GAVAF 12

Chapter 12

No matter how nicely Haren tried to reason with Harna, or how severely he scolded her, she never changed. Exhausted, Haren decided it would be better to never see his younger sister again and stayed at the palace instead of going home.

However, not long ago, his father visited the palace. He greeted Haren and unexpectedly brought up a story: he claimed that Harna, who had been injured in an accident, had changed. It was almost unbelievable.

“Words can only do so much. Go see Harna yourself and judge. I won’t force you.”

Seeing his father urging him to see his sister just once, Haren couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Inside the carriage, Haren thought of Harna. She was his sister, yet a cunning and cruel child. His eyes darkened as he thought that if she was scheming something again, he wouldn’t let it slide so easily this time.

Finally, the day Haren Juren was coming arrived.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of delicious food, and the maids were busy cleaning the already spotless mansion even more thoroughly. The knights were bustling, deciding the order for dueling with Haren, who had returned after a long time.

“Feels like an idol is coming.”

Even the famous former actor was here at the time. Unlike me, who had worked hard to improve relationships with the staff, Haren naturally drew admiration, and I felt a pang of jealousy. Pouting, I returned to my room.

“What should I call him?”

Given Harna’s personality, it was certain that their relationship hadn’t been good. But did she call him “brother”?

“Or maybe, like she calls father ‘Dad,’ she called him ‘oppa’ affectionately?”

I fretted over what to call him and got frustrated. It was unfair. Not only was it depressing to inhabit the body of the villainess Harna, but I also didn’t have any of the advantages of being a transmigrator.

In other novels, protagonists inhabiting characters’ bodies could benefit from the original owner’s memories, diaries, or records. But I had no such help—my only skill was reading letters.

“Enough. Stop thinking about it.”

When my mind felt heavy, the best remedy was lying down on the bed. Just as I lay on the soft mattress, eyes closed, intending to meditate, a knock sounded.

“Come in.”

I sprang up as if I hadn’t been lying down at all and quickly sat on a chair.

“Master Haren has arrived.”

I nodded and stood as the maid entered.

“Finally, he’s here.”

Nothing had been easy since I became Harna. I had to rely on my perfect acting skills.

After adjusting my clothes, I moved gracefully. From now on, it was time to win over my brother, following the steps I had already taken with my father.

The house looked exactly the same as it had three months ago.

Haren, expressionless, walked through the mansion and stopped in front of Harna, who was standing next to their father, greeting him.

“Welcome home, Haren.”

“I’ve returned.”

Haren stared at Harna for a long while before responding to their father’s greeting.

“It’s been a while, Haren…”

“……”

“Not ‘older brother’… but oppa.”

Haren couldn’t believe that she called him “oppa,” but he didn’t show it. He didn’t want her to know he was paying attention.

“If you look at me so fearfully, Harna will be startled. Stop it.”

“No, Father. I’ve done so many wrong things.”

Father? She usually called him ‘Marquis’ like a stranger, hurting his heart…

Haren’s faint expression vanished. Calling their father affectionately suggested she wanted something. Unlike his father, who believed Harna had changed, Haren wasn’t about to trust her easily.

“People don’t change so easily.”

Haren stared at Harna without expression.

“Is my face okay? Not too scary?”

“It’s fine.”

“Oh, good. That’s a relief.”

Her gaze, filled with hostility, had been so intense I thought my face had been pierced.

“Sigh… then I’ll go.”

“Miss, take it slowly. Don’t overeat and upset your stomach.”

Standing hesitantly in front of the dining room, Vera seemed to understand my nervousness and spoke with concern. I grabbed the doorknob, nodded at her, and moved forward with heavy steps.

Haren’s first impression was like a young father. He had cold features and orange hair like mine and our father’s, but unlike our father’s gentle gaze, his eyes held contempt.

“I’ll expose your schemes.”

His gaze, full of resentment, and his tightly pressed lips made me feel like I was under a spell. Knowing Harna’s past misdeeds, I didn’t expect him to believe she had changed easily.

Still, it felt harsh that a sibling I hadn’t seen in a long time would look at me so distrustfully. Thinking of that, I felt drained from the start.

“Ahem.”

I coughed nervously and steadied myself, gripping the box containing the embroidered handkerchief I had prepared for him.

One corner of my forced smile fell against my will. Haren, who had arrived earlier and sat waiting, glared at me.

“……”

Our eyes met.

I realized then that winning his heart wouldn’t be easy.

I sat opposite Haren, avoiding his gaze, lowering my eyes slightly, and waited for my father. I didn’t speak, fearing that trying to act friendly first might backfire.

The silence was broken by Haren.

“Harna.”

“Yes?”

“What do you want?”

I looked at him. What I want… is to survive without being discovered as Yoon Seung-ah…

I couldn’t say that, so I just stared silently.

“I see. You’ve always been like this. Whenever you wanted something, you acted just like this.”

“……”

“Listen carefully. I’m not the brother who cared for you as a child.”

“……”

“Even if Father doesn’t know, I won’t fall for your schemes. You’d better be careful. If you cause trouble again, I won’t overlook it.”

The clear warning ended. His cold gaze and sharp words vanished simultaneously.

Knowing that anything I said would sound like an excuse, I remained silent. As Haren said, Harna only acted affectionately when she wanted something. I understood why he didn’t trust her. I would have felt the same in his position.

I nervously touched the gift box on my lap.

I wouldn’t let myself be intimidated. Being doubted like this was Harna’s punishment—and mine, for inhabiting her body. But a part of me still felt wronged, so I tried to hold back tears and lowered my head.

Back in my room, I paced for a long while.

Dinner ended quickly after the brief conversation with my father. I didn’t even remember the taste of the food the chef had prepared with care.

The gift I wanted to give Haren remained on the table beside my bed. Could I even give it to him?

“Huff.”

I sighed deeply.

“There’s not much time left.”

Haren’s vacation was only a day. By tomorrow morning, he would return to the palace. Would he see me again then?

The answer was no.

“I can’t leave it like this. I need to try talking again.”

Facing his disgusted face scared me, but I knew I’d regret it if I let him go. Summoning courage, I grabbed the crumpled gift box and left the room.

Vera had already told me where Haren’s room was, so I could go straight there without help.

In the late hours, when the halls were empty of staff, only the sound of my footsteps echoed.

It was so quiet I felt uneasy. I thought of happy memories to calm myself and quickly reached Haren’s door.

“……”

I hesitated in front of the unusually large door, then quickly reached out.

Knock knock knock.

I waited tensely, but no answer came. Maybe I hadn’t knocked loud enough?

Knock knock knock knock.

This time, I knocked a bit louder. Still, there was no response.

“Then harder, more!”

Knock knock knock knock knock knock.

I knocked like a drum, impatient, when suddenly the door swung open.

Haren stood inside, arms crossed, frowning deeply.

“Ah, there you are.”

Seeing me awkwardly smile like a child caught doing something wrong, Haren sighed.

“State your business.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s late. Just tell me your business.”

I wanted to say, Do I need a reason to see my brother? but couldn’t. I tried to make an excuse.

“If you have nothing to say, leave.”

“Wait!”

But Haren, unable to wait even a moment, slammed the door shut. My outstretched hand fell. I had assumed he might spare a little time if I approached politely—but that was a mistake.

Haren sat in a chair, legs on the desk, eyes closed.

Three hours. That was how long Harna had waited at his door.

His presence had been distracting as she lingered outside the door for so long.

“Sigh.”

He let out yet another tired sigh, set his feet down, and stood. Heavy steps carried him to the door without showing his frustration.

Like Harna, Haren hesitated before opening the door. But he couldn’t leave her outside his room late at night.

Reluctantly, he opened the door. Harna, who had been looking down, raised her head to look at him.

Haren glanced at her but didn’t say a word, walking ahead. He seemed indifferent to whether she followed, but his slow pace showed consideration. Harna followed quietly.

Keeping a distance, they arrived at a slightly worn door. Haren opened it but didn’t close it.

Harna paused, then stepped in, interpreting the open door as permission. She habitually closed it behind her. At that moment, Haren shouted in surprise.

“Harna! What are you doing?”

“Excuse me?”

“Mother’s door handle is broken! You can’t open it from inside! Did you forget?”

Harna fumbled awkwardly with the doorknob, trying to open it. But only the harsh sound of metal scraping could be heard; the door wouldn’t budge.