WBDS CH09

Chapter 09

Inside the Tang family’s estate, Lady Sagong-hee didn’t have any loyal servants she could really trust.

You could tell just by the fact that she had to manage such a large residence mostly on her own.

At best, she had a maid named Geum-ah to use as her hands and feet.

‘But she can’t rely on her now.’

Most likely, Geum-ah was acting uncooperative toward the nanny.

After all, she knew that the porcelain bottle Sagong-hee ordered her to steal was already in her hands.

The nanny’s threats might scare her, but Sagong-hee’s intentions—when she hid the bottle and threatened her—were probably even scarier.

‘And here I thought it’d be nice to live as a “poison spoon.”’

She just wanted to eat well, grow strong, and later dig up the old storage she had hidden.

But, surprise—it wasn’t easy living this way.

“Today, we’ll go out together,” the nanny said, bringing out clothes So-ye had never seen before.

“Outside?” So-ye’s eyes widened.

‘An outing?’

She knew the nanny had been restless from being stuck indoors.

But she hadn’t expected things to change this quickly.

“Yes. Something has come up that I can’t delay any longer.”

Sagong-hee cupped her cheeks and sighed.

“But leaving without you makes me uneasy.”

The nanny shot her a playful glare.

“You keep sneaking off on your own these days.”

“I don’t wanna be alone,” So-ye whined, dragging her words out.

“If we go outside, you have to hold my hand.”

“Of course.”

“And if you let go of me, that would be terrible. I hear child kidnappers are everywhere these days… it might be too dangerous.”

Her tone drifted, more like muttering to herself.

“Don’t say that.”

So-ye pretended not to understand the word “kidnapper,” fidgeting with her hands.

“Even if it’s dangerous, you’ll protect me, right?”

For a split second, Sagong-hee’s face collapsed, but then returned to normal so quickly that So-ye didn’t notice.

“…Because of you, I may not live long,” the nanny whispered, almost to herself.

“You must stay right by me,” she said again.

She dressed So-ye in a bright yellow outfit, cheerful as a spring flower.

It looked expensive at first glance.

“Hurry, put it on.”

So-ye instinctively stepped back in alarm.

Wearing that would make her look like a fluffy little chick.

Cute, yes—

‘But way too eye-catching.’

As a thief of thieves, So-ye preferred plain clothes.

It was practically an occupational habit.

“Do I really have to wear it?”

“If you don’t, then you can’t come with me.”

Sagong-hee tried to look stern, as if her glare would make So-ye obedient. But it wasn’t scary at all.

Still—

“I’ll wear it!”

Being left behind by the nanny was worse.

The nanny dressed her, braided her hair into two round buns, and stood her in front of a mirror.

She really did look like a fuzzy little chick.

“How do I look? Pretty?” So-ye decided to play along.

“Oh, you look wonderful!” The nanny clapped her hands, looking genuinely delighted.

‘Well, I guess I do look kinda cute.’

“Our young lady—so pretty, what should we do with you?”

So-ye giggled and hugged her.

“When you first came here, these clothes were too big,” the nanny murmured as she adjusted the outfit.

“Hm?”

“Nothing, nothing.” She knelt to meet So-ye’s eyes.

“Now, do you remember our promise?”

“Yes!”

“Say it one by one.”

So-ye repeated the rules she had heard while getting dressed:

Always hold the nanny’s hand.

If you lose her, stay where you are and wait.

Don’t follow strangers, even if they offer you treats.

She tried to act like she was remembering carefully, pacing it just right.

But the nanny kept staring, as if something was missing.

“One more thing, remember?” she said gently, hugging her shoulders.

“…Hmm… oh!” So-ye clapped.

“Never tell anyone my name is Dang So-ye.”

That was the rule the nanny stressed the most.

“Good. That’s right. There are bad people out there. If they know you’re from the Tang family… they might have evil ideas.”

So-ye just smiled innocently.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

The nanny cupped her cheek affectionately.

“Shall we go then?”

When they left the Tang estate, the nanny didn’t put her down even once, arms trembling but holding her tight.

Especially when passing the gatekeepers, she pressed So-ye’s head to her chest, like she was carrying a sleeping child.

Only once they stepped outside did she finally let her down.

“What would you like to do at the market?”

“Buy a ball!” So-ye answered brightly.

“A ball?” The nanny looked puzzled.

“I… I broke Xiao-qing’s wooden ball while we were playing,” So-ye whispered, sounding guilty.

“She seemed upset. I want us to be friends.”

“You don’t need to play with kids like that,” the nanny said sharply.

“You’re far too precious to worry about a silly toy.”

“But… I still want to apologize,” So-ye said softly.

The nanny took a deep breath, chest rising.
“…Fine. We’ll buy a ball.”

“You’re the best!” So-ye hugged her tight.

Soon they reached a shop selling beautifully crafted wooden balls.

So-ye eagerly picked up a colorful one woven from bamboo and painted bright hues.

‘Perfect. I can use this as an excuse to befriend Xiao-qing—and maybe even soften Tang So-so’s attitude too. I’ll apologize first, before they do. Then later, I’ll reveal the nanny’s theft to their parents.’

Her thoughts turned sly, but outwardly she just smiled.

“Alright, now let’s head to Jin-wu Market,” the nanny said.

‘Jin-wu Market?’ So-ye tried to look casual.

But the streets were crowded, packed with people.

“Why are there so many today?” the nanny muttered, gripping her hand tighter.

Then it happened.

“Ah! Watch out!”

Someone bumped into So-ye, pushing her tiny body forward.

At the same time, the nanny was shoved in the opposite direction.

Their hands slipped apart.

“Our young lady!” the nanny cried.

But So-ye, small and light, was quickly swept away by the crowd, like a twig carried off by a strong current.

‘What do I do?’

“Yumooo!” she cried, struggling not to be trampled.

She edged toward the side of the street, searching for a way out.

Just then, she spotted a gap between two buildings.
‘Good, I’ll duck in there.’

She braced herself—one, two—

“Careful.”

Someone standing by a street stall suddenly caught her by the arm.