The room was cloaked in darkness, a thick, impenetrable blackness that rendered everything invisible. The heavy curtains had been drawn tight, sealing out any hint of the early morning light. The air was heavy and still, the silence profound save for the low hum of the air conditioner
In the midst of the inky gloom, Ha-Na lay tangled in the sheets, her body sprawled in the disarray of restless sleep. The disorientation of jet lag clung to her like a shroud, blurring the lines between night and day. Her mind floated somewhere in between, trapped in a haze of fatigue and fragmented dreams.
Because she was in deep sleep, she didn't hear the knocking from her door. The sound was faint at first, almost apologetic, but grew more insistent with each unanswered attempt. The heavy thuds resonated through the silence, yet Ha-Na remained oblivious, her consciousness submerged in the depths of exhaustion.
Minutes passed, One knock turned into two, then three, then four, until it became excruciatingly rapid. Without warning, the door slammed open.
Her uncle, Kang Ji-Soo, a man in his mid-thirties with a kind but stern face, walked in. He stopped in front of Ha-Na's bed with a scowl. "Ha-Na, are you still in bed? It's almost noon."
"Uncle, let me sleep a bit longer..." Ha-Na mumbled, snuggling into her blankets, her tone laced with a childish plea as she instinctively sought comfort in the familiar.
He languidly rested one hand on his hip and glared down at her, unable to believe she was acting cute to get more sleep. "It's one in the afternoon, and the old man is waiting to have a meal with you," he said, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.
He tugged and pulled at Ha-Na's blankets, his patience wearing thin. "Come on, up you get."
Ha-Na groaned, clutching the covers tighter as if they were a lifeline.
"Did you hear what I just said?" Ji-Soo fumed when Ha-Na didn't respond back to him.
"You said it was one in the afternoon, but my room doesn't feel like it. It might be morning— hey!" Ha-Na yelped when Ji-Soo flung the blanket off of her.
"No, it's cold..." Ha-Na moaned, curling up into a ball.
"Ugh, why are your curtains so thick and dark? There's no natural lighting in this room!" Ji-Soo walked to the long curtains that covered the tall windows.
"No, wait! I'm not ready for the light—" Too late. He had already pulled the curtains open.
Immediately, the bright rays of the afternoon sun soaked into the room, washing all of the melancholic darkness away.
Groaning at the intrusion of light, Ha-Na buried her head into her pillow. She refused to get up, but she knew her little Uncle would force her out of the bed regardless. "Just five more minutes," Her voice came out muffled.
"No niece of mine would be sleeping until sunset. Now get up!" Ji-Soo chided, adjusting the curtain strings.
"Alright, alright, I'm up," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. She sat up slowly, her body protesting the abrupt wake-up call.
Her uncle's stern expression softened a bit as he watched her. "Good. Now get ready. You know everyone's been looking forward to seeing you."
She knew what awaited her during lunch—an inevitable lecture from her grandfather, witnessed eagerly by most of the family. It was a ritual she had grown accustomed to, though never quite comfortable with. However, she didn't want to dismiss her uncle's happiness and went with his way.
So she nodded, "I know. I'm coming," she said, a yawn escaping her lips as she sat on the bed, trying to awake herself from her slumber.
"Hurry and get dressed, so you can join us for lunch," Ji-Soo urged her off the bed. His tone lightened as he spoke, a hint of warmth replacing the earlier impatience. With a reassuring smile, he left the room, satisfied that she was finally awake.
As soon as Ji-Soo left the room, Ha-Na quickly retrieved the blanket and covered her legs. She had been feeling the direct chill from the air conditioner against her skin and welcomed the warmth of the blanket as she tangled herself in it. The sudden comfort brought a sense of relaxation, soothing her senses despite the lingering tiredness from jet lag.
Ha-Na stretched her hands high above her head, feeling the stiffness in her muscles as she twisted her neck from side to side. Yawning deeply, she realized she hadn't gotten nearly enough beauty sleep.
As the reality of the day settled in, Ha-Na took in the details of her room. Last night, she had been too tired to give it more than a passing glance. Now, with a clearer mind, she couldn't say she was not surprised.
She thought Ae-Ra must have converted her room into another dressing room, but she found herself pleasantly amazed to see how her bedroom had been left intact, neat and clean. Despite the unexpected nature of her arrival, it seemed as though someone had been caring for the room, maintaining its vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Her mother must have had a hand in this.
She smiled to herself, realizing that even amidst the anticipated family dynamics and the challenges ahead, she could find comfort in these small, thoughtful touches.
Glancing at the clock that now read past quarter past 1, Ha-Na hurriedly got up from bed, still half-entangled in the bedsheets. In her haste, she misjudged her movements and lost her balance, tumbling to the ground with a soft thud. She lay there for a moment, surprised at her own clumsiness even before the day had properly begun.
"Ouch," she muttered, rubbing her side where she had landed, wincing slightly from the impact.
After a moment to recover from the brief pain, she brushed herself off and made her way to the bathroom, determined to freshen up quickly.
Once satisfied with her appearance, Ha-Na descended the stairs.
She entered the grand dining hall of Kang's mansion. The space was vast and opulent, adorned with intricate woodwork and elegant furnishings that spoke of a rich family history. Massive chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the room.
The dining table itself was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, a long mahogany slab polished to a high sheen. It was set with fine china, gleaming silverware, and crystal glasses, each piece reflecting the prestige of the family. The chairs surrounding the table were plush and upholstered in rich velvet, inviting yet imposing in their grandeur.
Seated around the table were Ha-Na's family members, each one a pillar of the Kang dynasty. Her grandfather, the patriarch, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect. Beside him, her mother Jin-Sol exuded grace and elegance, a striking figure in her own right. The other relatives, from uncles to cousins, filled the remaining seats, their expressions a mix of anticipation and curiosity as they awaited the start of the meal.
Ha-Na's arrival did not go unnoticed. A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned towards her, their gazes ranging from expectant to scrutinizing.
The eldest at the table had not yet begun his meal, and out of respect, no one dared to touch their food until he did.
As Ha-Na caught sight of her aunt, Nam So-Hee, she felt a wave of tension. Without preamble, her aunt began to taunt her, "Look, finally the celebrity graces us with her presence. Do you even know how long your grandfather has been waiting for you to join us for lunch? He even had to skip breakfast because you weren't here," she said sharply, her words carrying a sting.
Before the tension could escalate, Old Master Kang intervened. His voice, though aged, carried authority that instantly quelled the room. "Enough," he commanded, his gaze sweeping over his family with a stern but measured expression.
Ha-Na breathed a silent sigh of relief at her grandfather's intervention. It reassured her that perhaps he wasn't as angry as she had feared, and a wave of relaxation washed over her. "Grandfather, I'm sorry for my lateness. Did I make you wait too long?" Ha-Na asked gently as she settled into her seat.
Kang Chang-Min, her grandfather, hummed in reply. "No, we didn't wait long," He blatantly lied.
Her first uncle's family, seated nearby, exchanged subtle glances and twitched their lips at the old man's lie. They knew well the importance he placed on punctuality and respect for family traditions. His sudden leniency towards Ha-Na's tardiness puzzled them deeply. What had caused this shift in his usual demeanor? Could he have truly forgiven everything overnight?
Are you sure, Grandfather?" Ha-Na inquired softly, her concern evident. "From what I heard from Aunt, it's been a while since you had a meal."
Instead of responding directly to her, Kang Chang-Min turned towards So-Hee with a stern expression, his voice tinged with anger. "Why did you raise your voice at the child? It was my selfish desire to have a meal with her despite her jetlag."
Turning to face Ha-Na, he softened his tone and asked gently, "Ha-Na, pass me the salt."
Ha-Na felt a mix of relief and surprise at her grandfather's protective stance. She nodded quietly and reached for the salt, passing it to him with a gentle smile.
Taking the salt from Ha-Na's hands, Kang Chang-Min surprised everyone at the table by gesturing for her to take the seat next to him. "Come, sit next to me," he said softly yet firmly.
The room fell silent, the air thick with astonishment and apprehension. Eyes darted around the table, exchanging bewildered glances and silent questions.
Since his wife's passing, Kang Chang-Min had never allowed anyone to sit beside him at the table. It was a position of honor and reverence reserved for his late wife alone. Now, his decision to invite Ha-Na into that sacred space sent shockwaves through the family. Whispers and uneasy glances exchanged among them hinted at the gravity of this gesture.
To some, it seemed like an act of unexpected kindness and love towards Ha-Na. Yet, to others, it hinted at something more ominous—a sign that Kang Chang-Min might be considering drastic measures, such as removing her from the family registry. It was as if this moment of inclusion was his quiet farewell, a gesture of acceptance and finality before severing ties.
Yes, only that possibility could explain Kang Chang-Min's uncharacteristic softness towards Ha-Na today.
Ha-Na worriedly took the empty seat right next to him and glanced at the array of dishes laid out before her. Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed a pair of chopsticks entering her field of vision, delicately placing a piece of meat on her plate.
Ha-Na tensed up, her entire body freezing at the unexpected gesture. Her grandfather, the almighty Kang Chang-Min, was offering her food?
It was like feeding the lamb before the sacrifice.