The applause inside the Royal Han Arts Academy gradually faded as the ceremony came to an end.
Students slowly dispersed throughout the exhibition hall, but one painting remained surrounded by a crowd.
The masterpiece signed only with the elegant alias—
Roxana.
People continued stopping before it, admiring every brushstroke as if afraid the magic would disappear the moment they looked away.
Some students quietly sketched parts of the composition into their notebooks.
Others simply stood in silence.
Master Dong-Hyun remained before the painting long after the audience had begun leaving.
His weathered fingers rested lightly against the ebony walking cane in his hand.
For several moments, he said nothing.
Finally, the academy principal approached him.
"Master Dong-Hyun."
The elderly painter turned.
"The representative for Miss Roxana has arrived."
A faint spark of curiosity appeared in Dong-Hyun's eyes.
"So she came."
"I had hoped the artist herself would attend."
"I'm afraid she declined, Master."
The principal smiled apologetically.
"She requested complete anonymity."
Dong-Hyun nodded thoughtfully.
"I expected as much."
"Very well."
"Please bring the representative."
A few moments later...
A young woman dressed in a simple ivory blouse and black skirt entered the private reception room.
Her posture was elegant.
Her expression calm.
This was, of course...
Yun-Ji.
She offered a respectful bow.
"Good afternoon."
"I am the registered representative for the participant known as Roxana."
Master Dong-Hyun carefully observed her.
Although polite...
She possessed remarkable composure.
Very few teenagers remained this calm while standing before internationally renowned artists.
"Please."
He gestured toward a chair.
"Sit."
Yun-Ji thanked him before taking her seat.
The academy staff placed the velvet presentation box, framed certificate, scholarship documents, and prize money upon the table between them.
Dong-Hyun folded his hands.
"I won't ask you to reveal Roxana's identity."
Yun-Ji remained silent.
"However..."
He smiled gently.
"I would appreciate it if you delivered a message."
She nodded.
"I will."
The elderly master's eyes softened.
"Tell Roxana..."
He glanced toward the masterpiece visible through the reception room window.
"...that today's painting reminded an old man why he fell in love with art."
Yun-Ji's calm expression softened.
"I'll make sure those words reach her."
Dong-Hyun continued.
"There is honesty within every brushstroke."
"That honesty cannot be purchased."
"It cannot be copied."
"It cannot be stolen."
His voice became almost nostalgic.
"The world is full of painters."
"But very few..."
"...become artists."
"I sincerely hope Roxana continues painting."
Yun-Ji lowered her head respectfully.
"Thank you."
"I believe..."
"...those words will mean more to her than the prize itself."
Dong-Hyun smiled knowingly.
"Then perhaps I have chosen the correct messenger."
The academy principal handed Yun-Ji the elegant velvet box.
Inside rested the Grand Prize medal, beautifully engraved with the academy crest.
Beside it lay the official certificate bearing Master Dong-Hyun's signature.
Finally...
A sealed envelope containing the scholarship funds and prize money.
Yun-Ji accepted everything carefully.
"I'll deliver them safely."
As she stood to leave, Dong-Hyun spoke once more.
"If Roxana ever wishes to study under me..."
Yun-Ji paused.
"...my studio doors will always remain open."
For the first time during the meeting...
She genuinely smiled.
"I'll tell her."
Outside the academy, Yun-Ji slipped into a waiting taxi and carefully placed the award box on her lap.
She couldn't help but glance at it every few seconds.
A smile slowly spread across her face.
"You did it, Min."
That evening...
Min-Ho stood quietly by the window of her room, gazing at the city beyond.
The room was silent.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
A familiar presence brushed against her senses.
The corners of her lips lifted into a faint smile.
"You're here."
A moment later, Yun-Ji stepped into the room through the connection created by their twin pendants.
Without a word, she walked over to the old wooden table and placed the elegant velvet presentation box on it.
Min-Ho's eyes immediately fell upon the box.
Neither of them spoke.
Silence lingered between them for several moments.
Finally, Yun-Ji gently pushed the box toward her.
"Go on."
"It's yours."
With trembling fingers, Min-Ho slowly opened the box.
The golden medal reflected the warm evening sunlight streaming through the window...
Beneath it rested the certificate.
First Place
Royal Han Arts Academy Grand Exhibition
Awarded to
Roxana
Min-Ho gently traced the engraved letters.
Her vision blurred.
In her previous life...
She had watched Ji-Yeon receive dozens of awards created through Min-Ho's own hard work.
She had stood behind cameras.
Behind curtains.
Behind everyone.
Invisible.
Today...
For the first time...
An award finally carried her name.
Even if it was only an alias.
A single tear landed upon the certificate.
Yun-Ji quietly sat beside her.
Yun-Ji reached over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"They stole your past."
She spoke firmly.
"But they won't steal your future."
Min-Ho nodded slowly.
"No."
"They won't."
She wiped away her tears before standing.
Her expression gradually changed.
The fragile girl who had cried moments earlier disappeared.
In her place stood someone calm.
Focused.
Resolute.
She walked toward the blank canvas waiting on the easel.
Picking up a fresh brush, she dipped it into deep blue paint.
"This medal..."
She spoke quietly while making the first graceful stroke.
"...isn't my destination."
"It's merely proof."
Yun-Ji smiled.
"Proof of what?"
Min-Ho continued painting.
"That I no longer need the Kang family."
"They believed my talent belonged to them."
"They believed they could lock me inside that mansion forever."
A second brushstroke.
"They were wrong."
She looked over her shoulder.
"From today onward..."
"I'll paint only as Roxana."
"No one will know who I am."
"No one will connect the award-winning artist with the sickly adopted daughter imprisoned inside the Kang mansion."
Yun-Ji leaned back in her chair.
"A hidden empire."
Min-Ho nodded.
"I'll participate in every national competition."
"Then international ones."
"I'll sell my paintings anonymously."
"I'll invest every won I earn."
"My money will become my freedom."
Her voice became colder.
"When the time comes..."
"I won't need the Kang family's inheritance."
"I'll have my own fortune."
Yun-Ji folded her arms thoughtfully.
"And after that?"
Min-Ho's brush paused.
A dangerous smile slowly appeared.
"Then..."
"I'll destroy them."
Not through anger.
Not through violence.
But through something far more devastating.
"I'll expose every lie."
"I'll take back every achievement Ji-Yeon stole."
"I'll strip the Kang family of the reputation they treasure."
"I'll make them experience exactly what they forced me to endure."
She resumed painting.
"And before it's over..."
"I'll uncover why they adopted me."
The room fell silent.
That question had haunted her since awakening with memories of her previous life.
Why had they chosen her?
Why poison her slowly instead of simply abandoning her?
Why keep her alive while hiding her from society?
There had to be a reason.
A reason worth killing for.
Yun-Ji rose from her chair.
"We'll find it."
She extended her hand.
"As partners."
Min-Ho looked at her friend.
Then smiled warmly.
"As sisters."
They clasped hands.
Not by blood.
But by fate.
At that same moment...
Across the city...
Master Dong-Hyun stood alone inside his private studio.
The academy had already closed for the night.
Yet one painting still occupied his thoughts.
Roxana.
He walked toward an old bookshelf and removed a leather-bound journal he had kept for decades.
Inside were the names of every young artist who had ever impressed him.
Some had become famous.
Some had disappeared.
Some had become his students.
Opening to a fresh page, he carefully wrote one name.
Roxana
He stared at the ink for several moments.
Then quietly murmured,
"Wherever you are..."
"...don't let the world change the honesty in your heart."
He closed the journal.
Outside the window...
Rain began to fall gently over the sleeping city.
Neither he nor Min-Ho knew it yet.
But their paths were destined to cross again.
And when the legendary Master Dong-Hyun finally discovered the true identity of the mysterious artist called Roxana...
It would shake not only the Kang family...
But the entire Korean art world.