Chapter 2
“What could I possibly have done to those poor little creatures? They’re just so weak they got scared by my presence alone.”
Onju and the man’s gazes turned simultaneously toward the small animals. The puppy and the monkey whimpered and crouched low, unable to respond.
‘They’re not the type to get scared so easily.’
Tilting her head, Onju clicked her tongue with a frown.
“Whether that’s true or not. You’ve ruined my mood for work, so get out. The repair shop is closed today.”
“Ah. I heard on the way here that the owner of this repair shop only works when she feels like it. They said you have to stay on the Little Miss’s good side.”
The man deliberately spoke in a slow, teasing tone, then raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
“Which is why I came well prepared—with the down payment.”
With that, he pulled out a dark green silk pouch from his sleeve. Casually tossing and catching the pouch in his large hand, he showed off its hefty weight.
Onju’s eyes followed the pouch as it rose and fell.
“…What’s in that pouch?”
“Probably something Little Miss likes best?”
The moment he had her full attention, he turned the pouch upside down. Jewels—clearly not ordinary ones—spilled out in a glittering cascade.
“W-wow…”
A pure expression of awe slipped from Onju’s lips as she stared, completely defenseless. The man’s smile deepened.
“The craftsmanship is beautiful, isn’t it? I guarantee even if you turned over the imperial treasury, you wouldn’t find stones as pretty as these.”
Onju nodded without realizing. The jewels glinted brilliantly in the dull sunlight filtering through the dusty window, their dazzling colors holding her spellbound.
‘Wait. No. I can’t do this. The mermaids told me: never trust someone who only says tempting things.’
Reaching for the gems as if under a spell, Onju suddenly came to her senses and clenched her fist.
‘And if that sweet talker also happens to be good-looking, don’t even hesitate—run. He’s definitely a swindler.’
Thirteen years ago—on the day Dongrae turned to ash.
After losing her memory and health, Onju made a firm resolution. She would never get involved in troublesome matters. She would live safely, tucked away in this dark little corner, doing insignificant, pointless work.
‘Even without such shiny, pretty things… I can live just fine.’
Determined, she shut her eyes tight. The sparkling reflections of the jewels teased her eyelids, but she shook her head resolutely.
‘I’m the sole heir of the family that governs Dongrae. Even if I look like a child, I have pride and honor. I can’t be swayed by a mere handful of jewels.’
Regaining her composure, Onju slowly opened her eyes—only to find the man’s face much closer than before.
Stuffed full of pride and familial dignity, she scowled and barked out sternly:
“Whoever you are, you’re incredibly rude! Do you think you can treat me this way just because I’m a child?”
When Onju reverted to her usual prickly demeanor, the man backed off with a theatrical “Oh dear.”
With a slightly sulky look, he muttered an insincere apology and pulled out another pouch.
“I meant no offense. I was simply in a rush and forgot my manners. Please forgive me.”
Onju was silent.
“Hmm. Not a fan of apologies? Perhaps you prefer this?”
Before even finishing his sentence, he turned the second pouch upside down and shook it out. Jewels even larger and more numerous than the first tumbled down like hail.
With a soft voice and a softer smile, the man added,
“Once the job is done, I’ll pay double this in remaining payment. What do you say?”
“…You’ll pay double this…?”
“Is that not enough? Would triple be better?”
Onju was about to scoff at the ridiculous idea, but barely held herself back and shook her head.
“Double, triple—whatever it is, I’m not taking your job.”
“Then how about five times?”
As if expecting her rejection, the man casually raised the offer. Onju furrowed her brows and clicked her tongue.
‘He’s not a swindler. He’s just a lunatic.’
The man clearly read the unspoken thought in her eyes and laughed heartily, throwing his head back. His booming laughter quickly filled the shop.
Once the echo faded, Onju scrunched up her round face and snapped:
“What, you really weren’t going to pay five times? Were you just messing with me?”
“A little?”
He formed a small gap between his thumb and index finger and grinned. Onju narrowed her eyes and let out a dry chuckle.
“Unbelievable… A grown man teasing a kid with jewels. How proud you must be.”
“You’re not really a kid, Little Miss.”
“What am I, then? Blind?”
She was, after all, only thirteen.
‘Technically, I’ve been thirteen ever since Dongrae burned down thirteen years ago… but still.’
Onju rolled her eyes and recalled the day she first woke up.
“Little Miss is the sole heir of the family governing Dongrae. You are now thirteen years old. You lost your memory and health during the chaos and awoke after three years of sleep.”
Ten years had passed since then—so long that the mermaids’ scars had fully healed.
Yet everyone in Dongrae still insisted Onju was thirteen. Never mind that thirteen plus ten is twenty-three.
Whenever she tried to argue basic math, they’d simply point at her body and say, “You’re thirteen.”
It was frustrating, but Onju had to admit she didn’t look twenty-three. Honestly, calling her thirteen was being generous. At best, she looked about eight or nine.
‘…Why am I still stuck like this?’
Staring down resentfully at her underdeveloped body, Onju sighed.
Perched atop the five-step wooden staircase she used to greet customers, she suddenly felt very small.
She pouted and stared at the tip of her silk shoes. Watching her quietly, the man leaned on his elbow and added in a consoling tone:
“I wasn’t talking about your appearance, Little Miss. Real children don’t speak so naturally in informal tone to grown men they just met. Not even if they’re noble-born.”
“That’s just because everyone in this town coddled me after I lost my parents. They spoiled me rotten.”
“……”
“I may be rude because of how I was raised—but you, you’re clearly an educated adult. You shouldn’t be dangling jewels to mess with kids.”
“Teasing you a little aside, I truly intend to pay five times the amount.”
With a small cough, he held out his right hand, fingers spread. Onju blinked and started counting.
One, two, three, four, five.
She looked between his hand and the glittering jewels on the wooden boards. Her widened eyes slowly returned to normal size.
Then, through tightly pressed lips, a deep sigh escaped.
Hoo. Ugh. Ayoo.
Three heavy sighs, one after another.
Hands on her hips, she shook her head.
“I don’t know whose son you are, but… please get a grip. Do your parents know you’re out here like this?”
“Of course not. They’re dead.”
“…What?”
“Just kidding. Though they will be dead soon, at my hands.”
