We were destined to fail.

05 | Conflicting gazes.

김태형.

What the... Seol-ah, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?

설.

Brother...

Just as my heart sank in fear, my brother stood before me. I was so surprised by the relief, my eyes widened, and I fell into his arms as he asked if I was okay.

김태형.

J.. Wait. Is that okay?

Breaking the brief silence, he grabbed my shoulder, which he had been holding tightly, and, after pulling away slightly, asked. He was probably quite flustered, but given the circumstances, I didn't have time to pay much attention to it.

설.

That's fine. But how did you end up here?

김태형.

I kept hearing a woman's voice, so I looked around, but I never imagined it would be like this. Why on earth were you here at this hour? What happened to you?

설.

I came here because the young lady said she wanted to read a book. I got stuck in the middle and have been inside ever since.

My brother said he had a woman he loved, but I thought, "Isn't it embarrassing that I'm embracing her without saying anything?" Suddenly, a negative thought struck me, sending my mood plummeting to the floor. My feelings, which had grown so large that they were difficult to control, were becoming uncontrollable. I still don't know how to define this feeling.

설.

Thank you, brother..

김태형.

Seol-ah.

설.

I'll go first since you'll be waiting. Thank you for your time today.

In that state, I didn't have the courage to listen to my brother, so I quickly got up and left. I didn't know what he was saying, but whatever it was, I didn't want to hear it.

김태형.

I'll take you there, Seol-ah.

설.

No, if a man and a woman were together at this hour, it would cause unnecessary misunderstandings. And didn't you say that your brother had a woman he was in love with?

설.

You don't have to treat me this well.

Finally, I drew the line. The moment those words left my mouth and reached my ears in my own voice, I acknowledged it. But whether I acknowledged it or not is none of my business. Because the woman he's in love with is none of my business.

설.

Let's go first.

김태형.

What on earth are you misunderstanding?

Seol's slightly bitter smile and the thought of going first brought Taehyung back to his senses, and he instinctively sensed that something major had happened. However, Seol's reaction gave Taehyung a little leeway.

지안.

Why are you so late and why are you empty-handed for the book I asked you to bring?

설.

Sorry, miss. Something came up in the middle...

지안.

Did something happen?

설.

Don't worry, you're not hurt. I'm fine thanks to your help.

지안.

Are you talking about Taehyung?

Why does everything I do revolve around this child? I can't help but see things go my way whenever you're involved.

지안.

That's good. You're afraid of the dark, you know.

설.

yes..?

지안.

Oh, I guess I was lost in thought for a moment and said something strange.

I'm so lost in thought at a time when I should be careful with my words, and I blurt out random words. This is so tiring. I've come this far, a gift from heaven, after all the hard work I've put in, but it can't end with a single, trivial action. If I just hold on a little longer, things will go smoothly without a hitch.

설.

Miss, would it be okay if I went back to my room first? I'm a bit surprised today and would like to go to bed early.

지안.

Go in first. I'm a little tired today too.

설.

How on earth did the young lady know that? My sister, who's been with me for seven years, couldn't have been unaware that I'm afraid of the dark.

I had a feeling it was a lie, but I didn't think it was possible for my sister, who knew she was the princess who disappeared seven years ago, to bring me here without any punishment and allow me to live with her. No, I should have. If a third party had heard, they would have been convinced.

설.

How on earth do you know I'm trapped in the dark?