Evening rolled in at the Lee estate, the sky outside dyed in warm purples and golds. Rinwoo padded into the kitchen with sleeves rolled up, determination written all over his face. The servants blinked in surprise when he announced he'd be making dinner himself.
"Why the sudden motivation, hm?" one of the maids teased, leaning against the counter with a smirk.
"Y-You'll see," Rinwoo mumbled, trying to sound casual, though his ears were already pink.
It had been perfect luck Taemin was dining out with someone, Mr. Lee had an event to attend, Eunjae and Daon were off to the Hong estate to eat with Eunjae's father. That left the big house quiet, almost too quiet… except for the fact that it meant only one person would be at the table with him tonight.... Taekyun.
The realization had made Rinwoo's heart bounce like a rabbit. He picked fresh vegetables, marinated meat, and even tried to remember that recipe Taekyun had once casually said he liked. He was halfway through chopping onions when another servant passed by and sang, "Our young chef is in love~"
"I....! It's not like that!" Rinwoo stammered, fumbling with the knife, his cheeks burning so red they could outshine the tomatoes in the basket.
"Sure, sure," another chimed in with a grin. "Cooking a whole feast for one guest. Totally normal."
They didn't stop teasing, making little "ooh" and "ahh" noises every time he added extra seasoning or arranged the plates too neatly. Poor Rinwoo could barely keep his hands steady, his shy smile betraying him every time someone caught his eye.
By the time the table was set candles flickering, dishes steaming, the smell of home-cooked food filling the air his heart was pounding louder than the clock in the hallway.
Meanwhile, at a luxury restaurant, Taekyun sat across from his girlfriend Yuna, the soft golden lights glinting off the wine glasses between them.
He leaned forward slightly, voice low and almost pleading.
"Yuna… don't be mad, okay? I know I haven't been giving you enough time lately but..."
Yuna didn't even glance at him, her arms crossed, pout fixed stubbornly on her lips.
"Mmh," she let out a short sound of disapproval, eyes flicking toward the piano player in the corner instead of him.
Taekyun sighed, leaning back into his seat, shoulders sinking. He looked exhausted, his tie slightly loosened, hair a bit messy from running around all day. He rubbed his temples, too drained to keep convincing her.
A tense silence settled between them, broken only by the clinking of cutlery from nearby tables.
Finally, Yuna spoke without looking at him.
"Other boyfriends manage their time just fine, Taekyun."
His jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he stared at the untouched steak on his plate, feeling that familiar wave of frustration and helplessness.
Yuna let out a dramatic sigh, leaning closer as if she was the saddest girl in the world. "Fine… then spend the night with me, and I'll forgive you," she pouted, her tone half-playful, half-serious.
Taekyun paused, his jaw tightening as he thought about it. "I can't," he said flatly.
Her pout deepened, and she tugged lightly at his sleeve. "Why not? Just tonight. You owe me."
He looked at her for a moment, conflicted. Then, with a faint exhale, he gave in a little. "I'll spend time with you… but not the whole night."
Her eyes lit up instantly, the pout melting into a small, victorious smile. "Good enough for now," she said, looping her arm through his. "Come on then, I'm not letting you run away again."
Hong Estate – Dining Hall
The long mahogany table gleamed under the chandelier's light. Silver cutlery clinked against porcelain as the quiet hum of the estate's evening filled the room.
Daon sat rigidly across from Eunjae, his fingers tightening around the wine glass. Eunjae was far too relaxed, leaning back in his chair with that playful smirk that made Daon's pulse spike.
Halfway through the meal, Eunjae dropped his fork with a sigh and leaned toward his father. "Dad… I think you should know something."
Mr. Hong looked up from cutting his steak, eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
Eunjae glanced at Daon before speaking, his voice dripping with feigned innocence"Our first night after the wedding was… a little disappointing." Daon froze. Mr. Hong raised an eyebrow.
Eunjae shrugged, stabbing a piece of asparagus and popping it into his mouth before casually continuing. "Well… no romance. No passion. My dear spouse here seemed more interested in sleeping than… you know…"
He shot Daon a sideways glance, as if daring him to react. "Eunjae..." A hot flush crept up Daon's neck.
Mr. Hong's brows furrowed, his gaze shifting between them.
Daon swallowed hard, avoiding both their eyes. His fingers dug into the napkin on his lap. The room felt suddenly smaller, the air thicker. Eunjae smiled like a cat who'd cornered its prey.
Mr. Hong chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, Eunjae, enough. Stop teasing the poor boy."
Eunjae just rolled his eyes dramatically, clearly not taking the warning seriously. His lips curved into that slow, infuriating smirk as he leaned back in his chair.
While Daon tried to focus on the business talk with Mr. Hong, he felt something shift under the table. A light thud... one of Eunjae's shoes had slipped off.
Before Daon could even process it, Eunjae's foot slid forward, the warm press of his toes brushing against Daon's shin. He started dragging it slowly up and down, an almost lazy caress that made Daon's words stumble mid-sentence.
Mr. Hong didn't notice, still talking about contracts and schedules, but Eunjae's gaze stayed locked on Daon like he was enjoying every bit of this secret little game.
Daon gritted his teeth, forcing himself to nod at Mr. Hong's words, while under the table, Eunjae traced circles against his calf, deliberately slow, deliberately distracting.
Eunjae tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting. "You seem… tense, Daon," he murmured under his breath, just quiet enough for Mr. Hong not to hear.
Eunjae smirked wickedly, leaning back in his chair. Under the table, his foot nudged Daon's side hard enough to make him jolt.
Daon's eyes went wide, and he shot up from his seat so fast his chair scraped against the polished floor.
Mr. Hong blinked, utterly confused. "Daon? Are you..."
"I… uh… need to go to the washroom!" Daon blurted, already turning away before his burning ears gave him away.
The moment Daon was out of sight, Eunjae burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking.
"What on earth was that about?" Mr. Hong asked, half-annoyed, half-curious.
"Nothing, Dad," Eunjae said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning like a cat that had caught a mouse. "Just… married life stuff."
MEANWHILE..
The soft golden lights of the luxury restaurant reflected off the polished marble floors, the quiet clinking of cutlery filling the air. Taemin sat at their reserved table, his posture perfect, one hand loosely resting on the edge of the menu while his eyes flicked towards the entrance every few seconds.
When he finally spotted Juwon, his expression softened. Juwon was pushing his mother's wheelchair with gentle care, guiding her through the restaurant. Her elegance was unmistakable despite her frail frame, and Taemin immediately rose to his feet.
As they reached the table, Taemin greeted her with a deep, respectful bow.
"Ma'am," he said, his voice warm but formal.
Juwon couldn't help but smile, his gaze sweeping over Taemin's perfectly tailored suit, crisp white shirt, and neatly styled hair. He looked like he'd walked straight out of a magazine effortlessly charming.
"Is this to impress my mother?" Juwon teased, the corner of his lips curling into a smirk.
Without missing a beat, Taemin leaned slightly closer and gave Juwon a discreet pinch on the arm before pulling out the chair and taking his seat across from his mother.
Her mother smiled at their silliness and said, "Juwon talks a lot about you."
Taemin smiled shyly, his gaze dropping for a moment.
Juwon couldn't stop but admire how respectful he looked in front of his mother. He couldn't believe that this was the same Taemin who messed around with him all the time.
Taemin's lips curved into a small grin, "Well… he talks a lot about you too, ma'am. All good things."
Juwon rolled his eyes, muttering, "Liar," under his breath.
His mother chuckled, clearly catching the playful tension between them. "You two must be close."
Taemin glanced at Juwon for a brief second, his smile deepening. "Yeah… you could say that."
Mrs. Park's smile didn't fade, but there was a certain sharpness in her eyes the kind that weighed and measured a person. "I hope you're not the kind of boy who gives my son trouble," she said lightly, though it sounded more like a test than a joke.
Taemin hesitated for half a second before replying with a soft chuckle. "Only the kind of trouble that makes him smile."
Juwon nearly choked on his water. Mrs. Park raised a brow, clearly not expecting such a reply, and then… she laughed softly, but enough to break the tension in the air.
The waiter came to take their orders, and conversation began to flow. Yet, beneath the polite smiles, Taemin could feel something Mrs. Park's kindness toward her son was genuine, but her approval of Taemin? That would have to be earned.
BACK TO HONG ESTATE
The Hong estate gates closed behind them with a heavy clang as Daon's car rolled onto the quiet country road. Dinner had been… tolerable. Mr. Hong had been polite enough, but his eyes had carried a constant glint of scrutiny, the same one Eunjae seemed to have inherited.
Eunjae, sitting in the passenger seat, crossed his legs and leaned back with a smirk. "You know, you barely spoke a word the entire evening. I can see where you get your charming social skills from."
Daon's jaw tightened, his hands gripping the wheel. "I wasn't aware my 'charming skills' were up for discussion."
Eunjae tilted his head, the moonlight from the car window highlighting the mischievous glint in his eyes. "Everything's up for discussion. Including the fact that your family is cursed. Funny how you Lees cling to your pride while living under a spell like some tragic fairy tale."
Daon's gaze stayed fixed on the road, but his knuckles had gone white. "Careful, Eunjae."
"What? Did I hit a nerve?" Eunjae's voice was airy, but his words cut sharp. "I mean, marrying your fated match just to break some old superstition… you Lees must be desperate. And here I thought this was about love."
Daon slammed his foot on the brakes, the car jerking to a halt on the empty stretch of road. The sudden silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the engine.
He turned to Eunjae, eyes cold. "You think you can throw my family's name around like it's a game? You think mocking the curse makes you brave? You know nothing about what it's cost us."
For a brief moment, Eunjae's smirk faltered. His mouth opened to speak, but Daon's glare cut him off.
"Enjoy your fun, Eunjae," Daon said, voice low and dangerous. "But don't forget...you're part of this family now. That curse you mock? You're standing in the middle of it."
The hum of the engine was the only sound between them until Eunjae finally broke the silence.
"You know, Daon, for someone so obsessed with pride, you're awfully quick to lose your temper. I was just talking."
Daon's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "You weren't talking, you were insulting."
Eunjae gave a short, mocking laugh. "If you can't handle a little honesty, maybe you should've married someone who'd sit quietly and worship your perfect Lee family instead of me."
Daon shot him a glare. "Don't flatter yourself. This marriage isn't about what I want...it's about what has to be done."
That stung, and Eunjae's smirk turned into a sharp edge. "Exactly my point. I'm just your curse insurance. Nothing more."
The words hit harder than either of them expected, and Daon's anger flared. He turned his head for a split second, eyes locking with Eunjae's in the heated glare just long enough to miss the narrow curve ahead.
The car swerved violently as Daon yanked the wheel to correct it. Tires screeched against gravel. The front bumper slammed into the dirt embankment at the roadside, jolting both of them forward in their seats.
The world went still, save for the ticking of the cooling engine. They were in the middle of nowhere no lights, no passing cars, only the faint rustle of the wind through the trees.
Eunjae's breathing was uneven. "Nice driving, husband," he muttered, unbuckling his seatbelt. "What now? Planning to curse the road too?"
Daon ignored the jab and stepped out, slamming the door behind him. The air was cold, the sky moonless. He glanced at the dented bumper and the back wheel that had sunk halfway into the soft dirt.
"We're stuck," he said flatly.
Eunjae leaned against the passenger door, crossing his arms. "Fantastic. Stranded on our first day as a married couple. Romantic, isn't it?"
Daon shot him a withering look. "Get back in the car. I'll figure it out."
But Eunjae didn't move, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe the curse wants to tell you something, Daon. Maybe he wants you to be nice to your husband"
The tension hung heavy in the cold night, both too stubborn to admit the chill running down their spines had little to do with the weather.
The dining room at the Lee estate glowed softly under the chandelier. The long table was neatly set silverware perfectly aligned, wine glasses polished until they gleamed, and a spread of dishes that still carried the gentle steam of being freshly cooked.
Rinwoo sat alone in the living room, his hands folded neatly in his lap, eyes glancing toward the clock every few minutes. The servants moved quietly around him, setting last touches on the table, exchanging looks filled with silent sympathy.
They had seen how early Rinwoo had started in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, flour dusting his apron, the faint smile he wore as he carefully seasoned Taekyun's favorite dishes. He had asked the cook for little tips, even arranged the table himself, wanting everything to be perfect.
But the chair of the table remained empty.
One of the older maids approached quietly. "Would you like me to reheat the food, Master Rinwoo?" she asked softly.
Rinwoo shook his head with a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Not yet… he'll be here soon."
The clock ticked past nine. Then ten. Then eleven.
Meanwhile…
In the city, Taekyun strolled leisurely through the shopping district beside Yuna, her arm hooked through his. Laughter spilled between them as she showed him a dress displayed in a boutique window.
"You think this would look good on me?" she asked, twirling a little.
Taekyun smirked, leaning closer. "You'd look good in anything."
Yuna's hands were full with shopping bags, and Taekyun carried the rest without complaint, completely oblivious to the scene unfolding back at the estate.
Back home, Rinwoo finally stood and walked to the dining table. The food had gone cold. The servants quietly cleared their throats, asking if they should put it away. Rinwoo hesitated, then nodded.
"I'll just… eat later," he murmured.
But later never came. He went upstairs instead, the sound of clinking dishes following him like a quiet echo of disappointment.
The cold night air bit at Daon's skin as he stood by the car, phone in hand, glaring at the No Service icon taunting him. He'd tried holding it higher, moving around nothing. No signal, no help.
From behind him, Eunjae leaned casually against the car, arms crossed, watching with an amused tilt to his head.
"Aw, poor Daon. Can't even call Daddy Lee to come save us," he teased.
Daon shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass. "Don't start."
But before Daon could slip his phone back into his pocket, Eunjae's head tilted toward the distance. "Wait… do you hear that?"
Daon frowned. "Hear what?"
Somewhere beyond the dark tree line, faint sounds drifted through the muffled beat of drums, laughter, voices carrying from far away. It was coming from the direction of a small village down the road.
Eunjae's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Well, well… sounds like a party. Or at least somewhere with people who might actually have a phone that works."
"I said we're staying here," Daon replied firmly, already moving to check the car again.
But Eunjae was already pushing off the car, his long strides carrying him down the road. "Fine, stay and sulk. I'm going to see what's going on. Who knows maybe they'll have a bed for the night. You did crash our ride, after all."
"Eunjae....!" Daon started, but Eunjae didn't slow, waving a lazy hand over his shoulder.
Cursing under his breath, Daon locked the car and went after him, catching up just in time to feel Eunjae's fingers curl around his wrist. "What the hell are you doing..."
"Dragging you toward civilization," Eunjae said with infuriating cheerfulness. "Besides… admit it. You're curious too."
The road narrowed as they walked, the night growing quieter except for that distant beat of drums. Shadows stretched long under the pale light of the stars, and the faint smell of woodsmoke drifted through the air.
Daon's instincts prickled. Whatever waited in that village, he had a feeling it wasn't just music and laughter.
The room was dim, the only light coming from the small lamp on the bedside table.
Rinwoo sat on the floor beside his bed, knees pulled close to his chest, his back pressed against the frame. His shoulders shook as quiet sobs escaped him, the ache in his chest heavy and suffocating.
Why am I even trying?
Taekyun barely look at him. No matter how much Rinwoo tried cooking his favorite meals, waiting up late, smiling even when he felt lonely it was never enough.
Why do I get excited over the smallest things…? he thought bitterly, tears wetting his cheeks. Last night he talked to me for just a little while, and I felt so happy. Why? Why do I even care when he doesn't?
His breath hitched as the ache swelled. Slowly, without meaning to, his mind slipped into a memory one buried deep, from years ago.
They had been so young then. Taekyun, barely old enough to be called a man, had just been punished harshly by Mr. Lee for talking back. Angry and defiant, he'd decided to run away from home and without much thought, he had taken Rinwoo with him.
The two of them wandered far, neither knowing where they were headed. By the time they realized they didn't recognize their surroundings, the sky had turned a deep shade of grey. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Rinwoo, small and gentle even then, had tried to be brave. But when the first sharp crack of thunder split the sky, tears welled up in his eyes.
"I want to go home," he'd whispered, voice trembling.
When lightning flashed, he broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably. Taekyun froze, looking utterly lost he had no idea how to comfort someone. He shifted awkwardly, glancing around for help that wasn't there.
Finally, he crouched down in front of Rinwoo and said, "Don't cry. I… I'll get us back." His voice wasn't exactly soothing, but there was a fierce determination in it.
When Rinwoo's crying didn't stop, Taekyun did the only thing he could think of he reached out and took Rinwoo's small hand, holding it tightly. "See? I'm right here. If the thunder comes, I'll shout louder to scare it away."
It was clumsy, awkward, but it made Rinwoo hiccup through his tears and stare at him. The thunder roared again, and Taekyun yelled "HEY!" into the sky like he was challenging it.
And for some reason… Rinwoo laughed, just a little.
Back in the present, Rinwoo pressed a hand to his chest, the memory burning in him.
That boy the Taekyun who had once yelled at the thunder just to make him smile felt so far away now.