A Reward for Good Behavior
The sound of people swallowing hard echoed from all around us. They were reacting to the kiss mark on Yuria's neck. Her face, which could easily slap the cheek of a Hollywood actor and still look flawless, played a big part too. Whispers floated by—handsome man, celebrity couple, newlyweds. Yuria must have heard them as well, because she trembled slightly while scooping food at the buffet. Yet a faint smile lingered on her lips. The words couple and newlyweds seemed to please her.
I casually filled my plate and sat down at the table. Soon after, Yuria arrived with drinks and took the seat across from me.
This feels similar to when I ate at the buffet on Ganghwa Island with Sehwa. This wasn’t Ganghwa, but it was still Incheon. I hadn’t planned it, but the situation had coincidentally aligned. The old memory brought a faint smile to my face, and Yuria asked,
“Mr. Jihyeok, aren’t you having a drink?”
“Just bring me whatever.”
“Ah, yes. Just a moment.”
Yuria quickly stood and headed to the beverage station. After deep deliberation, she chose pomegranate juice. She walked back slowly, careful not to spill a drop, and gently set the cup beside my plate. The way she served me like a devoted attendant drew envious glances from the men around us. What are you looking at? If you’re jealous, go become the Demon King.
“Enjoy your meal,” I said with a bright smile. Yuria lowered her head slightly, showing a hint of shyness.
“Yes…”
She picked up a shrimp with her fork and brought it to her mouth slowly. The way she chewed so daintily, like a modest young lady, made me chuckle inwardly. She was putting on an act. This wasn’t the side she showed in front of Kim Taegon. This dad is truly heartbroken.
“Mr. Jihyeok… aren’t you eating…?”
It was a question that came after she had taken an incredibly long time to chew and swallow that single shrimp.
“You’re acting all innocent right now, aren’t you?”
When I asked so directly, Yuria’s face turned as red as a ripe persimmon.
“N-no, I’m not…?”
“Really?”
“…..”
Her constantly shifting expressions were quite entertaining. Normally, such a remark would be rude, yet she showed no sign of wanting to argue or look disappointed. For someone as proud as Yuria to react this way… It seemed I had fastened the first button perfectly—maybe a little too perfectly.
“I’m joking. Go ahead and eat.”
“Yes…”
Perhaps relieved that the awkward question had passed, Yuria let out a small sigh and brought more food to her mouth. But she must have been conscious of my words, because she tried hard to act more casual. I didn’t tease her any further and quietly began eating.
My plate emptied quickly. Yuria paused while reaching for some meat and asked,
“You’re already finished? Shall I get you more?”
Since she had shown such a commendable attitude, I decided to serve her this time. With a benevolent smile, I shook my head, stood up, and headed back to the food station. Until I had filled the entire plate, Yuria didn’t touch her own meal. She simply watched me the whole time. A girl completely in love. What a girl.
After setting down the second plate, I didn’t sit. Instead, I went to the salad station, carefully prepared a salad with great attention, and placed it beside her.
“Eat this after you finish your food.”
“Ah…”
Yuria let out a short gasp, overwhelmed with emotion. She alternated her gaze between the salad and my face before speaking.
“Thank you…”
“I never did this for Sehwa…”
I muttered it casually, and Yuria let out a happy little “Hmm…” through her nose. See? Do something nice and you get rewarded. So just keep listening to me.
@@
That night, after strolling around the hotel with Jihyeok and watching a movie, Yuria sat in a rocking chair in the living room of the suite.
“Yes. No. I’m talking about changing the decorations into protective gear. Something that can cover the entire leg. Yes, that’s right. First……”
Listening to Jihyeok’s phone conversation with Dr. Cash from the bedroom, Yuria leaned the back of her head against the chair and rocked gently, lost in thought.
The call seems to be about modifying the suit.
His voice was loud enough that she could easily follow the content. Dr. Jennifer Cash—the developer of the Devices and a certified genius—was seeking advice and listening attentively to Jihyeok? He truly was an indispensable presence in the lab. Even during the battle with Astaroth… Despite being much younger than Dr. Cash, his quick thinking and judgment were outstanding. The doctor called him her assistant, but from what Yuria could see, he was someone who walked alongside her, matching her stride. Or perhaps it was Jihyeok who adjusted his pace to hers.
Yuria raised Song Jihyeok’s priority in her mind even higher. He really was an amazing person.
At first, she had grown interested because he displayed many of Aaron’s habits. But as time passed, she became charmed by Song Jihyeok himself. He was smart and incredibly handsome.
Aaron…
The problem was Seunghyeon, Aaron’s reincarnation. As she had thought before eating with him, she could not give up on Aaron. Yet even that resolve was gradually fading for various reasons. There were memories—strolling along the vast ridge beside the kingdom on a white horse, disguising themselves to inspect the capital and gauge the people’s sentiment, and many more. They had truly loved each other. But Aaron remembered none of it. He was even dating her colleague Sehwa. And for a very long time at that. Meanwhile, she had been unable to forget Aaron and hadn’t even considered dating another man.
How despicable…
Of course, she herself—who had completely fallen for Jihyeok—was equally despicable. No, she was worse. She was seeing Jihyeok while retaining all her memories.
To calm her troubled heart, Yuria closed her eyes and leaned fully into the rocking chair. Then a sudden thought occurred to her.
Her father had possessed Kim Taegon’s memories as well. If Aaron had reincarnated, then he too must have Seunghyeon’s memories, just like her father. If… if Seunghyeon had regained all his memories while happily dating Sehwa, would he choose her? Could he abandon his childhood friend Sehwa? The reason they had broken up was because Sehwa’s heart had been stolen by Jihyeok—Seunghyeon had never been the one to let her go first. From their conversation at their last meal, it was clear he still harbored deep feelings for her. Someone so stubbornly devoted… would he really abandon Sehwa and come to her?
No matter how much they had been lovers in their past lives, she couldn’t be certain.
“Haa…”
She sighed and slightly opened her eyes. There was Jihyeok, pacing in the bedroom and speaking earnestly. Being with him slowly moved her heart. She was incredibly drawn to his domineering side—the way he could bend even a princess like herself, someone far stronger than ordinary people—and she even admired it. She wanted to emulate him. The desire to control others like that bloomed inside her chest.
Of course, not toward Jihyeok. He was someone beyond reach, someone standing at the very top of her head. If she challenged him, their hard-earned relationship might collapse. She didn’t want that, so she had to remain obedient to Jihyeok.
I wonder if Sehwa knows this side of Mr. Jihyeok?
From what she could tell, he seemed to yield to Sehwa quite a bit. Did that mean she alone knew his secret? The personality he showed now was so much more attractive… It was exciting.
As these thoughts swirled, the urge to stick close to Jihyeok grew stronger. Yuria recalled the conversation they had shared in the lab last time. When she had asked how he would feel if Sehwa didn’t remember him after waking from a three-year sleep, Jihyeok had answered that he would approach her to build a new love.
A new love…
The phrase “new love” stuck with her. It had nothing to do with the context of that conversation, but still.
Her father had genuinely liked Jihyeok. He had even said Jihyeok reminded him more of Aaron.
“What are you thinking about?”
While she was lost in her scattered thoughts, Jihyeok—who had finished his call at some point—approached. Startled, Yuria looked up at his face. Just seeing him made all her complicated thoughts vanish, replaced by a warm spring breeze in her chest. A fresh, budding feeling. She wanted to feel more of it.
“Just… random thoughts… Oh?”
Yuria noticed that the ring was missing from Jihyeok’s ring finger. Her voice trembled as she asked,
“The ring… when did you take it off…?”
Could it be because of the promise she had made with him? If so, she would be truly touched.
“Just now. You listened well today, didn’t you? I have to give you a reward.”
“Ah, that’s right… Thank you.”
Yes. This wasn’t a “promise.” It was a “reward.” A one-sided gift Jihyeok was giving her because she had behaved. She had presumptuously thought of it as a promise. She hoped he wasn’t displeased.
Thinking that, Yuria said,
“Yes… Thank you…”
“Is that how someone who’s thankful should act?”
“Huh? Ah!”
Flustered, Yuria shot up from the rocking chair. He had generously taken off the ring, yet she had remained seated and answered so carelessly. It was a mistake. She should never have done that…
Yuria bowed her head deeply and expressed her gratitude once more.
“Thank you very much…”
“What were you thinking about?”
“About you, Mr. Jihyeok… and Mr. Seunghyeon…”
“Yu Seunghyeon? You clearly said you wouldn’t meet him if I took the ring off.”
“I… I was preparing to let him go.”
She should have answered honestly… but she lied. If she didn’t speak properly now, the lies would pile up and eventually… If she got caught, her relationship with Jihyeok might completely collapse. Maybe she should just stop seeing Seunghyeon for real? But Seunghyeon was Aaron’s reincarnation. He was an important person… She would meet him secretly without getting caught. Meeting him occasionally should be fine. That was what Yuria told herself.
“Is that so? Have you finished sorting everything out?”
“Ah, not yet…”
“If it’s too hard, you can cancel. I’ll give you one last chance.”
Yuria’s pupils shook violently. This was an opportunity to take back her words. If she took it, she could meet Seunghyeon openly. But when Jihyeok pulled the ring from his pocket and moved to put it back on his finger, a surge of jealousy shot through her in an instant.
I want to monopolize him. I don’t want to give him to anyone else.
That envious emotion swept through Yuria’s entire body.
“No! I… I like you more, Mr. Jihyeok.”
Apparently satisfied with her answer, Jihyeok nodded and put the ring back in his pocket. Yuria wanted to snatch it immediately and throw it down the drain. But she didn’t have the courage, so she held back. If she kept listening well, maybe he would eventually let her discard it.
She sat there blankly, and Jihyeok smiled brightly. Yuria thought that smile was incredibly handsome. It didn’t carry any trace of Aaron… but she felt it was even better than Aaron’s.
With her mouth stretched ear to ear, Yuria watched as Jihyeok stepped closer and held out his hand.
“Hand.”
“Yes!”
She immediately took his hand. Then Jihyeok commanded,
“Interlock fingers.”
Yuria slipped her fingers between his thick ones. Jihyeok frowned slightly. She panicked.
Ah! I’m in trouble! Without realizing…
She quickly loosened her grip and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jihyeok…”
“Are you going to keep doing this in the future? If something doesn’t please you, you’ll just use force to fix it?”
“No! I never meant to do that!”
It was just a mistake. She had been too happy, too nervous, and unconsciously put strength into her grip. She had never intended to hurt him… It felt so unfair.
Jihyeok turned his body and suddenly grabbed both of her cheeks. Seeing those burning eyes, Yuria felt an overwhelming urge to submit to him once again.
“You won’t do it again, right?”
“Yes… Never… Hngh!”
Jihyeok roughly kneaded her cheeks. Yuria trembled in fear, yet at the same time wondered if she was a pervert for getting excited by the sight. She hoped he would keep showing her this side of him…
“I-I’m sorry…”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I… I presumptuously used force…”
Jihyeok nodded and released her.
“Your apology doesn’t satisfy me. I don’t feel any sincerity.”
Thump!
Yuria’s heart sank. It was because Jihyeok’s expression as he looked at her was terribly twisted. She could understand why he was angry. She was an idiot who always acted before thinking. And since she always just spouted “I’m sorry” without meaning it, it was no wonder he couldn’t feel any sincerity.
What should she do? How could she calm his anger?
Tears welling up, Yuria’s lips parted.
“What… should I do…?”