No one saw me, right?
Crossing the garden, I frantically looked around. Come to think of it, I had done something foolish.
I had resolved so firmly not to stand out, yet I started fighting from the very beginning.
No matter how angry I was, I should have endured it. Causing a commotion in Jeok Igeon’s front yard was tantamount to asking to be killed.
He was a very quiet person who pathologically hated noisy things. Until I arrived at the Hall of Lasting Glory, I had made up my mind to live like I was dead, but this damn hot temper of mine was the problem.
He couldn’t have heard it, right? How far is it from his quarters to the main gate? Surely he couldn’t have heard that. It was true that Jeok Igeon was a monster beyond human limits, but that was in the future. Right now he was only nineteen years old, just a teenage boy. Of course, he was tremendously talented, so he was certainly a considerable master even now. So even if I got caught, it would be hard to expect anything good.
Endure it. I must endure it.
I couldn’t ruin my life by getting swept up in anger. I had to live. Even if this world was inside a novel, as long as I didn’t know how to return, surviving was the only path I could take.
Shin Seolha, don’t be scared. Just do what you’ve been doing.
In front of Jeok Igeon’s quarters where I had arrived long ago, I caught my breath. Now I just had to open one door and work would begin. Doae’s group had already scattered to find their respective tasks. I wanted to do the same, but today was my first day as a personal maid. I should at least greet him out of courtesy. Of course, Jeok Igeon wouldn’t care about someone like me, but that’s what a servant should do.
“Phew. Stay calm…!”
Just as I finished taking a deep breath and was about to grab the door handle, the door opened without warning. A broad chest filled my vision.
“It’s a face I haven’t seen before. Are you the new personal maid?”
I was so startled that I couldn’t even scream and froze like a statue. The surging fear made it impossible for me to even raise my eyes to look at him.
Thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump-thump!
My heart rate raced toward its maximum.
“Why no answer? I didn’t hear you were mute.”
At his frustrated tone, I finally snapped back to my senses. I quickly stepped back and bowed deeply at the waist.
“H-hello. I’m Shin Seolha, assigned as the Hall of Lasting Glory’s personal maid starting today. Please take care of me!”
“Are you going to stay in that position? I need to see your face to recognize you later, don’t I?”
“R-right!”
My throat felt parched from tension. I focused on managing my expression as I slowly raised my head.
…But wait? This guy is Jeok Igeon?
Facing the man, I fell into confusion. I had never actually seen Jeok Igeon, but I had read about him countless times. Skin as white as if dusted with flour, a prominent nose bridge, a jawline sharp as a blade. His lips were red as blood and his eyes had a very dark and deep color, as if the black night sky had been transplanted directly. The author often added descriptions that he was more beautiful than women.
But the man before me had bronze-colored skin to start with. His appearance was handsome, but not to the level that women would worship him. Therefore, there was a high probability this person was not Jeok Igeon.
“I’m Cheongang. I’m in charge of the Second Young Lord’s escort.”
My deduction was correct. I thought so—I didn’t read the novel carelessly.
But wait. Who did you say you were?
“…!”
I unconsciously covered my mouth with my hand and screamed internally.
Cheongang! How could I have forgotten about him?
Though he was currently just playing the role of a lackey under the guise of being Jeok Igeon’s escort, he would later be called Blood Sword Soul and make the greatest contribution to the Heavenly Demon’s unification of the Murim. As the heir of the Cheon family, one of the Demon Cult's Six Great Demonic Houses, he was also the only person who could calm Jeok Igeon.
I heard that the head of the Cheon family, who recognized Jeok Igeon’s abilities early on, deliberately made his son Cheongang into Jeok Igeon’s closest subordinate.
“You seem to know me.”
Finding my reaction strange, Cheongang frowned and looked down at me.
Ugh, I’m trembling! Though I couldn’t tell him, Cheongang was my favorite character. I don’t know how many times I muttered “thank goodness” out loud whenever he stopped the rampaging Jeok Igeon. Though he couldn’t prevent all sacrifices, many people were able to save their lives thanks to his intervention.
I liked his attitude of knowing how to cherish life even though he was a demon. Plus, his pure and innocent devotion to only one woman—though they weren’t destined to be together, the things he did for his secret love used to make my single heart flutter.
“I-I heard your name mentioned. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Are you going to make such a fuss in front of the Young Lord too?”
“…Pardon?”
“All this talk about ‘please take care of me’ and ‘it’s an honor’ is strictly forbidden. He dislikes noisy things, so just quietly do your job. Understand?”
Though his tone was blunt, this was a warning he was giving me. Having watched Jeok Igeon since childhood, he would already see through his true nature.
My favorite character is worrying about me! My heart was trembling so much I couldn’t contain myself. This was the first joyful moment since becoming Jeok Igeon’s personal maid.
“Why no answer.”
At my dazed appearance, a look of exasperation crossed Cheongang’s face. I quickly replied to ease my favorite character’s concerns.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Lastly, if you have anything to ask the Young Lord, ask me instead. It’s better to avoid speaking directly with the Young Lord.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“The bedroom is this way. The Young Lord has gone out for dawn training.”
This was welcome news. A golden opportunity to finish arranging the bedding before Jeok Igeon returned. I bowed to Cheongang and hurried toward the bedroom. My steps became much lighter with the joy of meeting my favorite character.
Jeok Igeon’s quarters were surprisingly simple. For someone who was the second son of the Heavenly Demon, the interior was quite empty. The furniture consisted only of a bed, closet, a bookshelf, and a desk.
A frugal psychopath, I see.
“Let me start with ventilation.”
I’ll confess now—I enjoyed cleaning. Even during my busy office worker life, I cleaned my house every single day without fail. I just felt good when things were tidy.
“Still, having to change these bed sheets every day is going to be tough.”
Jeok Igeon was a germaphobe. The many women who had secretly snuck into his bedroom to seduce him died without being able to utter a word because they had carelessly laid their bodies on his bed. He didn't allow anyone other than himself to use his bed. He was so obsessed with it that he even used different spaces for sleeping arrangements meant for producing heirs.
Isn’t it truly ironic that I, a maid, am touching that bed to tidy it up? As if proving his obsession with cleanliness, the pristine white bedding was neatly arranged. Not even a single strand of hair was to be seen.
‘As expected, his humanity is zero. Absolute zero.’
I clicked my tongue and replaced the bedding with fresh sheets from the closet. I didn't forget to pray inwardly that Jeok Igeon would feel comfortable when he lay down.
“Now then, shall I pick out some clothes?”
I swept the floor and dusted the furniture, making sure not a single angle was out of place. The first place Jeok Igeon would visit after finishing training would be the bath. A personal maid was essentially a secretary—anticipating what they want and having it ready beforehand.
Since I needed to survive, I opened the closet and examined the clothes. I selected blue-toned light armor and placed it at the foot of the bed. If my memory was correct, even after becoming the Heavenly Demon, Jeok Igeon preferred to wear blue-toned martial robes.
What was next? Ah, breakfast. One of the main daily tasks was taking care of meals. I was wondering what side dishes would be served as I turned toward the door.
When had he arrived? I hadn’t heard the door opening at all.
There stood Jeok Igeon with wet hair, as if he had just finished bathing. Staring at me intensely.