After Elder Go, the steward, left, Father's face lit up brightly as he examined each medicinal ingredient one by one. In contrast, my heart felt heavy.
The Heavenly Mandate Golden Marriage Pill, of all things.
It was useless anyway, even if I took it. I couldn't tell if I should be happy about it or not.
Is he testing me?
Besides, Father said nothing else. I'd expected him to urge me to take it right away, but surprisingly, he didn't. Still, seeing him in such a good mood lifted my spirits too.
Is he happy about this?
He tried not to show it, but every time Father faced me, his eyes filled with worry and concern. Whenever he saw me, he'd frown deeply and put on a grave expression, so in the past, I'd felt like he truly hated me. On top of that, the household was full of whispers that I had tarnished his reputation and held him back. They said he'd only brought me here out of obligation but didn't like it, so he never returned home, leaving just the child behind.
At first, I was simply grateful that he'd brought me here. But as time passed, I grew to resent him for dropping me off in this place and rarely showing his face...
Those thoughts were interrupted by a sudden commotion.
"Give it here, I said."
"No way. I'm organizing them right now. Why are you doing this? Ah, I said no!"
It was Dang-geum. She snatched something from a maidservant who was sorting the items, practically robbing her. The maidservant glanced at me uncertainly, not knowing what to do. Dang-geum snapped at her like she was bullying her.
"What's your problem? Why? Geez, can't I even look? It's fine, right, Miss?"
I glanced at Father, who was still unaware of the situation over here. Not wanting to cause a scene, I nodded vaguely.
"Do as you like."
With so many people around, nothing major would happen here.
Dang-geum was the one who'd whispered the most to me that Father hated me. She was the biggest contributor to ruining my relationship with him, you could say. Dang-geum even had sticky fingers. Right now, it was fine since I had no valuables, but as I grew up, Father sent me various gifts. They were special items from the Baek family young master himself, naturally worth a fortune. Rare treasures were included from time to time.
But Dang-geum lied, saying they weren't anything special and that Father must despise me to send such trash. Then she'd pilfer them behind my back. But as the saying goes, a long tail gets caught—the tail drags and all that. She got busted by Father while bragging about the stolen goods.
Flashback"He's going to kill me!"
"N-No way... he'd kill you over stealing one trinket, right? But Dang-geum, didn't you say it wasn't valuable?"
"Is that what matters right now?!"
"Ah, no... I thought since it wasn't precious, he wouldn't be that mad..."
"This is a martial clan! Miss, you don't get it, but punishments here are way harsher."
"..."
I know now it was nonsense. But back then, I believed Dang-geum, who'd lived in the Baek family longer than I had.
"Please save me, Miss. Please. I was wrong."
"...What do you want me to do?"
Dang-geum's eyes gleamed as she spilled her scheme without a second thought, like the tears had never been there. And when Father came to question the facts...
"Yes, Father, I gave it to Dang-geum as a gift."
"From what I've heard, it seems your maid sold more than one or two of your items. You're saying you gave them all to her?"
"Ah..."
More than one or two? That was news to me. As I panicked and looked at Dang-geum, she glared like I should stick to the story.
"...Yes. I gave them to her."
"...I see."
I can still vividly recall the disappointment in his eyes then.
"If you don't like the gifts in the future, just... No. They're yours since I gave them to you."
That was one of the reasons our relationship grew even more distant. Afterward, Dang-geum spread rumors that I'd thrown away Father's gifts because I didn't like them.
Recalling it now made my blood boil.
No, no. It hasn't happened yet, so...
I couldn't chase her out as a future thief when she hadn't stolen anything yet. Besides, I wouldn't let her steal now.
"Wait, let me see that jade plaque. Wow, this jade plaque looks amazing."
It was clearly top-grade jade, beautifully colored and uniform at a glance. Dang-geum fiddled with the jade plaque she'd taken without permission for a while, then suddenly turned to me. Greed filled her sly, gleaming eyes.
"Miss, give me this jade plaque."
"..."
I was speechless. Even the maidservant sorting items stared at her like she was insane. But Dang-geum looked at me brazenly, as if she'd done nothing wrong.
"There's so many—can't you give me just one? I got beaten because of you!"
It seemed Grandfather's decree meant nothing to Dang-geum.
Well, she thinks even the beating was my fault. Of course.
Left alone in the Baek family back then, I'd been lonely. Naively, I'd trusted Dang-geum and distanced myself from Father.
A total pushover, ripe for the taking.
I spoke as if helpless.
"Wait a moment."
Dang-geum grinned delightedly, polishing the jade plaque with her sleeve. Even though I'd told her to wait, she acted like it was already hers. The other servants' eyes gleamed too, figuring if I gave it up easily, they might snag something.
Ignoring their obvious intentions, I waited. Soon after, Father approached from where he'd been joyfully inspecting the medicine chest and ledger in one corner of the courtyard.
"Ri-yeon, Ri-yeon! The herbs Father sent are definitely better. We should make your medicine with those. That okay?"
"Of course. You can use them without even asking me."
"But they're the ones you received."
"What's mine and yours between us, Father? Anyway, Father."
Father looked at me, wondering what was up. I glanced at Dang-geum and said,
"Dang-geum wants this jade plaque. Should I give it to her?"
"What?"
Father blinked in confusion, not grasping it. Dang-geum, who had been showing off the jade plaque to the other maids, jumped in shock and whipped around to me.
"She says she wants the jade plaque since she got beaten because of me. But these gifts are all from Grandfather, right? I don't think I should give it away on my own."
"What on earth are you talking about? Beaten because of you?"
Father stared at Dang-geum, doubting his own ears. Her face drained of color. The servants who'd been cozying up to her scattered with choked expressions.
"W-What are you saying, Miss! When did I ever say that?"
I looked at her as if bewildered myself.
"Huh? You did. You said with so many, you could have one, and that you got beaten because of me... That your wounds hurt so much from this morning you needed to rest..."
"Miss!"
The moment Dang-geum yelled, Father's expression turned icy. He quietly stepped in front of me, blocking her from view. Then, in a voice cold as falling frost, he said,
"Can't you lower your voice? Ri-yeon may be young, but she's the one you serve—how dare you raise your tone like that?"
"Y-Young Master, th-that's..."
"And not content with resenting Madam's punishment, you brazenly covet your master's possessions? I've never seen such impudence in my life. Are you truly Ri-yeon's maid? Anyone would think you were the master!"
At Father's stern rebuke, Dang-geum flinched and bowed her head. The servants who'd watched her antics like it was someone else's business hurriedly assumed deferential postures, fearing the fire would spread to them. Naturally, that only fueled Father's anger further.
"This insolence can't be overlooked. Kneel there and reflect until sunset! And you—watch that she properly endures her punishment!"
With a thunderous command, Father scooped me up effortlessly in one arm and turned away sharply. Over his shoulder, the courtyard had fallen into a chilling silence.
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