CHAPTER -1
[I’m waiting downstairs.]
A smile spread across Yoonju’s face as she read the message Jeonghan had sent. But at the instructor’s reminder to hurry up and finish, she reluctantly turned off her phone.
Since last year, Yoonju had been studying with the goal of entering a design department. In between her studies, she attended an art academy, building her fundamentals from the ground up.
After taking the college entrance exam this year, she began preparing for the practical test, drawing among students much younger than herself.
Classes ran from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and though the repetition was exhausting, she tried not to show it—after all, this was something she had chosen for herself.
“That’s it for today. Don’t be late tomorrow!”
At the instructor’s words, the students began packing up. Yoonju was about to submit the assignment she hadn’t quite finished when a sharp voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Yoonju-ssi.”
“…Yes.”
“What are you going to do being this slow? You do know the exam is only five hours, right?”
The instructor let out a heavy sigh as he looked at the drawing paper Yoonju had submitted.
Standing before him, Yoonju lowered her head like a guilty student.
“If you want to finish both the sketch and the creative design within five hours, you need to draw faster than this. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Even though it was hardly helpful feedback, Yoonju bowed politely and left the classroom. She wasn’t the only one being scolded.
Because the practical exam carried such weight, the instructor constantly nagged the students. Having grown used to it, they simply nodded with blank expressions or gave brief acknowledgments.
Yoonju waited for the elevator.
“Isn’t she a repeat test-taker?”
“No, I heard she started after working somewhere else.”
“Working?”
“Yeah, I think she had a company job.”
“Then she should’ve just stayed there. Why suddenly switch? It’s already competitive enough—so annoying.”
Two students who acted like the atmosphere-makers of the academy openly gossiped behind her, making sure she could hear.
“She draws worse than me, but last time Instructor Seo Euntae praised her for being ‘fresh,’ you know?”
“That’s because he likes pretty girls.”
“Does Seo Euntae like her?”
“Looks like it. Even his gaze is different.”
“Seriously? If he wants to date, he should do it outside.”
Their conversation continued right up until Yoonju stepped into the elevator and went down first.
Despite the unpleasant remarks, Yoonju’s expression didn’t change at all. If anything, she felt more at ease.
When she married Jeonghan, her identity had spread to some extent, so she had been quite concerned when enrolling at the academy. Hearing people talk without recognizing who she was reassured her.
Time had passed, and Jeonghan had thoroughly erased related articles and posts from the internet.
Leaving the academy building, Yoonju searched for Jeonghan’s car among the long line of vehicles filling the street.
As she opened the passenger door and got in, Jeonghan greeted her.
“Good work.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m always surprised when I come here. Why are there so many cars?”
Jeonghan frowned as he looked at the traffic that showed no signs of clearing.
With the winter intensive session underway, the academy had entered full exam-war mode. Students from other regions had joined as well, and by 10 p.m., when classes ended, the area looked like a parking lot.
“That’s why I said I’d just go home on my own.”
“Don’t say things like that. It’s dangerous.”
“What’s dangerous about it? I used to stay out much later than this before.”
“That was then.”
“You tend to overprotect me, Jeonghan-ssi.”
At Yoonju’s complaint, Jeonghan nodded without resistance.
In a world full of dangers, wasn’t it natural to overprotect the person you loved?
When Yoonju said she wanted to study design, Jeonghan had planned to hire a top private instructor for her. But she insisted on attending an entrance exam art academy instead.
He had initially opposed it, wondering why it was necessary, but then he changed his mind. After marrying him, Yoonju had lived a largely isolated life.
Even after returning from Finland, it had been the same.
She never openly complained, but whenever he saw her sitting alone, staring out the window, he wondered if he was the one confining her.
So after she enrolled, he stepped back.
That didn’t mean he neglected her.
It would be more accurate to say he watched over her—he paid attention constantly.
From the moment she left the house until she safely got into his car after class, he had security personnel following her.
“That’s the only way I can feel at ease.”
“I’m not a child.”
“If you were, at least I could hold you in my arms all the time.”
He said something embarrassingly bold, yet his face remained completely calm. For a moment, Yoonju tilted her head, wondering if she had misheard.
But his next words confirmed she hadn’t.
“I’d do that if I could.”
“So you’re saying I should just accept it?”
“I’ll tell them to be more discreet starting tomorrow so you won’t notice.”
“They’re huge. How are they supposed to be discreet?”
There were three bodyguards. With their imposing builds and black suits, they were anything but subtle.
At first, Yoonju hadn’t noticed them.
She only realized after overhearing some students saying someone must have borrowed money and not repaid it—when she looked outside and saw them.
“I’ll replace them with more ordinary-looking staff starting tomorrow.”
“That’s not necessary. Just grant me one favor instead.”
“What is it?”
“Promise you’ll grant it first.”
“Hmm…”
Jeonghan narrowed his eyes slightly as he held the steering wheel, then nodded.
“If I get into university, promise you won’t interfere.”
“Interfere?”
“That word sounds a bit harsh, doesn’t it?”
Feeling apologetic for the cold phrasing, Yoonju bit her lip lightly before continuing.
“At the academy, everyone’s too focused on the exam to care, but university is different. If this continues, strange rumors might spread quickly.”
“So you want to keep a low profile?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. But you promise me one thing too.”
“Anything.”
Since he had readily agreed to her request, it was now her turn.
Yoonju looked at him, waiting. Despite working all day, his face looked as composed as it had in the morning.
Come to think of it, Jeonghan had never looked tired.
After work, he picked her up, and the next morning, he always woke up early to exercise. Curious, she had once tried waking up with him and running—but she gave up after three days due to body aches.
His stamina seemed largely innate.
Was he going to ask her to start exercising again?
Just then, the car arrived in front of their house, and Jeonghan spoke.
“I hope you pass this year.”
“Hah… that might be difficult.”
Yoonju closed her eyes briefly, looking downcast, then continued.
“Everyone draws better than me, and they all seem more creative.”
“You’re the best.”
“That’s just what you think. Anyway, I’ll try—so I can pass this year.”
She clenched her fist tightly.
After getting out of the car, the two walked side by side toward their home. Linking arms with him, Yoonju asked:
“Why do you want me to pass this year so badly?”
“Because taking care of a test-taker is exhausting.”
“Really?”
“You’re always busy when you come home.”
“That’s because I’m tired.”
After spending all day sitting and drawing, she was completely drained. Lately, she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
“If this goes on next year too, I feel like I might die of frustration.”
“…What did you say?”
“So make sure you pass this year.”
Jeonghan gently stroked the back of her hand.
“More than anything, I don’t want to see you struggle like this anymore.”
The moment she met his gaze filled with affection, a soft smile spread across Yoonju’s lips.
