She wondered if she should tell Gguk about the strange warnings she'd received or the note she'd found. But every time she thought of his calm, serious face, she hesitated. He seemed to carry his own burdens, ones he wasn't ready to share.
She walked back to the mansion and inside their room. Gguk was home. He had just arrived. She quickly walked to meet him . He looked tired, his tie slightly loose, but his eyes softened when they met hers.
"You're back," she said, her voice warm
He nodded, handing her his coat without a word. She noticed the small, appreciative smile he gave her as she took it and hung it neatly.
"Long day?" she asked.
"Always," he replied simply, his tone not as cold as before.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Did everything go well?"
He looked at her, his expression softening slightly. "As well as it could. What about you? How was your day?"
She blinked, surprised by the question. "It was... fine. I spent most of it in the garden and helped a bit in the kitchen."
He raised an eyebrow. "The kitchen? You don't need to do that."
"I like helping," she said with a small shrug. "It keeps me busy."
"Busy doing someone else's work," he said, his tone sharp but not harsh.
"It's not work if I enjoy it," she replied, meeting his gaze.
He was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough."
"You should try it sometime," she added lightly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
He almost smiled back, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "I doubt anyone would want me in the kitchen."
She chuckled softly. "You're probably right. But it might surprise you."
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You're different from anyone I've known."
"Is that a good thing?" she asked, her voice quiet.
He didn't answer immediately, his eyes holding hers for a moment longer than necessary. Then he simply said, "It is."
The warmth in his voice made her heart skip, but before she could respond, he stepped back, signaling the end of the conversation.
"I'll see you at dinner," he said, walking away.
"Okay," she murmured, watching him leave.
The days that followed, Lali and Gguk found themselves settling into a quiet rhythm together. Though they had started as strangers, each day seemed to draw them closer revealing a new layer to their connection. Lali took small steps to make their space feel warm, each little task brought them closer to being a real couple.
Each morning, she'd be there to straighten Gguk's tie before he left for work. Standing close, she'd carefully fold the fabric into place smoothing it down with a gentle touch. And every time, their eyes would meet for just a moment longer than expected. It was a quiet routine but somehow, it felt special. He'd leave with a packed lunch she'd prepared, a little dessert tucked inside as her own thoughtful gesture.
She enjoyed these simple tasks each one a quiet expression of care she was still learning to show. When he return from work, Lali would often be in his office, tidying up papers or rearranging his shelves. Gguk was a neat person, but she added her own touch, making the space feel more inviting. He noticed the effort, the way his things were arranged just right, and he'd give her a small, appreciative nod.
As for Lali, her days were beginning to feel balanced in the Jeon mansion. Though the house was large and grand, she was slowly finding her place. Elora would often come by, dropping hints here and there, reminding her how Jeon marriages were about partnership and business not romance. There were moments when Elora's words felt sharp, almost like a reminder of her role in the family.
And then, there was Mina, who, in her quiet way, left Lali both curious and cautious. Mina often watched Lali with an intense gaze and would give her subtle warnings. During one of their brief talks, Mina hinted that certain things were "better left untouched" if Lali wanted peace.
On the other hand, Taeyang's was extra friendly. He was attentive, always asking about her day, and there was a warmth to his smile that felt genuine but uneasy. He was developing feelings for Lali which was growing day by day. In the evenings, she and Gguk would sit in the library together. He'd pick a book, and they'd read side by side, their shoulders almost touching, a quiet comfort growing between them.
Sometimes, he'd read to her, his voice soft, filling the silence. Lali loved these evenings, the unspoken bond they shared over the stories in the books. The mansion itself held an air of mystery, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something lay beneath the surface. But for now, she was content in her small routines, these tender moments with Gguk, and the slow, steady steps she was taking to make this place feel like a true home.
One evening, Lali walked through the Jeon mansion's large garden late at night, feeling a mix of curiosity and worry about all she'd learned since arriving and more so about what was left unspoken. As she walked deeper into the garden, she heard footsteps and turned. Gguk was coming her way, his hands tucked in his pockets and his face calm but serious. "is late and you're not on the bed nor in the room" he said, his voice soft.
"couldnt sleep so i decided to take a walk" she replied, feeling her cheeks warm a little under his gaze. They walked side by side, quiet at first until he led her to a small stone bench covered by a trellis. He motioned for her to sit and she did, feeling that maybe they were about to share something important. "Is it always this quiet at night here?"
she asked, looking around. Gguk nodded, a hint of a smile crossing his lips. "It's the only time the mansion ever really feels calm" Lali took a breath, deciding to say what had been weighing on her. She couldn't shake the strange warnings from the family especially from his mother, Elora. They all hinted at something deeper and she wanted to understand.
"Can I ask you something?" she said, glancing at him. "Of course." "It's about your mother. And others in your family. They've told me not to fall in love with you" She looked down, unsure if she was stepping too far.
"But they say it like it's a serious danger. And I don't understand why." Gguk's face changed, and he was silent for a moment before he looked down, almost as if he was weighing his words. Lali looked at Gguk, her curiosity burning. "Why do they keep warning me about you? Telling me not to fall in love?" Gguk hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Honestly, I don't know exactly. They've been warning me too since I was young, about loving my future wife." He continued.
"They always say it's about our family values and tradition, things like that. That it's for our own good." "Tradition?" she echoed, with a small, frustrated sigh. "And you believe that?" He shook his head looking almost as if he wanted to say more but held back.
"All I know is that it's the Jeon way. They call it... keeping us safe." She paused, studying him closely. Then with a sudden spark of defiance, she leaned in, her face close to his. "So, do you feel nothing?" she challenged softly. Her words hung between them, and he swallowed, his gaze flickering to her lips, then back to her eyes.
"Lali, I..." Before he could finish, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his. It was a soft determined kiss, not a question but a statement. Her fingers curled into his collar, pulling him close, and for a second, he didn't move, caught off guard by her boldness. But then his hand found her waist steadying them both as he kissed her back, his hold on her tightening as he let himself fall into the moment.
When she pulled away, their faces still inches apart, she met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "I don't care about the rules, Gguk. And I don't care about any so called danger." Her voice was steady and clear. "All I know is that I'm falling for you and there's nothing I can do to stop it." Gguk stared at her, searching her face for any hint of doubt. But she only looked back at him with a quiet certainty that shook him. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You don't make anything easy, do you?" A small smile played on her lips. "Not when it comes to something I want." Not knowing what else to say and also being torn between his growing feelings and staying loyal to his family's belief and value, he decided is time they head back inside.
"We should head back. It's getting late" he murmured, looking everywhere but her eyes. They quietly made their way inside, steps hushed by the rich carpet of the hall. But as they entered, a figure stood near the staircase arms crossed and expression unreadable. it was Elora.
She didn't say much, but her gaze was sharp and intense enough to make Gguk and Lali halt in their tracks. Her eyes shifted from her son to Lali, pausing as though to silently remind them of boundaries they hadn't realized they'd crossed. Without a word, she turned and walked down the hall leaving an air of unspoken warning lingering in her wake. Once they reached their room, She took a step closer, determination clear in her eyes.
"Dangerous or not, I don't care. I'm falling for you Gguk, and I won't let anyone stop me" she declared, her voice steady. Before he could respond, she leaned in, pressing a quick, gentle peck on his lips. It left him breathless, and before he could reach for her, she smiled, stepping back.
"Goodnight, Gguk." Her voice was soft, a promise in her gaze as she left to the bathroom to change into her