Eighteen, and Winter (3)
Dad and Chairman Han exchanged a few words of greeting before quickly getting down to business. Whether it was worry over his son, who had never shown any interest in romance, or something else, even the chairman's stern face betrayed a subtle hint of amusement.
"I'm truly grateful you accepted my proposal. You know my third son has been nothing but trouble for years, but ever since the engagement, he's changed noticeably. It's all thanks to Miss Seoyeong."
"Our Seoyeong?"
When the chairman looked at my sister with a slightly excited tone, Madam Han, Mom, and Dad all naturally turned their gazes toward her. The chairman and Madam Han's faces openly showed their sincere gratitude, while Mom and Dad looked a bit surprised.
"I-I didn't do anything..."
My sister bowed her head deeply, fumbling under the four pairs of eyes avoiding her gaze. I probably would've done the same. She was deceiving all four of them outright, so the guilt must be twisting her stomach into knots.
I wanted to help, but she'd blown this situation way out of proportion. This was something she had to handle herself.
After that, the chairman didn't hold back on his thanks and praise for my sister. A man needs a good woman... He wants to bring her in as a daughter-in-law soon... It was making my stomach hurt just listening.
With every word, her face grew paler. She couldn't even force a smile anymore.
"If it were up to me, I'd have the wedding as soon as possible..."
"Ah, Father!"
"Pfft!!"
In the end, the word "wedding" slipped from the chairman's mouth. Ajusshi yelped in panic, and my sister spat out the water she'd been sipping.
...The fact that wedding talk had come up meant they'd been putting on a pretty convincing show as a loving engaged couple. And if Ajusshi had changed so noticeably, I could see why the chairman was thrilled.
Still... what was Ajusshi like before getting engaged to my sister? I was a little curious. I'd like to see that side of him at least once.
"Miss Seoyeong, are you okay?"
Madam Han approached my sister, handing her a handkerchief and gently patting her back. Meanwhile, the chairman harshly scolded Ajusshi for his lack of manners. His voice was so loud it made my shoulders flinch involuntarily.
That's when my eyes met the chairman's. His ghost-like face softened just a fraction for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips. What was that? But it was gone in an instant. As he turned back to scold Ajusshi, his expression reverted to its demonic sternness. Maybe I'd imagined it.
"Miss Seojin."
I was blankly alternating between the chairman and Ajusshi when Madam Han called me. When I turned, she was looking at me with an even softer expression than she'd given my sister.
"Isn't the room a bit stuffy?"
"Ah, I'm fine."
The words slipped out first, but Madam Han shook her head with a gentle smile.
"You might be okay now, but listening to us adults talk forever will wear you out."
Her voice sounded exceptionally kind.
"It's winter, but the snow makes the garden worth seeing today. If you're up for it, Miss Seojin, why don't you take a quick look around?"
I hesitated for a second, and she added soothingly,
"I feel bad making you sit here watching for cues."
Madam Han glanced at me once more, then turned to the servant standing nearby.
"Teacher Jeong."
"Yes, Madam."
"The discussion might drag on, so please escort Miss Seojin to the garden for a bit. Make sure she's careful—it's slippery outside."
She gave Mom an apologetic smile.
"Mrs. Yoon, is it alright if she steps out for some air? Sitting still must be boring."
"Of course. Go ahead."
Mom nodded, so I stood, gave a light bow, and headed out of the drawing room. My sister shot me an envious look. I felt bad... but there was nothing I could do. I hope you navigate this somehow, sis...
Teacher Jeong opened the door for me, and just as I was about to leave, my eyes met Ajusshi's. But he turned away like he hadn't seen me. I clicked my tongue inwardly and quietly followed Teacher Jeong toward the entrance.
Before we went out, she fetched my coat and carefully helped me into it. I appreciated the thoughtfulness, but all the fussing made me feel like a little kid, leaving me a bit sulky.
When the front door opened, the air wasn't as cold as I'd expected. It was morning but nearing noon, and today wasn't too chilly anyway.
"Take your time looking around. I'll wait here."
Knowing I'd feel burdened if she followed, Teacher Jeong said she'd stay by the door. It felt awkward leaving her just standing there, but if that's what she wanted, what could I say?
I left her behind and stepped toward the snow-covered garden. Up close, it was far prettier than from afar. The neatly trimmed trees were blanketed in thick white snow, like a painting. The crunch under my feet made my heart feel strangely full.
Leaving footprints in untouched snow—it had been ages. Back then, I'd have started a snowball fight with the neighborhood kids right away. Strangers banding together, yelling and running around—it was so much fun.
What came next? If I had a close friend, I'd stuff snow down their clothes and run. Alone, I'd quietly make a snowman. Oh yeah, that too. When snow piled up on the tennis court by the playground, I'd lie down and make snow angels. The urge hit me suddenly—I wanted to make one after so long.
But this was Chairman Han's garden. Rolling around felt too reckless. Plus, I was wearing new clothes...
Snowman it was, then. Luckily, the paths were cleared, leaving snow piled like low hills on either side. That should be enough for one.
"Don't you need gloves?"
As I approached the snow hill, Teacher Jeong's voice came from behind. She held out a pair over my shoulder—ivory mittens.
I turned in surprise, but her expression didn't change as she waited for my response.
"Ah... yes. Thank you."
I took them, and she bowed lightly before retreating to the door. Her every move was so seamless it was almost eerie. Is that what it takes to work here? I'd never manage it, even in a thousand lifetimes.
With the gloves on, I approached the snow hill freely. The fit was spot-on—creepy. How'd she know? Anyway, I scooped a handful of snow, and it packed perfectly—not too wet, not too powdery.
"Oh..."
A gasp escaped me. I made a small snowball and started rolling it along the snow pile by the path. It grew steadily as snow clung on, but soon my arms started aching. And since I wasn't rolling it on the path, the shape was lumpy. Too big was out of the question anyway.
Better to make a few small ones.
I'd just finished a decent snowman and was roughly piling on another ball when a woman's voice came from behind.
"Huh...?"
I whipped around in surprise. A girl about my sister's age stood on one side of the garden path, dressed neatly in a coat and muffler. She wasn't quite as stunning as my sister, but her face was really pretty. She looked familiar... but I couldn't place her.
She blinked at me for a while, then her mouth fell open slightly.
"An... angel..."
"Pardon?"
As I tilted my head, she suddenly rushed toward me. The closer she got, the more intimidated I felt. Up close, she was tall. Not 180cm, but easily over 170. I'd never seen a girl taller than my sister.
...Double hills aside—hers were bigger.
"W-what do I do... You're so cute...!"
Her eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands over her mouth, practically bouncing on her toes. I just blinked.
"You're not a doll, right? A real person? Someone like you actually exists...?"
I flapped my mouth, unsure what to say, when footsteps approached from behind.
"Miss."
It was Teacher Jeong. She stood beside me, bowing slightly toward the girl.
"This is the second daughter from President Yoon's family."
"Second... daughter...?"
The girl's eyes widened even more. I nodded frantically, suddenly tongue-tied.
"So... you're the sister of the girl engaged to Yeonho oppa...?"
She muttered to herself. Hearing that, I blinked and nodded too.
Yeonho oppa...? Oh, Ajusshi's little sister.
That explained the familiarity—up close, she really resembled Madam Han and Ajusshi. Blood tells. And calling him Yeonho oppa instead of just oppa suggested more siblings maybe.
As I thought that, she kept staring, tilting her head side to side.
Was something wrong?
"But that's weird? You look so familiar..."
Her intense gaze made me squirm. As I tried to look away, her face lit up.
"Ah, I remember!"
I looked back in surprise, and she said,
"You're the one from Yeonho oppa's phone!"
"...Pardon?"