I’ve known Director Woo since before he was born.”
Yeoreul quietly waited for her to continue.
“You’ll probably find him very frustrating.”
“He doesn’t recognize his own emotions very quickly. The same goes for understanding other people’s feelings.”
She looked at Yeoreul sincerely.
“You’ll be much more comfortable if you don’t expect consideration from him.”
It sounded less like criticism and more like a heartfelt wish that this marriage would somehow end happily.
“A beautiful, harmless person…”
Stopping in the hallway, In-hye looked directly into Yeoreul’s clear hazel eyes.
“…who is often mistaken for someone cold.”
Then she smiled faintly.
“That would probably describe him.”
“And no,” she added lightly, “that wasn’t meant as an insult.”
Yeoreul blinked twice before relaxing into a small laugh.
“Thank you for telling me.”
At last, In-hye led Yeoreul to the room where she would be living.
Although…
Could this really be called a bedroom?
The heavy double doors opened to reveal luxurious imported furnishings and elegant décor. It looked more like an extravagant living room than a private bedroom.
Since no one had taken off their shoes, Yeoreul hesitantly stepped inside with hers still on.
“If you need anything,” In-hye said, “please let me or any nearby staff member know.”
She gestured toward Yeoreul’s lone suitcase.
“Is this all your luggage? You didn’t send anything separately?”
“No, that’s everything.”
“Would you like help unpacking?”
“No, thank you.”
“And what about lunch?”
“Could I unpack first and eat afterward?”
“Of course. Just call whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
Yeoreul bowed politely once more.
“Thank you for showing me around. I look forward to your guidance.”
“The pleasure is mine. Please get some rest.”
Left alone in the magnificent room, Yeoreul stood blankly for a moment before finally moving.
She changed into the slippers she’d found inside and unpacked her belongings.
She had brought only the essentials, throwing away old things that had reached the end of their usefulness. There was only a single large suitcase.
Since the estate had once been a hotel, she felt less like someone moving in…
…and more like a guest.
A guest who would eventually have to leave.
After finishing her modest unpacking and spending quite a while exploring the room that would now be hers, she finally stepped outside.
A nearby employee immediately bowed.
“Is there anything you need?”
“Could I have something to eat?”
“Certainly. Please follow me.”
Smiling kindly, the employee led the way.
As they passed the grand staircase, Yeoreul suddenly stopped.
The atmosphere had changed.
Below, the servants quickly lined up in orderly rows.
Standing among them was the master of the estate.
Woo Ahan.
He wore fitted leather riding pants tucked into tall riding boots that reached his knees. Dressed in elegant equestrian attire, he looked every bit the refined owner returning home after an afternoon ride.
While listening to In-hye, Ahan slowly turned toward the staircase.
His lips closed.
“I’ll hear the rest later.”
Handing his riding helmet to a servant, he walked toward Yeoreul.
By the time he reached the final step, their eyes had already met.
“Where are you going?”
“To… eat.”
She answered carefully.
“I see.”
His voice dropped lower.
“Are you very hungry?”
She honestly nodded.
She really was.
Watching him remain silent, confusion appeared in her eyes.
“Then…”
After a moment’s thought, he asked,
“Shall we eat together?”
The conversation felt strangely familiar.
It reminded Yeoreul of the hotel.
Just like then, she desperately wanted to eat alone.
But now…
Living here with Ahan, that hardly felt like an option.
“Yes.”
Ahan turned around.
At his request, the staff hurriedly prepared an early dinner.
Yeoreul followed closely behind him.
Her gaze accidentally drifted to the muscles visible beneath his fitted shirt, and feeling embarrassed, she quickly lowered her eyes to the polished floor.
They entered a bright dining room after passing through several halls.
Taking seats across from each other at the long dining table, they waited.
The staff looked surprised to see Ahan still dressed in riding clothes.
Soon, dish after dish was served.
The lavish table stretched so far between them that even though they sat opposite one another, it hardly felt like they were eating together.
Soft, romantic music began filling the room.
It suited Ahan somehow…
Yet it also clashed with his emotionless expression.
“Enjoy your meal.”
The sudden words made Yeoreul straighten her posture.
“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
Other than the music, all she could hear was the sound of her own knife cutting meat and her chewing.
The silence felt unbearably heavy.
Desperate to say something, she searched for a topic.
Finally—
“You must’ve been with your horse?”
Ahan stopped using his fork and looked up.
“Yes.”
“He likes a light shower afterward.”
“Who does?”
“The horse.”
“Oh…”
She quietly closed her mouth.
His curt answer practically told her to stop talking and eat.
While eating, Ahan watched her.
“Would you rather live somewhere else?”
Yeoreul stared blankly at him.
Without looking away, Ahan rested a hand on his wine glass.
“Because you didn’t bring much luggage.”
She suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
He hadn’t accused her of anything.
Yet somehow…
His calm voice after that long silence felt strangely intimidating.
“No… that’s not it.”
She glanced at him cautiously.
“I was just planning to bring the rest little by little.”
Ahan gave a small nod.
“I see.”
“Go ahead and eat.”
Warm silence returned to the extravagant dining room.
After dinner, a servant entered carrying a bouquet.
The flowers were blue-violet irises, their petals so deep they almost looked navy.
Yeoreul accepted them almost absentmindedly.
They were fresh, delicate, and beautiful.
“Your birthday was recently.”
It made her smile.
He was celebrating it long after it had passed.
“This is the first time anyone has ever given me flowers for my birthday.”
She looked down at the bouquet with a gentle smile.
“And… thank you for the car, too. I’ll take good care of it.”
Ahan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Do you like your room?”
“If not, I can have it changed.”
His voice remained perfectly calm.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Thank you for that, too.”
“I really like the room.”
She could tell every decoration had been chosen with great care.
It was exactly the answer Ahan had hoped to hear.
Without another word, he quietly nodded.
