3. The Unkind Errand
Inside the paper bag were textbooks, a backpack, and a school uniform. Hyun-sook gave a bitter smile at Ji-hyun’s wide-eyed surprise.
“I should’ve given these to you as soon as you arrived. Sorry for the delay. I’ve already informed the school. You can start attending from tomorrow.”
“I…,”
She wanted to say she was fine, that she didn’t need to go to school—but her throat tightened.
“I was planning to take the GED anyway…”
It had been a long time since she gave up on a “normal” life. Hyun-sook grasped Ji-hyun’s hesitant hands tightly.
“Ji-hyun, some people just can’t get the first button right in life. But that doesn’t mean you give up. You’ve got to grab the chance to start over. Live your life with more sincerity.”
“I… I…”
“A normal life is harder than it seems. It takes effort. Do you think I brought you here just to make you work? Even Director Kim agreed to the school part, so you can be at ease. Got it?”
A few days earlier, Hyun-sook had gone head-to-head with Director Kim about sending Ji-hyun to school. Kim, who always prioritized the employer’s interests, objected. But Hyun-sook didn’t back down.
“Does Ji-hyun really need to go to school?”
Even as he said it, Kim’s voice grew quieter, his conscience pricked. Hyun-sook shot him a sharp glare, as if he’d said something outrageous.
“She’s still a kid. She should be learning at school.”
“Still, there’s so much to do around the house…”
“I’ll take care of the morning chores. That’s fine, right?”
Knowing how stubborn Hyun-sook was once she made up her mind, Director Kim reluctantly nodded. He, too, didn’t want to be cruel enough to stop Ji-hyun from attending school.
Touched by Hyun-sook’s sincerity, something warm surged in Ji-hyun’s heart.
She bit her lip hard to hold back tears and gave a firm nod.
“I will live a normal life.”
For someone who had never looked forward to tomorrow, the glimmer of hope felt unfamiliar. Ji-hyun couldn’t sleep properly that night.
“Oh my, you look so pretty!”
The next morning, Hyun-sook made a fuss upon seeing Ji-hyun in her school uniform. The well-pressed white shirt under a gray cardigan and a neatly fitted gray skirt made Ji-hyun’s slender frame look even more delicate.
She wore the uniform of the closest high school to the mansion.
With her long, light brown hair and eyes of the same hue, Ji-hyun awkwardly smiled as she faced Hyun-sook.
“My niece is so pretty—I don’t know who she takes after. Certainly not your father’s side.”
Hyun-sook had a gut feeling Ji-hyun would cause quite a stir at her new school.
“Um…”
Just before leaving through the door, Ji-hyun hesitated.
“The second son… does he go to this school too?”
Hyun-sook reached out and straightened the pleats in Ji-hyun’s skirt.
“Ah, Seung-ho doesn’t go there. He attends a private high school that’s a little farther away.”
Only after hearing it was a different school did Ji-hyun’s face brighten.
“I’ll be off now, Aunt.”
Ji-hyun’s steps toward the smaller servant entrance—rather than the grand mansion gate—felt as light as if she had wings.
She was happy about starting school, but also nervous about the possibility of running into Seung-ho. Thankfully, it was a different school.
Though she’d only run a few errands for him, each had been horrible.
Later, she realized that his first errand—asking her to find a white pebble—had actually been one of the nicer ones.
“Go to Lindbergh in Gangnam and buy me a chocolate waffle.”
Unfamiliar with Seoul’s geography, Ji-hyun wandered the streets before finally bringing one back. Seung-ho casually took the waffle… and dumped it in the trash.
“I lost my appetite waiting. I don’t want it anymore.”
His lips curled slightly as he watched Ji-hyun stare at the discarded waffle in shock.
“You should’ve been faster.”
And so it continued.
Non-deliverable sushi, hard-to-get game chips, rare imported stationery… Every time, he made her fetch things, only to reject them and toss them aside. What ended up in the trash wasn’t just objects—it was Ji-hyun’s pride and her time.
Seung-ho’s favorite game these days seemed to be tormenting Ji-hyun. What made it worse was that he didn’t act this way toward anyone else.
“What a jerk.”
Angrily, Ji-hyun kicked a small rock in her path.
“If you’ve got a problem, say it to my face.”
A cold voice pierced her ears. The very person she had just been cursing stood a few steps ahead, looking at her.
Gasp.
Startled, Ji-hyun forgot to breathe. What stood out first was his black school uniform—different from her own gray one.
The sleek black blazer and school crest-tied necktie were clearly of superior design and material.
And those eyes—looking down at her with clear disdain. Whenever he had that look, he always picked a fight. Not wanting to lock eyes, she quickly bowed her head.
“So, you’re off to school now?”
She hoped he’d just leave, but of course he didn’t. He scanned her from head to toe.
“Judging from your uniform, it’s a run-of-the-mill school.”
She remembered Hyun-sook clapping her hands at how pretty she looked and clenched her fists—but said nothing. Seung-ho smirked as he studied her stony face.
“Suits you, though.”
“…Thanks.”
Ji-hyun’s expression didn’t change, but Seung-ho’s voice softened.
“Don’t just say thanks. Come to my room after school. I need a favor. Or is it more like a request?”
“I don’t know what time school ends…”
Ji-hyun tried to sound uncertain, but Seung-ho was already walking away with long strides.
“A favor, huh…”
Muttering under her breath, Ji-hyun clenched her shoulders in suppressed rage.
“I wonder how her first day went…”
Later that afternoon, as he sank into the leather seat of a luxury sedan that came to pick him up, Seung-ho’s thoughts wandered.
The school uniform Ji-hyun wore was familiar. The high school was just a 15-minute walk away.
But on her, even that plain uniform looked different.
Her bright brown hair under sunlight, pale skin, long neck, delicate figure…
But what truly caught his eye was the fire hidden within her pale irises whenever she looked at him. Seung-ho gave a cynical chuckle.
“Anger, huh? She doesn’t know her place.”
He remembered the first day he saw her. It had been unusually hot. Even in the stifling heat, Ji-hyun quietly picked out stones, her soft movements unbothered as if she were in the shade.
Seung-ho couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The one who became uncomfortable with his own gaze was himself.
A strange, suffocating heat swelled in his chest, and he couldn’t tell if it was the weather or his own pounding heart.
What drove him mad was the way she kept sorting stones, entirely unaware of him. He wanted her glassy eyes—so focused—to turn toward him.
The moment he had that thought, he acted without hesitation. His body moved before his mind caught up.
That unfamiliar feeling had shaken both his thoughts and his senses.
As he recalled that day, the smirk faded from his face.
He briefly considered transferring Ji-hyun to his school for more fun—but gave up.
Though it wouldn’t be hard, dragging a servant girl into a prestigious private school would be too conspicuous.
“No point ruining appearances just for fun.”
He turned his gaze toward the window and spotted students in gray uniforms chatting and laughing as they left school. Ji-hyun must’ve finished her classes too.
Imagining her laughing among them made his insides churn. She was still a strange, infuriating plaything to him.
Ji-hyun’s steps home felt heavier after school.
Remembering Seung-ho’s words about a “favor,” she rushed to the mansion. As she was about to go up to the second floor, a housemaid stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going? If someone sees you, there’ll be trouble!”
“Ah… the second—”
She couldn’t bring herself to call him “young master” today. The maid seemed to understand anyway.
“What about Master Seung-ho?”
“I don’t know. He said he had something for me to do…”
“He’s not in his room. Probably in the study.”
“Where’s the study?”
“Basement level one. Go take a look.”
Ji-hyun bowed and carefully descended the central staircase to the basement.
“A study in the basement… What kind of world is this?”
Just as the maid said, she found a spacious study a few steps down.
Built to let natural light filter in through large windows from the first floor, the study was designed with perfect lighting and humidity control. It was more like a library.
“A completely different world…”
In awe of the kind of room you’d only see in movies, she scanned her surroundings—and spotted Seung-ho reading by a wall.
He hadn’t noticed her presence. Focused on his book, he gave her a rare opportunity to observe him.
His eyelashes were long and delicate, lips full and redder than most girls’, skin pale like it had never seen the sun. Though his small, fine face looked delicate, his broad shoulders and strong back made it clear he was a boy.
“Stop staring already.”
Still reading, Seung-ho spoke. Startled, Ji-hyun flinched and stepped back.
“You said you had… a favor… or something.”
“Ah, that?”
He finally closed his book and looked at her. The setting sun’s orange hue stained the room.
“It’s nothing. I just wanted to give you a simple reminder.”
His tone, like he was speaking to a child, annoyed her despite them being the same age.
“Then say it.”
His long fingers tapped his chin as he scanned her with unsettling eyes.
Seeing the corner of his lips curl into a smile, Ji-hyun swallowed dryly. That smile usually meant trouble was coming.
