Jeok Igeon was the superstar among the palace maids. And now, an overnight scandal had suddenly erupted involving such a man.
If Jeok Wibaek knew about it, then all the maids must know too. I had officially become public enemy number one. Even if I denied it, would anyone really believe me? Since it was true that I had spent the night at the Hall of Lasting Glory, the circumstances were far too disadvantageous.
How was I supposed to get through this predicament? If I had known such a tremendous ordeal would follow that fateful encounter, I would have approached it more carefully. Just thinking about meeting the sisters at the Servants' Quarters already made my head throb.
“Ho, the more I look at this young girl, the more charming she becomes. In a few years, she’ll be a tremendous beauty. How about it? Why don’t you come to my bedroom tonight?”
This bastard didn't know when to stop with the sexual harassment—he kept crossing the line, making an already troubled person even angrier. If there were an embodiment of disgust, it would be Jeok Wibaek. I had known for a while that he was a womanizer, but he was truly the worst.
However, this was unfortunately the world of The Advent of the Heavenly Demon. My courage wasn’t great enough to stand up to the Heavenly Demon’s eldest son. Keeping my mouth shut and not responding was the greatest bravery I could muster.
“Your way of speaking is still as filthy as ever, brother.”
That was when Jeok Igeon spoke up again. He had been quietly glaring at his brother for a while before unleashing a series of harsh words.
“If you’re desperate for women, go to a brothel. Just mention that you’re the Heavenly Demon’s son and plenty of courtesans will flock to you. Maintain some dignity in my quarters. It’s so vulgar I want to cut off my own ears.”
“What? This bastard... I came to visit my brother after much thought, and you speak to me like that?”
“This is me speaking as mildly as possible. Words should sound like words for me to respond properly.”
“Are you doing this because you’re afraid I’ll take this girl away? Can’t you yield one measly maid for your brother’s sake?”
“Do you covet my maid that much?” Jeok Igeon glanced at me once, then suddenly questioned his brother.
At this point, I became anxious. He’s not going to tell me to serve him, is he? We had such a good atmosphere going just a moment ago! I really will work hard on my training!
Whether he knew I was looking at him like he was a bug or not, Jeok Wibaek shouted at Jeok Igeon.
“Yes! Now that it’s come to this, I don’t want to give up!”
“Then try to take her.”
“What?”
“If you can take her, then try it.”
“…Are you challenging me to a duel?”
“Do you have the guts for that?”
The look in Jeok Igeon’s eyes was pure mockery.
“Grr…!”
Both of Jeok Wibaek’s cheeks trembled in frustration. He knew it too. Though born as the eldest son, the common assessment was that his martial arts skills were a step behind Jeok Igeon. His repeated assassination attempts likely stemmed from the inferiority complex born of this gap.
“You’d better watch your words from now on. Preferably, I hope you won’t visit again, either.”
After the open mockery came the open order to leave. I could see Jeok Wibaek’s face turning red and blue from humiliation. He looked like he wanted to say something for the sake of his pride, but he seemed afraid it might actually lead to a duel. Ultimately, he kept his mouth shut and left the Hall of Lasting Glory.
“Thank you for helping me.”
If Jeok Igeon hadn’t stepped in, I would have almost become Jeok Wibaek’s woman. Though I didn’t show it, I was actually quite frightened. The fate of those at the bottom was unpredictable; that was why I had been avoiding such situations so desperately. To face this with only two months left on my contract—I really had terrible luck.
“I will correct the misunderstanding that occurred last night. I apologize for causing you worry.”
Despite my mood being at rock bottom, I was now worried about Jeok Igeon. Hadn’t he shown consideration for the first time in his life, only to suddenly bear unwelcome infamy? What if he got so angry that he decided to kill me? Given his temperament, he was more than capable of it. I needed to set the record straight.
“How dare he covet what’s mine?”
But the response that came back was strange.
“Training will resume tomorrow. I’m going to practice now, so you go do your work too.”
The look in his eyes was cold, but it didn’t feel like he was angry at me. Most importantly, “what’s mine”? What on earth did that mean? Leaving me behind as I stammered in confusion, Jeok Igeon headed to the training grounds.
Even after he left, I remained indoors trying to figure it out, but I couldn't understand his words at all. I've become quite useful to him. That was the limit of my deduction.
“Ugh, enough with the distracting thoughts! Let’s go get lunch!”
Jeok Igeon had ordered me to focus solely on his meals. My goal was to survive until my resignation day, and to do that, I had to follow orders. Since he said breakfast was tasteless, I had to pay special attention. Just because he was currently favorable toward me didn't mean I could let my guard down. How many characters had fallen into ruin from a single mistake?
I will definitely escape safely from this hell.
As I headed toward the Servants' Quarters, menus for Jeok Igeon floated through my head. It didn’t take long to realize that was a mistake.
“Seolha! What happened last night? Did you really sleep at the Hall of Lasting Glory?”
Led by Seolok, the maids swarmed toward me. What a fool I was. This was the very thing I had worried about first, but I had forgotten it while being absorbed in the menu.
“Did the Second Young Lord really choose you as his woman?”
“How did it happen?”
“Why you of all people?”
“You’re pretty enough, but you’re not the most beautiful woman in the world!”
Resentful words poured out endlessly. While there was a bit of envy, I saw many eyes filled with jealousy and spite. I needed to speak well here. If I couldn't come up with a convincing excuse, my remaining life as a maid would never be smooth. Especially since the Servants' Quarters was where the meals were prepared—I needed their help.
“Oh my, no! What would the Second Young Lord lack that he would do such a thing with a maid like me? It’s all a misunderstanding!”
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes! The facts got distorted. I really never imagined that the sisters here would believe such a thing!”
“What facts got distorted?”
“The fact that I stayed up all night at the Hall of Lasting Glory.”
“What! So you really did stay there!”
“I just said I stayed up all night, not that I slept.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“Why did you stay up all night?”
“Oh my, I don’t know if I should say this…” I deliberately trailed off. The maids began pressing me.
“What is it that you can’t tell us?”
“If you have nothing to hide, explain!”
I couldn't tell them the real reason. I pretended to deliberate before confessing in a tiny voice.
“Actually… the Second Young Lord was feeling a bit unwell.”
“What? You’re saying he was sick?”
“Yes. I greeted him before leaving work, but he didn't respond. Usually, he would always say ‘good work’ in such a caring tone.”
“That’s right. He definitely seems like the type who would do that.”
“So I thought it was strange and looked inside, and there he was, burning up with fever!”
“Gasp! A fever?”
“They say healthy people sometimes get seriously ill all at once. I was shocked and hurriedly brought the Physician Elder, and I assisted him all night. As you know, I’m the only maid in the Hall of Lasting Glory at that hour.”
Cornered, the lies flowed smoothly. I don’t know why I thought of the Physician Elder, but it was a plausible excuse. I was confident no one here would dare go verify the facts with him.
“I just nursed him all night and dozed off briefly in the small room. I’m dumbfounded that such rumors spread! As if I could ever be involved with the Second Young Lord!”
“How is he doing now?”
“He recovered in just one day. He’s training at the grounds right now.”
“Really? Not a single lie?”
Most were convinced, but a few still looked suspicious. I needed a decisive blow.
“Please trust me. I have no desire to get involved with high-ranking people. Most importantly—and I haven’t told anyone yet—I actually have someone I like.”
“What? You have a lover?”
“Yes. He just passed the entrance exam for the Blood Shadow Unit. If you really doubt me, I’ll introduce you to him.”
Yang Sobaek, I’m sorry. For dragging you into my lies right after you joined the unit. But what are friends for? We help each other when times are tough.
It was the moment when Yang Sobaek, my close friend since childhood, suddenly transformed into my lover.