We were destined to fail.

04 | Even if you disappear for a moment

김태형.

What is that...

지안.

It means that it is okay for me to have different feelings.

Why did I want to hold on to him, whom I met for the first time today? I wasn't sure yet, but I was sure it was because I was jealous of Seol, who still shined brightly beside me despite our changed identities.

김태형.

My job is to escort the young lady. I shouldn't harbor any more feelings than that. That won't happen.

지안.

Then why are you so attached to Seol? Didn't you say that you were my protector?

김태형.

I felt like he was someone similar to me. He was the only person I could talk to in the palace where I was lonely. Are you uncomfortable?

지안.

Can't I be that comfortable to you?

If I hadn't lied about my identity and had been Miss Ji-an's maid, would he have looked at me a little more? I went to such lengths to be loved and happy, but I wasn't happy at all.

지안.

No, just go. I guess I was a little sensitive today.

설.

Brother, are you worried about something? You look unwell.

Seol, who was losing sleep over various thoughts, walked a little and saw Taehyung sighing under the cherry blossom tree where they had talked yesterday. She approached him cautiously and asked.

김태형.

Seol-ah, if you keep being interested in someone, what will come to mind?

설.

Are you really asking because you don't know? Isn't it love?

김태형.

Love... what if it hasn't been that long since we met?

설.

There's a saying that it's love at first sight.

It didn't take long to arrive at the answer: love. The problem was, when Taehyung said he had a crush on someone, Ji-an came to mind. I thought it couldn't be true, but if it was someone I'd met recently, Ji-an was the most likely candidate.

설.

Brother, do you have someone you love?

김태형.

If what you say is true, I think I'm going to fall in love with someone.

설.

I won't ask who it is. If you develop a good relationship with that person later, please let me know.

김태형.

Why do you have such a sullen expression?

설.

Don't mind me, but is it okay if I stay here?

김태형.

Ah.. See you later, Seol-ah.

설.

Who could it be... The person that Taehyung is in love with...

The phrase "love at first sight" isn't often used. Not many people possess the power to captivate others at first sight. Taehyung and Seol were drawn to each other at first sight, like the North and South poles that always stick together. Only they didn't know who the other liked.

지안.

Where have you been?

김태형.

Ah.. I was with Seol for a bit.

지안.

Didn't you say it was your duty to protect me? But why is Seol-i's name always on your lips?

김태형.

sorry.

지안.

I just mean... pay a little more attention to me, so don't take it badly.

I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about Taehyung, but when he came to see me, he seemed happy. But it was also nice to have Seol with me. He never smiled when I was with him.

지안.

Do you have someone you like?

김태형.

Would it be okay if I asked why you suddenly asked this question?

지안.

I thought this level of conversation was possible to become close, but I guess not.

김태형.

No, I didn't know, but I found out today. It seems like I have a crush on a woman.

I knew it right away from his words. It must be Seol. No matter what he wore or what his status was, the lead actor always stood out. He'd fought for that position, sacrificing loved ones along the way. Why, the harder I tried, the more pathetic I became.

김태형.

Miss, do you have someone you like?

지안.

But he doesn't like me.

김태형.

I also don't know what the person I'm in love with thinks of me, and that really bothers me.

지안.

What would you do if the person you love didn't care about you?

김태형.

If she doesn't hate me, I'd like to stay by her side. If she does, then I guess it's only right that I give up.

지안.

Of course. But you should also look around before approaching her. There might be someone around you who's looking at you.

"Please look after me," he said. "Please, pay attention to me and look after me." Unlike Seol, who was loved every day, I was always in the position of taking care of someone else. Taehyung left and night fell. With thoughts of all sorts keeping me awake, I called Seol.

지안.

Seol-ah, I can't sleep, so could you help me find these books?

Ultimately, I'm about to do something to Seol that shouldn't be done. I know how much the young lady, trapped alone in a dark place in the past, was afraid of the dark. It's a timid revenge for the things that prevented me from shining.

지안.

Even if you disappear for a moment, no one will care.

설.

There are so many books...

I opened the door to find all the books that Ji-an had mentioned and tried to leave, but the door wouldn't open.

설.

Huh? Why is this happening? Is there anyone else inside? There's someone inside.

In the dark space, only a small light illuminated me. Perhaps because it was night, it was so cold and scary. I kept calling out, wondering why no one was there, but no one came.

설.

Please, someone, come.. I'm so scared.

Suddenly, I felt a headache. I kept hearing a little girl's voice. A little girl crying, begging me to open the door. A little girl who looked like a princess, tired of constantly opening the door, had fallen asleep next to it.

I covered my ears with my hands, the girl's voice still ringing in my ears and the pain in my head that felt like it was going to burst. I didn't want to hear her scream. Tears kept flowing, and eventually, exhausted from crying, I fell asleep, when someone opened the door.

I slowly opened my eyes to the sudden sunlight and saw Taehyung standing in front of me.

설.

Taeheung, brother..?