Chapter 34: A Game of Appearances

“Father worries a lot that something might happen to me since my body is weak. So he doesn’t let me do anything. He buys me everything precious, but he’s never granted what I truly want. His goal is to raise me carefully and marry me off to a good man so I can live comfortably.”

I had nothing to say to her complaint.

That’s unfortunate. Still, you grew up comfortably, didn’t you? Compared to starving, not being able to do what you want isn’t so bad, is it? Of course… it must have been lonely.

Countless words of comfort and criticism drifted through my mind.

But none of them would help either her or me.

“It’s uncomfortable. Can I change now?”

Instead, I changed the subject.

At my question, Eunjo, who had been lost in thought, suddenly jumped.

“What are you saying? That would be such a waste! I worked so hard on this. Oh, right! Since you’re already dressed up, let’s go out with Father. He’ll definitely be surprised when he sees you.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

How much would he mock me—wearing his precious daughter’s clothes, dressed far beyond my place?

He might even punish me for overstepping.

“I don’t want to! I’m changing.”

“Why not?! Father will like it too. I’ll get his permission, so let’s go together.”

Frustration built inside me.

I wanted to expose everything—the deal between her father and me—to this naive girl who knew nothing of the world.

There was no promise binding me to silence anyway.

Maybe I should just spill everything and watch her face twist in shock.

But if I did that, not only I, but Gyesa would also be in danger.

After all, if the precious young lady fell into shock or made a scene…

In the end, I could do nothing but pound my suffocating chest, while that shameless girl ran out of the room in excitement.

“I said no! I don’t want to go!”

I chased after her, but I was already too late.

Perhaps Ham-an-daek, who had been sent away, had already informed Father, because before Eunjo could even reach him, he was already approaching.

“Father!”

Eunjo called brightly.

He glanced at me briefly behind her, then turned his attention back to her.

“I told you not to run.”

The man speaking like a gentle, affectionate father felt unfamiliar.

But I had seen the indifferent eyes he directed at me just moments before, so it all felt like an act.

“I was just about to come see you! What a surprise that you came first.”

Eunjo hugged him, chattering innocently like a girl her age.

He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“I heard my daughters had met, so I came to see.”

It sounded kind.

But the sharp gaze he directed at me told the truth.

He had come to watch—making sure I wasn’t doing anything improper.

His eyes scanned me from head to toe.

Wearing Eunjo’s things suddenly felt humiliating.

Like a clown dressed in clothes beyond her station.

“Aedong, dressed like this, you look quite convincing.”

It was a clear mockery.

No matter how well I imitated a lady, my shabby origins could not be hidden—that was what his eyes said.

I bit my lower lip and clenched the hem of my dress.

“I dressed her up. I’m quite good, right?”

“Yes.”

At Eunjo’s words, he turned his attention back to her.

She clung to his arm and asked sweetly—

“Won’t you go out with us? She’s dressed up like this—it would be a waste.”

He frowned slightly.

“I’d like to, but I have to leave soon.”

“Not even for a moment?”

Still smiling, he stepped back with controlled ease.

“Lee Eunjo. I said I’m busy.”

Was there any father who could look at his daughter so coldly?

Only then did Eunjo seem to realize her mistake, letting go of him awkwardly.

“Oh… I’m sorry. You must be busy with work, Father. I was being childish.”

“That’s right. Go play with Aedong.”

“Yes, I will.”

Watching the strange father and daughter from a distance, he turned his gaze toward me.

“And Aedong—I’ll come to see you soon. We’ll talk then.”

So it comes to this again.

What unpleasant words would he say this time?

My head already began to ache.

Even if I blamed Eunjo’s stubbornness, would it matter?

I nodded silently, and he left without hesitation.

Eunjo watched his back for a long moment, then turned abruptly.

“Well, it can’t be helped! Let’s go out together.”

She tried to sound cheerful, but I could see it.

That emptiness only lonely people carry.

Still, I pretended not to notice.

I wasn’t in a position to pity her.

“Alright.”

She acted to forget her loneliness.

And I went along with her.

She chattered endlessly again.

“Hey, did you know? There’s going to be a banquet at the estate soon.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Father is inviting people related to his business—quite a lot, apparently. I think I’ll attend this time. Even members of the National Assembly are coming. Are you going too?”

“As if.”

“Oh? Why not?”

Of course not.

I may be his daughter—but not truly.

Or perhaps I am… but only in the sense of a transaction.

“My leg isn’t great, and I don’t like crowded places. And how could I attend looking like this?”

“What’s wrong with how you look? If you dress like this, there’s nothing shabby about you.”

“Didn’t you call me shabby earlier?”

“Well, I did. You still look a bit awkward… but if you dress up more often, you might become presentable.”

This girl…

If only I could smack that overly honest, innocent mouth.

I glared at her, but she just kept talking.

“This won’t do. After we eat, let’s go to your room. I’m going to redo your entire wardrobe.”

I sighed, exhausted by her stubbornness.

“Do whatever you want. I don’t care.”

Who could stop her?

Even Ham-an-daek couldn’t.

“Great. I got word that new items arrived at the boutique. Let’s go check them out.”

“Boutique?”

“Yeah, the one on Boutique Street. Don’t tell me you’ve never been?”

By now, I was used to her innocent rudeness, so I simply shook my head.

As expected, she didn’t mock or pity me—just grabbed my arm.

“Let’s go. You’ll enjoy it. Oh—right, I shouldn’t pull you, should I?”

She quickly let go and bounced with excitement instead.

That childlike energy made me smile without realizing it.

“Wow, you can smile?”

I pouted.

“So I’m not allowed to?”

“No, it suits you better. Smile more.”

“I’ll smile when I have a reason.”

“Tch. You were just smiling. Anyway, let’s go.”

As we bickered and stepped outside, a black car was waiting.

And beside it stood Gyesa, dressed neatly.

At the sight of him again, I swallowed hard.

“Gyesa, what are you doing here?”

“I will escort you.”

Hearing Eunjo call his name so casually made my heart drop.

When had they become acquainted?

And Gyesa responded naturally, as if it were nothing, opening the car door smoothly.

Eunjo got in first.

I hesitated, looking at him—but he didn’t look at me.

He treated me like nothing more than a servant would.

“Aren’t you getting in?”

At Eunjo’s urging, I tore my gaze away and got into the car.

“We’re going to the boutique. Gyesa, you’re coming too.”

“Yes.”

The driver and Gyesa sat in the front.

Eunjo and I sat in the back.

She kept talking, but I couldn’t hear a word.

All my attention was fixed on Gyesa’s profile.

What is he thinking…?

As I sighed and turned my gaze toward the window, our eyes met in the rearview mirror.

The Gyesa who I thought wasn’t looking at me—

was staring at me intensely.

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