It was already morning.
He woke up early and carefully pulled back the curtains. The morning sunlight began to slowly filter into the large, quiet mansion.
Since the young lady had difficulty getting out of bed, he decided to go wake her up and headed to her room.
As expected, the young lady was lying in bed, sound asleep as if nothing had happened. He smiled at her long eyelashes and slightly open mouth as she slept, then gently shook her awake.
“Miss, wake up. It’s already 7 o’clock.”
"Ugh... Just 5 minutes..."
“No, get up quickly. I’ll give you two extra macarons today instead. Hurry up, okay?”
“Ah.. no, if you say it like that.. okay!”
She rose silently and headed to the bathroom. While the maids washed and dressed her, he went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her. He wondered what to make, then rolled up his sleeves and found himself preparing a deliciously fragrant dish.
"What's for breakfast this morning?"
“I prepared some light tea and your favorite scones and fig jam, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”
“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it!”
He unconsciously thought she looked like a squirrel as she stuffed her cheeks with food and chewed carefully. After she had finished eating, he left the dishes to the maids and decided to explain the woman's schedule for the day.
"First of all, today is dance class. Teacher Dena is coming, and after that, there's a simple etiquette lesson with Teacher Karina, who will teach embroidery, and then there's archery and self-defense classes."
“I have so many classes.. We were supposed to go to the market today! Taehyung said you’d keep your promise to me..!”
“It wasn’t my decision. It was your father’s decision, so there’s nothing I can do about it. I want to go out and play with you, too.”
"still..!"
“Then, after class, let’s go to the night market.”
"Okay! Then it's a promise!"
“What appointment are you talking about? You have an appointment with the young lady of the Artrus family this evening, so you must meet her.”
Count Leenard, the heroine's father and the master of this vast mansion, stepped out of the study and spoke. He stroked his sharply trimmed beard repeatedly with his hand and gazed at his only daughter with his usual haughty expression. Taehyung stepped aside, looking slightly intimidated, and bowed to him.
“Dad! I want to go play with Taehyung for the first time in a while, but you said that’s not possible… You’re really going too far.”
“Lady Le Nad, don’t you come to your senses! Don’t you still not understand that Kim Taehyung is not your friend, but our family’s butler!”
“You’re not my friend, Father? Why are you saying such harsh things, Father?”
"Miss Yeoju, stop it. You should meet Miss Artrus as the Count said. You'll soon meet many wonderful people in high society."
The heroine, timid and tearful, left the place and went into her own room. In the hallway, only Count Leenard and Taehyung were left. The Count raised his hand and struck Taehyung hard on the cheek twice. The recoil sent Taehyung crashing to the floor. The Count looked down at him and screamed.
“You can’t even manage the heroine, so why are you even planning on going out to play?! You should manage her well so she doesn’t have to think about anything else!”
“I’m so sorry… I’ve been thinking a lot about the past.”
“Don’t forget. It was my wife who saved you from the slums. Now that she’s gone, you should send her to a good home. I’m sure you know how much I appreciate that.”
“I know very well. I will try.”
"Hmm! Now, you should go. The female protagonist's teacher will be here soon. Louis, treat this guy's wounds properly. People might not like it."
“Yes, master.”
Taehyung's cheeks were swollen and red, and his lip was cracked and bleeding. His friend Louis applied ointment to his cheeks and wiped the blood from his lip, speaking to him with concern.
“You’ll be in big trouble if you keep doing that. Take care of yourself and stop worrying about the young lady.”
“Madam, you told me before that you would take care of the young lady. I can’t break that promise.”
"still.."
“You work instead of worrying about me. I’ll go to your room.”
Yeoju was crying alone in her room. Her father, who had always had a gentle smile and treated Taehyung like his own son when her mother was alive, had become neglectful of him since her mother's death, frequently lashing out at her, and even forcing her to meet and drink tea with people she didn't want. She couldn't understand this whole situation.
As Taehyung carefully opened the door and went in, she clutched the blanket tightly and buried her face in the pillow.
"...Miss."
“Taehyung... I’m so upset.”
“Miss, stop. The teacher will be here soon. I’m fine..”
“Okay.. you can go out now.”
Taehyung left the room without saying a word, closing the door behind him. Yeoju cried a little inside. He stumbled down the hallway, entered the bedroom, locked the door, and lay down on the small bed, taking a deep nap.